Fun list. There are some beers on here I've never tried, some I've never heard of, and some are my favorites. Subjective though the list might be, as NewJersey notes, it's great to rank these based on their merits, rather than on their reputation or marketing.
I'm madly in love with Anti-Hero IPA right now. I picked it up having never heard of it, and was blown away. I'm definitely making a trip to the brewery in May and I cannot wait. Had I been on the tasting panel, it definitely would not have stopped at 28.
I also just tried Smuttynose Rhye IPA. I liked it, but I think it was the beer to ruin me on the Chico strain. I kept thinking about what it could be, rather than what it is.
Oh, also, I was pretty disappointed to not see Three Floyds on the list! I realize their distribution sucks right now, but some of the beers left out of the competition were ringers.