Holiday 2026, Issue 87
From the Editor
Chris Guest – Managing Editor
Issue 87 explores beer’s past, its future, and the people it brings together. From breweries reviving third places and standout pours at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival to Moksa’s barrel-aged stout, Mexico’s dark beer history, and a guide to whiskey collecting, this holiday edition has plenty to discover. We also examine the pressures facing the beverage alcohol industry and how producers can adapt. As always, expect fresh reviews, Brewer Q&As, and beer news you may have missed. Thanks for joining us!
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Features & Editorials
Can Breweries Bring Back America’s Third Places?
A far-reaching interview with Colby Cox, co-founder of Roadhouse Brewing and founder of Convergence Communities, explores how breweries can revive America’s third places and foster stronger, more connected communities.
Beverage Alcohol’s Easy-Growth Era Is Over. Cost Design Is Now Strategy
Kearney’s Sean Ryan and Mike Ooms examine the beverage alcohol industry’s shifting economics and why rethinking operating costs, capital allocation, and AI-driven workflows is essential to future profitability.
How to Start a Whiskey Collection: A Beginner’s Guide
Our beginner’s guide to whiskey collecting explores how to choose worthwhile bottles, discover rare releases, set a sensible budget, and build a collection worth raising a glass to.
Breweries & Beer
Three Years of Barrel-Aged Ambition: Moksa’s Iteration
Eric Griffin explores Moksa Brewing’s ambitious Iteration, a double barrel-aged imperial stout nearly three years in the making, showcasing the Rocklin brewery’s creativity, craftsmanship, and mastery of bourbon barrels.
The 10 Most Intriguing Pours From the 2026 Great American Beer Festival
Nathan Rooen revisits the 2026 Great American Beer Festival’s outdoor debut, highlighting ten standout pours, from exceptional lagers and bold IPAs to inventive food pairings and a remarkable 30-year-old barleywine.
The Dark Side of Mexican Beer
N.C. Stevens explores Mexico’s overlooked brewing history, tracing the European influences, early brewers, and enduring dark and amber lagers that reveal a richer beer culture beyond its familiar pale exports.
Official Review
Our certified tasting panel evaluates standout beers from around the world, offering detailed notes, scores, and insights for discerning drinkers.
