Best Bernie Sanders Memes Take Over Craft Beer Marketing

One day after the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, it should be expected that the internet would be filled with news about the incoming administration, but instead, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is “once again” Berning it down with memes.

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Outdoor Spaces During Covid-19 | Brass Ring Brewery

In 2020, we entered a new normal. When once we crowded hip-to-hip in breweries and barrooms, we now spread out six feet, stick to our tables, and wear masks whenever we move about. During summertime, since outdoor eating is a norm many people enjoy, it felt a little bit better, a bit less stifled. But in late fall, when cold weather set in and a surge in COVID-19 cases caused a new round of indoor dining closures throughout the country, breweries, bars and restaurants had to get creative. Plastic outdoor igloos began to show up, allowing a private space for groups to gather outside. Some establishments chose to keep their patios “as-is,” installing large space heaters to keep people warm and cozy. But others have gone a different route, to stand out due to cost issues — or because as the weather gets colder, even large space heaters don’t do the trick.

Here at Porchdrinking.com, we’ve decided to highlight the creativity of these establishments to keep their businesses open, even when indoor dining is an absolutely non-starter. Our first profile is Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Brass Ring Brewery, and their colorful ice shanties.

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PorchDrinking Dream Bottle Share | Stan Hieronymus

Since our launch in 2012, PorchDrinking has celebrated its anniversary each year by throwing a big bottle share for all of our industry friends, supporters, and staff because to us, bottle shares are the truest form of beer lovers coming together as a community. However, 2020 was an unorthodox year, and as much as we would have loved to mark our 8th anniversary with another share, we figured that passing bottles in an enclosed space during a pandemic probably wasn’t the best idea.

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More Than Beer | Root Shoot Craft Malting Connects With The Land

Sometimes the crafting of craft beer goes beyond the creativity and hard work of a brewer. Root Shoot Malting of Loveland, CO., is a family farm and craft maltster that supplies the Rocky Mountain region with craft malt and grains. In addition to providing quality ingredients today, Root Shoot is working to insure that their land remains available to grow grain for the beers of tomorrow.

Founded by Todd and Emily Olander, Root Shoot supplies barley, wheat, rye and corn to craft brewers and distillers. The Olanders grow these grains on their own 112-acre farm and approximately 1500 leased acres. Their malthouse then transforms much of the crop into a portfolio of craft malts using their own proprietary process. Read More

PorchDrinking Dream Bottle Share | Louis Livingston-Garcia

Since our launch in 2012, PorchDrinking has celebrated its anniversary each year by throwing a big bottle share for all of our industry friends, supporters, and staff because to us, bottle shares are the truest form of beer lovers coming together as a community. However, 2020 was an unorthodox year, and as much as we would have loved to mark our 8th anniversary with another share, we figured that passing bottles in an enclosed space during a pandemic probably wasn’t the best idea.

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Shannon the Dude’s Brew Has Cult Following

What happens when someone tweets you a picture of Shannon’s Sweet Tea? Well, you end up getting your own beer, of course. That’s what happened to Shannon Grigsby, famously known as Shannon the Dude. Shannon the Dude is an on-air radio personality and producer for Kentucky’s top radio show Kentucky Sports Radio. He is also the Ohio Valley Wrestling World Heavyweight Radio Champion.

“Well I was in New York, I was in Manhattan and somebody randomly tweeted me,” Shannon said. “I guess it was a local tea, like a sweat tea that somebody had and it was Shannon’s [Sweat] Tea and they said I didn’t know you had your own tea and I retweeted something to the effect of I never wanted to have my own tea but I have always wanted to have my own beer.”

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2020 Colorado Best in Beer Year-End Honors

Enough with the played-out 2020 tropes, we all know it was absolutely bonkers last year, so much so that this round-up of last year’s accolades comes almost a month late. With that in mind, we will fully admit that where … Read More

PorchDrinking Dream Bottle Share | John Holl

Since our launch in 2012, PorchDrinking has celebrated its anniversary each year by throwing a big bottle share for all of our industry friends, supporters, and staff because to us, bottle shares are the truest form of beer lovers coming together as a community. However, 2020 was an unorthodox year, and as much as we would have loved to mark our 8th anniversary with another share, we figured that passing bottles in an enclosed space during a pandemic probably wasn’t the best idea.

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2020 Illinois Best in Beer Year-End Honors

It’s cliche to say that 2020 was a year unlike any other but how else do you describe what was most likely the most challenging year in a long time. While breweries and organizations mainly cancelled or refashioned beer festivals and release parties, the beer continued to flow. In 2020, Illinois brewers still managed to produce an abundance of of notable beers.

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Dry January? Here’s How You Can Still Support Your Favorite Breweries

January is often a popular month for craft beer drinkers to take some time off from the “hobby.” It’s important to be able to do so and to drink in amounts where you’re comfortable. We recently offered 30 Reasons Why You Should Skip Dry January in 2021, but if you are taking the time completely off, you can still help your local breweries. Read More

PorchDrinking Dream Bottle Share | Julia Herz

Since our launch in 2012, PorchDrinking has celebrated its anniversary each year by throwing a big bottle share for all of our industry friends, supporters, and staff because to us, bottle shares are the truest form of beer lovers coming together as a community. However, 2020 was an unorthodox year, and as much as we would have loved to mark our 8th anniversary with another share, we figured that passing bottles in an enclosed space during a pandemic probably wasn’t the best idea.

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How Breweries Are Preparing for 2021 Beer Festivals

After a year that saw virtually no in-person beer festivals, there’s hope that with a vaccine people might once again be able to congregate and drink together in 2021. But early in the year, people are very cautious with any concrete timelines or plans.

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Ultimate 6er | Creative Beer Packaging

Unlike we shouldn’t with books and people, we’ve been conditioned to judge a beer by its cover. Masterfully designed labels on bottles and cans beg us to, influencing trends and enticing buying decisions on their appearance alone.

Breweries know we drink with our eyes first, and they’re playing to it. The visual game of modern beer is level Expert. To cut through the noise in crowded social feeds, it has to be. The professionals crafting it are deliberate. Those marketing it are intentional. These industry tastemakers have us where they want us, and we can’t swipe right fast enough when a beer wrapped in a slick matte finish with foil accents catches our attention.

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A California Craft Beer Veteran Retires

If asked about the most influential people in California’s craft beer history, names like Fritz Maytag, Ken Grossman and Vinnie Cilurzo might top the list for many of the beer enthusiasts. However, away from the public eye, Tom McCormick has had an immense impact on the success of craft beer. Read More

PorchDrinking Dream Bottle Share | Miguel Rivas (The Beer Trekker)

Since our launch in 2012, PorchDrinking has celebrated its anniversary each year by throwing a big bottle share for all of our industry friends, supporters, and staff because to us, bottle shares are the truest form of beer lovers coming together as a community. However, 2020 was an unorthodox year, and as much as we would have loved to mark our 8th anniversary with another share, we figured that passing bottles in an enclosed space during a pandemic probably wasn’t the best idea.

So to kick off the new year, we reached to a few of our industry friends to ask them what they’d bring to a “Dream Bottle Share”. For continuity’s sake, we asked each of our guest contributors to share four of their favorite beers from 2020 as well as four of their favorite beers all-time that they would bring to a hypothetical dream bottle share.

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The PorchCast Ep 73 | End of Year Recap & Boys Are From Märzen Podcast

In episode 73 of the PorchCast, we got the entire PorchCast gang back together to take a look back at some of the biggest craft beer news from 2020 as well as some of our favorite breweries, beers, and trends from the last year.

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Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines | A Look Back on Your Favorite Memories

To the uninitiated, Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines might have appeared indistinguishable from the sea of thousands of beer festivals that proliferated the country prior to the pandemic. But those who have gotten to experience the event in all of … Read More

30 Reasons Why You Should Skip Dry January in 2021

While the first month of the year is typically the perfect time to reset, detox, and start the year off with a cleaner, healthier slate, many in the industry have already voiced the common sentiment that perhaps this year should … Read More

Rake Beer Project Dragged Over Coals for Reppin’ Michigan’s Gov. Whitmer

Rake Beer Project, in Muskegon, Michigan, is less than two years old, and whether you love them or hate being told to stay home to help curb a relentless global pandemic, they’ve probably slowed your newsfeed scroll at least twice in 2020. And, like it or not (trigger warning): they’re about to do it a third time.

At the onset of Covid-19 flipping Earth into The Upside Down, Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer was unfazed after being slapped with a belittling nickname, “That Woman From Michigan,” by (three guesses) “That President From New York.” Twitter deflected the shade and clapped back on her behalf: Photoshop helped place a pair of Cartier sunglasses (known as “Buffs” in Detroit) on Whitmer, and The Michigangster was soon rebranded “Big Gretch.” In a public display of support for the governor’s Stay at Home Order, Rake joined the party, threw a non-red hat in the ring, and made a beer in her honor.

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Ultimate 6er | Ski-Themed Beers

Après-ski. Taken literally, it is a French phrase that means “after ski.” However, to anyone who has ever skied, snowboarded or been anywhere near a mountain in the winter, it is so much more than that. Après-ski is more appropriately defined as the social activities that take place after a day of skiing or riding. No day on the mountain is complete without it. It’s filled with good food, good cheer and, of course, good beer.

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