Lagunitas Brewing Company | Wilco Tango Foxtrot

ABV: 7.85% | IBU: 64.20

It’s a shock that it’s already October and fall is officially here. The summer was a blur and it seems like Christmas is already right around the corner. Yet, we’re at that awkward point in the year when it often still feels like summer despite the fact that we can officially say it’s fall and crack open those seasonal brews. So, is it still cool to enjoy a hoppy IPA or crisp, citrusy shandy, or are we resigned to force in those maltier, more robust ales and stouts? There isn’t really a satisfying mix of the two to help bridge the gap. That is until now — Lagunitas Brewing Company has introduced to the world its new Wilco Tango Foxtrot.

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Cloudburst Brewing | Remember the Maine Smoked Pumpkin Porter

ABV: 5.1%

As our own writers have demonstrated, pumpkin beers can be a divisive topic. But despite the controversy attached to this particular category of beer, West Seattle’s beloved beer bar and bottle shop The Beer Junction has devoted an entire week to celebrating this type of beverage with an event titled Pumpkin Junction 2016. This event features 30 taps devoted solely to pumpkin beers and ciders for eight straight days (Oct. 15-23). I attended the Pumpkin Junction on opening day and chose Cloudburst Brewing’s Remember the Maine Smoked Pumpkin Porter as my inaugural pumpkin beer for the season. The Beer Junction’s promise of pumpkin did not disappoint.

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Mockery Brewing | Party at the Moontower

ABV: 10.6% | IBU: 16

Winter may be coming, but fall is here and that can only mean one thing: Porter season. Cold weather and dark beers go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly. As the fall colors quickly fade and trees begin to wilt their leaves I think back to my childhood – begrudgingly raking up leaves only to have my little brother jump in the pile and force me to rake them all up again. Needless to say, I live in the city now and raking up leaves is a thing of the past. My fall days now comprise of fall hikes to view the vibrant aspens billowing in the wind, jeering at the pumpkin spice Pringles at the grocery store, and enjoying a tasty porter while I wait for my beard to grow in my flannel shirt and knit cap. Yeah, I’m that guy.
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The Veil Brewing Company | Child Support

ABV: 4.5% | IBU: 25

In my experience, there has been no brewery to grow faster from its amazing quality and devoted fanbase than The Veil Brewing Company. Thirsty audiences would flock across the state to Richmond every Tuesday to get their hands on The Veil’s collection of canned jewels. Those of us familiar with the East Coast trading scene would see The Veil’s collection of juicy, New England-style IPAs to give them a breakthrough of success on the level of Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Vermont or Tree House Brewing Company in Massachusetts.

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Coney Island Brewing | Hard Root Beer

ABV: 5.8%

A nostalgic fave is coming back–hard. Root Beer is definitely one of those new craft beer-craze styles I’ve been hesitant to try. Mainly, I am not a huge soda drinker. However, I’v always loved a cold, rich, full-bodied birch beer whether it be on a hot, summer day or cool, autumn evening. So, if you fall into the “I’m new to craft beer” or “I like to try everything” or simply “I need a wow-factor for my taste-buds”, I’d suggest giving this one a go!

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3 Daughters Brewing | Rod Bender Red Ale

ABV: 5.9% | IBU: 23

I’ve found myself frequenting the booming brewing scene of Tampa Bay in recent months, and as an avid beer logger I usually find myself with flight-size pours and rarely more for any particular flavor or style, let alone a specific beer. If I buy a six pack, I’m usually picking it up to share with a few friends that don’t have regular access to it. So I must admit that it caught me by surprise when I found 3 Daughters Brewing‘s Rod Bender Red Ale to replace my typical wheel of flavors on a given football Sunday! Read More

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company | Torpedo Extra IPA

ABV: 7.2%  |  IBU: 65

I have written my last couple reviews on some hard to get IPAs (the kind that you have to wait in line for and are gone within a matter of hours), so I figured it makes sense to write about a more readily available brew.

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Tired Hands Brewing Company | Ourison

It’s been hotter than Hansel in Los Angeles the past few weeks and when the temperatures rise, I start moseying into the sour/saison realm for refreshment. Luckily, I had a bottle of Tired Hands Brewing Company Ourison to help cool me. Straight out of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, I enjoy Tired Hands for its unfiltered yet refined farmhouse and sour ales that regularly have unusual style and ingredient combos. For instance, Woodlahands, a Flanders oud bruin with mushrooms added, is an example of the type of beer that emanates from the Tired Hands Fermentaria, and I’m all about it.

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SweetWater Brewing Company | SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

ABV: 5.7%  IBU: 41

When does something reach official classic status? Is there a committee? Are there longevity rules? Popularity requirements? No matter. What’s really at stake here, dear reader, is the over-proliferation of the term “classic.” 

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Wiley Roots Brewing Company | Super 77 Wheat

ABV: 4.7% | IBU: 12

Winning a medal at GABF is a big deal, and for a craft brewer it could be validation of years of work and passion. Three years ago, it was Kyle Carbaugh, the self described “Grand Poobah” at the then GABF rookie Wiley Roots Brewing Company who felt that validation when their Super 77 Wheat took home the Bronze Medal.  Read More

Hi-Wire Brewing | Gose

ABV: 4.2% | IBU: 5

Recently, I’ve shared North Carolina brews that are particularly suited for the fledgling NC craft beer enthusiast. Today, I continue in that vein with Asheville-based Hi-Wire Brewing’s Gose.
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Founders Brewing Co. | Mosaic Promise

Craft beer has always been about the story. If you can make oatmeal, you can probably make beer. That’s the easy part. Beer comes in different shades of colors and styles. Yet, despite the basics of brewing being so simple, we are still drawn to drinking and discovering all the different styles and interpretations brewers put on our favorite liquid courage.

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Maplewood Brewery & Distillery | Son of Juice

Everyday, you wake up and, among other things, decide what to wear. A top, shoes, necklace, skirt, pants – whatever. Maplewood Brewery is trying to expedite this process by offering you the option to wear your Juice Pants out in the world.

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Goose Island Beer Co. | Brewery Yard

When drinking your favorite craft beer, how often do you think about the history behind it? To be honest there isn’t a lot of history behind most craft beer. In an industry that isn’t very old and more typically focuses on the new and exciting release, history often doesn’t make its way into craft beer. But Goose Island’s Brewery Yard is one beer that features a unique and interesting historical tale.

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Stillwater Artisanal Ales | Hopvine Bling

“Ever since I left the city to collab with Hudson Valley Brewery, you got a reputation for yourself now.”   – Stillwater Artisanal Ales

Stillwater Artisanal Ales out of Baltimore, Maryland and Hudson Valley Brewery out of Beacon, New York released a collaboration beer earlier this year inspired by, you guessed it, Drake! If you’re not familiar with Drake’s work as a musician and artist, you’ve no doubt seen these hilarious dancing GIFs. If you haven’t, well, that can only mean one thing. You probably have a life and don’t sit around laughing your ass off to dancing GIFs like I do. Let’s talk beer. Read More

Roughtail Brewing Co. | Hoptometrist Double IPA

If you know many people from the great state of Texas, you know they can be pretty prideful about their homeland. It’s almost as if state pride runs in the water for those who are born and raised in the Lone Star State. There was a time, before I had moved away, where I wasn’t sure anything good could come from one of the other 49, especially our step-cousins to the north, Oklahoma. However, over the years, I’ve come to realize that Oklahoma was not all I once despised. Heck, many wonderful things have come from there – Garth Brooks for instance! My wife! Prairie beer, the electric guitar, Chuck Norris, and now? Roughtail Brewing Co. Read More

Hop Butcher For The World | Your Wish Is Granted

I recently went to a carnival. After surviving the Tilt-A-Whirl, ring toss, and the tamale boat, I needed something to wash it down. Unfortunately, the carnival was sponsored by AB-InBev, so all they had was Bud Light. I wandered around and found a fortune telling machine by the Port-o-Potties. Braving the stench, I put a dollar in quarters in and saw Zoltar’s face light up and move, asking me for my wish.

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Trillium Brewing | Skimpy Sparrow

ABV: 5.4%

Two months ago, I had the pleasure of traveling to Boston with my wonderful girlfriend. It was our very first time going and we were able to stay with our amazing friend, Jackie. The great thing about Jackie, besides having two super adorable dogs and living in Salem, is the fact that she is a beer lover just like us. So we spent the better time of five days exploring the East Coast for craft beer and fresh lobsters; yum! Nothing pairs better on a hot day than fresh caught lobster and a cold beer. Throughout our mini vacation we were able to try numerous new breweries and even attended the Microbrewery Invitation. All brews considered, one brewery stood out to us above all others: Trillium Brewing (including its Skimpy Sparrow American Pale Ale, or APA).

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Avery Brewing Company | Ale to the Chief

8.1% ABV | 19.1 degrees Plato (OG)

Avery Brewing Company Ale to the Chief is around for a third term. Don’t worry, there’s no dictatorship here — it’s all about democracy. In that spirit, this isn’t the first time we’ve written about Ale to the Chief. Four years ago, PorchDrinking’s own chief wrote a blurb about Avery’s Ale to the Chief, but there’s a new political and beer climate around, it’s time for a new voice. It’s time for my voice. It’s time for change!

[Balloon Drop]

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Guinness Brewery | Antwerpen Stout

ABV: 8%  |  IBU: 52

In the U.S., for the longest time, when you heard Guinness you thought of only the iconic stout that is a staple at every bar. But over the past few years the brewery has been dedicated to branching out and highlighting other beers to become known for more than the stout with the unique tap handle. Guinness‘ latest release, Antwerpen Stout, is just one of several beers that are hitting shelves in the U.S. to help diversify the Guinness name.

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