Whether it's Coors, Budweiser, Busch, or Miller, North American beer lovers have long been fond of lagers, despite the recent surge of IPAs, doppelbocks, and Belgian-style ales. The question is, with so many similar tasting options on the market, are beer enthusiasts loyal to a specific brand or do they switch between lagers?

Food & Wine put this debate to the test, assembling a panel of judges to blind taste test 20 popular North American lagers and determine which one deserves the top spot. Judges were kept in the dark about which beer they were tasting and then scored each brew from 1 to 5 based on its flavor, finish, and overall drinkability.

And the verdict? Brooklyn Brewery's Vienna-style amber lager emerged as the clear victor. One editor praised it as being "Definitely the most flavorful of the bunch", and it stood out with its malty, toasted flavors and a dry-hop finish ($12 for six-pack).

Close behind Brooklyn was Samuel Adams, a German-style amber lager created by Boston Beer Company in the mid-1980s. One reviewer said, “This tastes like real beer” ($13 for a six-pack).

However, it wasn't just the American breweries who excelled in this challenge. Mexican brewed Modelo Especial caught the judges' attention with its full-bodied, pale yellow, Pilsner-style lager and enduring freshness. One editor mused, “This tastes like the 1980s in the best way” ($12 for a six-pack).

Rhode Island-based 'Gansett received good marks for its American adjunct lager which had a bread-like finish and was also noted for their larger can size, offering a better value for money ($9 for a six-pack).

Among the more traditional golden lagers, Coors Banquet was a crowd-pleaser for its smooth, malt-forward profile and subtle banana hints ($9 for a six-pack). Corona Extra, with its hoppier profile and a hint of citrus and green apple flavors, was deemed an ideal choice on a hot day ($10 for a six-pack).

And finally, surprising the judges was Miller Lite. Even though none had it as their first choice, it scored the highest among all the light beers sampled due to its pleasant structure, effervescence and outstanding head retention. As one editor remarked, "I could chug this all day” ($10 for a six-pack).

So, next time you're in the mood for a lager, take your pick from these top-rated brews. Your taste buds are sure to thank you.