Holiday
Ultimate 6er | Witches Brew
October 25, 2017 | Lora Kormos
‘Tis the season for Halloween haunts and deliciously tasty beers! Halloween is just around the corner and I could barely contain my excitement. I’ve been busy prepping all month long for my favorite holiday by visiting pumpkin patches, putting out spooky decorations, deciding on the perfect costume and watching more horror films than I could count.
I love watching any horror film I can find. Zombies, clowns and slow-moving psycho maniacs, I can’t get enough of them. But since witching hour is nearly upon us, we have to honor some truly classic “black magic” women.
If you are gearing up for an evening of some bewitching entertainment, here are six beers to pair with some witches that graced us with their presence. Read More
Chicago’s Beer Denotes its Rich Labor History
September 1, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Chicago developed its big shoulders through the effort of those who toiled and labored, initially for little pay and having to endure horrendous working conditions. Railroads, meatpacking, printing and construction … Read More
Brewers Describe the Value of Brewing Independence
July 3, 2017 | Mathew Powers
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.
Cinco de Mayo Beer Cocktails with Manayunk Brewing Company’s El Rio Lager
May 4, 2017 | Samantha Story
This recipe is featured on These Are My Storys.
When you think of Cinco de Mayo, what comes to mind? I think of margaritas, guacamole, lots of fajitas and, of course, cervezas! Capitalized on by the beer industry in the 1980’s, Cinco de Mayo has become synonymous with parties, fun, and lots of booze. So, in honor of this 5th of May, I decided to take my own spin on a cerveza with two variations of beer cocktails. Both pack a spicy kick, yet are refreshing and go down so easy! To create these cocktails, I decided to use a local Philadelphia brewery’s version of a Mexican-style lager, Manayunk Brewing Company’s El Rio.
Where to Party on St. Patrick’s Day in Atlanta
March 15, 2017 | Sarah Duffy
St. Patrick’s Day, a day which I believe is to celebrate drinking; based on the word on the street, is a day for celebration in Atlanta. If you’re going out in the Atlanta area, you have numerous options for green beer (read: literally any bar in the city), but if you’re looking for more than Coors Light with green food dye, read on for the craft beer happenings!
PorchDrinking Staff’s 2017 New Beer Resolutions
December 29, 2016 | PorchDrinking.com Staff
Welcome to 2017! Congratulations on making it through another year without flying cars, middle-class suburbs on Mars and Dippin’ Dots becoming the ice cream of the present. This next year is a pandora’s box of opportunity. The sequel to Deadpool, the potential of self driving cars, and the complete shutdown of American government as we know it. Oh, and all the beer that will be brewed and poured! So, sit back, relax and share with us what New Beer Resolutions you have for the upcoming year. Read More
Year in Review | The Best Beers of 2016
December 27, 2016 | Dan Bortz
The 2,016th year of the Common Era has come and gone, leaving many high and low points in its wake. Some people may argue that this was one of the worst years in recent memory, but PorchDrinkers don’t like to focus on negatives. We are a mostly optimistic lot, who choose to remember all the positive and happy moments. For many of us, those moments began with a sip of a surprisingly great beer. Together, as a team, we want to to celebrate the best beers of 2016.
‘Twas the 12 Beers of Christmas: Santa Weighs In
December 24, 2016 | Matt Saffer
Sitting around a campfire earlier this week, some friends and I came up with the ultimate New Jersey beer to drink on Christmas Eve. Truth be told, I was going to write about Carton’s Pumpkin Cream Ale. It’s a true pumpkin beer with pumpkin meat in the mash, orange oil, pink peppercorns and candied ginger that has enough spice in it smack the pie out of your grandma’s hands.
The Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time | Round 4
December 23, 2016 | Drew Troller
Round 3 of the battle for Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time saw the closest margin of victory yet – Home Alone took down Elf with less than a 1% margin. This brings us to the final 2 movies competing for the prize. They’re Christmas classics. They’re dearly beloved. And as I mentioned in the last round, they are back-to-back John Hughes masterpieces. Christmas Vacation, released in 1989, was written by John Hughes. Home Alone, released in 1990, was also written by John Hughes. His legacy is safe in the world of PorchDrinking; we’ve all decided that he wrote the two best Christmas movies ever.
But only one can win.
(More: Catch up on all the action from Round 1, Round 2 & Round 3)
So now it’s down to TWO movies. Which will win in this battle for the title of the Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time?
12 Beers of Christmas | Cellarmaker Wreather Madness
December 23, 2016 | Victoria Pratt
Cover photo by Simon Offord
ABV: 7.6% | IBU: 35
Dankota Fanning, Barbarian Steissand and Wicked Juicy are a few of the names of beers made by one of the best breweries in the Bay Area: Cellarmaker Brewing Company. Conveniently located in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco, anytime you find yourself nearby is a great time to enjoy some of the finest brews around. Their motto is “Beer Without Limits” and they live by the creed that they are a “neighborhood brewery making fresh beer for the Bay Area. Hoppy, dark, Belgian, barrel aged, etc. We enjoy making a wide variety of brews.” Their attention to detail and expertise at their craft really shows through their beer.
Holiday Beer Cocktails
December 22, 2016 | Jenn Specketer
It’s about that time everyone. You know what I’m talking about. It’s about that time where you’re going to be snuggled up close and personal with your family for an extended amount of time. And whether you love em’ or could live without em’, a tall, stiff drink does a body (and peace of mind) good! When a cold glass of beer won’t scratch that ugly sweater party itch, enter the beer cocktail as a very important part of your Holiday survival guide!
12 Beers of Christmas | Fremont Brewing Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb
December 22, 2016 | Jan Wanot
ABV: 14.0% | IBU: 65
Fremont Brewing delivers another liquid giant to liven up another holiday season. Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb is the awesomely adjunct-ed, cooler and even more popular older cousin of Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Ale, Fremont’s flagship bourbon barrel aged beer. It can be found lounging around the MoonTower, slicking back it’s long golden waxy locks, and murmuring phrases like: “Alright, alright, alright.”
Read More
Ultimate 6er | Holiday Cheer-ity
December 21, 2016 | Mathew Powers
The Craft Beer industry is emblematic of the Holiday Season maxim — community, caring and sharing. The examples of this community-focused philosophy that bind craft brewers together can be witness almost any day throughout the year. Here are six recent examples of craft breweries bringing good tidings of joy to thy neighbor by donating time, money, and resources during this Holiday Season.
12 Beers of Christmas | Great Lakes Brewing Company | Christmas Ale
December 21, 2016 | John Amantea
ABV: 7.5% | IBU: 30
My friends who know me well know that I love food and I love to cook. From trying different restaurants or expanding my tastes with different cuisines to just staying in and making something for dinner, I’ve always had a knack for knowing my way in the kitchen. Cooking has been something I’ve loved to do for a long time, to the point where I considered going to culinary school after undergrad. I owe a lot of what I know and what I love about cooking to one person: my mom.
The Best Gifts for Beer Lovers This Holiday
December 20, 2016 | Carly Mento
The last-minute gifting countdown has begun! Forget someone on your list? Still looking for that epic, thoughtful item? We’ve got a short-list of the best gift ideas for your craft beer loving recipients this year, from small and subtle to pin-pointed perfection!
The Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time | Round 3
December 20, 2016 | Drew Troller
PorchDrinking’s tournament to determine the greatest Christmas movie of all time has gotten brutal. In Round 2, we saw four more beloved movies fall out of contention for the title. A moment of silence for the Grinch, Rudolph, Scrooged, and It’s a Wonderful Life. The poor Grinch lost by only two votes. So get involved in Round 3 below – your vote could make the difference!
(More: Catch up on all the action from Round 1 and Round 2)
Round 3 begins now. Which two movies will move on to compete in the finals to become the greatest Christmas movie ever?
12 Beers of Christmas | Live Oak Brewing Co. | Primus
December 20, 2016 | Pam Catoe
ABV: 8.0% | IBU: 10
You have probably heard the old adage, “if you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait thirty minutes”. Quite true, it’s more than typical for temperatures to rise and fall over thirty degrees in a matter of hours; therefore, Christmas in Texas can mean flip flops or fur lined boots. However, one thing that is consistent year to year is the release of one of my all time favorite seasonal releases Primus by Live Oak Brewing Company.
12 Beers of Christmas | Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper
December 19, 2016 | Brady Akers
ABV: 10.5%
When the weather outside gets frightful, a nice big imperial stout can be very delightful, but you should be sure that you’ve got no place to go. For me, one of my favorite big imperial stouts during the holiday season is Port Brewing’s Santa’s Little Helper. Like sweet baby Jesus, Santa’s Little Helper is pure and good in every way. The beer doesn’t have any “holiday seasoning” in it, which is a nice break after pumpkin beer season to avoid nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, etc.
12 Beers of Christmas | Baderbräu Christmas Bliss Baltic Porter
December 16, 2016 | Mathew Powers
French hens, ladies dancing, swans swimming and, of course, a porter in a beer tree. These are necessary components for a successful 12 days of Christmas. For this writer, the beer found under the tree is Baderbräu Christmas Bliss Baltic Porter with vanilla and orange peel. Because, in Chicago, Jack Frost does more than nip our noses, it darn near renders them red enough to qualify us to guide Santa’s sleigh. Hence, any porter good enough for those traversing the frigid waters of the Baltic Sea is good enough for us living on the ice-covered shores of Lake Michigan.
12 Beers of Christmas | Vision Quest Brewery | The Magical Liopleurodon
December 15, 2016 | Cecelia Kathleen
7.0% ABV
Who doesn’t love a good holiday beer?! For myself specifically, I look for something either reminiscent of hot cocoa or coffee this time of the year. I want a drink that makes me feel like I could hold it close, like a recently opened present, while sitting in front of the fire surrounded by loved ones, (who are obviously all in matching pajamas) on Christmas morning. Yes, my holiday beer must be a brew with cozy flavors I can sip slowly, while watching my younger sister Jamie unwrap the EXACT Furby that I wanted (no, wait, sorry that was in 1998).
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