Midwest
Great Lakes Brewing Company | Great Lakes IPA
March 11, 2019 | Kevin Risner
Year-round offerings, especially for long-standing breweries, are special for various reasons. With Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC), one would be hard-pressed not to have a beer of theirs that has become a mainstay, a fall-back favorite. In 2019, Great Lakes has done something really, truly special: not just creating a new year-round, but also commemorating the people who make the brewery what it is and keep it a sustainable community. Great Lakes IPA is a welcome addition to the brewery’s already stellar cast of characters. It’s a beer I foresee fitting in nicely with old favorites.
Pink Boots Live Brew Day | Women of Suburban Chicago
March 8, 2019 | Mathew Powers
The Pink Boots Society’s “Live Brew Day: Women of Suburban Craft Beer Collab” event at Skeleton Key Brewing (Suburban Chicago) focused on one principal goal — make great beer.
Certainly, Pink Boots Society events present a bonding opportunity for women of the industry, while simultaneously fostering awareness of their contributions. Nevertheless, from the presence of Omega Yeast Labs to the many brewers and industry women present, the event made it abundantly clear that crafting excellent beer served as priority #1. And, in doing so, demonstrated how possession of a Y-chromosome has nothing to do with becoming a skilled, imaginative beer professional.
MadTree Brewing | Citra & Galaxy High DIPA
March 7, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
It’s one of those things that’s irresistible: it’s been a long day at work and you want something that brings the ABV and the hops, because you don’t want to work too hard, right? A perfect blend of ABV, IBUs, flavor, maltiness and a crisp clean finish all packed into one amazing pint. Long live the DIPA.
We all know our Russian River’s Pliny the Elder, and Bell’s Hopslam; allow me to introduce two phenomenal DIPAs from MadTree Brewing: Citra High and Galaxy High.
Event Preview | Uppers & Downers
March 5, 2019 | Mike Zoller
Solemn Oath Brewery represented Chicago at the very first Uppers and Downers in Pasadena, California in 2015. Since then, the festival has been held in Chicago and on March 30, the premier coffee beer festival put on by Good Beer Hunting returns to Thalia Hall.
Ultimate 6er | What’s New Chicago
February 27, 2019 | Rachel Morrison
It can be difficult to keep up with all of the new things happening in the Chicago craft beer scene. With new taprooms opening and bottle releases happening virtually each week, there is no shortage of options for new Chicago beers. Thus I’ve rounded up a few of my recent favorites in this Ultimate 6er, What’s New Chicago edition.
An Authentic German Beer Fest in Minnesota: How Schell’s Bock Fest Came to Be
February 26, 2019 | Taylor Laabs
August Schell Brewing Company, now named Schell’s Brewery, is the second oldest family-owned brewery in the nation. Founded in 1860 by German immigrant August Schell, the brewery is rich in German tradition. Stationed in the historic town of New Ulm, MN, Schell’s has weathered the storms of Prohibition and today’s ever-changing craft beer market thanks to staples like Grain Belt Premium. But it’s one of its seasonals that often gets the most attention due to the festival that celebrates it. First started in 1987, Schell’s Bock Fest celebration is an event as rich in tradition as the brewery itself. Here’s what you need to know about the event, which takes place on March 2, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Schell’s Brewing Company.
Brewery Vivant | Lost Minds Tart IPA
February 25, 2019 | Aimee Jackson
If you read my Ultimate 6er | Snowed-In in Michigan, you would remember that, “from November through March, I have learned to always be prepared by stocking our home with the essentials: a space heater, frozen pizzas and, of course, a few beers to keep us warm and cozy on this snowy day,” so when Polar Vortex 2019 hit, my husband and I were ready to face it. One of the craft beers we picked up along the way to try was Lost Minds (7% ABV), a tart IPA from Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Top 10 Vegetarian Friendly Breweries and Brewpubs Across America
February 21, 2019 | Paul Lewis
My wife and I recently reached our milestone of traveling to all 50 states, ensuring we visit the local brewery in each of the places that we visit. While I am an avid meat eater, my wife is vegetarian. So, the places we choose to eat during our travels had to be well researched in advance to ensure they have a vegetarian menu that met the expectations of my wife, who can be quite a picky eater. Luckily, nowadays, that isn’t hard. Many breweries and brewpubs offer at least one vegetarian option on their menu, to various degrees of success and creativity.
Short’s Brewing Company | Exterior Illumination
February 21, 2019 | Danny King
One of my favorite holiday traditions is driving around looking at lights. When I was a kid, my family would pack into the car and take the longest route possible between my aunt’s and our house to look at Christmas lights. Even in high school, my friends and I would drive around looking for those homes whose merry-making bordered on deranged. Now that I’m older, I still take the Christmas light tour after dinner. Short’s Brewing Company, following in the Christmas tradition, released an American sour ale to highlight the raucous displays that have become as much a part of the holidays as Santa and presents.
Pipeworks Brewing | Pothole City
February 20, 2019 | Paul Lewis
I admit, I rage-bought a beer. I bought Pipeworks Brewing Pothole City because of the name. I didn’t even know what style it was, but I knew I wanted it. Nonetheless, the beer — an Imperial Stout — proved to be just as good as the name.
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!
Read More
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 … Read More
recent comments