BeerAdvocate magazine #79

Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but sometimes it’s just lazy and a complete ripoff of another’s work. It’s time for all of us to raise the bar.

Goose Island brewpub in danger of closing; B-Side “brewing label” seeks to put fresh spin on contract brewing; hailstorm damage could have destroyed hops from Hallertau; oil cleanup plan concerns Bell’s Brewery; and MillerCoors achieves landfill-free status at flagship brewery.

A story of entrepreneurial spirit, this irreverent narrative is told in the voice of Tony Magee, founder of Lagunitas Brewing and one of craft beer’s most vibrant personalities.

A can of Pale Ale combines with a splash of orange juice and a shot of Aperol to create a beer cocktail with Italian class.

The Growler Saver is a patent-pending cap that fits most traditional growlers and ensures a draft-like beer pour, even after breaking the original seal.

Spiteful, a small brewery in Chicago, is run by a couple of really nice guys who really hate certain things. Among the triggers of their wrath have been trouble-making pigeons, a guy named Colin and texting pedestrians.

Craft beer is catching on slower in the golf world than it is elsewhere, despite the relative exclusivity of the sport.

The craft beer industry has long been defined by inventiveness and evolution. It just looks like the pace of change will soon hit dizzying speeds.

In a way, Tetley’s Mild tells the story of British beer. Constantly changing, and not just the gravity, but also the flavor and even the color.

What’s a man to do when there’s not enough time and people are thirsty? Brew faster! It just requires a lot of yeast, two kegs and a need for speed.

To bring out more richness in the empanada dough, which will add balance to the filling ingredients, use a malt-forward beer style like bock, Brown Ale, Scotch Ale or Märzen.

Fortunately, it’s a lot harder to mess up pig roasting than it is homebrewing. Yes, you can roast a whole pig for a celebratory occasion this summer, and here’s how.

With a knowledgeable staff to guide patrons through the bar’s 48 taps (Michigan oriented, of course), one cask and around 200 bottles, HopCat is also a friendly place for first-timers.

The Tree House Brewing Company started with four friends making homebrew in a rural Massachusetts barn. The tiny brewery has grown into the producers of one of New England’s most sought-after beers, Julius IPA.

Sometimes, the transformation of a neighborhood turns on a brewery. That was what Gerald Wyman and Chuck Comeau were betting on when they decided to open Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. as part of Hays, Kansas’ downtown revival.

Seven Atlanta-area craft breweries opened between 2009 and 2012, with Burnt Hickory, Jailhouse and Monday Night being some of the best of the batch.

In their quest to push the boundaries of brewing and redefine craft beer styles, American brewers are deep into experimenting with brewing’s most fickle ingredient: wild yeast. And as demand for Brett and other wild strains skyrockets, lab geeks like Dmitri Serjanov are stepping up to meet it.

As the number of new breweries—and new beers—continues to surge, trademark disputes aren’t going away. They’re a part of doing business, even when the business is beer.

Annie Johnson, who lives in Sacramento, Calif., became the first woman in 30 years to be named Homebrewer of the Year by the American Homebrewers Association. Her Lite American Lager swept 25 categories at the 2013 National Homebrewers Conference.