Author: John W. Mitchell

While many brewers chase experimental hop strains, sequence yeast, and use technology to dial in new recipes, a handful of others are looking to the past for inspiration, hoping that ancient ales will excite a new generation of drinkers.

Inspired by the traditional south central Mexican sauce, which can contain up to 20 different ingredients, brewers across the country are putting their own unique spins on mole-inspired beers—and the public can’t get enough.

Is the link between the growth of recreational marijuana and craft breweries just a bit of cosmic, double-hopped coincidence? Cultural and economic factors could explain the evolving connection.

Craft brewing by its very nature is a category disruptor. Just as Kodak didn’t see the digital camera coming, Big Beer overlooked craft brewers. Now a new debate about change has seeped into the homebrewing community: Is technology an acceptable substitute for trial and error?

Brewery owners sell for different reasons. They want to retire or need cash from their brand equity. More and more, the ESOP is emerging as both a viable alternative to a corporate or equity buy-out and a way to reward a loyal workforce if a sale is made.

Not long ago, a Pale Ale brewed with Colorado-grown Centennial hops would have raised eyebrows. But that’s exactly what the state’s brewers guild made for the 2014 Craft Brewer’s Conference in Denver.