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PorchDrinking’s own discuss beer.

Cultivate by Forbidden Root is Now Open

December 10, 2021 |

Cultivate by Forbidden Root is now open in Lincoln Square. This is the brewery’s second Chicago location, which takes over the space previously occupied by Band of Bohemia. The Forbidden Root team has brightened and opened up the space, introduced an updated menu and are encouraging people to get out of their comfort zones with their beer list, in the best possible way. Their menu features elevated brewery food, including a Porchetta French Dip Sandwich that melts in your mouth after the perfect au jus dunk. The beer menu is extensive and unique, mirroring Forbidden Root’s West Town location. Foeder-aged and kviek style beers set this location’s beer menu apart. The team plans to continue to experiment with all the funk, especially with the attached taproom opening soon.

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2nd Shift Brewing | Chateau La Douchebag

December 10, 2021 |

We have all seen them lining up outside a brewery as early as 6 a.m. — or sometimes the night before — to ensure they can be the first to claim their coveted release before anyone else and sometimes even flip the bottle on the secondary market. Yes, the rare beer seekers are out there, lurking in almost every brewery and bottle shop just waiting for that whale of a beer to drop.

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PorchDrinking’s Holiday Gift Guide 2021

December 9, 2021 |

After what seemed to be maybe three months since the last holiday season, it is already December! This means my favorite sport is upon us; gift giving. Finding the perfect gift for those that you love is truly an aphrodisiac, but it can be hard to figure out the right one. As it is one of my main talents, I thought I’d share my advice. Check out my list of gift ideas that the craft beer enthusiast in your life will love!

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A Bit Twisted Brewpub | Cheating With Juice New England IPA

December 9, 2021 |

Coloradans and Texans don’t always mix well. Anyone on the slopes at Vail will tell you that. Also, breweries generally don’t serve mixed drinks, have a full kitchen, smoke their own BBQ meats and serve 12 beers brewed on site. But the aptly named A Bit Twisted Brewpub boldly mixes all these elements. Owners Matt Vargocko (from Texas), Mike Richie (from Colorado) and Brandon Foreman (also from Texas) love to twist the standard narrative. Any given day in the taproom you can enjoy Colorado or Texas sports while drinking a variety of beers with “a bit twisted” names such as Suck It Up Buttercup Stout, What Sharp Teeth You Have New England IPA and Run Run As Fast As You Can Oatmeal Stout. Read More

Homeward Bound | A Head Brewer’s Uphill Journey

December 8, 2021 |

The role of Head Brewer is highly coveted in the beer industry, and for good reason. Sure, the job has its challenges. There are high-demand ingredients to obtain, brewing shifts to arrange, and equipment to tend to. There’s a leadership element, too, that’s critical to success – an area where many brewers have fallen short at best, or been willfully negligent, resulting in pain and trauma for others.

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Brewery Showcase | Return Brewing

December 8, 2021 |

Despite the brewing industry’s significant growth in New York’s Hudson Valley, as well as the City of Hudson’s notable brewing history, there’s a shortage of breweries in town. There’s currently only one. Return Brewing is doubling that figure with their unique operation that includes what they call “Tavern”, “Garden” and “Archive” beers. Read More

FlyteCo Opening Second Location in Former Stapleton Airport Tower

December 7, 2021 |

After just two and a half years since opening their doors, Denver’s FlyteCo Brewing may not have imagined that they’d be ready to open a second outpost, let alone opening in one of the area’s most historic buildings, but it seems their flight plans have changed.

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Tröegs Independent Brewing | Troegenator Double Bock

December 7, 2021 |

Described by Tröegs Independent Brewing as “malty and crisp” and “deliciously dark,” Tröegs’ Troegenator Doublebock is a hefty 8.2% ABV malty beast with a surprising subtleness.

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Hop Butcher & Frango Mints | Minted (Holiday Imperial Stout)

December 6, 2021 |

If you grew up in the Chicagoland area, the iconic green box of Frango Mints was most likely a staple in your household. The chocolate mints, bought at Marshall Field’s, were always around my house and now they’ve found a way into my beer.

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What We’re Drinking | December 3, 2021

December 3, 2021 |

Welcome to the first Friday of December! Now that we’re smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, it’s time to enjoy some extra special beers. Many of us will be getting together with family and we all know that is much easier when you have a BBA imperial stout. Cheers to everyone celebrating Hanukah right now–may your glass be full and your stouts be barrel aged. This is what we’re drinking. 

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Fantasy Football Recap | Week 12

December 3, 2021 |

Week 12 of the NFL season was once again highlighted by several huge performances from running backs across the league. Leonard Fournette won the day by carrying the ball 17 times for 100 yards while adding 31 yards through the air on seven catches. Oh, and he had a cool four TDs on top of the yardage for a 40+ point week. The Atlanta Falcons do-it-all back Cordarrelle Patterson rushed 16 times for 108 and a pair of scores. Dontrell Hilliard for the Derrick Henry-less Titans had 131 on only a dozen carries with a score, too. Mixon, Taylor (again) and Elijah Mitchell all had days that probably led your team to a W, or to an L if they lined up against you. Either way, that’s how it goes sometimes. Read More

Cerebral Brewing | Mysterious Forces Blend 02

December 3, 2021 |

Occasionally there comes along a complex brew that simultaneously highlights all its components while cohesively combining them in a masterful amalgamation. Cerebral Brewing Mysterious Forces Blend 02 is just such a beer. 

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Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 12/2

December 2, 2021 |

Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.

Well, well, well…here we are in December already. It’s crazy to think that I’ll be telling you about New Years’ Eve releases after our next chat! Luckily for all of us, we still have a few weeks before we’ll really be paying attention to that. But, enough of the New Year’s Eve talk, let’s get to the here and now! If you’re looking for a new Barrel-Aged beer to try, there’s no shortage at all in these new releases. Pick one up this week to keep yourself warm on a chilly evening (or not so chilly evening; the weather is a bit warm after all).

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Boys Are From Märzen Podcast | Sara Kazmer

December 2, 2021 |

In Episode 58 of the “Boys Are From Märzen” podcast, Kindsey Bernhard is joined by Sara Kazmer, co-founder of Elsewhere Brewing.

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The PorchCast | Ep 86 Austin Beerworks & Family Business Beer Company

December 1, 2021 |

In episode 86 of The PorchCast, Korey headed down to Austin, TX for a buffet of incredible beer guests. Korey was joined by our own Pam Catoe who also owns and operates Craft Beer Austin, as well as Sheila Garcia of Austin Beerworks, and Marvis Dixon of Family Business Beer Company who also serves as the Texas ambassador for the Black is Beautiful initiative to talk about the Austin beer scene, as well as the incredible things happening at their breweries.

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Brewery Showcase | DSSOLVR

December 1, 2021 |

DSSOLVR (pronounced “dissolver”) is not a brewery, it is a brand. That brand was built by co-founders, Mike Semenec and Vince Tursi who joined the ranks of Asheville, NC beverage makers in December of 2019. With their eclectic portfolio of genre-bending beers, seltzers and mixed culture ferments, they have made a splash in “Beer City USA” by embracing their tagline, “Brewed until Surreal”. Read More

Cantillon | Kriek 100% Lambic Bio

November 30, 2021 |

Cantillon has been the standard-bearer for the Gueuze and Lambic styles since 1900–before the Theodore Roosevelt administration. In fact, search their brewery on Google Maps and you’ll find it labeled as “Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze” and to this day each bottle is a seminal exhibit for sour lovers. A bottle of Cantillon is a DeLorean trip back in time and it’s the commitment to preserving the old ways that ensures the quality today. One of the oldest experiments with Lambics was the addition of cherries to the mix and Cantillon’s Kriek 100% Lambic Bio continues to impress into this next millennium.

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Native Land Beer Project | A Celebration of Indigenous Lands

November 29, 2021 |

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. out of Albuquerque, New Mexico opened in 2016 and is the first Native Women-owned brewing company in the country. Being a part of the .1% of breweries in the U.S. owned by Native Americans, they wanted to use their platform to make a difference in their community.

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Bearded Iris Brewing | Homestyle IPA

November 29, 2021 |

Singularly known as “Nashville’s IPA,” Homestyle by Bearded Iris is exceptionally delicious for nearly any beer palate or occasion.

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Colorado’s Thanksgiving Week & Black Friday Beer Release Roundup

November 24, 2021 |

Each year on Black Friday, millions of Americans shake off their tryptophan-induced comas brought on by the previous evening’s gorge fest, to shop off all their newly acquire calories. For … Read More