beerfest Archives – Page 3 of 4 – PorchDrinking.com
Event Recap | Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Chicago
June 16, 2017 | Taylor LaabsFeature image courtesy of Taylor Laabs
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp put together another impressive showing last Saturday at Navy Pier. Whether it was the pristine location, the bevy of good beer, or the friendliness of the staff and brewmasters, Sierra Nevada knows what it takes to make a solid craft beer festival – and they deliver on that successful formula time and time again.
Event Recap | Two Brothers Brewing Summer Festival
June 13, 2017 | Mathew PowersTwo Brother’s Brewing Summer Festival speaks volumes about the brewery’s identity. The journey for the Ebel brothers started with a brewery that barely turned profits twenty years ago to owning five locations and adding coffee and spirits to its portfolio. But, what defines Two Brothers is not its products as much as the brewery’s propensity to host events and welcome fans into its many homes. From Scottsdale to Oak Park, Oktoberfest to Summerfest, nail-pulling parties to special releases, Two Brothers invites you inside and says, “Welcome to our house, beer’s in the fridge.”
AleSmith and Around the Bend Collaboration, Chicago Craft Beer Week
May 18, 2017 | Mathew PowersThe annual Beer Under Glass (B.U.G.) at Garfield Park Conservatory serves as the formal opening to Chicago Craft Beer Week (#CCBW), and brewers are more than happy to provide special offerings for the unique event. One such brew exemplifies the true meaning of craft beer — industry first, beer first, a collaboration between two “competing” breweries, Alesmith Brewing Company and Chicago’s Around the Bend Beer Co. This special brew will enjoy its first pouring at B.U.G, and then during select events (and sold in stores) thereafter.
Event Preview | Chicago Beer Classic at Soldier Field
May 1, 2017 | Mathew PowersFresh off the Chicago Bears blockbuster decision to go all-in on the barely-tested QB, Mitchell Trubisky; Soldier Field will provide Chicagoans with the ultimate solution for any possible worries — plenty of beer. The annual Chicago Beer Classic arrives May 6th with two sessions that include hundreds of beers, food, games, tours of Soldier Field, chances to talk to brewers and voting for an MVP beer.
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Event Recap | 4th Annual Firkin Fest
April 24, 2017 | Mike ZollerEarlier this month Headquarters Beercade hosted its fourth annual Firkin Fest. 40 different breweries brought firkins of some of their well-known beer, giving those in attendance a chance to try a unique twist on the beer they’ve come to know.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSZDprOgp2g/?taken-by=chicagobeer
Hops for Homes | A Craft Beer Festival Benefiting Habitat for Humanity
April 6, 2017 | Cory PelcMore than twenty Denver-area craft breweries are joining together to support the construction of affordable homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver this year. The need for affordable housing has never been greater in Denver. In fact, metro Denver has the highest home prices of any U.S. city not located on a coast. Habitat for Humanity is experiencing the effects of the affordable housing crisis first-hand, with more than 2,000 families reaching out for help in 2016 alone.
Event Preview | 4th Annual Firkin Fest: Headquarters Beercade, Chicago (Apr 2)
March 29, 2017 | Mathew PowersFirkin Fest: April 2, 12pm to 4pm | Tickets: $42 GA / $57 All-Access
The litany of festivals these days is almost overwhelming, which is why it behooves beer drinkers to pick and choose festivals that provide something unique. That’s just what Chicago’s Headquarters (HQ) Beercade is doing with its 4th Annual Firkin Fest — 40 Breweries bringing unique selections, only available for festival goers. For those willing to pay a little extra, food will be served, too. And the best part? Ticket proceeds will support the Chicago Food Depository.
Event Recap | Chicago Beer Festival
March 13, 2017 | Mike ZollerWhere else can you drink among the tombs of ancient Egyptians or sip a cold beer in the Hall of Birds? If you were at The Chicago Beer Festival you had both of these opportunities and a lot more.

Previewing the Revamped 2017 Colorado Craft Beer Week
March 3, 2017 | Cory PelcFestivities to run from March 18 through March 25
Every week in Denver feels like a version of the best-of-the-best events but for one week in March, everyone in Colorado celebrates Colorado Craft Beer Week. For CCBW 2017, there will be hundreds of brewery supported events throughout the state from educational panels at neighborhood breweries to the highlight event of the week, the fourth annual Collaboration Fest at the National Western Stock Show Complex.
Event Recap | Northalsted Frost Fest 2017
March 3, 2017 | Taylor LaabsLast Saturday, on a seasonably chilly Chicago night, I experienced all that the Northalsted Frost Fest craft beer festival had to offer. There were bright lights, loud music and a good amount of quality craft beer on-hand, which made it one of the more interesting beer events I’ve attended. Frost Fest was as much a tented night club as it was a beer tasting, which made for some entertaining highlights. Here are my top five moments from Frost Fest 2017.
Event Preview | The Chicago Beer Festival
February 27, 2017 | Mike ZollerHave you ever had a drink with a T-Rex, or shared a brew with some of the world’s oldest artifacts? This Saturday The Chicago Beer Festival returns to The Field Museum as over 70 breweries will be on hand pouring a wide variety of beers to try.

Event Recap | Illinois Winter Wonderland of Beer (#ILWinterFest)
February 22, 2017 | Mathew PowersThe mighty rodent and his all-powerful shadow cannot defeat the mighty force that is the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. On February 18, the temperature soared to 70 degrees as beer fans flocked to the Guild’s Winter Wonderland of Beer Festival (#ILWinterFest). Then again, in a winter where Chicagoans haven’t seen more than 1″ of snow since mid-December, maybe this is six more weeks of winter, 2017! Out with Chiberia, in with Chindiago! Read More
Event Preview | Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Winter Wonderland of Beer
February 10, 2017 | Mathew PowersSaturday, February 18
1 PM – 4 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM
MB Financial Park, Rosemont, Il
Tickets Still Available
“I think an outside festival in February is CRAZY! But, I guess there are a lot of people that really like the idea so we wanted to provide an opportunity to enjoy the best of both!”
And so, Danielle D’Alessandro, Executive Director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and her crew are throwing their first outdoor beer party on February 18 — the Winter Wonderland of Beer (#ILWinterFest). Get out the long johns, throw on the scarf, and get ready to throw caution to the winter winds!
The Festival of Barrel Aged Beers | FoBAB 2016 Awards
November 12, 2016 | Mathew PowersThe world’s largest barrel-aged beer competition, held at the Festival of Barrel Aged Beer (FoBAB) in Chicago, is underway. However, the FoBAB 2016 awards are now official, and our Chicago/Midwest editor, Mike Zoeller was there. Here are the results — congrats to all the winners!
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Event Recap | Chicago’s 6th Annual Beer Hoptacular
November 8, 2016 | Mathew PowersIn a setting normally reserved for bringing screenplays to life, the entertainment value of Chicago’s Beer Hoptacular at Cinespace Chicago was worthy of an Oscar. Within the expansive production studio, a sea of breweries lined both walls and were accompanied by music, food, an airbrush tattoo van, and even an insult booth. Of course, a beer fest is only as good as its beer, and with more than 150 craft beers on hand, the beer selection did not disappoint.
Event Preview | Upslope Brewing’s 8th Anniversary Party
November 2, 2016 | Tristan ChanWhat: Upslope Brewing’s 8th Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 2 – 8 p.m.
Where: 1898 S. Flatiron Court Boulder, Colorado 80301
Over the past eight years many beer lovers have come to identify Upslope Brewing Company with their ability to excel in core styles, like Craft Lager and Brown Ale. While those stylistically proficient mainstays continue to hold up several years later, what’s made Upslope truly shine in recent years can be seen through their seasonal offerings such as their Thai White IPA and Blood Orange Saison.
Event Preview | 2016 Bacon and Beer Fest
November 1, 2016 | Tristan ChanWhat: 2016 Bacon and Beer Fest
When: Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 2 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Glitter Dome 3600 Wynkoop St | Denver, CO 80216
There may not be a more … Read More
UPDATED Event Preview | Chicago’s 6th Annual Beer Hoptacular
October 12, 2016 | Mathew PowersChicago’s Beer Hoptacular enjoyed tremendous success and popularity its first five years..and then it vanished. Seemingly in its prime, it went away for a year. But, drawing on its inner Michael Jordan, HopTacular can announce to the world, “I’m back!”
(Edit: Back, indeed! The Pour List is located at the bottom of this article. More than 150 beers from around the country.)
Chicago’s German-American Oktoberfest
September 16, 2016 | Mathew PowersChicago’s German-American OktoberFest, held in the city’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, celebrates culture, history, and of course good old fashioned Deutschland fun. However, it also provides a glimpse into Chicago’s love affair with German-style bier, both traditional and modern craft.
Event Recap | Ska Brewing’s 21st Anniversary Party
September 15, 2016 | David ThompsonWhen I turned 21, I spent the night drinking way too much blue-ribbon winning beer while slightly intoxicated coeds did their best Carrie Underwood karaoke. It was just about as much of a mess as it sounds. This year, Ska Brewing turned 21, and they decided to celebrate with some gold-medal winning beer and some legendary punk and ska bands. It was just about as amazing as it sounds.
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