The holidays are a joyful time, and their return also marks the return of us here at The Beer Connoisseur. So come one, come all and welcome – to the 75th edition of The Beer Connoisseur Magazine!

This issue has terrific stories aplenty that will appeal to a wide range of beer fans – from dark beer aficionados to lagerheads.

Issue 75 kicks off with an intriguing editorial from Jim Dykstra, who decries the use of AI slop in creative fields and lifts up the stuff that helped the Founding Fathers frame the Constitution and create the United States of America. I’m talking, of course, about beer!

Next up is our bi-monthly What We’re Drinking Now column, with some terrific holiday seasonals mentioned, including some top-tier Christmas Ales that will be available soon, if they aren’t already.

Speaking of Christmas Beers, our next piece delivers an Advent calendar’s worth of the famed seasonal style in advance of the Christmas season. These tremendously interesting, flavorful and festive beers are sure to have you thanking your lucky stars you’re on the “nice” list.

Today, Von Ebert Brewing began selling two more of its core beers, Sector 7 Hazy IPA and Clubhaus American Light Lager in six-pack 12-ounce cans, joining Pils a German-style Pilsner, which has been available in six-packs since early spring.

“At Von Ebert Brewing, we’re investing in Portland and expanding our production and distribution so we can sell more of our award-winning beer in 12-ounce canned six-packs,” said Sam Pecoraro, brewmaster of Von Ebert Brewing. “This evolution of our brewery allows us to join our customers for even more celebrations and occasions beyond our taprooms and brewhouse. Whether you’re in the mood for a hoppy Hazy IPA or a Light Lager, you can now find more Von Ebert Brewing beers in Northwest bars, bottleshops and grocery stores.”  

The following Von Ebert Brewing beers are now available in 12-ounce canned six-packs with Volatile Substance NW IPA coming next:

Mother Earth Brewing is welcoming the holidays with the release of their seasonal Autumn brew – part of their rotating specialty series, “The Four Seasons of Mother Earth”. 

Traditionally, Four Seasons (as it’s called for short), is a big, barrel-aged stout or barleywine for ¾ of the program, with a collab filling in the warmer summer months, but Mother Earth deviated a bit this fall when the brewery elected to brew an Oak-Aged German Lager coming in at a modest 5.9% ABV. The label is the typical elaborate affair, showcasing the gorgeous, flowing aesthetic that the series has become known for, but the liquid impresses equally. 

“Using virgin, medium-toast oak casks, we laid down our German Festbier just long enough to pick-up some mild oak tannins to balance notes of honey, toasted bread, and a touch of malt sweetness. The malt base consists of premium Pilsen with an all-German specialty blend of Vienna and Munich. Noble hop varietals lend an appropriate earthy and herbal characteristic to achieve total balance to a complex, yet highly drinkable lager.”

-Matt Waterson, Head Brewer – Mother Earth Brew Co.