Anderson Valley Brewing Co. | Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale

‘Tis the season for spiced beers and Anderson Valley Brewing’s Winter Solstice hits the mark — flavorful, yet sessionably drinkable. In an age of excessive adjuncts, Anderson Valley keeps the spice bill noticeable but pleasantly restrained to create a balanced brew. Read More

West Sixth Brewing | Rye Barrel Porter

For West Sixth Brewing‘s third bourbon and barrel collaboration, Rye Barrel Porter, the Kentucky brewery has partnered with Bulleit Frontier Whiskey. Rye Barrel Porter is a high-ABV (9.0%) porter aged in Bulleit 95 Rye whiskey barrels.

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Gallant Fox Brewing | Shitter’s Full Christmas Ale

In the world of craft beer, we as consumers have no doubt been duped into buying a beer at some point in time just because of the name of said beer. Only to find out the beer didn’t live up to the name, or the meaning of the name of the beer. However, we can assure you that Louisville, Kentucky-based Gallant Fox Brewing Company will not let you down with their “Christmas Ale.” Let’s dive in to find out what the name of the beer is and how it tastes.

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West Sixth Brewing & Bulleit Bourbon | Bourbon Barrel Brownie

There’s a new Bourbon Barrel Ale on the block. Kentucky’s West Sixth Brewing and Bulleit Distilling Co. have teamed up to create Bourbon Barrel Brownie, an Imperial Brown Ale aged in Bulleit Bourbon barrels.

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Christmas Classics | Rahr & Sons Winter Warmer

Winter is here and it’s time to enjoy the best seasonal style around (in my opinion), the Winter Warmer. For this year’s Christmas Classics, I reached out to my Texas beer community via the internet for advice on a great Texas seasonal and I got an overwhelming response to try Rahr & Sons Winter Warmer. Read More

Maxline Brewing | Rummy in My Tummy & Mean Heat Wheat

If you’re in a part of the country without snow on the ground right now, you might not fully appreciate the solace that lies within winter beers. You may have already read that it’s a primal instinct for humans to party.  But taking it a step further, there’s something much more instinctively satisfying about getting together with your fellow primates; braving the cold and celebrating the very fact that you’ve braved the cold. Being out in a public gathering area during cold weather somehow amplifies the sense of community. Maxline Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado is exactly the kind of place you’d want to go and brave the cold weather.

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Homebrewing Recipe | The Homebrewer’s Spice Rack (Inspired by Scratch Brewing)

The adventurous spirit of the brewer gives life to the craft beer industry. From humble beginnings creating experimental homebrews to large scale operations, the way styles and ingredients revolutionize our palates is nothing short of incredible. That’s what gave me a real appreciation for Scratch Brewing Company whose philosophy of forage-to-keg brewing really tests what beer is capable of. I had to own their book “The Homebrewer’s Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to Making Your Own Beer From Scratch” after our fellow PorchDrinking writer David Nilsen covered it in loving detail.

(Read: Book Review & Interview | The Homebrewer’s Almanac)

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Ultimate 6er | Positively Delicious Beers for the Negative Temperatures

Now that winter has settled in, I’m sure we’ve all enjoyed a winter warmer or two on a chilly evening. But given the onset of plummeting, freezing temperatures across the country, a new question arises: what beers to turn to in the midst of an arctic blast, wrapped in a blanket burrito while attempting to thaw out the very marrow in your bones?

When the temperatures drop and it hurts to breathe outside, stay inside and look no further than this list, which has been tested and proven effective in the midst of the most bitter Colorado cold. And make sure to serve them at a nice cellar temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit to help your body retain that precious heat!
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Colorado’s Best Winter Seasonal Beers

Alright, you made it through your work party and all of the shopping craziness. Now you need some more libations to take you through the holiday. But what are you going to drink? Whether you are packing it in to hit the slopes or headed to the local brewpub to escape the family, we have a list of local options for you Denver cats.

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Must-Try Holiday Beers 2014

The holidays can be a hectic time of year with such high volumes of eating, shopping, and forced family time making it exceptionally easy to miss these special, and in many cases extremely limited holiday brews. As such, we’d like to recommend a few must-try holiday beers from around the country. Whether you like malt-bombs, spices, hops, or even fruit, we’ve got you covered. Just don’t play any more of that damned Christmas music. Read More

Winter Warmer by The Brew Kettle (TBK)

The Brew Kettle – Strongsville, Ohio
Winter Warmer – Spiced Christmas Ale
8% ABV – 24 IBUs

For us Ohioans, it is pretty obvious that this whole “Winter Wonderland” is going nowhere fast. It is February, but our good friend Phil the groundhog decided to bless us with 6 more weeks of cold and snow. Luckily, my good friend Mr. Wolf decided to take matters into his own hands and end this madness. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Backcountry Skiers and Snowboarders

It is well documented that Coloradans have an intense passion for the outdoors. I’m talking fire in the circus and somehow the flaps are locked kind of intense. So it’s no surprise that after years on the slopes, many Colorado residents feel the need to up the ante when it comes to winter sports. Enter backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Backcountry skiers and snowboarders can be seen stranded intermittently, dotting the sides of the winding mountain roads adjacent to ski resorts with constant patience in wait for a ride back to the top of the hill, usually with a tasty brew. While packs and equipment are not only common, but necessary, a reserved spot for a churchkey in said packs and equipment, is not. Not to worry, here is your ultimate 6er of beers while waiting for your buddy and Truck (Truck is the name of his Prius) accompanied by unique ways to open bottled beers with limited equipment. Read More