Holiday 2025, Issue 81
From the Editor
Jim Dykstra – Managing Editor
This holiday issue bridges the familiar and the unexpected – from cozy winter pairings to global beer culture, backcountry reflections, ancient drinking traditions, and even the world’s most unlikely brewing scenes.
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Feature Stories
Notes on American Beer From an Englishman
An Englishman looks back on his early dismissal of American beer culture and traces how the U.S. transformed from a landscape ruled by BMC to a nation of extremes—brilliant, bizarre, and everything in between. Along the way, he discovers the people, places, and beers that both redeem and confound America’s uniquely chaotic brewing identity.
The Ultimate Turkey Brine Recipe (Made Extraordinary With Bitburger Premium Pils)
Chef Michael Brenfleck of Philadelphia’s beloved Little Walter’s elevates the holiday bird with a Bitburger Premium Pils–based brine that brings depth, color, and unmistakable German character. Drawing on his Polish roots and wood-fired craft, Brenfleck delivers a simple, stunning method that keeps the turkey juicy, flavorful, and impossible to overcook.
A Canny Response to Craft Beer’s Downturn Turned Upside Down
A sudden change to federal hemp regulations threatens to shut down the booming THC-drinks market just as it reaches mainstream popularity. With states scrambling, craft brewers pivoting, and consumers embracing cannabis-infused beverages, the industry now faces a chaotic legal landscape that could determine whether this category survives past 2026.
Ales and Tales: Beer and Literature Pairings for the Winter
As we approach the year’s end, candles flicker and rugs brush warm against our feet as the wind makes the walls groan. Author Thomas De Quincey called these, “The divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside.” In that quiet, where the clouds hang oppressively low and the cold whispers in every corner, stories gather weight. So, sit back, crack a bottle, and read along on this amber-tinted excursion through literary history. Perhaps you’ll find a good book to get lost in?
Tapping Into Infinity Through Ancient Drinking Games
Across cultures and centuries, drinking games have offered more than diversion—they’ve given people a way to flirt with chance, dissolve inhibitions, and step briefly outside ordinary time. From ancient Greek kottabos to China’s poetic winding-stream ritual, this story explores how play, drink, and transcendence intertwine.
Breweries & Beer
Breweries & Beer
Kim Jong’s Ales: Beer in North Korea
North Korea’s beer culture is far richer and more surprising than outsiders expect. From Taedonggang’s showcase brewery to Pyongyang’s hotel microbreweries and neighborhood bars, this piece explores how beer fits into everyday life inside one of the world’s most closed societies.
Frost and Foam: A Winter Meditation on Beer and Backpacking
A summit beer is more than a drink — it’s a ritual of winter wandering. From porters by the campfire to crisp IPAs atop snowy ridgelines, this guide explores the best cold-weather styles for those who chase trails, solitude, and the quiet meaning found in the mountains.
Beer, Llamas, and Hot Springs: Wyoming’s Weirdest Perfect Weekend
Back in May, the annual World Beer Cup made a head-turning announcement. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, one of America’s oldest, most revered beers, was a gold medal winner. Not just any old gold medal winner, but an extra special one – it won gold as an ESB, or extra special bitter.
Official Review
Single-blind reviews from our panel of experts. Featuring Gnarly Barley The Peanut Butter Solution, Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout and many more!
