Anchor Brewing | Old Foghorn Barleywine

We’re finally feeling the weather changes here in Northern California. It’s beautiful, and my favorite time of the year. Not only because of the crisp air, but because it’s now barleywine season. Don’t get me wrong, I can drink barleywine anytime of the year; however, it’s difficult to find someone to crush the strong stuff with in the middle of summer. 

I attended the 25th annual barleywine festival at Toronado in San Francisco a few weeks ago. 50 taps flowing, sweaty bodies crowding the bar, and the smell of future hangovers filled the room; I was in heaven. Soon I was sampling with other malt enthusiasts. A ton of great and not-so-great examples of the sweet stuff were tried, but one was particularly delightful. 

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Event Recap | Deer Creek Malthouse’s Malt-A-Palooza

You couldn’t have asked for a better setting. An idyllic hillside farm—complete with sheep and a horse—is the perfect place to celebrate the harvest and crafting of one of beer’s most important ingredients: malt. Malted grain imbues beers with sweetness, chocolatey notes and bready, biscuity flavors. Without malt, wort wouldn’t contain any sugar for the yeast to convert into alcohol. In today’s “drink local” craft beer scene, shouldn’t beer contain local ingredients, instead of just being brewed locally? Deer Creek Malthouse’s Malt-A-Palooza sought to celebrate that exact idea and succeeded.
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Event Preview | Deer Creek Malthouse’s Malt-A-Palooza

Malt is one of the most important ingredients in beer, and Deer Creek Malthouse is throwing a shindig to celebrate the craft of malting grain. Deer Creek’s Malt-A-Palooza aims to blow your mind and dazzle your palate with malt-inspired food, beer and spirits from their customers and friends. Read More

Big aLICe Brewing | Jalapeño Rye

Black IPA | ABV 7%

As one of four craft breweries in Long Island City, Big aLICe Brewing separates itself from the newly-emerging pack by specializing in nano batches of uniquely concocted brews. To date, co-owners Kyle & Scott, along with assistant brewer Jon Kielty, have developed 141 varieties over a span of 2 years. Today, I am introducing you to one wicked innovation that will open up your mind, and your sinuses.

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Flying Dog Brewery | Snake Dog IPA

ABV: 7.1%

IBU: 60

It snakes down the throat like a faithful friend. – Anna Steadman (Snake Dog IPA label) Read More

CBC 2014 Recap | The Seminars

In the second week of April, over 9,000 brewing professionals traveled to Denver, CO to attend the 2014 Craft Brewers Conference. Aside from beer and networking, what could lure brewers from all around the world to the mile high city? Well, fortunately PorchDrinkers Tristan, Cory, Chris, and Phil were on hand to find out. Below is our coverage of some of the 80+ educational seminars presented during the conference.

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Our Mutual Friend Malt and Brew

Our Mutual Friend Malt and Brew, located at Larimer and 28th avenues in the RiNo District in Denver, is the quintessential neighborhood brewery and taproom that you would want to live next to. Its sizeable taproom is a place to grab a pint with a friend and catch up.

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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

Oskar Blues Brewery – Ten Fidy Imperial Stout

A spontaneous road trip from Denver to Estes Park may turn into a random brewery trip if you’re lucky. More than 15 breweries sit between the two and it’s always a good idea to take advantage of that. On Saturday, I stopped at Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont. The colder weather out here in Colorado has opened up a lot of stout options over the last month. Hearing that Oskar Blue’s had one called Ten Fidy Imperial Stout left me intrigued. 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

Cigar City Brewing Company- Marshal Zhukov

ABV: 9%

Cigar City Brewing serves up several brews that have garnered a cult follow, partially because they’re only available in Florida, partially because they are one of the only solid breweries at the moment to come out of Florida and mostly because they make fantastic, cult following worthy beers. One of those pedestal level rarities is Marshal Zhukov.

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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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Offshore Ale – Abel’s Hill India Dark Ale

Abel’s Hill India Dark Ale – Offshore Ale Company, Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

ABV: 6.3%

IBU: 55

Following my visit to Martha’s Vineyard and Offshore Ale Company, I brought … Read More

Cumberland Brewery – Moonbow Wit

Moonbow Wit – Cumberland Brewery Louisville, KY

ABV: 4.6

IBU: 12

Louisville, Kentucky will always be one of my all-time favorite cities. It holds my best memories and it’s … Read More