From the Editors (Issue 28)

As we plot a course for the uncharted waters of 2017, it's important to remain hopeful. Having something to look forward to is essential to health and happiness, and when you time it right, beer is as powerful a motivator as William Wallace's pre-battle speech in Braveheart.

In the name of things to be jazzed about, we've got a host of places to go, people to meet and bottles to seek.

But before we begin our journey into the unknown with heads and pints held high, we're going to remember the good times. That's right, The Beer Connoisseur's Top 100 Beers of 2016 are here, with enough superlative clout to keep you going for at least one senate term. We'll also drink in The Beer in Review, featuring Best in Show styles as reviewed by our judges, and other fun categories like Best Name. We can't forget the people behind the magic, either -- we'll rank the brewers who made everything okay in 2016 with our Brewery of the Year review.

That's just the tip of the Carlsberg. We'll introduce you to the most mysterious and often nefarious man in the brewing world, tell a "tail" for the ages, take you out west, give you some pointers for what's good drinking when the light on the snow is twinkling and cap it all off with an organic healthy serving of knowledge.

Join us as we take a deep breath, engage our retronasal capabilities and become one with the esters. Everything's gonna be okay. Exhale as you imbibe. Repeat. Happy 2017 from The Beer Connoisseur!

- Jim and Chris