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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Life, Liberty and 13 Beers for 13 Colonies

It is a special thing to celebrate the Fourth of July in places up and down the East Coast, in cities that relish their historical relevance. It’s also a special thing to drink plenty of beer, develop a t-shirt tan and relish in the glory that is overcooked burgers and sour cream and onion chips, with ridges, of course. Read More

Schlafly to Release 12-Pack Focused Around Individual Hops

Schlafly Beer is getting ready to release a new variety pack that features relatively new hops in a SMaSH (single malt & single hop) format to showcase the unique characteristics of the hops. The Hop Trial SMaSH Pack will be available everywhere Schlafly Beer is available starting July 4th.

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Goose Island releases latest Fulton & Wood Series beer: Bee Squad

Brewed with honey and the proceeds going to help beekeeping education and training, Goose Island released Bee Squad last Wednesday night at a sold out event at The J. Parker Rooftop.

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I’m on a Boat… In South Carolina

It’s officially summer, and with the change of the seasons comes all of the exciting outdoor activities that keep us busy when the weather is beautiful. The lowcountry of South Carolina has a plethora of options when it comes to fun in the sun. In our region of the country, summer activities mostly take place in the water. We decided to gather 5 locally crafted brews and take them for a ride.

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Goose Island Collaborates with Local Chicago Band

For the fourth year, Goose Island has teamed up with a band performing at the Pitchfork Music Festival to create a unique beer that represents the bands taste in beers. This year the brewery collaborated with Chicago’s own Twin Peaks to create Natural Villain, a garage/pilsner-style lager.

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Transient Artisan Ales | Pentameter Batch #2

Breweries are opening in and around Chicago with frequency, but few of them are making sour and wild ales the main focus of their efforts. Since its inception, Chris Betts of … Read More

5 Things You Appreciate About Craft Breweries From Homebrewing

Homebrewing isn’t just a hobby; it’s an art form defined by our country’s do-it-yourself spirit through combining dedicated scientific research and passionate culinary engineering. According to the American Homebrewers Association, there are approximately 1.2 million homebrewers in the United States after every state had legalized the act in 2013. Just as craft beer opens you up to whole new world of flavors, there’s infinite number of possibilities when you realize what you can make with your first homebrewing kit. And as you ignite this new exciting hobby, you really start to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into the industry as a whole. Read More

Chicago Craft Beer Week | Nevin’s Brewing Co. 21 Beer Salute

Chicago Craft Beer Week
Nevin’s Brewing Co: 4th Annual 21 Beer Salute
12337 South Rt. 59, Plainfield, Illinois
Sat, 5/21: 6 – 10pm
Fee: $1 per sample (4 oz), $8 cover after 8pm.
Music: 9:30pm: Keith Semple
Food: $10.99 unlimited wings

Craft brewers love to be innovative. So, naturally, Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW) involves an event where one brewer provides patrons with a celebration of experimentation. Indeed, Marc Wilson, brewmaster at Nevin’s Brewing Co. in Plainfield, explained, “I wanted to play with some styles/techniques that I’m a little less familiar.” And he’ll leave it up to you to be the judge, explaining, “I give our guests scorecards that they can return to me at the end of the evening so I can see what went well and what bombed.” Read More

Chicago Craft Beer Week | Chain O’Lakes Brewing Company

Chicago Craft Beer Week Chain O’Lakes Brewing Company Small Batch Ale Release (Collaboration) Fri, May 20, 4pm – 9pm Chain O’ Lakes Brewery Taproom 3425 Pearl St, McHenry, IL 60050 … Read More

Zipline Brewing | BA Chocolate Double Stout

Photo Courtesy of Zipline Brewing Co.

ABV: 11.5%

When Zipline Brewing Co. first opened its doors a few short years ago, I instantly became a fan. From the get-go, they were turning out solid beer in a number of styles, with many featuring a creative twist that made them unique and especially interesting for craft beer lovers. Like the sense of fun and adventure the brewery’s name suggests, these guys love to push the envelope without being reckless. The result? Some damn good beer from a place you wouldn’t expect—Lincoln, NE.

While I’m now a Denver resident surrounded by some of the country’s premiere breweries, it was still critical that I showcased the quality beer coming out of Zipline. I chose one of their latest creations, the Barrel-Aged Chocolate Double Stout, because, well, it’s amazing. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Colorado Ski Mountain and Beer Pairing

Winter in Colorado means trips up I-70 to your favorite ski mountain. After a long day on the mountain, nothing helps you relax and unwind more than a cold beverage, preferably a crisp and refreshing brewski (see what I did there?). This Ultimate 6er pairs six Colorado ski destinations with six delicious beers. Now, I could have taken the easy route by pairing mountains with their (awesome) local breweries. However, I wanted to get a little more creative instead, so I looked into certain resorts’ nicknames, runs, and mountains to really give PorchDrinkers six special pairings. Read More

5 Beers to Ring in the New Year

Tradition tells us Champagne is the drink of choice for New Year’s toasts. When ringing in 2016, why not swap that overpriced bottle of imported bubbles for a tulip … Read More

Reuben’s Brews | Robust Porter

5.9% ABV | 30 IBU

I’m a big believer in a relaxing Sunday, especially after a busy Saturday. A recent Saturday definitely fit that bill with a 4 dog trip … Read More