AboutMichelle Thomas, Author at PorchDrinking.com
Michelle Thomas
Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. | Well & Good IPA
January 21, 2022 | Michelle Thomas
The Gainesville, FL beer scene is starting to boom! What was a small conglomerate of breweries in this college town has now transformed to a leader in the Florida craft beer landscape.
Ultimate 6er | Beer Pairings with Advent
November 24, 2021 | Michelle Thomas
This isn’t your typical Ultimate 6er – we’re getting theological here. Most people think of Advent calendars when they think about pairing beers with Advent. We’re taking a different bent on the term and pairing six beers with the four weeks of Advent in a different way.
Advent begins on November 28 this year, and starts with the “First Sunday of Advent,” continuing with the season of Advent until Christmas Day on December 25. There are always four Sundays in Advent and each week has a different theme according to the Lectionary (readings for a worship service) that is followed most commonly by Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran denominations of Christianity (though some Presbyterian and Methodist churches do, too). We’ll focus on the Episcopal collects (pronounced COL-lects instead of the typical way), or prayers, of the weeks of Advent because you’ve got an Episcopalian here and as the saying goes, “where three or four Episcopalians are gathered, there’s bound to be a fifth!”
If you’re interested, you can find the collects in all their glory by visiting BCPonline.org.
Bayboro Brewing Co. | Full Bird IPA
June 1, 2021 | Michelle Thomas
Bayboro Brewing Co. is one of the newest and hottest breweries in the Tampa Bay area. When James and Kelcy Coleman opened their doors on March 17, 2020, they had no idea what was coming just that afternoon: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued his executive order shutting down the state in an attempt to keep Floridians safe from the Coronavirus. In just a few hours, all breweries closed their doors; uncertainty lay ahead.
However, Bayboro kept things going when breweries were allowed to sell beer to-go. They bought growlers and crowler cans, a crowler machine and plastic cups. They were patient until things finally started to improve and they could open their doors to start flourishing in this vibrant craft beer community.
Ellipsis Brewing | …Sunset (New England IPA)
April 15, 2021 | Michelle Thomas
Ellipsis Brewing out of Orlando, FL, is quickly ascending the craft beer ladder in their just over four years of being in business. Some of their top beers have been “Y Can’t IBU”, a zero-IBU Pale Ale, and Happy Pils, a joyously bright Pilsner.
Just entering their tasting room, by the way, is an experience all its own. A bold and unforgettable almost neon blue color on the wall suggests a combination of hype and chill vibes amongst this taproom.
Why I Gave Up Beer for Lent
March 29, 2021 | Michelle Thomas
February 17, I gave up beer for Lent. Not just beer, though – I actually gave up all gluten. It was an experience at first. I am that person, after all, who had to wonder if a pretzel had gluten in it. I wanted this year’s Lent to be an education, to learn something while relating to some people in my life who are gluten-free, and the helpful benefit of simultaneously giving up one of my favorite drinks in the whole wide world: beer.
Ultimate 6er | International Podcast Day with The Perfect Pour
September 30, 2020 | Michelle Thomas
On International Podcast Day, we’re honoring one podcast that prioritizes not only “indie” beer, but also bringing craft beer lovers together in a way that is unique to other podcasts. The Perfect Pour isn’t your standard beer education podcast but instead fosters a community unlike any other, bridging craft beer lovers across states and even countries. The Perfect Pour calls itself the “beer geek fun podcast,” and to be fair there are quite a few shenanigans, but you will be sucked into the Perfect Pour world within a few episodes, establishing yourself as the newest show rep and organizing a “Get It.” Take a quick tour with Mikey, Matt, and Nick down Memory Lane. These beers below either have contributed to the general ethos of the podcast or have been recommended by a listener as “the beer that sums up The Perfect Pour.” Enjoy!
Bayboro Brewing | Teufel Hunden Peanut Butter Chocolate Stout
April 9, 2020 | Michelle Thomas
In the current state of affairs of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders, breweries and taprooms from all parts are working hard to stay open, keep their businesses afloat, and promote their beer to consumers during the pandemic. Most Tampa Bay-area breweries have moved to to-go sales in order to keep tapping kegs and selling great beer to anyone who ventures into their taprooms.
Portland’s Cascade Brewing Announces Sale to Local Investors
April 3, 2020 | Michelle Thomas
A cornerstone of Portland and the Oregon craft beer scene, Cascade has been a pioneer in the Pacific Northwest for their innovative sour beers. It was announced yesterday that, after … Read More
First Magnitude Brewing | Ursa American IPA
February 25, 2020 | Michelle Thomas
It’s not often that I find myself traveling back to my old college town of Gainesville, FL but when I do I make it a point of stopping into at least one of the breweries on each trip. First there was Swamp Head, but then First Magnitude Brewing Company came onto the scene in 2012 and the Gainesville brewery scene continues to grow. I was delighted at my first stop in First Magnitude’s tasting room: It was just so versatile and inviting! There is a large warehouse-style brewing area where they have some picnic tables, an intimate (and air-conditioned) indoor tasting room and bar and a spacious outdoor area where kids can play and their parents can sit and catch up under the shade. I sat down with Ursa, their flagship IPA, and took in the surroundings.
Foreign Objects Beer | Psychomantic Cult Worship
December 5, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
Arguably the best part about craft beer? The label art. “Label buying” is a phrase among some craft beer drinkers for when a person purchases a beer just because of the name or label art. Many beer labels produce a recognizable identity for the brewery, which can, in many cases, encourage the purchase of a particular beer. Advertising is a powerful thing!
I’ll admit I’m one of those people who succumbs to the “label buys,” and Foreign Objects is a label buy I will always make. It comes as no surprise to hear that when I saw a can of Psychomantic Cult Worship, my hands were right on it.
MadTree Brewing Co. | El Dorado High Imperial IPA
October 3, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
If you’re as much of a beer person as I am, you know that as soon as your friend mentions they’re going out of town, you’re asking them to bring you back some beer! That’s exactly what happened when I heard of an impending Ohio trip. I absolutely had to get my hands on some MadTree beer, and I was so pleased! You’re going to have to read below to learn more about El Dorado High.
Ultimate 6er | Dad’s Favorite DIPAs
June 13, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
My dad and I are the ultimate craft beer drinking buddies. We take father-daughter beer trips and are always looking for the tastiest brews! “We both have similar tastes, and it’s fun to compare beers with someone who gets me and has a seasoned palate,” he says. “Plus, you’re my daughter!” The apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Ultimate 6er | Tampa Bay Breweries You Can’t Miss
May 29, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
It’s time to take a vacation and hit the beaches! The beaches in Tampa Bay are known as some of the best in America. If you’re planning a trip to the Tampa Bay area anytime soon, you’re surely going to be seeking out some of the breweries to get your hands on some of the local craft beer offerings. Here are some of the breweries I think you just can’t miss if you’re around:
2019 Tampa Bay Beer Week | Foeder for Thought
May 8, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
2019 marks the sixth year that Green Bench Brewing Company held Foeder for Thought, a craft beer festival centered around fermentation-forward beers and beer education. Brewers assembled from around the nation to Green Bench, and bring their funky, sour, wild, rustic, and all-around amazing beers with them to pour at the event. Some participated in panel discussions, led by Michael Kiser and the team over at Good Beer Hunting, bringing insight into the brewing world and educating the consumers about all things funky and Foeder. It continues to be one of the most highly-anticipated events during Tampa Bay Beer Week.
MadTree Brewing | Citra & Galaxy High DIPA
March 7, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
It’s one of those things that’s irresistible: it’s been a long day at work and you want something that brings the ABV and the hops, because you don’t want to work too hard, right? A perfect blend of ABV, IBUs, flavor, maltiness and a crisp clean finish all packed into one amazing pint. Long live the DIPA.
We all know our Russian River’s Pliny the Elder, and Bell’s Hopslam; allow me to introduce two phenomenal DIPAs from MadTree Brewing: Citra High and Galaxy High.
2019 Tampa Bay Beer Week | Events At-a-Glance March 2-10
March 4, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
It’s time for the most-anticipated beer event in Tampa, Fla.: Tampa Bay Beer Week. Beer lovers in the Tampa Bay Area get to enjoy amazing beer and celebrate the craft beer scene all week. Here’s a rundown of what is happening: Read More
Modern Times Beer | Hyper Halo Berliner Weisse
February 7, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
No matter where you live in the nation, you’re always itching to get your hands on the exclusive beers you can’t get through your local distribution. We’ve all seen the “ISO,” “Looking Out For” or “Will Trade For” posts on craft beer Facebook groups, but some choose to use some other less conventional ways to get their hands on new beers. Personally, I use Tavour when I want some really amazing beers from “sea to shining sea,” and even beyond.
Strange Roots Experimental Ales | Grapeyard Shift
January 21, 2019 | Michelle Thomas
I don’t care what season it is—it’s always time for a saison. The word “saison,” after all, means season in French. If you’re like me, you’re always looking for another one to try. And lately, a ton of wine barrel-aged saisons have been popping up. So when I saw Grapeyard Shift from Strange Roots, I knew it belonged in my fridge.
Foreign Objects Beer Co. | Mystic Flowers of Perpetual Slumber
December 11, 2018 | Michelle Thomas
On a recent trip to Pittsburgh, I decided to visit a bottle shop to see if there was anything this Florida gal couldn’t get her hands on back home. I was immediately taken by the can artwork by a specific brewery; I knew this beer must be something special.
Special, indeed.
Foreign Objects Beer Company is just over a year old but what they’ve got going on belies their young age. Their beer? Amazing. Information about the brewery? Not much. Their intentionally vague descriptions of beers (Ale with hops? Sure.), their brewery and even their location are hard to find and even harder to pin down. Are they in Pottstown, PA, like their can indicated? Are they in New Paltz, NY, like another website said? Are they gypsy brewers? It’s hard to tell, really.
Ultimate 6er | Great Winter Beers that Aren’t Stouts or Porters
November 14, 2018 | Michelle Thomas
‘Tis the season for a good winter beer.
What if you’re not a fan of stouts or porters, but still want to get into the festivities of winter beer releases? We’ve got some suggestions for you! Read More
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