Beer Topics
PorchDrinking’s own discuss beer.
Six Colorado Beers to Ring in the New Year from Molly’s Spirits
December 30, 2020 | Tristan Chan
While the collective humankind would likely agree that 2021 can’t arrive soon enough, we’d be remiss if we didn’t blow the doors off of 2020 with one final calamitous she-bang. As we reflect on this past year’s highs and lows, we can all cheers toward looking forward to better circumstances and hope.
Untitled Art | Tropical Smoothie Seltzer
December 30, 2020 | Eric Oliver
Step into a local bottle shop and pick up a can of fresh fruit smoothie is what the label of Untitled Art Tropical Seltzer Smoothie should say. Instead, the brewery’s bright and cheery can is offset by a white stripe with vivid orange letters screaming SELTZER for all to see. The Waunakee, WI-based brewery collaborated with Stockholm, Sweden-based Omnipollo to create what can only be seen as a marvel of modern brewing.
2020 Michigan Best in Beer Year-End Honors
December 29, 2020 | Jessica Spengler 1
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What a year we’ve had in Michigan, eh? Nothing went the way anyone expected and for many, it went worse than they ever imagined. If you’re still standing, congratulations. However, one thing that definitely stayed as expected: Despite shutdowns and sickness and protests and kidnapping threats and endless elections, Michigan brewers once again made some of the best beer in the country in 2020. Which, of course, makes my job that much more difficult. I’m certainly not new to beer, but I am brand new to picking the Michigan Best in Beer Year-End Honors which, at 300+ breweries, is a daunting task, to say the least.
That being said, I still get the good news–and there certainly was plenty of it. So, I’ve compiled what I can of the best in Michigan. Here’s to an absolutely horrible, but completely wonderful, 2020.
Cheers!
~Jess, Michigan Editor at PorchDrinking.com
2020 Virginia & D.C. Best in Beer Year-End Honors
December 29, 2020 | Brian Hennighausen
The 2020 Virginia and DC Best in Beer features a community surviving and even thriving in this most unusual year. It was a time of coming together where local breweries invented new ways to reach their loyal customers, and those customers took their “drink local” mantra to new heights. Together, the local craft beer community weathered the storm with remarkably few breweries closing, and even a few new ones opening.
Local breweries continued to put out some wildly creative and delicious beers and perhaps more than ever proved their worth as creators and sustainers of social bonds. The Virginia and Washington, DC craft beer communities look forward to a more “normal” 2021 while taking pride in their remarkable resiliency throughout the unprecedented global challenges of 2020.
2020 Georgia Best in Beer Year-End Honors
December 29, 2020 | Brandon Cohran
In all of the craziness that 2020 had to offer, it became easy to find solace and joy in small ways. Bars, restaurants and breweries closed while other small businesses struggled to stay afloat. All the negativity brought forth a few shining lights during the year, though. Georgia’s beer industry, while hit hard by COVID-19 implications, stayed busy – with several openings since March. It would be easy to praise every single beer released this year, but I get it: You’re here for the best beers and stories that came out of the Peach State this year, so let’s get to it. Feel free to let us know your thoughts on the 2020 Georgia Best in Beer Year-End Honors in a comment below!
4 Noses Brewing Co. | Großer Arber German-Style Dunkel
December 29, 2020 | Karen Mills
While Stouts are popular in the winter months, dark Lagers such as Dunkels are easy-drinking, all-day sipping beers that are great to enjoy as well. Ahead of the holiday season, 4 Noses Brewing Co. recently released Großer Arber, a German-style Dunkel. With their Broomfield, CO taproom easily accessible, it was a no brainer to swing by and grab a 4-pack to enjoy over the holidays.
New Legislation Extends Aid For Small Businesses Including Breweries
December 28, 2020 | Scott Grossman
After months of political wrangling and a stressful weekend for many small businesses, President Trump finally signed a $900 billion aid package passed by both houses of congress last Monday. The bill extends many of the measures initiated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act last spring. This new legislation funds programs to help individuals and small businesses, including breweries. With many areas facing new government-mandated business restrictions due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, the aid comes at a critical time.
Since April, many breweries have invested heavily to maintain safety and economic viability. Changes include website upgrades for takeout orders, expanded indoor and outdoor spaces and delivery options. In addition to these costly changes, breweries have seen uneven customer traffic and revenue. Breweries hope that this new stimulus package will allow them stay afloat long enough for restrictions to ease and economic activity to pick up. Read More
The History Behind Riot | Revolution Brewing
December 28, 2020 | Alex Sertic
Good beer tells a story. A brewer could be inspired by a personal experience or possibly by their surroundings. For Riot, it is the latter. The city of Chicago has a dense and complex history. Chicago is known for major historical events such as The Great Chicago Fire, The Columbian Exposition (shout out to the amazing book Devil in the White City), and the Haymarket Affair. But, the story behind this Revolution Brewing beer is hidden in the depths of history.
More Inside Hershey’s Trademark Dispute with Side Lot Brewery
December 24, 2020 | Mathew Powers
As reported by CBS Chicago’s (WBBM) Marie Saavedra, Side Lot Brewery in Wauconda, IL (Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs) must pay The Hershey Company $8,500 by January 4th because of its Sugar Series beer release this past Halloween comprised of Hershey’s candies and the associated labeling that mimicked Hershey products. We spoke to the parties involved about the trademark dispute.
Six Colorado Beers to Enjoy this Holiday Season from Molly’s Spirits
December 23, 2020 | Tristan Chan
While nothing is exactly traditional these days, the holiday season is typically the perfect excuse or occasion to enjoy Dark Lagers, Barrel-Aged Stouts, Double IPAs, and generally any kind of … Read More
What We’re Cooking | Imperial Stout Infused Salt
December 23, 2020 | PorchDrinking.com Staff
One of the greatest benefits to our “What We’re Cooking” series is that PorchDrinking has the chance to do our own special kind of recipe development. Any chef will show you how alcohol can be present in just about any kind of dish for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert but beer is mysteriously underrepresented. However, just like home brewing, it means there’s a world of undiscovered projects just waiting to be uncovered. And Scott Johnson may have found a new beer-tasting seasoning to hit the shelves with Imperial Stout Salt! Read More
Ultimate 6er | The Bounty Hunters Hunt Down Great Beer
December 23, 2020 | Marc Beckley
Bounty Hunters may like to consume more than Blue Milk. It’s also possible they enjoy some mystical ale fermented on Endor with its unique natural yeast and microbiota that must add a unique flavor to the ale not seen on planet Earth. The Bounty Hunters fill Star Wars lore and their stories have given us fantasy and fascination with the likes of characters such as the Mandalorian. Freelance Bounty Hunters must enjoy our planet’s exquisite craft beer on special occasions (never when piloting their aircraft!) and this is what we have chosen based on their backgrounds and personality. For the uneventful weekday an easy-drinking Lager, such as the Big Yellow Truck by Territorial Brewing, might commonly be found in the bounty hunter ships in the beer fridge or cooler.
Crooked Stave | Scoville Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
December 23, 2020 | Caitlin Braun
In a saturated Denver craft beer market, Crooked Stave has managed to remain a standout brand for a decade. They’ve recently chosen to move out of the River North Art District and return to their brewing roots in the up-and-coming Sunnyside neighborhood with a recently refreshed taproom. They also recently added a satellite location about an hour outside of Denver up the road in Fort Collins.
Brewery Showcase | North Pole Brewing Company
December 22, 2020 | Mathew Powers
The North Pole goes dark for months at a time during the winter months, which also happens to be the time when the indigenous elves work their hardest. The elves, of course, serve the world’s most famous philanthropist, Santa Claus. But, with a harsh and brutal winter comes the need to kick back with friends and enjoy a good beer or two and that’s where North Pole Brewing comes into play. The brewery, and its head brewer Abigail Cornelious, have so far enjoyed resounding success.
5 Questions with Co-Owner & Head Brewer of Athentic Brewing Co.
December 22, 2020 | Brandon Cohran
While Athentic Brewing might be the most recent member of the Athens, GA craft beer scene to open in August 2020, they certainly are not strangers to brewing. Or to setbacks. For anyone who doesn’t know, though, take my word when I say that many people would have likely called it quits before opening. Fortunately for the Classic City beer scene, Paul Skinner and Mark Johnson didn’t quit. I sat down with Paul and head brewer Chris Willis over a beer (Insubedience Black IPA) to discuss all things Athentic and what it meant to be part of the growing Athens beer scene.
Braxton Brewing’s Evan Rouse Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
December 22, 2020 | Kindsey Bernhard
People are always told to sit down when they are about to be told big news. Thankfully, Braxton Brewing’s Evan Rouse was doing just that when he found out he was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Food & Drink category.
Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. | The Promenade IPA
December 22, 2020 | Brian Haitz
Hutton & Smith, a brewery “fanatically dedicated” to the art of creating craft beer, shows their stuff with this hazy IPA, The Promenade. This beer is juicy, tropical and cloudy with a delicate balance of bitterness – a true hazy treat for any hop lover.
Grand County, CO Craft Breweries Provide Wildfire Relief with East Troublesome Pale Ale
December 21, 2020 | Katie Coakley
They say when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. In Colorado, when wildfires torch your county… you make beer. Six craft breweries in Grand County have crafted the East Troublesome Pale Ale in response to the East Troublesome Fire that raged for more than a month in their backyard. All proceeds for this beer will be donated to The Grand Foundation to support those that have been affected by the East Troublesome Fire.
Whatcha Brewing, Honey?
December 21, 2020 | Jereme Zimmerman
While it has been used for thousands of years in brewing, honey is an up and coming star of the craft beer world. Brewers are becoming more aware of the myriad possibilities it presents. Honey provides multiple potential contributions to beer depending on how and when it’s used in the brewing process and has a dizzying range of flavors. Factors such as terroir, the botanicals visited by the bees, and even the time of year the pollen was gathered all affect flavor. So what exactly does honey do for beer, and why do breweries use it?
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.
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