Every fall, brewers make the journey to Yakima, Washington for hop harvest. It’s an annual rite of passage, with brewers from across the world descending on this agricultural community.

This Wired article from 2008 is starting to feel more relevant now than we are comfortable admitting.

Each year, nominees are selected based on their contribution to the industry and community they serve.

From complex sours and barrel-aged stouts to the resurrection of classic lagers, interest in many beer styles has spiked in the past few years. But regardless of the hype, it’s always a race for (a...