Out of the Kitchen and into the Tap House: Women in Beer

By now it is obvious that craft beer is exploding across the nation. New breweries are opening up often, especially in Colorado, and the community continues to support the growing industry. Beer events are constantly packed with beer enthusiasts and … Read More

Highland Brewing Company — St. Terese’s Pale Ale

ABV:5.1% IBU: 24

Sometimes I forget that Highland Brewing is an Asheville brewery, mostly because there are so many breweries drowning the small mountain town in booze.

And then I find myself in Salter Path, North Carolina — a stretch … Read More

2013 GABF Fantasy Brewery Live Draft

Welcome to the 2013 PorchDrinking.com 2013 GABF Fantasy Brewery Live Draft.

A few details:

The draft will run very much like a fantasy football snake style draft, meaning that the last person to pick in the first round will be the first person to pick … Read More

Ultimate 6er for Your Government Shutdown

Well, Congress has done it again: managed to completely frak up everything. And this time, they have managed to shut down almost the entire government (yes, that thing they are supposed to keep running). So this unfortunate turn of events leaves a lot of feds and Congressional staffers sitting around at home without a paycheck. So what will they do? What will the rest of us do to support them and stand in solidarity? Why, drink beer of course! Here are some PorchDrinking pro-tips on the best beers to drink during the government shutdown:

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Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale

Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale

ABV: 7%

IBU: 70

My usual process of discovering a new beer to review generally involves perusing through the beer aisles of my favorite stores and picking out new, interesting brews (confession: I’m a sucker for fancy labels). I also tend to gravitate toward more local brands (which for me is the DMV area). Tonight, however, was an exception. My roommate, who has not yet developed the taste for beer (the cause is not yet lost! I will be victorious!), picked up a bottle of Ballast Point Sculpin IPA out of San Diego, CA from the Whole Foods shelf and brought it home. Another confession: I had already enjoyed a glass of red wine before delving into the Sculpin. Though I doubt this ruined my palate, I feel full-disclosure is called for.

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Homebrewing: Brewing with Fruit

For many brewers like myself, brewing is a creative outlet. Water is the blank canvas on which we play with malt, yeast and hops. While many of the worlds best beers are made with those four ingredients, there are many avenues for furthering creativity. In this week’s post, titled Homebrewing: Brewing with Fruit, I will discuss the ways of imparting fruit flavors to your homebrew. Read More

Denver Beer Fest Tapping with Mayor Michael Hancock

Yesterday Denver Mayor Michael Hancock met a host of reporters and craft beer lovers at The Source to kick off the 2013 Denver Beer Fest. The Source is a new development in Northwest Denver is envisioned as a foodie hangout, … Read More

Jolly Pumpkin – Fuego del Otono

6.1% ABV

Some people drink for education, some drink for relaxation, some drink for inspiration. I have never understood the idea of drinking for any purpose other than pleasure. Sure, I write about the beers, but I only review beer that I enjoy, the beers that I want others exposed to as well. Ron Jeffries, Brew Master at Jolly Pumpkin, says, “We create beers to lighten the spirit and soothe the soul.” Preach on, brother. This is a philanthropic venture on the brewing end and a hedonist venture on the consumption end. Share the joy! And what brings more joy than beer? Well, fire. But fire and beer together. Whoa, whoa, whoa, it’s magic. Literally translated, Fuego del Otono means “fire of the fall” (or “Autumn Fire” as they call it at Jolly Pumpkin). Read More

Ultimate 6er – Big Ten Football Part I: Leaders Division

By now you all are used to me basing my Ultimate 6ers on popular TV shows. This time around, I’m doing something a little different. Inspired by the Ohio State v. Wisconsin game that took place this past Saturday, I’ve decided to do a beer for every team in the Big Ten. Lucky for me the conference actually has 12 teams split into two divisions, Leaders and Legends. This week’s six pack will focus on the Leaders, and you’ll notice each team is matched with a beer made in its state. Read More

Hair of the Dog – Adam Old Ale

Hair of the Dog Brewing – Adam Hearty Old World Ale – Batch Number 88
ABV: 10%
IBU: 50

When Alan Sprints first started Hair of the Dog, he was given the ancient recipe for Dortmunder “adambier” by fabled beer writer Fred Eckhart. The Hair of the Dog Adam Old Ale is now an American Craft Beer legend. The flavors are dark and chewy, with a big berry/spice character, and the 10% ABV definitely warms you when the weather’s chillin’.

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New Belgium – Lips of Faith Coconut Curry Hefeweizen

ABV: 8%

IBU: 14

Curry and beer sounds like a terrible idea. Curry is such a unique, robust flavor that is very unforgiving. But curry is also full of familiar and comforting spices. As the weather begins to turn colder, … Read More

Elevation Beer Company Engel Weisse

Elevation Beer Company Engel Weisse

ABV: 2.5%

Berliner Weisse is a cloudy, sour wheat beer native to northern Germany. Historically one of the most common styles in Germany, it nearly went extinct in the 20th century before experiencing somewhat of … Read More

Bear Republic Brewing Co. – Big Bear Black Stout

ABV: 8.1%
IBU: 55

Now that it is slightly chillier outside, it finally feels socially acceptable to be drinking stouts and porters until the cows come home, which makes today’s showcase possible. Getting as excited as possible for the upcoming hockey season and already interesting football season, I mistakenly associate dark and heavy with session-able, whether it be Yeungling Black and Tan, Dogfish Indian Brown Ale or Smuttynose Baltic Porter.

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Awesomesauce – Roadtrippers

When I was little and we’d make the trek down south to Florida or South Carolina for vacation, my mom would always stop by our local AAA Office first and get a TripTik. These were basically personalized, highlighted maps of your route showing you where to go, local traffic information along the way (always marked on the paper map with a little rubber stamp in the shape of a traffic cone), the locations of gas stations, etc. Now, of course, that service has moved online, but only if you’re a dues-paying AAA member.

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PorchDrinking Interview: Flying Dog Brewery and Gonzofest

The concept of “local” is a vital part of the craft beer experience. Beer drinkers—both new and seasoned—often seek out brews that were made close to home with locally-sourced products. This makes the entire experience special, more personal. Thankfully, as a resident of DC, I can call Flying Dog Brewery my local brewery, and I was welcomed and encouraged to do so by Flying Dog CEO, Jim Caruso. Jim and his team were kind enough to invite PorchDrinking to attend their annual Gonozofest, a music fest-cum-beer fest-cum-Hunter S. Thompson-homage. We were also lucky enough to attend a behind the scenes tour led by Jim himself. Read More

GABF App: There’s an app for that

Finding your way around the festival will be a breeze

With 600 breweries and 3,000 beers at GABF (Great American Beer Festival for all of those folks that aren’t privy to the acronym lingo of the Brewer’s Association), it can be a little daunting to find what you’re looking for, or even decide where to begin. Who would have thought that sampling beer would be so difficult! No worries good friend, there is a delightful little app that will help you. And you can do it all with one hand!

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Fort George Fresh Hop Takeover at Portland Imperial Bottle Shop

The Imperial Bottle Shop in the Richmond neighborhood of southeast Portland opened two months ago, and they already are making a big name for themselves amongst the well established bottle shops in the city.

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Hopworks Urban Brewery- Centennial IPX

As I sit here sweltering on an unseasonably hot Oregon day, I feel like the beer gods have smiled on me. In my hand is a HUB (Hopworks Urban Brewery) IPX Single Hop Series brewed exclusively with Centennial hops. Unlike many of the intense, resiny IPAs that I am used to drinking that test the limits of my taste buds, this one is quite refreshing and definitely the right choice for a scorcher of an afternoon. At only 6% ABV and 60 IBUs, it is also very sessionable. I wish I had more bottles!

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Four Nights at Lord Hobo for Zwanze Day

I rarely go to Beer Festivals. I am sure they can be a lot of fun and people that do go to them seem to have a great time there, or at least that’s what they tell me on twitter. … Read More

Stillwater Artisanal Ales and The Brewer’s Art’s Debutante

Stillwater Artisanal Ales and The Brewer’s Art’s Debutante
ABV – 6.40%
The abrupt transition from summer to fall usually brings an uncertainty to the style of a beer one craves. To drink a clean refreshing lager or to drink a warm malty brown ale or Oktoberfest? The debates conclusion seemed obvious when I considered the refreshing spicy cleanness of the Debutante Saison created by Stillwater Artisanal Ales in collaboration with the Brewers Art.

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