Features
Save the Arts with Curtain Up Beer Project
March 16, 2021 | Emma Wargolet
The arts and the hospitality industry are more intertwined than we often consider. When someone has tickets to see a show, it is highly likely they will also go grab food near the venue; they might be making an entire trip out of the event depending on the ticket (“Hamilton,” anyone?). While the hospitality industry has been hugely affected by COVID-19, at least they could have some income coming in. Theatres have been completely shut down, causing thousands of people to be out of work across the country. It is not just actors: It is set builders, costume and makeup designers, conductors, lighting and so many more jobs that are involved in live theatre.
How City Built Brewing Landed a Collaboration with Run the Jewels After Infringing on Their IP
March 12, 2021 | Jason Ley
As the first anniversary of COVID-19 hijacking everything as we knew it laps us, City Built Brewing Company, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, reflect back on their risky, yet well-executed homage to Hip-Hop duo, Run the Jewels, which otherwise could’ve easily tanked them in legal hot water.
Okay, so what had happened was…
Women in Beer | Bailey Spaulding & Lisa Peterson of Jackalope Brewing
March 12, 2021 | Jesse Valenciana
When they opened their doors, Jackalope Brewing Co. were the hip, new brand taking up space in a modest sized brewpub. Fast forward a decade and Jackalope Brewing have become respected pioneers and leaders of Nashville beer. They now operate out of a towering production facility in a rapidly growing city that seemingly sprouts one brewery for every new high-rise residential building.
Pouring It Forward with Savagewood Brewing Co.
March 11, 2021 | Emma Wargolet
We have all seen how beer can help make a difference, from the Black is Beautiful collaboration to the newly-launched Curtain Up Beer Project. So, when Savagewood Brewing Co. wanted to collaborate with female beer blogger Beer Babe Jess (Jessica Merritt), they immediately knew they wanted the collaboration to be for a good cause. The end result is Pouring It Forward, a Raspberry Ale featuring a special hop blend from the Pink Boots Society (Ahtanum, Cashmere, Citra, Loral and Sabro) with proceeds going towards the Big Sister League in San Diego.
5 Questions With | Victory Brewing’s Founders Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski
March 10, 2021 | Taylor Laabs 1
Sustaining a business for 25 years is an achievement in any industry, but it is particularly impressive in the tumultuous and unpredictable world of craft beer. Downingtown, Pennsylvania-based Victory Brewing Company has been churning out Bavarian-inspired beers and other inventive offerings since 1996, establishing itself as a pillar of the Pennsylvania beer community and as somewhat of an innovator thanks to the rampant success of its Golden Monkey Belgian Tripel brand. Being able to properly execute a variety of European-styles, with Victory’s own unique twists, has generated acclaim and a passionate following for the brewery. With the brewery celebrating 25 years in business, I asked Victory Brewing founders Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski about how they’ve been able to sustain success, their approach to community building, and what excites them about the craft beer market today.
Ultimate 6er | A Toast to Historical Women of the 1920s
March 10, 2021 | Jessica Spengler
The 1920s was an important decade for women. The 19th Amendment gave us the right to vote in 1920, and what followed was a decade of strength and a search for equality that broke barriers and changed women forever. Women of the 1920s did everything men did, and sometimes they did it better.
Women in Beer | Stephanie Kushnir of Ravinia Brewing Co.
March 10, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
You already know that Ravinia Brewing is coming soon to Chicago. You may be familiar with their Highland Park location, distribution throughout Chicago, or teasers for their new brewpub. If so, then you should also know the woman behind the scenes, Stephanie Kushnir. Stephanie is Head of Sales and Marketing for Ravinia Brewing. She’s getting Ravinia beer into our fridges and onto our feeds, all leading up to a highly anticipated opening right here in Chicago.
DuClaw Brewing Co. Wants You to ‘Give a Crap’
March 7, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
Send a poop, get a six-pack. That’s what DuClaw Brewing Co. is asking people to do for their “Give a Crap Campaign.” The Baltimore brewery has partnered with Squatty Potty and the Colon Cancer Foundation to raise awareness for colon cancer and reach the foundation’s yearly goal of providing 10,000 colorectal cancer screenings to underserved communities in 2021.
Kentucky’s First Sake Company to Open Mid-Spring
March 3, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
Most people’s experience with sake is at the Hibachi grill when the chef sprays it into your mouth from three feet away. You either nail it or you leave the restaurant with sake all over your shirt. That’s the extent of your knowledge of the Japanese rice fermented alcoholic beverage. The Void Sake Company in Lexington, KY is ready to change people’s perception of sake and that it’s more than just a fun part of your Hibachi dinner.
PorchDrinking and Better on Draft Announce Partnership
February 26, 2021 | Jessica Spengler
Co-written by Jessica Spengler, PorchDrinking’s Michigan Regional Editor, and Edwin “Ed” Norton, Better on Draft’s Editor-in-Chief and Lead Writer.
(Michigan) – PorchDrinking and Better on Draft Media are proud to announce a collaborative partnership across both sites regarding coverage of the Michigan craft brewing industry as of March 1, 2021.
New Beer Spa Opens in Downtown Denver
February 26, 2021 | Bryant Vander Weerd
If Denver is known for anything besides marijuana, it’s craft beer and wellness. Now a new beer spa in Denver combines the best of both of these worlds, where patrons can bathe in the same ingredients they drink.
Ultimate 6er | Chicago Beer Pairings for the Golden Globes
February 24, 2021 | Rachel Morrison
No, Emily in Paris is not included in this list. For starters, it’s not a film. Additionally, it has no place on the list of nominees for the Golden Globes altogether. If you for whatever reason would like a recommendation to pair with the show, reach for whatever brewery is currently releasing exploding cans to the public.
Sour Series: Company Brewing | Alphabetical Order (Pink Guava Gose)
February 24, 2021 | Emma Wargolet
The growth in popularity of Sours the past couple of years in the craft brewing community has been extremely exciting for the woman who shoved sour gummy worms in her mouth by the handful as a child. While Sour Ales may not get the love and acclaim as Barrel-Aged beers do, they should be recognized as a beer style that takes creativity and patience, not to mention access to interesting ingredients. One such brewery taking risks with their Sours and Goses is Company Brewing, based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Recently, I enjoyed Alphabetical Order, a Pink Guava Gose that originally started as a collaboration beer with Component Brewing.
Craft Breweries Continue Commitment to Sustainability, Solar Energy
February 22, 2021 | Taylor Laabs
Sustainability is an integral part of the corporate talktrack these days, with big and small corporations alike sharing their commitment to sustainable business practices and production habits. The craft beer industry is an area of the market that has always tilted towards sustainability, as brewers big and small continue to reap the benefits of growing and using ingredients and energy produced on their premises. Revolution Brewing’s savory Honey Jacket Barleywine uses honey harvested from bees that reside on the roof of their production facility. Some go as far as producing their own energy via solar panels. Brewery Vivant’s solar program, which includes a 54-kilowatt solar system and 192 solar panels, produces 20% of the facility’s energy needs.
With commitments to sustainability and renewable, clean energy sources becoming a bigger and bigger area of focus for craft breweries, here’s a look at three new pledges from big name breweries that signal craft beer’s ongoing commitment to existing constantly while leaving the world a better place than they left it.
Takeaways From Craft Malt Con (Online) 2021
February 19, 2021 | Jereme Zimmerman
The fourth annual Craft Malt Conference was held February 10-12, 2021 as Craft Malt Con Online. Originally scheduled to be held in Portland, ME, it went fully virtual this year due to COVID-19. Although members of the tightly knit craft malt community missed the opportunity to gather in-person, this format opened up the opportunity for a wider audience to participate.
Ultimate 6er | Spruce Up Your Love Life
February 17, 2021 | Kindsey Bernhard
February is the month of love and Valentine’s Day just passed. Like most people, you might be having a hard time finding love right now because of COVID-19. That’s okay. PorchDrinking is here to help. This Ultimate 6er is going to help help you “Spruce Up Your Love Life” and guide you to some delicious spruce and pine beers.
From Bean to Beer | The New World of Chocolate Beers
February 17, 2021 | David Nilsen
Chocolate beer is nothing new. Brewers have been throwing cacao nibs into stouts for years now. But with a growing recognition among brewers of the flavor potential of fine cacao in various forms, the possibilities for how chocolate can be used in brewing are expanding rapidly. And that’s exciting.
I started a podcast in 2020 called Bean to Barstool, which uses craft beer and bean to bar chocolate as dual lenses for exploring the world of flavor. I wrote in the initial media announcement for the show that people should “think of it as a dream journal written in the complex alphabet of beer and the eloquent vocabulary of chocolate.”
Six Colorado Beers to Celebrate Valentine’s Day from Molly’s Spirits
February 11, 2021 | Tristan Chan
Let’s be real, a special night on the town still isn’t exactly the most responsible decision during an on-going pandemic, commemorating Valentine’s Day with the loved one in your life can be as romantic as selecting the right beers to enjoy together at home. Luckily, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Molly’s Spirits to highlight six perfect beers to pair just for this occasion while still supporting Colorado local independent breweries.
Molly’s Spirits is located at 5809 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80212 (Lakeside), and 8557 E Arapahoe Rd Unit A (Greenwood Village, CO). All six of these beers can be found at Molly’s Spirits or try ordering online to get beers delivered to your doorstep.
Illinois BEERacket Fundraiser Boxes Go On Sale Friday
February 10, 2021 | Mike Zoller
With their regular roster of beer events canceled due to the pandemic, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has had to be creative to find other ways to generate revenue for the non-profit organization. One solution has been mixed variety beer boxes for the general public to purchase. They sold out of the “FoBAB at Home” boxes in November and are releasing a new box with a March Madness-like BEERacket theme.
Ultimate 6er | Female Friendships to Celebrate
February 10, 2021 | Emma Wargolet
Celebrating friendships has always been extremely important, even more so after experiencing the trash fire of 2020. Galentine’s Day is a favorite holiday of mine, as it is a day where I can bake and craft and celebrate the incredible women in my life. I spend more time preparing for Galentine’s Day than I do most things, so knowing that this year will need to be postponed just equals more time to make celebrating female friendships extra special.
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