Midwest
Bell’s Brewery | Two Hearted Ale
July 5, 2017 | Johnathan Pylant
ABV: 7% | IBU: 55
For most new to beer, and a sizable number of those well-versed in the various styles beer has to offer, trying an IPA is like sneaking a swig of your dad’s whiskey after everyone has gone to bed. It is an unpleasant rite of passage into the craft beer world that I, simply put, did not agree with. There was too much out there to enjoy without forcing myself to drink something I didn’t enjoy. Read More
Brewers Describe the Value of Brewing Independence
July 3, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The United States started as nothing more than an idea, a dream and a determination to overcome perceived empire-driven injustices. For the overwhelming majority of breweries, those values presented by our Founding Fathers echo the idea of independent brewing. Sure, there are brewing empires that could lure one to the economic promised land, but the pursuit of “hoppiness” for independent breweries is best served through self-determination rather than corporate funding. As the nation moves toward celebrating its independence, we at PorchDrinking.com wanted to discuss brewing independence with a few breweries who have thumbed their proverbial noses at the King Georges of the world and exercise their freedom to brew.
Event Preview | Chicago Square Roots Three-Day Beer and Music Festival
July 1, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The 6th Annual Square Roots craft beer and music experience in Chicago’s Lincoln Square (July 7 – 9) consists of 40 local craft brews (including special batch and limited release taps), a spectacular collection of food vendors, more than 60 acts on four stages, family activities and the chance to explore the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Craft beer is all about community, and this fest embodies that philosophy. Suggested donations of $10 for adults, $5 for kids/seniors, and $20 for families help fund Old Town School of Folk Music scholarship programs and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce farmers markets and concerts, not to mention every local business attending the festival.
Sour Summer: Five Sour Craft Beers to Beat the Heat
June 30, 2017 | Craft Beer Joe
Featured image courtesy of Braxton Brewing Co.
For most, the hot summer months mean moving to lighter beers. It makes sense that a light, crisp, refreshing beer is better when you are in the sun, but that doesn’t mean you have to default to a light lager or blonde ale. Many other styles fit the hot summer months just as well, such as sour craft beers. And I am not talking about the traditional sours like lambics but rather kettle sours (aka quick sours). There’s been a huge influx of this type of beer and I think they are a great fit for a hot summer day because they offer low ABV, are ideally drank cold, and provide a crisp, refreshing taste that fights off the effects of the hot summer sun.
Here in Cincinnati, we have a lot of great options that fit this style. Plus, these beers are easy to bring along when you are enjoying the outdoors. Here are five of my favorite Cincinnati summer sours.
Why DryHop and Corridor Brewery are Embracing the Hazy IPA Trend
June 30, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Feature image courtesy of DryHop Brewers
For DryHop Brewers & Corridor Brewery & Provisions head brewer Brant Dubovick, the insight to start focusing on hazy IPAs started when he was in DC for the Craft Brewers Conference with DryHop Lead Brewer Adrian Vidaurre and Corridor Lead Brewer Roger Cuzelis. While there, Brant decided to wait in line for up to 2.5 hours for a Trillium and Bissel Brothers New England-style IPA at a tap takeover. Since then, the haze craze has been front and center for both DryHop and its sister brewery Corridor Brewery & Provisions in particular. Corridor has proven to be a particularly good testing ground to test Chicago’s demand for the hazy IPA, and according to Dubovick, the response has been “amazing.”
Goose Island Set to Release Four New Beers
June 29, 2017 | Mike Zoller
On Monday July 3, Goose Island will have its largest release of the year. Alright, maybe there is a bigger release in November; but Goose will release four new beers into the market on Monday.
Ultimate 6er | Pure Michigan Summer
June 28, 2017 | Danny King
Every summer, thousands of Michiganders make their trek to the northern part of Michigan for their “Up North Vacation.” What exactly Up North entails depends on who you talk to, as the Detroit Free Press recently pointed out.
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Fast Facts on Revolution Brewing’s Packaging Moves for Summer
June 26, 2017 | Taylor Laabs 2
Revolution Brewing already has several great summer sipping beers like Rosa and Fist City in their canned arsenal; now, they’re adding a couple new seasonal options to help round out their summer portfolio.
Merging Brewing Ingredients and Techniques Into Cooking: A Recap of Brewed Food Cincinnati
June 26, 2017 | Craft Beer Joe
Chances are you enjoy beer; that’s why you clicked through to read this. And I would bet that you prefer good beer, I mean really good beer. You focus on hunting down rare beers and are always on the hunt for brews that contain new ingredients and push the boundaries of what you think craft beer can be.
But what about food? Do you pursue food with the same passion? For me, I focus a lot of attention on what I drink but not nearly as much on expanding my culinary world. That’s where Brewed Food aims to change our culture.
Event Recap | Door County Beer Festival
June 26, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Feature image courtesy of Taylor Laabs
The folks at the Door County Beer Festival went above and beyond to create a fantastic beer drinking event on a sunny June Saturday that embodied everything that is great about the Wisconsin beer experience.
There were 58 breweries in attendance with more than 35 of those coming from a Wisconsin area code, but it wasn’t just the familiar brews of New Glarus, Karben4 and Capital Brewery that made this former Badger’s heart happy. This festival had great cheese, good people and a fun-loving vibe that exuded throughout every person you met. No brewer was off limits, no question too stupid – Door County Beer Fest welcomed all – as long as you had an empty stomach.
Burnt City Brewing & Art Institute of Chicago Launch Artist as Alchemist Golden Session IPA
June 22, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Artist as Alchemist Feature Image Source: Lakeshore Beverages.
The trend of breweries collaborating with entities outside the realm of brewing and bars continue, including partnering with zoos, arboretums, charitable organizations, … Read More
Event Preview | 777th Annual Criderfest
June 21, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
In this age of social media, before a new brewery can even make beer or pour a pint, the local beer community is already abuzz about what’s coming. Few brewery openings in recent memory created as much excitement as 2nd Shift’s St. Louis opening this past winter. Their brewery and tap room was new to the area but their beer wasn’t. 2nd Shift began its journey in New Haven, Missouri back in 2010 and exploded onto the local scene with their flagship beer, Art of Neurosis. Now, it’s time to celebrate seven years of brewing, and owners Steve and Libby Crider are inviting all of us to a party, and Steve’s beard will be in attendance.
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Old Irving Brewing | Rat Pack
June 21, 2017 | Bliss Billingsley
ABV: 7% | IBU: 20
Just like their namesake, the Rat Pack Belgian Dubbel is a classic and timeless beer made by Old Irving Brewing. When you close your eyes, each sip transports you to “simpler times” when 1960’s crooners dominated the radio, and you’re enjoying a classic cocktail in a fedora. The flavor profile is complex yet balanced for easy drinking. The warm alcohol flavor soothes the taste buds. The snifter-style glass mimics that of a cognac to top off your time travel. Read More
Saugatuck Brewing Company | Neapolitan Milk Stout
June 19, 2017 | Jessica Spengler
ABV: 6.0% | IBU: 37
I don’t like novelty beers. You know the ones I’m talking about – the cream soda, apple crisp, this-tastes-like-donut-holes kind of beers. Beers that have … Read More
Event Recap | Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Chicago
June 16, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Feature image courtesy of Taylor Laabs
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp put together another impressive showing last Saturday at Navy Pier. Whether it was the pristine location, the bevy of good beer, or the friendliness of the staff and brewmasters, Sierra Nevada knows what it takes to make a solid craft beer festival – and they deliver on that successful formula time and time again.
Event Recap | Two Brothers Brewing Summer Festival
June 13, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Two Brother’s Brewing Summer Festival speaks volumes about the brewery’s identity. The journey for the Ebel brothers started with a brewery that barely turned profits twenty years ago to owning five locations and adding coffee and spirits to its portfolio. But, what defines Two Brothers is not its products as much as the brewery’s propensity to host events and welcome fans into its many homes. From Scottsdale to Oak Park, Oktoberfest to Summerfest, nail-pulling parties to special releases, Two Brothers invites you inside and says, “Welcome to our house, beer’s in the fridge.”
Urban Artifact | Warmug
June 12, 2017 | Craft Beer Joe
ABV: 7.7% | IBU: 20
Just because something is different doesn’t mean it isn’t great. And Urban Artifact Warmug is a perfect example. Read More
Lo Rez Brewing’s Taproom Opens in Pilsen Neighborhood of Chicago
June 8, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Less than 24 hours before their grand opening, a ladder is still in the brewery, tap handles need to be screwed on and the rest of the beer list needs to be added – but Lo Rez opened last week to a packed tap room. Read More
Listermann Brewing Company & Cincinnati Zoo | Team Fiona NE IPA
June 8, 2017 | Kristen Ballinger
Feature Photo: Cincinnati Zoo
Listermann Brewing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, has paired up with the Cincinnati Zoo to create a beer for the lovable baby hippo Fiona. Members of Fiona’s care team actually helped brew the beer, a New England Style IPA coming in at 6.2% ABV with Citra and Centennial hops. The beer will be released in cans on Saturday June 10th at the brewery.
Event Preview | Door County Beer Festival
June 7, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
*Feature image courtesy of Katie Sikora*
Set on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, the Door County Beer Festival boasts one of the most unique backdrops of any beer fest in the nation. Door County has been a destination vacation for many years due to its beautiful location, but it’s the recent rise of the local craft beer scene that has added to the luster of the premiere Wisconsin peninsula getaway spot. The Door County Beer Festival celebrates all of this by combining locally sourced food, local beer and a good vibe to create a truly unique beer festival experience.
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