Ask the Pros

Nuremberg’s Schanzenbräu sells plenty of helles, but it’s best known for its distinctive red lager—a niche style, even within Germany. The challenge, says founder Stefan Stretz, is achieving easy drinkability in such a full-bodied, malt-forward beer.

The Big Friendly in Oklahoma City has won nine Great American Beer Festival medals for its beers over the past four years, including six gold medals. Key to that success has been the team’s thoughtful, patient approach to dry-hopped, oak-aged, mixed-culture saisons.

Winner of back-to-back gold medals for experimental IPA at the Great American Beer Festival, NYBP head brewer John Hyman lays out the makings of their super-tropical Hazy Crush.

In Dnipro, Ukraine, not far from the front lines of war with Russia, Mova Brewing sticks to a Czech script when brewing its Mova Pilsner, which won gold at the 2025 European Beer Star.

Bobby Kros, cofounder and head brewer at Kros Strain in La Vista, Nebraska, explains how they gradually shaped Fairy Nectar into an award-winning flagship—and also how they build the double-dry-hopped version differently.

In 2025, Seattle’s Cloudburst won World Beer Cup gold in the Strong Red Ale category for its throwback West Coast double red, Peaked in High School. Here, founder-brewer Steve Luke opens his yearbook to share the details.

Scratch in Ava, Illinois, has won a national reputation for its combination of foraging and flavor finesse. Here’s how the brewery’s duo ended up putting 131 different botanical ingredients into one (very tasty) beer.

From the Hércules brewery in Querétaro, Mexico, here’s the lowdown on Pueblito, the export stout that won gold at the 2024 World Beer Cup—including the brewery’s German-inspired method for bottle-conditioning, which kept the beer in top form at the judging table.

Taking cues from modern Belgian pale ales such as Taras Boulba and XX Bitter, Sanguine is a balanced expression of ample hops and yeast character. “We chased this beer for four years, trying to find the flavor profile,” says Halfway Crooks cofounder Shawn Cooper. “This is where we ended up.”

In Bavaria’s lager-loving Franconian region, the Bayer family’s Theinheim Landbier is integral to their tradition of local hospitality.

One of the best-loved IPAs in Portland, Oregon, is the product of careful evolution and the intentional embrace of particular hop flavors. Here, Von Ebert brewmaster Sam Pecoraro shares the beer’s inner workings.

Brewed on the edge of the Mojave in St. George, Utah, Silver Reef’s Más Fuego Rauchbier won gold at the World Beer Cup last year. Here’s what goes into the elegant smoked beer that’s gained a following among brewers and other beer-savvy visitors to Las Vegas.

From hop selection to dry hops, finishing gravity, and mouthfeel, Other Half cofounder and brewmaster Sam Richardson isolates the key elements of their popular, year-round imperial hazy IPA.

The team at Peaceful Side in Maryville, Tennessee, shares the process behind the Blackberry Farm Classic Saison—including how they work with a notorious finicky yeast strain.

At Enegren in Moorpark, California, the team’s favorite beer is the (Lightest) one they keep working to perfect—and if you don’t want to order a second liter, they’ve done something wrong.

Fat Head’s Brewery in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, has won more than its share of medals over the years. One of its most decorated beers is Goggle Fogger, the Bavarian-inspired hefeweizen that’s won three major gold medals in the past four years. Here’s how its pieces fit together.

No beer from Alesong Brewing & Blending in Eugene, Oregon, has won more accolades than Touch of Brett, even though the saison is constantly evolving. Here’s how they put it together.

With its loyal following in Germany and cult status elsewhere, what is it about Rothaus Tannenzäpfle that resonates with so many connoisseurs as well as casual lager drinkers? We went there to find out.

At last year’s World Beer Cup, the team at Atlas Brew Works brought a gold medal home to the nation’s capital with Silent Neighbor—a “pumpernickel stout” brewed with rye and blackstrap molasses. Here’s how they put it together.

Last year was a great one for dark beers from Incendiary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While their Schwarzbier earned its spot on our list of Best 20 Beers in 2023, this porter also nabbed gold at the World Beer Cup. So, what makes it tick?