Midwest
Platform Beer Co. | High Brow Barista
February 19, 2019 | Kevin Risner
Like many of Cleveland’s newer craft beer bastions, Platform Beer Co. is attuned to the desires of beer connoisseurs and consumers. They have tackled many popular varieties from New England IPAs to saisons and goses. Platform is willing to experiment and re-evaluate their styles, releasing many offerings throughout Ohio, sometimes for a limited time (like their Small Batch IPA series, for example). Whenever I enter a local supermarket, I’m amazed by how prolific they have become. Still, some of their tried-and-true mainstays are what keep me coming back. One of Platform Beer Co.’s seasonals, High Brow Barista, is a particular favorite of mine.
Whiner Beer Co. l Coolship Sasha
February 18, 2019 | Eric Oliver
In the summer of 2017, Whiner Beer Co. co-founders Ria Neri and Brian Taylor built a coolship using hand-picked steel and repurposed wood. The fermentation vessel is located next to the farm their brewery sits on in the South Side of Chicago.
Event Recap | 7th Annual Cider Summit
February 14, 2019 | Paul Lewis
This past weekend, Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom once again hosted the 7th Annual Cider Summit in Chicago, welcoming thousands of cider enthusiasts from around the Midwest as they enjoyed over 150 ciders from producers around the country and the world.
Civil Life Brewing Company | American Brown Ale
February 13, 2019 | Kevin Hartnett
What comes to mind when you picture a flagship? Now think a bit harder and get past the Boston Lager, Fat Tire, and each of the IPAs available nationwide. What are the standard flagships available are your local favorite breweries? My guess is you are thinking of several more IPAs ranging from extra hoppy to sessionable, a few more pale ales, and maybe, maybe a stout here or there.
Celebrating National Pizza Day with Michigan’s Best Craft Beer & Pizza
February 8, 2019 | Aimee Jackson
In honor of National Pizza Day on February 9, I am overjoyed to be writing about two of my favorite things: craft beer and pizza. Seriously–is there anything better than taking a bite of a hot, tantalizing slice of your favorite pizza and chasing it with a sip of a cold IPA or a refreshing pale ale? Just thinking about it makes my stomach rumble and my mouth begin to water.
In our explorations of Michigan’s craft brewery scene, my husband and I have tasted a lot of amazing food paired with some exceptional beer. However, nothing seems to top the beer and pizza combination for us, and we find ourselves returning to some of our favorite Michigan breweries again and again simply to indulge ourselves in this dynamic duo. If you don’t have a location to celebrate National Pizza Day already chosen, here are my recommendations for the best of Michigan’s craft beer and pizza scene to inspire you. Maybe we will see you there!
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New Holland Brewing | Dragon’s Milk Reserve Orange Chocolate
February 8, 2019 | Paul Lewis
As Chicago barrels toward a week of historically cold temperatures, I was eager to get out to my local Binny’s and stockpile some dark, heavy stouts to keep me sane as I prepare for a week filled with cabin fever. Read More
Event Recap | Chicago Ale Fest Winter Edition
February 7, 2019 | Paul Lewis
One of the things that can make a beer festival memorable (besides the beer) is the festival’s venue. Chicago Ale Fest changed things up this year to great success; they brought the festival to the Lacuna Artist Lofts in Chicago’s red hot Pilsen neighborhood.
Ex-Goose Island Brewmaster Jared Jankoski Talks Octopi Brewing Move
February 6, 2019 | Mike Zoller
With Jared Jankoski’s unexpected departure from Goose Island, the brewery is looking not only for a new brewmaster, but the individual who will be responsible for mentoring and developing the next batch of brewers at Fulton and Wood.
Chicago Quick Sips: Valentine’s Day Edition
February 4, 2019 | Mike Zoller
As Valentine’s Day approaches whether you have a special someone in your life or not, just know that Chicago’s breweries are there for you and that beer never judges.
We compiled a list of all kinds of events/promotions breweries around the Chicagoland area are doing for the week of Valentine’s Day.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2019 Cider Summit Chicago
February 4, 2019 | Paul Lewis
While PorchDrinking does tend to focus on the craft beer industry, it is hard to ignore the expansive growth of the beer-adjacent craft cider industry. Chicago is again hosting the cider festival bringing many of these cider producers together from … Read More
North High Brewing | Cover Crop Beer
February 4, 2019 | David Nilsen
A new beer from North High Brewing in Columbus, Ohio, is shining a light on the importance of agriculture in the world of craft beer. North High has partnered with Ohio Farm Bureau to brew Cover Crop Beer, a blonde ale brewed in honor of the centennial anniversary of the latter organization, which exists to promote and support Ohio farmers.
Middle Brow Beer Co. Opens Its Taproom After Five Years of Waiting
January 31, 2019 | Mike Zoller
Motor Row. Ten 90. Lo Rez. Church Street Brewing. Great Central. Big Chicago. After contract brewing in six different locations and putting over 20,000 miles on their cars over the past five years, Middle Brow Beer Co. finally has a home of their own.
Wellspent Brewing Co. | Bonanza Theatre
January 31, 2019 | Jordan Palmer
One of the first things you’ll notice about this beer is the sleek jet black bottle. One of the first things you’ll wonder about is the name: Bonanza Theater. So, let’s cover that first. Wellspent Brewing Company, which opened on March 2, 2018, is located in a beautiful, century-old building that was home to a movie theater a hundred years ago. There is still some evidence of the old movie theater at this new brewery. As you walk in, you’ll still find the marquees, fully restored to their former glory.
“It opened in 1907 and was called the Bonanza Theatre,” said Kyle Kohlmorgen, owner of Wellspent Brewing.
Brewers Rock Festival | Beer, Music and Preserving the Great Lakes
January 30, 2019 | Mathew Powers
Hosted by Kinslahger Brewing, The Brewers Rock Festival at the Wire in Berwyn on Groundhog Day celebrates the essence of “craft.” With proceeds going towards the Alliance for the Great Lakes Alliance, more than one dozen bands, all associated with breweries, will play from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, and they’ll bring their beer with them.
One can purchase a ticket that allows one to come and go, watch a dozen bands, choose from at least 25 different craft beers (or more) at the breweries’ booths, order beer and drinks from the bar and enjoy Bricks Pizza. And, of course, one gets a fun sampling glass.
18th Street Brewery | Disciple’s Revenge
January 30, 2019 | Daniel Moran
At the beginning of a new year, resolutions are a constant. Beer drinkers are no different. While I haven’t made the commitment that Midwest editor Mike Zoller has to “no hazy IPAs” in 2019, I have decided that I’m going to push myself to drink new styles and try new breweries.
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3 Tried and True Ale Adventures-Approved Hangover Cures
January 28, 2019 | Adam Rozanas
You know that feeling: The foggy head, pounding migraine and bloated gut the morning after, reminding you of all the fun you had out drinking the night before.
We’ve been there before, too; it sucks.
Then again, maybe it is good to feel that way every now and then, just to remind ourselves how awful it feels and to serve as a cautionary reminder for next time.
Will Travel For Beer | One Man’s Quest to Visit 100 Breweries Every Year
January 25, 2019 | Robert French 4
Do you plan your travel around beer? I do. In fact, I visited 100 breweries last year, and I plan on doing that every year.
In the past, when possible, I’ve always tried to include at least a few local brewery stops while on vacation. Four years ago I made a list of all the breweries I visited that year. Without knowing or even planning, I visited 99 different spots. The following years, I started to track more diligently, with the arbitrary goal of hitting 100 each year–that’s a lot of local beer. To be a little more precise, that’s 8.33 different spots each month, which may sound very do-able until you have a few hectic months and you hit zero new breweries.
Barleywine | West Side Brewing
January 25, 2019 | Craft Beer Joe
There’s craft beer and then there’s special-release craft beer. And for the enthusiasts, getting these special-release beers is one of the most entertaining parts of the hobby. Breweries love indulging the passion of their fans by releasing a specific beers only once a year.
F*** Your Hair Explores the Story Behind 5 Rabbit’s Chinga tu Pelo Beer
January 22, 2019 | Mike Zoller
For a short period during the 2016 election, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria was producing one of the most talked-about beers in the country. From being the house beer at Rebar in the Trump Tower to cutting ties and openly mocking then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, the One City Films documentary “F*** Your Hair” tells the story of Chinga tu Pelo.
Beer Lover’s Guide to Evanston, IL’s Craft Beer Scene
January 21, 2019 | Mike Zoller
Just a short train ride from Chicago, Evanston is home to Northwestern University. Downtown, you’ll find lots of shops and restaurants, as well as some great breweries.
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