By Greg Ellison

(April 1, 2021) While not taking top honors, Berlin placed fourth in the 2021 Best Small Town Beer Scene contest that concluded on March 26.

The USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice contest ended with Berlin outpaced by top three finishers: Avondale Estates, Georgia, Maple Shade, New Jersey and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the contest involved some top-flight communities.

“We were in the company of some amazing towns throughout the country,” she said.

Wells said nominees were initially selected through a joint effort by an expert panel and 10Best editors.

“People wanting to nominate us indicates … we belonged in that class,” she said.

Contest criteria limited participating municipalities to those with less than 30,000 residents that also exemplified stellar beer scenes.

Wells said Berlin should be proud to finish in fourth place during its first time competing for the title of best small town beer scene.

“To come in the top 5 … we’ll take it,” she said.

Notable for fostering suds development in Berlin is the Burley Oak Brewing Company that began serving craft selections in 2011.

In addition to Pitt Stop Beer & Wine on Route 113, Berlin beer fans previously embraced the now defunct Fins Ale House & Raw Bar on Main Street.

For nearly a decade Berlin has hosted an Oktoberfest celebration, which has attracted upwards of 5,000 thirst seekers in past years, and highlighted offerings from an array of area brewers.