Hoppin' Frog Brewery B.O.R.I.S. Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial StoutOur seventh of 12 candidates for America's Next Top Beer ...

B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout
Hoppin' Frog Brewery -- Akron, Ohio

This Akron brewery's Mean Manalishi Double IPA might be a safer bet for the masses, but Hoppin' Frog's thick, robust oatmeal stout might be the best of its breed.

"Hoppin' Frog may be the biggest sleeper of the bunch," according to Jay Janikowski, manager of Chicago's revered beer Mecca, The Map Room. "Most folks haven't heard of them, but you cannot deny the quality of their beers."

Boasting a full body and a rich, chocolaty flavor with just a hint of fruit and mocha, this dark stout lives up to its conquest-ready name. No wonder it grabbed the gold at the Great American Beer Festival.

The final word:

Joe Sixpack: "Smooth"
The Beer Sommelier: "Chocolaty"
Marty Wombacher: "Hoppy"
Jay Jankowski: "Money"


To see a roundup of all the nominated beers, and to get more information on our Microbrewed Beer of the Month giveaway, check out our America's Next Top Beer hub.

Which microbrew should be America's Next Top Beer?
AleSmith Anvil ESB Ale104 (1.2%)
Alpha King252 (2.9%)
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout 411 (4.8%)
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale882 (10.3%)
Brooklyn Lager649 (7.5%)
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA 262 (3.0%)
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA1198 (13.9%)
Lagunitas Brewing's IPA417 (4.9%)
New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber2488 (28.9%)
Ommegang Abbey Ale369 (4.3%)
Stone Pale Ale1204 (14.0%)
Surly Brewing Co.'s Furious361 (4.2%)