Tröegs Brewing Company | Mad Elf

 ABV: 11% | IBU: 15

The stockings are all gone and trees line the street, but vision of Mad Elf labels still dance through my mind, as I reminisce on the fun we had at Christmas time! If you had a holiday season packed like mine, with a craft beer line-up to accommodate every party, then we might be sharing the same buzz, well into the new year.

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Brewery Showcase | The Bronx Brewery (Bronx, NY)

A common adage in this industry is to “do one thing you’re good at and do it right”. While most breweries I’ve come across start off living this truth, not all end up sticking to the original plan. Last month, I hopped on the 4 train after work to accept an invitation for a private tasting up at The Bronx Brewery. What I discovered was a pioneering pair of brewers who practice what they preach: the pale ale.

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Bronx Brewery B-Sides | On the Black Pale Ale

ABV: 5.7% | IBU: 46

BREWING: November – December

If you are a baseball fan on any level, this beer’s clever naming convention has probably already clicked with the compartment of your brain designated for phrases, puns and parlance. According to The Bronx Brewery of New York, On The Black is not only a term for a pitcher during a prime performance, but also a brewer at their best. After my encounter with said beer in the field, I find it hard to argue otherwise.

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KelSo Beer Co. | Nut Brown Lager

ABV: 5.75% | IBU: 19

We already know KelSo Beer Co. as a do-good brewery in Brooklyn with an expert brewer backing the name. What hasn’t been vicariously delivered from my words to your tastebuds however, is the incredibly simple but flavor-packed lineup that KelSo has to offer year round. I’m coming back to this favorited brewery of my PorchDrinking’s past with another promising must-try recommendation: Nut Brown Lager.

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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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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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Brewery Showcase | Big aLICe Brewing

Big aLICe Brewing: 808 43rd Rd., Long Island City, NY 11101

WEDNESDAY 5-9pm | THURSDAY 5-9pm | FRIDAY 5-10pm | SATURDAY 12-10pm | SUNDAY 12-8pm

Interviewing the owners and brewers of Big aLICe Brewing … Read More

Great South Bay Brewery | Blood Orange Pale Ale

Average reading time: 1 minute

ABV: 5%

IBU: 40

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Carly.  She went for a stroll along the water front in Brooklyn.  Pretty soon, she came upon an unassuming bar.  She peeked inside, and when the bartender beckoned, she walked right in. Atop a stool at the counter, there were many taps of craft beer and Carly was thirsty.

Packing some punch from the Great South Bay of Long Island, New York is the Blood Orange Pale Ale. I call it the Goldilocks of Pale Ales — not too tangy, not too tart, this one is just right. The combination of American hops, malted barley and bitter blood oranges stir up a frenzy of flavors in your mouth that radiate across your tongue. While emitting a florally fresh scent that is expected from Cascade hops, they also play a part in adding a citrus-like quality to the body. The ale’s color is light, matching the mood one acquires upon drinking. Read More

Evil Twin/Other Half Brewing | Beat It, Nerd!

ABV: 6.66%

While I was taking on Shredder as Donatello, and then later waiting in line for a chance at the original Pac-Man, I found myself accurately dubbed both gaming AND beer nerd in the dark, cavernous room on 24th street known as Barcade. Although positioned as a provider of hard-to-find arcade treasures, its extensive and ever changing craft beer list also brings in the highly obsessed brewery-type-folk looking to get their local fix.

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Sixpoint for Bill’s Burger | Bill’s Brew ESB

When it comes to ingestion, there are no two substances I love more together than craft beer and red meat. This is the sole reason I am known by the servers at Bill’s Burger in the Meatpacking District on a first name basis. Whenever I am within walking distance of the joint, my feet involuntarily turn and pace straight towards the front door, stopping only by the contentment of being seated at a high top table, adorned with it’s infamous red and white checked table cloth atop.

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Braven Brewing Co. | Roll Out Party

Building your own brewing company during the few hours you are not earning an income is no easy feat, but for co-founders Marshall & Eric, the support of friends and family, vendor connections, and a goal-breaking Kickstarter campaign has made the experience more rewarding than rigorous. Our own Stacey Goers highlighted her interview with the two friends on how it all came together in the latter half of 2013. Now, a little over a year to date, Braven Brewing’s “dream” is transforming into “reality” as kegs make their way into Brooklyn bars and craft beer lovers’ hearts.

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Braven Brewing Co. | White IPA

ABV: 5.0%

IBU: 47

The logo is incredible, isn’t it? Half raven. Half buck. Braven.

Marshall Thompson, co-founder of Braven Brewing Company, wanted to merge elements of each parent’s family crest in order to dually identify with his roots. That he did, and can prove it by his tattoo. When co-founder Eric Feldman approached him on the topic of starting their own brewery, the two found little debate in bringing forth this cross-breed animal to represent the partnership.

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Peekskill Brewery | Simple Sour

ABV: 4.5%

Have you ever had an out-of-beer experience? It happens like this: you enter through the doors of a craft beer establishment with an unquenchable thirst and powerful desire to satiate it. At the sight of a chalkboard covered in clever titles on tap, your eyes quickly scale the menu for something familiar yet slightly unrecognizable to keep your taste-buds on edge. With confidence, you order the Peekskill Brewery Simple Sour to start — and suddenly — you are no longer in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but transcended to the stool of a brewpub in Berlin enjoying the most delicious, tangy, sweet-and-sour Berliner Weissbier to ever graze your palate.

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Ultimate 6er | Preparing For the Playoffs

For those of us in Fantasy Football leagues, our minds are prematurely wrapped around playoffs as we reach the final stretch in our outrageously competitive seasons. In reality, week 14 through 16 are equally as important: aside from teams that have no chance of going to the Superbowl, there are some critical triumphs that must be won to determine others’ qualifying status.  Let’s focus on some of the biggest December games that will make or break our brackets to prepare our odds — and our palates — for this year’s NFL playoffs.

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Midnight Sun Brewing Co. | Sockeye Red IPA

ABV: 5.7%

IBU: 70

Being born a water sign, I have an affinity for things that remind me of my oceanic roots. So, it is only fitting that I was drawn to Midnight Sun Brewing Company‘s Sockeye Red IPA: The Last Frontier’s characterful brewery serving New York as it’s only East Coast distributor. As I was sipping a snifter full of this calming and fresh ale this past weekend, I felt it only right to share my flow of joy with the craft beer community

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Upstate Brewing Co. | Common Sense

ABV: 5.3%

IBU: 22

Let’s take a trip Upstate, where the landscape is lively and craft breweries are bountiful!

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Nebraska Brewing | Brunette Nut Brown Ale

ABV: 4.8%

IBU: 15

Although I typically write about Northeastern craft beers, I could not resist ordering a Nebraska Brunette Nut Brown Ale this past week while at happy hour. If not solely for the name, then surely for the implication of it’s flavor. Being that I have been a brunette since birth, I firmly believe that we do it better — whatever “it” may be — which in this case, is choosing the most delectable craft beers from a remarkably curated menu.

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Greenport Harbor Brewing | Leaf Pile Ale

ABV: 5.2%

If there is one thing I absolutely need so that I cheerfully adjust to the seasonal transition of Fall, it would have to be pumpkin. Nothing says comfort like an over-sized sweater, multicolored horizon, warm fireplace, and a tall pint.  Read More

Two Roads Brewing Co. | Worker’s Comp Saison

ABV: 4.8%

The beauty of living on a landmass between the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, and Lower Bay, is that on the other side of those bodies of … Read More

KelSo Beer Company | Pilsner

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 23

Barely there at eight years old, KelSo Beer Company lives in the heart of Brooklyn, New York under the supervision of brewer Kelly Taylor and wife Sonia Giacobbe. For a New Yorker, this brewery’s inception surfaced from an interesting background. Taylor, in fact, oversees production for the entire Heartland Brewery group — which, if you are a local here, know is the leading brewpub of the craft beer movement in the nineties. When the distribution of native beers was nearly non-existent, with beer taps so redundant we avoided the bar scene altogether, the fiery red lights of Heartland Brewery shone like a beacon for lost ships in the night. He is a master of his trade, and by all means, a trusted name whispered among the beer-enthusiasts walking our streets. Read More