Beer Topics
PorchDrinking’s own discuss beer.
Q&A with Elysian Brewing’s Head Brewer Josh Waldman
July 25, 2017 | Constance Del Rio
This month I had the opportunity to interview Elysian Brewing Head Brewer Josh Waldman to reflect on the state of Elysian brewing as well as some of the new additions to their canned lineup. These canned vessels possess the advantage of being super portable, light weight and literally crushable!
We were also given the chance to sample new cans of Day Glow IPA 16 oz cans possessing the same recognizable logo, and that familiar sweet hop forward profile. Find out more on what’s happening at Elysian Brewing from Josh Waldman.
Left Hand Brewing Co. | Fade to Black
July 25, 2017 | Chris Wallner
If asked what first comes to mind when you think of Left Hand Brewing, I would guess Milk Stout and Nitro top that list. As much as I enjoy Milk Stout and the Nitro lineup of beers, one beer in Left Hand’s vast portfolio that might be overlooked is Fade to Black, their winter seasonal. Read More
Illinois Brewers Guild President Discusses Welles Summer Fest and Illinois Craft Beer
July 24, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Once the Illinois Craft Beer Guild (ICBG) event that effectively served as the closing ceremonies to Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW), the festival held at Welles Park in Lincoln Square now enjoys the title of Summer Beer Fest. On August 5th, fans can drink beer, gaze upon the large gazebo, listen to live music and purchase food.
We chatted with Danielle D’Alessandro, president of the Guild, to talk Welles Fest, clean water and all things Illinois beer.
Book Review & Interview | Trappist Beer Travels
July 24, 2017 | David Nilsen
Trappist Beer Travels: Inside the Breweries of the Monasteries (Schiffer Publishing, 2017) by Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood & Jessica Deahl
The world’s 11 Trappist breweries hold a mystique for beer drinkers that few other breweries can generate. Not only is the beer that is produced at these monasteries consistently excellent, but the remote and cloistered nature of these breweries blankets them in an air of mystery. Few of us will ever step inside the hallowed walls of these monastic breweries; the three authors of Trappist Beer Travels have been inside all of them.
Modern Times Founder Jacob McKean Talks ESOP, Big Beer & Growth
July 24, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Modern Times Beer, one of the country’s top five fastest growing breweries made a splash two weeks ago, when it announced that it would begin reacquiring shares from investors to gift back to their employees. We caught up with Modern Times founder Jacob McKean to discuss his decision to implement an employee ownership program, the growing threat of Big Beer, as well as what’s next on the horizon for the San Diego-based brewery.
Transient Artisan Ales | Czech Yourself
July 24, 2017 | Craig Gonciarczyk
Summer’s here and in full swing, so going to the beach or hanging around outside are two common activities most people do while drinking beer. Since most people don’t want to wreck themselves, a good idea would be to Czech Yourself with Transient Artisan Ales‘ first lager.
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Privileged Sonz Beerz Teams Three of Industry’s Most Powerful Families
July 21, 2017 | PorchDrinking.com Staff
The following is a parody piece submitted by Call to Arms Brewing, because ostrich boots are funny and 30 day lagers aren’t that uncommon.
Perhaps you know the names: Franzia, Schlitz, Fieri – they comprise some of the most notable families and names pioneering the beverage and culinary industry in the 21st century. Those names bring power, and they bring clout, and they bring tons of unnecessary rings, bracelets and necklaces.
What We’re Drinking | July 21, 2017
July 21, 2017 | Dan Bortz
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, look no further than this edition of What We’re Drinking. The PorchDrinkers may have only made six submissions this week, but we’ve still got some doozies to share, including a special selection for PorchDrinking’s fifth anniversary! Make sure you’re sitting down, and prepare to be in awe of What We’re Drinking!
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Thomas Hardy’s Ale | Vintage 2016
July 21, 2017 | Niel Stender
I remember being forced to read Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities in high school. To explain the tome’s epic verbosity, I subscribe to the myth that Charlie was paid by the word and have been permanently scarred by the experience. I mention Dickens because he would likely have been an inspiration to the British poet for whom this beer is named – Thomas Hardy. Hardy was a writer of world-renown but unfortunately, thanks to his compatriot’s writing style, there’s zero chance of me putting down Stephen King to pick up Jude the Obscure anytime soon. His namesake brew however, Thomas Hardy’s Ale, that’s a different story.
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Women in Beer | Fremont Brewing’s Sara Nelson Runs for Seattle City Council
July 20, 2017 | Hannah Carlson
Fremont Brewing’s Sara Nelson is accomplished, to say the least.
Want to talk culture? With a PhD in Anthropology, she’s your gal. Have some questions about policy? After over a decade serving as the Chief of Staff for Richard Conlin, former Seattle City Council member, she’s likely to have some answers. Are you a beer drinker? Well you’re in luck! Nelson is the co-owner of Seattle’s celebrated Fremont Brewing.
Avery Brewing 24th Anniversary Party Pour List Showcases Rarities
July 20, 2017 | Tristan Chan
In 2016 Avery Brewing Company joined the ranks of the country’s top 50 breweries by volume. Their ranking as the country’s 48th largest brewery represents more than just the tangible … Read More
Event Recap | Windy City Smokeout
July 20, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
The Windy City Smokeout was sold out this year and, after experiencing the event on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Chicago, it’s easy to see why. Music evokes many powerful emotions within people, but there are few greater sounds on a hot summer day than the melodious tunes of a country band. Couple that with copious amounts of craft beer and delicious barbecue, and you have an event that is worth every penny.
Upland Brewing Company | Petal to the Kettle
July 20, 2017 | Emily Hines
Upland Brewing Company in Bloomington, Indiana is well known for their wood-aged sour beers. While those are distinct and worth trying, they brew plenty of other tasty beers. I’m a big fan of sours, so when I got my hands on their latest kettle sour, Petal to the Kettle, I was excited to have an easy drinking version to add to my cooler for the summer. It did not disappoint.
Ultimate 6er | Summer Seasonal Cans
July 19, 2017 | Holly Gerard
Two weekends ago I waited in line three days in a row to see my favorite band at Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Avett Brothers. While that may sound like a big time suck (it was) it was totally worth it to sit close to the stage each night. There’s a caveat though, the beer they sell at Red Rocks is not craft (Shocktop, anyone?) and you have to kill time in line, right? So why not bring along a few beers to enjoy with your husband and friends! These are some of the Summer seasonal cans that I enjoyed while waiting around for many hours and highly recommend them to anyone tailgating Red Rocks or camping in the plethora of mountains that Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region has to offer!
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | July 19, 2017
July 19, 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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PorchDrinking’s Weekly Atlanta Beer Beat | July 19, 2017
July 19, 2017 | Sarah Duffy
The Atlanta Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings and more!
Beer & Book Club | Anatomy of a Murder & Two Hearted Ale
July 19, 2017 | Danny King
When I was offered an internship for the summer at the Prosecutor’s Office in a small county tucked away in the fingers of Michigan, I immediately knew my summer reading had to include Anatomy of a Murder. Anatomy of a Murder has long been hailed as one of the best examples of how law & order actually work. Besides that, it was supposed to be damned entertaining. I’ve spent the last two months learning the ins and outs of prosecuting a case both in the courtroom and through the eternal, if overly elaborate, wisdom of Robert Travers (aka former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker) and his Trout-obsessed country lawyer in Paul Biegler.
Counterbalance Brewing Company | Raconteur Rye Pale Ale
July 19, 2017 | Katelyn Pelak
ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 38
Just in time for summer barbecues, weekend camping trips and sunny beach days, Counterbalance Brewing Company has released its first two canned beers: Raconteur Rye Pale Ale and Counterbalance IPA. Both of these beers are available for purchase in 6-packs throughout Washington as of the beginning of July, but today’s showcase will focus on the delightfully refreshing Raconteur Rye Pale Ale.
Grand Rapids Beers Made With Tea
July 18, 2017 | Jessica Spengler
Tea and beer have an awful lot in common. They’re both brewed, they each have options for everyone, and often they act as an alternative to coffee.
For years, brewers have been using tea during the brewing process, and it’s proven a success. Here in West Michigan, a few breweries have come up with some lovely beers that celebrate proper relaxation. Read More
Black Project’s Lambic-Inspired Roswell Release is the Real Deal
July 18, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Its easy to get lost in the clutter. Currently in craft beer, there’s a shiny new toy wrapped under layers of marketing speak at over 5,000 breweries across the country. New England this, barrel-aged that, it can sometimes become cumbersome filtering through the hype to find the handful of truly inventive, quality beers that are really moving the needle in this market. Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales is doing just that with this weekend’s release of their spontaneously fermented barrel-aged, Lambic-inspired ale Roswell, featuring six heavily fruited variants.
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