Beer Topics
PorchDrinking’s own discuss beer.
Homebrewing | Death to Pumpkin Beers Recipe
October 20, 2016 | Jose Minaya
I know right now you’ve read the title and instantly assumed I am counter to everything that is right in the world. You are all chanting your fall mantras, “the spice expands consciousness, the spice is life and who controls the spice controls fall.” But I for one cannot take any more overly sweet, acrid, or overly spiced pumpkin beers. I think the problem is the gourd itself. Pumpkin, at least to the brewing process, primarily bring nothing but starches and very minor sweetness to the party. This inherently pushes the spices to the front and leaves nothing but the harsh wash of cinnamon on the palette. Enter the contender! Apple brings much more than pumpkin in the way of sweetness aroma, fall character, and a lasting drinkability that fits not just for early fall but all the way through Thanksgiving and into early December. A balanced apple pie presence to amplify an amber caramel and malt forward beer style is a match made in heaven. Read More
Atlanta Braves Announces Terrapin Taproom & ATL Brew Lab
October 20, 2016 | John Baum
Way back on November 11, 2013, if you listened closely, you heard the collective gasp as the Atlanta Braves announced their move to a soon-to-be built stadium in Cobb County, 10 miles north of downtown. With the Atlanta Braves having spent the past fifty seasons plying their trade in basically the same spot just south of the city, reactions to the move were mixed. Loyalists grumbled, northsiders rejoiced. Read More
Lagunitas Brewing Company | Wilco Tango Foxtrot
October 20, 2016 | John Amantea
ABV: 7.85% | IBU: 64.20
It’s a shock that it’s already October and fall is officially here. The summer was a blur and it seems like Christmas is already right around the corner. Yet, we’re at that awkward point in the year when it often still feels like summer despite the fact that we can officially say it’s fall and crack open those seasonal brews. So, is it still cool to enjoy a hoppy IPA or crisp, citrusy shandy, or are we resigned to force in those maltier, more robust ales and stouts? There isn’t really a satisfying mix of the two to help bridge the gap. That is until now — Lagunitas Brewing Company has introduced to the world its new Wilco Tango Foxtrot.
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | October 19, 2016
October 19, 2016 | Cory Pelc Jeremy Cornelius
The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
Jeremy and I are still recovering from GABF but we are still bringing you the events. Shout out to the homies of the foam over at Very Nice Brewing, Dry Dock Brewing and Dead Hippie Brewing as they are all celebrating their anniversaries this week!
Go to the Calendar now
Ultimate 6er | Halloween Candy Pairings for Beer Lovers
October 19, 2016 | Danele Bova
To some people, the coming of October signifies fall and all of its glory: cooler temps, bonfires, and all things pumpkin. To others, October is a month long celebration of Halloween where we gorge ourselves on candy and dress up in crazy costumes. While too much candy can leave one feeling slightly hungover from the sugar crash, we think Halloween candy and beer make the perfect companions, in the right proportions of course. Curious what your favorite candy pairs with? Read on for our recommendation on all sorts of treats.
Revolution Brewing Recalls 6 Beers Due to Off Flavors
October 19, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Another major Chicago brewery is recalling beer due to yeast issues that are causing the beers to taste different than the brewers expected. On October 17th Revolution Brewing issued a product withdrawal of six of their beers because of an issue with the house yeast they used in the brewing process.
2016 Goose Island Proprietor’s Day: 2016 BCBS Release
October 19, 2016 | Mathew Powers
If it’s Black Friday, it’s time for Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS). However, Chicagoans are allowed an opportunity to get their hands BCBS a tad bit earlier; Proprietor’s Day arrives Sunday, November 20 and is Goose Island’s way of saying “thank you” to their hometown fans. But, if you find yourself in Chicago, don’t just show up at Goose Island’s front door – read on.
Cloudburst Brewing | Remember the Maine Smoked Pumpkin Porter
October 19, 2016 | Katelyn Pelak
ABV: 5.1%
As our own writers have demonstrated, pumpkin beers can be a divisive topic. But despite the controversy attached to this particular category of beer, West Seattle’s beloved beer bar and bottle shop The Beer Junction has devoted an entire week to celebrating this type of beverage with an event titled Pumpkin Junction 2016. This event features 30 taps devoted solely to pumpkin beers and ciders for eight straight days (Oct. 15-23). I attended the Pumpkin Junction on opening day and chose Cloudburst Brewing’s Remember the Maine Smoked Pumpkin Porter as my inaugural pumpkin beer for the season. The Beer Junction’s promise of pumpkin did not disappoint.
Event Recap | Epic Brewing’s 50 Firkin Fiasco
October 18, 2016 | David Thompson
Another Great American Beer Festival has come and gone, and looking back at the festival, and the week of events that accompanied the festival it’s sad to think we have to wait a full year for it come around again. My week of beer-centric events started with Epic Brewing’s 4th annual 50 Firkin Fiasco.
Brewery Showcase | New Terrain Brewing
October 18, 2016 | Holly Priestley
If you follow the trail long enough, you’ll eventually hit new terrain. This is just as true for owners Kaylee and Josh Robbins as it is for the hiking trails and pump tracks near this brand new brewery – New Terrain Brewing Company – located on the north east edge of Golden, Colorado.
2016 GABF Fantasy Brewery Results
October 18, 2016 | Tristan Chan
We here at PorchDrinking believe beer should be fun. So three years ago we set out to add a different take on the Great American Beer Festival by inviting a mix of national and local writers to participate in our GABF Fantasy Brewery Draft. Each year we draft breweries based on how we believe they’ll finish during GABF awards ceremony and earn points based on those finishes.
Mockery Brewing | Party at the Moontower
October 18, 2016 | Jeremiah Cornelius
ABV: 10.6% | IBU: 16
Winter may be coming, but fall is here and that can only mean one thing: Porter season. Cold weather and dark beers go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly. As the fall colors quickly fade and trees begin to wilt their leaves I think back to my childhood – begrudgingly raking up leaves only to have my little brother jump in the pile and force me to rake them all up again. Needless to say, I live in the city now and raking up leaves is a thing of the past. My fall days now comprise of fall hikes to view the vibrant aspens billowing in the wind, jeering at the pumpkin spice Pringles at the grocery store, and enjoying a tasty porter while I wait for my beard to grow in my flannel shirt and knit cap. Yeah, I’m that guy.
Read More
Weekly Growler Fill | National Beer News Roundup
October 17, 2016 | Chelsea Mitchell
Stone announces layoffs, Oskar Blues expands to international markets, Kirin invests in Brooklyn Brewery. There’s big news happening in the craft brewniverse – don’t be the last to find out. Keep reading to catch all of the details in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.
Inside The Tank | Blue Moon Brewing Company’s Keith Villa
October 17, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Walk into nearly any bar in American and you’ll likely spot a beer served with an orange slice. Immediately Blue Moon Belgian White comes to mind. First brewed by Keith Villa at the Sandlot Brewery attached to Coors Field in 1995, Blue Moon Belgian White was originally called Bellyside Belgian White and bars served it with lemon. Things have changed over the years and I met up with Villa at the Great American Beer Fest to talk with him about his brewing background, the history and growth of Blue Moon as well as his thoughts on the craft beer industry.
Event Recap | Beers Made By Walking 2016
October 17, 2016 | Kara Loo and Kelissa Hieber 1
Beers Made By Walking’s sixth go-around did not disappoint attendees at the Denver Nature and Science museum this past Tuesday, Oct. 4. Attendees rolled in at 5:30 p.m. sharp to fill their tasting glasses alongside earthly relics like a sparkling gemstone exhibit and a huge whale skeleton suspended from the rafters. The setting was certainly fitting for the nature theme of the festival, and breweries displayed whimsical adjuncts like pine cones and berries on their respective tables. I felt a buzz just thinking about how the event’s proceeds would be directly benefitting this museum we were standing in.
The Veil Brewing Company | Child Support
October 17, 2016 | Scott Johnson
ABV: 4.5% | IBU: 25
In my experience, there has been no brewery to grow faster from its amazing quality and devoted fanbase than The Veil Brewing Company. Thirsty audiences would flock across the state to Richmond every Tuesday to get their hands on The Veil’s collection of canned jewels. Those of us familiar with the East Coast trading scene would see The Veil’s collection of juicy, New England-style IPAs to give them a breakthrough of success on the level of Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Vermont or Tree House Brewing Company in Massachusetts.
What We’re Drinking | October 14
October 14, 2016 | Dan Bortz
For many Porchdrinkers, the second week of October has brought hardship and struggle (except for those jerks who were having a blast at GABF). The ingenious inventor of the #Bovapose evacuated her home before a Hurricane. Many struggled to keep their sanity during a bizarre presidential debate. I caught a cold. It’s now time to celebrate our collective coping mechanism and explore What We’re Drinking.
Colorado Brewery Openings for October, November & December 2016
October 14, 2016 | Brian Phipps 1
Only two and half more months left in 2016! Seriously, that’s a bit ridiculous.
Now, please don’t freak out and start your holiday shopping now… well maybe you should if you are a bit of a procrastinator. Take a breather and stop by one of these 16 awesome new breweries, meaderies, and cideries, opening the next few months. Who knows? You might find a real cool gift for a friend, family member, coworker, or PorchDrinking writer.
What the Funk!? Invitational: Best Beer Festival You Probably Didn’t Attend
October 14, 2016 | Tristan Chan
Last Tuesday’s What the Funk!? Invitational once again flexed its might as one of the greatest collection of barrel-aged, funky/wild, and sour beers in the game. Taking place in a week already teeming with elite-level beer events including Rare Beers, Beers Made By Walking, Curiosity Ball, a wealth of special tappings, releases, beer dinners and not to mention–the main event–GABF, WTF!? still managed to stand tall among the rest.
Coney Island Brewing | Hard Root Beer
October 14, 2016 | Carly Mento
ABV: 5.8%
A nostalgic fave is coming back–hard. Root Beer is definitely one of those new craft beer-craze styles I’ve been hesitant to try. Mainly, I am not a huge soda drinker. However, I’v always loved a cold, rich, full-bodied birch beer whether it be on a hot, summer day or cool, autumn evening. So, if you fall into the “I’m new to craft beer” or “I like to try everything” or simply “I need a wow-factor for my taste-buds”, I’d suggest giving this one a go!
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