Midwest
Collaborating for a Cause | For Alex
April 10, 2024 | Eric Griffin
At the end of May 2023, Wax Wings Brewing pledged their support for Alex Kidd with a dedicated bottle release. This series has always looked to highlight breweries and the benefits they’ve conducted to help support Alex and his family as he continues to fight for his life. As we approach 20 installments to this series from breweries and meaderies all over the country – and even Norway! – we find ourselves back in Michigan to take a deep dive into Wax Wing’s For Alex release.
Saint Errant Brewing | Skosh Barrel-Aged Stout
April 9, 2024 | Eric Griffin
In today’s craft beer industry, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out. To this Saint Errant Brewing said “hold my beer,” throwing something entirely new into the barrel-aged stout game. On March 19, the Chicago brewery announced the release of Skosh. A whimsical idea morphed into a pragmatic reality, this oak-aged imperial stout was packaged in a bag. In a box. With a pour spout. There was no way that we weren’t going to showcase craft beer going full Franzia mode, so we asked Saint Errant co-owner Brent Banks to send a box our way to feature on PorchDrinking.
Chicago Brewery Events This April
April 3, 2024 | Rachel Morrison
Spring has sprung, and there’s no shortage of beer events happening across Chicago this month as we (hopefully) get more sunny days and patio weather. Beer Culture Center starts the month with an event at Siebel Institute of Technology, Industry Ales opens its doors, and you have options for celebrating 420. Here are Chicago brewery events this April!
Demo Brewing Opens Up in Chicago’s Malt Row
March 28, 2024 | Emma Wargolet
For any beer nerd that is visiting Chicago, the Ravenswood/Andersonville area is an obvious choice; you are within walking distance to Hop Butcher for the World, Dovetail, Half Acre and more. You would think that there are maybe enough breweries for us. That would not be the case. This area is always looking to add another locally owned business, and when it’s a brewery, everyone is even more excited. After the loss of both Empirical Brewery and Urban Brew Labs in 2022, Demo Brewing Company is a great addition to the community.
Sun King Brewing | RHINOMITE Double IPA
March 27, 2024 | Jason Murphy
Sun King Brewing is an independently owned brewery and distillery with operations in Indiana and Florida. Conceived by two professional brewers, Dave Colt and Clay Robinson, and started with the help of family and friends.
Casks & Camaraderie | Oak & Steel
March 25, 2024 | Eric Griffin
In an unintended continuation from the last installment, Casks & Camaraderie is again headed to Missouri. Previously exploring Cape Girardeau’s Cask Craft Spirits and Beer Lounge, we focused on their elevation of barrel picks to expand exclusively from whiskey distillers into the realm of private picks with local brewery barrel stocks. This iteration picks up in the same barrel room it left off in, with Cory King and Side Project Brewing. His newest collaboration in the Silent Barrel series was with Kyle Howard, owner of Oak & Steel craft drinkery out of Kansas City. We took a deeper dive into his experience, the barrel, and the impact it’s had on the ever-changing beer scene in northwestern MO.
Jackie O’s Brewery | 18th Anniversary Extravaganza
March 21, 2024 | Jason Murphy
Athens, OH-based Jackie O’s Brewery will be hosting their 18th Anniversary Extravaganza this weekend, March 22-24. Let’s dive in and take a look at what you can expect at their big bash!
Collaborating for a Cause | Strawberry Arabesque
March 14, 2024 | Eric Griffin
Like many of the other fundraising efforts conducted for Alex Kidd and his family following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis, this benefit from Phase Three Brewing took place during the summer of 2023. On June 22 the brewery announced their newest Ambassador-exclusive release, Strawberry Arabesque. However in an unexpected move, they also stated that they would be donating a portion of all the proceeds from bottle sales, draft pours and an in-person raffle to the GoFundMe set up for the Kidds.
Guinness Goes Big with First-Ever St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Chicago Open Gate Brewery
March 13, 2024 | Taylor Laabs
“Bartender – Guinness please?” It’s an actionable phrase that Guinness brewery ambassador Ryan Wagner says will be uttered more than 13 million times on St. Patrick’s Day weekend this year around the globe. And while the spectacle and celebration concentrated at Guinness’ St. James Gate brewery in Dublin, Ireland is the stuff of legends, local Chicago beer drinkers should get ready for a similar celebration fit for a city that treats St. Patrick’s Day with particular fervor.
Phase Three Brewing | Arabesque & Minutiae Reserve 2024
March 6, 2024 | Eric Griffin
A few weeks ago, those who follow Phase Three Brewing were given a heads up to mark their calendars for a huge release to start out the month of March. Reserve Weekend 2024 celebrated a very special release of two of Phase Three’s most highly sought after beers: Arabesque and Minutiae. PorchDrinking is here to give you all some early insight into these exciting new reserve beers, including an exclusive review of each of these high-gravity beasts.
Collaborating for a Cause | Lua Brewing
February 15, 2024 | Eric Griffin
The outpouring of support for Alex Kidd and his family has been incredible over the last eight months. In particular, when backtracking to those first 30 days after he announced his Stage IV cancer diagnosis, it’s mind-blowing just how quickly so many breweries and individuals banded together to raise funds. Lua Brewing was no exception. Just four days after the unexpected announcement on Don’t Drink Beer’s social accounts, Lua organized a vintage sale offering full sets of their sought-after Destroyer Barleywine, with 100% earned going straight to the Kidd family. Read More
Kicking 2024 Off with Indeed Brewing
January 30, 2024 | Emma Wargolet
With a slew of closures in the craft beer world in 2023, it’s always great to watch a brewery flourish. Indeed Brewing Company, with taprooms in both Minneapolis and Milwaukee, had a huge 2023. Not only were its flagship beers, Flavorwave IPA and Pistachio Cream Ale, big hits in its market, but it donated over $50,000 to various nonprofit organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
PorchDrinking chatted with chief business officer Ryan Bandy, who was appointed to the role in 2023 after over 10 years with the brewery, including as director of experiences.
Goldfinger Brewing Company | Vienna Lager
January 25, 2024 | Jason Murphy
In the words of a late, great hip-hop artist, “Lager Lager Lager can’t you see, sometimes your crisp just hypnotizes me.” He didn’t exactly say those words, but we like to think he would. As it turns out, it’s just us. We are the ones hypnotized by a wonderfully crafted Lager.
Collaborating for a Cause | Alex Reserve
January 23, 2024 | Eric Griffin
In this week’s installment of Collaborating for a Cause, we switch gears from beer to mead. On Nov. 14 of last year, Alyson Schramm of Schramm’s Mead announced an upcoming release to represent their participation in GivingTuesday 2023. In an amazing show of kindness and generosity toward a craft beer and industry icon, Schramm’s donated 100% of profits from its Nov. 28 webstore sales to the Kidd family GoFundMe to go toward medical expenses and future needs. Additionally, Schramm’s conducted a pre-order for custom-labeled bottles of Alex Reserve, its limited-batch apple mead.
Hacienda Beer Co. | Back To The Flow Hazy IPA
December 29, 2023 | Jason Murphy
Door County Brewing Company opened in 2013 and started out brewing more traditional styles with a focus on Belgian beers. Those brands were doing well, but the brew team at Door County wanted to start trying some new and more innovative styles, such as Hazy IPAs and Pastry Stouts that wouldn’t typically fit under the Door County brand. Enter Hacienda Beer Company.
Goldfinger Brewing Co. | Original Lager (Helles Lager)
December 27, 2023 | Jason Murphy
Are you ready for a small history lesson today? If you’re anything like us, we not only love craft beer, but we also enjoy hearing and reading about craft beer origins. Let us take you on a journey as we learn about Goldfinger Brewing Company, located in the town of Downers Grove, IL.
Chicago Craft Beer | Best of 2023
December 26, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
You are not alone if you’re wondering how 2023 is almost over. It was another eventful year in the Chicago craft beer scene. The year included endless beer releases, major events, unique membership offerings, newcomers and bidding farewell to a few local favorites. While naming the “Best of 2023” in Chicago Craft Beer is no easy feat, we’re giving it our best shot.
Collaborating for a Cause | Life Jacket
December 22, 2023 | Eric Griffin
As 2023 nears its conclusion, many families and businesses feel the strain and chaos of the holiday season and the deadlines associated with the final months of the year. Fortunately, the support for Alex Kidd and his family has not even considered pumping the brakes, and we are happy to welcome Revolution Brewing to this week’s installation of Collaborating for a Cause.
(Read: Collaborating for a Cause Series)
Adjusting the spotlight to a beer that Alex himself helped co-create with the Revolution team, this well-known Chicago brewery organized an incredible gesture spanning the month of November involving their Life Jacket Barleywine.
Casks & Camaraderie | Cask Craft Spirits and Beer Lounge
December 14, 2023 | Eric Griffin
Breweries are always looking for new and unique ways to share their beers. Recently, one way that many have looked to showcase their barrel room in particular has been through barrel picks.
BuckleDown Brewing | Barbaric Blood Red Ale
December 12, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
BuckleDown Brewing and Vault Comics recently collaborated on Barbaric Blood Red Ale, launching Friday, Dec. 15. It’s an American Red Ale, offering rich malt flavor, subtle sweetness and a blood-reddish hue. It’s a well-balanced, approachable beer, clocking in at 6.5% ABV. Fans of BuckleDown Brewing and Barbaric can be the first to taste the beer at the BuckleDown Brewing taproom in Lyons, Illinois, on Friday, Dec. 15.
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