SweetWater Brewing Co. | Dank Tank Fresh Sticky Nugs, Hazy Imperial IPA

SweetWater Brewing Company turns the dank dial to the max with their latest Dank Tank Fresh Sticky Nugs. Let’s all take a moment and remember the first time we tried an intensely hoppy IPA. The bracing bitterness and intense aromas that felt so dominating back then are not as common today. Sure, part of that is due to acclimating to the hops but also the trend away from the classic hop varietals to more boutique and less bitter hop strains. But Fresh Sticky Nugs delivers the nostalgia in spades!

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Stoup Brewing & Wander Brewing | Mabel’s Brew

If you know anything about craft beer in the state of Washington, you have undoubtedly heard about Stoup Brewing, of Seattle, and Wander Brewing, of Bellingham. Both breweries are extremely reputable within the craft community, and are known as establishments that are unafraid to innovate and experiment—while promising excellent and unwavering quality. The consequence of these pushed boundaries and high standards, is, frankly, just really good beer. Lucky for us, Stoup and Wander teamed up earlier this year at the Collaboration Fest—bringing their techniques, creativity, and obsession for quality together at last. The result, Mabel’s Brew—an East Coast IPA that doesn’t let us down.

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Terrapin Beer Company | Dave’s Not Here

Alright hop heads, gather around! This is a good one. The flavors are apparent in the aroma alone, leaving you the only option to drink this brew from Terrapin Beer Company right away to find out how delicious it is. This bottle was poured into a pint glass on a rainy afternoon and enjoyed on the back porch. A beautiful golden amber color appeared with a thin head. I felt really fortunate to get this and was confident I would enjoy the beer.

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2017 GABF Route Guide | Hoppy Beers

For the past month and a half our staff has been reaching out to every brewery attending the Great American Beer Festival to try to preview what they’ll be bringing to the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through that list of beers to bring you a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.
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Free Will Brewing Company | Micromanager

It’s that time of year again. The time where nights start to become longer and the leaves change to vibrant colors that make for ideal Instagram posts. But before you throw on your scarf, go apple picking, and stock up on your favorite pumpkin beers, remember that there are still warms days left as summer slowly fades out of the picture. And that means still time to enjoy those crushable, refreshing beers while soaking in the sunshine!

Free Will Brewing Company, located in Bucks County north of Philadelphia, has gained a loyal fan base thanks in part to the impressive lineup of sour and barrel aged brews they produce. But that doesn’t mean you should sleep on their more available year-round offerings, including Micromanager. Read More

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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Brew Gentlemen | Pure Powerplant

I worked the night shift for the last six years of my Medical Technology career, which included many negatives: living an opposite schedule from your family and friends, sleep is completely messed up and you constantly feel tired — and that’s just the start. However, my schedule also allowed me to visit craft breweries on release days and beat the crowds, which was the case with the release of Brew Gentlemen Pure Powerplant IPA.

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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

WarPigs Brewing | Lazurite

In 2015, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. and Mikkeller opened up WarPigs Brewpub in Copenhagen. Now the two have teamed up to open up a location here called WarPigs Brewing in the United States, and now their beers are available throughout the Midwest. Their flagship beer, Lazurite, is a big fruity IPA that is quickly becoming a fan favorite.

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Mustang Sally Brewing Company | So Little Time IPA

So Little Time IPA is great for lager lovers — It’s a great beer to drink during the transition from summer to fall when many aren’t yet ready for the bold flavors of autumn but do desire more depth.

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Ultimate 6er | Beers to Drink in the Desert

Regardless of the time of year, when you’re spending time in the desert, it is important to stay hydrated, thanks to the dry climate and low humidity. The same concept applies to drinking beers in the desert—you want a beer that is refreshing and easy-drinking, particularly in the summer months when the daily temperature can easily exceed 110°F. This is a six pack that speaks to the lighter side of the desert culture.

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7 Weird Beer Names from California Breweries

Names are a very important part of every culture and we use names within language to communicate, categorize and understand. It’s how we relate to one another or a subject matter. Keeping this in mind, I would argue that naming beer is not only an art form, but is as equally important as the naming of a brewery. Breweries are almost solely represented by their beers across social media now. Fans showcase their favorite pints, can designs, and bottles on their pages spreading their love for their favorite breweries. Many times the beer is the first exposure someone has to a brewery they haven’t heard of before.

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National IPA DAY | Pacific Northwest Roundup

I would like to offer an apology to National Hot Dog Day. And National Donut Day. National Taco Day, too. Because there’s just no convincing me that there’s any food or beverage day that can beat IPA Day – especially when you’re celebrating this glorious, hoppy, bitter holiday in the Pacific Northwest. Read More

National IPA Day | Southeast Region Roundup

Thursday, August 3 is National IPA Day. Pretty awesome holiday to celebrate, right?! This week at PorchDrinking, we’re celebrating this glorious holiday in one of the only ways we know how: with beers and roundups! We have compiled all of our favorite IPAs from around the country. Read on to find out what IPAs our Southeast team is loving right now.

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Equilibrium Brewery | Fractal Citra/Galaxy IPA

Nestled in Hudson Valley, NY, lays a new brewery that has been cranking out some fantastic, flavorful and experimental beers. Founded by two MIT engineering graduates who shared a passion for homebrewing, Equilibrium Brewery began distributing their delicious beverages in the latter half of 2016. They follow the belief that beer can be better when scientific principles are followed that focus on balancing drinkability with the flavor. The beers they are brewing are inviting, just waiting for you to take the next sip. They’ve been able to channel their scientific backgrounds and love of craft beer and create something worth praising.
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National IPA Day | Midwest Region Roundup

West Coast, East Coast, New England… Midwest? Yes, here in the land of tornadoes, Great Lakes, major rivers, sweeping winter cold fronts, barbeque, corn, wheat and sausage, we like our IPAs, too. Heck, hops are even grown here in abundance. In the Midwest, as in every other region, IPAs remain the most prominent form of craft beer served, and there are many worthy of having them over and over again.

The difficult part is picking only a few that represent the Midwestern IPA scene. We can’t name them all, but we at Porchdrinking.com can provide a small taste — pun intended — of what the Midwest offers.

Check out the rest of our #IPAday regions:

Northeast | Southeast | Mountain | Pacific Northwest | Southwest

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Ultimate 6er | Chicago Summer Ale Varieties

The dog days of summer are upon us. With every drop of sweat comes a need for refreshment, and what better way to achieve that relief than with a beer? The citrus-laden and coconut-flavored brews are just begging to be enjoyed under the summer sun. Here are six summer ale selections to help carry you through July and onto the season’s dog days.

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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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Bell’s Brewery | Two Hearted Ale

ABV: 7% | IBU: 55

For most new to beer, and a sizable number of those well-versed in the various styles beer has to offer, trying an IPA is like sneaking a swig of your dad’s whiskey after everyone has gone to bed. It is an unpleasant rite of passage into the craft beer world that I, simply put, did not agree with. There was too much out there to enjoy without forcing myself to drink something I didn’t enjoy. Read More

Port Brewing Co. | Mongo Double IPA

Remember the coastal rap rivalry of the 90s? Well, Tupac and Biggie’s beef is being resurrected. Instead of fresh beats and dope lyrics, craft beer lovers are squabbling over fresh hops and hazy juices. If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve undoubtedly seen that a line has been drawn. Hop heads still prefer the dank resinous West Coast style IPAs well known for their outrageous IBUs; However, the New England IPA is a little more complex, yet subtler, then to be expected. Most of these “juice bombs” sport intense fruit flavors, soft mouth feel and a much sweeter finishing flavor. You could say that West Coast is the rougher, bitter, more “gangsta” of the two, whereas the New England style is the softer, easier drinking, almost hip-hop of the two.

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