Features
Battle of the Beer Belly | Craft Beer Vs. Fitness
January 30, 2017 | Dan Bortz 3
On January 9, I stepped onto a scale for the first time in three months. The number that blinked back at me was a shock: 309.7lbs. I knew it was going to be bad. My size 36 jeans were too small to squeeze into, and I had been feeling pretty run down. For my sake and my family’s, this beer belly has to go.
The path to this sorry state was pretty obvious. As someone who has struggled with my weight for my entire adult life, I knew the signs. It all starts with an event (or series of events), which causes me to lose focus on my diet. This time, the catalyst was the loss of two extended family members in close succession. Once my dietary discipline is compromised, it is usually only a matter of time until workouts fall by the wayside. It all snowballs from there.
Style Profile | Trappist Dubbel and Belgian Style Dubbel
January 25, 2017 | Jose Minaya
Every other month PorchDrinking will be tackling a style profile. We will be covering Dubbel this month. The idea being to get the word out and identify beers you can use to calibrate your senses to better enjoy the beer you consume. Beer can be a complex topic but worry not because PorchDrinking is here to show you the ropes – like an older brother or sister, only less abuse and more information.
Jeni’s Ice Cream and Beer Pairings
January 24, 2017 | Chase Parker
“Tongue-tingling chocolate with jalapeno and smoked paprika. Spiked with rose. Inspired and designed to be paired with Stone Brewing’s mocha stout, Xocoveza.”
Eating & Drinking | Heavy Riff Brewing Company
January 20, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
I’ve been noticing a new trend – how many of our best and up-in-coming city neighborhoods are being anchored and supported by the local beer community.
One I want to talk about today is Dogtown. Dogtown, bordered by Manchester in the South, Hampton on the East, McCausland in the West and Oakland in the North – has been a part of the fabric of the city for more than 100 years. And while the spiritual center of the neighborhood will always be St. James the Greater School, the beer epicenter is Heavy Riff Brewing Company (6413 Clayton Ave. Saint Louis, Missouri 63139).
Oskar Blues’ CHUBurger Opens in Denver’s River North Arts District
January 19, 2017 | Kara Loo and Kelissa Hieber
Oskar Blues Brewery, founded in 1997 in Lyons, CO, has long served as a pioneer in Colorado craft beer. Since canning Dale’s Pale Ale in 2002, the brand has seen a meteoric rise, and now distributes its beer in all 50 states, with additional production brewery locations in Austin, TX, Brevard, NC and Longmont, CO. Oskar Blues made headlines in recent years for major brewery buyouts including Perrin Brewing out of Grand Rapids, MI in 2015 and most recently, Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa, FL just last year.
National Beer Writers Share Their Favorites from 2016
January 16, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Cover Photo By Natrice Miller
In the spirit of collaboration, inspired by the beer industry we cover, the PorchDrinking team reached out to some of our buds who also do a tremendous job covering the beer scene and asked them to reflect on 2016, while also looking ahead in 2017. We polled a handful of these national beer writers and journalists about their favorite beers, breweries, trends and festivals from 2016, and predictions for 2017. Hear what they had to say!
Mikerphone Brewing’s Upcoming Taproom
January 12, 2017 | Kane McLoughlin
Featured image courtesy of Mikerphone Brewing
4,000 square feet, custom wooden table recently stained grey, black chairs, brown cardboard boxes and a small palate wrapped tight in shrink wrap – all carrying the recent additions to Mikerphone Brewing’s upcoming taproom.
NYC Rising Breweries Reflect on 2016 and Look Ahead to 2017
January 12, 2017 | Carly Mento
Photo courtesy of Miguel Rivas
Similar to our recent post covering breweries country-wide, we have also connected with a handful of brewers from NYC to reflect on this past year and what 2017 has in store for their up-and-coming breweries, as well as the craft beer industry as a whole. Four top-notch rising breweries in Brooklyn have shared intimate insights and projections for what’s next: Threes Brewing, Interboro Spirit & Ales, Finback Brewery and Kings County Brewers Collective.
Almanac Taproom and Big Rec Taproom Open in San Francisco’s East Mission District
January 10, 2017 | Simon
I am pretty lucky to live in San Francisco and be completely surrounded by an un-ending host of great breweries and beer bars. However, a few weeks ago in late-December SF … Read More
Brewery Showcase | Eventide Brewing
January 10, 2017 | John Baum
When I pull into the parking lot at Eventide Brewing, a squat, red-brick structure in Atlanta’s Grant Park neighborhood, a guy is standing atop a 20-foot ladder angled against the building. Wearing protective headphones the size of coconut shells and holding a drill, he watches me get out of my car.
I take a guess at who he might be:
“Nathan Cowan?”
“Yep,” he says. “Shawn’s inside, she’ll get you set up. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
The drill, the ladder — none of this would surprise folks who know Cowan. Besides his role as the CEO of Eventide, he is also its head engineer. Having spent a decade working in the field of mechanical engineering and construction, Cowan still maintains Professional Engineer status with the state of Georgia, and practices his trade on much of Eventide’s brewing equipment. On this sunny Thursday, however, he is hanging a large banner announcing the brewery’s upcoming three-year anniversary celebration.
How Craft Beer Gave Back In 2016
January 5, 2017 | Brian Phipps 3
Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post.
Breweries are increasingly becoming integral centers of our communities by routinely providing fun, flavor, and festivities. In addition, they often serve as hosts for discussions of local issues and serve as a place to share information about local charities. Occasionally, breweries go above and beyond the call of duty by providing aid or money. Here are a select few of the many ways craft breweries gave back in 2016.
Denver’s Pussy Riot Beer Series Set to Make Statement Inauguration Day 2017
January 4, 2017 | Kara Loo and Kelissa Hieber
Above: Brewers and supporters gather on January 2nd, 2017, to brew the 3rd installment of “Makin Noise: A Pussy Riot Beer”. From the left: Shel, project supporter, Bess Dougherty of The Grateful Gnome Brewery, Jax, project supporter, Kim of The Guardian Brewing Company, Kate, Betsy and Jen, all from Lady Justice Brewing Company. Read More
Why I’m Done Cellaring Beer
January 3, 2017 | Mike Zoller 15
It’s uncommon to get Jester King Brewery beer here in Chicago. When a bottle shop got a rare shipment in last year, I jumped on the opportunity and bought three bottles. I got the bottles home and instead of getting them chilled to drink, I put them away in my “cellar.” Well, I’m done with that.
Country’s Rising Breweries Reflect on 2016 and Look Ahead to 2017
December 30, 2016 | Mike Zoller
Photo courtesy of Corridor Brewery.
As 2016 comes to an end, we connected with a handful of brewmasters from around the country to reflect on this past year and what 2017 will bring for not only their breweries but the craft beer industry in general. We were able to catch up with some of the most admiral people in the business – from Moody Tongue Brewing Company, Dry Hop, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Corridor Brewery, Bluejacket, Jester King Brewing, Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery, Angel City Brewery, Coastal Empire Beer Co., MadTree Brewing, Burial Beer, Fremont Brewing, and SweetWater Brewing Co.
PorchDrinking Staff’s 2017 New Beer Resolutions
December 29, 2016 | PorchDrinking.com Staff
Welcome to 2017! Congratulations on making it through another year without flying cars, middle-class suburbs on Mars and Dippin’ Dots becoming the ice cream of the present. This next year is a pandora’s box of opportunity. The sequel to Deadpool, the potential of self driving cars, and the complete shutdown of American government as we know it. Oh, and all the beer that will be brewed and poured! So, sit back, relax and share with us what New Beer Resolutions you have for the upcoming year. Read More
45 Events and Moments That Made Us Drink in 2016
December 29, 2016 | Hannah Carlson
Image courtesy of NPR
There is no doubt about it: 2016 has been a year.
I would say that it has been a rollercoaster, but the cliche does not do it justice. This year has not been a rollercoaster. This year has been a journey through the entire amusement park – with that park being haunted by ghosts, designed by aliens, and operated by zombies – all the while being secretly funded by the next President of the United States. Oh – and on top of all of this, there is no escaping the park because they have locked the gates, thrown away the keys, and sentenced you to misery by playing MMMBop by Hanson on the park speakers on repeat. It never stops. There is no stopping the bop.
Year in Review | The Best Beers of 2016
December 27, 2016 | Dan Bortz
The 2,016th year of the Common Era has come and gone, leaving many high and low points in its wake. Some people may argue that this was one of the worst years in recent memory, but PorchDrinkers don’t like to focus on negatives. We are a mostly optimistic lot, who choose to remember all the positive and happy moments. For many of us, those moments began with a sip of a surprisingly great beer. Together, as a team, we want to to celebrate the best beers of 2016.
The Ultimate Roundup | Breakfast Themed Beers
December 22, 2016 | Danele Bova
While beer for breakfast might sound like a bad experience you had during pledge week in college, we at PorchDrinking see craft beer as a sophisticated flavor profile that is perfect for any brunch menu pairing. Face it, bloody marys and mimosas are so passé. Rich, velvety coffee stouts and roasty, robust porters go perfectly with our favorite brunch bites. Here’s the ultimate roundup of our favorite breakfast-themed beers.
Two Brothers Brewing | The Craftsman: Tavern, Cafe, Dining and More
December 15, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Two Brothers Brewing champions family, community, and craft culture and The Craftsman location exemplifies that philosophy. Jason and Jim Ebel — the brothers behind the name — recently opened their new tri-level establishment in the Chicago suburb of Naperville. At every turn, one can find examples of artisanship and skill — two indispensable facets of craft culture. Two Brothers repurposed and transformed a historic building that now provides its multi-award winning beer along with its own brand of coffee, made-from-scratch pastries, bread, dinner and brunch, wine, mixology and crafted distilling.
Holiday Survival Guide | Podcast and Beer Pairings
December 6, 2016 | Dan Bortz
Congratulations! You survived Thanksgiving. That was the first test. You didn’t explode in rage at an older relative’s questionable social views or crack under the pressures of cross-country travel. Christmas, however, brings a whole new set of logistical and emotional challenges. If the gift shopping doesn’t make you crack, another family meal just might. Luckily, there are ways to minimize the stress and ensure your holiday survival!
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