*Clinical criteria: Heavy alcohol use (>2 drinks in females and >3 drinks in males) for >5 years; Active alcohol use until at least 8 weeks prior to presentation; Recent (<1 month) onset or worsening of jaundice; Exclude other liver diseases, biliary obstruction, HCC. *Biochemical criteria: Serum bilirubin >3 mg/dl, AST >50 and <500, AST >ALT by 1.5:1; **Transjugular route preferred for obtaining the liver tissue. **Characteristic histological findings: Cell balooning, neutrophil infiltration, cholestasis, varying degree of steatosis and fibrosis. ***Needed for inclusion in clinical trials and before starting specific pharmacologic therapy. AH, alcoholic hepatitis; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.