My brother sent me a link to this post on the best breweries on Travelhacker. It's not a bad list really, but it was obviously written by a beer novice.

The novice presents the following problems: First suggesting the likes of Anchor, Stone and DogFishHead to a Bud Light drinker is a good way to turn them off craft beer. Second the author uses the term Microbrewery, which is more of a term last century, craft brewery is the more current language. Last major mistake is the author includes a Meadery on the list and while Redstone has a good reputation, a meadery is no more a brewery than a winery is one.

Otherwise I think it's a good list of good breweries and while I can't speak to the quality of the Texas breweries, that is a function of the state's legal system making distribution difficult, I do know they have some fine beers.

I did notice a few missing from the list that I think any quality craft brewery list would need to have. First Ommegang, the New York brewery, is doing as much to put Belgian style ales on the map as Russian River is on the West Coast. Next Bells has a national reputation that few small breweries can match. Last and not least Brooklyn brewery, with Garret Oliver as brewmaster, has been a powerful force in the industry for many years and their beer is amazing.

Last a few honorable mentions that shouldn't be forgotten. Sierra Nevada is perhaps the father of the Hoppy West Coast style ales and they deserve recognition. Likewise Sam Adams, while not everyone's favorite, has been been a founding father of the craft beer revolution and does deserve some recognition.

That all said this is a list worth checking out, but save some time on your travels for my suggestions as well.