A value pick: I need an American pale ale, and feel that I just can't pass this one up:

Lucky's selects Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
After picking Racer 5 and Pliny the Elder, I couldn't bring myself to select SNPA, but it was the highest quality (everywhere) beer out there from day 1.
Not *quite* an IPA, and not *quite* just a pale ale. Great but drinkable, even sessionable. Great beer.