Earlier this week, I posted a map that the Houston Press had put together, showing the United States of Beer. Although some states were lucky enough to be represented by a craft brew, the inclusion of such industrial swill as Bud, Keystone Light, and Pabst Blue Ribbon brought out howls of protest in the comments thread.
It turns out, much to my delight, that the GOOD community is passionate about GOOD beer! So we asked you to nominate the most awesome, best-tasting, sustainably brewed, independently owned, community-oriented craft beer brewed in your state, and then we made our own map, showing the breweries with the most nominations.
It is truly the United States of GOOD Beer, and you can click on the image above to check it out in detail. There were some very close calls—in New York, Ommegang received only one nomination less than the winning Sixpoint, and in Pennsylvania, Tröegs only narrowly lost out to Victory. GOOD's home state of California was the most hotly contested, while Michigan's Bell's Brewery scored the clearest win. We were excited to receive nominations from forty-nine states (beer lovers of Idaho, where were you?), many introducing us to amazing-sounding beers and breweries that we hadn't come across before. Time for a road trip?
As I recently learned from the documentary Beer Wars, three companies—Coors, Miller, and Anheuser-Busch—account for an astonishing 78 percent of the United States market, with 70 percent of beer wholesalers only selling Anheuser-Busch products. As Jim Koch of the Boston Beer Company (makers of Sam Adams) said in the movie, "It's as if all we know about food, we learned from McDonald's!"
It's clearly time for a beer revolution. After all, to my mind, part of drinking responsibly should mean paying attention to how and where your beer was made, and who your consumer dollars are supporting. So, thank you for all the comments and suggestions, and if you're heading out to the store to stock up for Sunday's Superbowl, we hope our map will inspire you to drink the right thing—and perhaps even discover a new favorite.
UPDATE: This map has been updated. We replaced a mislabeled photo for Washington's Epic Ales; added Star Hill Brewery for Virginia and Capitol City Brewing for Washington, D.C.; and made a few spelling corrections. Thanks for alerting us in the comments and please continue to nominate your favorite brews.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Thanks again for your nominations. In response to popular demand, we are working on a poster of the map but need your help to fund it! Hop on over to our Kickstarter campaign page and become a backer!
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.