OK, there are a couple of weeks to go, but I thought I'd get things started to give people a chance to reflect and ponder awhiles. Personally, I think it's been another very good for beer, though on an anecdotal level I seem to have found more problems with quality and conditioning in the last couple of months, than the rest of the entire year. No doubt a reflection of the parlous times we live in.
My choices are based on those I've actually drunk and enjoyed over the last twelve months, I'm not saying they're necessarily the best twelve out there. Anyhoo, they are:
Dark Star - Hophead.
Sarah Hughes - Ruby Mild.
Ossett - B2K IPA.
Five Towns - Lucky7.
Fernandes - Malt Shovel Mild.
Elland - Nocturne.
Mallinsons - NZ3.
Northern - Two Tone Stout.
Kirkstall - Black Band Porter.
Magic Rock - High Wire.
Magic Rock - Dark Arts.
Fyne Ales - Jarl.
As someone who tends to drink at the pale end of the spectrum most of the time, I'm surprised at the number of dark beers in the list (approx 2:1), but maybe my enjoyment of them is a reaction to pale beer overload?
If I had to pick a champion beer, then it's an easy choice (and probably no surprise to many), the superb Magic Rock High Wire.
What about everybody else?