PorchDrinking Playlist | Ex Novo Brewing

In the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon there must be a Nickelback concert happening this very moment. It turns out to just not to be the case, however it may be the folks at Portland’s Ex Novo Brewing Company trying to break up a boring day. “One of our favorite pastimes at the brewery is to blast some super shitty music and see how long it takes before someone changes it,” said head brewer, Ryan Buxton. This seems to be a game they play to keep things from getting stale. The tradition keeps things fresh because it rarely lasts more than three songs at a time. And please do not worry, this is all done before the doors open to the public. Read More

Silver City Brewery | Wily Temptress

I was first introduced to the Bremerton based brewery Silver City a few years ago, when I was lucky enough to sit down with Daniel Frantz on the back porch of my favorite Seattle bottle shop. Since meeting Frantz, who is the marketing guru for the brewery, I’ve been fortunate enough to familiarize myself with the brewery’s style and culture – this familiarization thanks to the consumption of countless bombers and 6-packs, as well as tours and phone calls with Silver City brewers and sales directors.

After all this time, two things stand-out to me: The brewery is fueled and run by some of the most passionate and knowledgeable people in craft, and every single beer Silver City puts out will be nothing short of stellar. If a beer has a Silver City label, it’s worth having.
Read More

BREAKING | Modern Times Beer Opening Portland Location

Already one of the fastest growing breweries in America, Modern Times Beer has continued to double down on their meteoric rise, with even greater production in 2017 and the announcement of additional upcoming production and taproom facilities in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and a tasting room in Encinitas, CA opening later this year. But it’s clear the now four year old brewery isn’t resting on their laurels.
Read More

Propolis Brewing | Spruce Golden Saison

Just 60 miles north and a short ferry ride from Seattle sits Port Townshend, a favorite weekend getaway destination for Seattlites at any time of year. Located on the eastern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townshend truly has its bases covered as an ideal getaway destination: it boasts a state park for hiking, a marina for whale watching trips and boat tours, and a charming downtown full of local goodies. Highlights include a seriously legitimate tea shop, waterfront ice cream, an inspiring bookstore, and – last but not least – Propolis Brewing. Read More

Midnight Sun Brewing Company | Pride

A lot of people have the wrong impression of Alaska. As I sat underneath the sunlight at a time that most places would be pitch black, I poured myself a beer from the appropriately named Midnight Sun Brewing Company and realized the fact that the state is barely glanced upon as a destination for beer lovers from the lower 48.

Read More

Brewery Showcase | Reuben’s Brews (Seattle, WA)

It’s hard to imagine now, but just a few years ago the Leary Way strip in Seattle was primarily industrial spaces. Drive-by territory. It’s a history that seems distant – and perhaps even unimaginable, now. These days Leary Way is home to Seattle’s best and, arguably, most frequented breweries. Patrons, food trucks, and pedal pubs now weave in and out of the area fluidly, like clockwork. So when did it start? What was it that flipped the switch? Well, one might argue that it all started with Adam Robbings, and his fateful venture: Reuben’s Brews.

Read More

National IPA DAY | Pacific Northwest Roundup

I would like to offer an apology to National Hot Dog Day. And National Donut Day. National Taco Day, too. Because there’s just no convincing me that there’s any food or beverage day that can beat IPA Day – especially when you’re celebrating this glorious, hoppy, bitter holiday in the Pacific Northwest. Read More

Sierra Nevada 2017 Oktoberfest with Germany’s Brauhaus Miltenberger

For the third straight year, Sierra Nevada Brewing has collaborated with a German brewery on its fall-seasonal Oktoberfest beer. In 2015, Sierra partnered with 600-year-old Bauhaus Riegele, now into its 27th generation of family-owned, independent brewing, In 2016, Sierra Nevada brewed with the more than 400-year-old, family owned Mahrs Bräu located in Bamberg, Germany. This year, second-generation brewer Brian Grossman, of Sierra Nevada, and fourth-generation Brewmaster Cornelius Faus of Miltenberg, Germany’s Brauhaus Miltenberger, have joined forces.

Read More

Women in Beer | Fremont Brewing’s Sara Nelson Runs for Seattle City Council

Fremont Brewing’s Sara Nelson is accomplished, to say the least.

Want to talk culture? With a PhD in Anthropology, she’s your gal. Have some questions about policy? After over a decade serving as the Chief of Staff for Richard Conlin, former Seattle City Council member, she’s likely to have some answers. Are you a beer drinker? Well you’re in luck! Nelson is the co-owner of Seattle’s celebrated Fremont Brewing.

Read More

Counterbalance Brewing Company | Raconteur Rye Pale Ale

ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 38

Just in time for summer barbecues, weekend camping trips and sunny beach days, Counterbalance Brewing Company has released its first two canned beers: Raconteur Rye Pale Ale and Counterbalance IPA. Both of these beers are available for purchase in 6-packs throughout Washington as of the beginning of July, but today’s showcase will focus on the delightfully refreshing Raconteur Rye Pale Ale.

Read More

Brewing News Roundup | Several New Beers Are On The Way

While we can’t pretend to list every new beer release, here are several tasty tidbits that have come across the PorchDrinking.com desk from around the nation. New beers, new packaging, new collaborations and so much more.

Jump to the beer release(s) from the following breweries:

Avery Brewing | Bear Republic | Bell’s Brewery | Brewery Ommegang | Firestone Walker | Forbidden Root | Fremont Brewing | Green Flash | Great Divide Brewing | Modern Times Beer | Moody Tongue | New Belgium Brewing | Reformation Brewery | Rogue Ales & Spirits | SweetWater Brewing | Terrapin Beer Co. | Hopstix

Read More

Fremont Brewing & Perennial Artisan Ales | Unicorn Tears

Feature image courtesy of Fremont Brewing

Chuck’s Hop Shop, one of Seattle’s beloved bottle shops, was a frenzy last Wednesday. No less than a hundred of eager Seattle beer fanatics squeezed into the Central District’s cozy space in hopes of getting a taste of the release of the moment in the Emerald City: Unicorn Tears, a Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Oatmeal Milk Stout with Cherries, a collaboration between Fremont Brewing and Perennial Artisan Ales.

Read More

Event Recap | Brewed Food Seattle ft. Trove & Fremont Brewing

Jensen Cummings, of Brewed Food, comes from a family of chefs, but in watching him captivate an audience this last Monday, I would think that he was a descendent of actors, politicians, perhaps board-room straight-shooters. The way he took the stage immediately enraptured his audience, and stirred up an excitement that electrified Trove, a Korean restaurant in Seattle, Washington.

Read More

Pelican Brewing’s Cannon Beach Location Hits the Mark

It’s a typical spring day on the Oregon Coast here in Cannon Beach. The beach is sprinkled with people, many with their dogs, walking up and down the shore. Haystack rocks stands as tall as ever, waves crashing at their base. And the newest location of Pelican Brewing is bustling. Despite its massive footprint in the sleepy beach town, there isn’t a free table in the joint. Truly, everything just seems right in the world. Read More

Event Recap | Fremont Brewing Heron Hunting Club 2017

There are beer events, and then there is the Fremont Brewing Heron Hunting Club. Read More

Official Beer of Seattle Beer Week: Bale Breaker Brewing Co. | Fresh Off the Farm IPA

Photo Credit: Bale Breaker Brewing Company

ABV: 6.3% | IBU: 50

After a record-setting cold, wet winter, Seattleites finally have a reason to celebrate – Seattle Beer Week is here! The event, now in its ninth year, was created to celebrate and showcase the close, collaborative beer community of the Northwest. This year’s Seattle Beer Week runs from May 4-14 and features hundreds of events across the city of Seattle and beyond, including a beer can derby, Mariners Brewery Night at SafeCo Field, and dozens of beer dinners and tasting events.

Read More

Drake’s Brewing Co | Hopocalypse (Green Label) DIPA

ABV: 9.3% | IBU: 101

Some people may claim that West Coast IPAs are dead, but not according to Drake’s Brewing Company. While it does offer a few hazy IPAs, Drake’s Brewing pumps out a heavy dose of bitter, West Coast brews during San Francisco Beer Week. Hop Heads rejoice each February when this San Leandro brewery unveils its Hopocalypse lineup — each year more bitter than the last. Many fans even line up outside the brewery as early as 3 a.m. in anticipation for the release. Read More

Fremont Brewing | Summer Ale

Though the celebration of spring isn’t exclusive to one certain place or city, the city of Seattle, I can assure you, is especially elated. The welcoming of spring is more than a changing of the seasons — it’s a changing of lifestyle. It means leaving umbrellas at home, closeting the rain boots, planning outdoor happy hours, and spending countless hours on WTA in search of the perfect hike. And as all of this is underway, there’s nothing that I want more in-hand than the Summer Ale from Fremont Brewing. Read More

Skookum Brewery | New Money IPA

It took more time than we would have liked, but spring has hit Seattle. Temps are over 50, the shy sun is starting to peek through grey skies, and patios are flooded with Vitamin D deprived Seattleites. And, as we’re always looking for reasons to fill our glasses, let’s use this seasonal shift as our next excuse. Get yourself a New Money IPA, from Skookum Brewery for this particular occasion.

Read More

pfriem Family Brewers | Belgian Strong Dark

On a trip to Oregon back in June 2016 we were able to visit so many breweries with really amazingly consistent quality! Most of our time was spent in Portland, but we capped off our trip with a day in Hood River on a coffee barista’s recommendation. The one hour drive thru the Cascade Mountains is absolutely worth it for the views and beer. We spent the day watching kite sailing under a blue sky and visited pFriem Family Brewers for lunch. pFriem has specialized in lots of Belgians and sour varietals since opening in 2012 but offers a very eclectic and well-executed menu as a whole, including tasty pub-style food! Oh, and it’s pronounced “FREE-um,” as a waitress helpfully clarified for us.
Read More