Beer Events
Copper State Beer Festival, Mesa AZ | Jan 13th 2024
February 2, 2024 | Ruvani de Silva
Sweaters are being stripped off, sleeves are being rolled up, and hats are perched on heads as the sparkling winter sun permeates Mesa, AZ’s Riverview Park. Copper State Beer Festival is in full swing, and the weather is offering up its desert best for the 5,000 visitors the event has attracted. This is the third year the festival has taken place, drawing beer lovers from across Arizona and further afield to one of Phoenix’s hippest suburbs for an afternoon of imbibement. As Arizona’s craft beer scene blooms like a cactus flower, consumers are catching on, creating space for this frankly huge event featuring 72 breweries, plus a range of cideries, wineries, meaderies, distilleries, seltzer makers, bars and bottle shops. While the focus is firmly on beer, this is an event with something for everyone and an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their offerings alongside high-profile national names. There’s even a skating rink and axe throwing, which beats the heck out of the usual spin-the-wheel attractions beer festivals offer (FYI there was also spin-the-wheel).
Where to Celebrate 2024 Stout Month in Colorado
February 1, 2024 | Tristan Chan
You did it! You made it through Dry January! And while a reset was likely needed for all of us, the arrival of February will also welcome the return of Stout Month throughout the state of Colorado.
LUKI Brewing’s Niche Events Find Success in the ‘Burbs
January 22, 2024 | Seth Garland
As DJ Saddy Jeff sulked in the corner — spinning an Emo’s Greatest Hits set of tunes — a bigger-than-usual crowd of thirsty Thursday holiday refugees gathered to pair beers and treats, watch “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and bask in the warm radiation of songs from the ghosts of a vaguely-goth past.
In the (normally) quiet West Arvada suburbs of Denver, Colorado, LUKI Brewery has found a niche in its array of unique events. From the ever-popular Gilmore Girls Day, to Goat Yoga and a bunch of wacky stuff in between, founder Jeff Smith has created something special that (perhaps strangely, at times?) really unites the community.
Colorado Pint Day Set for April 10 by Colorado Brewers Guild
January 12, 2024 | Brian Phipps
Recently, the Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) announced this year’s Colorado Pint Day will occur on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The 9th Annual fundraiser is for the CBG, which is a nonprofit trade group for independent craft breweries in the Centennial State. For Colorado Pint Day, breweries from around the state will sell the limited edition glasses and the CBG will receive $1 from each one sold.
BuckleDown Brewing | Barbaric Blood Red Ale
December 12, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
BuckleDown Brewing and Vault Comics recently collaborated on Barbaric Blood Red Ale, launching Friday, Dec. 15. It’s an American Red Ale, offering rich malt flavor, subtle sweetness and a blood-reddish hue. It’s a well-balanced, approachable beer, clocking in at 6.5% ABV. Fans of BuckleDown Brewing and Barbaric can be the first to taste the beer at the BuckleDown Brewing taproom in Lyons, Illinois, on Friday, Dec. 15.
2023 FoBAB Results | Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers Award Winners
November 4, 2023 | Tristan Chan
It may not have fully felt like barrel-aged beer season this year in the Windy City. However, the onset of November always signals the perfect time to down some barrel-aged Stouts, Porters, Wilds and Sours to commemorate the return of one of the festival’s best showcases of barrel-aged beers.
The results are IN and we now know all of the big award winners from this year’s 2023 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB). This year’s 21st annual FoBAB was once again a spectacular success showcasing the country’s absolute best producers in the wood and barrel-aged beer categories.
Colorado Craft Brewers Summit Announced for November 9 & 10
November 1, 2023 | Brian Phipps
Returning for a seventh year is the Colorado Craft Brewers Guild Summit and Trade Show. This year’s show takes place on November 9 and 10 at the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver.
2023 GABF Results | Which Breweries Won Big At This Year’s Competition?
September 23, 2023 | Tristan Chan 2
In its second year back after COVID, the Great American Beer Festival certainly felt a bit different on all fronts. As we noted from our day one recap, attendance to the fest felt significantly down compared to previous years and the competition portion saw a slight dip in entries as well, Regardless several breweries showed out in a big way at this year’s competition.
Colorado Breweries Who Won Big at the 2023 GABF Competition
September 23, 2023 | Tristan Chan
For the second consecutive year, the state of Colorado improved on its total medal count at the Great American Beer Festival and this year took a massive jump. This year, … Read More
2023 Great American Beer Fest Day 1 Recap | Standouts & Hidden Gems
September 22, 2023 | Tristan Chan
Day one of the 41st Great American Beer Festival has officially wrapped and there was quite a bit to unravel. If we’re being completely honest the two biggest noticeable takeaways were that this year’s festival was significantly scaled back both in brewery AND festival-goer attendance, but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that there was still INCREDIBLE beer.
2023 GABF Guided Routes | Spontaneous / Wild / Sour / Saisons to Try at GABF
September 20, 2023 | Tristan Chan
The Great American Beer Festival is finally back! With the insane multitude of beers being served on the festival floor, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. So PorchDrinking is once again here to help you navigate that lineup and help with planning your route at the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through every beer pouring at this year’s fest to curate a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.
2023 GABF Guided Routes | Best Barrel-Aged & High ABV Beers to Try at GABF
September 20, 2023 | Tristan Chan
The Great American Beer Festival is finally back! With the insane multitude of beers being served on the festival floor, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. So PorchDrinking is … Read More
2023 GABF Guided Routes | Best Lagers to Try at GABF
September 20, 2023 | Tristan Chan
The Great American Beer Festival is finally back! With the insane multitude of beers being served on the festival floor, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. So PorchDrinking is once again here to help you navigate that lineup and help with planning your route at the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through every beer pouring at this year’s fest to curate a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.
2023 GABF Guided Routes | Hoppy Beers to Try at GABF
September 19, 2023 | Tristan Chan
The Great American Beer Festival is finally back! With the insane multitude of beers being served on the festival floor, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. So PorchDrinking is once again here to help you navigate that lineup and help with planning your route at the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through every beer pouring at this year’s fest to curate a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.
The Complete PorchDrinking 2023 GABF Week Events Guide
September 16, 2023 | Emma Wargolet
The return of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) each year serves as one of the greatest spectacles in American craft beer. And while the festival, which kicks off this week on Thursday, September 21, is a feat in and of itself, what happens outside of the Convention Center is equally as exciting. External beer events built around the return of GABF have already begun kicking off, and they offer beer fans a unique opportunity to explore rare and exciting new beers from breweries not typically available in the state of Colorado but also serve to showcase some of the best that the state of Colorado can offer. Read More
Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicago
September 8, 2023 | Rachel Morrison
Oktoberfest season is upon us whether you’re ready for it or not. Oktoberfest styles start getting released in August, and celebrations tend to follow in September. While not all Chicago breweries are hosting official Oktoberfest celebrations, there are many opportunities to celebrate the two-week festival that originated in Munich back in 1810. If you’re not able to make the trip to Germany, you have a lot of options right here in Chicago.
Brewer’s Triangle Announces Oktoberfest Event
August 31, 2023 | Emma Wargolet
Back in May 2023, three Chicago breweries, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Ravinia Brewing Co and Metropolitan Brewing, joined forces to create the Brewer’s Triangle. Now, as we are heading into September, we will be in full swing of Oktoberfest season in no time. To celebrate, the Brewer’s Triangle will be holding an all-day event at the three breweries on Saturday, September 23 starting at 11:00am.
Vail Oktoberfest Brings the Best Traditions of Munich to the Mountains
August 30, 2023 | Tristan Chan
After a sweltering summer season, the Colorado heat is beginning to show signs of relenting. Luckily that first hint of a morning chill perfectly aligns with the return of Oktoberfest season. And while a jet-setting retreat to Munich would be a dream for any beer fan during the middle of September, the next best thing is a weekend getaway to the Bavarian-inspired mountain destination of Vail Village.
Brunch Fest 2023 | Lost Friend Brewing Co.
July 28, 2023 | Brea Reimer-Baum
Calling all beer and brunch fans! Lost Friend Brewing Co. of Colorado Springs will be hosting its inaugural Brunch Fest on Sunday, July 30. Read More
WIN TICKETS | Avery Brewing Marks 30th Anniversary with Return to Festival Glory
July 26, 2023 | Tristan Chan
Before hard seltzers and Hazy IPAs, before Collaboration Fest and the WeldWerks Invitational, heck before even WeldWerks and Casey Brewing and Blending, Colorado’s craft beer scene looked a whole lot different. But in many ways, the evolution of today’s beer landscape can be traced back to a simpler time when many early adopters gathered over sweet potato tots paired with hoppy, sour, and big barrel-aged beers in an unassuming, industrial, Boulder alleyway.
This weekend one of Colorado’s craft beer pioneers, Avery Brewing Company will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an invitational-style beer festival reminiscent of the extravagant festivals it helped popularize during its heyday. Originators of iconic events like the Avery Strong Ale Fest, IPA Fest, Sour Festival, and earlier renditions of the Avery Anniversary Festival, the Boulder-based brewery brought a level of pomp, circumstance, and excitement each and every time.
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