Glenwood Springs, CO Two short whistle blasts followed by the screeching of metal brakes. I looked out the taproom window and saw the California Zephyr, the cross Western train come screeching into the Amtrak station just across the street. Moments later, passengers descended from the cars, some coming from as far afield as Sacramento, Reno,… [Read More]
Supporting Craft and the Beers That Got Us Through Lockdown
It has been a struggle these past couple months to uphold our titles as self proclaimed hop-heads. For the safety of our communities our favorite local breweries shuttered up, hunkered down, with some ceasing production to try and hamper down the effects of COVID-19. In proof that the craft beer community is a resilient and… [Read More]
Pucker Up: 4 Awesome Breweries Rocking the Sour Scene
Love them or hate them there’s no doubt that sours have risen to prominence in the craft beer world. According to the Brewer’s Association the US sold an estimated 45,000 cases of sour beer in 2015. A year later and those sales more than quintupled to over 245,000 cases. Brewing sours is its own precise… [Read More]
6 Delicious Stouts to Warmup With This Winter
1. Fair Winds Oatmeal Stout Boatyard Brewing Co. Kalamazoo, Michigan Wedged between three of the Great Lakes, the crew at Boatyard Brewing Company is no stranger to long, frigid windy winters. The cozy brewery is home to one of the most extensive lists of rotating porters and stouts I’ve seen, backed up with a thorough… [Read More]
Escaping the Concrete Jungle: Great Beer and Good Vibes at Smog City Brewing Co.
Torrance, California: The highways around Los Angeles were chaos. Packed with sluggish traffic with congested lanes for miles. Clogged arteries of humanity. I breathed a sigh of relief, stepping onto the curb, finally off the road and away from the throngs of people. In the LA suburb of Torrance, Smog City Brewing Company was just… [Read More]
Fremont Brewing Company: A Pint Glass Full of Seattle
Seattle, Washington: It was a typical evening in Seattle. Chilly and wet, the car splashed through puddles as we drove across the Aurora Bridge. Fog and mist rolled off the Fremont Cut moving east from the Puget Sound towards Lake Union. At our backs the Seattle skyline was tall and bright, the Space Needle rising… [Read More]
Brews For Every Party: An Afternoon at District Chophouse and Brewery
Washington District of Columbia: My shoes fell heavy on the sidewalk as I traveled east down Pennsylvania Avenue. To my right the bright sun beat down sending flares of light bouncing off the towering obelisk of the Washington Monument. At my back, the residency of the highest office in the land. I could feel sweat… [Read More]
Come Together: A Winning Model at Bear Roots Brewing Company
Vista, California: “Give it a try.” Terry, one of Bear Roots Brewing Company’s co-owners said, pushing a taster glass of a dark brew towards me. “Been aging about two and a half months now.” he said, raising his own glass to his lips. “Still has about four more months to go.” I was getting a… [Read More]
Boatyard Brewing Company: A Pint of Maritime Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan: As I climbed the steps to Boatyard Brewing Company I stopped to admire the building. Boat bumpers hung from the deck’s posts and fishing net was woven around the step’s banister. A lone bulb illuminated the Boatyard insignia above the door. A light drizzle pattered down onto the wooden deck, the atmosphere and… [Read More]
AleSmith Brewing Company: Crafting the Beer Experience
San Diego, California I drummed my fingers on the bar of the taproom as I awaited my rack of tasters. The brewery was big, holding the largest tasting room in the city. A spacious area that could easily accommodate a large crowd, there was plenty of seating and a giant wall of windows flooded the room with… [Read More]
