Horus Aged Ales | Year Nine Spotlight

It has been over a year now since collaborating with Kyle Harrop and Horus Aged Ales on a spotlight of his unique and formidable barrel program. Now, Horus finds itself preparing to open year seven of the Convocation membership. We reconnected with Harrop for a brand new feature, highlighting some of his recent projects as well as digging deeper into what we can hope to expect from this sought after program in 2024.

Read More

Collaborating for a Cause | Altar of the Orc Lord: DDB Edition

Those who have followed Alex Kidd since the beginning know him to be a long-time supporter of Modern Times. His reviews of their products have contributed to the growth of their barrel program and special projects, and the news of his cancer diagnosis back in May really hit the team in a personal place. Less than a month after Alex shared the news on social media, Modern Times had already organized a release in an effort to help cover his hospital expenses. We had the opportunity to work briefly with the Special Projects team at Modern Times to gain more insight on the beer itself and Alex’s impact on their development.

Read More

Barrel Room Spotlight | Moksa Brewing

It’s been long overdue to have another brewery join us in the Spotlight. So without further ado, enter Moksa Brewing Company out of Rocklin, CA. Established in 2017 and opening their doors in 2018, Moksa is another very young brewery that has had a lot of success in a very short period of time. Seeking to showcase beer and brewing as its own unique art form, Moksa has never hesitated to push the boundaries. We had the privilege of chatting with Head Brewer Cory Meyer, focusing on the growth and successes of their barrel program, some of the ins-and-outs of their processes, and their hopes for the future.

Read More

Barrel Room Spotlight | Horus Aged Ales

Welcome to Round 3 of the Spotlight! For this installment all eyes are on Horus Aged Ales, a one-man operation out of Oceanside, CA. Kyle Harrop, the mastermind behind Horus, originally established himself in 2015. From there, he progressed it from a humble homebrew operation into what it has become today. Through experimental barrel-aging, unique adjunct additions, and countless collaborations with breweries all over the country, Horus has been able to stand out in one of the most competitive beer regions in the United States. We had the opportunity to pick Kyle’s brain and learn more about the methods and techniques he uses, and gain some further insight into what makes his barrel program successful.

Read More

Firestone Walker Brewing | Hopnosis IPA

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. released Hopnosis IPA today. This West Coast IPA is made primarily with Mosaic Cryo hops and is a product of years of work to perfect this style of beer.

Read More

Homeward Bound | A Head Brewer’s Uphill Journey

The role of Head Brewer is highly coveted in the beer industry, and for good reason. Sure, the job has its challenges. There are high-demand ingredients to obtain, brewing shifts to arrange, and equipment to tend to. There’s a leadership element, too, that’s critical to success – an area where many brewers have fallen short at best, or been willfully negligent, resulting in pain and trauma for others.

Read More

Strong BA Series | Bottle Logic Fundamental Observation

We all remember the first time we waited in an exceptionally long line for an exceptionally small pour of a notable beer. On a sunny SoCal day in May 2015, at The Bruery’s 7th Anniversary party, a beer from local upstart Bottle Logic Brewing named Fundamental Observation showed up like Lindsay Lohan as the new queen bee of The Plastics. An explosion of vanilla followed by the soft cuddle of high-end bourbon barrels, this beer was a delicious needle in the four hours of unlimited tastings haystack. With the next public release of this beer came a block-spanning line, providing a delicious 8oz reward for an hour of your time, and the first memory of waiting in extended anticipation for a single draught of excellence. Read More

Sufferfest Beer Company | FKT Pale Ale

The Rocky Mountains have been in existence long before humans traveled the range’s treacherous trails for the newest camping spot or adventurous hike. They invite a sense of tranquility and appreciation, and provide a home to countless species such as bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and the yellow-bellied marmot. The Colorado cutthroat trout thrives in the cold rivers of the Rockies, while birds such as the White-tailed Ptarmigan, Mountain Chickadee, and Pygmy Nuthatch perch among the trees. Yes, this a a beer showcase, but it’s important to set the scene when discussing FTK Pale Ale from Chico, California-based Sufferfest Beer Company.
Read More

Fair State Brewing Cooperative | Spirit Foul

It’s baaaaaack. At the beginning of the month, Fair State Brewing Cooperative reintroduced its highly regarded seasonal collaboration with San Diego’s Modern Times Beer – Spirit Foul, a double dry-hopped hazy IPA for the ages.

Read More

Ultimate 6er | Six Beers to Celebrate Labor Day

Labor Day is unfortunately overlooked as a day most people are just happy to be off work. The irony of it is that the first Monday of September represents those same hardworking Americans. All of the social and economic achievements of American workers deserve acknowledgment, and Labor Day is a humble way of thanking and serving tribute to a history of hard work and positive contribution towards a stronger, more prosperous nation.

Read More

Alvarado Street Brewery | Tayberry

Picture this: It’s a warm, sunny day out and you have a beer in hand. Which beer could fit that bill, you might ask? Well, that’s an easy answer if you’re a fan of something slightly tart, yet fruity. Alvarado Street Brewery‘s Tayberry is the beer you’ll want in your hand. It’s the perfect pairing for spring weather, or, as we like to call it, porch drinking weather.

Read More

Modern Times Beer | Hyper Halo Berliner Weisse

No matter where you live in the nation, you’re always itching to get your hands on the exclusive beers you can’t get through your local distribution. We’ve all seen the “ISO,” “Looking Out For” or “Will Trade For” posts on craft beer Facebook groups, but some choose to use some other less conventional ways to get their hands on new beers. Personally, I use Tavour when I want some really amazing beers from “sea to shining sea,” and even beyond.

Read More

Sierra Nevada Brewing Acquires Sufferfest Beer Co.

We’re only one month into the new year and Sierra Nevada is already making big moves. Today, the Chico, CA-based brewery announced the acquisition of Sufferest Beer Company marking the company’s first-ever acquisition. In their announcement, the two breweries stated that shared values, commitment to innovation, and common goals as the root of the new partnership. Needless to say, this is an exciting development for both companies.

Read More

Lagunitas Adapts its Packaging to Evolve its IPA Portfolio

Lagunitas Brewing Co. is a massive brewery with a global reach. Yet, they still remain nimble enough to adapt to the changing drinking preferences of today’s craft beer consumers. From draft, to bottles, to cans, the preferred drinking vessel for many in America has changed over the past decade. Largely because beer became more intertwined with the unplanned outings and weekend activities of enthusiasts. With an eye on appealing to consumers on-the-go and in the midst of day-drinking activities, Lagunitas has decided to make two drastic updates to their canning portfolio. Their bellwether Lagunitas IPA arrives in 19.2oz stovepipes and sessionable DayTime IPA comes to 12oz cans. We asked Lagunitas’ Communications Director, Karen Hamilton, about the news.

Read More

Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery | 747 Belgian Strong Golden Ale

This year was supposed to be the year of me trying new things—I was going to take a break from my IPA and sour obsession, find new beer loves and explore my palate. Well, sometimes old habits die hard. If there is one style of beer I shy away from the most, it’s anything in the Belgian realm, but this beer from Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery definitely gave me something to talk about!

So maybe we’re halfway through the year and I still have yet to discover my next new beer love but can I get a pat on the back for drinking a golden strong ale from Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery?! Baby steps, you guys. Read More

Cask Taproom & Wine Bar Grand Opening March 23, 2018 (Berkeley)

Brian Sheehy and Doug Dalton own three Cask Store locations: the flagship downtown on 3rd and Market, and another spot in the old Rincon Postal Building near the Embarcadero, and Cask on College in Rockridge. Sheehy and Dalton own a handful of other great bars in the Bay Area, including Bourbon and Branch, Pagan Idol and Local Edition. They have been influential to the cocktail scene in this area for the past decade and many great bartenders who have gone on to open their own establishments came up through the ranks of this company. Cask Taproom and Wine Bar is the name of the new drinking establishment within the Cask on College Shop. I spoke with taproom manager and beer buyer Josha Baker about the history of Cask, herself, and the Grand Opening on March 23, 2018.
Read More

San Francisco Beer Week 2018 | Opening Gala Preview

San Francisco Beer Week kicks off its 10th Anniversary on February 9, 2018. Like last year, this beer week runs a full 10 days, packed with events all across the Bay Area, ending on February 18, 2018. Get your livers and drinking boots ready. Make sure to check back for the PorchDrinking list of Can’t Miss Events for each day! Below you will find the 10 beers we’re most excited for, along with the full pour list (subject to change).

Read More

Alvarado Street Brewing | Local Shred Red

Living in the Bay Area has some huge perks if you are into craft beer, which let’s be honest – if you are reading this you probably are. I live in San Leandro, and a ton of amazing breweries are anywhere from 10 minutes (I am crazy close to Drake’s Brewing & Cleophus Quealy Beer Co) to a few hours away, like Alvarado Street Brewery out of Monterey, California. Grab your board and prepare to shred, brah.

Read More

Epic Brewing Acquires California’s Telegraph Brewing

Epic Brewing this morning has announced their acquisition of Santa Barbara, CA’s Telegraph Brewing. Telegraph, which opened in 2006 has focused on Belgian inspired beers and grown a thriving sour and wild program. Epic Brewing’s acquisition aims to help grow Telegraph’s overall production, sour program, as well as introduce a 12 oz canned line.

Read More

The Good Hop’s Extrava-CAN-za w/ Track 7 Brewing

You’ve probably heard of an extravaganza, but have you ever experienced an Extrava-CAN-za? Sacramento’s Track 7 Brewing releases limited run cans twice a month. These beers rotate and can only be purchased on-site at the brewery. Your first introduction to Track 7 Brewing may have been their bottles, but now they’re killing it with a whole slew of new recipes debuting in cans.

Can’t always make it up to Sacramento? Well our friends at The Good Hop have trekked up to Track 7 Brewing for you and picked up a carload of the special release cans to be sold in Oakland at The Good Hop store as part of today’s Extrava-CAN-za release. Ain’t that some Bay Area love?!

Read More