Craft Beer News
PorchDrinking brings you the breaking in craft beer news.
Dovetail Set to Release Chicago’s First Commercially-Produced Kriek
July 13, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Dovetail Brewery’s Kriek beer has been in the works for almost as long as the brewery has been open. After two years in production, the Kriek, believed to be the first Kriek commercially produced in Chicago, will be released in bottles tomorrow at the brewery.
The PorchCast | Ep 52 – 14er Brewing Acquires Former Beryl’s Beer Co. Space
July 12, 2018 | Tristan Chan
In a very special edition of the PorchCast, Tristan was joined by Andrew Kaczmarek and Nato Francescato, founders of Denver’s 14er Brewing to announce their acquisition of the former Beryl’s Beer Co. facility. That news, combined with their recent announcement of opening a taproom in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Denver, makes for one massive month for 14er Brewing.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Wynkoop Brewing Adds Foeders to Ever-Growing Barrel-Aging Program
July 10, 2018 | Tristan Chan
Sometimes in order to take two steps forward, you’ve got to take one giant leap back. Such was the case two years ago when Wynkoop Brewing made the difficult decision to end the packaging and distribution of its beers to outside bars, restaurants and liquor stores. However, the decision to shift focus solely toward on-premise sales has also allowed the Wynkoop team to re-invest in innovation and grow a stronger overall beer program.
Chicago Quick Sips July 9-22
July 9, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Quick Sips is our way of highlighting beer events, tap takeovers and other notable beer news around the city of Chicago, IL. If you’d like to submit something to be included in the next Quick Sips, please email us at [email protected].
2018 Bourbon County Labels Hint Possible Neapolitan, Horchata, Reserve Variants
July 9, 2018 | Mike Zoller
While there are still 137 days until the 2018 batch of Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout will be released, the hype has started with the approval of a variety of labels by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau last week.
The Second Annual Rapids & Grass Beer Fest Raises the Bar for Craft Events
July 2, 2018 | David Franz
As the brewing industry ebbs and flows through the many styles that interest consumers, beer festival organizers are finding ways to cater to tastes and stand out. Festivals such as Big Beers, Collaboration Fest, The Firestone Walker Invitational, and the recent inaugural WeldWerks Invitation go above and beyond the standard convention cup format by providing one-off offerings, sought after rarities, and highlighting the education and spirit of the brewing community. The 2nd annual Rapids & Grass Beer Festival in Buena Vista, CO this past weekend is another example of how organizers are upping the ante on beer festivals with more than copious amounts of unique brews—they are making it an experience. Rapids & Grass celebrated innovation and camaraderie in craft beer. Also, it offered attendees live bluegrass, camping, and whitewater rafting in the grandeur of the Collegiate Peaks alongside the roaring Arkansas River. Read More
Great Divide’s Denver Pale Ale Artist Series #3 Featuring Rachel Jablonski
June 28, 2018 | Kara Rowland
Great Divide Brewing Co. is out with a new label for its Denver Pale Ale as illustrator Rachel Jablonski takes the torch from John Vogl for the third iteration of the brewery’s Artist Series.
Featuring a man relaxing on a hammock as he sips a beer with an eye toward the city and mountain skyline, Jablonski’s design will now adorn cans of Denver Pale Ale, the brewery’s piney and sessionable staple. Rounding out the composition are iconic Denver symbols such as a hiker, the state capitol, skis, a hawk and a deer.
Great Divide — which at 24 years old is one of Denver’s older breweries — started the Denver Pale Ale Artist Series in 2016 shortly after opening its new RiNo location. Director of Marketing Shannon Berner described the series as a way to showcase local artists and pay tribute to the Mile High City that the brewery calls home.
Read More
Rapids & Grass Brings Together Beer, Music & Rafting this Weekend
June 28, 2018 | Chea Franz
Nestled at the foot of the Continental Divide at 8,000 feet lies Buena Vista, a Colorado town known for its pristine mountain peaks and roaring rapids. This weekend more than 45 breweries will be pouring beer along the Arkansas River at the Second Annual Rapids & Grass Beer Festival, a weekend long event on June 29 – July 1, that includes unlimited beer samplings, live music and rafting. If the sweeping mountain views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range weren’t enough of a draw, the beer will be; Jester King Brewery, Beachwood Brewing, Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales and Wiley Roots (slushy sour, anyone?) are among many notable breweries that will be pouring beers. Read More
Fast Facts on Lagunitas’ New THC-Infused Sparkling Beverage, Hi-Fi Hops
June 27, 2018 | Taylor Laabs
It’s not any sort of industry secret that Lagunitas Brewing Co. has been known to have an affinity for dankness. The Petaluma, CA-based brewery has had a storied history combining hops and cannabis into beer, which makes their recent announcement that much more exciting. Lagunitas has decided to take their groovy talents to the booming sparkling water market, with the introduction of their Hi-Fi Hops sparkling beverage. The new carbonated water drink is IPA-inspired and blends together hops with both THC and CBD, two chemical compounds found in cannabis.
Chicago Quick Sips | June 25
June 25, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Quick Sips is our way of highlighting beer events, tap takeovers and other notable beer news around the city of Chicago. If you’d like to submit something to be included in the next Quick Sips, please email us at [email protected].
New Denver Alcohol Laws Could Change the Beer Game this Summer
June 21, 2018 | Scott Davidson
If you’ve lived in Colorado all of your life *secret native handshake* you know there have been some big changes to the liquor laws over the past few years. This year, we will start to see the effects from the largest change, allowing grocery stores to sell full strength beer, wine, and liquor. This new law also has some other repercussions that you may not know about.
Surly Brewing Upping its Chicago Presence With Three Summer Beers
June 21, 2018 | Mike Zoller
Last year Surly Brewing made it clear — Chicago was a market they wanted to have a stronger footprint in. They switched distributors in January from Windy City Distributing to Lakeshore Beverage, AB-InBev’s High End distributor, and have subsequently made an immediate impact on the Windy City’s craft beer scene.
Why Patio Season in the Midwest Means More
June 19, 2018 | Taylor Laabs
Oh, summer. As a native Minnesotan and current Chicagoan, I have a mixed relationship with the best season of the year. I’m used to rationalizing the cold, the rain, the snow, more cold…and even hail, endured during roughly nine months of the year, knowing that the sweet embrace of 70 degrees and sunny skies is right around the corner. Unfortunately, summer in the Midwest can be as fleeting as the last drip of Lager in your glass, which is why Midwesterners go so crazy for the nice days: because there are so few of them. One of my favorite summer activities is patio drinking. It’s a staple pastime that tans the skin and bloats the belly as you sit outside sopping up suds and some much-needed Vitamin D. Much like its inhabitants, the breweries of the Midwest also rejoice when the first summer forecast comes into the picture. Patio season can even start before Memorial Day – I’ve seen Chicago breweries unveil their patio chairs on an unseasonably sunny day in March. And guess what? That patio was filled. We asked several Midwestern brewers why patio season is so special for their brewery and for their patrons.
Fast Facts on Revolution Brewing’s First Ever Sour: Freedom of Speach
June 18, 2018 | Taylor Laabs
Chances are, the last Revolution Brewing beer you had was probably from their Hero IPA line – or even a Rosa or Pils knowing both are a staple of summer. That might not be the case for much longer. Revolution is diving head first into the sour beer trend with the release of their first-ever sour, Freedom of Speach. The session peach sour gets its tartness via kettle souring and comes in at a sessionable 4.5% ABV, meaning that it will add some variety to any cooler you’re packing this season.
Hopewell Brewing and Metric Coffee Release Cold Brew Session Coffee Ale
June 13, 2018 | Mathew Powers
The collaboration beer, Hopewell Brewing x Metric Coffee Cold Brew Session Coffee Ale, marry two increasingly popular American brewing trends — craft beer and independent roasters (coffee).
Most of the PorchDrinking.com audience is well aware of craft beer’s growth in recent years. However, one may not be aware that 59% of coffee consumed daily is classified as “gourmet,” according to the 2017 NCA report on National Coffee Drinking Trends. That was the first time in the report’s 67-year history that the number exceeded 50%.
Deep Ellum Brewing Sold to Oskar Blues’ Canarchy Collective
June 12, 2018 | Scott Davidson
DALLAS, TX – Deep Ellum Brewing Company has confirmed that the brewery is joining Oskar Blues Brewing Company under the Fireman Capital-backed Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective.
Lakewood’s Caution Brewing Announces Closure at the End of June
June 4, 2018 | Tristan Chan 5
While we’re only six months into the year, 2018 has been a rough one for Colorado’s craft beer landscape. According to research from Stephen Adams, Colorado Beer Geek, this year, the state of Colorado has seen nine closures including Crazy Mountain Brewing’s Edwards location, Powder Keg Brewing, Dodgeton Creek Brewing (temporary), Vindication Brewing, Beryl’s Beer Co., Great Storm Brewing, Revolution Brewing (which plans to re-open under a new owner and name), FanDraught Sports Brewery and Nighthawk Brewery, and sadly we’re now hearing of a 10th.
Eurotrip | DC Brau Goes to Sweden
June 4, 2018 | Stacey Goers
DC Brau is the latest stateside brewery to capitalize on the exploding Swedish beer market. The Washington D.C.-based beloved brewery announced it will be distributing in Systembolaget stores throughout Sweden this fall.
Read More
Westbound & Down Brewing Plans Growth Around Experimental Program
June 4, 2018 | Tristan Chan
Like many Coloradans who have traversed the winding I70 highway toward Summit County, you’ve probably at some point noticed the word BREWERY painted in big bold letters along the side of a building in the thoroughfare town of Idaho Springs. For those who keep up with the ever-evolving Colorado craft beer landscape, this mountain town spot has become a familiar requisite stop for those who appreciate well-crafted traditional styles paired with great eats. But what most don’t realize is that Westbound & Down Brewing has been quietly preparing to join Colorado’s storied lineup of esteemed sour producers.
Read More
First Look: Odell Brewing Opens Small Batch Brewery & Taproom in Denver RiNo
May 31, 2018 | Scott Davidson
Denver’s River North Art District is beginning to look completely different than it did even six months ago. Just along the once rough and tumble, sleepy main drag of Larimer Street alone, the transformation is none more apparent than the recent additions of American Bonded, the next chapter in Sean Kenyon’s (founder of Williams and Graham) burgeoning cocktail bar catalog, and Call, a trendy coffee shop, sandwich concept, along with it’s upcoming neighboring sister bar Beckon. The landscape has also been forever changed by the recent influx of satellite locations from several already well-established national brands. This recent flood of familiar faces includes one of the country’s hottest bar concepts in Death and Co, inside of The Ramble Hotel, the fast food behemoth that is Shake Shack, and chain wine bar concept Barcelona. And beginning Monday, Odell Brewing will extend their reach outside of their Fort Collins roots to Denver’s hottest neighborhood, when they open their second outpost in the heart of Denver’s River North Art District.
recent comments