The Weekly Buzz | March 30 – April 5

We here at PorchDrinking hope that you spent this week’s holy days surrounded by friends, family and fine craft beers. April Fool’s Day is a sacred tradition that MUST be observed annually, so that we may keep our rich heritage of tomfoolery alive and vibrant. Without it, we would lose a large piece of what we are as a species. To that end, here is a celebration of nonsense and shenanigans. This is The Weekly Buzz.
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Founders Pop-Up & KBS release April 3 | Tribes Beer Co. (Chicago)

Founders Brewing is bringing its freshly-released KBS and the entire Grand Rapids experience to Tribes Beer Co., located in Chicago’s southern suburb of Tinley Park, on April 3. Along with the 2018 KBS, there will be a special menu, live music and a host of highly regarded beers such as ’17 KBS, CBS, Doom, Backwoods Bastard and Frootwood.

The event starts 5 p.m! All you need is an appetite and a thirst for good beer.

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The Weekly Buzz | February 23 – March 1

I barely drank any beer this week. The disappointment is very real. What compounds these feelings of regret is that I had to search for fun beer things on Twitter and Instagram all week. I do this all for you, dear readers. If I don’t, who will? I mean… I know you could just do it yourselves, but I like to feel important. Enjoy this edition of The Weekly Buzz!
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The Weekly Buzz | January 19 – 25

It’s high time that we discuss something very important. That thing is the NFC Conference Championship. The result was exactly as I thought it would be — a thorough shellacking of the Minnesota Viking by a vastly superior football team. Nick Foles led the Eagles to victory and will do so again in the Super Bowl. Philly loves to be the underdog, so keep underestimating them, Tom Brady! Oh… and I found some beer things on Twitter, too. This is the Weekly Buzz.

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!
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The Weekly Buzz | January 12 – 18

I just realized today that I’ve gone to the gym 11 days in a row and plan on going twice tomorrow. What kind of human being does that to themselves? I could be drinking beer, but instead I’ll be sweating my butt off. I guess if I burn more calories I can drink more beer. Searching Twitter and Instagram for beer-related content is definitely the thirstiest of work. Enjoy the fruits of my labor in this week’s edition of The Weekly Buzz!
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Ultimate 6er | Is BCBS Still the King of BA Beers?

Each year, throngs of beer fans ignore industry arguments and engage in the annual Black Friday hunt for Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS). It’s difficult to argue its historical significance, current popularity and quality. But, do people covet BCBS due to its quality or because of its fame? Or, is it a little of both? There’s no right answer, and there’s no judgement to be given for choosing either option. But, maybe it’s not really about choice as it is a sign that the BCBS fame can’t last forever.

Maybe, what we are seeing is a slowly evolving beer revolution akin to the bloodless 1688 Glorious Revolution in England that ousted a King and forever put the government in the hands of Parliament. BCBS isn’t going away and it will likely always be revered. However, other beers might well supplant its power within the market and on social media.

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What We’re Drinking | December 7, 2017

Once upon a time, an intrepid fellowship of beer bloggers set out on a mission to consume the most delicious beers on Earth. Along their way, they encountered many struggles: day jobs, family obligations and whalez that could simply not be caught. We, however, are not here to lament in their failures but to celebrate their victories. Raise your glasses to those PorchDrinkers who came before you and behold What We’re Drinking.

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Founders Brewing Announces 2018 Beer Release Calendar

You can add Founders Brewing to the list of breweries that have put out their 2018 beer release calendar. And Founders is looking to build on a massive 2017 with another big year of releases and additions to their lineup.

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Ultimate 6er | New M&M Flavors Paired with Excellent Beer

Halloween may have passed, but my stash of “Dad tax” candy continues to thrive — my kids must pay for the right to trick-or-treat. Hence, traditionally, all Reeses, Smarties and M&M’s become my property.

As a result, I noticed an influx of new M&M flavors that I had not tried. Suddenly the classic, brown-bagged Plain M&M’s and yellow-bagged Peanut M&M’s were joined by such flavors as Birthday Cake, Pumpkin Spice, Cafe Mocha and Carrot Cake.

Of course, that got me thinking, ‘Which of these flavors would go best with what beer?’ This Ultimate 6er seeks to find the answers.

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Founders Officially Announces Re-Release of CBS, Canadian Breakfast Stout

From Utopias to Pliny the Younger, Dark Lord to Bourbon County Rare, Duck Duck Gooze to an unending new wave of glorified rare beers emerging from the likes of Surly, Hill Farmstead, Side Project, Tree House, Trillium, Casey, Toppling Goliath, Fremont, WeldWerks and beyond. In craft beer’s current stage of hype and circumstance it can be difficult transcending the clutter of buzzworthy beers as an established brand. Founders Brewing, who celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year, will do just that on December 1 with the release of Canadian Breakfast Stout, or CBS.

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The Weekly Buzz | September 29 – October 5

I hear that there is some kind of beer festival in Denver this week, but I don’t want to discuss those things. OK, I do want to discuss those things, but I won’t because I’m jealous and spiteful. Somebody had to stay home and mind the store, so it may as well be me. Due to the grudge I’m choosing to hold, there will be no further mention of that festival. For everyone else who is stuck at home, here is The Weekly Buzz.
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Ultimate 6er | Surviving Your Big Move

After nearly three years with two awesome roommates, I’m moving this weekend. And for the first time in 27 years of existing, I won’t be living with someone else. Exciting? You’re damn right. Stressful? You have no idea. Moving is one of those experiences when no matter how sure you are that you’re absolutely sure you have everything under control, there’s always something you’re missing. You might know where every single thing is going to go and the exact layout for your ideal living room, but once someone asks if you have dish rags your whole plan falls to shambles. Luckily, in the grand scheme, this big step and all the accompanying madness will all be worth it. Here are the six beers to get you through your big move.
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The Weekly Buzz | May 26 – June 1

There were lots of event announcements this week! In fact, there were so many that I am positive I missed some. Don’t fret, dear reader. Unless you’re some kind of maniac, there are enough events here to last you a few months. If you ARE some kind of maniac, I definitely want to party with you! The rest of you should sip a beer and gently prepare your liver for this edition of The Weekly Buzz.

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The Weekly Buzz | May 19 – 25

It is very hard to type when there is a 16-month-old baby sitting on your arm. She is singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” so the pros outweigh the cons. It’s only a matter of time,however, until pins-and-needles become a very real threat. Despite my impeded blood circulation, I managed to comb Twitter for a few morsels of beer news. I hope you enjoy this edition of The Weekly Buzz.

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Trade Flagships, Not Whales

Beer is a luxury. An accessible luxury like a movie ticket or restaurant visits, but a luxury nonetheless. It’s really difficult for me to splurge up to fifteen dollars on a 22 oz. bomber of beer unless I’m sure of the brewery’s quality or the style makes the price worth it (imperial stout or gueuze). I much prefer making a decorative mix-six for the same cost, giving me more beers to experience all at once. The love of finding new beers is what led me to beer trading in the first place.

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The Weekly Buzz | May 5 – 11

I’m getting ready to go on vacation! My destination may not be a world-renowned beer town like Portland or Denver, but I’m sure I will find a way to enjoy some delicious craft brews. For those of you who are forced to stay home and endure your normal slog, I present you with a week’s worth of beer news and shenanigans. You can read The Weekly Buzz while you pretend to do your TPS reports. I, on the other hand, will be in Myrtle Beach drinking beer and pretending that I like the beach.

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BREAKING | Founders Brewing Opening 2nd Location in Detroit

While many major breweries like New Belgium, Oskar Blues, Deschutes, and Sierra Nevada have begun expanding their footprint with multiple locations in other states, Founders Brewing, is growing by reinvesting in … Read More

Founders Brewing | KBS 2017 Release

The continued meteoric rise of craft breweries affords beer drinkers an opportunity to enjoy special releases with unfathomable regularity. But, once in a while, a classic “gotta have it,” beer rolls around; be it Pliny the Younger, Utopias, or in this case — KBS.

Since 2002, Founders Brewing has been putting its coffee-chocolate-malty stout in whiskey barrels and then storing them below its Grand Rapids home for a year. Each spring, just as tulips emerge from the soil, KBS escapes the caves so it can be enjoyed by throngs of fans. Welcome to spring; welcome to KBS season.

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The Weekly Buzz | March 10 – 16

There’s been lots going on in the world of craft beer this week! Some breweries had snow days and some are shutting down for a bit longer. There are also a few new beers and tons of shenanigans. Buckle up and get ready for a bumpy ride because this is The Weekly Buzz!

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Founders Brewing Co. | Frootwood Barrel-Aged Cherry Ale

ABV: 8%

You won’t find the best beer from Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan — you’ll find it below Grand Rapids, where barrels of goodness hibernate in caves. For example, each April, the famous Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) arises from its slumber and seeks to conquer the palates of beer geeks everywhere. And this year, for Founders Brewing’s 20th Anniversary, several special beers are emerging from those caves, too. So, let us talk about the first release, a barrel-aged cherry ale from Founders named Frootwood.

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