In episode 118 of The PorchCast we had the opportunity to catch up with Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates and Denver Rare Beer Tasting, to talk about the “Last Call Edition” of his iconic beer festival.

After 16 years of hosting one of the most celebrated and revered beer festivals in the country, Lyke is sending Denver Rare Beer Tasting out with a bang by hosting one final blowout this October 9th at Bierstadt Lagerhaus with plenty of special guest breweries, and as always, one of the most impressive gatherings of rare and specialty beers in one place.

But before we bid adieu to an industry staple, we decided to take a stroll down memory lane to revisit the festival’s humble beginnings, and also get a teaser for what to expect out of this year’s final festival.

You won’t want to miss your opportunity to experience a historic ending to one of the most celebrated beer fests in the country.

 A big thank you to the Firestone Walker team for sponsoring the PorchCast. Be sure to check out their latest release in the Mind Haze IPA series, Mind Haze Rage Turbo Radler—a hazy beer-meets-lemonade hybrid that exists purely to confuse beer purists and refresh the rest of us. It’s big flavor, low bitterness, and exactly what you want after pretending to be productive all day.

So whether you’re here for the haze, the juice, or just the excuse to crack another one open, Mind Haze has your back. Find it at your favorite beer spot—or if you can’t find it, maybe rethink your life choices.

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers, for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family.

And if you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 118 | Rick Lyke – Denver Rare Beer Tasting appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 117 of the PorchCast, we had the opportunity to speak with Sophia Crouzet, Marketing Director and Micaela Yeo, the Club & Specialty Brands Manager for Firestone Walker Brewing to take us behind the scenes for an inside look into what it takes to plan one of the most iconic beer festivals in the country in the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival. 

This year’s sold-out Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival takes place on Saturday, May 31, at the Paso Robles Event Center. But even if beer fans weren’t able to get tickets to the main event, there’s still so much more that goes into the festival as a whole including local pub takeovers showcasing local Paso-area beer bars, the Block Party which takes place Friday, May 30 which includes guest beers and specialty tappings as well as a musical performances, and so much more.

Yeo and Crouzet shared a deeper look into what it takes to plan a festival of this magnitude, noting that they take a day off after the fest wraps, but immediately begin planning for the next year. We gained a little bit of insight into how Brewmaster Matt Brynildson balances identifying returning breweries, and selecting new breweries to showcase for each year’s fest. And we look ahead to some surprises that folks can look forward to if they’re attending this year’s event.

If you’re a fan of the Firestone Walker Invitational, or just interested in what goes into planning one of the largest beer festivals in the country, this is a CAN’T MISS episode.

Speaking of… let’s talk about Mind Haze—Firestone Walker’s iconic lineup of hazy IPAs that don’t just blur the line between reality and beer; they straight-up obliterate it.

 A big thank you to the Firestone Walker team for sponsoring the PorchCast. Be sure to check out their latest release in the Mind Haze IPA series, Mind Haze Rage Turbo Radler—a hazy beer-meets-lemonade hybrid that exists purely to confuse beer purists and refresh the rest of us. It’s big flavor, low bitterness, and exactly what you want after pretending to be productive all day.

So whether you’re here for the haze, the juice, or just the excuse to crack another one open, Mind Haze has your back. Find it at your favorite beer spot—or if you can’t find it, maybe rethink your life choices.

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers, for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family.

And if you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 117 | What Goes into Planning the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 116 of the PorchCast, Tristan, Bryant, and Korey spoke with Ted Menendez and Elise Sjostedt, two of the seven new owners of Fiction Beer Co who helped revive the brewery after its announced closure in December.

Part of a group of trivia hosts who were sad to see their neighborhood brewery close, all seven hosts banded together to save their beloved brewery. Now they’re carrying on the legacy started by Ryan and Christa Kilpatrick, and have even learned to brew many of their most popular recipes.

Hear the full story behind how this ragtag group of trivia hosts helped save a beloved Denver brewing institution.

Let’s talk about Mind Haze—Firestone Walker’s iconic lineup of hazy IPAs that don’t just blur the line between reality and beer; they straight-up obliterate it.

 A big thank you to the Firestone Walker team for sponsoring the PorchCast. Be sure to check out their latest release in the Mind Haze IPA series, Mind Haze Rage Turbo Radler—a hazy beer-meets-lemonade hybrid that exists purely to confuse beer purists and refresh the rest of us. It’s big flavor, low bitterness, and exactly what you want after pretending to be productive all day.

So whether you’re here for the haze, the juice, or just the excuse to crack another one open, Mind Haze has your back. Find it at your favorite beer spot—or if you can’t find it, maybe rethink your life choices.

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family.

And if you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 116 | Fiction Beer Co. appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 115 of The PorchCast, the full PorchCast squad reassembled for a special interview with Bart Watson, the newly appointed President & CEO of the Brewers Association (BA).

Watson is no stranger to the organization, previously serving as Chief Economist for the organization, helping to provide breweries with critical data and consumer buying trends to help inform decision-making and industry standards.

Now in his new role, we had an opportunity to speak with Watson about his vision for the Brewers Association moving forward, some of the biggest challenges the industry faces in this new era for craft beer, the role of the Brewers Association in supporting its membership, and plans to continue modernizing the beer experiences for consumers in this new era of drinking.

Check out this incredibly insightful interview with Bart Watson!

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family.

And If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 115 | Bart Watson – President & CEO of the Brewers Association appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 114 of The PorchCast, Tristan was joined by Brian Terra & Kevin Barnes, co-founders of Andiamo Brew, a brand new, contract brewing-only brewery (for now), which recently launched in Denver.

We first came across Andiamo during GABF and were blown away by their 3% Italian Pilsner Piccolo, and had the chance to speak to the two cousins behind the mysterious Italian-inspired brewery that just sprang up in our backyard.

Have a listen to how they decided to launch Andiamo, Kevin’s illustrious brewing background, their plans for the future, and where to find their beer.

And with On Tap’s mobile app you can access your account whether you are meeting friends at a local brewery, out on the slopes, or wherever your next adventure takes you. On Tap Credit Union is located in Golden, Arvada, and at ontapcu.org. Member Owned, Colorado Proud. Federally insured through NCUA. Plus receive $150 toward getting your savings going when you open a personal checking account with On Tap Credit Union and. you use the promo code “PORCH”.

The Payroll Department has been proud to serve Colorado’s many craft brewers for 30 years. With integrated payroll, timekeeping, HR solutions, benefits, and paperless onboarding, the friendly and helpful team at the Payroll Department can take care of your business while you focus on doing what you do best, making good beer.

And with Payroll Department’s new easy-to-use app and online platform, your days of wading through paperwork are over. You and your employees can easily access all of your information right at your fingertips.

Each brewery in our state is crafting something unique that brings together community and makes this place feel like home. Don’t let payroll and HR take you away from your passion, the Payroll Department is here to help. For more information, email [email protected] or visit them online at PayrollDept.Biz

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family. If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 114 | Brian Terra & Kevin Barnes of Andiamo Brew appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 113 of The PorchCast, Tristan was joined by Alyssa Hoberer, former head brewer of Jagged Mountain Brewing and co-founder of Full Frame Beer.

We spoke about the exciting new developments around Full Frame finally securing a brewery location with the news that they’ll be taking over the former Jagged Mountain building.

Hoberer, who is familiar with the Jagged Mountain space, previously serving as their Head Brewer, recounted how she, and her and her business partner, Jacob Kemple first connected and began to go down this path toward opening their own brewery together. Additionally, Hoberer gave us a sneak peek into what to expect from one of the most highly anticipated breweries, and how they plan to chart a new path forward for the Ballpark neighborhood brewery.

For those looking to support Full Frame Beer’s WeFunder and become an investor in their soon-to-open brewery be sure to check out the link here.

And with On Tap’s mobile app you can access your account whether you are meeting friends at a local brewery, out on the slopes, or wherever your next adventure takes you. On Tap Credit Union is located in Golden, Arvada, and at ontapcu.org. Member Owned, Colorado Proud. Federally insured through NCUA. Plus receive $150 toward getting your savings going when you open a personal checking account with On Tap Credit Union and. you use the promo code “PORCH”.

The Payroll Department has been proud to serve Colorado’s many craft brewers for 30 years. With integrated payroll, timekeeping, HR solutions, benefits, and paperless onboarding, the friendly and helpful team at the Payroll Department can take care of your business while you focus on doing what you do best, making good beer.

And with Payroll Department’s new easy-to-use app and online platform, your days of wading through paperwork are over. You and your employees can easily access all of your information right at your fingertips.

Each brewery in our state is crafting something unique that brings together community and makes this place feel like home. Don’t let payroll and HR take you away from your passion, the Payroll Department is here to help. For more information, email [email protected] or visit them online at PayrollDept.Biz

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family. If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 113 | Alyssa Hoberer – Full Frame Beer appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 112 of The PorchCast, Tristan was joined by Eric Wallace, founder and president of Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing to talk about their recently launched WeFunder campaign, which aims to give beer fans an opportunity to own a share of the pioneer brewery.

In tandem with Left Hand’s WeFunder campaign, they’ve also announced a new consolidation platform that would provide mid-to-large-sized breweries, that are already focused on distribution, an opportunity to team up on distribution networks, salesforces, production, share in resources, and more, all while remaining completely independent.

Hear more about how Wallace and the Left Hand team hope these new shifts will help to disrupt the industry while keeping independence at the forefront for the industry. Coincidentally, we had an opportunity to discuss the importance of independence in beer on the heels of Tilray’s recent acquisition of several breweries from Coors including the likes of Atwater Brewery, Terrapin, Revolver and Hop Valley. We also segued into an interesting take on the future of GABF, so have a listen to it all!

And with On Tap’s mobile app you can access your account whether you are meeting friends at a local brewery, out on the slopes, or wherever your next adventure takes you. On Tap Credit Union is located in Golden, Arvada, and at ontapcu.org. Member Owned, Colorado Proud. Federally insured through NCUA. Plus receive $150 toward getting your savings going when you open a personal checking account with On Tap Credit Union and. you use the promo code “PORCH”.

The Payroll Department has been proud to serve Colorado’s many craft brewers for 30 years. With integrated payroll, timekeeping, HR solutions, benefits, and paperless onboarding, the friendly and helpful team at the Payroll Department can take care of your business while you focus on doing what you do best, making good beer.

And with Payroll Department’s new easy-to-use app and online platform, your days of wading through paperwork are over. You and your employees can easily access all of your information right at your fingertips.

Each brewery in our state is crafting something unique that brings together community and makes this place feel like home. Don’t let payroll and HR take you away from your passion, the Payroll Department is here to help. For more information, email [email protected] or visit them online at PayrollDept.Biz

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family. If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 112 | Eric Wallace – Left Hand Brewing appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 110 of The PorchCast, the whole gang got back together to chat with Betsy Lay and Alison Wisneski, co-owners of Lady Justice Brewing.

The Lady Justice crew recently moved into their new digs at 3242 S Acoma St, Englewood, CO in the former Sunroom Brewing space. Not only did we get to talk to them about the process of moving their entire operations but we also touched on their recent discussions with the Brewers Association about much-needed changes ahead of the upcoming Craft Brewers Conference.

All that and the revelation about Bryant’s secret side hustle of selling foot pics and more!

And with On Tap’s mobile app you can access your account whether you are meeting friends at a local brewery, out on the slopes, or wherever your next adventure takes you. On Tap Credit Union is located in Golden, Arvada, and at ontapcu.org. Member Owned, Colorado Proud. Federally insured through NCUA.

The Payroll Department has been proud to serve Colorado’s many craft brewers for 30 years. With integrated payroll, timekeeping, HR solutions, benefits, and paperless onboarding, the friendly and helpful team at the Payroll Department can take care of your business while you focus on doing what you do best, making good beer.

And with Payroll Department’s new easy-to-use app and online platform, your days of wading through paperwork are over. You and your employees can easily access all of your information right at your fingertips.

Each brewery in our state is crafting something unique that brings together community and makes this place feel like home. Don’t let payroll and HR take you away from your passion, the Payroll Department is here to help. For more information, email [email protected] or visit them online at PayrollDept.Biz

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family. If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 110 | Lady Justice Brewing appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

In episode 109 of The PorchCast, Korey and Tristan were joined by Katherine Strain, Lab Manager and Lecturer for Brewery Operations in the School of Hospitality at Metro State, along with Bernardo Alatorre, Director of the Brewery Operations Program at Metro State to talk about the incredible Brewery Operations Program along with the newly opened Charlie Papazian Brewing Education Lab.

Housed in the heart of downtown Denver, this unique all-in-one brewery education program offers education on all aspects of owning, operating, and working in a brewery. From operating a brewpub, which the program has on-site, to understanding the sales, marketing and distribution side of the business and of course the actual brewing itself. Hear from the PorchCast team as they learn more about Metro State’s holistic brewery operations program.

And with On Tap’s mobile app you can access your account whether you are meeting friends at a local brewery, out on the slopes, or wherever your next adventure takes you. On Tap Credit Union is located in Golden, Arvada, and at ontapcu.org. Member Owned, Colorado Proud. Federally insured through NCUA.

The Payroll Department has been proud to serve Colorado’s many craft brewers for 30 years. With integrated payroll, timekeeping, HR solutions, benefits, and paperless onboarding, the friendly and helpful team at the Payroll Department can take care of your business while you focus on doing what you do best, making good beer.

And with Payroll Department’s new easy-to-use app and online platform, your days of wading through paperwork are over. You and your employees can easily access all of your information right at your fingertips.

Each brewery in our state is crafting something unique that brings together community and makes this place feel like home. Don’t let payroll and HR take you away from your passion, the Payroll Department is here to help. For more information, email [email protected] or visit them online at PayrollDept.Biz

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family. If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 109 | Metro State Brewery Operations Program appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.

Happy kickoff to GABF! Last night, we recorded a very special PorchCast with our friends, Brandon & Lisa Boldt, co-founders of Primitive Beer in Longmont, as well as Eric and Lisa Larkin, co-founders of Cohesion Brewing in Denver during our Hard Brew Easy Drink event at Goed Zuur, a spontaneous, wild and sour-focused beer & cheese bar located in downtown Denver.

This special GABF episode of the PorchCast also welcomed a special co-host Russell Hainline of @russellhbeer on Instagram and @thebeertravelguide on TikTok to preview some of the sleeper breweries you should check out during this year’s Great American Beer Festival. Russell has traveled extensively across America discovering some of the best-rising breweries, and was kind enough to doll out some serious gems pouring at this year’s fest while also sharing his fandom of Duke basketball.

This was an absolute can’t-miss episode, as we were able to hear a bit more about Primitive’s focus on bringing modern elements and a thoughtful yet playful approach toward an old-world style in only producing spontaneous beers. Similarly, with Cohesion, they’re also focused around a very traditional style in Czech Lagers but Eric was able to share more about how expansive that style can be and how Cohesion has been able to showcase its many nuances.

And with On Tap’s mobile app you can access your account whether you are meeting friends at a local brewery, out on the slopes, or wherever your next adventure takes you. On Tap Credit Union is located in Golden, Arvada, and at ontapcu.org. Member Owned, Colorado Proud. Federally insured through NCUA.

The Payroll Department has been proud to serve Colorado’s many craft brewers for 30 years. With integrated payroll, timekeeping, HR solutions, benefits, and paperless onboarding, the friendly and helpful team at the Payroll Department can take care of your business while you focus on doing what you do best, making good beer.

And with Payroll Department’s new easy-to-use app and online platform, your days of wading through paperwork are over. You and your employees can easily access all of your information right at your fingertips.

Each brewery in our state is crafting something unique that brings together community and makes this place feel like home. Don’t let payroll and HR take you away from your passion, the Payroll Department is here to help. For more information, email [email protected] or visit them online at PayrollDept.Biz

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family. If you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

The post The PorchCast Ep. 108 | Primitive Beer + Cohesion + GABF Preview appeared first on PorchDrinking.com.