Lessons Learned at Cincy Winter Beer Fest 2013

With the culmination of Cincinnati Beer Week, local beer aficionados headed to Duke Convention Center for the grande finale: Cincy Winter Beer Fest February 15-16. I went Friday night to snap some pictures knowing basically what was in store— a lot of beer, some new favorites, probably a little bit of hilarity— and when I left I had a night full of lessons captured on film. Here is a list of the top 5 things I learned at Cincy Winter Beer Fest, in photos.

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Beerstagrams 2/8- 2/15

Phew. Now that Valentine’s Day is over, we can get back to the actual loves of our lives: BEER. With all the stress of trying to find the perfect card, dinner reservation, gift…. oh wait, I didn’t do any of that.

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Chocolate Pretzel Beer Toffee

We would like to wish our staff writer Karen Lai a very special congratulations on her engagement last night.  Karen started with PorchDrinking when we first formed and is considered Tristan’s faux-sister.  Earlier this year she wrote about cooking Chocolate Pretzel Beer Toffee with Rivertown Brewing’s Hop Bomber Pale Ale.  Here’s that post and once again a very special congratulations to Karen and Sam!

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Homebrewing: Building Your Library

Knowledge is power and becoming a powerful brewer takes lots of knowledge. In this week’s homebrewing post, Building Your Library, I’m going to break down three books that I own and recommend that other homebrewers read and reference.  Read More

Amarcord – La Putena

Rating

It’s February and that means, it’s the beginning of award-season. Since the 2013 Grammys have come to a close, we can all start getting over Taylor Swift’s uncomfortable attempt at a fake British accent, JLo’s risque mid-life crisis dress, and the return of LL Cool J. Ok, I was a little excited about the return of LL Cool J. Anyway, it’s time to move on and get ready for the Oscars. In honor of award season, I am introducing an interesting, yet delicious, foreign brew from Italy: Amarcord’s La Putena. This beer is named after the Oscar Award-winning film “Amarcord,” which was directed by the late Italian film director Federico Fellini, who won four Oscars during his lifetime. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Valentine’s Beer List

The time has come again for overused reds and pinks, chocolates and overcrowded chain restaurants. Good ol’ Valentine’s Day is back with its ever present divide between love + affection and nausea. Couples are sure to get a little more mushy and singles are likely to roll their eyes in disgust. I’ve decided to put together an Ultimate 6er for anyone caught in the middle.
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Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. – Exposition

IBU: 28

ABV: 5.0%

In honor of Cincinnati Beer Week,I decided to showcase a gem from the Queen City herself: Moerlein’s Exposition Vienna Style Lager. According to Moerlein Lager House, this beer is “a tribute to Christian Moerlein’s first brews displayed at national expositions and crowned wherever exhibited,” so you know it’s gotta be good. Read More

40 Days of Water

Before I embark on 40 Days of Water, tonight my church, House for All Sinners and Saints, will be congregating at the Denver Bicycle Café to celebrate Fat Tuesday with donuts and beer. Yes, beer. House for All Sinners and Saints (HFASS for short, and, yes, we do realize what that sounds like) loves beer. In the summers, we hold a “Blessing of the Bicycles” complete with a pizza party and a pony keg of Fat Tire. In the winters, we hold “Beer & Carols” at the Irish Snug, an event in which we turn every Christmas carol into the single greatest drinking song you have ever heard. And you know, that’s how we roll.
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Getting a Woody – Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze Golden Blend

Welcome to Getting a Woody. In this article we will dive into the funky world of sour beers and oak barrels. Oak barrels provide a prominent role in developing the deep and complex flavors that are found in different types of sours. The oak barrels can contain different wild yeast and microbes that help aid in producing the sour and funky flavors. Some great examples that have gone through this process are New Belgium La Folie, Petrus Aged Pale, Russian River Supplication, Today, we look Drie Fonteinen Oude Gueze Golden Blend.

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Imbibe Denver Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

We are so excited to introduce you to an AWESOME opportunity this Valentine’s Day for all of our Colorado followers.  Whether you’re single, dating, married, or just wanting to try something cool we’ve got an event for you!  Imbibe Denver is throwing a Valentine’s Mingle starting with a pre-show mingle at Denver’s the Corner Office, followed by beer and an improv show from Cult Following at Off Center @ the Jones. And we’re giving you a chance to win FREE tickets!

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Country Boy Brewing Anniversary Celebration

If you’ve been followers of PorchDrinking you’ll know that we’re the biggest advocates for innovative upstart breweries who love to push the boundary on what can be accomplished with craft beer. You’ll also know that Country Boy Brewing is the perfect case study of accomplishing just that.  Today we wish Country Boy Brewing a very happy first anniversary.  While they typically feature several guest beers to accompany a healthy lineup of their own, this weekend to celebrate their first birthday, all 24 taps will feature Country Boy brews including Black Gold Porter aged in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels.

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New Belgium Heavenly Feijoa Tripel

ABV: 9%

Knowing that I have to drive two and a half hours round trip to a jobsite and work an eight hour day, is normally not my favorite way to start the day. However on this particular day, I was travelling to the lovely town of Fort Collins. How is it that the saying goes? “When in Rome”…. I don’t quite remember the rest. What I do remember is that “When in Fort Collins, visit the New Belgium Taproom.” This Wednesday afternoon was no different. While I planned to pick up this years release of La Folie and Transatlantique Kriek for myself and a couple of friends (I’m a fantastic friend… and now accepting applications), I was graced by the presence of the New Belgium Heavenly Feijoa Tripel. Read More

The Green Bullet Saison

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is right around the corner. As the days start to grow longer and the temperatures rise, I have started to search for a beer that will inspire hope for warmer temperatures. Saison has filled the void that a winter warmer or a stout was unable to fill. Inspired by finally finishing a book, Farmhouse Ales book by Phil Markowski, I decided that I would take a stab at brewing one myself.

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21st Amendment – Marooned on Hog Island

ABV: 7.9%

IBU: Not Available

Ultimate 6er – Cabin Fever

As much as I love awesomely bad horror movies, this Ultimate 6er is dedicated to those of us who feel suffocated by heat pumping furnaces and closed windows. Those of us who crave vitamin D, fresh air and warmth to keep us going. Those of us who don’t have the option to hit the slopes on the weekends when the temps drop and the snow piles up. Winter compounds the seemingly easiest of activities—driving, exercising and getting out of bed. Pounds and layers pack on as we wait for the sun god to warm the earth again, so we can arise from the recesses of seasonal depression and couch-dwelling sloth. These beers will save your sanity when the claustrophobic threat of permanent enclosure begets conversation with yourself, and they will cheer you up when the funk of winter harshes your Qi.

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Wild Woods Brewery’s Berry Patch Wheat

Wild Woods Brewery’s Berry Patch Wheat is exactly what I’ve been looking for. You see it’s a gateway beer.  It’s the perfect beer to convert any tepid beer novice. Whenever I hear people casually sputter out the phrase “I don’t like beer” it feels like a mini heart attack turned mega aneurism. It’s like saying I don’t like cheese, or ice cream or America.

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Fate Brewing Company

Fate Brewing Company– Boulder, CO

Have you ever had a situation where the stars just seemed to align? Perhaps it was an “epic night”. In my circle of friends, when just the right group of people gather for a momentous night out we call it the “dream team”. Sometimes amidst the cacophony and discord, things just end up coming together to hit just the right sonorous wavelength to create the perfect harmony. This is Fate Brewing Company.

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Why I Don’t Drink “Shitty” Beer

The term “beer snob” is being thrown around these days to talk about a superiority complex around the beer one drinks. A beer snob might only drink craft beer and even be particular in the brewery or type of beer. I have recently decided that I will not spend my money on any beer but craft beer. I guess I’m a beer snob, but let me tell you my reasoning.

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Lindsay’s Smore’s Porter Nitro – New Belgium Brewery

ABV: 8.5%
IBU: N/A

You know one of the worst things about cold, miserable weather? Lack of camping. Experiencing the great outdoors, taking in some fresh air and cooking makeshift delicacies over an open fire. Camping is really the only time I ever eat marshmallows by choice (Easter Peeps not withstanding). There aren’t many better things than being with friends, drinking a cold beer and whipping up a batch of warm, gooey s’mores. So when I discovered Lindsay’s Smore’s Porter Nitro on my latest visit to New Belgium Brewery, I was pretty excited.

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Brew Bites | Rye Beer Cheese Dip

For those still looking for the perfect addition to your  party, try this creamy cheese dip. This recipe is simple, quick to make and, of course, delicious! 🙂

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