Pour List Preview | Wynkoop’s 2019 Day Of Darks

As the days get shorter and the temperatures lower, the beer drinker’s mind turns to thoughts of rich, comforting Porters, Stouts, and other dark beers. Thankfully, Wynkoop Brewing Co. in … Read More

PorchDrinking Playlist | Darker Shades of Sound

Endless summers have earned their nicknames for a reason; with the persistence of light come late nights and early mornings. Despite the vibrancy of this eternal sunshine, I personally live for the hours when the sun makes way for the moon. There’s something enthralling about sinking back into the shadows to embrace the darker shades of sound. Go ahead and tuck yourself into the night as you explore this playlist, its artists, and their uniquely haunting arrays of work.

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Uinta Brewing Dubhe Imperial Black IPA

ABV: 9.2%

IBU: 109

SRM: 110 (apparently blacker than the blackest black times infinity)

It’s like riding a chocolate wave of star-dust through floral hop galaxies. Taking on the Uinta Brewing Dubhe Imperial Black IPA is a journey through the stars that is dry yet refreshing, malty yet hoppy, light yet bold. Shit is crazy, brah. The beer pours a rich, malty black with a rocky tan head. Is this a fucking stout? Is this a porter? What the shit is going on in my glass? I was expecting a big, hop-heavy aroma with the five hop varietals in this brew but it comes off as a malty, sweet beast. There is a floral ester coming in before the first sip and most of that must be the hemp seeds? That first quaff is creamy and thick, with chocolate malts and a slight bitter punch coming mid-palate to fight off any cloying, bitch-ass malts trying to hang out on the tongue. Malt goodnesses AND hops galore. Wicked. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Day 11: Boulevard Nutcracker

This beer pours a deep, dark brown almost black, Smells of roasted malt, coffee, and light herbaceous hops. The label says it’s a fresh hopped Winter Warmer, but the only … Read More

1554 – New Belgium Brewing Co.

ABV – 5.6%

IBU: 21

“Never judge a book by its cover.” -every mother ever.

We’ve all heard it time and time again, the bit of maternal guidance that we take into account every time something new comes along. If heeded, it can open doors you didn’t even know existed. And beer is no exception. New Belgium’s 1554 was my eye-opening beer that, after diving into a deep, black, creamy pint of it, and despite not being a “dark beer person”, opened the door of infinite beer possibility. All you have to do is drink the neck; within those first few sips 1554 shows its complexity and body, as well as its smooth, softer side. A perfect warm up while reading next to the fire place in the upcoming inevitable Colorado snow storms (please!?!). Read More

Black Hemp- O’Fallon Brewery

ABV: 5.8%

I tend to have the same routine for choosing a new beer that I do for choosing a new book. I usually judge books by their cover and I usually take the title into consideration before I care to read the synopsis. I once plucked a book off the library shelf just because it was called This Book Will Save Your Life. Catchy title, not so life-saving book. So when I stumbled upon this beer called Black Hemp, I was a little intrigued. Beer and books come with expectations, too. I always come up with an idea of what I think a beer is going to taste like and how the book is going to read. Unlike the aforementioned library choice, O’Fallon Brewery did not disappoint me. Read More

Hoppin Frog Brewery – Hop Heathen Black

ABV: 8.8%

IBU: 70

Hoppin Frog is a brewery that is new to me. Until B.O.R.I.S the Crusher was put on tap at the pub I work at I had no idea that it existed. Generally that doesn’t surprise me but being located in Akron, Ohio, a town I pass through each time I visit my family I thought I would have heard of it by now. Akron is devoid of any attractions besides the childhood homes of The Black Keys and a quality brewery should generate a lot more interest.
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Ultimate 6er | Brew Ha-Ha: Malts edition

At Brew Ha-Ha, Betsy and I endeavored to create an Ultimate 6er, however there were 100 beers represented and we didn’t want to leave any of our favorites out. You know what that means? Double-dose of Ultimate 6ers today! I’m taking on my favorites from the malts end of the spectrum, while Betsy sorts out the hops in a little bit.
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Brouwerij Westvleteren – Westvleteren 12

When I began planning my short, twenty-four hour trip to Belgium, I immediately began looking for the greatest and best beers to try. Having been to the New Belgium Brewery, my eyes had been recently opened to the glories of Belgian beers. So, I asked Google for a list of the greatest and best beers made by the Belgians and Google not only told me that many Belgian beers are absolutely fantastic, but the “best beer in the world” (as rated by Beer Advocate and about everyone else) could be found in Belgium and only Belgium.
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Left Hand – Wake Up Dead

Wake Up Dead Russian Imperial Stout – Left Hand Brewing, Longmont, CO

ABV: 10.2%

IBUs: 50

With it starting to get cooler (relatively) and breweries starting to release the bigger, … Read More

New Belgium’s Red Hoptober Release Party

Red Hoptober – New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins, CO

ABV: 6%

IBU: 60

Let this be said: if you haven’t seen The Patti Fiasco, please make sure you do … Read More

Trappist Achel – Bruin Bier Extra

Bruin Bier Extra – Brouwerij der Sint-Benedictusabdij de Achelse Kluis, Achel, Belgium ABV: 9.5%

Trappist breweries are somewhat of a rarity in this world. As there are only seven Trappist … Read More