Northeast
#CBC17: DC Brau Celebrates 6 Years with 6 Beers
April 10, 2017 | Stacey Goers
DC Brau is undoubtedly one of the mainstay brewers in the nation’s Capitol, available throughout the region and inspiring much of the craft beer growth that has occurred over the past few years. Its name recognition is paramount and its beers are more than familiar, even to the backseat craft beer drinker. Surprisingly, the brewery is only turning six years old this spring, but it’s celebrating in a big way.
Event Preview | Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week
April 10, 2017 | Dan Bortz 1
Featured image logo credit: Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week
Yinz better mark your calendars because Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week (PCBW) is back and bigger than ever! Running from April 21 – 30, the sixth annual PCBW will play host to 18 local breweries, which is a record number for this event. There will be plenty of regional and national craft breweries in attendance as well.
Brewery Showcase | Portner Brewhouse
April 7, 2017 | Stacey Goers
Featured imaged photo credit: Portner Brewhouse’s facebook page.
Portner Brewhouse is trying to do many, many things: resurrect pre-Prohibition family recipes, encourage local experimentation among homebrewers, serve delicious German food and of course, brew and serve beer.
And prost! They are actually doing it all — and doing it well.
Jersey Girl Brewing | Rake Breaker IPA
April 7, 2017 | Kristina Kurdyla
ABV: 6.5%
Ah, Jersey Girl. There are many connotations associated with this phrase, beer most likely not making the top three. But you better get yourself acquainted with the name, because Jersey Girl Brewing has been pumping out some amazing brews lately with Rake Breaker leading the charge. Citrus and tropical fruit are showcased prominently on the nose. Additionally, when you catch that first whiff, you can’t help but smile and look forward to the moment that crisp and fresh, juicy, yet slightly sweet beer hits your taste buds rounding out with a bitter and dry finish. Read More
Starr Hill Brewery | King of Hop Imperial IPA
April 6, 2017 | Dan Bortz
ABV: 7.5% | IBU: 50
I was recently able to get my hands on this year’s four variations of Starr Hill Brewery‘s King of Hop. As a person of relatively simple tastes, my favorite version was the original Imperial IPA. The others all brought something interesting to the table, but this base beer is was made them all so good.
Event Recap | Meeting of the Malts VI
April 4, 2017 | Dan Bortz
On March 30, the Brewers of PA (BOP) hosted the sixth annual Meeting of the Malts. This event is a gathering of breweries from Pennsylvania and beyond to discuss the current state of the industry, as well as to celebrate their common passion: craft beer.
Voodoo Brewery | Vivrant Thing
April 3, 2017 | Gregory Acero
Style: American Pale Ale | ABV: 7.1%
This past Saturday I took a drive to Voodoo Brewery in Homestead to pick up some fresh cans of Vivrant Thing. The first thing that popped into my head was that song “Vivrant Thing” by Q-tip from his album, Amplified. Some of you may remember this song or this is the first time you have heard of it, but seriously search it on iTunes and give it a listen; the song is as good as Voodoo’s beer.
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PorchDrinking Playlist | Stickman Brews
March 28, 2017 | Dan Bortz
Featured photo credit: Stickman Brews
It’s no secret that Ethan Buckman of Stickman Brews is one of my favorite figures in Pennsylvania beer. His open fermented, style-defying beers are delicious and inventive, and Ethan himself is an all around good dude. When I bothered him in the middle of a work day to ask about his brewhouse music selections, he responded quickly and enthusiastically.
Event Preview | Meeting of the Malts VI
March 28, 2017 | Samantha Story
Featured photo credit: www.brewersofpa.org
In its next installation, The Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), the state’s official brewers guild, is hosting Meeting of the Malts VI, the association’s popular annual event that gathers the most acclaimed breweries to discuss the state of the craft beer industry.
Foolproof Brewing Co. | Shuckolate Chocolate Oyster Stout
March 22, 2017 | Carly Mento
ABV: 6%
Tucked way up the East Coast in Pawtucket, RI is Foolproof Brewing Company, an awesome group of brewers who recently released their 2017 limited edition of Shuckolate, a chocolate oyster stout!
Conshohocken Brewing Company | Tripel Deke Belgian-Style Tripel Ale
March 14, 2017 | Samantha Story
Featured photo credit: Conshohocken Brewing
ABV: 8.5%
Philadelphia suburban towns that fall along the Schuylkill River have seen quite a revitalization of both business and community in the past decade. Multi-use recreational trails are being created and communities are investing in the areas through the spawning of local businesses. With the beloved Schuylkill River Trail at their back door (literally, the trail is right through the backdoor), Conshohocken Brewing Company‘s slogan “Go where the path takes you” has been taken quite literally. The path seems to be leading people and well-garnered praise right to their front steps. Read More
Funk Brewing Co. | Silent Disco IPA
March 8, 2017 | Lora Kormos
Cover Credit: Funk Brewing Co.
ABV: 6.8% | IBU: 62
We all know that the craft beer trend is booming, but who would have guessed it was so hopping in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania? Lehigh Valley recently played host to their 4th annual Lehigh Valley Beer Week in February. Events included beer and brunch with specialty firkins, a beer can derby, a 5k race, tap takeovers, Mario Kart tournament and the Krewe de Brew Mardi Crawl, along with tons of beer specials at both local breweries and bars. Read More
Rhinegeist Is Expanding to Pittsburgh | Launch Parties March 20 – 25
March 6, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Rhinegeist had a great 2016: The Cincinnati brewery was part of the New Belgium Fat Tire and Friends Colla-beer-ation, expanded to Massachusetts and Cleveland, increased production by 80%, from 31,470 bbl in 2015 to 56,500 bbl in 2016 and grew from roughly 50 employees in 2015 to more than 200. Rhinegeist also opened a rooftop deck, the Annex and — the best part — married more than 100 couples in the new brewery.
It appears that 2017 might include the same success story. The first step involves an expansion to Pittsburgh. Folks in the Steel City can enjoy brews as early as March 6, but Rhinegeist will arrive on the 20th to help kick-off the a week’s worth of launch parties to help make it official.
Ultimate 6er | The BIG Belgian-Style Beers of Weyerbacher
March 2, 2017 | Samantha Story
Weyerbacher Brewing, located in Easton, Pennsylvania, is approximately a 90-minute drive north of Philadelphia. Known for its “big beers”, Weyerbacher has made a name for itself producing full-flavored, high-quality brews. If your taste buds are ready, this brewery is worth the drive. Read More
Blue Point Brewing Begins Distribution in Chicago
March 2, 2017 | Mike Zoller
From Long Island to the Windy City, Blue Point Brewing Company has docked in Chicago and is now available throughout the city. Illinois is the 22nd state Blue Point is now available in and is the furthest west the beer is distributed.
Southern Tier Brewing Co. | Nu Skool IPA
February 23, 2017 | Mike Zoller
ABV: 6% | IBU: 55
As fruitier and juicier IPAs crowd the market, the debate has ensued as to whether this is the best route for the beer style. Personally, I think both can coincide, and I hope that we continue to see the classic more bitter IPAs, as well as the NE-style IPAs, flourish. One excellent example of a fruity (but not over the top) IPA is Nu Skool IPA from Southern Tier Brewing Company.
PorchDrinking Playlist | Levante Brewing Company
February 21, 2017 | Dan Bortz
Featured image courtesy of Levante Brewing Company
Located in West Chester, Pennslyvania (the western suburbs of Philadelphia), Levante Brewing Company has developed a great local following. True to their founders’ Italian and Mediterranean roots, the brewers of Levante believe that high-quality ingredients are one of the keys to great beer. Brewing on a 15bbl production system and a smaller pilot system, they create a great variety of beers with a focus on very high quality. Read More
Starr Hill Brewing Expands, Yet Keeps Focus on Home in Virginia
February 20, 2017 | Stacey Goers
The largest independent craft brewery in Virginia is expanding swiftly, but doing so with intent. Starr Hill Brewery has doubled its Virginia sales team within the past year, and from July 2015 to now, has increased Virginia sales by 16 percent — and packaging in particular by 20 percent.
Event Recap | Extreme Beer Festival 2017
February 15, 2017 | Miguel Rivas
For the past 14 years, BeerAdvocate has been hosting Extreme Beer Fest. It is the ultimate throwdown of craft beer creativity. This comes as no surprise with Dogfish Head Brewery as its sponsor.
Samuel Adams | Fresh As Helles
February 15, 2017 | Mathew Powers
ABV: 5.4% | IBU: 18
Do you have a propensity to get a little fresh with blondes? If you do, go to Helles… Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles Lager, that is.
Ahh, the Munich classic provides familiar tastes that comforts one like a blanket on a cold winter’s night, and when the beer is constructed by a modern craft brewer there is the added bonus of exquisite quality and innovation. Sam Adams Fresh as Helles is that combination of classic comfort with a modern craft-beer spin.
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