Jamie Bogner

For the cofounder of San Diego’s Societe Brewing, beer should be flavorful, easy to find, inexpensive, and beautifully crafted. His six-pack neatly mirrors Societe’s focus, with Belgian inspiration and a nod to the dark, hoppy beers of Southern California.

• Pick Six
• Belgian Ale
• Gueuze

It’s hard work to keep things simple, and this New York brewery proves that maxim with complex fermentations for their core beers and an ongoing focus on ales served on cask.

• Podcast
• Cask Ale
• British ales

Sierra Nevada’s founder discusses the process of creative and technical innovation that drives the brewery today, as well as their fanatical, industry-leading approach to beer quality.

• Podcast

For the head brewer of Urban South in New Orleans, focusing on tight process, healthy lactic fermentation, and quality fruit is the difference between dull and delicious quick-soured beers.

• Podcast
• Kettle Sours
• Fruit Beer

For Oregon’s Heater Allen, slow growth and focused experimentation allowed them to dial in quality long before craft lager caught on. They learned to brew the beers they want with the equipment they have—but there’s one thing they won’t sacrifice.

• Podcast

The maker of some of California’s most coveted wines discusses what drove him back to beer, and to a particular focus on lager as a way to explore the vibrant flavors of barley varieties.

• Podcast
• Barley
• Lager

Over the past decade, Figueroa Mountain has won 25 GABF medals by focusing on exquisitely crafted, broadly traditional ales and lagers. Brewmaster Kevin Ashford spares no beer in the push for further improvement—even those that’ve won multiple medals.

• Podcast

The head brewer of Northern California’s East Brother Beer shares details on their successful lager program—including the award-winning Bo Pils—and much more.

• Podcast

From our Love Handles department for great beer bars: Check out this labor of love from longtime beer geek (and rocker) Keri Kelli, in the thick of Sin City.

• Aces and Ales
• Love Handles
• Las Vegas

In this edition of Pick Six, Scratch Brewing cofounder Marika Josephson thoughtfully selects a sixer of beers that inspired and informed the creation of their rustic, forage-focused brewery in southern Illinois.

• Scratch Brewing
• Pick 6
• Farmhouse

Ryan Crisp, Alesmith’s director of brewing operations, shares the behind-the-scenes design and technique that make their Speedway imperial coffee stout so iconic.

• Podcast
• Brewing
• Stout

While Chicago’s Maplewood brews their share of hazy IPAs and pastry stouts, it’s their nuanced take on classics such as American pale ale and oatmeal stout that truly set them apart.

• Podcast
• Pale ale
• Stout