Inked-Approved Beers: No Fluff, Just Damn Good Brews

This International Beer Day, we’re toasting the bold, the brewed, and the unapologetically original. Whether it’s crisp lagers, hoppy IPAs, rich stouts, or wild experimental ales, this curated guide is made for the rule-breakers, tastemakers, and inked-up beer lovers who live life with flavor and edge. From craft legends to up-and-coming breweries, plus beer-inspired gear and glassware that stand out, these handpicked selections are anything but ordinary.

Forget the mass-market six-pack. This feature highlights conversation-starting brews and bold brands that speak to those who value craft, culture, and self-expression.

Pittsburgh Brewing Company

Since 1861, Iron City Beer has stood the test of time. Built on quality, integrity, and tradition, this brew is a true Pittsburgh staple. Brewed in classic Pittsburgh style, this traditional American lager delivers crisp barley malt flavor with subtle notes of sweet corn and a touch of American hops. The result is a smooth, easy-drinking beer with a clean finish, crafted for those who work hard and take pride in where they’re from.

Drekker Brewing Company

Who is Drekker Brewing Company? They’re a band of misfits from Fargo, North Dakota, who’ve been hell bent on creating experiences and destroying expectations for the last decade, and they’re only getting weirder (better). Their gaggle of super mega mad scientists are constantly toiling over potions ranging from traditional lagers and the like, to crushable IPAs, to the funkiest sours your taste buds could ever imagine. Everything they do is an experiment in joy and a middle finger to the expected. Curious if Drekker is lurking in your area? Check out their Beer Finder. Skål!

Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

Deep Ellum Brewing Company is celebrating 13 years of Dallas Blonde! In a town famous for its bottled blondes, they’ve reset the bar. This shimmering golden ale combines light floral hops with toasty malts for a beautifully balanced, sessionable brew. Guaranteed to deliver more fun. Available in 6-packs, 12-packs, and 19.2oz Tall Girls across Texas. Dallas Blonde is a flagship beer of Deep Ellum Brewing Company; born and raised in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. Love Runs Deep!

Bissell Brothers Brewing

Swish is a legendary Double IPA brewed in Portland, Maine by Bissell Brothers. It’s helped define the New England-style/”hazy” IPA since debuting in 2014. Originally a winter-only release, it’s now available year-round. This hop-forward favorite delivers notes of tangerine, tropical fruit, and sticky pine resin on a background of 100% Maine-grown grain. With a stellar 4.48 rating on Untappd and over 125,000 check-ins, Swish ranks among the world’s top-rated DIPAs. As its availability expands beyond Maine, more craft beer lovers than ever can get their hands on this iconic beer. Check your local craft beer retailer or find it at Bissell Brothers’ taproom.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Hazy Little Thing from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the beloved citrusy and smooth Hazy IPA, delivers an immersive IPA experience that you can taste and feel. Known for its fruit-forward flavor, modest bitterness, and smooth finish, Hazy Little Thing is aggressively dry-hopped but still approachable. It’s a category leader and is available in all 50 states, making it a reliable choice for hop heads and casual craft beer drinkers alike.

North Drinkware

North Drinkware crafts hand blown beer and whiskey glasses that bring the spirit of the mountains into your home. Each glass features accurate 3D data of iconic peaks like Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, or Half Dome—built for beer lovers who chase elevation and expression. Designed and made in Oregon, USA these conversation-starting glasses are as bold and distinctive as the beers they hold. More than glassware, they’re tributes to adventure, artistry, and the wild places that shape us. Find your favorite peak in your new favorite glass at northdrinkware.com

Toppling Goliath Brewing

From its humble beginnings in 2009 in the small town of Decorah, Iowa, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. has grown into a world-renowned brewery known for its bold, hop-forward beers and rich barrel-aged stouts. Their iconic Pseudo Sue Pale Ale, brewed with Citra hops, features ferocious hop aromas of citrus and mango with a refreshing taste that is bright with just enough bite.

The brewery has expanded into the world of spirits, offering a variety of flavored vodka, gin, and limited-batch whisky. Most recently they launched Merry Rain, a line of cannabis-infused sparkling waters. 

Angel City Brewing

Inspired by their neighbors in Little Tokyo, this Japanese-style dry lager by Angel City Brewing is a crisp, refreshing nod to tradition. It pours a bright golden hue with subtle aromas of dandelion and lemon, offering a drinking experience that’s both easy and distinctive. Brewed with rice for a clean, smooth body, it finishes with a zesty lemon hop bitterness that keeps you coming back for more. Whether someone is new to the style or already a fan, this lager strikes the perfect balance of heritage and West Coast flair. It’s light, dry, and seriously crushable.

New Holland Brewing Co.

Dragon’s Milk by New Holland Brewing Co is brewed for those who craft their own legend. Born from fire and aged in bourbon barrels, it delivers bold flavor built on roasted malt and finished with notes of vanilla, oak, and dark fruit. Each bottle is a tribute to those who live deliberately, create with purpose, and respect the time it takes to forge something great. From the brewhouse to the bottle, Dragon’s Milk is a celebration of strength and craft. No shortcuts. No compromises. Just the mark of the dragon and the legacy it leaves behind.