Features
Boulder’s Ska Street Brewstillery Opens Today for To-Go Sales
May 6, 2020 | Tristan Chan
Over the past thirty years, beer fans have become well-acquainted with Colorado’s storied craft beer legacy. Brands like New Belgium, Odell, Great Divide, Left Hand, Oskar Blues, and Avery have … Read More
Ultimate 6er | The Perfect Mother’s Day Beer
May 6, 2020 | Emma Wargolet
Mother’s Day may be well-known for mimosas, but here at PorchDrinking, we prefer something a little more hoppy. While Mother’s Day will be different than previous years, it doesn’t mean you can’t pick up some of your favorite local brews. If you can’t be with your mom, consider delivery as a nice surprise; and if you are a mom, stock up and know you have a day free of homeschooling. Need some inspiration? Check out our Ultimate 6er and you’ll be sure to find the perfect Mother’s Day beer for a video chat.
Ultimate 6er | Homeschool Beer Improves Teaching Skills
May 6, 2020 | Mathew Powers
The (almost) national quarantine and school closures have forced parents to take on the role of homeschool instructor. Sure, one could joke that sifting through endless passwords and videos is enough to make anyone desire a drink. But, let’s be real here. Beer does more than relax one at the end of the night. Indeed, homeschool beer provides lessons. Homeschool beer broadens one’s intellect. One could argue that attempting to serve as a homeschool teacher without having a beer the night before is analogous to a kid refusing to do his or her homework. To wit: homeschool beer serves as a vital component of every parent’s pedagogy.
This should go without saying, but just in case: Don’t drink the beer WHILE teaching. You do your lesson planning at night or, at least after school. Otherwise, it’s detention for you.
Dialed in with WeldWerks | Neil Fisher on Flights, Fan Questions and the Worst Beer Weldwerks Ever Made
May 6, 2020 | Jaclyn Menendez
Jake Goodman, the marketing and sales director at WeldWerks Brewing, was in the middle of answering a question about Juicy Bits when a loud thump thump thump reverberated through his Zoom audio. He paused and looked off-screen. “Hey, buddy, Daddy’s talking to his friends—can you please hold off on the drums until I’m done?” he asked his son. The camera cut back to a laughing Neil Fisher, the head brewer and co-founder of WeldWerks. A majestic pink dollhouse towered behind Neil; his children’s playroom had been repurposed into a makeshift interview corner. Welcome to “Dialed in with WeldWerks”.
Beerology | A Little History Behind Mexican Lagers
May 5, 2020 | Korey David
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Though you might be celebrating a little differently than usual this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few Mexican-inspired craft beers. Plus, consider the positives: No dealing with blackouts in a crowded bar spilling their margaritas on your lap while you impatiently wait for chips and salsa on the establishment’s busiest day of the year. For some of you, a crowded bar seems like a wistful dream, something you might be longing for after six weeks of solitude, or perhaps you just miss being on the blackout end of the spectrum so you can forget about this nightmare. Regardless, if you’ve ever wondered where Mexican Lagers come from, here’s a little beerology to pair with your Cinco de Mayo crushers.
Beers Inspired by Mexican Culinary Flavors for Cinco de Mayo
May 5, 2020 | David Nilsen
It’s Cinco de Mayo!
Today you get to drink plenty of beer, chow down on some Mexican carryout and unfriend every single person who makes a terrible Taco Tuesday joke.
While there are tons of craft breweries out there brewing crisp, refreshing Mexican Lagers and big, luxurious, Mexican chocolate-inspired Imperial Stouts (and you should totally check those out), why not celebrate with one of these beers inspired by Mexican culinary flavors and traditions?
Star Wars Beers to Celebrate May the Fourth Be With You
May 4, 2020 | Jess Baker
You’re probably the fanatic that clicked refresh 1977 times in order to be the first to purchase tickets for Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker. You’ve concocted the wildest theories ranging from R2D2 actually being a Sith Lord, to the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda being Rey’s parents.
As one of the most iconic movies of all time, it’s clear to see how Star Wars has inspired countless numbers of brewers to pay homage to this epic saga that took place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
The Force is strong with these Star Wars Themed Beers. In honor of May the Fourth, Star Wars Day, we’ve updated our roundup of Star Wars beers… just don’t try to drink them all at once. I have a bad feeling about this…
Ultimate 6er | The Last Dance
April 30, 2020 | Mike Zoller
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago in the 90s spoiled me as a basketball fan. When I was five years old, I remember my mom giving me a wooden spoon and pot to go out into our driveway to make noise right after the Chicago Bulls won the first NBA Championship in 1991. I probably didn’t quite understand what was going on.
Ultimate 6er | Postponed
April 29, 2020 | Chris & Sylvia Hollands
‘Postponed’, a word that is becoming more and more common each day we work through this pandemic. Every day, huge events are choosing to take the safe route by cancelling or taking the lesser of the two by delaying the event to a time when everyone will be much safer and more comfortable. Everything from sporting events, expos, movie premieres, beer and music festivals, and of course massive world tours from some of our favorite bands have halted. Read More
Uhl’s Brewing Company Keeps Cranking Out Beer From New Facility
April 23, 2020 | Karen Mills
Uhl’s Brewing Company opened its doors of its new Boulder tasting room on Saturday, March 14, the weekend before Colorado Governor Jared Polis enacted the state’s shelter-in-place order in response to COVID-19.
Uhl’s opening came as the pandemic began to unfold, but it hasn’t stopped Aaron Uhl—founder, owner, head brewer, quality control manager, lead sales rep, delivery guy, and basically any other role you can think of—from looking ahead and adapting to these new obstacles. For the past couple of years, Uhl has been “gypsy brewing” (his term), and having worn so many hats in his operation, he’s handling each challenge as it comes his way, without pause.
Celebrate German Beer Day with America’s Best German-Style Breweries
April 23, 2020 | Loren White 4
German Beer Day, April 23, celebrates the enacting of the Bavarian Beer Purity Order, or Reinheitsgebot, which officially restricted beer ingredients to water, hops, and malt (the existence of yeast was not understood in 1516 but was later added). While it is impossible to say where German beer would be today without the Reinheitsgebot, it has helped make German beer synonymous with high quality and consistency across the five centuries since it was signed.
In honor of German Beer Day, we’ve put together a roundup of some of America’s best German-style breweries, who focus primarily on producing and preserving these historic German-styles. Read More
Celebrating Eco-Friendly Practices of Craft Breweries For Earth Day
April 22, 2020 | Brian Phipps
Happy Earth Day! In fact, this year marks the 50th year of celebrating Earth Day. Even though social distancing has kept us apart, many digital Earth Day events exist all over the world to educate and inspire action.
In the craft brewery world, breweries are also doing their part to be more eco-friendly. Several breweries run on solar power. Many breweries partner with farms to send their spent grain for animal feed. Others invest in expensive equipment that can be more efficient to use less energy and water.
Breweries Continue to Honor Earth Day with Sustainability Initiatives
April 22, 2020 | Jessica Spengler
The first Earth Day, which was April 22, 1970, was a long time coming. For generations, industry and progress had pushed the population to accept polluted air, polluted water, and polluted lives. No laws regulated what could and could not be done to the Earth, and so, industry had free reign over the environment. Despite what should have been obvious, many people had not thought about the impact of continuous and unregulated pollution. Thankfully, there were still many who did.
Deschutes Releases Specialty Barrel-Aged Beers
April 20, 2020 | Carson Miller
Quarantine in Oregon just got a lot tastier. Northwest craft beer staple Deschutes Brewery announced last week the addition of four new specialty barrel-aged beers to their portfolio, proving that no amount of uncertainty can keep them from their craft. Plus, the brewery is encouraging their community to “stay home and save lives” by making their beers just a click away. Deschutes’ legacy portfolio along with the new and vintage Reserve beers are now available on their website for delivery to their customers based in Oregon.
Ultimate 6er | Non-Alcoholic Craft Beers
April 15, 2020 | Bryant Vander Weerd
It used to be that the term “non-alcoholic beer” brought looks of confusion from those who heard it. To the craft beer connoisseur these words are even more foreign. However, alcohol free craft beers are coming up in the world and it’s time we start paying attention.
Perhaps you’re going dry for awhile. Maybe a health condition or medication prevents you from drinking alcohol. Or, like me, you could be abstaining from alcohol in solidarity with your pregnant wife. Whatever the reason, these booze-free brews have a slew of handy uses.
Feast your eyes, and then your palates, on these six craft beers that’ll make you forget there’s no alcohol in them. Read More
The Answer | Heh Heh Heh Hrr Rrr Heh Huh! Rakau! Ha Hrr
April 15, 2020 | Casey Street
The Answer Brew Pub is well-known across the mid-Atlantic for its fruited sours (Joose, anyone?) and phenomenal IPAs, but whoever names their beers is the real superstar here.
You read the title of that beer above right. It’s been double-checked it for you. Can you guess the beer name’s reference?
5 Questions with Taxman Brewing Co-Owner Colin McCloy
April 13, 2020 | Scott Grossman
In honor of what would have been Tax Day, April 15, it seemed appropriate to chat with co-owner and chief production officer Colin McCloy of Taxman Brewing Company in Bargersville, Indiana. This is normally a celebratory time for the brewery as it hosts the annual Death & Taxes Day festival. However, much like the IRS has extended Tax Day to July, the brewery had to reschedule the festival for late August.
Taxman’s Belgian-style Ales and farm-to-table restaurant menu reflect the owners’ love and passion for Belgian culture. Their enthusiasm for beer also extends into American farmhouse Ales and Midwest Saisons, along with a strong barrel-aging program. The brewery operates a 20-barrel brewhouse plus several satellite restaurant/taprooms in central Indiana. Read More
Twin Cities Craft To-Go | Part Two
April 9, 2020 | Max Sundermeyer
The days march on and become murkier in the midst of COVID-19. However, as our situation is ever changing, craft breweries resilience and community support remains steadfast. Our local favorites continue to adapt new business models, solidifying ecommerce sites and delivery routes in a matter of days. Our Instagram stories continue to fill with lines, and even pyramids, of crowlers in people’s homes after returning from beer runs.
(READ: Twin Cities Craft To-Go | Part One)
Ultimate 6er | Six Beers to Stock in Your Easter Basket
April 8, 2020 | Taylor Laabs
Easter will be different this year. While Easter mass, celebrations and social gatherings will all-but be cancelled due to current social distancing guidelines, this time of the year still gives you an opportunity to stock up on sugary sweets and decadent chocolate during your weekly grocery run. With that in mind, we thought it would be fun to pull together a list of six beers perfect for an Easter basket (or barrel) that works from sweet and tart to stout and savory. Instead of SweeTarts, Reese’s Eggs and Peep’s, you get milk stout, lambic-styles, chocolate porters and more. Here’s our Ultimate 6er of beers to stock in your Easter basket this year.
Embrace the Suck | Covid-19 Crisis Editorial
April 8, 2020 | Mathew Powers
Embrace the Suck: verb, slang, military slang. “To consciously accept or appreciate something that is extremely unpleasant but unavoidable for forward progress.”
The Embrace the Suck mantra does not suggest that we should celebrate the suck, find joy in the suck nor pretend a situation isn’t as bad as it seems. Embrace the Suck requires one to accept fully that our present situation does indeed suck, and that we must willingly accept it. We must understand that it has to suck for a while and that only by enduring can we eventually arrive at a point where it no longer sucks.
And that is where we are in the world, which includes everything attached to craft beer.
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