Features
Brewery Showcase | Briar Common Brewery + Eatery
March 22, 2017 | David Thompson
Feature photo credit: Briar Common Facebook
When Kent, Greg and Travis Dawson decided to make their dream of opening a brewery become a reality they started to look around the brewery scene in Denver and they realized that while there were plenty of new breweries opening up, very few of those breweries were dedicated to serving outstanding food to go along with the high-quality beer they were brewing.
“It was clear that the brewpub model was quickly being outnumbered by the manufacturing/tasting room model.”
Kent Dawson, co-founder of Briar Common Brewery + Eatery
Journey into the Woodlands
March 16, 2017 | Jose Minaya
SweetWater Brewing Company has always pushed an image of nonconformity. Its latest venture, The Woodlands, is no different. Over the last 20 years, SweetWater has focused on growing its brand, and as founder Freddy Bensch explains “We have capacity under control, and can give more time to projects we’ve always aspired to do.” Bensch continued, pointing out, “We’re always challenging ourselves to evolve and master our craft.” The Woodlands is the physical manifestation of the brewery’s vision to push its practice and, as Bensch finished, “…make some really phenomenal beers.” So it was in this spirit of innovation and mastery that the Woodlands was born.
Liz Thomas’ Urban Thru-Hike of Every Denver Brewery
March 9, 2017 | Dan Bortz
Featured Image Credit: Liz Thomas Hiking (via Facebook)
Accomplished long distance hiker Liz Thomas is about to set out on another urban adventure. This time around, she and her companions … Read More
Why I Stopped Rating Beers on Untappd
March 1, 2017 | Dan Bortz 27
As a beer nerd and a smartphone addict, I absolutely love the fact that there is an app that caters to my vices. I log my beers religiously, often adding locations and photos. The ability to look back at beers I’ve consumed can be helpful because sometimes I simply can’t remember if I’ve had a beer before. There is, however, one feature that I no longer use. I don’t rate beers on Untappd anymore. Read More
Fremont Brewing Debuts Black Heron Project
February 21, 2017 | Hannah Carlson
Beer lovers rejoiced last week with the announcement of Fremont Brewing’s Black Heron Project. The endeavor, a farmhouse brewing experience that is inspired by the ingredients and seasons native to the Pacific Northwest, will feature beers that (in the words of the brewers) are oak-fermented, bottle-conditioned and patient. To us, they are experimental, delicious, and wild – a complete testament to the famed brewery’s unwavering creativity and passion.
Beer Valentine’s Day Cards from PorchDrinking.com
February 14, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Whether Valentine’s Day is a special night filled with romance, the one day each year to indulge on copious amounts of sweet treats, or an excuse to raid your cellar and celebrate the single life, PorchDrinking wanted to wish all of our readers a very special Valentine’s Day with a set of Beer Themed Valentine’s Day Cards. We firkin love you all!
The Ultimate Roundup | 50 Chocolate Beers for Valentine’s Day
February 13, 2017 | Danele Bova
Beer is a love language all on its own. This Valentine’s Day, show your love language by indulging in one of these chocolate-infused craft beers oozing with rich, sweet chocolate goodness. This Ultimate Round Up will help you find the ultimate chocolate beers. You can forgo the chocolates and roses this year. We won’t judge.
SB 85 Passes and the Future of Georgia Beer
February 8, 2017 | Jose Minaya 2
Georgia brewers and imbibers are celebrating a long-awaited victory in legislative progression! The last state in America to prohibit its brewers from selling their own products on-premise is now opening the door for just that. SB 85 Malt Beverages; provide for limited sale at retail by manufacturers, a bill jointly presented by the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild and Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association to the Georgia General Assembly, proposed that the state allow breweries to sell beer for on-site and off-site consumption, to be limited to 3,000 bbls per year per brewery. That bill passed quickly, and with ease, this past week and now awaits its implementation this summer and any interpretations by the Georgia Department of Revenue. To fully appreciate this, let’s take a step back and recap how all this developed.
Eating & Drinking | Narrow Gauge Brewing Company
January 30, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
If there is one thing in the world of craft beer that is consistent, it is that every brewery has a unique story worth telling. The story of one of St. Louis’ newest breweries, Narrow Gauge, begins 136 years ago. Back in 1878 when railroads ruled the land, rails known as “narrow gauge” were built to minimize construction costs. In that year, the St. Louis and Suburban Railway opened as a narrow gauge steam railroad from the city to Florissant and was called the West End Narrow Gauge Railroad. Today, Florissant based Narrow Gauge Brewing Company pays tribute to this history and the city they call home. Read More
Battle of the Beer Belly | Craft Beer Vs. Fitness
January 30, 2017 | Dan Bortz 3
On January 9, I stepped onto a scale for the first time in three months. The number that blinked back at me was a shock: 309.7lbs. I knew it was going to be bad. My size 36 jeans were too small to squeeze into, and I had been feeling pretty run down. For my sake and my family’s, this beer belly has to go.
The path to this sorry state was pretty obvious. As someone who has struggled with my weight for my entire adult life, I knew the signs. It all starts with an event (or series of events), which causes me to lose focus on my diet. This time, the catalyst was the loss of two extended family members in close succession. Once my dietary discipline is compromised, it is usually only a matter of time until workouts fall by the wayside. It all snowballs from there.
Style Profile | Trappist Dubbel and Belgian Style Dubbel
January 25, 2017 | Jose Minaya
Every other month PorchDrinking will be tackling a style profile. We will be covering Dubbel this month. The idea being to get the word out and identify beers you can use to calibrate your senses to better enjoy the beer you consume. Beer can be a complex topic but worry not because PorchDrinking is here to show you the ropes – like an older brother or sister, only less abuse and more information.
Jeni’s Ice Cream and Beer Pairings
January 24, 2017 | Chase Parker
“Tongue-tingling chocolate with jalapeno and smoked paprika. Spiked with rose. Inspired and designed to be paired with Stone Brewing’s mocha stout, Xocoveza.”
Eating & Drinking | Heavy Riff Brewing Company
January 20, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
I’ve been noticing a new trend – how many of our best and up-in-coming city neighborhoods are being anchored and supported by the local beer community.
One I want to talk about today is Dogtown. Dogtown, bordered by Manchester in the South, Hampton on the East, McCausland in the West and Oakland in the North – has been a part of the fabric of the city for more than 100 years. And while the spiritual center of the neighborhood will always be St. James the Greater School, the beer epicenter is Heavy Riff Brewing Company (6413 Clayton Ave. Saint Louis, Missouri 63139).
Oskar Blues’ CHUBurger Opens in Denver’s River North Arts District
January 19, 2017 | Kara Loo and Kelissa Hieber
Oskar Blues Brewery, founded in 1997 in Lyons, CO, has long served as a pioneer in Colorado craft beer. Since canning Dale’s Pale Ale in 2002, the brand has seen a meteoric rise, and now distributes its beer in all 50 states, with additional production brewery locations in Austin, TX, Brevard, NC and Longmont, CO. Oskar Blues made headlines in recent years for major brewery buyouts including Perrin Brewing out of Grand Rapids, MI in 2015 and most recently, Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa, FL just last year.
National Beer Writers Share Their Favorites from 2016
January 16, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Cover Photo By Natrice Miller
In the spirit of collaboration, inspired by the beer industry we cover, the PorchDrinking team reached out to some of our buds who also do a tremendous job covering the beer scene and asked them to reflect on 2016, while also looking ahead in 2017. We polled a handful of these national beer writers and journalists about their favorite beers, breweries, trends and festivals from 2016, and predictions for 2017. Hear what they had to say!
Mikerphone Brewing’s Upcoming Taproom
January 12, 2017 | Kane McLoughlin
Featured image courtesy of Mikerphone Brewing
4,000 square feet, custom wooden table recently stained grey, black chairs, brown cardboard boxes and a small palate wrapped tight in shrink wrap – all carrying the recent additions to Mikerphone Brewing’s upcoming taproom.
NYC Rising Breweries Reflect on 2016 and Look Ahead to 2017
January 12, 2017 | Carly Mento
Photo courtesy of Miguel Rivas
Similar to our recent post covering breweries country-wide, we have also connected with a handful of brewers from NYC to reflect on this past year and what 2017 has in store for their up-and-coming breweries, as well as the craft beer industry as a whole. Four top-notch rising breweries in Brooklyn have shared intimate insights and projections for what’s next: Threes Brewing, Interboro Spirit & Ales, Finback Brewery and Kings County Brewers Collective.
Almanac Taproom and Big Rec Taproom Open in San Francisco’s East Mission District
January 10, 2017 | Simon
I am pretty lucky to live in San Francisco and be completely surrounded by an un-ending host of great breweries and beer bars. However, a few weeks ago in late-December SF … Read More
Brewery Showcase | Eventide Brewing
January 10, 2017 | John Baum
When I pull into the parking lot at Eventide Brewing, a squat, red-brick structure in Atlanta’s Grant Park neighborhood, a guy is standing atop a 20-foot ladder angled against the building. Wearing protective headphones the size of coconut shells and holding a drill, he watches me get out of my car.
I take a guess at who he might be:
“Nathan Cowan?”
“Yep,” he says. “Shawn’s inside, she’ll get you set up. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
The drill, the ladder — none of this would surprise folks who know Cowan. Besides his role as the CEO of Eventide, he is also its head engineer. Having spent a decade working in the field of mechanical engineering and construction, Cowan still maintains Professional Engineer status with the state of Georgia, and practices his trade on much of Eventide’s brewing equipment. On this sunny Thursday, however, he is hanging a large banner announcing the brewery’s upcoming three-year anniversary celebration.
How Craft Beer Gave Back In 2016
January 5, 2017 | Brian Phipps 3
Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post.
Breweries are increasingly becoming integral centers of our communities by routinely providing fun, flavor, and festivities. In addition, they often serve as hosts for discussions of local issues and serve as a place to share information about local charities. Occasionally, breweries go above and beyond the call of duty by providing aid or money. Here are a select few of the many ways craft breweries gave back in 2016.
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