Illinois BEERacket Fundraiser Boxes Go On Sale Friday

With their regular roster of beer events canceled due to the pandemic, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has had to be creative to find other ways to generate revenue for the non-profit organization. One solution has been mixed variety beer boxes for the general public to purchase. They sold out of the “FoBAB at Home” boxes in November and are releasing a new box with a March Madness-like BEERacket theme.

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What We’re Drinking | February 5, 2021

There seems to be little signs of slowing down as the new year is already a month behind us. This week has been a long one, but there’s an exciting end in sight. We can do it. For millions of Americans this Sunday features a “Big Game,” but let’s just all raise a glass and hope or pray that the team from down south doesn’t get the win. No one — not a single person — needs to see Number 12 win another damn championship. Here’s to hoping for a miracle and maybe some snow will come down in Tampa. While I continue to bet against Tom, here is What We’re Drinking. 

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Ultimate 6er | PorchDrinkers & Their Pets

Quick, think about the best thing to pair with a beer. No, it’s not a medium steak. It’s not a spicy chicken sandwich or cheese, either. A hike and a new IPA to try afterward? Nope. Give up? Okay fine I’ll tell you. It’s your pets! Read More

Outdoor Spaces During COVID-19 | 56 Brewing

“Burn the Jenga!” the crowd feverishly chanted. The patio was bustling and the taproom at 56 Brewing was out of firewood, so something had to go. Your typical brewery staples of Yahtzee and Scrabble would only stoke the flames for so long. This called for something bigger, bolder… something that would warm their patrons for hours. When one is dealing with both pandemic-based shutdowns and the frosty winds of the North, out-of-the-box thinking is required. Welcome to the Patio Pintometer.
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Brewery Showcase | Elsewhere Brewing

From the street, the draw of Elsewhere Brewing is evident and hard to ignore. The vibrant colors bounce off the white brick and the allure of the painted greenery pulls you to a table. Place is a powerful tool and weighs down heavily on experiences and memories. This sentiment is present in the look and feel throughout the brewery. Read More

Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 1/28

Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction, and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.

With stout month quickly approaching, you’re going to need to pick up some new beers ASAP. Now if only there was a place you could go to find out what new options you’ll have to start off February… might as well just keep reading.

If you’re looking for a way to finally get out of the house, why not head over to Briar Common? They’ve got a 3-course Valentine’s day dinner that includes a beer pairing. Sounds like the perfect way to spend Valentine’s day with the beer lover in your life!

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Oconee Brewing Co. | Bacon & Kegs Bacon-Infused Red Ale

Since the holiday chaos and rush has slowed down, it’s a good time for some reflection. We wrapped up some of our favorite beers and the biggest beer stories across our regions to end 2020. One story that caused a greasy splash was the collaboration between Waffle House and Georgia’s own Oconee Brewing Company for an official beer.

Now, a few weeks later, we’re wiping down the table and diving into the bacon-infused Red Ale that is Bacon & Kegs.

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Ology Brewing Co. | Reactive Galvanization IPA

Ology Brewing Co. produced yet another phenomenal IPA with its Reactive Galvanization, an American IPA that reminds us just why IPA remains the king of craft beer.

The Tallahassee, FL brewery has its roots steeped in scientific research, and in fact, the very word “ology” means a subject of study–think “biology,” “archeology” or “beer-ology.” Head brewer Nick Walker is from a family of scientists and researchers. His grandfather studied taste and his father researched olfaction, the study of smell, which certainly came in use during the many, many beer tastings Nick has done over the years. Walker himself has a bachelor’s degree in biology. Put that all together and Ology Brewing emerges from this wealth of knowledge. Ology actually made PorchDrinking’s 2018 list of Rising Talent and they’ve only improved since then.

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Marz Community Brewing | The Love Brew (Gose)

Marz Community Brewing Co. takes their name to heart. The Love Brew is a collaboration with a local Chicago mutual aid organization, The Love Fridge. With each 4-pack sold, $1 will go towards The Love Fridge community.

The Love Fridge is an organization that has placed community fridges throughout the city, inspired by similar movements in New York City, Portland and all over the world. They aim to offer a solution to food waste and food insecurity through community involvement. As millions of people lose their jobs because of the ongoing pandemic and with months ahead before any progress is made, our community efforts mean the most now.

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Zipline Brewing Co. | Milk Stout

As winter rolls into Nebraska, it’s time to slow down and enjoy some locally-crafted stouts. Zipline Brewing Co. has released their winter seasonal beer, Milk Stout. This is their second year brewing Milk Stout, and locals are glad to see it come back. Last year the beer was so popular, they ran out earlier than expected. This year you should be able to find it on store shelves (and at one of their four locations in Lincoln and Omaha) into mid-March.

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Revolution Caps Off Deep Wood Series with Half Acre Collab

To wrap up their 2020-21 Deep Wood release, Revolution Brewing decided to go with two non-stouts, featuring an Imperial Rye Porter made in collaboration with Half Acre as well as a spin on their popular Ryewine Ale by putting it into Apple Brandy barrels.

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Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 1/14

Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction, and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.

Even though it’s a whole new year, it sure feels like 2020 is trying to hold us in its grasp. But one thing 2020 can’t stop is new beer releases to start the year! Now that Colorado allows breweries and restaurants to reopen limited capacity indoor seating, get out there and support your favorite breweries, and maybe try one of these new releases.

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A California Craft Beer Veteran Retires

If asked about the most influential people in California’s craft beer history, names like Fritz Maytag, Ken Grossman and Vinnie Cilurzo might top the list for many of the beer enthusiasts. However, away from the public eye, Tom McCormick has had an immense impact on the success of craft beer. Read More

Athletic Brewing Co. | Upside Dawn Golden Ale & Run Wild IPA

Have you set a New Year’s resolution? Are you participating in #DryJanuary? If so, Athletic Brewing Co. out of Stratford, CT, has you covered. As the first non-alcoholic beer taproom in the country, they have a great line up of options that are both low in calories and contain less than 0.5% ABV. Whether you are a “hop head” and love IPAs or if you are a more malt-focused beer drinker, they have you covered.
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What We’re Drinking | January 8, 2021

We’re back and well-rested, yet somehow exhausted, from all of the holiday hustle and bustle and time commitments. While 2020 is officially behind us — good riddance — 2021 isn’t exactly off to the best start it could be. In spite of weather and events on the national stage, the beer industry is still staying afloat despite pandemic shutdowns. That does not mean everyone, and that does not mean thriving. Dry January is popular for many “influencers” and eager resolution starters, but do what you can to continue supporting local. Buy shirts, hats and other merch or gift cards to use at a later date. Grab a beer or browse some online shops while checking out What We’re Drinking. 

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Allagash Brewing Co. | Little Grove Sparkling Session Ale

Welcome to a new year: You made it. Although the past year turned out far, far different from anything anyone could have imagined, some things remain the same. One consistency, in particular, is the anticipation of a fresh start the new year brings. Whether celebrating with loved ones or hunkered down at home, every New Year’s Eve bubbles over with eagerness, hope, reflection and new goals.

In 2020, many learned the importance of self-care in a way that the onslaught of viral blogs and articles could never have accomplished. Self-care takes shape in many different forms and looks and feels different for everyone. With a year filled with unprecedented events and challenges, carrying that self-care energy forward is undeniably a part of this year’s beginning. One avenue some may take to accomplish this goal is to be more cognizant of the food and beverages consumed. If the idea of thoroughly drying out your cabinets does not “spark joy,” Allagash Brewing Company’s Little Grove sparkling session ales offer a lighter step in that direction.
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Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 12/31

Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction, and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.

As we wind down the final hours of 2020, you may feel like cracking a beer to celebrate the start of a new, more hopeful year. The craft beer community lost many great breweries to the pandemic this year, but there are still countless breweries that need your support — now more than ever. Take a look below and discover a wide selection of canned beers that can help you ring in 2021. Happy New Year!

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Ultimate 6er | A Beer Journey Through the Decades

Our country has gone through tough times before – wars, economic strife, pandemics, and political upheaval. So, as we move deeper into the 2020s, a decade with its own inauspicious start, we thought it would be nice to look back and different periods of history through the lens of craft beer. A Beer Journey Through the Decades starts during the 1920s and ends at 2020. Each decade presented society with difficulties, yet each era also had its good moments and offers evidence that 2020’s misery won’t last forever.

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The History Behind Riot | Revolution Brewing

Good beer tells a story. A brewer could be inspired by a personal experience or possibly by their surroundings. For Riot, it is the latter. The city of Chicago has a dense and complex history. Chicago is known for major historical events such as The Great Chicago Fire, The Columbian Exposition (shout out to the amazing book Devil in the White City), and the Haymarket Affair. But, the story behind this Revolution Brewing beer is hidden in the depths of history.

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Ultimate 6er | The Bounty Hunters Hunt Down Great Beer

Bounty Hunters may like to consume more than Blue Milk. It’s also possible they enjoy some mystical ale fermented on Endor with its unique natural yeast and microbiota that must add a unique flavor to the ale not seen on planet Earth. The Bounty Hunters fill Star Wars lore and their stories have given us fantasy and fascination with the likes of characters such as the Mandalorian. Freelance Bounty Hunters must enjoy our planet’s exquisite craft beer on special occasions (never when piloting their aircraft!) and this is what we have chosen based on their backgrounds and personality. For the uneventful weekday an easy-drinking Lager, such as the Big Yellow Truck by Territorial Brewing, might commonly be found in the bounty hunter ships in the beer fridge or cooler.

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