In this issue

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time for us at The Beer Connoisseur to reflect on the year that was in 2022 with our year-end print edition.

2022 finally resembled something of a “normal” year after the doldrums of two years of COVID-related strife. Taprooms, bars and breweries were all back to normal operating hours – though there definitely were fewer of them as the long COVID layoff caused a number of them to shut their doors permanently.

Still though, innovation in beer and brewing was high and popular new styles continued to crop up – including the continued rise in popularity of lagers, specifically imported lagers and Mexican lagers. Those trends and more – including non-alcoholic beers, THC/CBD beverages and cold IPAs – can be found within this issue in our year-end Trends story by Jim Dykstra.

Last year was a terrific one in terms of our Official Review as our judges evaluated a record-tying 13 beers that achieved World Class ratings of 96 or above. Furthermore, one beer achieved a near-perfect rating of 99 – making it one of only five other beers in our history to reach those lofty heights in our Official Review.
For our Breweries of the Year story, our top Brewery of the Year is from New England and is known for its high-quality IPAs, stouts and maple ales – hopefully those hints aren’t too precise, so read on to find out who won!

Though this issue is in the spotlight, we also debuted our Atlanta/Georgia Print Edition to our local fans in 2022 – allowing us to feature the happenings in our own backyard in greater detail with coverage of local breweries, bars, restaurants, events and much more.

As always, our continued coverage would amount to nothing without you, our dear readers, so we profoundly thank you for your continued support and look forward to raising a glass with you in the new year.

Cheers to a Happy 2023!

Madtree 2.0- How To Grow A Brewery

Cincinnati Brewery Doubles Down on Quality, Employees, and Charitable Giving

6 mins

Incredible Pulp Blood Orange Extra Pale Ale – Boneyard Beer – 91 Rating ​​​​​​​

Responses from Boneyard Beer’s founder and brewmaster Tony Lawrence. 

1 min

Gueuze: The Champagne of Craft Beer

With a new year swiftly approaching, it’s time to dust off that lambic basket and prepare to ring in 2017 with a beverage far superior to champagne.

3 mins

Winter Style Recommendations

Think outside the Bocks with these “alt-wintry-night” beer styles.

4 mins

The Mixed-Culture Master

Chad Yakobson of Crooked Stave discusses his brewing techniques and his pioneering work with Brettanomyces.

8 mins

Chasing the Rabbit: Bobby Thomas of Red Hare Brewing

The head brewer talks background, beers and bunnies.

5 mins

Why Beers Need “Packaged On” Dates

I recently completed a beer trade with a couple of friends and ended up with the equivalent of two mixed six-packs after the swap.

6 mins

Foeders

The Barrel's Big Brother

5 mins

Drinking in the French Countryside

England, Belgium, Amsterdam, Germany and even the Czech Republic rank as noted European beer travel destinations, but what about France?

6 mins

St Bernard's A Tail Of Licker Barrels And Heroism

The Story Behind the Most Interesting Man’s Best Friend in the World.

5 mins

Sonoma Calling

Connoisseur’s Corner.

6 mins

Organic Beer: The Natural Choice

Is organic beer a trend, or a vision for the future?

4 mins

Jekyll Brewing Makes Historically Good Beer

For Lundmark and Rachel (pictured), Jekyll is not a clock-punching kind of gig. It’s their journey, purposeful and for the benefit of all. There’s no turning back.

4 mins

What Is Original Gravity?

As Mythbusters’ ballistics expert, Alex Jones, has said, “Remember kids, the only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down.”

3 mins

Ten Of The Best Pumpkin Beers

As chosen by Official Review judge Rick Franckhauser.

6 mins

Getting Juiced About New England IPAs

Denver-based Cerebral Brewing were early proponents of the merits of New England IPAs. 

4 mins

Top Ten Oktoberfest Beers

As chosen by Official Review judge Brad Darnell.

5 mins

Darken – Upland Brewing Co. – 93 Rating

Responses from Upland Brewing Co’s V.P. of Brewing Operations Pete Batule.

1 min

The Most Interesting Man In The World – Numero Dos

When it comes to being interesting, there is one man that does it better than anyone else. He is a man who needs no introduction, as his exploits and adventures are known the world over. His derring-do and bold attitude are the envy of men everywhere and his weathered good looks and boundless charisma stoke the desires of women everywhere. He is… The New Most Interesting Man In The World. 

5 mins

The Wood Pile Strikes Back

Crafting the barrel: Where a skilled trade becomes artistry. 

5 mins

Read all stories from The Beer Connoisseur®

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Delve into the world's premier beer magazine as it explores beer culture both in America and abroad. The reader will find informative articles on craft beers and those who brew them. You may also expect expert beer reviews, dining, cooking with recipes, international travel, brewery tours, personalities, style studies, culture and more.

The Beer Connoisseur® Magazine & Online is the leading authority of this rising phenomenon, with a goal of delivering the message to those who have yet to embrace this rich lifestyle.

The reader will find magazine articles and unique online content on craft beers and those who brew them. You may also expect in-depth beer reviews, the best in dining, cooking with recipes, international travel articles, brewery tours, industry personalities, up-close beer-style studies, culture and more.