--- title: "The Ranking You Didn’t Expect: The Real 5 Best Beers in the World?" description: "No matter where you look on the Internet, you'll notice that people love lists and rankings, constantly being bombarded with \"top 10 of this\" or \"the best 20 of that,\" and the beer world is no different." url: https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/the-5-best-beers-in-the-world/ date: 2023-03-18 modified: 2026-06-25 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Cervezas-al-atardecer-Facebook.jpg categories: ["Opinion"] tags: ["Beer Brewing", "Beer Styles", "Culture", "Opinion"] type: post lang: en --- # The Ranking You Didn’t Expect: The Real 5 Best Beers in the World? No matter where you look on the Internet, you’ll notice that people love lists and rankings about almost anything — music, restaurants, TV shows, and of course, beer. ![The 5 best beers in the world](https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Cervezas-al-atardecer-Facebook.jpg)*The 5 best beers in the world* We’re constantly being bombarded with “top 10 of this” or “[the best 20 of that](https://www.thebeertimes.com/las-verdaderas-20-cervezas-mas-influyentes-todos-los-tiempos/)” and in the [world of beer](https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/what-is-beer-and-how-is-it-brewed-definition-ingredients-and-basic-processes/) it’s no different. But the truth is there’s no need to get too worked up about it, assuming these lists are meant to celebrate some truly incredible beers; however, calling any beer “the best” in any category simply doesn’t make sense. ## Does the best beer in the world actually exist? First of all, taste in beer is subjective (when it’s well-crafted); this means that the beer that’s best for me isn’t necessarily the best for everyone else. We all have different tastes and what I might find appealing in a beer, you might absolutely hate. Moreover, the more [types of beer](https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/beer-types-origin-and-styles/) you drink, the more your tastes will begin to change. Finally, there are simply too many beers in the world to consider any single one of them the best. How could anyone say which is the best [IPA](https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/english-ipa-vs-american-ipa-style-references-similarities-and-differences/) when just between regular and seasonal offerings, there are currently more than 10,000 different versions being produced in the United States alone? Of those, the vast majority aren’t even bottled, so while it might be a fun challenge to attempt, in practice it’s simply impossible. That said, to honor the title of this post, here’s a list of what could be the real 5 best beers in the world. ## 1. The beer that’s in your hand right now If you have a beer in your hand, you’re already doing pretty well. Sure, it might not be the [best beer](https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/westvleteren-12-quadrupel-the-legend-of-the-best-beer-in-the-world/) you’ve ever tried, but it’s undoubtedly better than having none at all. When people ask us about our favorite beer, this is generally our answer. We love trying new beers all the time, and if we have a beer in hand, we’re already pretty happy. You should be too. ## 2. Your next beer after this one What beer is better than the one you’re drinking right now? The next one, of course. When you’re finishing your first beer and already know what your next choice will be, there’s no doubt you’ll feel a great sense of satisfaction. ## 3. The beer you’ve enjoyed the most Everyone has a handful of beers that make them smile just thinking about them. They might not exactly be [the best beers from a technical standpoint](https://www.thebeertimes.com/a-que-nos-referimos-por-calidad-en-cervezas/), but they’re the ones that made you happiest. Many of your favorite beers, some of them truly incredible, will likely never appear on any ranking — but regardless, you smile every time you try them again. ## 4. The beer that’s free Admit it: a free beer is always welcome, whether it’s an exclusive brew you received as a birthday gift or an invitation to a launch event with an open beer bar. Free beers are, generally speaking, the best beers in the world. Sure, sometimes they’re also terrible — like that time we were invited to a private launch and the unlimited beer at the bar tasted like water — but at least we didn’t have to pay for it. ## 5. Your own homebrewed beer Anyone who loves craft beer should brew their own at least once in their life to truly appreciate the process. We can’t think of a better hobby than homebrewing. What other pastime lets you drink beer while making beer? Not every beer you brew at home will be perfect, but the sheer fact that you pulled it off is already very impressive. And the more you practice, the better your results will get. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. Does a “best” beer in the world actually exist? The short answer is a resounding no. If beer taste were an exact science, we’d all be drinking the same thing and missing out on all the fun. The reality is that the beer that blows our minds might mean nothing to you — and that’s perfectly fine. ### 2. What’s the point of beer rankings and lists? They’re great for discovering new beers or sparking a good debate. We love reading a top 10 and finding a beer we didn’t know about to add to our bucket list. But don’t take them as gospel — use them as inspiration. At the end of the day, your palate is the only judge that matters. ### 3. What makes a beer good? A good beer is, first and foremost, one that’s well-made and then makes you happy. Technically, there are things that shouldn’t happen — like off-flavors of cardboard or vinegar. But beyond that, if a beer makes you smile, it’s done its job. You don’t need to be an expert to know whether you like something or not. ### 4. Is it worth chasing the most famous beers? If you get the chance, absolutely try them. It’s interesting to see why so many people speak highly of them and it helps you understand more about different styles. But don’t obsess over it. Sometimes a simple beer enjoyed ice cold with friends after a long day is worth more than any trophy. Freshness and the moment often beat medals. ### 5. How do I find the perfect beer for me? The only way is to keep trying. Don’t always stick with the same brand. Go ahead and order that dark beer you’ve never tried, or the one with the strange name. Making mistakes is part of the game. And if you feel like brewing your own, even better. ## Recommended - [The origin of green beer in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations](https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/origin-of-green-beer-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day/) - [CBD Oil: Cannabidiol benefits and contraindications](https://www.thebeertimes.com/aceite-de-cbd-cannabidiol-beneficios-y-contraindicaciones/)