Flying Bison Brewing Company | Buffalo IPA

As a PorchDrinker based out of NYC, I am happy to regale you, dear readers, with tales of daring innovation that spring from the sometimes excessive effort to be the leader of the pack in the NYC-area beer world. But what about those cities that don’t get a lot of play in beer media? Places where craft beer is only just beginning to flourish? Well today folks, I am taking you to that great American stalwart, Buffalo, New York. In particular, we are talking about the Buffalo IPA from Flying Bison Brewing Company, a sweet little operation that, according to its website, professes to be the city’s first stand alone brewery since 1972. Before we get to the actual beer, let me just first tip my hat to the brewery for having the good sense to draw some wings on a bison and turn it into their logo. Excellent decision making there.  Read More

Strange Craft Beer Company | Zora Rosemary Pale Ale

6.5% ABV, 55 IBUs

On an eighty-degree summer night, the back patio of Strange Brewery in south downtown Denver is about as close to actual “porch drinking” as it gets. Copious amounts of good vibes, camaraderie and beer are present, and while the facade of the Strange entrance has a strip-mall feel, the patio’s warm industrial vibe feels almost Brooklyn-esque. Denver RTD trains even rush along the back fence every 10 minutes or so as if the Brooklyn J train de-railed and headed west of its own accord.
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The Commons Brewery | Urban Farmhouse Ale

The Commons Brewery is by far my favorite discovery since moving to Portland 2 months ago. While other new breweries have satisfied my palate in my search for delicious beers … Read More

Troegs Brewery | LaGrave Triple Golden Ale

After a long hard day in the sun (or dreaming of the sun for that matter), few things are as refreshing as a delicious golden ale that is big in … Read More

Almanac Beer Company | Farmer’s Reserve Blackberry

ABV: 7%

Recently Denver received a wave of California goodness with little hype. Bars and bottle shops in the Mile High currently have some amazing beers from Almanac Beer Company … Read More

Odell Brewing Company | Perle White IPA

ABV: 5.5%

Do you remember the first time you tasted a white IPA? While enjoying a Chainbreaker a few years ago, I wondered if these wheaty-hoppy hybrids would ever catch on. Little did I know it would soon find a home on seemingly every taplist in Denver. While albino IPAs have become increasingly popular nationwide, we’ve only seen a few examples of the style from Colorado brewers. When I heard that Odell Brewing, the Ft. Collins brewery responsible for perhaps my favorite Colorado IPA, were releasing their Perle White IPA this summer, my tastebuds stood at rapt attention. Read More

Big Boss Brewing Company | Hell’s Belle Belgian-style Ale

7.0% ABV

30 IBU

Belgian-style ale

Available across NC and SC

During the hot, humid days and tepid nights of summer in the piedmont region of North Carolina, relief comes … Read More

People’s Brewing Company | Mound Builder IPA

ABV: 6.50%
IBU: 88

I am proud of my home town. Being from a small, tight-knit community, in rural Indiana, it is difficult to share the greatness with people in Denver. For such a small place, I am very impressed with the local breweries. Both Lafayette Brewing Company and People’s Brewing Company make quality and tasty beer, but I was never able to bring it back to Denver with me … until now.

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Shock Top Brewing Co | Honey Bourbon Cask Wheat

Shock Top Brewing Co. St. Louis, MO  | Honey Bourbon Cask Wheat

ABV: 5.5 %

It was Friday night in Columbus, Ga. and my boyfriend and I decided to make the most of our weekend and take a trip out on the town.

Heading out for a night of stories to be made often starts with a desire to have something in our stomachs before filling up on alcohol. We  chose Momma Goldberg’s Deli on Broadway in what is known as uptown Columbus, Ga.

My discovery at this sandwich shop wasn’t the food, though. No, my discovery was of a new brew which, with one sip, sent my tastebuds back to the breakfast table on weekday mornings before school in my childhood days. I’ve had beer smells (Natural Light and Keystone Light) direct me back to less pleasant memories of my flip flops sticking to the floor of the beer caked basements at a college fraternity houses. This beer, however, left me with a scent I encountered from a cardboard General Mills box. Read More

Fat Head’s Brewery | Bone Head Red

Fat Head’s Brewery

Bone Head – Imperial Red Ale

7.7% ABV

75 IBU

The other night in Cincinnati the sky turned red. It was so red, that when I saw it … Read More

Perennial Artisan Ales | Vermilion Barleywine

ABV: 10% | IBU: 60

Perennial Artisan Ales’ Vermilion Barleywine is a big, sweet softy. Little to no heat from its big ABV, this is a smooth drinking English Barleywine you can drink on the dark days of winter or on a warm day while barbequing.

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Columbus Brewing Company | IPA

CBC IPA     6.5% ABV

As much as I love trying and exploring all the craft beer that is out there, I know no matter what there will be one beer that stands above the rest. One that will always have a special place for in my heart, and in my refrigerator.  To me, that is Columbus Brewing Company IPA.  I always feel a nice sense of pride for Columbus and all the great local breweries, and CBC is among the best, especially when it comes to making a great IPA. The brewery itself is located in the historical brewery district in downtown Columbus, and you can find their beers on tap almost anywhere in this fine city. Read More

Sun King Brewing Co. | Grapefruit Jungle

Sun King is Indianapolis’ oldest and largest production brewery and they just turned five years old! Like all five year olds, there had to be a party. Sun King didn’t … Read More

Bell’s Brewery | Two Hearted Ale

7.0% ABV

In preparing for my recent move from Michigan to Utah I had grand plans of bringing along cases and cases of hand selected Michigan microbrews. But then as I looked at my piles of stuff and the tiny little trailer that was supposed to carry it all, I had to reason with myself a little bit and cut back. As I put the Great Lakes in my rearview I did make one stop. I allowed myself one little six pack, and Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale was the easy choice. Read More

Stoudts Brewery | Stoudts Pils

Stoudts Pils Adamstown, PA 5.4 % ABV German Pilsener

While perusing the beer distributor for the perfect “AMERICA BEAT GERMANY!!!” libation last week, it was certainly hard to stray from … Read More

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. | Opal

Farmhouse Ale | Dry-hopped Saison

ABV: 7.5%

IBU: 35

It’s an early spring morning, the first bit of sunlight on the horizon peeks through my south-eastern facing window and I begin to stir. The chickadees and robins are creating quite the early morning chatter. It’s more peaceful than my usual weekday alarm but I still grumble and roll over covering my head with my pillow. 5:30am – seriously?! I think to myself. As I try and coax myself back to sleep, I’m inundated by the crisp spring morning air wafting through my windows. Laden with pollen the air is ripe and wonderful. It’s what I’m sure Charmin was shooting for, but fell far short of, in their “Spring Breeze” detergent. The sun climbs higher in my window and I become more aware of the beautiful spring aromatics- growth, pollination, snow run-off and life. As the Colorado spring transitions to summer, I walk to the farmers market. On my way I cross Boulder Creek, a run-off fueled torrent raging through the middle of town. The sounds of earth erosion are almost deafening; I’m humbled knowing that what I’m hearing is but a fraction of the change the Boulder Creek watershed will see in its lifetime. The farmers’ market is bustling with people; young, old, families, children and smiling faces. I walk past a small stand on the northern side of the market and a 6-year-old boy Jason greets me. The Plowshares farmstand has the most beautiful arrangement of spring vegetables. After conversing with Jason about the creek, playground and squirrels I’m warmed from the inside by his charm and joy. I purchase a bundle of beets, mizuna, collard greens, and a bag of mixed salad greens from his mother. Walking back through the market the ripe aromas of fresh herb starter plants consume me. Basil, cilantro, parley, rosemary, thyme and lemongrass create an unforgettable floral bouquet. Read More

Frankenmuth Brewery | Twisted Helles

ABV: 5.5%

Summers in Michigan were a staple of my childhood, from celebrating my first birthday at Higgins Lake to weeklong vacations in Harbor Springs. We took day trips to Petoskey, Charlevoix and Big Bear Dunes, and we usually made a pit stop in Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria. It should come as no surprise then that today’s showcase from Frankenmuth Brewery is Twisted Helles Summer Lager. Read More

Dry Dock Brewery | Aloha Biz Hawaiian Porter

ABV 5.7%

We left the Denver city confines last night to get brewing supplies at our favorite store, The Brew Hut, in Aurora, Colorado. After purchasing the items on our list (and then some), we ducked into Dry Dock Brewery for a beer. The Brew Hut is literally fused to Dry Dock’s brewhouse, making after-shopping samples close to impossible to resist. Tricky bastards.

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Lantern Brewing | Tripel

Lantern Brewing | Tripel – 8% ABV

If you are even casual fan of Belgian style beers, especially the tripel, you know they can get pretty out there with high ABV, bacteria treated sours, complicated aging processes, and unusual ingredients. They can become so complex that it’s easy to forget why people loved them to start with: they are refreshing, clean-flavored, balanced beers that happen to punch above their weight class in terms of alcohol content. Read More

West Sixth Brewing | West Sixth IPA

Think back to the first time you tasted a true craft beer. Better yet, think back to the first time you tasted a local craft beer: one that was created in your state, your town or perhaps even in your neighborhood. Did it have a little extra “flair” to it? Read More