Features
“Fuck Bad Beer” Sierra Nevada’s Brian Grossman is Bat Shit Passionate
July 17, 2017 | Mathew Powers
“We’re bat shit passionate. I mean, you talk about sustainability, you talk about our beer quality, you talk about our family history. It’s all of that. You can’t just sum it up in passion because that has, you know, 50 shades of gray type of a feel to it. But, if you say ‘We’re bat shit passionate,” it’s like, ‘Okay!’ That’s what it is,” said Brian Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing.
The maturation of the craft-beer industry includes a changing of the guard, but for Sierra Nevada that transition will remain in the family. Formed in 1979 by Ken Grossman, his son Brian now serves as co-owner and serves as the GM of the brewery’s Mills River, North Carolina, location. We sat down to talk to Brian and find out what makes Sierra Nevada tick.
Music Puts the Soul in Soulcraft
July 11, 2017 | Sue Bjorkman
In Colorado’s crazy-competitive craft beer climate, what makes the difference between soaring success and sorry, we’re closed? Sometimes, in addition to making amazing beers, it helps to find a niche. Soulcraft Brewery in Salida, Colorado, found theirs, a little unexpectedly—in music.
A passionate group of local investors opened Soulcraft Brewery in November 2016 with every intention of simply being a local tasting room serving incredible beer. It wasn’t surprising that the locals responded immediately. It also wasn’t too shocking that tourists traveling to nearby Monarch Mountain Ski Resort responded big time. Soulcraft is right on Highway 50 with a bright neon sign shouting, “Brewery.” This is more than enough to entice adventure-seekers rolling through.
But then an intriguing thing happened. This music-loving town of just 5,500 residents had always had more soul than space. But Soulcraft’s location was in a large, former furniture warehouse so its rare spaciousness got people thinking. Dreaming. Could their tasting room become an entertainment destination? Oh yea. Read More
23 Craft Beers That Are American AF
July 4, 2017 | Danele Bova 1
Americans feel an immense sense of pride on the Fourth of July as we gather to celebrate our country’s freedom. For the last 241 years, we have been celebrating our independence by proudly showcasing the star spangled banner, our great American flag, with red, white and blue paraphernalia. While the idea of “independence” is a hot topic in the craft beer world, we can’t help but love to see breweries rocking their American pride on their beers. Check out these 23 craft beers that are American as F*CK!
Beer Shed Building Episode Two: Watch These Guys Turn a Shed into a Bike and Beer Shed
July 4, 2017 | Ben Lolli
Feature image courtesy of Parker Bohon.
“What are we calling this episode?” asked Toby.
“What do you mean? It’s episode two,” I said.
“No, no. You called this shed something different. What was that? Beer bike shed?” Toby insisted.
“Oh yeah! Episode two, Bike & Beer Shed!”
Leigh and Abe, who the proud new owners of an excellent Bike and Beer Shed, are cycling enthusiasts. They also do not have a garage, which is why they need to continue to store their bikes in their shed. Since they also wanted their shed to double as an outdoor bar, we decided to have a little fun and do our best to make a bike-themed beer shed. Read More
Event Preview | Get Ready for a Rendezvous with Brews
June 30, 2017 | Sue Bjorkman
Most beer lovers assume beer fests are for them. Like the liquid smorgasbord is a thank you gift for being loyal craft beer fans. But the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous wasn’t originally intended for you, the beer drinker. Don’t get me wrong, you’re invited now, you’re more than welcome, but initially it was just an annual membership meeting of the Colorado Brewers Guild. When a bunch of brewers gather to rendezvous, though, it’s going to be a party. And parties are meant to be shared.
Four Summer Solstice Beers to Kick Off the Official Start of Summer
June 21, 2017 | Dan Bortz
Culturally speaking, summer in America starts on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), and ends on Labor Day (the first Monday in September). Bookended by these two holiday weekends, summer in the USA has been experienced the same way for decades. Technically speaking though, summer only just began today!
The Summer Solstice, (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) is the day that the sun reaches its northernmost point in relation to the Equator. We have been experiencing the results of this northward migration for weeks. The days have been getting longer and and temperatures have been climbing. Today, all of that change reaches its apex. The exact amount of sunlight you get will vary by your latitude, but Philadelphia, for example, will see a whopping 15 hours and 34 seconds of sunlight today.
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America’s Fastest Growing Breweries by Volume
June 14, 2017 | Tristan Chan 8
*Apologies to Creature Comforts Brewing and Montauk Brewing as they were accidentally omitted in the initial version of this post, we’ve since updated the list to reflect their spots in the top 30*
This past month, The Brewers Association’s shared a host of statistics in the May/June edition of The New Brewer Magazine breaking down everything from last year’s new brewery openings/brewery closings, to industry annual growth percentage, as well as volume in barrel production along side breweries’ year-over-year growth.
The James Comey Testimony Drinking Game
June 7, 2017 | PorchDrinking.com Staff
Thursday’s James Comey testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence could end up being one of the most watched live broadcast court case since the OJ trials. The former FBI Director’s court appearance has generated such a buzz that several D.C. based bars already have plans to open early to broadcast the testimony.
Dear Chicagoans: Don’t Ignore the North Burbs Brewing Scene
June 5, 2017 | Mathew Powers 10
The breweries that lie north of Chicago’s Saison-Dixon line regularly play the role of the ugly red-headed stepchild. Granted, Mikerphone receives endless, well-deserved praise, but Mikerphone is a transplant that gained its fame prior to moving to Elk Grove Village. Meanwhile, breweries located in the North Burbs, such as Light the Lamp, Ten-Ninety, ZumBier, Chain O’Lakes, Side Lot, Tighthead, Only Child, Flesk — a brewery in the process of moving to Barrington, and countless others are oft-ignored among the pantheon of Chicago-area breweries.
Don’t do it. Don’t rob yourself of that joy. Refuse to ignore northern-suburban breweries. The brewing scene of the North Burbs is too good to miss!
Great Lakes Brewing Cans Are Now Available!
June 1, 2017 | Kevin Risner
The wait is over! Great Lakes Brewing Company cans are now available for purchase. The brewery made an announcement in March that it would begin packaging some of its products differently. GLBC has been creating a solid product for 29 years, and what better way to continue this legacy than by promoting some of their newer offerings just in time for the summer season?
Great Divide’s Denver Pale Ale Artist Series #2 Featuring John Vogl
May 31, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Last June, Great Divide took their iconic, but somewhat dated Denver Pale Ale and reimagined every aspect of the beer. Not only did its 20+ year old recipe receive a facelift, evolving from an English to an American-Style Pale Ale, but it’s label design was re-imagined for a newly introduced canned format.
Paying homage to the artistic roots associated with its new Barrel Bar location’s home in the River North Art District, Great Divide’s yearly rotating Artist Series features the work of a new local illustrator each year.
Colorado’s Elite Brands Named 2017 Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year
May 25, 2017 | Tristan Chan
During this year’s Craft Brewers Conference, held in Washington D.C., Colorado’s own Elite Brands was recognized as the 2017 Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year. Elite Brands, which has been in operation since 2003, earned the distinction over 59 other nominations, for excelling in the categories of: Distributor Commitment, Sales Planning/Execution, Building Craft Awareness, Quality, Capacity and Infrastructure, as well as Culture.
Birds Fly South Hosts The Funk Collective Festival as Alternative to Wicked Weed Invitational
May 24, 2017 | Danele Bova
Birds Fly South Ale Project announced on Tuesday that they will be hosting The Funk Collective Festival as an alternative to the Wicked Weed Funkatorium Invitational.
The Future of The Unknown Brewing Co. and Their New Head Brewer
May 24, 2017 | Johnathan Pylant
Last month, The Unknown Brewing Co. announced Chris Wertman is stepping up and taking the helm from brewery owner Brad Shell as the brewery’s new head brewer. Wertman, a U.S. Navy veteran who served two tours in Iraq, is no stranger to leadership roles, demanding workloads and challenging jobs. Through sheer initiative, drive and discipline, Wertman has fast-tracked himself from keg washer to The Unknown Brewing Co.’s second head brewer in less than a year.
Fast Facts on Ravenswood’s Newly Branded Malt Row District
May 22, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
*Feature image courtesy of Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce
Ravenswood is embracing the vibrant beer culture within its Northside neighborhood by re-branding a two-mile stretch of road into Malt Row, which will feature six local breweries along with one distillery. That two-mile stretch, mapped here, will expand from Balmoral Avenue to Irving Park Road.
Stranahan’s Distillery Teams Up with Denver’s Brown Palace for 125th Anniversary
May 17, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Colorado has long exuded an air of intrigue and mysticism for its gruff Wild West ways. It is perhaps this pioneering attitude, but also rough and tumble mindset, that has helped perpetuate today’s deeply rooted fascination with handcrafted brewing and distilling culture.
A Former World of Beer Drink It Intern Shares His Experience
May 16, 2017 | Ben Lolli
The World of Beer franchise is becoming well known for their “Drink It Intern” program, and the 2017 summer interns are already underway. Here’s how it works: First they choose three winners. Then they travel around the country, and internationally, to document beer stories. Note my use of the word “document” and not just “drink beer and Instagram.” As a member of the first class of Drink It Interns, I can say the experience is just as amazing as it sounds, but there is a lot of work involved. Thousands of people entered, and hopefully, this will explain a little of how this process all works.
Trade Flagships, Not Whales
May 15, 2017 | Scott Johnson 8
Beer is a luxury. An accessible luxury like a movie ticket or restaurant visits, but a luxury nonetheless. It’s really difficult for me to splurge up to fifteen dollars on a 22 oz. bomber of beer unless I’m sure of the brewery’s quality or the style makes the price worth it (imperial stout or gueuze). I much prefer making a decorative mix-six for the same cost, giving me more beers to experience all at once. The love of finding new beers is what led me to beer trading in the first place.
7 Reasons Why We Love Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake
May 11, 2017 | Cory Pelc
After four years of planning and community meetings and construction buildout, Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake (Denver) celebrated its soft opening and staffing training kickoff this week with a ribbon cutting and champagne saber’ing from the American crime fiction writer and essayist, James Ellroy (the bloke that penned LA Confidential) and Vice President of Operations for Alamo Drafthouse Denver, Walter Chaw. The stylish theater chain for new & classic films will also feature cocktails & creative bites served seat-side by BarFly and chef Seth Rexroad.
Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake opens to the general public and is full operable starting May 15th. You can still go to showings this week but they are training staff and there may be some hiccups in your service as they workout the kinks.
Beer & Book Club | A Man Called Ove
May 11, 2017 | Dan Olds
Welcome to the 4th installment of the Beer and Book Club Series. I take serious thought into the beer and book I choose to pair. They can both be so complex that it can be challenging finding two that adequately complement each other but stand out in their own way. The book I chose was different from my usual genre of reading but the beer was a infusion of my two favorite reading beverages.
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