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!

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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.

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Last Minute Holiday Beer Gifts

Sure it’s the week of Christmas, but just because you haven’t found the perfect gift yet doesn’t mean it’s too late. We’ve got a list of last minute holiday beer gifts for the beer fanatic in your life.

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12 Beers of Christmas | Day 10: Goose Island 2013 Sixth Day

ABV: 8.3%

IBU: 55

‘Tis the season to sample the myriad Christmas concoctions that are offered throughout the cold months every year. At this time of year, I’m always on the lookout for something I’ve never tried before. Goose Island, always innovating and experimenting, provided that opportunity with this year’s version of their “Sixth Day” Christmas Ale. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Day 9: Sam Adams’ Winter Lager

Style: Bock

ABV: 5.6%

There’s nothing more horrifying than the disgusted look on your guests faces as they try a beer that you’re particularly enamored with. Ever have a time when your family wasn’t quite that impressed with the girl/guy you brought home for the first time? Yeah, it’s kind of like that. You go in thinking you’ll be the life of the party, but end up rationalizing your decision to bring that 8-9% sour to a group of Keystone drinkers.* Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Day 8: Avery Old Jubilation Ale

ABV: 8.3% | IBU: 45

Everyone has their favorite local watering hole. Because Avery Brewing Company is my local watering hole I am generally biased towards their beers. Their holiday seasonal is not only delicious, but unique to other breweries winter seasonals in that it is one of the most quaffable of the holiday ales I have had. I can easily get through two or three pints without feeling like I was pouring cinnamon and cloves on my tongue. With no spice additions or other adjunct ingredients, Avery puts their twist on a holiday ale with their Old Jubilation Ale. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas Day 7: Ommegang Adoration

10.0% ABV

As the shopping days wane before gift-giving commences, those in my line (the line of purchasing procrastination) get ready to start thinking of ideas for the buying spree. As has always been the tradition of my brother and I, we go out on the 23 or 24 of December and buy all of our gifts in a matter of a few hours. We have a generally good idea of exactly what we need to get, and we spend our time buying, not shopping. As gift ideas seem less and less inspired every year with gift cards being the easiest way to shop for everyone, I became inspired when I saw the Christmas seasonal from Ommegang brewery. The label of this beer features a silhouette of the three wise men bearing their gifts in the form of tulip glasses and bombers all in a boat the shape of a crown. Beer as gifts: sounds wise to me.

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Ultimate 6er | Backcountry Skiers and Snowboarders

It is well documented that Coloradans have an intense passion for the outdoors. I’m talking fire in the circus and somehow the flaps are locked kind of intense. So it’s no surprise that after years on the slopes, many Colorado residents feel the need to up the ante when it comes to winter sports. Enter backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Backcountry skiers and snowboarders can be seen stranded intermittently, dotting the sides of the winding mountain roads adjacent to ski resorts with constant patience in wait for a ride back to the top of the hill, usually with a tasty brew. While packs and equipment are not only common, but necessary, a reserved spot for a churchkey in said packs and equipment, is not. Not to worry, here is your ultimate 6er of beers while waiting for your buddy and Truck (Truck is the name of his Prius) accompanied by unique ways to open bottled beers with limited equipment. Read More

Homebrewing Gingerbread Stout

After a few beers I gained the cojones to start an email string suggesting the PorchDrinking team start homebrewing together. I’m humble about a lot of things I do, but dammit, I make damn good beer. All of my best friends can attest to that… or maybe I just have really nice friends. Either way, I decided to invite the team to my house to brew on my MacGyver’d homebrew setup and this is how we got started Homebrewing Gingerbread Stout.

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12 Beers of Christmas | Day 6- Port Brewing Bourbon Barrel Aged Santa’s Little Helper

Style: Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 10.0%

Background: We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and beer. Well not exactly the words of Buddy the elf but, he would definitely like Port Brewing’s 2011 Bourbon Barrel Aged Santa’s Little Helper. The barrel aged version has spent an extra 9 months in bourbon barrels and this particular bottle has spent just a little bit over a year in the cellar allowing the flavors to meld into the perfect helper to get you through the holidays. 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!

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12 Beers of Christmas | Day 5- Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza

ABV: 9.0%

What better adjective to describe the holiday spirit than Jolly? Jolly Pumpkin brewery delivers their holiday beer with great complexity to the tune of Brettanomyces funk. This malty brew is best served with many leather bound books and an abode that smells of rich mahogany. Enjoy this sophisticated Noel de Calabaza. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Day 4: Saint Arnold Brewing Christmas Ale

If you’re like me, and don’t enjoy every Christmas ale to taste like you’re drinking potpourri this holiday season, this Christmas Ale is for you. This Christmas ale will sing you a siren song with her subtle sweet malt mouth feel and ever so gentle spice and everything nice hop profiles. But be warned, the St. Arnold’s Christmas Ale will coax you into wearing that terrible ugly sweater at the company holiday party and committing every party faux pas in the book that will ruin your future chance at management.

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Blue Moon Brewing Co. – Mountain Abbey Ale

ABV: 5.6%

This year we went to Carrollton, Kentucky for Thanksgiving. My brother Kyle lives in Cincinnati, so we stopped at his place on our way down. I know you all don’t know my family, but let me just say, we love our alcohol. I mean we had to bring the alcohol to dinner because there wasn’t going to be any there otherwise. So then it’s no surprise my dad had a beer quick before we got back on the road. (For the record, my brother took over driving from there on out.) Blue Moon Mountain Abbey Ale was what was in the fridge, and I heard from my dad that it tasted pretty good. Same thing came from my mom when we stopped on the way back. So again, no surprise, it ended up in our fridge at home, and yet, I still hadn’t tried it. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas Day 3 | Schlafly Special Release Christmas Ale

ABV: 8%

IBU: 30

The first of the many great American winter holidays has come to a close. Leftovers are still heaped in the fridge, you are justifying eating pie … Read More