Midwest
RateBeer Honors St. Louis Breweries with Multiple Awards
February 7, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
Ratebeer.com is where millions of beer drinkers go to see how there peers rate beers from all across the world. It is widely recognized as one of the most in-depth, accurate and most-visited source for beer information, outside of PorchDrinking of course. Each year, the site tabulates the results of a year’s worth of reviews and puts together their annual “RateBeer” best list.
Brewery Showcase | Sketchbook Brewing
February 7, 2017 | Mathew Powers
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, Sketchbook Brewing is worth 1,000 stories.
For this writer, whose job it is to frequent breweries and watering holes several times a week, it is sometimes difficult to be impressed. However, Sketchbook Brewing, located in Chicago-suburban Evanston, Illinois, impressed mightily – great beer, admirable business philosophy, and a wonderful, cozy taproom.
Recapping Virtue Cider’s 3rd Annual Stone Fence Competition
February 7, 2017 | Mike Zoller
On a basketball court located in the Chicago Athletic Association, mixologists from some of Chicago’s best known bars and restaurants concocted unique Stone Fence cocktails for Virtue Cider’s 3rd Annual Stone Fence Competition.
Event Recap | Burnt City Brewing GroundHOP Day IPA Release Party
February 6, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
On a chilly February night, Chicago craft beer lovers flocked to the iconic Logan Theatre to celebrate Groundhog Day with Burnt City Brewing’s newest creation: GroundHOP Day IPA. When I walked into the lounge/bar area of Logan Theatre, I was greeted by the vinyl tunes of Cage and Aquarium productions and a packed room full of beer lovers seeking Burnt City Brewing GroundHOP Day or the other special beer offered that night, Freight Handler Milk Stout.
Stem Ciders | Off-Dry Apple Cider
February 6, 2017 | Cecelia Kathleen
Here at PorchDrinking, while beer will always be our first love, we also enjoy occasionally dabbling in other forms of imbibing such as bourbon, rum, mead and cider. And there is one Colorado cidery that has risen to prominence in recent years, it’s Stem Ciders in Denver’s River North Art District. Lucky enough for me, one of my closest friends is the assistant cider maker over at Stem Ciders and she was willing to talk to me about the cidery’s newest offering.
Event Preview | 5th Annual Cider Summit Chicago
January 31, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Just a few years ago if you wanted a hard cider your options were limited. Today artisanal cider is a rapidly growing industry with a wide variety of ciders to sample. Now in it’s 5th year, the Cider Summit Chicago opens up the world of artisanal cider to the general public with over 150 different ciders to try.
Eating & Drinking | Narrow Gauge Brewing Company
January 30, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
If there is one thing in the world of craft beer that is consistent, it is that every brewery has a unique story worth telling. The story of one of St. Louis’ newest breweries, Narrow Gauge, begins 136 years ago. Back in 1878 when railroads ruled the land, rails known as “narrow gauge” were built to minimize construction costs. In that year, the St. Louis and Suburban Railway opened as a narrow gauge steam railroad from the city to Florissant and was called the West End Narrow Gauge Railroad. Today, Florissant based Narrow Gauge Brewing Company pays tribute to this history and the city they call home. Read More
Bell’s Brewery Announces Distribution of Hopslam in Colorado
January 30, 2017 | Tristan Chan 2
Colorado has been the beneficiary of receiving both limited or, in some cases, wide distribution of nationally acclaimed cult following beers over the years, from Pliny the Elder, to Abraxas, Hill Farmstead’s Dorothy to Goose Island’s BCBS variants.
Graeter’s Ice Cream Beer is Coming!
January 27, 2017 | Drew Troller
When I moved away from Cincinnati, my favorite homesickness remedy was a pint of Graeter’s black raspberry chip ice cream. Growing up, Graeter’s ice cream was quintessential Cincinnati fare; finding out it was available in my grocer’s freezer section was cause for celebration.
Now there’s a new reason to celebrate: a Graeter’s beer is coming.
Odell Brewing is Coming To Chicago | Several Events to Celebrate its Arrival
January 26, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Original skyline photo taken by Daniel Schwen – modified for the purposes of this story.
My first excursion to the Odell Brewing taproom occurred nearly fifteen years ago while on a trip to Colorado. Impressed would be an understatement. However, I, like many Chicagoans, had to rely on bottle hauls for a chance to enjoy Odell creations.
But not anymore.
Odell Brewing is bringing its beer from the Rocky Mountains to the city of Big Shoulders and to kick off the eastward expansion, Odell will take over the taps at three bottle shop & tasting rooms — Bitter Pops, The Cellar, and The Open Bottle.
(Edit: Other events have been added since this was first published. Those items have been added at the end of this piece.)
Event Preview | Burnt City Brewing GroundHOP Day IPA Release Party
January 26, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
If you’ve ever been to Burnt City Brewing, you know that they like to have fun. From the beer, to the bartenders, to the bowling alley in-house, I always enjoy my time whenever I visit. I definitely can’t wait to attend their Groundhog Day beer release event (no entry cover) on February 2 at Logan Theatre. The event is both a celebration of good beer and beloved Chicago Cubs fan Bill Murray who starred in the acclaimed 90’s movie the event gets its namesake after.
Cervecería Cruz Blanca | Marigold Strong Ale
January 26, 2017 | Bliss Billingsley
ABV: 8.7% | IBU: 35
The Marigold Strong Ale from Cervecería Cruz Blanca, a Chef Rick Bayless restaurant, is a dry, very fresh tasting beer. One thing of note was that it’s also unexpectedly drinkable and lacked any alcohol taste, which was shocking after I learned that the ABV was nearly 9 percent! It had a bubbly mouthfeel, which was very pronounced. It was similar to that of a sparkling wine. When the bubbles reach your nose, they release a fruity fragrance of blackberries and a hint of apple. I could have easily gulped down two glasses without trying, but it is sneakily strong.
Horse Thief Hollow | Buffalo Trace Barrel-Aged Cinnamon Girl
January 23, 2017 | Craig Gonciarczyk
Image Courtesy Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co.
ABV 9.8%
People love eating breakfast. Hell, they love it so much it actually co-opted another meal of the day (lunch) to make the super popular brunch. While some have the time to make a hearty breakfast meal, others must run out the door with little time to eat cereal. With a few exceptions (Raisin Bran and Cheerios for example), you’re going to sound like a 5-year-old when you tell someone what you had for breakfast, though. How do you avoid that social situation? Read More
Eating & Drinking | Heavy Riff Brewing Company
January 20, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
I’ve been noticing a new trend – how many of our best and up-in-coming city neighborhoods are being anchored and supported by the local beer community.
One I want to talk about today is Dogtown. Dogtown, bordered by Manchester in the South, Hampton on the East, McCausland in the West and Oakland in the North – has been a part of the fabric of the city for more than 100 years. And while the spiritual center of the neighborhood will always be St. James the Greater School, the beer epicenter is Heavy Riff Brewing Company (6413 Clayton Ave. Saint Louis, Missouri 63139).
Two Brothers Brewing | Northwind Imperial Stout
January 20, 2017 | Mathew Powers
ABV 9.1 | IBU 45
The sun dipped below the North Pole’s horizon long ago — not to be seen again until March. The relentless darkness creates indescribable arctic cold that marches southward all winter. But, there’s more than just frosty breezes arriving from the north, there’s Imperial Stout — Two Brothers Brewing Northwind Imperial Stout.
Event Recap | Noon Whistle Brewing Second Anniversary (Chicago)
January 19, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Noon Whistle Brewing | Photo Credit: Mathew Powers
Suburban Chicago’s Noon Whistle Brewing is located in an old strip mall and barely visible from the main road; a location unlikely to garner a passing grade in a Business 101 class. Makes no matter because in the craft beer world, it’s not location, location, location that’s essential; it’s libation, fermentation, innovation.
The beer emerging from Noon Whistle Brewing pulls throngs of thirsty patrons through its doors. And that is why when I arrived a few minutes after the noon hour on a Friday — the first of two days dedicated for its two-year anniversary — I was far from the only person ready to indulge in a parade of special releases. By the time I left that night, the place was packed.
Five Chicago Beers You Must Try
January 19, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Chicagoans are extremely lucky to have a wide variety of craft beer at their fingertips. In fact many of us take our incredibly large selection for granted. But for the craft beer fan that is visiting Chicago for maybe only a weekend I selected five beers that are an absolute must try.
Blank Slate Brewing Company | Fork in the Road
January 19, 2017 | Mary Ellen Finnegan
ABV: 6.8% | IBU: 70
Blank Slate Brewing Company was my first exposure to the Cincinnati Craft Beer scene when I arrived in 2011, when you could only find its brews on draft. Safe to say, both Blank Slate and I have matured a bit since then. Now, in addition to having a tap room of its own, one of the Blank Slate Brewing stalwarts, Fork in the Road, is available in cans. Read More
Inside the Tank | Griesedieck Brothers Brewery’s Robert Griesedieck
January 17, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
St. Louis’ brewing legacy does not start nor end with Anheuser-Busch. Not by a long shot.
According the bible of St. Louis beer, “St. Louis Brews” the list of major breweries included many names still known around here a century later. Names like Busch, Lemp, Falstaff and Griesedieck, still ring familiar to beer drinkers, generations after their heyday. But you know the saying, “what was old is new again.”
That is exactly what is happening with the rebirth of the famed Griesedieck family brewery.
Event Preview | The Wolpertinger Festival
January 17, 2017 | Jordan Palmer
Outside of St. Louis, the city has been known as the beer capital of the world primarily because of the success of the Anheuser-Busch Company and its flagship brew Budweiser. But inside St. Louis, beer drinkers know the city has a deeper connection to the history of suds then just AB. In fact St. Louis has been in the brewing business for more than two centuries with more than 120 breweries operating at one time.
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