Features
Ask the Brewers | Barrel-Aged Beers They’re Most Excited About
December 21, 2020 | Taylor Laabs
In part two of our series on the state of barrel-aged beers (read part one here), we’re generating some word-of-mouth buzz by letting the brewers share the most anticipated barrel-aged beers lurking in their barrel programs. The ever-present bourbon barrel-aged stout makes an appearance or two, but it’s the experimentation and creativity highlighted by brewers across the board that really gets me excited. Foeder-aged ales, tequila Goses and barrel-aged Cream Ales? That’s just a sampling of some of the compelling creations these breweries are looking forward to releasing to consumers.
(READ: The State of Barrel-Aged Beers in 2020)
Brewery Vivant celebrates 10-year anniversary with release of J’aison Ale
December 20, 2020 | Jessica Spengler
Sunday, December 20, marks the 10-year anniversary for one of Grand Rapids, Michigan’s most celebrated breweries: Brewery Vivant. The brewery is the world’s first LEED certified commercial microbrewery and a Certified B Corporation. It is beloved among Michigan’s beer loving community for their Belgium-style brews, as well as their commitment to the local community. To celebrate 10 years, on December 17 the brewery released J’aison, a Petite Saison brewed with orange peel and Tellicherry black peppercorns. It is currently available on draft and in cans for sale at the brewpub.
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Ultimate 6er | Beers To Drink While Reading Dune In Preparation For The Movie
December 16, 2020 | Nathan Jahns
Denis Villeneuve-directed movies are not for the light-hearted. I’ll bet you never heard anyone say, “Tough day at the button factory, honey, let’s relax and watch Sicario,” or “My boss is such a jerk, I need to clear my head by watching Arrival.” Complex storylines, heavy themes, experimental and ambient scores, and ominous cinematography, are not just common, they are the rule. Put simply, you have to be in the right headspace to get the most out of his movies.
Breweries to Create Missouri Brewers Guild’s First Collaboration Brew
December 16, 2020 | Bryant Vander Weerd
Twenty-two members of the Missouri Brewers Guild teamed up this fall to brew the Guild’s first-ever collaboration brew, aptly named “Missouri Loves Company”. The breweries met via video conference to discuss logistics, ingredients, and unite during a time when social distancing rules tend to keep people apart.
Strong BA Series | Bottle Logic Fundamental Observation
December 16, 2020 | Karl Kalinkewicz
We all remember the first time we waited in an exceptionally long line for an exceptionally small pour of a notable beer. On a sunny SoCal day in May 2015, at The Bruery’s 7th Anniversary party, a beer from local upstart Bottle Logic Brewing named Fundamental Observation showed up like Lindsay Lohan as the new queen bee of The Plastics. An explosion of vanilla followed by the soft cuddle of high-end bourbon barrels, this beer was a delicious needle in the four hours of unlimited tastings haystack. With the next public release of this beer came a block-spanning line, providing a delicious 8oz reward for an hour of your time, and the first memory of waiting in extended anticipation for a single draught of excellence. Read More
The State of Barrel-Aged Beers in 2020
December 15, 2020 | Taylor Laabs
Barrel-aged beers are known for big ABVs, bold flavors and brisk ingenuity. The near-constant release of Barleywines, Bourbon Barrel-aged Stouts and everything in-between draw consistent buzz and big purchases from beer lovers every fall and winter due to that warm, fuzzy feeling they can bring. That said, the current landscape of barrel-aged beers is daunting, challenging brewers to create new and bold beers that meet the ever-changing demands of their audience–what’s popular this season might be dull the next year. The current state of the barrel-aged beer industry in the United States is equal parts complex, curious and creative. To learn more, I polled more than 10 breweries known for their barrel-aged beer programs to get their perspective on the state of the industry and their likes and dislikes when it comes to barrel-aged beer.
(READ: Ask the Brewers: BBA Beers They’re Most Excited About)
PorchDrinking’s 12 Beers of Christmas 2020
December 14, 2020 | Aaron Gore
The holidays are a season for revelry and joy. Few things do more to bring those qualities out than good beer, and few things express them more beautifully than song. So this year, plan your good tidings and cheer by taking inspiration from the classic carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” We may not have much need for seven actual swans a-swimming, but here are some great beers that call to mind the song’s lyrics and will have you as jolly as ol’ Saint Nick himself.
Mile Wide Beer Co. Celebrates Fourth Anniversary with Two Beer Releases
December 9, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard
Mile Wide Beer Co. is celebrating their fourth anniversary on Thursday, Dec. 10. Well, sort of. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions in the state of Kentucky, Mile Wide is making the most of their anniversary celebration with the release of two anniversary beers.
Wiseacre Brewing Adds Second Location with Plans to Grow Distribution
December 8, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard
When brothers Davin and Kellan Bartosch were younger, their grandma loved to call them “wiseacres” when they were causing trouble. While the two brothers are no longer getting in trouble, she might still call them “wiseacres” for their success as brewery owners.
Strong BA Series | Off Color Brewing Barrel-Aged Dino S’mores
December 7, 2020 | Mike Zoller
Barrel, chocolate, marshmallow all packaged up in Off Color Brewing’s notable 250ml bottles — it’s Barrel-Aged Dino S’mores season, and this year’s version is not to miss.
The popular Russian Imperial Stout comes in a non-barrel-aged version and typically a couple of variants as well as the barrel-aged version. This year’s BA beer spent 13 months sitting in Wild Turkey 101 bourbon barrels and the beer took to the barrel like a fish to water.
Faces in Beer | Purpose Brewing & Cellars
December 3, 2020 | Jaclyn Menendez
Welcome back to Faces in Beer! In our new series, we take film photographs of brewers and develop the film in the beer they brewed.
In our first round, we featured Weldwerks Brewing Company, where we developed the brew team’s portraits in a variety of beer–including their famous Medianoche Stout. The results were beautiful, though we did hear from a few of you decrying our use of Medianoche for any purpose other than consumption. (We hear you–it hurt us too, but art is pain.) You can check those photos out here.
PorchDrinking’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Craft Beer Fans
December 3, 2020 | Taylor Laabs
Giving the right gift is often as rewarding as receiving one. While beer drinkers can’t share pours at their local taproom at the moment, there’s still an opportunity to celebrate the craft beer passion of a partner, loved one or friend with a variety of beer-inspired gifts for Christmas.
5 Questions with Gravely Brewing President & Founder Nathaniel Gravely
December 2, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard 1
Gravely Brewing Co. in Louisville, KY won two medals at this year’s Great American Beer Festival. Sprockets, a German Pilsener, won a gold medal and Doc’s Dunkel, a German Wheat Ale, won a bronze. Gravely Brewing was the only Kentucky brewery to bring home medals at this year’s Great American Beer Festival.
Ultimate 6er | Central Texas Dark Lagers
December 2, 2020 | Ruvani de Silva
As the rest of the country slides into winter, Central Texas is still very much in fall mode – and a very welcome fall it is after a scorching summer locked down without the reprieve of our pools and swimming holes. Fall in Central Texas is full of fluctuation – you may need three different outfits in one day, with the temperature taking on the desert-like tendency to drop dramatically once the sun goes down. For weather like this, we brew up a fine selection of Dark Lagers – beers versatile enough to warm us when we’re being whipped by the wind but light enough to refresh us on those remaining sun-drenched days.
Braxton Brewing’s Annual Dark Charge Release Goes Virtual
December 1, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard
Like every event in 2020, Braxton Brewing Company’s Sixth Annual Dark Charge Day is going to look different this year: The annual release of their Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, Dark Charge, will be held online.
The good: Instead of waking up early on a Saturday with your BA Stout loving friends and waiting in line in the cold, you will be able to purchase Dark Charge variants from the comfort of your couch. The bad: There will be no big celebration at the Covington, KY taproom.
Lifelong Friends Open Indian-Inspired Brewery in Chicago
November 26, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard
When longtime friends Ray Schrand (Gator) and Bhavik Modi decided to open yet another brewery in Chicago—a city with close to 80 breweries—they knew their brewery needed to set itself apart. Thankfully, they didn’t have to do a lot of thinking.
Azadi Brewing Company opened its doors November 14 inside Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago’s Logan Square. That day also happened to be Diwali, India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. Azadi opened with two beers on tap: Kavi, a Cardamom Golden Ale; and Gir, a Kesar Mango IPA.
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Bee to Bottle | All Abuzz About Honey Beers
November 26, 2020 | David Nilsen
“Brewers like to craft things, so we ask them, ‘What is it you’re looking to do?’”
Whatever the answer, Keith Seiz likely has good advice to offer any brewer or distiller looking to incorporate honey. Seiz is a representative of the National Honey Board, and—along with honey sommelier Alison Conklin—recently presented information on honey beer and spirits for a group of industry writers and editors.
5 Questions with Bunkhouse Brewery Owner Andy Stohlmann
November 26, 2020 | Justin Pennel
There are currently well over 7,000 breweries in the U.S., each of them have a unique story to tell. Bunkhouse Brewery in Bozeman, Montana is a unique nano-brewery located steps away from the campus of Montana State University and the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Bunkhouse is what many would consider a neighborhood brewery. They only distribute to a couple accounts and heavily rely on taproom foot traffic and sales. These types of breweries have been hit hard during the COVID pandemic and have had to get creative and adjust on the fly. Fortunately, Bunkhouse is producing as much beer as ever and is still focusing on the community aspect of the brewery.
Ultimate 6er | Colorado Beers to Pair with Thanksgiving 2020
November 25, 2020 | Tristan Chan
There’s no sugar-coating the fact that for many across the country, this year’s Thanksgiving might not inspire the same level of festive joy, gratitude, and goodwill as in previous years. And while most are likely scaling back their Thanksgiving feasts this Thursday still gives us an opportunity to reflect back on the positives that have emerged through times of adversity, while also giving us hope toward a better new year. And hey, perhaps the positive might just be that you get to avoid talking politics with family members.
Ultimate 6er | A Beer For Each Family Member This Thanksgiving
November 25, 2020 | Emma Wargolet
With a deep love for family and friends and food, Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday (until someone brings up politics). It also means that afterwards, I can blast All I Want for Christmas Is You as much as I want and no one can say anything.
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