Cheers, Yinz! A Beer Fest That Gives Back to Breweries

The culture of craft beer has always had a strong connection to the communities in which it thrives. For many of us, our neighborhood brewery is far more than merely a place that produces the things we enjoy drinking–it is a community center, a gathering place, and an intrinsic part of our daily lives, not to mention a foundational element for hobbies, relationships, and fostering a sense of place. Enter Cheers, Yinz!, a beer festival built to help beloved local breweries weather the economic (and emotional) effects of decreased sales and temporary closures.

Read More

Spencer Brewery | Monks’ Reserve Quadrupel Ale

Are you looking for a decadent and indulgent holiday treat? Look no further than Spencer Brewery, America’s only Trappist brewery!

Read More

An Interview with GABF’s Biggest Winners, Sun King

When one thinks about the state of Indiana, a few things may immediately come to mind. Corn, basketball and the show “Parks and Recreation” are all likely answers but for many, craft beer is not necessarily one of them. That is a shame, considering that at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival competition, the Hoosier State picked up an impressive 10 medals and was home to the brewery with the highest number of winning beers overall: Sun King Brewing.

Read More

What We’re Drinking | November 6, 2020

Wow. Just wow. What a week it has been. I probably don’t need to tell you about the elections that are going on across the country. As of the moment of this writing, we’re all still waiting for the votes to be counted in Nevada and Arizona, as well as in Pennsylvania and Georgia. Needless to say, it’s been a long week and I think it’s probably best to keep this one short and sweet. Here’s to one of the most participated in elections in our history, and here is What We’re Drinking. Cheers.

Read More

Lo Rez Brewing | El Paseo Pale Ale

Why do people love craft beer? You could narrow it down to a few major factors: Quality ingredients, community support and promoting a local economy. Those reasons are why people gravitate to craft beer, to be a part of something bigger. If any beer can hold all of that under its belt, it’s El Paseo Pale Ale from south side Chicago-based Lo Rez Brewing. Read More

Veteran or Current Military? Locavore Beer Works Wants to Buy You a Beer

If you ask, most veterans are willing to share at least some details of their military service with you. However, Locavore Beer Works co-owner Jason Reinhardt isn’t allowed to say very much.

Read More

Phase Three Brewing to Deliver Halloween Beer Bag to Limited Areas

If this year’s Halloween has you bummed, Phase Three Brewery in Lake Zurich, IL is here to cheer you up! This year to spread Halloween cheer, Phase Three is making local deliveries to limited Chicagoland zip codes in the form of Trick or Treat beer bags. This might be beer fans’ last chance to get Phase Three’s popular Bushel of Apples. Order yours before it’s gone! Read More

What We’re Drinking | October 23, 2020

Just when I thought fall weather and championships were coming to Georgia, I was let down. Again. It’s been 80 degrees on average and the Atlanta Braves are back home from the playoffs. Alas, that’s how it goes sometimes. This week seemed to be a little more relaxing for my counterparts as you’ll see from the nature views to the cozy autumn vibes. Everyone is busy now more than ever, and with the holidays approaching fast, let’s do our best to slow it down. In the meantime, here is What We’re Drinking. 

Read More

Phase Three Brewing and Affy Tapple Collaboration Beer | A Bushel of Apples

Phase Three Brewing, located northwest suburbs of Chicago (Lake Zurich), is arguably one of the hottest breweries in the nation. Some of their beers lean to the obscure and experimental side (Crème Series, Nectar Series), but they also produce well-executed classics (Helles Lager, Märzen, Pils). that largely receive high grades among beer geeks and professionals alike. The brewery recently garnered attention for its collaboration with Affy Tapple: A Bushel of Apples. We talked with Phase Three about their brewery, the pandemic and the sweet, Halloween-treat beer release.

Read More

Halloween Beer Treat | New Realm Brewing Company Imperial Oaxaca Choca Mexican Chocolate Stout

Halloween highlights the calendar for now, and with that in focus we at PorchDrinking want to highlight some of the candy-sweet Sour Ales and adjunct-loaded Stouts that will be the perfect treat for parents during spooky season.

Georgia and Virginia-based New Realm Brewing Company brewed the perfect beer for the season in their cauldrons with Imperial Oaxaca Choca Mexican Chocolate Stout. Read More

Allagash Brewing Company | North Sky Stout

A chill flows through the air as crisp autumn season approaches. With that chill comes the desire for warm flannels, fire pits, and dark beers. Allagash Brewing Company’s newest addition to their year-round lineup, North Sky stout, is precisely the beer for your stargazing, s’ more making fall night.
Read More

What We’re Drinking | October 9, 2020

Fall weather and a post-season push from the Atlanta Braves are making this month quite enjoyable here in Georgia. It has been a lot easier to find joy and happiness in small things in this ravenous year of 2020. COVID-19 and the presidential debates are prominent reminders of what is important right now and in the future. In the meantime, here is What We’re Drinking.

Read More

First Street Brewing Company | Popular Blonde

First Street Brewing Company of Hastings, Nebraska opened its doors in 2016. One of their most popular beers is named, rightfully so, “Popular Blonde.” Brewer and Owner Nathan wanted to make a beer to be served at his friend’s coffee shop. The Art Bar is located a couple blocks from the First Street taproom.

Read More

Humble Sea Brewing Company | Rare Beer Auction for Santa Cruz Wildfire Victims

Wildfires have devastated much of California this year and Humble Sea Brewing Company has responded by calling on brewery friends to help Santa Cruz wildfire victims. The impressive group of breweries has donated bottles to a wildfire relief auction benefiting the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Fire Relief Fund. The Rare Beer Auction for Santa Cruz went live on Friday and ends at noon on Monday, October 5.

Read More

Beers For Gaming | Second Self Game Night IPA

Video games and board games were a huge part of my life as a kid. Some of my earliest memories are from picking Bulbasaur in any color varietal of Pokémon on Gameboy Color. Games like Sorry! and TROUBLE led to a lot of frustrating losses to my older siblings. These experiences inevitably shaped my competitive nature as an adult. The countless worlds, boss battles and memories forged throughout my adventures continue to influence my gaming whims to this day. A beer in my hand is the only difference. 
Read More

903 Brewing’s Voted Beer Series | A Bipartisan Call-To-Action

With National Voter Registration Day just behind us and a mere seven weeks until the 2020 Presidential Election, there couldn’t be a more appropriate time for a brewery to highlight the need for all U.S. citizens to get out and vote. 903 Brewing, based in Sherman, Texas, is in the process of brewing its second bipartisan call-to-action I Voted beer. The blueberry-raspberry-cherry Berliner-Style Weisse follows the raspberry-blueberry sweet Cream Ale that kick-started the project during the May Primaries. 

The I Voted beers sport equally red-white-blue packaging and are designed to encourage voters of all persuasions to make themselves heard on Election Day. With the original batch of I Voted having sold out swiftly, 903 is releasing an expanded run of its new Berliner-Style Weisse. The latest release will hit supermarket shelves in mid-October in time for early voting, and should be available for Election Night consumption.

Read More

The Midwest Guide To Märzens

Even though this summer hasn’t been like any other before due to the pandemic, it is still sad to see this season go. However, as the days change from sunshine to the darkening of leaves, there are some things to get excited about! No, we are not talking about pumpkin spice lattes (even though they are a popular guilty pleasure)–we’re talking about Märzen beers. The dark brown color and rich, malty flavor brings about a notion of nostalgia that no other style of beer can induce. There is just something special about sitting outside on a chilly day next to a campfire with a Märzen in hand. This may sound crazy, but fellow Midwesterners prefer that coziness of fall to a lazy day on the beach–it speaks to the Midwestern soul.

Luckily, breweries across the Midwest have begun releasing a slew of their own incredible takes on this German classic. Some of these beers are widely distributed and some of them are more locally found. If you see any of these magnificent elixirs at your local bottle shop, pick them up before they are gone. So get your folding chair, grab a brat, get the campfire going and enjoy a delicious Märzen. 

Read More

2 Days 2 Nights | Midcoast Maine

Maine, the northernmost state of the contiguous United States, is known for its bearded lobstermen and lumberjacks, the freshest seafood, wild blueberries and high-quality craft beer–it’s no wonder the state’s nickname is Vacationland. In summer 2020, living in Maine is something to cherish. Although the pandemic canceled most travel plans, living in this secluded state allows for fun and fulfilling “staycations” to shake off those quarantine blues.
Read More

What We’re Drinking | September 11, 2020

In a year that seems to have very few bright points, I’m finding positives in the smallest inconsequential things. Today, though, that is a shadowed piece of life as the country will stop intermittently to remember September 11, 2001 in different ways. Memories of that day are a variety of things for many people. If nothing else, we’re getting closer to wrapping up 2020 and putting it behind us. While we do that, here is What We’re Drinking.

Read More

Firestone Walker Brewing Company | 805 Cerveza

Firestone Walker Brewing Company has never been shy about embracing a classic style and putting their take on it. It’s no different with their 805 Cerveza.

Read More