Hail to the Chief | House of Cards Drinking Game

There’s an extra chill in the air. The winds have begun to change. It’s that time of year again when we cozy up to our Netflix accounts and watch as the political backstabbing, intrigue and bloodshed sweep through our nation’s Capital. As the new season of everyone’s favorite political thriller premieres, it is time to prepare ourselves with the best way we know how: with a House of Cards drinking game.

So stock your bars and pour a tall one. There is a new President in Washington. Here’s to you, President Underwood.

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Distillery Lane Ciderworks | DLC Cider

I like to think of cider (hard cider, that is) as beer’s misunderstood and oft neglected cousin. Some see cider as an “easy way out” or perhaps not as refined or complex as the craft beers we have become so accustomed to. But cider has a lot more to give than many think. In D.C., we are lucky to have a ciderworks fairly close to the city. Obviously, a visit was warranted. Read More

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

If in Doubt, Barrel Age It | A Look into the Vast Barrel Aging Program of Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Co.

As a Kentucky native, bourbon is in my blood. Needless to say, we have been barrel aging things for quite awhile. Though bourbon is not a uniquely Kentucky product (though it is a uniquely American product – one thing you can actually thank the federal government for!), many agree that the Bluegrass state does it best. Maybe it’s the limestone bedrock that adds that special blend of minerals to the water that is used to distill the spirit; or perhaps it is the Kentucky climate – with its frigid, ice-storm bringing winters and ever-so-muggy, sticky hot summers – that allows those oak barrels to expand and contract just the right amount to impart those woody, caramel, and toffee nuances from the barrel char into otherwise clear corn liquor; or maybe it is something about the Kentucky spirit that lends a warmness and hint of Southern hospitality to the things we are passionate about. Whatever it is, Kentucky bourbon is something special and the rest of America – especially the craft beer industry – has recognized that, as well.

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Peak Organic Brewing | Summer Session

ABV: 5%

IBU: 61

Memorial Day is generally seen as the harbinger of summer. As that final Monday in May comes and goes; as barbecues galore – with their sundry … Read More

Brewery Ommegang | Gnomegang

ABV: 9.5%

IBU: 26

Everyone’s journey into craft beer begins differently. Perhaps you favored light beers and then one day stumbled upon a particularly refreshing Kölsch that made you look towards beers not readily available in the supermarket coolers. Or maybe it was a break you took from Blue Moon to try that German hefeweizen. For me, the turning point came with my first taste of La Chouffe. There was just something about that gnome that changed me. So when I learned that Brewery Ommegang teamed up with my favorite little gnome to brew the adorably named Gnomegang Belgian Blonde Ale, I knew great things were ahead.

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Ultimate 6er | Erin Go Bragh

I have always been partial to St. Patrick’s Day. Perhaps it is the mandated wearing of green (my favorite color) or maybe it is because my name is plastered across bars and parades across the country (Erin Go Bragh! Ireland Forever!). Or maybe it is just the requisite day-drinking involved. As a beer lover St. Patrick’s Day is just in general a great day, regardless of your opinion on corned beef and cabbage. So for your drinking pleasure, I present to you an Ultimate 6er sure to bring great craic.

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The Brewer’s Art – Ozzy Belgian Strong Pale Ale

ABV: 7.25%

IBU: Unavailable

I have been on a serious Belgian kick recently. Perhaps it is the winter months drawing me away from the ultra-hoppy double and imperial IPAs I usually drink, or maybe it’s my palate craving something a bit different. Incidentally, Belgians were what drew me into craft beer in the first place. Something about their very approachable yet very different flavor is what reigned me in, and well, now I’m here at PorchDrinking.  Read More

I’m Feeling Thirsty Today | House of Cards Drinking Game

The geniuses at Netflix knew exactly what all of our empty hearts desired on Valentine’s Day: a brand new season of intrigue, backstabbing, and scandal on House of Cards. So if you decided to spend V-Day the right way this year – watching Netflix and drinking – we have a few tips to maximize your House of Cards experience with a House of Cards drinking game. Bundle up, PorchDrinkers, it’s going to be a cold one in Washington.

The UPDATED House of Cards Drinking Game!

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DC Event Preview: Drink the District President’s Day Beer Festival!

Ah three-day weekends – our answer to the usual gripe that the weekend is just not long enough. Well this President’s Day weekend is upon us and some of us … Read More

DC Event Preview – Beercheology!: Ancient Ales and Archeology Beer Tasting Featuring Heavy Seas

I am a huge archaeology nerd. I am also a beer nerd (obviously). The folks at The Capitol Archeological Institute had the brilliant idea to combine the two. I will … Read More

Southern Tier – Compass

ABV: 9%

IBU: Unavailable

2013 is almost over, and the next year is right around the corner. Whether you’re a fan of the holiday or not, New Year’s Eve brings an impetus to celebrate, and every celebration needs the perfect drink. If you want to mix up the cocktail options this December 31st, Southern Tier brings us what I consider to be the new (non-High Life) champagne of beers: Compass. Read More

12 Beers of Christmas Day 3 | Schlafly Special Release Christmas Ale

ABV: 8%

IBU: 30

The first of the many great American winter holidays has come to a close. Leftovers are still heaped in the fridge, you are justifying eating pie … Read More

DC Brau – Alpha Domina Mellis DIPA

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: 100

UPDATE: Due to the use of an experimental hops variety from Hop Union, DC Brau is not currently making any new batches of this beer. And, … Read More

Ultimate 6er | It’s the Great Pumpkin Beer, Charlie Brown!

It’s that time of year again, when the leaves begin to turn from their summery, verdant green to all shades of red, orange, and yellow. And they reach their peak crunchiness for the most satisfying of leaf stepping. It is finally time to don sweaters and cozy scarves. The winds begin to bring in a chill, and with those crisper temperatures come the familiar smells and tastes of fall: pumpkin and spice. Many look forward to enjoying that first slice of pumpkin pie, or perhaps that Pumpkin Spice latte in the morning (with the honorable mention of gorging on Halloween candy). But for us PorchDrinkers, we look forward to the release of the spicy, oh so delicious pumpkin beers. So here are a few of the best pumpkin beers I’ve sampled this season to cozy up with during the autumnal days ahead.

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Ultimate 6er for Your Government Shutdown

Well, Congress has done it again: managed to completely frak up everything. And this time, they have managed to shut down almost the entire government (yes, that thing they are supposed to keep running). So this unfortunate turn of events leaves a lot of feds and Congressional staffers sitting around at home without a paycheck. So what will they do? What will the rest of us do to support them and stand in solidarity? Why, drink beer of course! Here are some PorchDrinking pro-tips on the best beers to drink during the government shutdown:

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Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale

Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale

ABV: 7%

IBU: 70

My usual process of discovering a new beer to review generally involves perusing through the beer aisles of my favorite stores and picking out new, interesting brews (confession: I’m a sucker for fancy labels). I also tend to gravitate toward more local brands (which for me is the DMV area). Tonight, however, was an exception. My roommate, who has not yet developed the taste for beer (the cause is not yet lost! I will be victorious!), picked up a bottle of Ballast Point Sculpin IPA out of San Diego, CA from the Whole Foods shelf and brought it home. Another confession: I had already enjoyed a glass of red wine before delving into the Sculpin. Though I doubt this ruined my palate, I feel full-disclosure is called for.

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New Belgium – Lips of Faith Coconut Curry Hefeweizen

ABV: 8%

IBU: 14

Curry and beer sounds like a terrible idea. Curry is such a unique, robust flavor that is very unforgiving. But curry is also full of familiar … Read More

PorchDrinking Interview: Flying Dog Brewery and Gonzofest

The concept of “local” is a vital part of the craft beer experience. Beer drinkers—both new and seasoned—often seek out brews that were made close to home with locally-sourced products. This makes the entire experience special, more personal. Thankfully, as a resident of DC, I can call Flying Dog Brewery my local brewery, and I was welcomed and encouraged to do so by Flying Dog CEO, Jim Caruso. Jim and his team were kind enough to invite PorchDrinking to attend their annual Gonozofest, a music fest-cum-beer fest-cum-Hunter S. Thompson-homage. We were also lucky enough to attend a behind the scenes tour led by Jim himself. Read More

Fullsteam Brewery – Summer Basil Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 5.4%

IBU: Unavailable but Minimal

The advent of football season and the slowly dropping mercury signals to us all that the days of summer are sadly over. Though I welcome fall, my favorite season, chock full of sweaters, pumpkin-flavored everything, and the holiest of all horse racing meets – Keeneland – I still find myself grasping onto the final remnants of all that is summery. Read More