What We’re Drinking | June 17th, 2016

Confession: I’m a theatre nerd. I don’t really know a damn thing about sports. The only things that can get me excited for a game are other excited people and, well, beer. Depending on the sport… lots of beer. But even I realize how massive the last two weeks have been for sports — US Men’s Soccer is a game away from the finals, and the NBA finalists are headed to an unexpected game 7 this Sunday. So grab a cold six pack, call up your friend with the big screen, and sports hard. Sports real hard. *clink*

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Beerstagram | June 9th – 16th

This week’s installment of Beerstagram seems to have gone to the dogs, who always make great drinking buddies, right? We also have some non-dog shots for all of you cat people out there! If you would like a chance to be featured be sure to tag @porchdrinkingco in your photos each week!

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Epic Brewing Company | Sour Brainless on Peaches

ABV 7.4%

A few years back, Epic Brewing Company did the unthinkable. They took classic beers from their standard lineup and messed with ’em! They released a handful of ‘wild’ versions of their fruit beers that we all know so well. The already natural funky flavors in the beer must have sparked the imagination of a creative brewer.

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Event Preview | Chicago Ale Fest

2nd Annual Chicago Ale Fest Buckingham Fountain (Grant Park), Chicago, IL Friday, June 17, 2016: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. $50 … Read More

Wicked Weed Brewing | Recurrant

Funk fans, rejoice! Wicked Weed Brewing Recurrant is back and now part of their sour line up.

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What We’re Drinking | June 10th, 2016

This is my life lately, you guys:

*Goes home*

*Sits on couch*

*Sweats*

*Cracks open beer*

Cheers to no AC, patios, and ice cold beverages. Here’s what … Read More

Beerstagram | June 2nd – 9th

We are now in our 2nd week of our re-installment of Beerstagram! If you would like a chance to be featured be sure to tag @porchdrinkingco in your photos! We are on the hunt for some great beer-inspired shots each week! Cheers to another great week of pretty photos and tasty beer! Read More

Event Recap | 2016 SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience

PorchDrinking.com has been fortunate to attend SAVOR the past few years, an event presented by the Brewers Association in Washington, D.C. where over 4,000 craft beer lovers have an opportunity to taste brews from 76 emerging and independent breweries from all over the country. In addition to the craft beer being poured, small bites and appetizers are perfectly paired with each of the brews to provide the ultimate culinary experience. I dare say this year, the ninth year for this premier craft beer and food pairing event held at the National Building Museum, may have been its best yet. Now I know that’s a bold statement with this year being my first year attending, but based on feedback received from attendees and breweries alike, this year truly stood out as one of the best yet. Read More

Ode to the Shower Beer

Scenario 1

It’s a hot summer Saturday evening and you just got home from that co-ed softball tournament that you’re way too into. You’re covered in dried sweat and dirt from your unnecessary slide into second base, and you need to clean up.

Scenario 2

You sit in traffic for an hour and a half after a long day at work where you endured constant yelling from both your clients and your boss. The worst part of all? It’s only Tuesday.

Scenario 3

You’ve just finished moving into the house that’s made you a first time home owner. Your hands are blistered and exhausted from hauling sharp-edged furniture and slippery boxes all day. To go to sleep victoriously in your new bedroom right away would be nice, but it’s not what you need.

The solution to all these scenarios and more? Shower beer.

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Brewery Showcase | River Dog Brewing Co.

Sometimes when you travel off the beaten path, you are rewarded by the sweetest of treasures. This is what you’ll find when you reach River Dog Brewing Co.

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Chicago Craft Brew Cruises | Brewers of the Western Suburbs

“The true history of the World is the history of great conversations in elegant rooms.” —Tyrion Lannister.

Similarly, the true history of craft beer is conversation, but in any room. Chicago Craft Beer week was a prime example, keeping me jabbing for 10 days straight. One stand-out event was the Brewers of the Western Suburbs Cruise hosted by BrewFest Partners, aboard the Mystic Blue.

It was a perfect spring day when we set sail from Navy Pier for a 3-hour long journey along beautiful Lake Michigan. With the renown Chicago skyline as our backdrop, we were catered delicious finger food, and served refreshing beer by Banging Gavel, Blue Nose, BuckleDown, Church Street, Exit Strategy, Flesk, Hopvine, Miskatonic, Nevins, Noon Whistle, Solemn Oath, and Spent Grain Society (homebrew club).
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What We’re Drinking | June 3rd, 2016

Many a thing pair beautifully with our beloved beverage, beer. Cheese, pie, porch swings, macaroons, bacon, campfires, you name it — there’s probably been a beer pairing for it. Personally, my favorite thing to pair with beer has always been dessert… but what about when the beer is so wonderfully decadent that it is, in fact, a dessert? Yes please. This can easily be said about Westbrook Brewing’s recently released Mexican Cake — a highly sought-after imperial stout aged on cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, habanero peppers, and cinnamon sticks. This is one you don’t want to miss, folks.

The PorchDrinking team has been busy researching (drinking) all week long to make sure you have the beer-iest, most beautiful weekend possible. See what else we’re excited about below. Cheers to liquid dessert. *clink*

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Beerstagram 5/26 – 6/2

We hope your Memorial Day weekend was well spent! From the looks of Instagram it seems like a lot of beer was consumed, as you would assume with the kick off … Read More

Brewery Preview | Dovetail Brewery

Days before the craziness of Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW), I was offered the opportunity to tour soon-to-open Dovetail Brewery, which is co-owned, operated and run by Bill Wesselink and Hagen Dost. What better way to begin the beer week, than with a preview of the next chapter of Chicago’s burgeoning beer scene.

Dovetail is a reference to the carpenter’s joint of interlocking boards, it is famed for its resistance to being pulled apart. As Bill so elegantly expressed, “It’s coming together to make a stronger brewery. A mix of old and new, American and European to create what we feel is our interpretation.”
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Brewery Showcase | Pig Minds Brewing Company

It’s all about the liquid.

That may seem like an oversimplification, but as the American craft beer landscape becomes ever more infused with concerns of Big Beer – mergers, acquisitions, … Read More

Ultimate 6er | Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is synonymous for cookouts, pool parties, beach trips and it kicks off the beginning of summer. Plus, we get one extra day of fun in the sun (#MondayFunday anyone?) On the way to your Memorial Day parties, be sure to pick up one of these tasty brews that we think will go perfectly with all of this weekend’s shenanigans! Read More

Event Recap | Chicago Craft Beer Week’s Beer Under Glass

If it’s the clothes that make the man, then it can also be said that it’s the weather that makes the beer festival. For the first time in at least a few years, Beer Under Glass (BUG), the event that opens up Chicago Craft Beer Week, had perfect weather.

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New Province Brewing Company | Philosopher IPA

I’m a very lucky man. There’s no doubt about that. So much so, that even though my wife doesn’t enjoy beer nearly as much as I do, she is always game to accompany me to whatever new brewery is opening. She’ll even suggest places for “date night”, dinners that she knows have an extensive craft beer menu so that I don’t just have to exercise my craft beer cravings with my equally as beer-geeky buds… I know right? I definitely came out on top in this arrangement. It’s because of my wonderful wife that I ended up at New Province Brewing Company.

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Chicago Craft Beer Week: Miskatonic Brewing Co. | Mystery Infusion Contest

Would you like to play a game?

If so, Darien’s Miskatonic Brewing Company has a Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW) challenge for you. They explain, “We are infusing three Miskatonic beers with interesting ingredients. Order a flight and get a scorecard, for every beer and infusion ingredient you guess correctly, you get a raffle ticket for great prizes! Come out and test your palate!” If you fancy yourself a true beer aficionado and think you’re adept at judging and describing beer on Untappd or similar sites, this is the event for you. The party starts at 3 pm on Friday, May 27th at the Miskatonic Brewing taproom. Read More

2 Days, 2 Nights of Craft Beer in Salt Lake City

If you’re looking for a beercation like the rest of us, we know you can have an exceptional one here. Utah is generally thought of as that dry place between craft beer mega states Colorado and California. Unlike the super states that surround us in virtually every direction, you can truly experience a good amount of what Utah beer has to offer in just 2 days and 2 nights, sightseeing along the way.  Read More