Beer Showcases
PD’s own dissect beer. Leave the pretentiousness on the curb.
Ultimate 6er | What’s New Chicago
February 27, 2019 | Rachel Morrison
It can be difficult to keep up with all of the new things happening in the Chicago craft beer scene. With new taprooms opening and bottle releases happening virtually each week, there is no shortage of options for new Chicago beers. Thus I’ve rounded up a few of my recent favorites in this Ultimate 6er, What’s New Chicago edition.
T.F. Brewing | Albion Belgian Trippel
February 27, 2019 | Chris & Sylvia Hollands 1
The Utah brewing community was a little bit shocked when Kevin Templin left his long time position as Head Brewer at Red Rock Brewing Co. To us it seemed like an abrupt mic drop that didn’t make sense. After surviving the initial shock, we took comfort in the fact there must be something brewing in his mind. So we patiently let the months pass by. As the seasons morphed and the local craft beer continued to thrive, we might have almost moved on. Then, Kevin was back with a bang just as quickly as he had left—and this time he brought along the whole family! Read More
Sinistral Brewing | Draft Favorites
February 26, 2019 | Stacey Goers
Virginia’s beer market is booming, with big names and new, sprawling establishments. Among those, Sinistral Brewing Company, located in Manassas, VA, really embraces simplicity, though it certainly isn’t dull. Sinistral takes family and community to heart: its location is right near a commuter rail station; they provide a venue to featuring local musicians and they name beers after colleagues’ children, just to give a few examples.
Brewery Vivant | Lost Minds Tart IPA
February 25, 2019 | Aimee Jackson
If you read my Ultimate 6er | Snowed-In in Michigan, you would remember that, “from November through March, I have learned to always be prepared by stocking our home with the essentials: a space heater, frozen pizzas and, of course, a few beers to keep us warm and cozy on this snowy day,” so when Polar Vortex 2019 hit, my husband and I were ready to face it. One of the craft beers we picked up along the way to try was Lost Minds (7% ABV), a tart IPA from Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Novel Strand Brewing | Ye Olde Funk
February 22, 2019 | Camila Navarrette
The best way to lift yourself out of a winter funk is to drink a beer that’s dark and delicious, with a high enough ABV to warm you up. After walking a few blocks in 19-degree weather to Novel Strand–a relatively new brewery located only a few blocks away from my apartment–I needed something full-bodied, boldly flavored and a little weird.
Short’s Brewing Company | Exterior Illumination
February 21, 2019 | Danny King
One of my favorite holiday traditions is driving around looking at lights. When I was a kid, my family would pack into the car and take the longest route possible between my aunt’s and our house to look at Christmas lights. Even in high school, my friends and I would drive around looking for those homes whose merry-making bordered on deranged. Now that I’m older, I still take the Christmas light tour after dinner. Short’s Brewing Company, following in the Christmas tradition, released an American sour ale to highlight the raucous displays that have become as much a part of the holidays as Santa and presents.
Pipeworks Brewing | Pothole City
February 20, 2019 | Paul Lewis
I admit, I rage-bought a beer. I bought Pipeworks Brewing Pothole City because of the name. I didn’t even know what style it was, but I knew I wanted it. Nonetheless, the beer — an Imperial Stout — proved to be just as good as the name.
Platform Beer Co. | High Brow Barista
February 19, 2019 | Kevin Risner
Like many of Cleveland’s newer craft beer bastions, Platform Beer Co. is attuned to the desires of beer connoisseurs and consumers. They have tackled many popular varieties from New England IPAs to saisons and goses. Platform is willing to experiment and re-evaluate their styles, releasing many offerings throughout Ohio, sometimes for a limited time (like their Small Batch IPA series, for example). Whenever I enter a local supermarket, I’m amazed by how prolific they have become. Still, some of their tried-and-true mainstays are what keep me coming back. One of Platform Beer Co.’s seasonals, High Brow Barista, is a particular favorite of mine.
Whiner Beer Co. l Coolship Sasha
February 18, 2019 | Eric Oliver
In the summer of 2017, Whiner Beer Co. co-founders Ria Neri and Brian Taylor built a coolship using hand-picked steel and repurposed wood. The fermentation vessel is located next to the farm their brewery sits on in the South Side of Chicago.
Short’s Brewing Company | The Double Magician
February 15, 2019 | Danny King
Sometimes I struggle to figure out what beer to bring to an event. Other times the Universe throws an opportunity at you too good to pass up. This time, a serendipitous combination of a last-minute ski trip to Short’s land and a “diaper” party combined to make one of my favorite winter beers the obvious party choice: Short’s Brewing’s The Double Magician.
Fremont Brewing | Head Full of Dynamite v.8
February 14, 2019 | Rachyl Fojtik
What do you call these hazy IPAs that seem to be everywhere? This style goes by many names; NEIPA, Juicy IPA, Hazy IPA. But whatever you call these juice bombs it seems they’re here to stay and in full effect from coast to coast.
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Civil Life Brewing Company | American Brown Ale
February 13, 2019 | Kevin Hartnett
What comes to mind when you picture a flagship? Now think a bit harder and get past the Boston Lager, Fat Tire, and each of the IPAs available nationwide. What are the standard flagships available are your local favorite breweries? My guess is you are thinking of several more IPAs ranging from extra hoppy to sessionable, a few more pale ales, and maybe, maybe a stout here or there.
Button Brew House & Old Ellsworth Brewing Company | Dark Elevation
February 12, 2019 | Justin Pennel
For those of you that have been around the craft beer scene for a while, think back several years ago and it’s easy to see that many styles have come and gone. Even some of the styles that have stood the test of time have evolved over the years. One style, in particular, comes to mind: Black IPAs. This style was highly popular for a few years, then quietly phased out of many breweries’ lineups. However, Black IPAs have started to make a comeback in popularity.
Aslin Beer Company | The Implication
February 11, 2019 | Scott Johnson
The reckoning of New England IPAs is going to come. After years of the milkshake beer being the new kid on the block, trends are slowly switching back to old school pale ales and even hopped lagers. I don’t think the NEIPA will fully go away, but when every brewery jumps on the trend it just loses it’s panache. I thought I had tasted every kind of juice box imaginable … until trying The Implication from Aslin Beer Company.
New Holland Brewing | Dragon’s Milk Reserve Orange Chocolate
February 8, 2019 | Paul Lewis
As Chicago barrels toward a week of historically cold temperatures, I was eager to get out to my local Binny’s and stockpile some dark, heavy stouts to keep me sane as I prepare for a week filled with cabin fever. 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.
Steel Bender Brewyard | Cinderella Story
February 5, 2019 | Asa Stone
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque in New Mexico is a small village that maintains the charm of rural living despite being surrounded by the city of Albuquerque. Steel Bender Brewyard is the first licensed (and only) brewery in the village and it has positioned itself as a community gathering place for a variety of occasions including ordinary after-work happy hours and celebratory milestones from baby showers to retirement. Using seasonal fruits from local orchards for their barrel program and creating “from scratch” pub fare in their full kitchen, there are many reasons why Steel Bender Brewyard should be added to your next beer journey in New Mexico.
North High Brewing | Cover Crop Beer
February 4, 2019 | David Nilsen
A new beer from North High Brewing in Columbus, Ohio, is shining a light on the importance of agriculture in the world of craft beer. North High has partnered with Ohio Farm Bureau to brew Cover Crop Beer, a blonde ale brewed in honor of the centennial anniversary of the latter organization, which exists to promote and support Ohio farmers.
Three Nations Brewing Company | Horchata Imperial Milk Stout
February 1, 2019 | Katie Kalk 1
PorchDrinking is a firm supporter of the manta “drink local.” But there’s plenty of incredible craft beer that doesn’t come from your neck of the woods. I live in Austin, the capital of Texas and the city with the most craft breweries in the state. I could exclusively drink beers from my home town; however, I’d be making a mistake by ignoring my Texas beer brethren. The beer coming out of the Dallas Metroplex rivals its hipper southern city. It’s harder to find, but worth the effort to pick up.
Wellspent Brewing Co. | Bonanza Theatre
January 31, 2019 | Jordan Palmer
One of the first things you’ll notice about this beer is the sleek jet black bottle. One of the first things you’ll wonder about is the name: Bonanza Theater. So, let’s cover that first. Wellspent Brewing Company, which opened on March 2, 2018, is located in a beautiful, century-old building that was home to a movie theater a hundred years ago. There is still some evidence of the old movie theater at this new brewery. As you walk in, you’ll still find the marquees, fully restored to their former glory.
“It opened in 1907 and was called the Bonanza Theatre,” said Kyle Kohlmorgen, owner of Wellspent Brewing.
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