Rogue – Morimoto Soba Ale

ABV: 4.8%

IBU: 30

The best meal I’ve ever eaten was at the Taj Hotel in New Delhi. It was sushi.

My Mom and I spent a month in India back in 2009, fulfilling a lifelong dream of hers to travel to the sub-continent. The hotel was lush in grandeur, with chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and ornate carpets covering the marble floors. The Taj was also home to a handful of excellent restaurants, one of them owned by famed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The restaurant, cutely and aptly named Wasabi, was fairly small and on the bottom floor of the hotel, right behind one of the large, winding staircases. We were advised to go for lunch, as the mid-day sushi platter special was not to be missed. It was beyond incredible, and only cost us about $30. Amid the modern, funky decor from my perch at the small sushi bar, I experienced what I assume is the closest I will ever get to achieving Nirvana. Some days I dream of that wooden block laden with the freshest and most beatiful fish (how it was so fresh in the North of India? I thank technology and modern coolant methods!).

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Elysian Brewing Company – Avatar Jasmine IPA

ABV: 6.3% IBU: 45 What a shocker: Erin is reviewing another IPA! Dear PorchDrinkers, I promise this one is different. Though I am a lover of the hoppiest of beers, … Read More

Ultimate 6er – Beers to Enjoy with Your Political Scandal: A Tribute to Carlos Danger

Ah, the Internet, that glorious repository of all things fantastic and frivolous. But as many of us know, the Internet never forgets. Sadly, there are those out there who missed … Read More

Flying Fish Brewing Co. – Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA

ABV: 8.2%

IBU: 62

When it comes to choosing beers, I am generally a stylistic creature of habit. Hoppy? Sold. But on occasion, I am drawn to a brew because … Read More

Finch’s Beer Co.: threadless India Pale Ale

ABV: 6%

IBU: 90

On Friday afternoon, I popped into my neighborhood Whole Foods to pick up something new to drink for the weekend. DC summers are a swampy mess … Read More

Flying Dog – Single Hop Series: Citra

Flying Dog – Single Hop Series: Citra

ABV: 10%

IBU: 70

One of the best places to enjoy fun new brews in Washington, DC is Pizzeria Paradiso. This week, I … Read More

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. – Kentucky IPA

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. – Kentucky IPA

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: 70 (I couldn’t actually find a reliable source for this, so I ball parked.)

Alltech is responsible for quite a bit of growth in Central Kentucky, not to mention the first contributor to the advent of the Lexington, Kentucky craft beer spring. For years, there were very few local craft brews available in Central Kentucky. Alltech seized this opportunity and in 1999 released what is now a staple across the state: Kentucky Ale. Soon the brewery released yet another delicious creation: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This beer combined the signature Kentucky Ale with the flavor of Kentucky Bourbon (by aging for 6 weeks in bourbon barrels), yielding a delicious, slightly sweet, and highly potent brew (about 9% abv).

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Ultimate 6er – To Boldly Go Where No Beer Has Gone Before!

It was only a matter of time until my love for Craft Beer combined with my (let’s be honest) obsession with Science Fiction. As a girl who sports a Star Trek iPhone case (Science Division, of course – Command is just too pretentious and Engineering is, well, a bit too risky) and a text message tone from Star Trek: The Next Generation, it made sense that I would be inspired to dedicate an Ultimate 6er to the greatest of SciFi traditions, Star Trek, especially with the new J.J. Abrams installation: Star Trek: Into Darkness. So whether you prefer Saurian Brandy, Romulan Ale, or just a good glass of prune juice, here is your hodgepodge 6-pack of brews inspired by Star Fleet’s finest. Boldly go where no beer has gone before! LLAP!

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Anderson Valley Brewing Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout

ABV: 6.9%

IBU: 14

I grew up on a farm in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Every day to and from school, we would pass one of Anderson County’s two distilleries. The smell of mash in the morning still brings back a flood of childhood memories. So when I heard that Anderson Valley produced a beer aged in an Anderson County batch of Bourbon barrels, I was naturally rather intrigued. I am a serious Bourbon drinker and, quite honestly, know more about Bourbon than I do beer. You grow up with it, you tend to learn a few things.

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Drinking in Style | How to Make the Perfect Mint Julep

The Kentucky Derby is the king of all genteel parties (and ranks fairly high on the not-so-proper list, as well – just ask anyone spending the first Saturday in May in the infamous infield). And as all PorchDrinkers well know, no party is complete without libations. The Kentucky Derby is evocative of many iconic institutions: lavish hats, faster-than-light Thoroughbreds and, of course, the Mint Julep. After all, no Kentucky party is complete without a bit of Bourbon.

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Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout 2013 Odd Year Release

The Shed Brewery Mountain Ale

The Shed Brewery Mountain Ale (via Otter Creek and Long Trail Brewing)

ABV: 7.4%

IBU: 35

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Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager

ABV: 4.9%

IBU: 18

As the age-old tradition goes, when the parents come to town, you have them treat you to dinner at places that are a bit (or a lot) out of your price range. I personally do not think this pasttime will ever fade, as my family loves exploring new places and sampling interesting eats, and (to be perfectly honest) I am always willing to let someone else pick up the check. As the fam visited the District this past weekend, I, of course, packed our itinerary with delicious prospects from new and old favorite restaurants. One particular gem is The Pig on 14th Street. As a member of the EatWell family, The Pig specializes in a more local, sustainable, and – when possible – farm-to-table approach to food. Beyond the merits of its laudable approach to sourcing ingredients, this place just makes a lot of very tasty, pork-filled dishes.

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Craft Beer Takes on the Capital: Brewers Association Craft Beer Conference and BrewExpo America

Last week, everyone from brewers and cicerones, to keg manufacturers and beer academics – over 6,400 of them – descended upon Washington, DC to engage in the annual Brewers Association Craft Beer Conference and BrewExpo America for a week of hard work and industry networking infused with a heavy dose of beer drinking and occasional mischief. This gathering differs greatly from the Great American Beer Festival, which is much more focused on the actual brews themselves, rather than the industry. The entire event hosts two main components: the Craft Beer Conference (seminar-based) and BrewExpo America (an industry trade show).

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Franzia – Vintner’s Select White Merlot

ABV: 12.5%

IBU: 0

As an avid wine drinker, I’ve sampled the gamut of varietals – from French Burgundy to Argentinian Torrontes – but am always seeking out a truly special wine experience. I’ve come very close in the past with some choice picks, such as the slightly jammy Meiomi Pinot Noir from California I sampled a few weeks ago. However, nothing could have prepared me for this gem of a find that had been hidden in plain sight for all of these years.

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ReCap of the Inaugural DC Beer Festival

The Journey Begins

The Inaugural DC Beer Festival began as many DC events do: a trip on the metro that starts as any usual metro ride, and then the train cars slowly shift to carry only those destined for a day of fun (minus a few confused stragglers and tourists). I hopped on the train near my house with very few fellow festival-goers, but as soon as we hit Gallery Place, hordes of eager beer drinkers filled the train. The chatter en route confirmed their final destination: the Inaugural DC Beer Festival at National’s Park.

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THIS WEEKEND: The Inaugural DC Beer Festival Comes to Nationals Park!

This weekend in DC will be one to remember for Beer Lovers. The Inaugural DC Beer Festival is coming to Nationals Park! The festival will run from Saturday, March 23rd to Sunday, March 24th. Sadly, tickets are sold out for Saturday festivities (with a wait list for the evening – 6-9pm –  slot), but tickets are STILL AVAILABLE for Sunday, March 24th!

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Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada – Rhizing Bines

Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada Rhizing Bines

ABV: 8%

IBUs: 70

Rhizing Bines is the delightful product of a mind meld between the kings of innovative hopping processes: Delaware’s Dogfish Head and California’s Sierra Nevada. What happens when two craft brew heavyweights from each coast combine their powers for good? Well, pretty fantastic beer, of course. This Imperial IPA is the second installation in these breweries collaborations, the first of which – the dark, maple brewed “Life & Limb” – debuted in 2009. Though I feel that more diehard hops fans will be left wanting for a bigger punch of bitterness, this is a beer that will please even those on the fence about IPAs. Read More

21st Amendment – Marooned on Hog Island

ABV: 7.9%

IBU: Not Available

Ultimate 6er – Super Bowl Beers Baltimore vs. San Francisco

In honor of this weekend’s gridiron showdown we decided to showcase our Ultimate 6er for Super Bowl Beers Baltimore vs. San Francisco.  We’ve compiled three beers from Baltimore and three more from San Francisco to help complete your Super Bowl party libations.  Vote for which lineup wins in the comments section and perhaps that will serve as an indicator for real game results.

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