Collaborating for a Cause | Timber Ales’ Stay Strong Alex

This series has been a humbling experience. Not only have we had the opportunity to cover more participating breweries than we ever thought, but we have also seen endless generosity both in support of these installments and, more importantly, in support of Alex Kidd as he continues to fight for his life. Timber Ales is the next feature in Collaborating for a Cause, and we had the privilege of talking with Owner and Brewer Jason Stein about his iteration of Stay Strong Alex and the impact that Don’t Drink Beer has had on his own journey.
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Collaborating for a Cause | Altar of the Orc Lord: DDB Edition

Those who have followed Alex Kidd since the beginning know him to be a long-time supporter of Modern Times. His reviews of their products have contributed to the growth of their barrel program and special projects, and the news of his cancer diagnosis back in May really hit the team in a personal place. Less than a month after Alex shared the news on social media, Modern Times had already organized a release in an effort to help cover his hospital expenses. We had the opportunity to work briefly with the Special Projects team at Modern Times to gain more insight on the beer itself and Alex’s impact on their development.

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Collaborating for a Cause | ALEX KIDD IS LIFE!

While Mikerphone Brewing out of Chicago is the latest brewery in this series, they were one of the first to take action in support of Alex Kidd and his family following the news of his cancer diagnosis. Just like what we saw most recently with Bob D’Angelo and Esker Hart Artisan Ales, Mikerphone Brewing was founded from a passion for homebrewing. Now, eight years since their first commercial beer, Mikerphone has become a Chicago beer staple and Owners Mike and Lisa Pallen have been fortunate enough to travel the world making and sharing beer. Upon hearing Alex’s devastating news, they knew they wanted to do what they could for him and his family during this unprecedented time. We were able to talk briefly with Mike and discuss a little more about the special single barrel English-style Barleywine released for the man behind the Barleywine is Life movement.

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Collaborating for a Cause | Bear: Stay Strong Alex

The Stay Strong Alex initiative continues this week with a special iteration of Esker Hart Artisan Ale’s Bear series. With his first full-production location slated to open in early 2024, Bob D’Angelo started his brewing journey nine years ago. Early support from Alex served as a huge kick start to what has now become Esker Hart, and in the wake of his unanticipated cancer diagnosis, Bob knew that he wanted to honor and dedicate this second Blend of Bear to him in support of the long road ahead. We had a chance to talk with Bob and learn more about his history with Alex as well as the beer itself and the special raffle that was set up to help raise money for the Kidd family.
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Ultimate 6er | Six Beers for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift

With Taylor Swift attending the Kansas City Chiefs game this past Sunday, the dating rumors between her and Travis Kelce are reaching a boiling point. This is a cultural crossover for the ages, thrilling both Swifties and NFL fans alike. Until these rumors are actually confirmed, I’ll be busy setting my fantasy football lineups, streaming Getaway Car (IYKYK) and daydreaming about this perfect duo. And speaking of perfect pairings, here are 6 beers the maybe couple should be sipping on as their love story unfolds.

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Collaborating for a Cause | 2 Live Gran Kidd

In a continually impressive showing of togetherness for a shared cause, Stay Strong Alex and similar initiatives have been raising an incredible amount of money to support Alex Kidd and his family as they navigate the road ahead following his Stage IV cancer diagnosis. This week we look to Pennsylvania and Voodoo Brewing Company. Having just celebrated the 10th anniversary of its original Arch Street Brew Pub last year, these guys are no strangers to the industry. The devastating diagnosis of the satirical beer icon resonated heavily with the team in Meadville, and we had the opportunity to speak briefly with Voodoo CMO Tom Guzick to gain some insight about the most recent release in their famous Barrel Room Collection series dedicated to Alex Kidd.

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Collaborating for a Cause | For The Kidd’s

The high-production powerhouses of the industry have been far from the only ones showing support towards Alex Kidd and his family during his continuing fight with Stage IV cancer. A collaborative effort out of New Jersey, For The Kidd’s is the next feature in a growing series highlighting the incredible support provided by the craft beer community for a craft beer icon. Chris with Shore Side Brewing allowed us the opportunity to sit down and discuss a beer that he felt was more than fitting to be released for Don’t Drink Beer.

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Copper Kettle Brewing Announces Rebranded, Greener Cans

In what’s hopefully the start of a trend for small craft breweries, Denver’s Copper Kettle Brewing announced a switch to environmentally friendly printed cans for its flagship beers. Earlier this year we talked with head brewer Greg Moore about barriers to greener packaging. Since then, Copper Kettle has worked diligently to find a option that’s easily recyclable, cost-effective and actually easier on the production line. Read More

Collaborating for a Cause | Kidd Beer

Alex Kidd and his family have been incredibly humbled by the support they continue to receive from the Beer Community. With this installment, Collaborating for a Cause is highlighting HOMES Brewery, a small but progressive program out of Ann Arbor, MI. Maybe most famously known in recent years for Smooj, their line of all natural fruited seltzers, they also boast a varied and impressive portfolio of uniquely nuanced traditional beer styles. For their ode to Alex Kidd in support of his fight with cancer, they knew they had to go big. We had the chance to chat briefly with Nick Panchamé, Head Brewer at HOMES, about this recent charitable effort and how Alex was able to inspire the amazing gesture. Enter KIDD BEER.

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More Than a Patio | Breweries Expand Outdoor Activities

While virtually every craft brewery has a patio where patrons spend afternoons knocking back sessionable summer brews, several Denver-area breweries have taken the concept to a whole new level with a multitude of outdoor activities. These  taprooms offer more than just the patio experience, giving beer-lovers entertainment options like golf, games, dogs and mountain biking. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Six Beers to Pair with The Cast of Oppenheimer

These days, I don’t go to the movie theater often. But today is an exception, with a back-to-back movie extravaganza. That’s right, I’m fully embracing the #Barbenheimer craze. To celebrate Oppenheimer‘s explosive debut, let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the cast’s past iconic performances. Oh and in true #Barbenheimer style, don’t forget to check out Emma Wargolet’s Barbie Ultimate 6er once you’ve finished sipping on this one.

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Ultimate 6er | The Barbie Movie

The cinema event that we’ve all been waiting for is here! While you may not be able to carry the following six beers into a movie theater, you can pair these when you inevitably rewatch Barbie at home, when it comes on streaming.

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Collaborating for a Cause | Ancient Otter Treats

The continued outpouring of support for Alex Kidd and his family in the wake of his devastating Stage IV cancer diagnosis has been nothing short of incredible. Breweries nationwide and beyond have pledged support, and limited releases of special beers dedicated to Alex have slowly been surfacing. This series began with Horus Aged Ale’s Stay Strong Alex collaboration, and is continuing this week with Forager Brewery’s special release of Ancient Otter Treats in support of the man behind Don’t Drink Beer.

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Ultimate 6er | 2023 MLB Home Run Derby

It’s been an ongoing narrative for the past few seasons, but 2023 is a true testament that Baseball is fun again. There are plenty of reasons why this season is so awesome – Shohei Ohtani doing things that have never been done, a healthy Ronald Acuna Jr. keeping the Braves on a path for October, Elly De La Cruz and Corbin Carroll scorching a new meaning for Rookie of the Year – all while payrolls bust the bank and foundation (looking at you, Mets). All of that happened in the first half of the season nonetheless. Read More

Collaborating for a Cause | Stay Strong Alex

By now, nearly everybody remotely involved in craft beer has heard the news about Alex Kidd, aka DontDrinkBeers. For those unaware, Alex has been the satirical voice of craft beer for years, a passionate beer enthusiast who, in addition to running a very successful podcast about the current events and trends in the industry, is also a highly respected attorney, loving husband, and father to a two-year old son and soon-to-be daughter expected in September.

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Ultimate 6er | Six MN Breweries to Pair with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour

I’m sitting here drinking a beer and counting down the minutes until my Eras Tour bound flight departs for Minnesota. After canceling her 2020 tour due to the pandemic, the last time Taylor Swift toured publicly was in 2018. So you might say this tour has been a long time coming. Despite being in the game for nearly 20 years, Taylor Swift continues to reinvent herself tapping into new channels of creativity and producing banger after banger. A similar thing can be said about the craft brewery scene in Minnesota. So grab a glass with me and let’s toast to Taylor as we journey through the land of 10,000 lakes. 

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Artist Spotlight | Woodworking in Craft Beer

During this craft beer boom, the industry has provided so much more than just a new and exciting wave of beer styles, techniques and breweries. It has also created an outlet and newfound respect for the arts. Artists all over the country have found support and work from breweries looking for anything from taproom murals to label art to small batch glassware and other merch. Many breweries have even involved the arts at their events as a continued means of support. In fact, this was a huge focus of The Eighth State Brewing’s Altered States Festival in Greenville, SC. One field of artistry in particular that has really popularized itself in the craft beer community recently has been woodworking.

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Dos Luces Announces Closure

Dos Luces Brewery in Denver has just announced that its fifth anniversary will be its last. In the face of inflation and changing consumer tastes, owner Judd Belstock was contemplating the future of the brewery when a truck plowed through its front doors last February. For Belstock, that was the tipping point. Read More

Universal Studios Entertainment & 4 Hands Brewing Set to Release Voltron, Series One Beer

In an exciting development, St. Louis’ own 4 Hands Brewing Company has announced a collaborative endeavor with Universal Studios Entertainment, World Events Productions (WEP), LLC, and a selection of the country’s best breweries.

Voltron was a popular animated television series that originally aired in the mid-1980s. Produced by World Events Productions, the show centered around a team of young pilots controlling a group of robot lions that combine to form Voltron, a gigantic robot warrior. Voltron, often called the “Defender of the Universe,” battles evil forces to maintain peace across the galaxy.

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Craft Beer Recycling Guide

It’s no secret that getting fresh, tasty brews to craft beer lovers takes a lot of packaging and there are various opinions on what is and isn’t recyclable. Our craft beer recycling guide takes the guesswork out of the process so that we can all make our empties more useful. Read More