#chicago Archives – PorchDrinking.com
2020 Illinois Best in Beer Year-End Honors
January 15, 2021 | Mike Zoller
It’s cliche to say that 2020 was a year unlike any other but how else do you describe what was most likely the most challenging year in a long time. While breweries and organizations mainly cancelled or refashioned beer festivals and release parties, the beer continued to flow. In 2020, Illinois brewers still managed to produce an abundance of of notable beers.
Dry January? Here’s How You Can Still Support Your Favorite Breweries
January 14, 2021 | Brandon Cohran
January is often a popular month for craft beer drinkers to take some time off from the “hobby.” It’s important to be able to do so and to drink in amounts where you’re comfortable. We recently offered 30 Reasons Why You Should Skip Dry January in 2021, but if you are taking the time completely off, you can still help your local breweries. Read More
The History Behind Riot | Revolution Brewing
December 28, 2020 | Alex Sertic
Good beer tells a story. A brewer could be inspired by a personal experience or possibly by their surroundings. For Riot, it is the latter. The city of Chicago has a dense and complex history. Chicago is known for major historical events such as The Great Chicago Fire, The Columbian Exposition (shout out to the amazing book Devil in the White City), and the Haymarket Affair. But, the story behind this Revolution Brewing beer is hidden in the depths of history.
Energy City Brewing | Bistro Grande Pumpkin Cheesecake
November 30, 2020 | Paul Lewis
With innovation and experimentation at the forefront, Energy City Brewing in Batavia, Ill. has something new brewing every week. Without an operating taproom and in the middle of a still-surging pandemic, they have still found a way to keep the sophisticated beer drinkers’ attention and stay relevant in times of uncertainty. While their mainstay offerings continue to be popular around the Chicagoland area, their one-off offerings, available only for curbside pick-up at the brewery, are the main attraction, drawing people all the way from Chicago to make the long drive two counties over for a chance to get their hands on this week’s concoction.
Lifelong Friends Open Indian-Inspired Brewery in Chicago
November 26, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard
When longtime friends Ray Schrand (Gator) and Bhavik Modi decided to open yet another brewery in Chicago—a city with close to 80 breweries—they knew their brewery needed to set itself apart. Thankfully, they didn’t have to do a lot of thinking.
Azadi Brewing Company opened its doors November 14 inside Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago’s Logan Square. That day also happened to be Diwali, India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. Azadi opened with two beers on tap: Kavi, a Cardamom Golden Ale; and Gir, a Kesar Mango IPA.
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Pipeworks Brewing & Manny’s Deli Collaborate on Beef-Focused Pastrami on Rye Ale
November 19, 2020 | Taylor Laabs
In a year that feels like it will never end, waiting almost a decade must feel like an eternity. Yet, some things are worth the wait. Case in point: the return of Pipeworks Brewing Co.’s Pastrami on Rye, which returns this month with a fun twist: a collaboration with local Chicago pastrami staple Manny’s Deli. First brewed in 2010, the eclectic ale is back again in 2020, thanks in small part to the beer-focused musings of one of our own writers: Mike Zoller (aka Instagram’s @ChicagoBeer) and the creative, collaborative spirit of two local Chicago businesses. Here are the details on what Chicago beer lovers can expect for the return of Pastrami on Rye.
Familiar Beers Return for Latest Revolution Deep Wood Release
November 19, 2020 | Mike Zoller
A trio of familiar faces make up Chicago’s Revolution Brewing’s third Deep Wood release of barrel-aged beers with pickup beginning this weekend at the brewery’s taproom.
2020 FoBAB Winners Announced | Cider Makes Best of Show History
November 14, 2020 | Mike Zoller 1
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild‘s annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers (FoBAB) competition, which hosts breweries from throughout the nation, is usually one where the Barrel-Aged Stouts get most of the focus. However, it was a surprising, different style that for the first time took home the top honor in FoBAB’s Best of Show category.
First Taste | Cruz Blanca’s 2020 Luchador Series
November 12, 2020 | Mike Zoller 1
Each year, Chicago’s Cruz Blanca continues to get bolder with its barrel-aged series, Luchador. In 2019 the brewery released six different variants and in 2020 upped that number to eight different masked bottles that will be released this Saturday.
Lo Rez Brewing | El Paseo Pale Ale
November 6, 2020 | Christiana Torres
Why do people love craft beer? You could narrow it down to a few major factors: Quality ingredients, community support and promoting a local economy. Those reasons are why people gravitate to craft beer, to be a part of something bigger. If any beer can hold all of that under its belt, it’s El Paseo Pale Ale from south side Chicago-based Lo Rez Brewing. Read More
Primary Colors Releases First Set of Blended Beers to Market
November 2, 2020 | Mike Zoller 5
Even as COVID restrictions continue to hamper businesses across the country, Chicago’s brewery scene has added another brewery to the always growing roster as Primary Colors Brewing has packaged their first mixed six-pack of eight-ounce beers.
Deth’s Tar, Maple Deth Shine in Revolution’s Second Deep Wood Release
October 20, 2020 | Mike Zoller
As the temperatures dip and the days get shorter, barrel-aged season in Chicago continues to ramp up. This weekend, Revolution Brewing will host the second of four releases in their Deep Wood series. A trio of beers highlights this release with two familiar names and a new one to the series.
Hopewell Brewing Co. | Cold Brew Lemonade
October 13, 2020 | Mike Zoller
Sometimes you see a beer; read the description and have no idea what to expect but you know you want to try that beer. That was the case with Hopewell Brewing Company’s Cold Brew Lemonade beer that recently hit the market.
Revolution Brewing | Thundertaker Perfectly Blends Spice & Sweet
September 17, 2020 | Mike Zoller
Perfectly balancing spice and sweetness, Thundertaker, the first release in the 2020-21 Deep Wood Series from Revolution Brewing in Chicago, IL sets the bar high for what’s to come.
Brewdacris Oktoberfest Beer Tasting
September 16, 2020 | Emma Wargolet
As someone who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Oktoberfest is not just a type of beer or a festival in Germany; it’s a state of mind. With the cancellation of many Oktoberfest events, people have to be creative in their celebration. Personally, give me a day where I can justifiably drink beer and eat sausage all day and I’ll be a happy camper.
Ultimate 6er | Baseball and Beer
September 2, 2020 | Abby Schmeling
Believe it or not, we’re more than halfway through the baseball season. With less than 30 games to play, the phrase “every game matters” comes with a new meaning this year. Following the trade deadline, we took a look at the top teams across each division in the American and National leagues to craft this Ultimate 6er.
Whiner Beer | Bleu Tub
August 31, 2020 | Christiana Torres
Seasonal beers are bittersweet. While they often use fresh, quality ingredients and are perfect for the time of year, it also means you only get to drink them for a limited time. Whiner Beer, a brewery on Chicago’s Southside, specializes in barrel-aged beer inspired by Belgium and French practices and has a few seasonal beers their patrons look forward to throughout the year.
Rifting off their permanent Saison LeTub, Bleu Tub is a barrel-aged Saison brewed with blueberries and is only available for half the year. With a dusty purple-ish hue and foamy head, the beer gives off scents of citrus, florals and it perks the nose up. With a smell that is clean, refreshing and inviting, Bleu Tub provides the perfect balance of comfort and excitement.
Revolution Brewing Announces 2020-21 Deep Wood Lineup
August 26, 2020 | Mike Zoller
Next month will officially kickoff Revolution Brewing’s 2020-21 Deep Wood series as the brewery prepares to release a dozen barrel-aged beers between September and January.
Ultimate 6er | What We Do in the Shadows And Beer
August 26, 2020 | Emma Wargolet
Recommending the television show What We Do in the Shadows has become a regular part of my conversations with people. Developed from the film of the same name, WWDITS is one of the best new comedy series to debut in recent years. Throwing the sophomore slump cliché out the window, the second and most recent season is absolutely hilarious, and earned an Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy nomination. They’ve somehow created a hilarious vampire television show that does not lean on shticks or gimmicks, and have developed characters who, despite killing humans, are sympathized with and cheered on.
Chicago Beer Bars Struggle, Adapt to COVID
August 17, 2020 | Mike Zoller 1
On the day that Chicago’s Beermiscuous found out it was approved for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, the owners had a huge sigh of relief. The city had changed the rules again to not allow taverns and bars that don’t serve food to have indoor dining, and the craft beer bar was nervous for its survival. And, even with the PPP loan, they aren’t out of the woods.
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