About- Tristan Chan
Tristan Chan
Tristan is a craft beer fanatic who originally hails from Kentucky, which used to be a veritable wasteland for craft beer. Since moving to Colorado, he discovered a passion for hops, malts, brett strains, tinctures, nitros, and all things craft brew. He created this blog as a means for his friends across the country to a virtual porch drink and he hopes that you’ll join the revolution.The PorchCast Ep 101 | Kelly McKnight – New Belgium Brewing
January 23, 2023 | Tristan Chan
In episode 101 of The PorchCast, we were joined by Kelly McKnight, lead R&D brewer for New Belgium Brewing to discuss all things innovation at New Belgium. In addition to hearing about her extensive brewing background, we were captivated by the fact that McKnight was a sponsored skateboarder & skier in a previous life and also studied chemistry at Harvard.
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New Belgium’s Fat Tire Overhauls Branding and Recipe After 32 Years
January 17, 2023 | Tristan Chan 28
One of craft beer’s most iconic brands is about to look and taste a lot different after 32 years. New Belgium Brewing has announced a complete overhaul of its iconic Fat Tire brand, which includes new packaging, branding, and more importantly, a new recipe.
Enter to Win | Firestone Walker’s “Legendary Brewmaster Experience”
January 13, 2023 | Tristan Chan
The same legendary brewery that has produced iconic industry-changing staples like Parabola, Union Jack, 805, Mind Haze, and Pivo Pils is giving one lucky beer fan the opportunity to join the “Legendary Brewmaster Experience.”
Firestone Walker Brewing invites beer fanatics to enter for a chance to win an all-expense paid, four-day, three-night VIP trip to visit all three Firestone Walker breweries in Venice, Buellton, and Paso Robles to brew with their all-star team. The winner of the Legendary Brewmaster Experience will receive an all-access Firestone Walker VIP weekend learning from the likes of co-founder David Walker, and Brewmaster, Matt Brynildson.
The PorchCast Ep 100 | Jesse Bussard – Craft Maltsters Guild
December 22, 2022 | Tristan Chan
In episode 100 of the PorchCast, we were joined by Jesse Bussard, Executive Director of the Craft Maltster’s Guild to talk about the explosive craft malt movement happening across the United States.
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The PorchCast Ep 99 | Jake Schinker – Eagle Park Brewing
December 22, 2022 | Tristan Chan
In episode 99 of the PorchCast, we were joined by Jake Schinker of Eagle Park Brewing
& Distilling to chat about the Milwaukee brewery’s explosive growth. In addition to their recent acquisition of MKE Brewing, a pioneer of the Milwaukee craft beer scene, they’ve also expanded their operations into distilling.
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The PorchCast Ep 96 | Eric Ponce – Firestone Walker
December 20, 2022 | Tristan Chan
In episode 96 of the PorchCast we were joined by Firestone Walker Brewing Barrel Program Manager, Eric Ponce. Eric has been a long-time friend of PorchDrinking dating back to his time managing the barrel program at Goose Island.
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PREVIEW | Danico Brewing Opens Near Denver International Airport
December 9, 2022 | Tristan Chan
It might feel a bit out of place walking into a new Colorado craft brewery to discover Bud Light on draft. But for Danico Brewing owners, Nikki Harwood and Dave Lotierzo, it not only speaks to their desire to create options for more traditional beer drinkers but also nods to their unconventional career paths that began at Anheuser-Busch.
Denver’s FlyteCo Beer Supports Local Journalists with Release of Thirst Amendment
December 7, 2022 | Tristan Chan
We might be a little biased, but supporting local journalism is critical not only to maintaining a democratic society but also to providing platforms for small businesses and individuals in industries like craft beer.
Unfortunately over the last decade, countless numbers of publications have suffered from budget cuts, key departures, and in some cases closures. In the beer industry alone, we’ve seen notable departures from peers like DRAFT Magazine, BeerPulse, The Hop Review, and All About Beer Magazine before it was eventually revived earlier this year.
Firestone Walker 2023 Brewmaster’s Collective Opens for Enrollment
December 6, 2022 | Tristan Chan
When it comes to national breweries, Firestone Walker is the baseball equivalent to a five-tool player. Not only have they been wildly successful in capturing the attention of casual craft beer fans with commercial hits like Mind Haze, Union Jack and Hopnosis, while also gaining the respect of their peers with industry icons like Pivo Pils and Wookey Jack, but they’ve also proven their ability to gain traction with casual beer drinkers through their 805 series.
However, all of that might pale in comparison with what they’ve accomplished through their ever-evolving barrel-aging and specialty release program. While beer fanatics are likely familiar with classics like Firestone Walker’s Parabola, Sucaba and their yearly Anniversary blends, over the past three years, the Paso Robles-based brewery has quietly continued to breathe new life into their barrel-aging and small-batch release programs through the Brewmaster’s Collective membership program. Think of them as the Shohei Ohtani of brewing.
WestFax Brewing Announces Second Location in WeldWerks’ Former Colorado Springs Location
December 2, 2022 | Tristan Chan
Even in spite of a world-altering pandemic and an impending recession, the craft beer scene in Colorado Springs has continued to experience rapid growth over the last four years. So much so, that according to Colorado Beer Geek, Stephen Adams, Colorado Springs has now eclipsed Boulder and Fort Collins in terms of the total number of breweries with 34 in operation. The area’s vibrant beer scene has already drawn big-name attention once, but now, a different familiar name from the Front Range is primed to join the mix.
FIRST LOOK | Public Offering Brewing Opening on South Broadway
November 18, 2022 | Tristan Chan
As a resident of West Wash Park for the past 16 years, Cody Higginbottom feels a deep kinship with his neighborhood. But that communal bond will be further deepened today when he officially opens Public Offering Brewing at 1736 South Broadway.
Epic Brewing Announces Closure of Denver Taproom & Brewery
November 9, 2022 | Tristan Chan 2
After nine years of operating as one of the pioneer breweries in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, Epic Brewing will close its Denver location before the end of the year. Opening just a year after River North Brewery, Our Mutual Friend Brewing, and Black Shirt Brewery, Epic Brewing joined a groundswell of craft beer producers to transform the North side of Denver into one of the most heavily saturated craft brewery neighborhoods in the country.
2022 Midterm Election Night Drinking Game
November 7, 2022 | Tristan Chan
It may not be a presidential election year, but it feels like the stakes are higher this year than any other midterm election year in recent memory. With highly combustible perspectives on initiatives like reproductive rights, immigration, inflation, gun violence, and election fraud all weighing heavily on the country it feels like a major turning point for the country.
With as stressful and anxiety-ridden as this election might be, we thought we’d lighten up the room a bit by reviving our Midterm Election Night Drinking Game. If anything, pour yourself a few glasses of something nice and easy-drinking and find solace in the fact that you now have a two-year reprieve from political mailers, robocalls, and SPAM texts.
So kick back, take a deep breath, and enjoy a bit of levity with our 2022 Midterm Election Night Drinking Game. Keep in mind, that we in no way recommend that you actually adhere to the rules presented below as you would assuredly require a trip to the hospital. This post was meant as a parody. Please drink responsibly.
2022 FoBAB Results | Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers Award Winners
November 5, 2022 | Tristan Chan
The results are IN and we now know all of the big award winners from this year’s 2022 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB). This year’s 20th anniversary of FoBAB was once again a spectacular success with over 160 breweries showcasing the country’s absolute best producers in the wood and barrel-aged beer categories.
These Are America’s Best Breweries for Barrel-Aged Stouts
November 3, 2022 | Tristan Chan 28
As warmer days begin to dwindle and the daylight hours dissipate, it feels only natural for our taste preferences to evolve accordingly. The onset of colder weather, as well as the arrival of the holiday season, always feels like a natural signal for beer drinkers to shift their focus toward boozier, barrel-aged Stouts. In addition to the perceived liquid layer of warmth, these specialty releases also feel fitting for gifting or saving for special occasions, which become more bountiful as the end of the year draws nearer.
Coincidentally, in celebration of International Stout Day, we decided to showcase the country’s best breweries for barrel-aged Stouts. This post was co-authored by Tristan Chan, Eric Griffin, Alysia Shoemaker, and Britt Antley.
This post was made possible with the support of Laws Whiskey House. In addition to their no-shortcuts approach toward producing world-class whiskey. They also have lent their barrels to some of the best barrel-aged beers in the country. Explore more at www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com
Catching Up on the Latest Colorado Craft Beer News, Events, Openings
October 19, 2022 | Tristan Chan 1
While the Great American Beer Festival has come and gone, the frenzied pace of the largest beer festival in the country descending upon the Centennial State certainly hasn’t subsided. In fact, in the two weeks since GABF a lot has happened. So we thought we’d recap some of the more notable comings and goings surrounding Colorado’s craft beer scene as of late.
The PorchCast Ep 98 | Chris Black & Henry Schwartz – GABF Recap
October 12, 2022 | Tristan Chan
In episode 98 of the PorchCast, we were joined by Chris Black former co-founder of Falling Rock Tap House, and Henry Schwartz, co-founder of MobCraft & Denver’s MobCraft Dee Tacko … Read More
Colorado Breweries Who Won Big at the 2022 GABF Competition
October 8, 2022 | Tristan Chan
Colorado has perennially performed well at GABF, but after a somewhat lackluster showing last year with only 21 medals they rebounded in a big way in 2022. This year, independent … Read More
2022 GABF Guided Routes | Hoppy Beers to Try at GABF
October 5, 2022 | Tristan Chan
The Great American Beer Festival is nearly upon us! And as we always do, each year at PorchDrinking, we’re here to help you navigate the vast lineup of beers to help with planning your route at the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through every beer pouring at this year’s event to bring you a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.
2022 GABF Guided Routes | Lagers & Session Beers to Try at GABF
October 3, 2022 | Tristan Chan
The Great American Beer Festival is nearly upon us! And as we always do, each year at PorchDrinking, we’re here to help you navigate the vast lineup of beers to help with planning your route at the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through every beer pouring at this year’s event to bring you a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.
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