Passing Afternoon – 100% Brett Mosaic Pale Ale

Since I started homebrewing I have been looking for ways to push flavors and try new things with brewing. Lately, I have been really intrigued by the use of brettanomyces as the primary fermenting yeast strain in beer. I have done a few experimental small 1 gallon 100% brett batches and I have been happy but I really wanted to take it to the next level. As soon as my local home brew store, High County Hombrew, got some fresh Mosaic hops I knew it was time. I felt that the mango, lemon, citrus, earthy pine, tropical fruit, herbal and stone fruit notes that the Mosaic hops produced were made to go with a fruitiness of some strains of brettanomyces. Below outlines the recipe and thoughts behind Passing Afternoon – 100% Brett Mosaic Pale Ale.

Read More

Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero

Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero Mexican Style Chocolate Stout

9% ABV

Hola Clown Shoes, welcome to Colorado.  The brewery itself is an enigma, based out of Massachusetts, brewed out of Mercury … Read More

Getting a Woody – Cascade Brewing The Vine

Background

Cascade Brewing The Vine Style: American Wild Ale ABV: 9.73%

Welcome  and prepare to get a woody. This installment of Getting a Woody we will look at Cascade Brewing … Read More

Ultimate 6er – To Boldly Go Where No Beer Has Gone Before!

It was only a matter of time until my love for Craft Beer combined with my (let’s be honest) obsession with Science Fiction. As a girl who sports a Star Trek iPhone case (Science Division, of course – Command is just too pretentious and Engineering is, well, a bit too risky) and a text message tone from Star Trek: The Next Generation, it made sense that I would be inspired to dedicate an Ultimate 6er to the greatest of SciFi traditions, Star Trek, especially with the new J.J. Abrams installation: Star Trek: Into Darkness. So whether you prefer Saurian Brandy, Romulan Ale, or just a good glass of prune juice, here is your hodgepodge 6-pack of brews inspired by Star Fleet’s finest. Boldly go where no beer has gone before! LLAP!

Read More

Blue Moon Brewing Company – Agave Nectar Ale

ABV: 5.6%

IBUs: 14

I’m not going to lie, I’m not the biggest fan of Blue Moon, but the last time I was at the store I saw their new summer seasonal, Agave Nectar Ale. I originally didn’t pick it up because I’ve tried agave beer before, but I just couldn’t get it off my mind. So today when I went to the grocery I decided to give it a go. Read More

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project: Hop Savant

Hop Savant

Crooked Stave Brewery, Denver, CO

ABV 6.7%

Hoppy beers have been a bit of a target recently. A widely shared article recently stated, “Hop enthusiasts are ruining craft beer.” This is hyperbole to be sure, but it’s still a fairly predictable backlash. Double and triple IPAs are now quite common at most breweries, and some are an absolute assault on the taste buds. Even regular IPAs can go a bit over the top from time to time. And so it’s understandable that people may be a bit hesitant to, at least for the moment, purchase a beer that even has “Hop” in the name. Read More

The Pronunciation Wars- GIF

In case you hadn’t heard, the longstanding debate regarding the notoriously tricky pronunciation of “GIF” has been settled once and for all. Read More

Hoppin’ Frog Brewery: Hoppin’ to Heaven IPA

Once upon a time the city of Akron, Oh was a flourishing place full of promises and opportunities.  Yes, looking at the grey, desolate, nearly abandoned ghost town that remains today, it is quite hard to believe.  However, not so many years ago, Akron was crowned the “Rubber Capitol” of the world.  Companies like Good Year and Firestone called this place their home and exported more tires than any other place in the universe, and in turn, provided the city with plentiful employment.  But, unfortunately those years have passed, and it seems Akron is more famous for what has left it behind than for what is still there (yeah, that’s a Lebron reference and yeah, I’m still bitter). Read More

Night Shift Brewing – Snow

ABV = 3.4%

It’s easy to get jaded about being a “grown-up”. Here at PorchDrinking.com, we try to help you navigate adulthood as best as we can because we understand … Read More

Awesomesauce- #myfriendsaremarried

Being the old, married person that I am, my newest Tumblr obsession may seem a bit odd to you, but bear with me.  We are all familiar with the standard GIF Tumblr layout by now, I’m sure (if for some reason you aren’t, go check out this one and this one right now.  We’ll wait until you get back…) Basically, the author gives a scenario, and then presents the reader with a GIF that mirrors their reaction to the situation.  For example, this, this and this. Read More

This Is Not Magic Hat #thisisnotmagichat

We found out earlier this week that there has been quite a bit of confusion over the interpretation of some of Magic Hat Brewing Company’s products.  Willie’s in Lexington, Kentucky decided to don their good samaritain cap and ensure that there were no further confusions over product branding. Thanks to Facebook user Collin Wallace for posting this picture.

Read More

Left Hand Brewing’s 400 Pound Monkey

Left Hand Brewing 400 Pound Monkey

6.8% ABV

An ominous red handprint blazoned on the neck of the bottle: does it indicate pain or does it indicate pleasure? Judging by … Read More

Elevation Beer Company 1 Year Anniversary

Tucked away in an unassuming warehouse at the foothills of towering 14ers, in the small town of Poncha Springs, lies Elevation Beer Company.

Read More

Editorial: Magic Hat Brewing Company Versus West Sixth Brewery

I originally intended to write an editorial in response to Slate’s post earlier this week about how hoppy beers are ruining craft beer.  They made some valid observations but on the whole their argument boils down to taste.  Hops aren’t ruining craft beer, beer is ruining craft beer, namely people in the industry who don’t abide by beer culture.

Read More

Fire Island Beer Company-Lighthouse Ale

With Spring finally in full effect and New Yorkers starting to head off for Long Island beaches, I thought it would be fitting to have a go at Fire Island Beer Company’s Lighthouse Ale. Read More

Magic Hat and West Sixth Brewery Conflict

It is becoming more and more evident that the craft beer industry is no longer just giggles and unicorns.  Today it was announced in Business Lexington that the latest case of brewery versus brewery litigation came in the form of Magic Hat Brewing Company,  claiming that West Sixth Brewery in Lexington, KY intentionally copied their logo and has caused them “irreparable harm”.  They are now seeking damages and all profits made by West Sixth up until this point.

Read More

Texas Beer Bills Close to a Reality

The Texas House passed a set of five beer laws yesterday and now sit for review by Governor Rick Perry.  The Governor has until June 16th to decide on the bills but assuming they pass, beer distribution in Texas is about to undergo some major changes.

Read More

Three Floyds Evil Power Imperial Pilsner

Three Floyds Brewing  – Evil Power Imperial Pilsner

ABV: 7.2%

IBU: 56

“I hear voices . . . “ resounds the first lyrics on the self-titled track, EVIL POWER, from Lair of the Minotaur’s fourth release. Lair of the Minotaur (LOTM as they shall be known henceforth) and Three Floyds Brewing collaborated for this bottle of fearsome, full-palated deliciousness. After popping the crown cap, I am also hearing voices. These voices are telling me to find more Three Floyds Evil Power Imperial Pilsner and to hoard it like there is no tomorrow.

Read More

Fat Head’s Oompa Loompa Chocolate Cream Stout

ABV: 6.5% | IBU: 33

Stout brewed with dark chocolate and vanilla beans added.

Fat Head’s story began in Pittsburgh, PA, circa 1992, with the founding of Fat Head’s Saloon. In 2009 Fat Head’s expanded to North Olmsted, Ohio, teaming up with Matt Cole (an award winning brewer) to open Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon. Success came quickly, with the brewery producing over 5000 barrels over its first three years and Fat Head’s beers winning many awards. They expanded to a full-scale producing brewery in 2012, located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

Read More

Homebrew: Make a Yeast Starter

I’m a huge advocate of the brewers’ saying that “Brewers make wort and yeast make beer.” Without healthy yeast, you cannot make the best beer possible. So step up your homebrew game with a yeast starter and improve your next batch of homebrew! Read More