Commonwealth Brewing Company | Big Papi

When traveling, it has become commonplace in our society for people to bring back souvenirs for friends and loved ones. It could be a shirt from a local professional team or a keychain with their name etched on it (which is a sore subject for someone who seemingly always struck out as a young kid when trying to find the one with my name on it). But for those closest to me, they know to expect some samples of local beer brewed in the town or city I was visiting. Read More

San Francisco Beer Week 2018 | Opening Gala Preview

San Francisco Beer Week kicks off its 10th Anniversary on February 9, 2018. Like last year, this beer week runs a full 10 days, packed with events all across the Bay Area, ending on February 18, 2018. Get your livers and drinking boots ready. Make sure to check back for the PorchDrinking list of Can’t Miss Events for each day! Below you will find the 10 beers we’re most excited for, along with the full pour list (subject to change).

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What We’re Drinking | January 26, 2018

As the first month of the new year fades away, we are all left with warm thoughts of holidays past and look forward to the next three-day weekend! I am looking forward to that extra Monday off after San Francisco Beer Week 2018 though; it all starts with the SFBW Gala in San Francisco on February 9, and ends with some chill events on the 18th. The 19th I fully plan on sleeping in and repairing what is left of my liver. I hope you enjoy seeing What We are Drinking this past week!

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Fieldwork Brewing Co. | Hop & Glo Double IPA

I recently wrote about the division of IPAs that’s happening. New England style IPA against West Coast IPA, a real Biggie vs. Tupac situation. But now, Berkeley’s Fieldwork Brewing Co. comes along and unites the two with Hop & Glo.
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Saint Errant Brewing | Strange Loops

Like many other new (or soon to be open) breweries, Brent Banks and Ryan Jacobs of Saint Errant Brewing started as homebrewers with full-time jobs. After repeated trips to Vermont … Read More

Starr Hill Brewery | Resinate Imperial Red IPA

If you have ever had Reviver from Starr Hill Brewery, then you already know that they know their way around a Red IPA. The latest addition to Starr Hill’s limited-run All Access Series is like Reviver dialed up to 11. This beer was brewed to be a sort of big brother to Reviver—a role model, if you will. I got my hands on a few bottles of Starr Hill’s Resinate, and I have to say that I enjoyed it.
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Dancing Gnome | Better One or Two

Dancing Gnome has been regularly canning their delicious beers and last week they released one of their DIPA’s, Better One or Two. I’m sure a few of us have seen … Read More

Burial Beer Co. Releases Seasoned Skillet and A Paranormal Vibe

Cover photo courtesy Danele Bova @Daneleheartshops

Tomorrow, Burial Beer Co. (Asheville, NC) will release Seasoned Skillet Donut Stout for the second consecutive year and A Paranormal Vibe Double IPA (DIPA) – the latest addition to their DIPA Earth Series. This comes as Asheville Beer Week announces last call for the week’s celebratory and beer-centric events. Read More

Drake’s Brewing Co | Hopocalypse (Green Label) DIPA

ABV: 9.3% | IBU: 101

Some people may claim that West Coast IPAs are dead, but not according to Drake’s Brewing Company. While it does offer a few hazy IPAs, Drake’s Brewing pumps out a heavy dose of bitter, West Coast brews during San Francisco Beer Week. Hop Heads rejoice each February when this San Leandro brewery unveils its Hopocalypse lineup — each year more bitter than the last. Many fans even line up outside the brewery as early as 3 a.m. in anticipation for the release. Read More

Half Acre Beer Co. | Topanga Gulch DIPA

Featured image courtesy of Half Acre Beer Co.

ABV: 8%

Half Acre Beer Co. is known across Chicago as a forward-thinking brewery that produces big flavor throughout all of their beers. Their newest release, Topanga Gulch DIPA, is the next iteration of this trend, delivering Citra hopped tastiness and fruity notes throughout every sip.

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Hop Butcher For The World | Your Wish Is Granted

I recently went to a carnival. After surviving the Tilt-A-Whirl, ring toss, and the tamale boat, I needed something to wash it down. Unfortunately, the carnival was sponsored by AB-InBev, so all they had was Bud Light. I wandered around and found a fortune telling machine by the Port-o-Potties. Braving the stench, I put a dollar in quarters in and saw Zoltar’s face light up and move, asking me for my wish.

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Cellarmaker Brewing Company | Double Dobis

Photo courtesy of Cellarmaker Brewing. 

ABV: 8.2% | IBU: 86

Cellarmaker Brewing Company burst on the San Francisco beer scene in 2013 and has been brewing some of the best beers on the West Coast ever since (especially their pales and IPAs). Cellarmaker tends to rotate through beers quickly, and rarely brings back the same beer twice, especially in short order.  But, there are exceptions to every rule.

In June, Cellarmaker bottled their Double Dobis beer. Cellarmaker recently started bottling one beer a month, and they are always out of this world. Double Dobis was no exception. Read More

Monkish Brewing Company | Really Real Double IPA

ABV: 8.3% | IBU: 75

Beer trading has seemingly taken off in the last year or so with the increased focus on limited release brews. Treehouse Brewing and Tired Hands are brewing hugely sought after beers from the East Coast, however a contender has arisen from California, making waves with their own New England style, hazy IPAs. That brewery is Monkish Brewing Company and that beer is Really Real Double IPA. Read More

Fieldwork Brewing | Convergence DIPA

ABV: 9%

When Fieldwork opened in Berkeley a year ago, I was stoked, and not just because it was a 10 minute walk from my old apartment. I had read that the co-founder and head brewer, Alex Tweet, had done stints at Ballast Point and Modern Times, where he came up with beers like the Indra Kunindra, Booming Rollers, and yes, the Grapefruit Sculpin. When Fieldwork first opened, however, the beer was great, but I can’t say the taproom was exactly packed. Read More

Tröegs Independent Brewing | Nimble Giant

ABV: 9% | IBU: 69

As the first production brewery I ever visited, Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, PA will always hold a special place in my liver and in my heart. When I heard the official release of their new once-a-year double IPA was coming up, I promised myself I would make the trip. Eventually, I decided that lugging three small kids into a busy brewery would be a poor life choice and canceled my plans. Despite my last minute run-in with adulthood, Lady Luck was still on my side. I found a 4-pack of Tröegs Nimble Giant in the beer department of an upscale grocery store the next day.

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Pipeworks Brewing Co. | Sunburst Peacock

One of my favorite series of beers right now is Pipeworks Brewing’s Fish Series of Imperial IPAs. The brewery rolls these beers out continuously over the year, while throwing a new fish into the pond every so often. Typically these beers feature Citra hops, honey, a tropical ingredient or two, and of course, a high ABV. The newest fish to swim (puns will stop) amongst the others is Sunburst Peacock. Like the others, Sunburst Peacock highlights Citra hops and honey — the adjunct ingredient in this particular release is guava purée.

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Pizza Port Brewing | The Kook DIPA

ABV: 8.5%

Many craft-beer fans know Port Brewing and Lost Abbey Brewing, thanks to their great reputations and relatively wide distributions. A bit less well-known, however, is Pizza Port Brewing Company, … Read More

Pasteur Street Brewing Company | PSBC Double IPA

By the time my boyfriend and I got to Saigon, Vietnam, we had been in Asia for a little over a week. In that time we had discovered exotic beaches, … Read More

Roaring Fork Beer Company | Hoppa Road Imperial IPA

Style: IPA – Imperial/Double | ABV: 8.5% | IBUs: N/A

An 8% hop bomb; Hoppa Road is brewed with over two and a half pounds of Citra Hops per barrel. This makes for a big juicy, lupulicious brew.

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Drake’s Brewing Company | Denogginizer

ABV: 9.75% | IBU: 90

Drake’s Brewing Company, founded by Roger Lind, started in 1989 with two stainless steel dairy tanks, a fifteen barrel kettle, one fermenter, and a few British pub cellar tanks. The goal was simple: create good English-style ales. Eventually with the addition of fresh Pacific Northwest hops, top quality malt, and a neutral California ale yeast strain, the ales started to take a more distinct, west coast style. Years passed, recipes refined and evolved and in 2004 Drake’s created Denogginizer, a perfect nod to their English style roots along with a toast to their West Coast hop evolution, tying their past to their present.

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