Ultimate 6er | Autumn Brews and Views in Wisconsin

There are only a few short weeks left until the beauty of the fall has faded away and the realization that a Midwest winter is on the horizon. While many states in the Midwest still struggle with high cases of COVID-19 outbreaks, that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to safely enjoy Wisconsin’s autumn brews and views before brisk fall weather and and its beauty gives way to winter’s chill.

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Allagash Brewing Company | North Sky Stout

A chill flows through the air as crisp autumn season approaches. With that chill comes the desire for warm flannels, fire pits, and dark beers. Allagash Brewing Company’s newest addition to their year-round lineup, North Sky stout, is precisely the beer for your stargazing, s’ more making fall night.
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Firestone Walker Brewing | Coconut Merlin and Molé Merkin Milk Stout

The seasonal transition from summer to fall not only means a shift to shorter days and cooler weather but can also be seen by many of our beloved milk stouts hitting the shelves. This fall, Firestone Walker released two milk stouts created from the base of their seasonal Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout that yielded two very different and phenomenal beers.

Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout was originally created in 2004 under the name Velvet Merkin. The name was rebranded as Velvet Merlin years later when the beer was packaged for distribution. Velvet Merkin resurfaced in 2013 as the barrel-aged version of Velvet Merlin. In 2015, Velvet Merkin was tweaked again with the incorporation of milk stout.

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Old Nation Brewing | Electron Brown

Last weekend, autumn finally arrived in Michigan in the form of perfect murder mystery type of weather. So, I spent the weekend at the lake calculating the final touches on my plan to do away with my meddling spouse while taking in the gentle stillness of nature. Uh, I mean, um, transitioning from summer to fall beers. Michigan has a glut of great beers and the authentic experience of all four seasons. Thus, we truly have great pairings for every season.

I first got into Old Nation Brewing Electron Brown Espresso Bean Double Brown Ale at a cheese & beer tasting at the incomparable Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor. While I couldn’t accurately describe the cheese, Old Nation’s double brown ale certainly made an impact. Enough so that I scrounged around for it the moment October hit.

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Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery | Coconut Quad

Compared to every other season, autumn always conjures up particular styles of beer. Pumpkin beers, Märzens, and Ambers match drinkers’ palates like the changing shades of leaves. As the summer winds down during peaks of sweltering humidity, you wouldn’t think there could be a beer over 10% fitting for the season. Thankfully, us Virginians have access to a beer that perfectly represents the twilight of summer with Lickinghole Creek’s Coconut Quad.

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Hop Harvest at The Hop Yard

As a crisp breeze blows in the early morning, it is clear that fall is in air. Although the sun still shines at high noon, the days are ever so slightly shorter and the nights ever so slightly cooler. With the change in season comes not only pumpkin-spiced everything and the return of flannels, but also harvest. One can enjoy that spiced latte at the farmers market while picking up the year’s best produce. However, it is not just gourds and sunflowers in bloom: The start of fall is also hop harvest season.
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Vault Brewing Company | Sweet Potato Ale

The fall brings in a welcoming change as the leaves start to transform into vibrant colors before they gracefully fall to the ground here in the Northeast. Stepping out for fresh air, it noticeably has become crisper as it wisps by. And with everyone ironing their favorite flannels before heading out to enjoy the festive activities of the season, there is another phenomenon that lets you know that fall is upon us: beer shelves lined with various options of pumpkin ales.

But amidst the sea of pumpkin beers, the Pennsylvania-based Vault Brewing Company ventured off on their own quest to ring in the season with its Sweet Potato Ale, which gives beer drinkers a switch from the world of pumpkin-everything and celebrates another savory food that accompanies this time of year nicely.

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Event Preview | Savannah River Brewing Co.’s Fall Beer Dinner

Savannah River Brewing Co. is very excited to be partnering with Chef Kyle McCloud of Mack’s Street Eats for the brewery’s first ever beer dinner. They will be opening their doors for guests to experience an exquisite five-course meal paired alongside their flagship beers and an exclusively brewed beer for the event. The “Fall Beer Dinner”, as they’ve optimistically named it, is set for November 8, 2017 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Read More

PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | September 20, 2017

The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
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PorchDrinking Playlist | Fall Y’all

Happy fall, y’all! The weather has finally taken a turn for the chilly and pumpkin spice flavored everything has made its return to basic greatness. We’re here to spice up the cozy months ahead with yet another seasonal stockpile of sounds that are old, new and pumpkin optional.

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SweetWater Brewing Company | Squeeze Box IPA

Grapefruit Season!

As we prepare for turkey day, serious football, and the dreaded holiday shopping season winter warmer and Christmas beers are starting to appear on shelves. Not everyone is ready to slap on the sweaters and hunker down for the bitter cold. Some of us are looking for something different something counter to the spice and malt offerings of the season. Read More

Homebrewing | Death to Pumpkin Beers Recipe

I know right now you’ve read the title and instantly assumed I am counter to everything that is right in the world. You are all chanting your fall mantras, “the spice expands consciousness, the spice is life and who controls the spice controls fall.” But I for one cannot take any more overly sweet, acrid, or overly spiced pumpkin beers. I think the problem is the gourd itself. Pumpkin, at least to the brewing process, primarily bring nothing but starches and very minor sweetness to the party. This inherently pushes the spices to the front and leaves nothing but the harsh wash of cinnamon on the palette. Enter the contender! Apple brings much more than pumpkin in the way of sweetness aroma, fall character, and a lasting drinkability that fits not just for early fall but all the way through Thanksgiving and into early December. A balanced apple pie presence to amplify an amber caramel and malt forward beer style is a match made in heaven. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Halloween Candy Pairings for Beer Lovers

To some people, the coming of October signifies fall and all of its glory: cooler temps, bonfires, and all things pumpkin. To others, October is a month long celebration of Halloween where we gorge ourselves on candy and dress up in crazy costumes. While too much candy can leave one feeling slightly hungover from the sugar crash, we think Halloween candy and beer make the perfect companions, in the right proportions of course. Curious what your favorite candy pairs with? Read on for our recommendation on all sorts of treats.

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The Great Pumpkin Beer Debate

To gourd or not to gourd. That is what pumpkin ales and lagers have come down to. With how much controversy pumpkins bring to the table, I fear pumpkin pies are next! Wanting to be civil about this, PorchDrinking.com sat down two of our writers to …express what side of the pie they prefer. It’s Danele Bova vs. Mathew Powers in this no holds barred Gourd Match. No rules. No tricks or treats. The gloves are off and it’s time to carve out a solution to the pumpkin-beer debate. Who do you support? What pumpkin party will get your vote? Read More

The Best Pumpkin Beers of 2016

Featured image courtesy of: Adam Barhan (Flickr)

Ah, pumpkin; such a polarizing flavor. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, pumpkin beers are rearing their squashy, spicy heads for fall – but not all are created equal. From mildly-flavored to spice bombs, and from drinkable to over-the-top boozy, we’ve found a pumpkin-laced brew for almost everyone in this diverse list of the best pumpkin beers of 2016! Read More

Best Autumn Beers of 2016 Without Pumpkin

Although the first official day of autumn was September 22, shelves and taps have already been filling up for weeks with spicy, malty fall beers. And while we love the sessions, fruit farmhouse, and juicy IPAs of summer, we’re excited to usher in the new season of heavier, stick-to-your-ribs kinds of beverages. These are the best autumn beers of 2016 that don’t include the use pumpkin (don’t worry, pumpkin fans, we’ve got a list for you coming as well).

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PorchDrinking Playlist | Summer Transitions

Have you noticed the change in the weather? Mornings that are a little cooler than normal, and evenings that are a bit more brisk than we’re used to? Whether we like it or not, summer is slowly coming to a close. For this week’s PorchDrinking Playlist we’ve got 10 songs to help ease the transition for you. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Awesome Autumn Ales

For those who love a crisp, cold ale to accompany the newly arriving autumn weather, this six pack was built for you.

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Colorado’s Pumpkin Beer Season Release

Whether you like it or not, summer is coming to an end in Colorado. You can feel the impending change of season in the cool breeze, and may even … Read More

Wine for Beer Lovers | Fall Edition

PorchDrinking.com gave you the right wine for your summer brews back in June. Now that the leaves are changing and the beers are darkening, we give you the best wine choices based on what beers you love.

Pairings are thanks to Michelle Lim Warner, the co-owner of DCanter, a wine and beer shop on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

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