Live Oak Brewing | Pilz

There are a lot of beers on the shelves that hang in the periphery of my vision in my regular quest for hops. I may notice a few of those beers from time to time—the traditional styles—and ponder for a second about trying them but instead, I predictably settle on a sixer of some flashy new IPA or stout. Then, one fine day, I decided to break the cycle. I now see the error of my ways, for where I was once blind, now I see. Pilsners can be downright delicious, too, and Live Oak Pilz is the best example I’ve ever had. 

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Great Griggsy Beer Photography: Born From Love of Photography and Beer

Not to get too deep emotionally here, but craft beer can and has become much more than just something to drink. The beer, and the art of making it, has gotten into the habit of meaning something pretty important to people. For me personally, it made me want to write.

Beer photography is actually a huge “thing” right now. Instagram provided the platform for millions of beer lovers, allowing drinkers around the world to become beer photographers. But for some, professional beer photography is a real and growing pursuit. So, in honor of World Photography Day today (August 19), we’re paying tribute to the art of the beer photo with a conversation with one up and coming photographer, Nathan Griggs.

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The PorchCast Ep 62 | Alyssa Thorpe Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery

In episode 62 of the PorchCast, Tristan, caught up with Alyssa Thorpe, Head Brewer at Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, also known for her Instagram account @southernbeergirl. In this special edition of the PorchCast Tristan and Alyssa discuss the recent controversy … Read More

Creature Comforts Set to Release First Core Offerings from Its Expanded Wood Cellar Program

Athens, GA-based Creature Comforts has quickly grown into a regional powerhouse thanks to its mix of tart and bright Berliner Weisses, movie-star endorsed IPAs and commitment to the local community. And, until now, only beer drinkers in Athens have been able to pick up some of Creature Comfort’s more exclusive, taproom-only offerings that highlight their work in barrel-aging and mixed fermentation.

Starting this week, Creature Comforts’ will release DaySpring, a Grisette made with local wheat from DaySpring Farms, and Common Things, a mixed fermentation Saison made with local honey from the University of Georgia’s Honey Bee Program, in both their tasting room and to their distribution footprint in 750-mL bottles.

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Windmill Brewing | Mema Colada

In 1979, Rupert Holmes released his defining hit and lyrical earworm “Escape.” The song was an immediate hit, rising to prominence and becoming the last U.S. No. 1 song of the 1970s. While Homes would go on to win two Tony Awards, the defining song of his career is better known by its alternate name the Pina Colada song.

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Event Preview | Stone Brewing 23rd Anniversary Grand Celebration

Stone Brewing is turning 23! To celebrate, Stone is hosting the Stone Brewing 23^rd Anniversary Grand Celebration this weekend! The event will be held on Sunday, August 18 from 3-6 p.m. More than 50 breweries will be pouring (including Stone, of course). Along with the complimentary tasting glass and a new pour list, there will be food, music and an amazing new venue. Here’s everything you need to know! Read More

What We’re Drinking | August 16

Many places around the country are experiencing record-breaking temperatures right now. Hopefully all of our readers are staying cool and hydrated. The crew here at PorchDrinking is doing our very best to make sure we’re staying hydrated with the very best hop water we can find! This is this week’s What We’re Drinking. 

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Kveik Fest 2019 | A Unique Norwegian Farmhouse Yeast

It’s only a matter of time before Chicago’s craft-community routinely lists Burnt City Brewing as one of the city’s most innovative and creative breweries. And that day may inch closer after it hosts Kveik Fest. Thirty Breweries from around the country will descend upon Chicago to showcase beer brewed with kveik, a traditional and unique Norwegian farmhouse brewing yeast. The festival will occur on September 7 at the (also innovative) District Brew Yards, a spot shared by Burnt City, Around the Bend and Bold Dog Brewery.

“Kveik is a Norwegian dialect word for ‘yeast’,” explained Lance Shaner, owner at Omega Yeast Labs in Chicago. “In the brewing context, kveik are Norwegian farmhouse brewing yeasts that collectively share a lot of common traits, most notably high temperature tolerance (not unusual for them to produce good beer in the upper 90sF), high alcohol tolerance and fast fermentation. They were brought to the attention of the world by Norwegian blogger Lars Marius Garshol.”

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Beer & Book Club | Enemies on Tap by Avery Flynn & Odd Side Ale’s Bean Flicker

This summer my goal was to read a light and easy book that was set in a brewery. Surely someone had written a cozy murder that starts with a body in a barrel? Instead I was waylaid by the image at the top of this entry. I immediately let our Slack channel know that I was going to be all over this book. I love a good Lifetime movie, and Enemies on Tap (1st of the Sweet Salvation Trilogy), promised that same magic.

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Aardwolf Brewing Company | Adalwolf Pils

A wolf hidden in sheep’s clothing, Aardwolf Brewing out of Jacksonville, FL has a wide portfolio of beers that are constantly hitting the mark. In a state that never receives snow and has summers that can be extremely humid and hot, Lagers are the beers that are perfect for any time of year.

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Purpose Brewing Celebrates Two Years as Peter Bouckaert Declares, “Trends are Boring”

The second anniversary of Purpose Brewing was really, really hot. I don’t mean in popularity, though that would also be true: it was packed from the minute the doors opened at 2pm and stayed bustling throughout the entire weekend. But it was also one of the hottest days of summer so far in the Coloradoan city of Fort Collins, where Peter and Frezi Bouckaert opened their doors two years ago to a thirsty public. Despite the blistering sun outside, crowds stalked the air-conditioned tables inside and huddled up under tents outside to enjoy their beer in some shade. “Yes, it’s a million degrees out. And yes, I’m drinking a stout,” laughed one patron as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “But come on, have you tried this one?”

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2 Days 2 Nights | Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is no better way to celebrate the National Park Service’s 103rd birthday on August 25th than with a visit to a brewery near one of the oldest and most iconic American parks, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountains may be vast, covering parts of both North Carolina and Tennessee, but provide phenomenal sightseeing opportunities and plenty of beer just outside the park’s gates to keep you satiated.

You could spend a week or two visiting the Smokies, especially if you have a family or love to hike. There are over 850 miles of hiking trails in the park. Oh, and it will be nearly impossible to avoid seeing bears, which are used to visitors and relatively harmless as long as you don’t get too close (50 yards, please people!). But if you can only spare a weekend, read on.

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Karl Strauss & Russian River Brewing | New California IPA

It’s not often two giants in the beer industry get together to collaborate on a singularly fantastic beer, but that is exactly what Karl Strauss and Russian River Brewing did to make what they call the New California IPA. This beer has a piney and resinous front with hints of dank greens in the back. It has firm but not overwhelming bitterness and a palate cleansing kind of clean on the tongue. The IPA is complete with faint raspberries and rhubarb as it warms for a refreshing summer crispness. After talking with Matt Johnson, Brewmaster of Brewery Operations at Karl Strauss, and Vinnie Cilurzo, Co-Owner and Head Brewer at Russian River, I was able to get some insight into this wondrous amalgamation of talent and hops!

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Ultimate 6er | Six Crushable Low Calorie Beers

Summer is coming to a close; however, the heat is sticking around for a little while longer. Nothing pairs better with a hot summer day than a cool body of water and a refreshing craft beer. Summer also means swimsuit season is in full effect, so we’ve compiled a list of the six best low-calorie craft beers to keep you refreshed without affecting your summer waistline. Read More

PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | August 14, 2019

The Denver Beer Beat is a weekly roundup of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, and more happening in the Front Range and beyond. Be sure to check in each Wednesday to discover anything and everything happening around Colorado’s beer scene. Now let’s get to this week’s can’t miss beer events. Read More

Goose Island Reveals 2019 Bourbon County Stout Lineup

After weeks of speculation and multiple labels filed to the TTB that didn’t quite make the cut, Goose Island has announced its 2019 Bourbon County Stout lineup. Like last year, there will be the original Bourbon County with seven variants, eight beers in total.

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