Beer Events
Event Recap | Welles Park Beer Fest
August 8, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The third leg of the Illinois Craft Beer Guild Festival Grand Slam occurred on Aug 5, 2017 at Welles Park on the north side of Chicago. Festival goers enjoyed sun, 78-degree temperatures, terrific beer and a venue that was tough to beat. Sadly, though, for various reasons, attendance seemed a tad lackluster for Welles. It’s unlikely that will be the case at the next one; the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers (FoBAB) is the Wimbledon or Masters of Illinois beer fests.
Event Preview | Half Acre Beer Co. The Big North II
August 7, 2017 | Taylor Laabs 1
As you may know, Half Acre Beer Co. is opening up a big and shiny brewing facility on Balmoral Avenue, which means more delicious beer and food from one of Chicago’s premiere craft beer destinations. To help launch the facility, Half Acre is hosting the 2nd annual Big North festival at the new digs, which will include over 35 Half Acre beer options, including a bunch of rare and experimental brews, drool-worthy food from the Half Acre kitchen, live music, and more. Here are the full details on Big North ’17.
What the Funk!? Invitational Announces 2017 Breweries & Event Date
August 4, 2017 | Chea Franz
Denver’s premiere festival, What the Funk!? Invitational showcasing wild, spontaneous, sour and barrel-aged beers returns Wednesday October 4 at The Studios at Overland Crossing. Over the years, the events surrounding The Great American Beer Festival have become just as popular and successful as the headlining event itself, and What the Funk!? always ranks at the top of our list as well. Read More
Colorado Brewers Weigh in on Session Beers
August 4, 2017 | Tristan Chan
It should come as no surprise that most frequently, when given the choice, brewers typically reach for easy-drinking sessionable beers over their big boozy counterparts. All week long we’ve profiled the rise of Session beers, generally categorized as beers 5% in ABV or lower, as well as a preview of this weekend’s Sesh Fest, a celebration of Session beers. Sesh Fest features over 50 breweries, food trucks, lawn games, screen printing, water games, a shandy tent, slushie station and much more. Now hear from the brewers themselves!
New Belgium Cancels 2017 Denver Tour de Fat, Underscoring Major Year of Change
August 3, 2017 | Tristan ChanIt’s been a big 25th anniversary year for Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewing Company, one scored by significant gains and milestones, as well as a handful of bumps in the road, and directional changes.
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | August 2, 2017
August 2, 2017 | Jeremiah Cornelius
The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
Read More
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Atlanta Beer Beat | August 2, 2017
August 2, 2017 | Josh Ritenour
The Atlanta Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings and more!
The Complete Guide to Buying 2017 GABF Tickets
August 2, 2017 | Tristan Chan
This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival, and it’s expected to draw a record approximation of nearly 900 breweries pouring at the fest. We’ve got everything you need to know to score tickets to the 2017 GABF during today’s general public sale.
2017 Sesh Fest Pour List & Ticket Giveaway
August 1, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Yesterday we detailed the rise in popularity of approachable, easy-drinking session beers. From Vienna lagers to pilsners, Berliners to Irish dry stouts, kolsches to session IPAs, just because these styles may be low in ABV, doesn’t mean they lose out on flavor.
South East Craft Beer Fest Becoming a National Must-Attend Event
August 1, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Two years ago I bemoaned the downward tailspin of craft beer festivals in a piece I penned: Have Beer Festivals Jumped the Shark. It seems in large part that a majority of them have done just that. Two years later, I could expound on an even greater litany of festival organizer faux pas, ranging from a failure to support breweries the day of the festival, to hooking up kegs to the wrong draft lines (I’ve actually seen this happen).
Event Recap | Warped Wing Trotwood Derby
August 1, 2017 | David Nilsen
One of the highlights of each year when I was between the ages of 10 and 12 was the annual AWANA Pinewood Derby (AWANA was like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for church kids—I had a weird childhood). I would give my dad an impossible car design on paper, he would do an impressive job of cutting that design from a three dimensional block of wood, and then on a Saturday morning in February—car in hand and hopes high—we would head to the track to get our asses squarely kicked. We never won anything and never came close, but it was a lot of fun. Read More
Event Recap | New Belgium’s Le Kriek Noir Bottle Release
July 31, 2017 | Chea Franz
At 10:30 p.m. we approach a line that spills out the door of New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins. The red carpet is rolled out, and folks are dressed to the nines wearing elegant cocktail dresses, suspenders, and fedoras to go along with the “film noir” theme of the evening. In a return to the cork and cage format of La Folie’s past, New Belgium’s Unveiled & Uncorked bottle release party was a celebration of the launch of the brewery’s Wood Cellar Reserve, a series of very rare, small batch wild and sour ales—and the star of the night was Le Kriek Noir, the first release from Wood Cellar Reserve. Read More
Rally King Rallies for Two Year Anniversary
July 27, 2017 | Bryan Oldham
In two short years, Rally King Brewing has become one of Fort Collins’ go-to watering holes. What started as a passion project for owners Matt and Michelle Kriewall has evolved into a standout brewery in what many consider the craft beer capital of the United States. Rally King is tucked away in a strip center on the east side of town, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot between a gamer’s paradise and a delicious Asian restaurant. This past Saturday, however, you’d be hard pressed to overlook Rally King’s taproom.
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | July 26, 2017
July 26, 2017 | Jeremiah Cornelius
The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
Read More
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Atlanta Beer Beat | July 26, 2017
July 26, 2017 | Josh Ritenour
The Atlanta Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings and more!
Illinois Brewers Guild President Discusses Welles Summer Fest and Illinois Craft Beer
July 24, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Once the Illinois Craft Beer Guild (ICBG) event that effectively served as the closing ceremonies to Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW), the festival held at Welles Park in Lincoln Square now enjoys the title of Summer Beer Fest. On August 5th, fans can drink beer, gaze upon the large gazebo, listen to live music and purchase food.
We chatted with Danielle D’Alessandro, president of the Guild, to talk Welles Fest, clean water and all things Illinois beer.
Avery Brewing 24th Anniversary Party Pour List Showcases Rarities
July 20, 2017 | Tristan Chan
In 2016 Avery Brewing Company joined the ranks of the country’s top 50 breweries by volume. Their ranking as the country’s 48th largest brewery represents more than just the tangible … Read More
Event Recap | Windy City Smokeout
July 20, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
The Windy City Smokeout was sold out this year and, after experiencing the event on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Chicago, it’s easy to see why. Music evokes many powerful emotions within people, but there are few greater sounds on a hot summer day than the melodious tunes of a country band. Couple that with copious amounts of craft beer and delicious barbecue, and you have an event that is worth every penny.
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | July 19, 2017
July 19, 2017 | Jeremiah Cornelius
The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
Read More
PorchDrinking’s Weekly Atlanta Beer Beat | July 19, 2017
July 19, 2017 | Sarah Duffy
The Atlanta Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings and more!
recent comments