Brewers Association Launches National Independence Ad Spot Campaign

You know those incessantly repetitive ads that play before your favorite binge watched Hulu show? Well, repetition does tend to work, which is probably why I still can’t get Buick’s roof … Read More

Event Recap | Only Child Brewing 3rd Annual Barrel Birthday Bash

Only Child Brewing may not enjoy the street cred afforded to breweries located within the city limits of Chicago, but with its 3rd Annual Barrel Birthday Bash it’s abundantly clear that the skill needed to convert water into wine-barrel-aged beer (or any other BA beer) has nothing to do with a brewery’s geography. Indeed, the barrel aged beers proved to be spectacularly executed and artistically conceived. Throw in some terrific food, fun music, excellent weather, friendly staff and a lively crowd, and it’s easy to see why Only Child continues to grow more popular each year.

To describe each beer would be exhausting, but here are five beer experiences from the day (six beers total) that shed light on the Only Child bash.

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PorchDrinking’s Weekly Atlanta Beer Beat | August 29 – September 4

The Atlanta Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings and more!

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The OGs of Craft Beer | Oskar Blues – Dale’s Pale Ale

When you speak of OG beers, few stalwarts deserve the title more than Oskar Blues Brewery’s Dale’s Pale Ale. You can call many brewers innovative, but being able to say that you canned the first ever craft beer definitely gives you some added bragging rights. Dale’s Pale Ale’s adept combination of floral hops and malt overtones was first packed into aluminum back in 2002, in the early days of craft beer’s infancy, before beer was served in snifters and incessantly critiqued on social media. The iconic “strong pale ale” is still one of the most recognizable beers on the market even as the style of Pale Ale has evolved and the India Pale Ale entered its heyday. Here’s why it continues to capture the taste buds of drinkers across the country.

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Chicago’s Off Color Brewing Brings 1000-Year-Old Beer Recipe to St. Louis

Maybe it’s me, but it feels like there is so much new beer coming into St. Louis that I’m not sure where to begin. Just last week, we got word from our friends at Craft Republic that Off Color Brewing, based in Chicago, would now be released in St. Louis.

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Event Recap | 2018 Meeting of the Malts

On Thursday, August 23, The Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP) hosted the 2018 Meeting of the Malts. The event, held at Bethlehem, Pa.’s ArtsQuest Center, is an annual gathering of Pennsylvania’s brewers, legislators and beer nerds. Serving as both a celebration of the state’s beer and a “State of the Industry” discussion, Meeting of the Malts was a beautiful evening full of even more beautiful beer.
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2018 Beer Lover’s Guide to Colorado’s Oktoberfest Celebrations

Believe it or not, summer is once again drawing to a close, but before we dive into pumpkin spice bombs and fresh hop season, let us raise a liter to German-style beers with a round-up of Colorado’s craft beer-centric Oktoberfest celebrations. So lace up those dirndls and strap on the lederhosen it’s time for the beautifully crisp, easy-drinking, toasted malt forward profile of Oktoberfest Märzen lagers. Check out our craft beer guide to Colorado’s Oktoberfest celebrations. Keep in mind, we’ll keep adding Oktoberfest beers from Colorado’s craft breweries as they’re released, as well as Oktoberfest celebration events as they’re announced.

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The OGs of Craft Beer | Bell’s Brewery Oberon Ale

Once upon a time, I was a young person who only drank Bud Light. You couldn’t get me in the same room with a craft beer. My (now) husband could not stand it, but he mostly just gave me a little hell while he drank his microbrews. However, his frustration got the better of him one day and he proclaimed, “That’s it! We need to find you something that isn’t Bud Light. Anything.”

I hesitantly agreed and he went to his fridge, coming back with a beer he had already picked specifically for me. I drank it. I didn’t just like it, I loved it. Little did I know that this beer would lead me to a career and to a passion that I would hold for the rest of my life. That beer was Oberon Ale from Bell’s Brewery.

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Westbound & Down Membership Program Opens for Next Level Beer Geeks

In any casual beer consumer’s journey, there are many inevitable “firsts” that can occur before finally culminating with unbridled beer obsession. From the first time one crosses into the refreshing bitter blast of a hop-forward IPA, to the first time you become infatuated with beautiful rich boozy bourbon barrel-aged stouts; the first time one travels to a destination beer fest, to pulling the trigger on a first successful beer trade, these milestones mark one step deeper into true beer geekdom.

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Wildfire Series | An Example of a Brewery with the Wind at its Back

Maybe you haven’t noticed, but Chicago’s Burnt City Brewing is making waves. The brewery already boasts of a chic brewpub and bowling alley on the always-hip Lincoln Avenue, a brewhouse located in the locally-famous, former Jay’s plant, eye-catching label artwork and a recent collaboration with Chicago’s illustrious Art Institute. But now it’s also churning out a diverse, impressive collection of beers including its Brett and Yeast friendly “Wildfire Series.”

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National Brewers Take the Haze Craze to 12oz Cans

Chances are, your local brewery has experimented in the Hazy IPA trend. It would be silly not to given the incredible popularity of the newish beer style that has taken the nation – and even GABF – by storm thanks to its fruit-forward appeal and inherent drinkability. Hazy IPAs have expanded into many areas of the craft beer economy, but they’ve yet to really make an impact on the 12oz can segment. That is all changing thanks to the vision of three nationally-known breweries, 21st Amendment Brewery, Deschutes Brewery and Odell Brewing Co., making their hazy offerings readily available in the easily accessible aluminum format. We asked each brewery why they’ve decided to can their hazy creations.

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The OGs of Craft Beer | Alaskan Brewing Company – Amber

Alaska has a beautiful way of humbling and grounding you.

There is a specific feeling when one steps foot in the last frontier. It is a culmination of the many stunning hallmarks found in Alaska that aren’t attainable in many other places. Read More

Surly Brewing Announces 2018 Darkness Variants & Revamped Darkness Day

Rewind the cold beer time machine just five years and you’ll discover only a handful of iconic beer events that have withstood the test of time. Even still, these OGs of craft beer events probably look a little different than they did back when they first started gaining popularity, because as tastes evolve, so do the greats.

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What We’re Drinking | August 24, 2018

Enjoying this last month of the summer is bittersweet. Before you bring out the fall decor, pause to soak in the last moments of summer with a new beer. Whether it is a style you always like drinking, or you are feeling brave enough to try something completely new, there are plenty of ideas from the PorchDrinkers this week.

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The OGs of Craft Beer | Bear Republic Racer 5

If you met me about a decade ago, you’d never think “this girl is into craft beer.” I could be found with anything from Coors Light to Hypnotic in my hand; yes, I was obviously very cool. It wasn’t until I was introduced to Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale that I started to right my drinking ship and start learning about what craft beer really is.

My boyfriend’s parent’s always had a stocked beer fridge, hashtag goals, and would always have Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Bear Republic Racer 5, among other tasty beers. Trying new beers in a judgment-free atmosphere was great – no beer snobs to scoff at me for my current faves and describing beer in terms I understood.

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Urban Chestnut | O-Katz Oktoberfest Returns in 4 & 8 Packs

It’s August. Most of the country is still experiencing summertime heat. But, I’m writing tonight to talk about fall beer. Yep, fall beers. In this case, it’s Urban Chestnut‘s two-year-old Oktoberfest Lager with a funny name — Oachkatzlschwoaf.

This malty yet well-balanced Märzen may be tough to pronounce, but it’s easy to drink. Its full name is pronounced “oh-khut-zel-schvoaf,” which translates to “tail of a squirrel”… I hear it’s a just a little Bavarian humor. But, you can simply refer to it as “O-Katz,”

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From Reykjavik to Vik | Our Journey Through Iceland’s Breweries & Brewhouses 🇮🇸

For the past nine months, Katie and I have been adventuring our way through Minnesota’s craft beer community. With more than 150 breweries and brewpubs to visit — last we heard that number was actually upwards of 180 now — we’ve been busy and content with what’s right here in our own backyard. But sometimes a new adventure calls, and when an opportunity to visit breweries in Iceland, Ireland, London and Paris came calling — we answered.

In truth, no one came calling for us; we just happened to be heading to Europe on a sort of one-year anniversary/bucket list trip. Still, we took advantage of our time abroad to visit some new taprooms, make some new friends and drink some new beers.

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Paws & Pours | The Story of Empirical Brewery’s Feline Employees

Located in the heart of Ravenswood’s Malt Row, Empirical Brewery has drawn a significant following thanks its scientific approach to brewing and great sour beers. Oh, and the cats are a huge draw too. You won’t find them roaming around the taproom or on much of their branding, but there’s no doubt that their three Ghostbuster-themed cats, Venkman, Egon and Raymond have had a significant impact on the staff at Empirical and on their business as a whole. On a given Saturday brewery tour, it’s common for patrons to be more interested in finding the cats hidden amongst pallets or perched in their cat castle than getting a close look at Empirical impressive experimental brewing system. We asked Head Brewer and COO Jacob Huston about his feline employees and how they’ve become a vital part of the brewery’s family – and business. Read More

The OGs of Craft Beer | Victory Brewing Company – Prima Pils

Germans don’t throw the word “prima” around lightly. It’s used to describe only the things that they believe to be truly outstanding. Often, this word is exclaimed in joy as someone enjoys a truly world class meal, beverage or experience. Believe me when I tell you that Victory Brewing Company‘s Prima Pils is worthy of the name and, at 22 years old, it is the definition of a craft beer OG.
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Brewery Resources | Join Tomorrow’s Free Webinar on Brand & Label Registrations

Running a brewery is difficult. Aside from just producing great beer, once you decide to take the leap and begin packaging that beer, navigating the path toward getting your brand and packaging ready, can be even more daunting.

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