You Won’t Ducking Believe the Amazing, Yet Bizarre Beers at 2018 Collaboration Fest

Last year’s Collaboration Fest, which took place at the National Western Complex, was a bit rocky to put it nicely. But a move this year to the Hyatt-Regency in Downtown Denver, along with better signage and understated touches to attendee experiences, helped elevate the 5th year festival to the upper echelon of beer event experiences nation-wise. This year’s Collab Fest brought everything together to combine incredible concept, high quality beers, and near flawless execution.

As I stood in line with another early-goer, I asked if he had a strategy for hitting all the best. He replied, “Normally I make a beeline for a few beers in particular, but I can’t do that here. I’m just buzzing all over the place instead.”

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2018 Winter Olympics Drinking Game for the Gold Medalist Fan

I don’t know about you guys, but I am fucking PUMPED for the Olympics. As with Eurovision and World Cup, I love any event where countries compete against each other without (much) bloodshed. As a boy from the frigid north, the Winter Olympics are my favorite and I think a ton more fun to watch. I’ve been prepping for PyeongChang in my own way; I’ve dusted off my skis (but not GS suit) and racing in a beer league. I’ve been getting blasted for making criticizing figure skaters (I am in the right. I will die on this hill.) and most importantly, I’ve been making some rules for us all to watch the biennial awkwardness of NBC trying to milk four hours of TV out of people walking in silly outfits across the stage.

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2018 State of the Union Drinking Game

For many, President Trump’s first State of the Union speech will be a tough one to view without also enjoying a few beers. Why drink out of anger, though, when you can turn a negative into a positive by making it into a drinking game? Sure, you may still find the entire ordeal infuriating, but at least it will afford you an opportunity to the celebrate how craft movement made American Beer Great Again.

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A Look at How the Craft Beer Market Could React to Stagnating Growth in 2018

It has been another exciting year for the craft beer market, and with more than 6,000 craft breweries operating in the U.S, it’s safe to say that craft beer has become a viable economic institution in the United States. That said, the beer market overall is stalling – with stagnant year over year growth across the larger industry. Bart Watson, the Brewers Association’s chief economist, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that “the total market growth for craft brewing production is slowing down… It’s still growing but not at the double-digit rates we saw over the past decade.” So, has craft beer hit a plateau that many predicted? Or do craft breweries find new avenues to expand and improve?

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Why Porter Beer Bar Won’t Serve Founders CBS This Year

Today begins the long-awaited release of Founders Brewing’s Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) across a 46-state footprint. While beer lovers across the U.S. rush to lineup in front of their go-to bottle shop or favorite beer bar, there are a growing number of businesses that have decided to draw a line in the sand when it comes to carrying corporate beer.
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Avanti Food & Beverage Supporting Bartenders Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

While Hurricane Harvey continues to devastate residents of Houston and communities throughout the Gulf Coast, nationally efforts have begun pouring in to support those most impacted by the storm’s wake.

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National Dog Day: The Dogs of PorchDrinking

PorchDrinkers love their dogs just like they love their beer. In honor of #NationalDogDay on August 26, we wanted to show you the puppers that deserve a blop or two and are h*ckin’ good pets.

Meet the adorable dogs of PorchDrinking.

Have a pup of your own? Tweet us at @PorchDrinkingCO

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Brewers Describe the Value of Brewing Independence

The United States started as nothing more than an idea, a dream and a determination to overcome perceived empire-driven injustices. For the overwhelming majority of breweries, those values presented by our Founding Fathers echo the idea of independent brewing. Sure, there are brewing empires that could lure one to the economic promised land, but the pursuit of “hoppiness” for independent breweries is best served through self-determination rather than corporate funding. As the nation moves toward celebrating its independence, we at PorchDrinking.com wanted to discuss brewing independence with a few breweries who have thumbed their proverbial noses at the King Georges of the world and exercise their freedom to brew.

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Ultimate 6er | NBA Finals

Did any other team besides the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors even have a chance this year? Is it even possible to ignore the legacy Lebron James has installed on the NBA finals over the past seven years? Can you think of another player who has a more beautiful 3-point shot than Steph Curry?

Whether you are a basketball fan or not, the NBA finals are always an excuse to partake in some beer drinking. Here is a 2017 NBA Finals 6er with beers from Oakland, California and Cleveland, Ohio.

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Shut Up and Brew: How Do We Deal with Brewery Politics?

On March 10, 2003, Natalie Mains of the Dixie Chicks told a crowd of concert goers in England that she was ashamed that President Bush was from Texas, because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The backlash was immediate and harsh when the statement was taken out of its anti-war context and presented in the light of ‘we are ashamed of Bush’. It led to a near industry-wide blackout of the Dixie Chicks, who at the time were arguably the biggest country music act to obtain success beyond Nashville since Garth Brooks. As we move along through the first months of the Trump regime, with all the protests and boycotts that have come along with it, it looked like the craft beer world may be dragged into the fray as well.

The Dixie Chicks spoke for themselves, but what happens when a corporation speaks for one of its members? Just ask Ballast Point.

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Event Preview | Big Texas Beer Fest

When: Friday, March 31 from 7 – 11 p.m. (VIP entry 6: p.m.)
Saturday, April 1 from 2 – 6:30 p.m. (VIP entry 1 p.m.)

Location: Fair Park Automobile Building, 1010 1st Avenue Dallas, TX 75226

The 6th Annual Big Texas Beer Fest is back and bigger than ever. Spanning two sessions, this year’s festival features beers from 120 breweries with 500+ beers to sample from. This festival is well known to feature exclusive/rare beers, one-offs and special firkins. Truly committed to making each year bigger and better, this year delivers with a fresh new concept. The festival has partnered with local favorite Noble Rey Brewing Company and Free Play Richardson (a vintage arcade) to bring attendees with a one-of-a-kind experience that will take them back to their youth. An “Arcade Alley” will be on site and will allow attendees to relive those childhood memories with an array of those favorite vintage arcade games loved so much. Let’s see how those Galaga skills holds up after a couple of beers.
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Bikes and Brews: How Bicycling has Influenced the Minneapolis Craft Beer Scene

As a Minnesota native, I’ve become particularly accustomed to how passionate the craft beer community has become in the land of 10,000 lakes. One tradition that I’ve found to be so interesting about Minnesota’s craft beer scene is how intertwined bike culture is with the local breweries, especially with those in the ever-vibrant northeast area of Minneapolis. From bike racks and custom jerseys, to sponsored bike races and cycling-inspired beers, bicycling has become of an integral part of the Minneapolis craft beer scene. Here is a look at how two Minneapolis craft beer favorites have embraced this unique partnership.

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SweetWater and Sam Adams Bet on the Big Game

As Atlanta heats up in advance of this Sunday’s big match-up in Houston, everyone in the city is catching Falcons Fever. The affectionately nicknamed Dirty Birds head to the game for only the second time in the storied 51-year history of the Big Game and the city is convinced this is the year the Falcons will bring the iconic Lombardi Trophy home. Read More

Ultimate 6er | NFL Conference Championship Weekend

As Chiefs fans continue to complain about officiating and Cowboys fans wait yet “another year,” it is time for the rest of the country to gear-up for the NFL Championship games. The Green Bay Packers take their cheese-loving selves to Atlanta to face the “Dirty Bird” Falcons while the Steelers will be waving their terrible towels at Gillette Stadium against the Patriots. To celebrate the championship games I have built the Ultimate 6er showcasing some of the best beers that represent these sports town cities. Included are two brews that will keep us looking forward to the Super Bowl and into next season.

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Mikerphone Brewing’s Upcoming Taproom

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.

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45 Events and Moments That Made Us Drink in 2016

Image courtesy of NPR

There is no doubt about it: 2016 has been a year.

I would say that it has been a rollercoaster, but the cliche does not do it justice. This year has not been a rollercoaster. This year has been a journey through the entire amusement park  – with that park being haunted by ghosts, designed by aliens, and operated by zombies – all the while being secretly funded by the next President of the United States. Oh – and on top of all of this, there is no escaping the park because they have locked the gates, thrown away the keys, and sentenced you to misery by playing MMMBop by Hanson on the park speakers on repeat. It never stops. There is no stopping the bop.

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Event Recap | Glenfiddich Experimental Series India Pale Ale Cask Finish

ABV: 43%

A few weeks ago, Glenfiddich came to New York to debut their Experimental Series with The Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish, the world’s very first single malt scotch whisky, finished in IPA craft beer casks. This experimentation was cultivated by a native collaboration within the borders of Scotland: A distillery and a brewery, using the land’s pure water and clean air to craft the creation that is uniquely stimulating our senses here in the U.S.

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The “Game of Thrones” Party | Election Day is Coming

With the margin in the 2016 election so close, the future of our nation may rest in the votes cast by America’s many undecided and independent voters. I’m a proud independent, which means that whichever political party nominates the best candidate can win my vote. And although the United States has only two major political parties (Democrats and Republicans, in case you missed civics class), there are other parties with platforms that could siphon off a portion of the electorate. One brand new party to emerge this election season: The GOT Party. No, not GOP. GOT. As in, Game of Thrones.

HBO has published the marketing stunt/political promotion www.TheGoTParty.com, wherein Game of Thrones fans can select a candidate from the fictional dystopian world of scandal, betrayal, intrigue, corruption, and bloodshed, to symbolically become a candidate in our real-life world of scandal, betrayal, intrigue, corruption, and bloodshed. Can you imagine how raucous that party convention would be?  Read More

The Brooklyn Brewery Mash Comes to Chicago Aug. 11-14

The Brooklyn Brewery is traveling to nine cities across the globe to “feast, party, explore, and drink plenty of beer”. From August 11th–14th, Chicago will be home to Brooklyn for four days and four events. Thursday, Aug. 11th, Brewery Chef Andrew Gerson and Chef Danny Espinoza reunite at TWO, with Chef Kevin Cuddihee. Rare and intriguing beers are paired with delicious and enticing food to make any foodie or beer lover drool with anticipation. For ticket info click on this.

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2016 Summer Olympics | Beer from Around the World

It’s Summer Olympics time. Sure, a flight to Rio is expensive. So, stay home, turn on the T.V. and have a flight you can afford — an international beer flight. Anthony Norkus, who specializes in imported beer for the 127-year-old Chicago-based Louis Glunz Beer explained, “The international/import beer market is aggressively trying to stay relevant as much as the American craft breweries. Due to this we are seeing a lot of innovation coming out of breweries that are hundreds of years old.” Read More