From the Editor (Issue 40)

Welcome to the 40th edition of The Beer Connoisseur magazine – a landmark moment in the history of this publication and an exciting step into the future.

Reaching this point has required much adaptation in the face of constant change – both within the world of journalism and the world of beer. The only constants have been you, the reader, and our desire to illuminate elements of beer and brewing culture that may bring you joy and wisdom.

Whether you are a brewer or simply enjoy the art of drinking, we bring you up to speed on how the world of beer has turned in 2018 and where it’s going.

This edition is split into three sections. Our Industry Outlook looks forward to 2019 by providing the insider’s perspective on the industry from the viewpoint of the consumer, restaurants and the craft beer segment. All are explored at length with statistics, research and interviews from industry thought leaders regarding the future of the business.

For those wondering what to drink, the year-end celebration of the Official Review provides plenty of choices with our Top 250 Beers of 2018, ranging from Oud Bruins to Hazy IPAs. For the adventurous, we rank the Best Beers by Style Category. We also recognize the achievements of the brewers behind the year’s best beer with our Best Breweries of 2018 awards.

Lastly, our 2019 Trends section looks at the emergence of new popular beer styles, as well as how brewers are using new hop varietals to push the envelope in brewing a myriad of flavors.

The Beer in Review is a tribute to the beverage that brings us all together, but most of all, it is a tribute to you. Thank you for taking the journey with us and we hope you enjoy this 40th installment of The Beer Connoisseur!

Cheers!

-Chris Guest