Beer Topics
PorchDrinking’s own discuss beer.
Tröegs Adds 8,000 Barrels of Fermentation Capacity
August 14, 2017 | Dan Bortz
Tröegs Independent Brewing has been a staple of Pennsylvania’s craft beer scene for over 20 years, and last week they got even bigger. Eight new 1,000-barrel fermenters were installed at the Hershey, PA brewery. Once online, these will greatly increase the brewery’s production capacity. By moving the flagship and more popular seasonal beers into these larger fermentation vessels, smaller tanks will now be freed up for small batch offerings.
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Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series is Coming to Cans
August 14, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
It has been a busy week for Chicago’s largest independently owned brewery. After announcing the exciting news that they will officially begin distribution to Michigan starting August 21st, Revolution Brewing recently announced even better news for craft beer lovers: the expansion of their Deep Wood barrel-aged brew series into cans.
Half Acre Beer | Wooden Teeth Brett Saison
August 14, 2017 | Bliss Billingsley
Half Acre brings the funk with its Brett Saison, Wooden Teeth. This complex small batch beer, has the sophisticated feel of a champagne coupled with the casualness of a cider. The mixture of flavors brings the old brewing world together with new techniques. Wooden Teeth is funky, sour and a bit sweet for a perfect balance, resulting in an interestingly fun drinking experience.
What We’re Drinking | August 11, 2017
August 11, 2017 | Danele Bova
This week at PorchDrinking, we enjoyed a wide array of craft beers from across the country. At the height of Summer, our team has enjoyed delicious beer at festivals, concerts, cross-country trips, and a slew of outdoor activities. Check out the behind the scenes from this week’s brewventures. This is What We’re Drinking.
Woods Boss Brewing Brings Outdoor Escape to Downtown Denver
August 11, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Nestled in the underbrush of Denver’s thicket of cranes and sprouting skyscrapers, lies a different kind of forestry. Woods Boss Brewing, who’s nondescript exterior unit on the outskirts of Downtown Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood, opens into a log cabin-esque interior, reminiscent of the same kind of vacation lodges one could find dotting the mountain sides of the Rockies, Smokies or Appalachians.
Woods Boss Brewing, which officially opens to the public today at 5pm, aims to brew a wide variety of styles to provide a little something for everyone.”Our focus is high quality beer and that can range anywhere from traditional to completely esoteric beers, that transcend any one style,” noted co-founder Jordan Fink.
Modern Times Beer | Ice (Pilsner)
August 11, 2017 | Justin Carter
Summer may be coming to a close but that doesn’t mean the temperature has let up. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area we’ve been bombarded with unseasonably stifling heat and sticky high humidity. This has meant that light beer has been a major staple in my refrigerator. Lagers, pilsners, session IPAs, and Gose are not normally in my wheelhouse but I’ve come to appreciate their low alcohol crushability.
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New Belgium Brewing Group Acquires San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing Company
August 10, 2017 | Chea Franz
There is never a dull moment in the world of craft beer. Today, it was announced that a group led by New Belgium Brewing Company has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing as part of a bankruptcy proceeding. This partnership will be a majority-owned subsidiary of New Belgium, with Elysian founder Dick Cantell as well as Belgian lambic producer Oud Beersel as minority partners. Both Magnolia locations, their existing brands and staff, will continue to operate, working alongside Magnolia founder Dave McLean, who is included in the partnership. This will be Cantwell’s first brewing project since leaving Elysian in April of 2015.
Brewery Showcase | Reuben’s Brews (Seattle, WA)
August 10, 2017 | Hannah Carlson
It’s hard to imagine now, but just a few years ago the Leary Way strip in Seattle was primarily industrial spaces. Drive-by territory. It’s a history that seems distant – and perhaps even unimaginable, now. These days Leary Way is home to Seattle’s best and, arguably, most frequented breweries. Patrons, food trucks, and pedal pubs now weave in and out of the area fluidly, like clockwork. So when did it start? What was it that flipped the switch? Well, one might argue that it all started with Adam Robbings, and his fateful venture: Reuben’s Brews.
Constellation Brands Acquires Funky Buddha to Join Ballast Point
August 10, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Craft Beer’s consolidation game continues to shake out as Constellation Brands, announced the acquisition of Funky Buddha Brewery out of Boca Raton, FL. Funky Buddha now joins Ballast Point Brewery, which was acquired by Constellation in November 2015 for a record $1 billion, as the second addition to importer/beverage producer’s craft division.
Sneak Preview: New Belgium’s Specialty Brands & Single Foeder Oscar No. 65
August 10, 2017 | Chea Franz
A little over a month ago, we reported on New Belgium’s decision to reimagine their specialty brands with the suspension of their popular Lips of Faith series and the implementation of their Wood Cellar Reserve series. Two weeks ago while attending the debut of Le Kriek Noir, the first entry in their new cork & cage Wood Cellar Reserve line, we were also treated to a sneak preview of what’s coming down the pipeline as well as a familiar brand that will also receive some fresh new packaging.
On Tuesday New Belgium Brewing Company announced that the second beer from its highly anticipated Wood Cellar Reserve series will be released this upcoming Saturday. At 8.5% ABV, single Foeder Oscar No. 65 is an unblended dark sour that has been maturing for 12 months in a 100 percent Missouri white oak foeder. According to the brewery, the beer pours dark walnut red with subtle notes of vanilla and coconut. These notes play beautifully with notes of plum skin and cherry Coca-Cola. This is a first run through using this foeder and only fresh beer will touch the American oak for the first time, thus the flavors for this release cannot be replicated—making this release truly special. Read More
DC Beer Week 2017: More Than Tap Takeovers
August 10, 2017 | Stacey Goers
This city isn’t actually known for being suave or sexy or hip or even truly hipster. Washington, DC is rather a place of ambition, Type A personalities and power — and a city with a whole lot of soul (something the interns running about the Hill oftentimes don’t realize).
In the middle of a busy summer, DC Beer Week snuck up on me again. Looking at the event listenings, I realized how foolish ignoring this awesome week would be.
Upslope Brewing | Champagne Saison with Nelson Sauvin
August 10, 2017 | Chea Franz
Sometimes tap rooms can act as testing grounds that can bring unassuming beers to the forefront, allowing for crowd pleasing favorites that otherwise wouldn’t be canned and distributed to share in some of the spotlight. Upslope Brewing’s Tap Room series is just that, offering a rotating series in which larger batches of popular tap room beer is brewed — split between kegs and cans, and then once it’s gone; that’s it for the year. Previous releases in 2017 have included Strawberry Mint IPA, Peanut Butter Porter and Hefeweizen. I was able to get my hands on its Champagne Saison with Nelson Sauvin, a beer that I like to call “fancy beer for outdoorsy folk.”
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | August 9, 2017
August 9, 2017 | Jeremiah Cornelius
The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
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Brewery Showcase | Horse & Dragon Brewing
August 9, 2017 | Chea Franz 2
Tucked away in an industrial part of town near the old Fort Collins Airport, you’ll find a bright red building, originally an airplane hanger, and now a family-run brewery called Horse & Dragon Brewing. Inside, long community tables and round tops casually welcome you to put your phone away and have a seat. There are no TVs, live bands, or food trucks for entertainment. Instead, the brewery welcomes you to come in, grab a beer, chat with some friendly patrons or staff, and enjoy the moment. And immediately, you will feel welcome. There is an inexplicable vibe that Horse & Dragon exudes, that can only be attributed to owners Carol and Tim Cochran. Their love of craft beer and the Fort Collins community is poured into the brewery and here is their story. Read More
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Atlanta Beer Beat | August 9, 2017
August 9, 2017 | Josh Ritenour
The Atlanta Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings and more!
Drake’s Brewing Co. | Tart Breaker Sour Blonde
August 9, 2017 | Constance Del Rio
Drake’s Brewing Co has been releasing a steady stream of 500ml bottles of specialty brews this year and their newest, Tart Breaker, is out to steal your heart. Members of Drake’s ’89 Club, named after the year they were founded, are able to snap up bottles a week before the public.
Shelton Brothers The Festival Announces Ridiculous Brewery Lineup + Rumored Pour List
August 8, 2017 | Tristan Chan 2
Over the past 18 years, Shelton Brothers has grown to become one of the country’s most prestigious importers of international beer as one of the more recognizable distributors in the U.S. Gaining recognition for carrying elite level brands like Cantillon, Blaugies, Fantôme and more, the MA-based wholesalers has also laid claim to one of the most elite level beer festivals in the country. The Festival, which rotates cities each year showcases not only the Shelton Brothers catalogue but also some of the country’s best and brightest up-and-coming breweries.
Event Recap | Welles Park Beer Fest
August 8, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The third leg of the Illinois Craft Beer Guild Festival Grand Slam occurred on Aug 5, 2017 at Welles Park on the north side of Chicago. Festival goers enjoyed sun, 78-degree temperatures, terrific beer and a venue that was tough to beat. Sadly, though, for various reasons, attendance seemed a tad lackluster for Welles. It’s unlikely that will be the case at the next one; the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers (FoBAB) is the Wimbledon or Masters of Illinois beer fests.
2 Days, 2 Nights | Green Bay Craft Beer Scene
August 8, 2017 | Taylor Laabs 2
Green Bay, Wisconsin (aka Titletown, U.S.A.) offers visitors an appealing combination of beer, brats and football. I’m a huge Packers fan, in fact, my recent visit to Green Bay signaled my 20th straight pilgrimage to Packers training camp. If you travel to Green Bay, you’ll find that the residents religiously follow the Packers during the season, through the offseason and into training camp. And while the Packers offer cheeseheads the best show in town, the beer scene in Titletown is also something worth cheering for. Here is what you should see and drink when you’re in Green Bay – preferably for a Packers home game.
Off Color Brewing | Sparkles Finds (Some) Trouble Hibiscus Gose
August 8, 2017 | Sarah Duffy
Off Color Brewing offers some of the best craft beer in the country across their portfolio, in my humble opinion. And how could you pass up a beer named Sparkles Finds (some) Trouble? This poor kitten got himself into a little, but not too much trouble. Check out the basically amazing description of the beer from the brewery itself (I feel like there’s no way they’re paying their marketing person enough!):
“Curious kittens sometimes get themselves into trouble. What they find out is some things are best left alone. Likewise, curious brewers sometimes add flowers and junk to their beer to see what’ll happen. What they find out is those flowers will add a sweet note and stunning pink color to an otherwise tart and salty beer.”
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