Roundtable Discussion | Must Drink Beers of 2013

Okay, okay, it’s ANOTHER 2013 list, but there’s a prize in it for you!

Our staffers picked their favorite, must drink beers of 2013, and if you loved them too, you could win… a PorchDrinking t-shirt and a beer of PD founder Tristan’s choosing! That means you know it will be good.

Just email photographic evidence that you drank 5 of these—that’s right any 5!— to [email protected] for a chance to win an orange PD shirt that’s sure to be a bright (if not beautiful) addition to your beer and brewery shirt arsenal, plus a beer to drink while you wear it.

Now, here are the staff picks.
Read More

Ultimate 6er to Tackle New Year’s Resolutions

PorchDrinking supports the journey toward self-improvement but most importantly, we would like you to enjoy your favorite brews along that road.

In honor of January’s inevitable New Year’s Resolutions, we offer up the Ultimate 6er to pair with the most common personal goals.

Read More

PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat

Hopefully your valedictory toast to the end of 2013 was most excellent, dudes and dudettes. With breweries coming back into the full swing of production and pouring delicious barley pops for all you malt junkies and hop heads, we are mad stoked to provide you with the Denver happenings for the week. Welcome to this week’s Denver Beer Beat. Did we miss an event; let us know.

Read More

Fanø Julebryg — Fanø Bryghus

ABV 7.5%

I’m a sucker for a label I can’t read; it lends an air of even greater mystery to the unknown beer I’m about to drink. Lately I’ve found myself gravitating toward the slashed O and puzzling consonant combinations of Danish beers, like Fanø Julebryg, which are showing up in greater numbers on the shelves of my neighborhood beer store in Paris. This is not really surprising, considering the rate at which craft beer has seduced the hearts and taste buds of northern Europe. Thankfully, it’s finally trickling down to France. Read More

Long Trail Brush & Barrel Series-Culmination Chocolate Porter

With an exciting Sunday showdown for NFL fans across the country, I attempted to make good on a New Year’s resolution by watching football with other people….at a bar. Imagine that. Drinking beer, hanging out, high-fiving all over the place, who does that?

Read More

Drinking Outside the Box

I’m going to make a wild assumption that if you’re reading this, you are a regular consumer of the nectar of the gods – beer. That magical elixir washes away the stress of your week on Friday night, forms bonds fleeting and enduring over your favorite sporting events, and creates a jovial (or at least tolerable) atmosphere at a variety of social gatherings like weddings, dinner parties, and the like. There is no doubt that a good beer is welcome, perhaps essential, at these moments. But are they too obvious?

Over the course of my beer drinking career, I’ve had the opportunity and good fortune to enjoy beer in a variety of other situations which can be equally satisfying and often much more so. While these aren’t totally unusual, they certainly aren’t your normal after work ritual but more special occasions. I’m sure you’ll find some that you too have enjoyed, but if you see something new, I can assure you, it’s well worth your time to drink outside the box. Read More

Ommegang Adoration Ale

ABV: 10%

Today we are fighting off the winter chill with the warm embrace from Ommegang rightfully called Adoration, their limited edition dark winter ale. But first, a theatrical interlude! Read More

Crooked Stave – Wild Wild Brett Violet aged with Passion Fruit

It’s easy to see why Crooked Stave has built such a huge following in such a short amount of time. Their motto “Cultured in Yeast” really tells the story, as they are known for brewing beer almost exclusively with unique and wild yeast strains. Many of their beers are fermented, at least in part, by wild strains of Brettanomyces. Other, more coveted beers, are barrel aged with souring bacteria to produce mouth-watering libations. From coast-to-coast, people are seeking out Crooked Stave’s beers and their specialty bottle release beers may as well be trade gold. Of the specialty releases, the Wild Wild Brett series of beers is the granddaddy of them all. So when the unexpecting passer-by (me) shows up at the taproom on a random Sunday night before picking up a friend from the airport and sees the chalk-board sign that reads “Wild Wild Brett Violet aged with Passion Fruit”, the bartender knew exactly what I wanted when my response to “What will you have to drink?” was “Is that some kind of joke?” Read More

Awesomesauce- ThinkGeek

Am I the only one who is totally loving the fact that nerds are somehow cool again? Given the enduring popularity of “The Big Bang Theory” since its debut in … Read More

Thirsty Dog Wulver

F.G. = 5.5°P, O.G. = 25°P

IBU’s = 22, 12% alc./vol.

Bourbon Barrel-Aged (BBA) Wulver along with BBA Siberian Night were first released in bottles to Akron, Ohio and neighboring … Read More

Zipline Brewing: Jack’s Pale

5.2% ABV
30 IBU

If you ever happen to find yourself in Lincoln, Nebraska, make your way to Zipline Brewing. Better yet, make your way to Bread & Cup or Jack & June’s. Not only are these delicious restaurants in a city that isn’t particularly drowned in options, but these are the only two places in town with Zipline’s Jack’s Pale on draft. In fact, besides the brewery itself, these are the only two places you can even get the beer—it’s a Zipline/Bread & Cup/Jack & June’s exclusive. And it’s delicious. Read More

PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat

Well, welcome to the end of 2013. I am not even going to mention your inevitable hangover; you are already well aware of that being part of your day tomorrow. Here are some events to check out this week. Let’s raise our barleypops to 2013, the year to come and may eternity find us in as good company as this!

Read More

Renegade Brewing Company | Black Gold Peanut Butter Cup Milk Stout

Renegade Brewing Company

925 W 9th Ave, Denver, CO

ABV: 11%

“It tastes so good once it hits your mouth”- Frank “the tank” Picard.  At least thats what I imagine Will Ferrell’s character rambunctiously proclaiming after one taste of Renegade Brewing Company’s Black Gold. Not to bury the lead, Renegade Brewing Company Black Gold is a Peanut Butter Cup Milkstout that tastes every bit as sweet tooth satisfying as it’s namesake lets on.  While the chocolate flavors play second fiddle when compared to the dominant presence of the peanut butter, the symphonic conjuring of childhood candied flavors, are undeniable.

Read More

Southern Tier – Compass

ABV: 9%

IBU: Unavailable

2013 is almost over, and the next year is right around the corner. Whether you’re a fan of the holiday or not, New Year’s Eve brings an impetus to celebrate, and every celebration needs the perfect drink. If you want to mix up the cocktail options this December 31st, Southern Tier brings us what I consider to be the new (non-High Life) champagne of beers: Compass. Read More

Emelisse Brewerij Creme Brûlée Stout

ABV – 7.5%

Tis the season for family and friends, spending too much money and celebrating it all being over with a tasty treat to yourself. This year I chose … Read More

Crooked Stave- Vieille Cranberry and Spice

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes… All staples of a delicious holiday dinner. However, in my opinion, there’s one food that completes the meal but never gets the credit it deserves: the … Read More

PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat

Each week we will be bringing you regional coverage of your favorite beer events happening in your area. Welcome to the Denver Beer Beat. Did we miss something? Let us know!

Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Day 12 Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas Ale

IBU: 30 | ABV: 7.5%

There’s nothing like the first Christmas Ale of the season! Great Lakes Brewing Company started pouring before Halloween. I’ll admit I was a bit spoiled this year, as they were also serving it in a number of places during Christmas in July. With flavors of cinnamon, ginger and honey, it legitimately tastes like Christmas in a bottle. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Christmas Movies

The holiday movie onslaught has begun. Here are my six favorite Christmas Movies, and a thoughtful beer to accompany each of them. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Day 11 Prairie Artisan Ales The Beer That Saved Christmas

Prairie Artisan Ales The Beer That Saved Christmas

ABV: 10%

Something special is happening in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Prairie Artisan Ales, which was opened by brothers Chase and Colin Healy in 2012, has been quietly making some of the best farmhouse and barrel-aged beers in the country. Their mission, as stated on their Facebook page, “Is to create beers that go beyond the middle of the country to reach people around the world.” And they’ve clearly succeeded.

Read More