Courtney Iseman

Courtney Iseman is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who has covered everything from punk icons to haunted historic landmarks, but primarily focuses on drinks—craft beer, craft spirits, cocktails, non-alcoholic adult beverages, and the bars and brands behind them. Her work has appeared in outlets including Bon Appétit, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Men’s Journal, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, PUNCH, Thrillist, VinePair, HuffPost, Fodor's, Grub Street, and more. For InsideHook, she has profiled Talea Beer Co., Wild East Brewing Company, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company; has crunched the numbers on the real best beer cities in the United States; investigated whether the beer dinner is dead; covered the growing trends of hopped gin and Indian flavors in cocktails; and penned guides to IPA substyles and making your own amaro. Having covered drinks for seven years and lifestyle for four before that, Courtney is a four-time North American Guild of Beer Writers award-winner, as well as a Cicerone Certified Beer Server. She writes a monthly drinks culture newsletter and records a monthly drinks industry podcast, both called Hugging the Bar.

All Articles From Courtney Iseman
Nearly half a century later, Sierra Nevada is still thriving.

Slow and Steady Wins You Decades of Success: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Turns 45

Remaining independent in craft beer is no small feat, but it’s helped Sierra Nevada thrive and inspire

Beer city

The Actual Best Beer Cities in the United States

Many towns claim to be "Beer City, U.S.A.," but which ones actually deserve the title?

Guinness and Celebrity Chef Jeff Mauro share holiday dishes paired with Guinness beers

Is the Beer Dinner Dead?

Longtime craft beer fans cut their teeth on multi-course pairing events, but they seem to have vanished from event calendars. Is the beer dinner gone, or has it reached its final form?

a hand pouring goose island bourbon county stout from a 10-ounce bottle

Sign of the Times: Beer’s Biggest Stout Embraces a Smaller Bottle

Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout is switching to 10-ounce bottles. What does it say about the state of the industry?

a gin and tonic and bottle of dogfish head gin next to each other

Hopped Gin Is Coming for Your Cocktail

Hops can strut their botanicals in more than just beer

Everything you need to know about all the different IPA styles.

A Comprehensive Guide to IPA Styles

We all know the IPA, but how well do we know all of its many substyles? There’s more to this beer category than hazy fruit juices.

Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland of Talea Beer Co. in New York

In an Era of Craft Beer Malaise, Talea’s Still Thriving

Instead of preaching to the choir, Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland built their New York brewery to serve a wider audience. It’s paying off.

an illustration of two bottles next to a glass with the word bitters written in the background

The Homemade Bar: DIY Bitters Will Make Your Cocktails Pop

Yes, this powerful liquid takes time and patience to make at home, but the result is totally worth it

an illustration of a coupe glass with amaro and an orange slice

The Homemade Bar: Go Deep on Bitterness and Botanicals With Amaro

There are endless possibilities when making this bittersweet liqueur

Spill Awards Best Brewery

Something for Everyone: Wild East Brewing Co. Brews It All With Tradition and Dedication

Why the Brooklyn-based brewery is our favorite of the year

Brewers

Hindsight Is 20/20, Even with Beer Goggles: 10 Brewery Owners on What They’d Do Differently Opening Taprooms in 2025

The craft beer industry isn't what it used to be. What would brewers go back and change?

Travel beers

Morning Beers: Airport Ritual or an Indulgence for All Settings?

What is it about traveling that makes us crave a pre-noon cold one? And who says we can't do the same at home?

two cocktails in mule mugs garnished with candied ginger next to a teapot on a blue and gold tablecloth

Indian Flavors Are Finally Making Their Way Into Cocktails

Restaurants and bars are embracing Indian herbs, spices and fruits, paving the way for drinks that are just as interesting as the food

The Nightshade, a clarified milk punch from Fairmont Royal York that calls for cherry tomatoes.

Cocktails to Make the Most of Tomato Season

From inventive takes on the Bloody Mary to tomato ‘tinis, these drinks are ripe for summer imbibing

Hazy IPAs

Has the Great Hazy IPA Debate Finally Been Settled?

Hate is out and gratitude is in for the once-controversial beer style

Trillium spirits

Why One of Craft Beer’s Favorite Breweries Just Launched a Spirits Line

Trillium Brewing Company now offers more than just beer