Craft Beer News
PorchDrinking brings you the breaking in craft beer news.
Stone Brewing Disputes Trademarks with Kentucky Brewery & 100 Other Brands
July 21, 2020 | Tristan Chan 3You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Stone Brewing, which has long built its brand on “challenging the status quo” and fighting against big beer, was outed on Friday for having issued a trademark cancellation request against Sawstone Brewing in Morehead, KY.
Surreal Brewing’s Non-Alcoholic Juicy Mavs Hazy IPA is No Fantasy
July 21, 2020 | Taylor Laabs 1The pandemic has had a drastic impact on the drinking habits of many Americans, myself included. While I still indulge on the weekends, I’ve also developed a new craving for lighter, better-for-you options that can be consumed guilt-free throughout the week. Spiked kombucha from the likes of Luna Bay Booch and Jiant Kombucha are frequently found in my fridge, along with some new non-alcoholic offerings. While California’s Athletic Brewing might draw the most headlines for their non-alcoholic (NA) beer lineup, Californian counterpart Surreal Brewing has generated plaudits of its own thanks to the likes of Juicy Mavs NA Hazy IPA.
Revolution Brewing Goes Berry Forward in Next Deep Wood Release
July 16, 2020 | Mike ZollerOver the past few years, Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood series has included a fruited Deth’s Tar featuring cherries, currants, and then plums. The oatmeal stout with the addition of the fruit has been a big hit during each release, so the announcement of Mixed Berry Ryeway created a stir on social media.
Crushed By Giants Opens July 17
July 13, 2020 | Mike ZollerIn 2013 when Greg Shuff was getting ready to open DryHop Brewers, he had a vision to open up a series of brewpubs in different locations throughout Chicago. Over the past seven years, he’s opened up two more spots and is about to launch the fourth location, Crushed By Giants, on Friday, July 17.
Station 26 Brewing Co. Announces Craft Beer Scholarship for the Underrepresented
July 10, 2020 | Chea FranzWith systemic racism and police brutality at the forefront of the national conversation, many are taking pause to reflect on how we move forward. Inclusivity and diversity have been a part of much of that conversation, and we’re seeing these themes discussed in the craft beer community.
It’s no secret that craft beer lacks diversity. Read More
Pyramid Brewing Talks Brand Refresh, History, and Relocation
July 10, 2020 | Jereme ZimmermanFor old-school craft beer drinkers, Pyramid Brewing, with its iconic label featuring a double pyramid and evoking the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, is one of the tried and true originals. For many, their Hefeweizen, Wheaten, Apricot Ale or Outburst Imperial IPA was the gateway to quality craft beer. The times have changed, but the quality of Pyramid’s beer hasn’t.
New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk Brand Thrives Thanks to Creative Variants
July 9, 2020 | Taylor LaabsFlagship beers are the lifeblood of any successful craft brewery. They provide sales consistency and additional sales points through variant releases that are familiar to the consumers, yet introduce new SKUs throughout the calendar year. New Holland Brewing’s cash-cow remains their Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout line, a decadently strong and barrel-forward beer that continues to generate acclaim for the Michigan-based brewery. Amidst a reimagining of the New Holland brand, the Dragon’s Milk brand continues to quietly hum along, generating positive sales year over year, thanks to the success of the original Stout and the popularity of new, buzzed-about variants.
A Beer Release in the New Normal | How Revolution Brewing Released Their Latest Deep Wood Offering
July 6, 2020 | Taylor LaabsThe craft beer industry has diligently adapted taprooms, business processes and safety protocols to better serve patrons and adhere to current safety guidelines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Welcoming patrons back to drink outdoors (and, in some states, indoors) at a brewery’s location is a momentous task that cannot be understated. Being permitted to once again drink beer on-draft during Chicago’s Phase 3 and 4 reopenings has let some of Chicago’s beer drinkers experience a sense of cautious normalcy. One area of the craft beer scene that would typically draw crowds—and headaches—is a much-hyped beer release, like Revolution Brewing’s release of their latest Cafe Deth variant, Supermassive Cafe Deth. What does a beer release look like in the new normal? How do you execute one both safely and effectively? To find out, we asked Illinois’ largest independent brewer about how the release went.
Great Divide’s Denver Pale Ale Artist Series #5 Featuring Adam Vicarel
July 3, 2020 | Karen MillsThe next iteration of Great Divide‘s Denver Pale Ale will be hitting shelves shortly. Each year, the Denver brewery picks a local artist to create the artwork that will be displayed on the cans. This year’s can will feature the artwork of Denver-based artist, Adam Vicarel. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Great Divide to partner with a local artist who is widely known for his craft.
Orpheus Brewing’s Diversity Program Teaches Tomorrow’s Craft Beer Leaders
June 26, 2020 | David NilsenOrpheus Brewing in Atlanta, Georgia, is launching a new paid internship program to improve racial inclusion and equity within the craft beer industry. The Leadership Diversity Program will hire one applicant at a time for six-month periods and train them in all aspects of brewery operations, with the goal of those graduating from the program going on to leadership careers in the craft beer world.
The Bronx Brewery Rescinds Release of “Defund the Police” Amid Threats
June 25, 2020 | Tristan Chan 3Less than a month since the brutal police murder of Minnesota resident George Floyd, breweries and small businesses continue to band together to fundraise, spark conversation and work toward addressing … Read More
Wiley Roots Brewing Finds Growth in Pandemic Expands Distribution
June 24, 2020 | Tristan ChanAt the end of 2019, the craft beer industry was celebrating a banner year. While beer sales nationally saw a 2% decline, the craft beer segment grew by 4%, and … Read More
Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen Raises the Bar on Metro Denver Brewpubs
June 23, 2020 | Tristan ChanSince its humble beginnings in 2008, Spice Trade Brewery has been closely intertwined with East Asian cuisine. Not prescribing to the typical brewery origin story, Spice Trade was originally birthed … Read More
Historic Seipp Brewing Returns to Chicago
June 22, 2020 | Mike ZollerChicago is full of history and craft beer. On July 2, the two will once again come together when a beer that hasn’t been made since 1933 will make its return to the Windy City.
Canadian Brewery Turns 6-Pack Box into Father’s Day Greeting Card
June 19, 2020 | Tristan ChanWhile many dads will likely receive beer from their adult-aged children this weekend in celebration of Father’s Day, one Calgary-based brewery is taking the concept of dad-beers to the next … Read More
Chicago Breweries Reopen for Onsite Consumption
June 17, 2020 | Abby SchmelingChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced on Monday, June 15, that city bars and breweries would be able to serve customers outdoors starting Wednesday, June 17. The announcement came nearly two weeks after restaurants and bars and breweries serving food were able to open for outdoor dining—and drinking. While not all establishments may have existing permits—let alone patios—new applications are being expedited to allow all interested businesses to begin outdoor service.
Read More
Brewers Association Survey: As States Reopen Optimism Grows
June 15, 2020 | Loren WhiteThe Brewers Association recently published the results from their third COVID-19 impact survey, aimed at gauging the state of the craft brewing industry. While things are far from rosy, as states begin to loosen restrictions, many craft brewers are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
The previous survey in April found that nearly 60% of breweries surveyed expected to be out of business in three months or less if conditions did not change. Fast forward seven weeks and this most recent survey finds that nearly 82% of breweries in the survey are either very or somewhat confident in their ability to remain open through 2020. Read More
The Alchemist Beer is Coming to Colorado in Limited Distribution
June 12, 2020 | Tristan ChanOne of the country’s earliest and most prolific pioneers of New England-style Hazy IPAs is finally coming to Colorado. The Alchemist, which first splashed on to the Vermont beer scene … Read More
Jester King Newly Reimagined Outdoor Space is a Hit with Socially-Distanced Drinkers
June 10, 2020 | Taylor LaabsAustin, Texas’ Jester King Brewery is many things to many people—it’s an esteemed farmhouse brewery, popular community gathering space, a bustling farm with pet goats and more. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced breweries across the nation to readjust their business models, the popular brewer was well-positioned to adjust in unique ways gives its business flexibility and available acres of Texas farmland. The result is Jester King Reimagined, a veritable Disney Land of Drinking that promises patrons several unique outdoor spaces to indulge in an array of Jester King’s tasty spontaneously-fermented and mixed culture beers, whilst also adhering to current CDC and social distancing protocols. Since opening May 29, the new outdoor drinking concept has been a hit with drinkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Illinois Brewery Faces Backlash After Claiming George Floyd Murder Was a Hoax
June 4, 2020 | Mathew PowersWhile thousands of Chicago residents and many area breweries continue to mourn and speak out against last week’s police murder of Minnesota resident George Floyd, systemic racism, and police brutality, one Chicago brewery has taken a controversial stance.
Manteno, IL’s Steam Hollow Brewing, whose co-owner, Natalie White proclaimed on Facebook, “George Floyd isn’t dead, he is a porn star/actor who knows the officer, who isn’t even a real officer. Wake the f up.” That response comes in stark contrast to Illinois breweries like Half Acre, which posted: “We support our neighbors locally and nationally in the demand for justice and lasting change. Should you choose, you could donate the money you would have spent on beer today to one of the solid organizations helping to create equality for all. Black Lives Matter.”
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