beerevent Archives – PorchDrinking.com
Event Preview | Free The Whales Beer Fest
May 1, 2023 | Alexis Dickie
Free The Whales Beer Fest will be held at Resident Culture Brewing Co. and HopFly Brewing Co. on Saturday, July 1. This festival is designed to highlight the industry’s most sought after and hard-to-find beers, also known as the whales! For its eighth year, Free The Whales is hitting the road and taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Austin Beerworks, Meanwhile Brewing and Kaiju Cut & Sew Release Social Harmony: A Kaiju Brew, benefiting Austin’s AAPI Community
January 24, 2023 | Ruvani de Silva
Austin Beerworks co-founder and director of brewing operations Will Golden and Kaiju Cut & Sew owner Chris Gomez are back celebrating the Lunar New Year and fundraising for their local Asian American and Pacific Islander communities with Social Harmony: A Kaiju Brew Roasted Barley Tea- Infused Gold Lager, brewed to herald the Year of the Rabbit.
Event Recap | Texas Craft Brewers Festival 2021
November 1, 2021 | Ruvani de Silva 1
The Texas Craft Brewers Guild hosted its annual festival at Austin’s Fiesta Gardens on Saturday, October 23. After the festival pivoted to an online event last November, brewers and consumers were eager to return in person to this tremendously popular celebration of all things Texas beer, with over 85 breweries from across the state serving up over 200 beers to thirsty visitors. Both VIP and General Admission tickets sold out in advance, signaling the excitement for the first major Texas beer festival since Covid restrictions lifted.
First Taste | Imperial Oak Brewing 2020 Quiet Giant Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
June 17, 2020 | Mathew Powers
Pure barrel flavoring. No extracts. No syrups. No sugar bombs. The Imperial Oak Brewing Quiet Giant (strong) Barrel-Aged American Imperial Stout series, now in its sixth year, celebrates the artistry of barrel-aging in its purest form.
Yes, there are varieties with adjuncts, but only as complementary flavors. “Why put a beer in a barrel for a year and then completely cover it up? That’s why the two-year [BBA] is still my personal favorite. But, I do like our variants. They aren’t going to knock you in the face. That’s not our thing. None of them are going to be a chocolate bomb, coconut bomb..that type of terminology. I like adjuncts. But, I want it to be subtle and complement the beer,” said Brett Semenske co-owner and brewer.
Quiet Giant arrives each year for its anniversary, which this year enjoys the theme: Six years, Six Feet Apart (details can be found at the end of this story). The party slogan speaks to the challenges presented to breweries in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, Illinois’ case numbers are declining, patios are open and the beer remains consistent as ever. Going forward, most can expect five variants to arrive each May (this year in June due to the COVID-19 lockdown), with more two-year BBA for 2021. However, this year, Imperial Oak also has a one-time special beer from its Savage Oak room, offered in bottles.
2020 WeldWerks Invitational Initial Brewery List Announced
January 22, 2020 | Karen Mills
Last week, WeldWerks Brewing announced that tickets for their third WeldWerks Invitational beer festival will go on sale on February 8th, 2020 at 10:00 AM MST. Despite only its third year in existence the event has already risen to become regarded as one of the country’s best beer events in terms of collective talent of both breweries and beers. In the past, breweries such as Side Project, Perennial, Moksa, 3 Sons, and more have utilized the event as a platform to showcase their best and brightest. The Invitational also brings out WeldWerks’ own rarities in their Medianoches, Pastry Stouts, and Hazy IPAs. There’s so much to look forward to at this year’s event, which will take place on June 20, 2020.
Event Preview | Talking Metal Monkey Brewing Artisan Market with John Streetz
July 23, 2019 | Mathew Powers 3
The second annual Metal Monkey Brewing Artisan Market hosted by Metal Monkey Brewing celebrates “craft” in its many forms. The event allows patrons to shop for unique gifts created by more than 30 local artists while sipping on craft beer, enjoying meals from local food trucks and listening to live, local music. Moreover, a percentage of all event proceeds will be donated to The St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
One artist, John E. Streetz, of Bead Streetz, is a well-known figure among Chicago’s brewing scene, both because of frequent visitations to Chicago-area breweries and because he regularly displays his artwork there. John is heavily involved in the Artisan Market event. He spoke with us about his work, the connection between artists and craft beer and the event at Metal Monkey.
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2019 Firestone Walker Invitational Pour List | Event Preview
May 30, 2019 | David Thompson
Among the long list of beer festivals each year, there are a handful that stand out as can’t miss events. There are even fewer select events that are “beer lovers bucket list” type events. The Firestone Walker Invitational is one such event.
For a decade, the Firestone Walker Invitational has been putting together a festival that brings together world class craft beer, food from the best chefs in California’s Central Coast, and some amazing music all in a setting that allows for beer enthusiasts to engage with the people who make the beer.
Official Beer of Seattle Beer Week: Aslan Brewing Co. | Washington Gold Pils
May 8, 2019 | Katelyn Pelak
Seattlites have tolerated a lot of Mother Nature this year. We endured the snowiest February ever recorded followed by the hottest winter day ever recorded. Then April gave us the longest rain streak we’ve ever seen. Thankfully, the month of May is here to bring us relief in the form of Seattle Beer Week! The event, now in its eleventh year, was created to celebrate and showcase the close, collaborative beer community of the Northwest. This year’s Seattle Beer Week runs from May 9-19 and features hundreds of events across the city of Seattle and beyond, including camel visits, Battle of the Beer Bands, and dozens of beer dinners and tasting events. Read More
Brewers Rock Festival | Beer, Music and Preserving the Great Lakes
January 30, 2019 | Mathew Powers
Hosted by Kinslahger Brewing, The Brewers Rock Festival at the Wire in Berwyn on Groundhog Day celebrates the essence of “craft.” With proceeds going towards the Alliance for the Great Lakes Alliance, more than one dozen bands, all associated with breweries, will play from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, and they’ll bring their beer with them.
One can purchase a ticket that allows one to come and go, watch a dozen bands, choose from at least 25 different craft beers (or more) at the breweries’ booths, order beer and drinks from the bar and enjoy Bricks Pizza. And, of course, one gets a fun sampling glass.
Event Preview | Cocktails: A Competition
August 10, 2018 | Mathew Powers
Denver’s Avanti F&B (Food & Beverage), presented by Shinola, is throwing a New Belgium Brewing Beer Cocktail Party on Monday, August 13, from 6 pm to 9 pm, and you are invited. Guests receive a complimentary New Belgium Beer upon arrival, taste the 10 competitors cocktails and help select a winner.
The grand prize winning bartender receives a spectacular Shinola watch. But the night is more than about winning and losing: “This contest was designed to be low impact for contestants, and a fun celebration of our community,” notes Avanti.
Surly Brewing Co. Spreads Darkness Day to the Midwest
October 19, 2017 | Taylor Laabs 1
In 2007, Surly Brewing Co. created the first variant of Darkness, its bold Russian Imperial Stout. Momentum for the beer was slow at first, but after arriving to work one Saturday morning in October to a line of fervent Surly fans wondering when Darkness was ready, Surly’s Founder Omar Ansari knew they had a hit. Now, Surly celebrates the annual release with the aptly named Darkness Day, happening October 21st. this year. Even better, this year, Surly’s wave of ghastly Darkness stouts and Black Ales are spreading farther into their distribution footprint, particularly in the Midwest. Here are the release details you need to know.
Event Preview | Chicago White Sox Craft Beer Night
September 4, 2017 | Mathew Powers
White Sox Craft Beer Night continues the year-long, maturing relationship between craft beer and the White Sox at its home, Guaranteed Rate Field. It started with the introduction of the Craft Kave prior to Opening Day, but anyone going to games has seen craft beer at almost every corner. Now, by hosting its own craft beer festival on Sept 9, the White Sox are demonstrating their active participation within the broader aspects of Chicago’s craft beer scene.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Party in Chicago at The Walk-In
August 30, 2017 | Mathew Powers
With a slogan of “Friendly as Fuck,” it’s no surprise The Walk-In bar in Chicago would help those ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. It’s even less surprising when you realize the bar’s General Manager, Phillip Smith, recently arrived to Chicago from Texas.
Thus, what was planned as a Labor Day party on Sept. 3 (2pm to 8pm) has transitioned to a relief party. All you have to do is walk in and order a few drinks; 15% of the total sales plus 100% of all gratuities will help support the Greater Houston Community Foundation. So, tip your servers well and help restore some lives
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Event Recap | Craft and Cuisine at The Park at Wrigley
May 18, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
*Feature image courtesy of The Park at Wrigley
On a glorious Saturday evening, Chicago beer lovers got to experience the first ever non-baseball event at The Park at the Wrigley – and boy was it a good one. The inaugural Craft and Cuisine event had everything you’d want in a beer festival – great beer, access to brewers and unlimited pours. Read More
Newbies & Freshies CCBW Event Highlights New Breweries in Chicago
May 5, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Over the past year or so, Chicago’s craft beer scene has continued to increase in both brewery openings and outside-the-state breweries entering the city. PorchDrinking.com, along with Bitter Pops, is hosting Newbies & Freshies on May 24 (an event that’s part of Chicago Craft Beer Week or #CCBW) to showcase all that’s new and exciting in the city.
Event Preview | Chicago Beer Classic at Soldier Field
May 1, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Fresh off the Chicago Bears blockbuster decision to go all-in on the barely-tested QB, Mitchell Trubisky; Soldier Field will provide Chicagoans with the ultimate solution for any possible worries — plenty of beer. The annual Chicago Beer Classic arrives May 6th with two sessions that include hundreds of beers, food, games, tours of Soldier Field, chances to talk to brewers and voting for an MVP beer.
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Event Preview | Dogfish Head Record Store Day Vintage & Vinyls @ Avanti F&B
April 20, 2017 | Tristan Chan
When: Saturday, April 22 from 11:30 – 4:30pm
Where: Avanti Food & Beverage, 3200 Pecos Street
What: Dogfish Head + PorchDrinking.com rare vintage beers + BYO Vinyl to play on-site!
There might be no more soothing sound than the scratch of needle to vinyl, well perhaps the fresh pop of a church key cracking open a cold bottle of beer. This Saturday’s Record Store Day offers the opportunity to combine the two, as PorchDrinking has once again teamed up with Dogfish Head for Vintage and Vinyl at Avanti Food & Beverage.
Event Preview | 4th Annual Firkin Fest: Headquarters Beercade, Chicago (Apr 2)
March 29, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Firkin Fest: April 2, 12pm to 4pm | Tickets: $42 GA / $57 All-Access
The litany of festivals these days is almost overwhelming, which is why it behooves beer drinkers to pick and choose festivals that provide something unique. That’s just what Chicago’s Headquarters (HQ) Beercade is doing with its 4th Annual Firkin Fest — 40 Breweries bringing unique selections, only available for festival goers. For those willing to pay a little extra, food will be served, too. And the best part? Ticket proceeds will support the Chicago Food Depository.
March Beer Madness: Brewery Bracketology at Brass Tap Orland Park (Chicago)
March 13, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Few places embrace local breweries like Brass Tap in Orland Park, Illinois (Chicago). But, this is no time to celebrate community — community, smoonity! This is March Beer Madness and it’s all about competition! One dozen breweries enter the tournament, but only one leaves a winner (and the lucky fans who picked it correctly). It starts with Chicago’s Maplewood Brewery vs. suburban Darien’s Miskatonic on day one, March 16th.
It’s free to fill out a bracket… so, who ya got?
San Francisco Beer Week | Can’t-Miss Events February 17-19
February 16, 2017 | Victoria Pratt
*Cover Photo courtesy of San Francisco Brewers Guild (Gama Nine Photography)
The final days of San Francisco Beer Week take us to the weekend. It’s hard to believe 895 events were packed into 10 days. The final three days presently have 108, 98, and 53 events happening, respectively, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Still plenty of beer to be imbibed these last few days. Here are the events that we are looking forward to.
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