First Taste | Imperial Oak Brewing 2020 Quiet Giant Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Pure barrel flavoring. No extracts. No syrups. No sugar bombs. The Imperial Oak Brewing Quiet Giant (strong) Barrel-Aged American Imperial Stout series, now in its sixth year, celebrates the artistry of barrel-aging in its purest form.

Yes, there are varieties with adjuncts, but only as complementary flavors. “Why put a beer in a barrel for a year and then completely cover it up? That’s why the two-year [BBA] is still my personal favorite. But, I do like our variants. They aren’t going to knock you in the face. That’s not our thing. None of them are going to be a chocolate bomb, coconut bomb..that type of terminology. I like adjuncts. But, I want it to be subtle and complement the beer,” said Brett Semenske co-owner and brewer.

Quiet Giant arrives each year for its anniversary, which this year enjoys the theme: Six years, Six Feet Apart (details can be found at the end of this story). The party slogan speaks to the challenges presented to breweries in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, Illinois’ case numbers are declining, patios are open and the beer remains consistent as ever. Going forward, most can expect five variants to arrive each May (this year in June due to the COVID-19 lockdown), with more two-year BBA for 2021.  However, this year, Imperial Oak also has a one-time special beer from its Savage Oak room, offered in bottles.

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Ultimate 6er | Father’s Day 2020

Father, Dad, Pops, whatever you call your fatherly paternal figure in your life, means you will probably be planning gifts or plans for this Sunday the 21st. This year will be the 110th iteration of the holiday that started in 1910 in Spokane, Washington, and it’s going just as strong as ever. For the craft beer crowd, there can be no better gift than sharing the beers you have fallen in love with. Here are some specially picked our for the father figure in your life.

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Brewery Showcase | Barquentine Brewing Company

Nestled in the new Edgewater Marketplace at 5505 W 20th Ave Suite 178 in Edgewater, CO, Barquentine (bar-kin-teen) Brewing Company is Belgian inspired with an American twist. Its namesake is an ode to the large ships that are common to international merchant ports like Antwerp, Belgium. Owner Kyle Knudson is hoping to recreate the feel of sailors from around the globe exchanging stories and a laugh over a local beer in Barquentine’s new taproom. 

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Station 26 Brewing Co. | Hell Bear Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

With summer fast approaching, session beers and all sorts of IPAs will flood taprooms and patios as breweries begin to reopen. Station 26 Brewing Co., of Denver, Colorado, has an ever-evolving tap list to please these palates. Fan favorites such as Tangerine Cream, 303 Lager and Juicy Banger IPA can typically be found year-round in both the taproom and as cans to go. While the menu changes, the folks at Station 26 thought it might be a great time for people to savor a barrel-aged Imperial Stout. Read More

Beers For Gaming | Dungeons & Dragons

Beginning a new hobby—whether it’s immersing yourself into a board game or getting into the craft beer scene—can be a daunting task. As I was learning the ropes of Dungeons & Dragons, I found myself reminiscing on my early craft beer adventures. Experiencing and exploring new beer styles, breweries and beers was unfamiliar but exciting; the thrill of these new discoveries was truly unmatched. The same emotions are felt when adventuring through a quest in Dungeons & Dragons as unpredictable and diverse journeys shape each session.

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Bay Cannon Beer Co. | Aleena Pineapple Hibiscus Sour

Not every beer from Bay Cannon Beer Company has a name. In fact, most brews available in the West Tampa, FL taproom are simply listed with their ingredients. “It’s about the beer,” said Matthew Juaire, co-founder and COO. He, along with fellow co-founder and head brewer Joe Simmons, believe that beer names are trivial and the focus should be what’s in the beer and how the beer tastes. Read More

Brewers Association Survey: As States Reopen Optimism Grows

The Brewers Association recently published the results from their third COVID-19 impact survey, aimed at gauging the state of the craft brewing industry. While things are far from rosy, as states begin to loosen restrictions, many craft brewers are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

The previous survey in April found that nearly 60% of breweries surveyed expected to be out of business in three months or less if conditions did not change. Fast forward seven weeks and this most recent survey finds that nearly 82% of breweries in the survey are either very or somewhat confident in their ability to remain open through 2020. Read More

Kane Brewing | Sneakbox Pale Ale

The calendar may indicate that it’s not technically summer but the passing of Memorial Day suggests otherwise. Temperatures are on the rise, changing for the better and allowing us to further enjoy the outdoors. This annual transformation comes with many perks, including an inherent change in our beer taste buds.

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The Alchemist Beer is Coming to Colorado in Limited Distribution

One of the country’s earliest and most prolific pioneers of New England-style Hazy IPAs is finally coming to Colorado. The Alchemist, which first splashed on to the Vermont beer scene … Read More

What We’re Drinking | June 11, 2020

While checking the date for writing this post, it really hit me that half of the year is already over. I’m not sure I’m relieved or bummed about that. In six months this year has produced all sorts of hard times for multitudes of people. One thing I’m sure everyone can agreed on is that COVID-19 stole months of our lives that we’ll never get back. While that’s unfortunate, that should be all the more reason the seize the moment and live life to the fullest. Get out there and explore some new breweries or beer bars and support this industry that we all enjoy so much. This is What We’re Drinking. Read More

Where to Find Colorado Strong Ale Collaboration Releases Across the State

While the past three months have been a taxing time for the craft beer industry, one of the brightest aspects to emerge has been the consistent theme of breweries banding … Read More

New Book Explores & Expands the World of Farmhouse Brewing

When craft beer fans hear the term “farmhouse ale,” we usually think of Belgian Saison and French Bière de Garde. A new book by Norwegian author Lars Marius Garshol expands our understanding of farmhouse brewing traditions. Historical Brewing Techniques: The Lost Art of Farmhouse Brewing (Brewers Publications, 2020) digs into the history and variety of farmhouse ales throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic region.

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Downey Brewing Company | The Razz Raspberry Radler

Michigan seemed to have missed the memo on Spring. From late April snow to consistent summer heat in June, Michigan seemed to have missed the memo on Spring. As Michiganders emerge from drinking beer locked inside from COVID-19, to drinking beer on their porches outside, Downey Brewing’s The Razz is here for your cool-down beverage needs.

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Diebolt Brewing | Anton Francois French Amber Ale

Started by a father/son team with French ancestry, Diebolt Brewing in Denver strives to bring a bit of Gallic beer tradition to the Rocky Mountains. Inspired by Bière de Garde and Bière de Mars styles, Diebolt’s Anton Francois French Amber Ale offers a friendly entry into the brewery’s unique taplist of French and American beer styles. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Board Games to Combat Boredom

Year 2020 A.D: Society has found itself desperately in search of new forms of “entertainment.” Stuck in our living spaces with little variety in scenery or human contact, we’ve completed push-up challenges, donned our finest pillow-dresses and allowed ourselves to be entertained by a mulleted tiger murderer, all in desperate attempts to relieve our boredom. While I’ve plundered the depths of Netflix as a good quarantiner should, I’ve also managed to find both mental stimulation and escape through the world of board games. 

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Jester King Newly Reimagined Outdoor Space is a Hit with Socially-Distanced Drinkers

Austin, Texas’ Jester King Brewery is many things to many people—it’s an esteemed farmhouse brewery, popular community gathering space, a bustling farm with pet goats and more. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced breweries across the nation to readjust their business models, the popular brewer was well-positioned to adjust in unique ways gives its business flexibility and available acres of Texas farmland. The result is Jester King Reimagined, a veritable Disney Land of Drinking that promises patrons several unique outdoor spaces to indulge in an array of Jester King’s tasty spontaneously-fermented and mixed culture beers, whilst also adhering to current CDC and social distancing protocols. Since opening May 29, the new outdoor drinking concept has been a hit with drinkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. 

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Divine Barrel Brewing and Vitamin Sea Brewing | Perception is Spoonfed

What happens when you have a beer collaboration planned and then COVID-19 hits? Divine Barrel Brewing and Vitamin Sea Brewing decided to do a virtual collaboration and created Perception is Spoonfed Berliner Weisse.

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Barrel House Uses Petty Humor for Serious Good

Ohio ordered all bars to close for on-premise consumption on March 15, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Barrel House, a beer bar and bottle shop in downtown Dayton, chose to close completely to protect customers and staff. When they announced they were reopening for carryout on May 1, they showcased their irreverent sense of humor with the very first item on their list of customer guidelines: “Everyone wears a mask or fucks off.”

“Some folks didn’t think that was as funny as we did,” said Gus Stathes, who co-owns the bar with his wife, Sara Stathes.

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Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery | Polycephaly IV

With so many breweries closed or offering limited service, it is a serious challenge to find a steady supply of great beer. Luckily, there are a few notable breweries that are offering shipping to states with a more liberal policy on out-of-state beer shipping (thank you VA, DC and AK!). Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery is one such notable example.

The good people at Jackie O’s are not just selling their more commonly found offerings, but have also opened up their cellars and are selling early examples in their sought-after Polycephaly series, including Polycephaly IV.

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Joyride Brewing | IPA Experiment #12

For the past six years, Joyride Brewing in Edgewater, Colorado, has been producing great beer. In addition to Joyride’s six flagship beers, cofounder and director of brewing and marketing Dave Bergen and his brewing team, Tyler Bies and Chris Munda, work to keep a healthy mix of seasonal and collaboration beers on tap. One special project to look out for during your next stop at the brewery is Joyride’s IPA Experiment. Read More