Today is the 48th birthday of Tom Acitelli, author of the wonderful history of craft beer, The Audacity of Hops. Tom reached out to me while he was working on his book, and we’ve been friends ever since. More recently, he wrote “Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World.” He’s a great new addition to the cadre of writers chronicling the beer industry these days. Join me in wishing Tom a very happy birthday.

Tom reading selections from his book at Anchor Brewery.

Tom and Vinnie Cilurzo during a visit to the Russian River production brewery.

At Lagunitas for Tom’s book release party several years ago, with Joe Tucker, Jeremy Marshall, me, Tom and Ken Weaver.