Midwest
Tri City Brewing | Ruckinator Doppelbock
November 19, 2024 | Zach VanderGraaff
The Michigan Tri-Cities have some killer breweries in Midland, Bay City and Saginaw. Today, we’ll look at one of the oldest and most established in the area, Tri City Brewing Company, and one of its flagship brews, the Ruckinator Doppelbock. The beer won Gold at the World Expo of Beer in 2022 in the Strong European Style category, so let’s take a look at what makes it special.
Amorphic Beer | They’re Here Aren’t They Imperial Pilsner
November 12, 2024 | Jason Murphy
Are you ready to be introduced to your new favorite unofficial beer style? We say “unofficial” because it’s not technically a Beer Judge Certification Program style. Thankfully, the fine folks at Amorphic Beer don’t care about those kind of rules and categories.
Celebrating Three Years with Duneyrr Fermenta
October 17, 2024 | Emma Wargolet
After originally brewing at the brewery incubator, Pilot Project, in Chicago, Duneyrr Fermenta opened its doors in the South Loop. We spoke with their owner, Tyler Davis, about how Duneyrr started, what is up next for them, and about their upcoming three year anniversary!
A Year in Michigan Beer | 52 Brews for All Seasons
October 9, 2024 | Zach VanderGraaff 1
Michigan is known as the “Great Beer State” for good reason. With over 400 breweries spread through two peninsulae, there’s no shortage of Michigan beer to try. You could spend an entire year drinking your way through the state and still not see all there is to offer.
Brewery Showcase | Frankenmuth Brewery
September 30, 2024 | Zach VanderGraaff
Frankenmuth is one of the top tourist destinations in the beautiful state of Michigan. Located just south of Saginaw and 90 miles north of Detroit along the well-traveled I-75, people have been stopping here for years to visit the German-themed shops, eat world-famous chicken dinners, shop at the giant Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, and have a pint at the Frankenmuth Brewery.
Brothership Brewing | BA Space Debris: Hazelnut + Vanilla + Coconut
September 26, 2024 | Jason Murphy
Stout season is finally upon us! Yes, we’re well aware that many folks enjoy Stouts year-round, and we’re perfectly fine with that. For some folks though, it’s a magical time of year for them to enjoy those dark beers and the crisp air.
Midwest Coast Fifth Anniversary Celebration
September 23, 2024 | Emma Wargolet
Midwest Coast Brewing opened its doors in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago in 2019, and to celebrate hitting five years, they will be hosting an anniversary event all day on Saturday, September 28th. Despite the obvious bump in the road in 2020, they have been able to craft exceptional beers, open up a beautiful year-round patio (an absolute treat in the midwest winter), and maintain a loyal customer base throughout these five years. This celebration is a thank you to the customers and craft beer community that has made this last half decade possible.
Sneak Peek: Pulpit Rock | Barrel-Aged $ticker $hock Imperial Stout
July 9, 2024 | Eric Griffin
It’s alarming at how quickly time has passed since highlighting Pulpit Rock Brewing Co.’s EIGHT Imperial Stout, one of a handful of beers released as part of its eighth anniversary celebration last August. Year nine for the small Iowa brewery has mirrored this fast pace, as it has continued to grow in popularity and also increased its barrel-aged production. On April 16, the brewery announced a save-the-date for its highly sought after $ticker $hock barrel-aged Imperial Stout. $ticker $hock hasn’t seen a new vintage since 2020, and we’ve collaborated with head brewer Justin Teff and the team in Decorah to provide PorchDrinking readers an exclusive sneak peek at the 2024 iteration ahead of its July 13 public release.
Hop Seasons | What Happens at a Small Hop Farm Throughout the Year
June 28, 2024 | David Nilsen
In the year-long agricultural cycle of beer’s main ingredients, hop harvest gets all the glory. Fresh hop and wet hop beers fill shelves and taplists every fall, a celebration of craft beer’s trendiest ingredient. Brewers flock to the Pacific Northwest (or their local hop yard) to evaluate the season’s best lots and choose hops for the coming year. Most of our “seasonal” beer styles today are nods to tradition rather than agricultural dictate, but these beers are different, a hold out from a time when brewing schedules and beer styles were guided by the growing calendar.
Lua Brewing | Lua’s Birthday Blend Barleywine
June 20, 2024 | Eric Griffin
A curious question that arises frequently at brewery bars is “How’d you decide on the name?” Sometimes there’s quirky, meaningful backstories, sometimes it’s a spin on the founder’s names, sometimes it’s inspired by their geographic location, or it’s one of a million other possibilities. For Lua Brewing, owners Scott and Whitney Selix found no better namesake for their passion project than their beloved pup. Lua turned 13 years old on March 14th of this year, and a month later the team in Iowa released a very special birthday blend in her honor.
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Colorado’s Best Kölsch Blind Tasting Presented by On Tap Credit Union
May 24, 2024 | Brian Phipps
Warmer days are rolling in and one of the best beers to pair with the sunshine is a good ol’ Kölsch! Thus, it was the perfect time to conduct the latest blind tasting to find some of the best Kölsch style beers made by breweries in Colorado.
Event Preview | HOMES Nucleate Fest
May 17, 2024 | Alexis Dickie
HOMES Brewery hosts their annual Nucleate festival on Saturday June 8 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event features breweries from around the world and will benefit charity.
CLAG Brewing Company | You Wouldn’t Drink a Clear IPA
April 23, 2024 | Jason Murphy
One of the PorchDrinking team’s favorite things about craft beer journalism is the people you meet and the stories they share with us. People are what makes the craft brewing community interesting. Don’t get us wrong, we love trying beers and we get to sample some of the best in the country, but the people are what make it interesting and fun. So let’s meet the people behind the Sandusky, Ohio-based CLAG Brewing Company.
Collaborating for a Cause | For Alex
April 10, 2024 | Eric Griffin
At the end of May 2023, Wax Wings Brewing pledged their support for Alex Kidd with a dedicated bottle release. This series has always looked to highlight breweries and the benefits they’ve conducted to help support Alex and his family as he continues to fight for his life. As we approach 20 installments to this series from breweries and meaderies all over the country – and even Norway! – we find ourselves back in Michigan to take a deep dive into Wax Wing’s For Alex release.
Saint Errant Brewing | Skosh Barrel-Aged Stout
April 9, 2024 | Eric Griffin
In today’s craft beer industry, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out. To this Saint Errant Brewing said “hold my beer,” throwing something entirely new into the barrel-aged stout game. On March 19, the Chicago brewery announced the release of Skosh. A whimsical idea morphed into a pragmatic reality, this oak-aged imperial stout was packaged in a bag. In a box. With a pour spout. There was no way that we weren’t going to showcase craft beer going full Franzia mode, so we asked Saint Errant co-owner Brent Banks to send a box our way to feature on PorchDrinking.
Chicago Brewery Events This April
April 3, 2024 | Rachel Morrison
Spring has sprung, and there’s no shortage of beer events happening across Chicago this month as we (hopefully) get more sunny days and patio weather. Beer Culture Center starts the month with an event at Siebel Institute of Technology, Industry Ales opens its doors, and you have options for celebrating 420. Here are Chicago brewery events this April!
Demo Brewing Opens Up in Chicago’s Malt Row
March 28, 2024 | Emma Wargolet
For any beer nerd that is visiting Chicago, the Ravenswood/Andersonville area is an obvious choice; you are within walking distance to Hop Butcher for the World, Dovetail, Half Acre and more. You would think that there are maybe enough breweries for us. That would not be the case. This area is always looking to add another locally owned business, and when it’s a brewery, everyone is even more excited. After the loss of both Empirical Brewery and Urban Brew Labs in 2022, Demo Brewing Company is a great addition to the community.
Sun King Brewing | RHINOMITE Double IPA
March 27, 2024 | Jason Murphy
Sun King Brewing is an independently owned brewery and distillery with operations in Indiana and Florida. Conceived by two professional brewers, Dave Colt and Clay Robinson, and started with the help of family and friends.
Casks & Camaraderie | Oak & Steel
March 25, 2024 | Eric Griffin
In an unintended continuation from the last installment, Casks & Camaraderie is again headed to Missouri. Previously exploring Cape Girardeau’s Cask Craft Spirits and Beer Lounge, we focused on their elevation of barrel picks to expand exclusively from whiskey distillers into the realm of private picks with local brewery barrel stocks. This iteration picks up in the same barrel room it left off in, with Cory King and Side Project Brewing. His newest collaboration in the Silent Barrel series was with Kyle Howard, owner of Oak & Steel craft drinkery out of Kansas City. We took a deeper dive into his experience, the barrel, and the impact it’s had on the ever-changing beer scene in northwestern MO.
Jackie O’s Brewery | 18th Anniversary Extravaganza
March 21, 2024 | Jason Murphy
Athens, OH-based Jackie O’s Brewery will be hosting their 18th Anniversary Extravaganza this weekend, March 22-24. Let’s dive in and take a look at what you can expect at their big bash!
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