Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Announces New Executive Director

After a search that lasted most of the summer, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has announced they have hired Danielle D’Alessandro as their new executive director. D’Alessandro replaces Justin Maynard who left the guild back in June and is now working at Baderbräu in Chicago.

Read More

Chicago Prepares for 8th Annual Cooking Up a Cure Benefit

Not too many events in Chicago can pair the city’s best chefs alongside a wide variety of local craft beer, spirits and wine. On Thursday, Sept. 15, the 8th annual Cooking Up a Cure will take place at Galleria Marchetti to raise money for the Greater Chicago chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation.

Read More

What We’re Drinking | September 9th, 2016

Did you wake up this morning, look at the calendar and wonder if it is actually Friday today? Luckily, you’re not alone. One of the many rewards of a Monday holiday is a shorter work week. Some PorchDrinkers traveled over the holiday weekend, some stayed home, and unfortunately some had to work. Despite these differences, we all had one thing in common this week: we enjoyed a delicious brew. Check out what we imbibed in this week’s edition of What We’re Drinking!

Read More

2 Days, 2 Nights | NYC Craft Beer Scene

Ah, New York City. You’ve made it! Even if only for a weekend. As you read our guide, keep in mind that although we have enough recs to heavily stack your stay with activities, NYC is best enjoyed in small doses. Pace yourself to what feels doable, OR, do it BIG style. Read More

Event Recap | 9th Annual Savannah Craft Brew Fest

Twas the night before the Savannah Craft Brew Fest The weather was frightening and the roads were a wreck. Not a soul was … Read More

Brewery Showcase | Southbound Brewing Co.

Southbound Brewing Co. opened its brew kettle in May 2013 as the first production microbrewery in Savannah, Georgia. It is the brainchild of Smith Mathews and Carly Wiggins. But the story begins long before Southbound’s name was ever uttered.

Read More

What We’re Drinking | August 26th, 2016

Guess who’s back, back again? The PorchDrinking team has rejoined forces to bring back our weekly What We’re Drinking series. As the evenings grow shorter, the temperature begins to drop and we all know that summer is quickly coming to an end. Because of this, we are drinking whatever the hell we want. We love our seasonal brews but let’s be completely honest here. We love #allthebeers. So cheers to another awesome week and hoping we can stretch a little more out of this summer. Read More

Wedtoberfest Combines Wedding Show with Beer Festival

Wedding shows – they’re typically geared towards the brides to come walk around and talk to different vendors to book for their big day. Usually you don’t see many guys at these shows… until now. Wedtoberfest takes place Sept. 22nd from 6-9pm at Artifacts Events in Chicago and combines a wedding show with a beer festival.

Read More

Event Preview | ThirstyBear Organic Brewery Celebrates 20 Years

Surviving as a brewpub in San Francisco for 20 years is tough. Switching to an organic brewpub for the last 10 years is even more difficult. Both of these milestones are reason to celebrate, and that is exactly what ThirstyBear Organic Brewery is doing this weekend. Read More

Brewery Showcase | Around the Bend Beer Company

Around the Bend Beer Company isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel; the two-year-old brewery is on a mission to make the wheel faster, slicker, and cooler. When brewing a Kolsch-style beer (Ghost of ‘Lectricity), a first-wort brewing process is applied to extract more hops flavor, yet also smooth out its edges. When Around the Bend brews an American Pale Ale (Silk Road), galangal is blended into the recipe. And who else make the connection between orange marmalade and a Double/Imperial IPA? You find it in Mr. Marmalade.

Read More

Event Recap | 2016 Burning Can REEB Ranch

The light showers and skirting thunderstorms around the mountains in western North Carolina couldn’t hold a candle to the electricity coming from the stage at Oskar Blues Burning Can held at their REEB Ranch in Brevard the 15th and 16th of July. A weekend full of nature, funky tunes, great beer and fantastic activities swarmed festival attendees, with just enough rain to keep the crowd cool from the scorching summer heat many have been suffering. Read More

URGENT: Event Preview | Fifty West Brewing Co.’s Fifty Fest

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17th.  This date signals the return of Fifty Fest, a celebration hosted by Fifty West Brewing Company which brings together the perfect trifecta of Beers, Music, and … Read More

Ultimate 6er | Seattle Growler Fills

Draft beer almost always tastes better than bottled or canned beer.* It’s fresher and hasn’t been exposed to heat, light, or oxygen—elements that can have a major negative impact on the beer’s taste and aroma. Despite the superiority of draft, we don’t always feel like going out for a pint. As a self-proclaimed introvert, I’m a prime example of a beer enthusiast who sometimes just wants to chill at home and watch a movie. Or read. Or drink a few beers while I cook dinner. This is when growlers come in handy. Typically 64 fluid ounces (the equivalent to 4 pints) or 32 fluid ounces (2 pints) breweries and taprooms will happily fill growler jugs with fresh, tasty, draft beer and allow patrons to grab quality beer to go. Read More

Event Recap | Milwaukee Firkin Beer Fest

Pouring rain and beer, the annual Milwaukee Firkin Beer Fest was delayed for 45 minutes. But not even the storms could hinder the event or dampen the spirits of festival goers, as attendees waited out the weather so they wouldn’t lose their spot. There was the slightest chance of lightning canceling the entire event, but mother nature took it easy. The rain settled and the gates opened. Still drizzling, Yajaira and I shared an umbrella as we sped across the numerous booths.

Read More

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. | Automatic

5.2% ABV

Creature Comforts Brewing Co.’s Automatic Pale Ale comes straight out of Athens, Georgia which was just voted the number one city in the SEC for craft beer. And for very good reasons. Creature Comforts Brewing Co. is killing it with their current lineup, sending beer geeks all around Georgia in search of their popular brews. Automatic Pale Ale is their newest canned beer, released this summer, and it is causing excitement across the Southeast.

Read More

Odd13 Brewing | Hawaiian Bartender

ABV: 6.7%

With the scorching temperatures and steamy days we’ve been having all summer, it’s time to cool off with a tropical treat—Hawaiian Bartender from Odd13 Brewing. This sour blonde with mango and pineapple added is nothing short of a luau in a can. Read More

Inside the Tank | Revolution Brewing Company

Walk into a bar in Chicago and you’re more than likely to see the colorful fist tap handles at the bar. Those fists let you know that Revolution Brewing is on tap and have become synonymous with Chicago craft beer.

Read More

Fischman Liquors Set to Open at Six Corners in 2017

Just 24 hours before Fischman Liquors was set to close in their current location at 4780 N. Milwaukee Ave., husband and wife owners Gus and Shanna Karamaniolas announced they would be reopening in a new location sometime in 2017.

Read More

Moody Tongue Tasting Room Taking Shape

After months of speculation, Moody Tongue Brewing Company has announced that their tasting room is getting ready to open its doors to the public. While no official date has been announced yet, the brewery issued a press release today with more details on the new space and what beer fans can expect.

Read More

Revolution Brewing | Citra Hero

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For a while Revolution Brewing’s Hero Series was only available in bombers or on draft. Luckily for craft beer lovers everywhere 2016 is the first time that the series has made its way into 12-ounce cans. For the summer there is no better beer to crush on a hot day than Citra Hero.

Read More