Beer Topics
PorchDrinking’s own discuss beer.
Breweries Across the Country Share How They Prepare to Reopen
June 7, 2021 | PorchDrinking.com Staff
This is a sponsored post courtesy of our friends at Arryved
For over a year, breweries have had to walk a most tenuous tightrope in order to keep their businesses afloat. From weathering recurring shutdowns, to navigating government red tape in order to secure small business loans, massive business plan overhauls, to heartbreaking decisions on staffing, breweries have dealt with it all.
Now as nearly 140 million people in the US have received at least their first round of vaccinations and businesses begin reopening, we thought we’d check in with breweries owners of all sizes to see how COVID has impacted their operations for the long run, and what steps they’ve begun taking to reopen.
Zebulon Artisan Ales | Blueberry Sour
June 7, 2021 | Eeva Sharp
Zebulon Artisan Ales in Weaverville, North Carolina, is the brainchild of brewer, Mike Karnowski. Ever wonder what a traditional English Barleywine or an IPA from the 1800s might taste like? Mike has researched it. Each beer he makes is a study of history and process. Zebulon Blueberry Sour is a study in fruit — delving into the flavors of the landscape surrounding the brewery.
What We’re Drinking | June 4, 2021
June 4, 2021 | Justin Pennel
Last weekend marked the unofficial start to patio beer(s) season. We posed the question on our Instagram account this week, asking if people still drink stouts and strong barrel aged beers during the warmer months. It seems like opinions on the matter vary greatly, and our staff is no exception. Let us know if you still consider summer to be stout season or if you tend to reach for lighter, more refreshing options. This is what we’re drinking to kick off patio season.
Charlotte’s Newest Brewery ‘Vaulted Oak’ Opening Tuesday
June 4, 2021 | Alexis Dickie
Charlotte’s newest brewery Vaulted Oak Brewing is set to open Tuesday, June 8. Housed in an old BB&T bank, Vaulted Oak will be the first brewery in the Oakhurst/Echo Hills neighborhood of Charlotte.
Sparge Brewing Co. | Crushable Cream Ale
June 4, 2021 | Kaitlyn Simpson
Sparge Brewing Co. has swiftly become one of the hottest spots to visit just north of Fort Collins, in Wellington, CO. They flourish their taps with six staple beers and consistent yet constant rotating seasonals and pilot brews. They have more than adequately displayed their ability to make and create beers of all varieties and styles, and they really seem to be popular all their own.
Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 6/3
June 3, 2021 | Mackenzie Helms
Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.
Well would you look at that, we’ve made it to June already. It seemed like only yesterday the whole country was shutting down, and look where we are now! As summer quickly approaches, more and more releases are popping up, and we’re even seeing a brewery anniversary or two. Now you might be saying, “I drank a bit too much over the long weekend, I think I’m going to take it easy this weekend,” but between the two of us, we both know that isn’t happening. So take a look below and pick out some new (or old) favorites, and enjoy this weekend like it’s a holiday too.
Mile Wide Beer Co. Partners with Queer Kentucky to Release First Pride Beer
June 3, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
Mile Wide Beer Company is celebrating Pride Month with the release of Dorothy’s Riot, a Belgian-Style Witbier brewed with raspberries. The Lousiville, KY brewery has partnered with Queer Kentucky to release its first-ever Pride beer. Queer Kentucky is a platform for Queer people from all around our great bluegrass state to share their lives with others.
Hidden Hand Brewing | Moving Low DIPA
June 3, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
Who doesn’t love a good puzzle? Not the boxed variety, with multiple pieces that we are all too familiar with recently. Instead, one involving riddles, obscure references and ever-evolving hints. Typically, new breweries want to be discovered, pairing opening weekends with long lines, endless tags on Instagram and sold out items. For Hidden Hand Brewing, however, the allure is driven by the secrecy, coded messages and small batch offerings. It’s more than a new beer offering. It’s a masterly crafted limited release highlighting the top hop variants in the industry. The beer is as hard to get your hands on as it is to decipher the riddles—unless you’re paying attention.
Boys Are From Märzen Podcast | Alicia Valenski & Mel Fox ‘Work For Your Beer’
June 2, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
In Episode 44 of the “Boys Are From Märzen” podcast, Kindsey Bernhard is joined by Alicia Valenski and Mel Fox, co-founders of Work For Your Beer.
Work For Your Beer is a community is a group of like-minded individuals who strive to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle without sacrificing the things we love.
Ultimate 6er | Beers to Celebrate Pride Month
June 2, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
June is Pride Month and we are highlighting six beers you need to try this month! Before we get to the beers, here are six facts you should know about Pride Month:
Hopewell Brewing Co. | Clover Club Raspberry Sour
June 2, 2021 | Christiana Torres
Chicago’s Hopewell Brewing Co. is probably best known for their modern take on beer. Their goal as a brewery is to make beer that is bright and clean. Hopewell was a nearly decade-long creation, with the owners always knowing that their dreams would come to fruition as they proceeded through the years. With their intensive approach, they’ve created some amazing and unique showstoppers. Their seasonal spring/summer sour ale, Clover Club, proclaims the entirety of Hopewell’s mission in every sip.
Athletic Brewing Releases New Rainbow Wall IPA for Pride Month
June 1, 2021 | Taylor Laabs 1
Year over year, non-alcoholic (NA) beers continue to carve out a bigger chunk of the craft beer market, in no small part due to the NA beer produced by powerhouse Athletic Brewing Company. The NA brewer continues to brew up a bevy of different NA beers from Golden Ales to Hazy IPAs but it’s their mission to welcome a larger part of the adult population into the craft beer community through NA offerings that continue to resonate with consumers. This focus on welcoming continues to manifest in different ways for the brewer, including through their latest collaboration with prominent LGBTQI+ activist and advocate Alex Johnson, a competitive climber with two World Cup Gold medals and five US National titles, on the limited release of Rainbow Wall Blood-Orange IPA. It will debut in June during Pride Month.
Kentucky Breweries Join Effort in Raising Awareness of Mental Health
June 1, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
The COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in shining a light on the importance of mental health. While society was taking steps in raising awareness of mental health before COVID-19, it became even more important during COVID-19. It especially became important in the craft beer world, an industry that was extremely affected by the shutdowns and restrictions.
To continue to normalize mental health in the craft beer industry and community, Hope For The Day, a non-profit movement empowering the conversation on proactive suicide prevention and mental health education, has partnered with Eagle Park Brewing, Hopsmash, Malteurop Malting Co., Egoproof and Hollingbery & Son Hops for an international beer collaboration.
Bayboro Brewing Co. | Full Bird IPA
June 1, 2021 | Michelle Thomas
Bayboro Brewing Co. is one of the newest and hottest breweries in the Tampa Bay area. When James and Kelcy Coleman opened their doors on March 17, 2020, they had no idea what was coming just that afternoon: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued his executive order shutting down the state in an attempt to keep Floridians safe from the Coronavirus. In just a few hours, all breweries closed their doors; uncertainty lay ahead.
However, Bayboro kept things going when breweries were allowed to sell beer to-go. They bought growlers and crowler cans, a crowler machine and plastic cups. They were patient until things finally started to improve and they could open their doors to start flourishing in this vibrant craft beer community.
SchillingBridge Brewing Co. | Irish Coffee Chocolate Stout
May 31, 2021 | Lori Kitzing
The pandemic reminded us about the importance of supporting small, local and family-owned businesses. SchillingBridge is a family-run operation that claims to be the nation’s first farm winery/microbrewery. They are located in Pawnee City, NE, a small town less than 10 miles north of the Kansas border.
What We’re Drinking | May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021 | Brandon Cohran
It’s been a hell of a two weeks in the craft beer world since we’ve last had a drink check. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then head over to Brienne (@ratmagnet) on Instagram and read the thousands of accounts of sexual harassment, misogyny and unfair treatment to women all across the industry. This movement isn’t something to be funny or cute about, so here’s some of the beers that our staff have had during the last two weeks. Guys — specifically white bearded dudes in the industry who look just like me — be better. Here is What We’re Drinking:
4 Hands Brewing & Veteran’s Community Project Launch Collaboration to Support Vets
May 28, 2021 | Katie Camlin 1
The rivalry between Missouri’s two biggest cities, Kansas City and St. Louis, is well-known and long-standing. From the Royals and the Cardinals to toasted ravioli and barbecue, ask any resident which city is the best, and you’ll be met with an impassioned and detailed defense of their hometown. You’re either a Kansas City person or a St. Louis person — never both.
However, the rivalry is all in good fun — with the exception of the 1985 World Series — and while fierce, it’s not uncommon for the two cities to unite for a greater cause. Whether Team St. Louis or Team Kansas City, residents have a few things in common: they love beer, they love their city and they love their home state.
New Belgium Brewing + Teatulia Teas | Black Berry Black Tea Sour
May 28, 2021 | Darren Cockrell
New Belgium Brewing has long reigned as the sour beer monarch of Fort Collins, Colorado with their impressive lineup of Barrel-Aged Sours regularly releasing from their expansive foeder room. The pointedly named Black Berry Black Tea Sour, in collaboration with Teatulia Teas in Denver, is a Dark Sour Ale that shows that there are still a lot of flavor combinations to be found in the future of sour beer. Read More
Belching Beaver Brewery Expands Distribution to Colorado
May 27, 2021 | Tristan Chan
In another sign of the beer world returning to normalcy, Belching Beaver Brewery announced today that they would begin expanding distribution to Colorado through Crooked Stave Artisans. The Centennial State has long been a popular destination for acclaimed national brands look to test their reach and popularity due to Colorado’s rabid beer fanbase and now the San Diego-based brewery joins the likes of Bells, Surly, Jack’s Abby, Brooklyn Brewery, and many others who have recently entered the crowded beer market.
Arbeiter Brewing Co. | Hoop Jump Cold IPA
May 27, 2021 | Jason Ehrreich
Have you ever had a “Cold IPA?” No, we are not talking about the one that you just pulled from the refrigerator. The history of a Cold IPA is relatively new, but the development is credited to Wayfinder Beer out of Portland, Ore. Cold IPAs are a thing of beauty and smell the part too. On one side, you have that smell of the hoppiness from an IPA. On the other, you have that clean, crisp style of a lager. Do not mistake these as IPLs, which seems to be a common thread. Read More
recent comments