The Beer Connoisseur® / EARLY SUMMER 2026, Issue 84
Issue 84 catches beer at a particularly interesting crossroads, where old rituals, modern headaches, and fresh opportunities keep colliding in the glass. Inside, we explore the outdated “Stone Age” tech still holding back modern brewing, the rise of craft beer conglomerates, the looming crackdown on THC beverages, and the end of automatic beer price hikes. The issue also takes a proper look at Pinthouse Brewing’s Electric Jellyfish, along with World Class Beer Highlights on Brewery Ommegang’s Rare Vos and Firestone Walker’s Wookey Jack.
Chris Guest – Managing Editor
FEATURED NEWS
MAGAZINE STORIES
The State of Craft 2026
Looking back on 2025, the rather dreary numbers about a steady decline in the consumption of craft beer, as well as beer in general, were concerning enough.
Top Emerging Beer Style Trends for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, brewers, bar managers, and beer drinkers alike are looking back at the past year.
The Best Breweries of 2025
Each year, we acknowledge the breweries that collectively produced the highest-rated beers as evaluated in our Official Review.
Top 100 Beers of 2025
Each year, we collect the highest-scoring beers evaluated in the Official Review and compile them into a definitive list of the finest examples.
2026 Beer and Beverage Trends
In the beer land, the only constant is change.
Triple C Brewing Co. Head Brewer Garry McShane Talks Planet Pulp
96 Rating – Exceptional
Goldfinger Brewing Co. Owner and Brewer Tom Beckmann Talks Goldfinger Original Lager
96 Rating -Exceptional
Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. Head Brewer Logan Ackerley Talks No Frills Pils
96 Rating – Exceptional
Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. Head Brewer Logan Ackerley Talks Kroon
96 Rating – Exceptional
Pure Project Brewing Co-Founder and Brewer Winslow Sawyer Talks Planifolia
96 Rating – Exceptional
Human Robot Head Brewer and Partner Andrew Foss Talks Hallertau Pils
96 Rating – Exceptional
Kishwaukee Brewing Co. President and Brewmaster Dan Payson Talks Bufflehead Brown Ale
Rating 97 – Exceptional
EDITOR’S PICKS
Beer Spotlight: Voodoo Brewing’s “Very Old” Barrel-Aged Box Set
We’re all in the thick of the holidays, and with it the chaos of family visits, wrapping gifts, and forgetting to move the Elf, among other things.
A Canny Response to Craft Beer’s Downturn Turned Upside Down
In a year’s time, the question of “Cannabis in a can?” may be defunct thanks to an overnight change in the Farm Bill law regulating consumable hemp products.
13 Irresistible Christmas Cocktails for the Holiday Season
From the Mistletoe Mojito to the Cranberry Moscow Mule, these festive recipes will make your taste buds tingle with joy.
Frost and Foam: A Winter Meditation on Beer and Backpacking
I was in my early twenties the first time I experienced a “summit beer” – a tradition that involves carrying a pint to the top of a chosen mountain before cracking it open in celebration of the day’s accomplishments.
Notes on American Beer From an Englishman
There was a time when I was almost entirely dismissive of what one might loosely call “the beer scene” in the United States.
BEER EDUCATION
A Game-Changer for Brewers: Ensuring Perfect Brews with UV-Vis Spectrophotometry
From the hues in your glass to the flavors on your tongue, UV-Vis spectrophotometry is the brewmaster’s secret weapon—ensuring color, consistency, and crave-worthy taste in every pour.
Actually, the “Hymn to Ninkasi” Is Not a Beer Recipe
The Hymn to Ninkasi has long been hailed as the world’s oldest beer recipe—but modern scholars say we may have been drinking the myth.
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SPIRITS INDUSTRY
For World Whisky Day 2026, MPF and Sullivans Cove Create Navigator Single Malt Whisky
Miroma Project Factory and Sullivans Cove Distillery have joined forces to create Navigator – a limited-run single malt whisky.
Gin 1689 Launches Dutch Orange Gin Inspired by a 17th-Century Recipe
Gin 1689 is unveiling a new product in its line the 1689 Dutch Orange Gin.
Point Blank Tequila Takes Top Honors at the PR%F Awards
Point Blank Tequila is shaking up the industry, taking the top honors at the 2025 PR%F Awards.
CANNABIS INDUSTRY
From Lifeline to Liability: The Looming Crackdown on THC Beverages
As craft beer and breweries see a historic decline heading into the heart of 2026, hemp-derived THC beverages have stepped in and seen a huge surge in popularity.
Speakeasy Dispensary Helps Patients with $25 Medical Cannabis Cards in Lexington
Speakeasy Dispensary is easing access to medical cannabis in Kentucky by holding affordable patient card drives where patients can get the cards for just $25.
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DRINKS INDUSTRY
Health-Ade Kombucha Teams Up with Lindsay Lohan for Bold New Wellness Campaign
Health-Ade Kombucha is debuting an energetic new ad campaign with actress and wellness advocate Lindsay.
Introducing SWRL: The 3.7% ABV, Zero-Sugar Makgeolli Seltzer with Just 89 Calories
Key Takeaways SWRL is bringing its Makgeolli hard seltzer concept to the U.
Stem Ciders Introduces Stem Zero: A Refreshing Alcohol-Free Craft Cider
The cider is a refreshing, alcohol-free option with vibrant flavors, low calories, and prebiotic benefits, offering all the taste with none of the booze.
Registration Opens for National Honey Board’s 2025 Mead Crafters Competition
The National Honey Board is once again inviting mead makers from across the country to.
WINE
Commonwealth Wine School Launches Champagne Specialist Certification Program in Cambridge and San Francisco
Wine professionals and enthusiasts are getting a rare opportunity to expand their knowledge through a.
Wine School of Philadelphia Expands Teaching Capacity as Enrollment Grows
The Wine School of Philadelphia is expanding in response to the growing demand for its semester-based.
Butter Wines Unveils ButterLight Chardonnay in Convenient New Cans
Butter Wines, the number one best-selling premium SKU of Chardonnay1, is riding the wave of.
Butter Wines Launches Holiday Sweepstakes with a Year of Wine and Giving
Butter Wines is bringing back its beloved #ButterGift sweepstakes, offering fans a chance to win.
Roederer Estate Unveils New Wine Packaging and Hospitality Center
Roederer Estate, a pioneer in crafting exceptional sparkling wines in California’s Anderson Valley, today announced.
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BEVERAGE INDUSTRY
Spiked Pop Review: A Botanical Take on Hard Soda by Owl’s Brew
I must admit, I am definitely a fan of soda (and fizzy beverages in general).
A Taste of the Andes: Why I’m Savoring Every Sip of Splendor Volcanic Artesian Water
I never thought a bottle of water could feel like a real treat, but opening the Splendor Volcanic Artesian Water gift box honestly felt special.
Wild Leaf Hard Green Tea Debuts in Denver with 4.2% ABV and Real Fruit Flavors
Wild Leaf Hard Green Tea provides a crisp, clean and refreshing new hard tea option, made with real green tea and fruit juice.
BLOGS
Products People Continue Using After Food and Beer Festivals
It can’t be denied, food and beer festivals provide an outstanding weekend of incredible experiences.
Elevating Beverage Service Presentation: Smart Display Solutions for Bars and Restaurants
The presentation of drinks is essential for forming an impression even before the drinker sips.
Why Online Bingo Remains So Popular among Beer Lovers
In this context, online bingo presents beer aficionados not only with a thrilling experience but.
ARARAT Nairi Armenian Brandy Aged 20 Years: Premium Product, Characteristics, and Tasting Features
Twenty years would be too long to produce brandy that old, but what matters now.
Where Can Beer Lovers Find High-Quality Patriotic Shirts for Men Online?
It’s a bit of a guessing game when it comes to finding good quality patriotic.
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