Four Pennsylvania taprooms pair an easy-drinking light lager at an unbeatable price with other fun and holiday-themed events throughout the month.

Victory Brewing’s Prima Light

Great beer. Even better deal.

Victory Brewing Company is pouring Prima Light for just $5, all day, every day this November at its Philadelphia, Downingtown, Parkesburg and Kennett Square taprooms. From November 2nd through November 30th, guests can discover their next go-to light lager at a price worth making plans for.

Crisp, refreshing and easy to drink, Prima Light brings the craft of brewing behind Victory’s beloved Prima Pils to a lighter lager. Pilsner malts and noble hops deliver a clean, balanced flavor that pairs perfectly with a taproom meal or a catch-up with friends. For anyone who has yet to try it, November is the perfect introduction: a great light lager, at only 110 calories, freshly poured, for just $5.

5$ Prima Light Pints

“We’re excited to introduce more guests to Prima Light—a crisp, easy-drinking beer with something
for everyone to love,”

– Natalie Goforth, Taproom Marketing Manager

 “We know everyday costs are adding up, so offering a great beer for just $5 is one way we can make a visit to Victory an easy yes. It’s great flavor and great value, all month long.”

The offer runs throughout each taproom’s operating hours, giving guests an all-day reason to stop in. November also brings a lineup of events across the four locations like the ones below:

• Dark Wednesday | All Four Locations | November 25: Celebrate the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with a special limited release of a beloved favorite with a twist!
• Childhelp Backpack Drive | Philadelphia | November 7: Join Victory Philadelphia for a backpack drive supporting Childhelp.
• Chef’s Beer Dinner | Kennett Square | November 14: Enjoy gourmet cuisine with curated beer pairings and live music from the Vernon James Jazz Trio.
• Wreath Making Workshop | Downingtown | November 28: Get into the holiday spirit with a wreath making workshop at Victory Downingtown.
• Buck a Shuck | Parkesburg | November 30: Enjoy chef-sourced oysters for just $1 each, alongside the month’s $5 Prima Light pours.

Whether it’s a first visit or a new reason to gather with friends, Victory’s taprooms are serving up plenty to look forward to this November. For taproom hours, event details and locations, visit victorybeer.com/visit-taprooms/.

Victory’s Offering 5$ Prima Light Pints

ABOUT VICTORY BREWING COMPANY

Founded in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, in 1996 by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, Victory Brewing Company brings a passion for quality and creativity to craft beer. Known for beers including Golden Monkey, Prima Pils and DirtWolf, Victory connects guests over beer, food and community at its

Pennsylvania taprooms in Philadelphia, Downingtown, Parkesburg and Kennett Square. Learn more at victorybeer.com.

Some brewery releases announce themselves with a bigger hop bill or another round of fruit additions. Others take a quieter route: an interesting style, a familiar brewing tradition, and a flavor description that makes you stop scrolling.

Tröegs’ Scratch #561 Weizenbock belongs in that second category. A recent addition to the Hershey brewery’s experimental series, it checks in at 6.8% ABV with brewery-described notes of banana bread, candied clove, and subtle black pepper. That sounds like a pretty convincing invitation to explore something beyond the usual fall beer rotation.

The Beer at a Glance

Scratch 561 – Weizenbock by Troegs Brewing Company

• Brewery: Tröegs Independent Brewing

• Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania

• Series: Scratch

• Release number: 561

• Style: Weizenbock

• ABV: 6.8%

• Brewery tasting notes: Banana bread, candied clove, subtle black pepper.

A Scratch Release Worth Slowing Down For

The appeal of the Scratch Series is right there in its purpose. Tröegs describes its small-batch Scratch beers and three-barrel Scratch Lab as places to explore the relationship between ingredients, technique, and flavor. These releases give drinkers a look at a side of the brewery that extends beyond the familiar year-round lineup.

Scratch #561 arrived among a recent group of releases that also included Scratch #559 Blueberry Gose and Scratch #560 Roggenbier. That lineup offers three different reasons to pay attention, rather than three variations on the same idea. For this review, the Weizenbock’s combination of bread-like fruit character and spice makes it the most intriguing starting point.

Aroma and Flavor: More Bakery Than Candy Shop

“Banana bread” is the description doing the heavy lifting here. It suggests a different direction from a straightforward banana note: something rounded and bread-like, with fruit folded into the overall impression rather than standing apart from it.

That is an interpretation of the brewery’s wording, not a claim about a glass in front of us. Still, it provides a useful starting point for understanding what Tröegs wants drinkers to notice. Banana bread is the first descriptor on the brewery’s menu, followed by candied clove and subtle black pepper.

The distinction between those two spice notes is especially interesting. “Candied clove” evokes a sweeter aromatic impression, while “subtle black pepper” points toward a restrained counterpoint. Neither description establishes that actual candy or pepper went into the beer; they are tasting notes, not an ingredient list.

Taken together, the published profile suggests a beer built around complementary flavors rather than one dominant attraction. The question for a firsthand tasting would be how those elements interact: whether the banana-bread character leads throughout, how prominently the clove presents itself, and whether the pepper emerges most clearly toward the finish.

A Different Kind of Fall Beer Story

What makes Scratch #561 an appealing subject isn’t simply that its tasting notes sound seasonally appropriate. It’s that the beer offers a different story to tell.

There is room in the fall rotation for a release whose calling card is banana bread and spice rather than a familiar seasonal label. At 6.8% ABV, this Weizenbock also has a clearly stated identity without needing an enormous alcohol number to attract attention. Its interest lies in that specific combination of style and brewery-described flavor.

For a Central Pennsylvania beer audience, that makes it a worthwhile example of what the Scratch program contributes: another reason to look beyond the beers you already recognize and see what the brewery is working on next. Exploration is the program’s stated purpose, and a Weizenbock gives that mission a different expression from another hop-forward release.

Final Thoughts

Scratch #561 Weizenbock has an enticing premise: banana-bread character, candied-clove aromatics, a touch of black pepper, and a 6.8% ABV framework. Those details make it a compelling recent Scratch release to feature, particularly for readers interested in the malt-and-spice side of Tröegs’ experimentation.

Once again its Oktoberfest season — or as Boneshire Brew Works calls it – Pigtoberfest season. Come on out to Boneshire Brew Works, located at 7462 Derry St, Harrisburg, PA 17111 , on October 3rd from 11 AM til close.

Pigtoberfest – October 3rd, 2026 at Boneshire Brew Works

Pigtoberfest: October 3rd, 2026

Pigtoberfest is coming your way again for another exciting time of great German food, great beer, and fun at Boneshire Brew Works.

…We celebrate the greatest Oktoberfest this side of the Rhine — and you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Dust off the lederhosen, warm up your PROST!, and get ready for a day full of beer, brats, music, and general shenanigans.

GIANT PRETZELS

BRATWURST • KNOCKWURST • WEISSWURST

RED CABBAGE • SAUERKRAUT

Pigtoberfest Oktoberfest Lager

Stein Holding Contest at 2pm

– Boneshire Brew Works (Facebook Post)

Events

• All Day Events:
  • Food: German foods like Bratwurts, Knockwurts, Weisswursts, Red Cabbage, and Sauerkraut
  • Giant Pretzels
  • Pigtoberfest Lager (drink it from Das Boot!)
• Steinholding Contest at 2PM
• Bavarian Stompers (live music) from 1PM to 5PM

Come On Out!

So come on out! Have some fun, enjoy great German food, beers, support a great local brewery, and enjoy the company of friends, family, and strangers!

Prost!

See Also

• 2025: Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pennsylvania

Ten7 Brewing just posted to their social media thirty minutes ago, that they will be going “10-7”. Which, as their post stated means, using first responder code, that they will be closing. For first responders, police, EMTs, etc, a code “10-7” means out of service, or offline, or out of active duty.

Located at 510 Beaver St, North Wales, PA 19454 , Ten7 Brewing has been a staple of the North Wales craft brewing scene for 8 years. Sadly, far too many breweries, specifically Pennsylvania breweries, have been announcing the shuttering of their doors.

Ten7 Brewing is Going 10-7

Their Announcement Post

At 8:32 PM, September 22nd, 2026, Ten7 Brewing made this post on their Facebook, Instagram, and social media platforms:

Important Message

It is with very mixed emotions that we announce that Ten7 is going 10-7.

For those of you who may not know, “10-7” is a first responder code meaning unavailable or out-of-service. After 9 years of hard work and 8 years of service to an amazing community, we have decided that it’s time for Ten7 to go out-of-service and retire.

We plan to keep our taproom open for the next few months, and we hope you’ll continue to come out, enjoy some beers, support our incredible staff, and make some more memories with us.

Over the years, we have felt an incredible amount of love and support from so many of you. Ten7 has been so much more than a brewery to us, and we hope that you have felt the love from us in return.

We look forward to spending these final months celebrating Ten7 with the people who have made these 8 years so special alongside those of you who never had a chance to visit us. So come raise a glass with us, tell some stories, make some memories, and help us celebrate this last year together.

–Ten7 Brewing (Facebook Post)

More Information on Ten7 Brewing

The following comes via Untappd.

Ten7 Brewing Company is a micro brewery located in North Wales, PA. They have 493 unique beers and over 63,000 ratings, with a global average rating of 3.95 (as of 9.22.26). Their Untappd description reads: “Great beer for all! We create delicious beers to be enjoyed by everyone, from the most discerning beer geek to those new to the world of craft beer.”

You can follow them on their social media platforms here:

• Ten7 Brewing Company – Official Website
• Ten7 Brewing Company – Facebook
• Ten7 Brewing Company – Instagram
• Ten7 Brewing Company – Twitter
• Ten7 Brewing Company – Untappd

As we reported earlier in the year (on January 25th when we saw the Facebook Marketplace ad and reached out to them) (see article: Mudhook Brewing Quietly Listed for Sale), it has now reached the ‘official’ status of the sales process as Mudhook Brewing just moments ago announced their sale via social media.

Mudhook Brewing Company is located at: Central Market House  – 34 N Cherry Ln, York, PA 17401. Mudhook Brewing Company is a casual, family-owned brewpub located at 34 North Cherry Lane in York, Pennsylvania. Known for a relaxed, farmhouse-chic atmosphere near PeoplesBank Park, it features four signature beers, a rotating selection of seasonal sea-themed brews crafted by brewmaster Tim Wheeler, and an elevated pub grub menu.

The sign at Mudhook Brewery

The Post

The following comes from their Facebook page:

First brew pub in York, PA established in 2010 is for sale. Founder, Jeff Lau, is ready to retire. Mudhook Brewing Company has 15 years of traditions, including an annual beach party, pint drop on New Year’s Eve, scavenger hunts, bar crawls, St Patty’s Day party, Mug Club, First Fridays, Piano Man, and many more. Established business, restaurant equipment , bar supplies are for sale. You could be the one to keep this beloved pub alive and well. Energy and creativity was what got Mudhook started and now that is what is needed to keep it going.

Check out this link to the listing and call 717-870-6246 with questions and/or interest.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EtNJiMeAZ/

–Mudhook Brewing Company (Facebook Post)

For Sale

After 15 years of brewing beer, serving food, hosting parties and becoming part of York’s craft beer story, Mudhook Brewing Company is officially up for sale.

Founder Jeff Lau is preparing to retire, putting the established York brewpub, along with its restaurant equipment and bar supplies, on the market. The announcement was made this week on social media, with the hope that a new owner will step in and carry Mudhook into its next chapter while keeping its place in the York beer community alive.

Mudhook Brewing Company opened its doors in York, Pennsylvania, in 2010, arriving during the early wave of breweries that helped establish York as a destination for craft beer.

Over the past decade and a half, Lau grew Mudhook from a small local brewery into a longtime downtown gathering place. The brewpub became known not only for its house-brewed beers, but also for its pub food, events and role as a community hangout.

And there was certainly no shortage of reasons to stop in.

Mudhook built a following around events such as its annual beach party, New Year’s Eve pint drop, scavenger hunts, bar crawls, St. Patrick’s Day party, Mug Club, First Fridays and Piano Man.

Those events, along with the beer and food, helped make Mudhook more than simply another place to grab a pint. For 15 years, it has been part of York’s evolving beer scene.

As Mudhook put it in the announcement:

“Energy and creativity was what got Mudhook started and now that is what is needed to keep it going,” Mudhook said in its sale announcement.

And that may be the biggest question facing Mudhook now: who will bring that energy and creativity into the next 15 years?

For the right buyer, the opportunity is already sitting there. Mudhook comes with 15 years of history, an established brewpub, equipment, an existing customer base and a name that has become familiar to generations of York-area beer drinkers.

This isn’t necessarily the end of Mudhook Brewing Company. Rather, it could be the beginning of a new chapter.

Anyone interested in learning more about the sale can check out the listing or call 717-870-6246 with questions or inquiries.

For those of us who have spent years following Pennsylvania’s craft beer scene, seeing a longtime brewery like Mudhook go up for sale is always a little bittersweet. But if the right person comes along, perhaps the next 15 years of Mudhook’s story are just getting ready to begin.

Mudhook Brewing Company

Mudhook Brewery’s logo

Mudhook Brewing Company is located at: Central Market House  – 34 N Cherry Ln, York, PA 17401. Mudhook Brewing Company is a casual, family-owned brewpub located at 34 North Cherry Lane in York, Pennsylvania. Known for a relaxed, farmhouse-chic atmosphere near PeoplesBank Park, it features four signature beers, a rotating selection of seasonal sea-themed brews crafted by brewmaster Tim Wheeler, and an elevated pub grub menu.

More Information on Mudhook Brewery

The following comes via Untappd.

Mudhook Brewing Company is a brewpub located in York, PA. They have 78 unique beers and a global average rating of 3.46 with 17,799 ratings as of 8.14.26. Their Untappd description reads: “A casual brewpub featuring four signature beers and up to six seasonal brews served alongside appetizers, soups, salads, and pub burgers and sandwiches”

You can follow them on the following social media platforms:

• Mudhook Brewing Company – Official Website 
• Mudhook Brewing Company – Facebook
• Mudhook Brewing Company – Instagram 
• Mudhook Brewing Company – Twitter
• Mudhook Brewing Company – Untappd

Pale ales and India pale ales are closely related, hop-forward beer styles, but they are not interchangeable. In broad terms, a pale ale aims for balance between malt and hops, while an IPA usually places greater emphasis on hop aroma, hop flavor, bitterness, and—often—alcohol strength.

That simple distinction is useful, but it does not tell the whole story. Modern brewing has produced such a wide range of pale ales and IPAs that the styles frequently overlap. A heavily hopped pale ale can resemble a low-intensity IPA, while a hazy or milkshake IPA may taste very different from the classic bitter, clear beers that originally defined the category.

The Pale Ale vs. IPA

A Brief History

Pale ale came first.

In eighteenth-century Britain, improvements in malt kilning allowed brewers to produce lighter-colored malt. This created beers that appeared “pale” compared with the darker ales common at the time. English pale ales developed a range of malt and hop profiles, including the beers later known as bitters.

IPA evolved from this pale ale tradition. British brewers and exporters produced stronger, more heavily hopped pale ales for shipment to India. Hops contributed bitterness and possessed preservative qualities, making them useful in beers intended for long journeys. The term “India Pale Ale” appeared in the nineteenth century, although the historical beers associated with the name were stronger, more mature, and generally less explosively aromatic than many modern IPAs.

The modern American IPA is a later interpretation. American craft brewers emphasized bold New World hop varieties, including hops capable of producing citrus, pine, resin, tropical fruit, floral, and stone-fruit character. The result became one of the defining styles of the American craft beer movement.

The Beer Judge Certification Program now generally uses “IPA” rather than spelling out “India Pale Ale.” This reflects the fact that contemporary IPAs are not necessarily brewed for India, and some are not even pale in color. In its American IPA guideline, the BJCP describes the style as a decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale with a dryish finish and clean supporting malt. (bjcp)

The Core Difference

The most useful way to distinguish a pale ale from an IPA is not color. It is intensity and balance.

These are tendencies rather than strict laws. Beer styles are descriptive categories, not legal definitions. A brewery may produce a pale ale with more bitterness than another brewery’s IPA, or an IPA with relatively low perceived bitterness because of a soft, hazy formulation.

Still, if two beers use similar ingredients and brewing methods, the IPA will generally be the more forceful beer.

Pale Ale Explained

Pale Ale vs. IPA – Round 1

Pale ale is best understood as a family of beers rather than one narrowly defined recipe.

English pale ale

English pale ales are commonly associated with:

• Bready, biscuity, or lightly toasted malt.

• Earthy, herbal, floral, or spicy English hops.

• Moderate bitterness.

• Moderate carbonation.

• A balanced and approachable finish.

• Alcohol levels often in the mid-4% to mid-5% range.

Some English pale ales overlap with bitters, especially when served from a cask. They may be copper-colored rather than extremely pale and can show considerable malt character without becoming sweet or heavy.

American pale ale

American pale ale generally pushes the hops further than its English counterpart. American and other New World varieties may contribute notes of grapefruit, orange, lemon, pine, resin, flowers, melon, or tropical fruit.

A typical American pale ale often has:

• A pale gold to light amber appearance.

• A medium-light to medium body.

• Moderate bitterness.

• Noticeable hop aroma and flavor.

• A clean fermentation profile.

• A malt backbone that remains present.

• Moderate alcohol, commonly around 5% to 6%, though examples can fall outside that range.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a classic reference point for the American interpretation. Sierra Nevada describes its pale ale as combining Cascade hop character—particularly citrus and pine—with a caramel malt foundation. The brewery contrasts it with its Celebration IPA, which is stronger and more bitter.sierranevada

How pale ale tastes

A well-made pale ale often begins with a modest malt impression before moving into hop flavor. The beer might taste:

• Crisp and citrusy.

• Floral and lightly resinous.

• Toasty and biscuity.

• Fruity but not intensely tropical.

• Bitter enough to be interesting without dominating the entire palate.

For casual drinkers, pale ale is often an effective introduction to hop-forward beer. It can demonstrate what hops contribute without presenting the full bitterness or alcohol intensity of a strong IPA.

For experienced drinkers, pale ale offers a useful test of brewing balance. Because the hops are not expected to overwhelm the malt, flaws in sweetness, fermentation, water chemistry, or bitterness are often easier to identify.

IPA Explained

Pale Ale vs. IPA – Round 2

IPA is a broad family that includes traditional English examples, American IPAs, hazy IPAs, session IPAs, Double IPAs, and numerous specialty variations.

Traditional English IPA

English IPA is historically connected to the export beers that inspired the name. Modern examples commonly feature:

• Earthy, herbal, floral, or spicy hop character.

• Firm but relatively restrained bitterness.

• More prominent malt than many American IPAs.

• Moderate alcohol strength.

• A relatively dry finish.

• A less explosive aroma profile than contemporary American versions.

The term “IPA” therefore does not automatically mean citrus, tropical fruit, or extreme bitterness. Those qualities are especially associated with particular American and New World hop varieties.

American IPA

The American IPA is the reference style most drinkers probably picture when they hear “IPA.” The BJCP describes it as hop-forward, bitter, moderately strong, cleanly fermented, and dryish, with American or New World hop character. Its expected hop flavors can include citrus, floral, pine, resin, tropical fruit, stone fruit, berries, melon, and spice.bjcp

A standard American IPA commonly features:

• Prominent hop aroma.

• Medium to very high hop flavor.

• Medium-high to very high bitterness.

• Low to medium-low malt flavor.

• A dry or medium-dry finish.

• Moderate alcohol, often around 5.5% to 7.5%.

• A medium-light to medium body.

The BJCP lists American IPA at 40–70 IBUs and 5.5%–7.5% ABV, although commercial beers and modern variations can fall well outside those figures.bjcp

Hazy IPA

Hazy IPA changes the relationship between bitterness and hop intensity.

A hazy IPA may contain enormous quantities of hops while presenting relatively soft perceived bitterness. The beer can be saturated with mango, pineapple, peach, citrus, passion fruit, or other juicy flavors. Oats, wheat, chloride-forward water profiles, specialized yeast, and extensive dry hopping may contribute to a soft, rounded mouthfeel.

This is an important reminder: measured bitterness and perceived bitterness are not the same thing. A beer may have a high IBU value but taste less harsh than a clearer, more sharply bitter beer.

Double IPA

A Double IPA, sometimes called an Imperial IPA, increases both strength and intensity. It commonly contains:

• More alcohol.

• More extract and malt.

• Greater hop concentration.

• A fuller body.

• More noticeable alcohol warmth.

• A longer and more forceful finish.

The BJCP places standard Double IPAs roughly in the 7.5%–10% ABV range within its specialty classification. A Double IPA is not simply a regular IPA with more bitterness; it must balance the additional alcohol, malt, and hop material well enough to remain coherent.bjcp

Hops: The Biggest Brewing Difference

Pale ales and IPAs can use the same four fundamental ingredients:

• Water.

• Malted grain.

• Hops.

• Yeast.

The distinction usually comes from how brewers use those ingredients, especially the hops.

Hop quantity

IPAs generally receive a greater hop load than pale ales. More hops can contribute more bitterness, but quantity alone does not determine the final experience. Hop variety, timing, wort gravity, yeast, water chemistry, and fermentation all matter.

Hop timing

Early-boil hops contribute more bitterness because heat extracts alpha acids. Later additions contribute more aroma and flavor. Whirlpool additions and dry hopping can intensify hop character without adding bitterness in precisely the same way as early-boil additions.

Pale ales may use a combination of bittering and late hops. IPAs often devote a larger portion of the recipe to late-kettle, whirlpool, and dry-hop additions.

Hop varieties

English pale ales and IPAs may use varieties such as East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, or similar hops that produce earthy, herbal, floral, or spicy notes.

American pale ales and IPAs may use Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, and many newer varieties. These can produce flavors ranging from grapefruit and pine to mango, passion fruit, peach, berry, and dank resin.

Hop freshness

Hop aroma is volatile. Freshness and packaging have a major effect on heavily hopped beer. An IPA that was vibrant when packaged may become muted, papery, or oxidized if stored warm or for too long. Pale ales can also suffer from age, but the decline is often less dramatic because their hop intensity is lower.

Malt, Body, and Balance

Malt is not merely present to provide alcohol. It creates the structure that supports hops.

Pale ale balance

Pale ales commonly retain more malt flavor. That malt may resemble:

• Fresh bread.

• Crackers.

• Biscuits.

• Toast.

• Light caramel.

• Honeyed grain.

This does not mean a pale ale should taste sweet. The best examples use malt to soften and frame the hops while still finishing cleanly.

IPA balance

Many IPAs use a leaner malt profile so that the hops remain prominent. Excessive crystal malt can create a sweet, heavy beer in which bitterness and residual sugar compete unpleasantly. Modern American IPAs often favor high attenuation, restrained caramel malt, and a dry finish.

However, not every IPA is lean. English IPAs, Red IPAs, Brown IPAs, and Double IPAs may include more malt complexity. The key is that an IPA still generally maintains a hop-forward balance rather than becoming primarily a malt beer.

Body and mouthfeel

Pale ales often feel medium-light to medium-bodied, with a smooth and refreshing texture.

American IPAs are frequently medium-light to medium-bodied as well, but their dryness and bitterness can make them seem sharper. Hazy IPAs may feel fuller, softer, and creamier because of grain choices and brewing methods. Double IPAs can feel heavier because of higher alcohol and residual extract.

Bitterness: Important but Frequently Misunderstood

Bitterness is one of the most obvious differences between many pale ales and IPAs, but it should not be treated as the only measurement of style.

IBU stands for International Bitterness Units. It estimates the concentration of isomerized alpha acids in beer. It does not measure every factor that determines how bitter a beer tastes.

Perceived bitterness is affected by:

• Residual sweetness.

• Alcohol.

• Carbonation.

• Water chemistry.

• Body.

• Hop-derived compounds.

• Roast or other malt flavors.

• Yeast character.

• The drinker’s sensitivity.

A dry, lean pale ale may taste more bitter than a sweeter IPA with a larger nominal IBU value. Likewise, a hazy IPA can contain substantial hop material but taste soft because its body and fruit-forward hop profile reduce the impression of sharp bitterness.

For casual drinkers, the practical takeaway is simple: do not choose a beer solely by its IBU number. For dedicated craft drinkers, IBU is useful context but not a complete description of sensory experience.

Similarities Between Pale Ales and IPAs

Despite their differences, pale ales and IPAs share a substantial foundation.

They are often hop-forward

Both styles showcase hops more clearly than many traditional lagers, wheat beers, porters, or sweet stouts. Even a balanced pale ale may present citrus, pine, floral, herbal, resinous, or fruity notes.

They commonly use pale malt

Both styles typically rely on pale ale malt, two-row malt, or another lightly kilned base malt. This produces a relatively light color and allows hop expression to remain prominent.

They are usually top-fermented ales

Pale ales and IPAs are generally fermented with ale yeast, although yeast selection varies. A clean American strain can emphasize hops, while an English strain may add fruity or earthy complexity.

They occupy overlapping color ranges

Color is not a reliable separator. Both may range from pale gold through amber. Some IPAs are very light, while some pale ales are copper-colored. Specialty IPAs can even be brown or black.

They can share hop flavors

A pale ale and an IPA may both show:

• Grapefruit.

• Orange.

• Lemon.

• Pine.

• Resin.

• Tropical fruit.

• Floral notes.

• Stone fruit.

• Herbal or spicy character.

The principal difference is usually the concentration and prominence of those flavors, not the complete absence of one set of flavors.

They can both be highly drinkable

Strength does not automatically determine drinkability. A crisp 7% IPA may feel easier to drink than a sweet 5% pale ale. Conversely, a heavily bitter IPA may be tiring while a well-balanced pale ale remains refreshing over several servings.

Drinkability depends on fermentation quality, attenuation, sweetness, carbonation, alcohol integration, bitterness, and the drinker’s preferences.

Common Misconceptions

“All IPAs are extremely bitter”

Not necessarily. West Coast IPAs tend to emphasize bitterness, while hazy IPAs may emphasize saturated fruit character and a soft mouthfeel. Session IPAs reduce alcohol strength, and English IPAs may be more balanced and earthy.

“Pale ales are not very hoppy”

Some pale ales are gently hopped, but American pale ales can be intensely aromatic. The difference is often that their malt foundation remains more visible and the overall strength is lower.

“IPA always means India Pale Ale historically”

The name has historical connections to British export beer, but modern IPA is a worldwide category. Many contemporary examples never traveled to India, and some are not pale. The BJCP explicitly treats “IPA” as a modern style descriptor rather than insisting on the literal historical expansion of the acronym.bjcp

“A darker beer cannot be an IPA”

Black IPA, Brown IPA, and Red IPA examples exist. These beers retain an IPA-like hop-forward balance while adding darker malt flavors or color. They demonstrate why color alone cannot define the category.

“More hops always means a better beer”

More hops can create intensity, but intensity is not the same as quality. A successful beer needs integration. Harsh bitterness, grassy dry-hop character, alcohol heat, oxidation, or excessive sweetness can overwhelm otherwise excellent ingredients.

How to Choose Between Them

Pale Ale vs. IPA – Round 3

Choose a pale ale when you want:

• A balanced introduction to hop-forward beer.

• Moderate alcohol.

• Noticeable but controlled bitterness.

• A clearer malt contribution.

• A beer suitable for longer sessions or casual meals.

• A bridge between traditional ales and more aggressive IPAs.

Choose an IPA when you want:

• Stronger hop aroma and flavor.

• More pronounced bitterness or hop saturation.

• A drier finish.

• Greater alcohol intensity.

• Tropical, citrusy, piney, resinous, or dank hop character.

• A beer where hops are the primary event.

If you are unsure, a pale ale is often the safer starting point. If you already enjoy pale ales and want more intensity, try a standard American IPA. If bitterness concerns you but you enjoy fruit-forward beer, a hazy IPA may be a better choice than a classic West Coast IPA.

A Practical Tasting Exercise

To compare the styles, taste a pale ale and IPA side by side at similar serving temperatures.

First, compare the aroma. Does the IPA produce a stronger burst of citrus, pine, tropical fruit, or resin? Then taste both beers and focus on the transition from malt to hops.

Ask:

1. Which beer shows more bread, biscuit, toast, or caramel?

2. Which beer has the sharper bitterness?

3. Which beer leaves a drier finish?

4. Does the IPA taste more alcoholic?

5. Does the pale ale seem more balanced or simply less intense?

6. Are the hop flavors different, or is the IPA mainly a stronger version of the same profile?

7. Does bitterness linger pleasantly, or does it become harsh?

A useful example would be comparing an American pale ale around 5.5% ABV with an American IPA around 6.5% ABV. The pale ale may feature citrus and pine alongside a lightly caramelized malt base. The IPA may use similar hops but deliver a larger aroma, stronger bitterness, leaner malt character, and a longer, drier finish.

Final Verdict

Pale ale and IPA are best viewed as neighboring points on a broad hop-forward spectrum. Pale ale generally prioritizes balance, moderate strength, and approachable hop character, while IPA typically increases hop intensity, bitterness, dryness, and sometimes alcohol.

The boundary is not absolute. Brewing traditions, brewery naming choices, and modern substyles create considerable overlap. A pale ale can be remarkably hoppy, and an IPA can be soft, fruity, balanced, or surprisingly easy to drink.

For casual drinkers, the distinction comes down to choosing between balance and intensity. For craft beer enthusiasts, the more interesting question is how each beer achieves its balance: which hops were used, when they were added, how the malt supports them, how bitterness is perceived, and whether the final beer feels integrated rather than merely powerful.

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Thank You For Reading

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Cheers.

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• MAPS OF BREWERIES

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Pennsylvania Breweries Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary

Lehigh Valley: Beer, Industry, and History

The National Museum of Industrial History 250 Celebration (photo courtesy of The National Museum of Industrial History)

The National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem is currently hosting Cheers to 250: Brewing in America, a special exhibition running through July that explores how beer production helped shape American industry, transportation, and culture from the colonial era through the modern craft renaissance. To deepen the experience, the museum is partnering with regional staples—including Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild, Lehigh Valley Homebrewers, Hijinx Brewing, and Lost Tavern Brewing—to present community history programs that connect local beer culture to the wider national story.

Celebrate shared history and community spirit at the 250th All-American Picnic in Downtown East Stroudsburg, along Crystal Street and Miller Park, on July 4th from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This family-friendly festival offers live music from classic rock and country acts, plus performances by Lilly Moss, Sick Whiskey, and Clodagh Conboy, along with local vendors and refreshing drinks from ShawneeCraft Brewing Company and Bovino’s Brewery.

Western PA: Concerts, Drones, and Local Pours

On Sunday, July 5, 2026, Allegheny County is hosting an official America’s 250th Anniversary Concert and Drone Show at Hartwood Acres Amphitheater. Gates open at 3:00 PM, and local favorite Hop Farm Brewing Company will anchor the on-site beverage offerings alongside Black Dog Winery, setting the stage for an evening that ends with a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance synchronized to a 200+ drone light show.

In Downtown Grove City on July 3rd, the town is throwing an open-to-the-public celebration for America’s 250th birthday, with local bands, kids’ activities, food trucks, and shopping. Local breweries such as Allusion Brewery will be pouring, giving attendees a chance to toast the holiday with hometown craft beer while exploring the downtown businesses.

Northeastern PA: Rails, Lagers, and Railroad Heritage

Photo courtesy of Runaway Train Brewery

Honesdale, known as the birthplace of the American railroad thanks to the historic Stourbridge Lion’s first commercial run on August 8, 1829, will host a historic beer tasting train ride aboard the Stourbridge Line. The train will feature Declaration Lager, Pennsylvania’s official beer for America250PA, with representatives from Runaway Train Brewery on board to walk riders through tasting notes and flavor profiles as they enjoy the scenic ride and the state’s railroading legacy.

Southeast and Philly Region: Orchards, Gardens, and Biergartens

Photo courtesy of Aristaeus Craft Brewing

Aristaeus Craft Brewing will be the official featured brewery at the America 250 Celebration at Styer Orchard on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This ticketed, family-friendly orchard bash pairs Aristaeus’s locally poured craft beers with food trucks, classic lawn games, and live music, all building toward a fireworks display to cap off the evening.

Photo courtesy of Love City Brewing

Love City Brewing is marking Independence Day in its garden and taproom with an event that blends holiday fun and civic values. Highlights include an annual water balloon toss benefiting immigrant and refugee rights organizations, plus cornhole and ladder ball throughout the day, alongside $2 hot dogs and free water ice while supplies last. The celebration emphasizes democratic values, diversity, and inclusion as part of Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary, while offering space for critical engagement with current political issues.

Photo and logo courtesy of Brothers Kershner

Brothers Kershner Brewing in Skippack is again the hub for the town’s 4th of July festivities, hosting the annual Skippack 4th of July Parade after-party on Saturday, July 4th. They’ll open early for front-row parade views from the porch and parking lot, with live music starting as soon as the parade ends. To mark America 250, Brothers Kershner is releasing a special American Light Lager in 12oz six-packs and on draft. Then on Sunday, July 5th, the celebration moves to the Brothers on the Brandywine Biergarten Independence Day event, with the park opening at 1:00 PM and featuring a beer and wine bar, live music, food trucks, vendors, a bounce house, and laid-back creekside vibes.

Just a little bit ago (at about 7:30 PM) Sobel’s Obscure Brewery out of Jeannette PA, has made the difficult decision — that they will be putting their brewery up for sale. They are currently located at 500 Clay Ave, Jeannette, PA 15644, and have listed their property and business as up for sale. The father and daughter duo have painstakingly agonized over the decision but made their announcement today (tonight).

Sobel’s Obscure Brewery Announcement via Instagram

Their Announcement

Sobel’s Obscure Brewery took to their social media to make the announcement, today – June 25th, 2026 – around 7 – 7:30 PM.

Their announcement:

oday, we’re sharing some bittersweet news with our community.

After 10 incredible years, our family has made the decision to officially place the brewery up for sale.

Ten years ago, this journey began with a passion for craft beer. What followed was a decade of growth, from brewing and distributing our beer, to a pop-up beer garden, and eventually opening the taproom four years ago.

This was never meant to be just about beer. It was about building a place where people could gather, support one another, and create lasting memories. Thanks to all of you, that’s exactly what it became.

From our S.O.B. Society mug club, to trivia nights, Concert & Food Truck Thursdays, and local musicians and food vendors who helped bring this space to life every weekend, we are endlessly grateful for this community.

Jeannette has been such an important part of our story. Watching the city continue to grow and revitalize has been incredible, and we’re proud to have played a small part in that journey.

While this has always been our family’s business, the decision to sell comes down to one thing: Dave is ready to retire after a lifetime of hard work. He has more than earned it.

We are NOT closing. We will remain open and operating throughout this process, and we don’t know what the timeline looks like.

We’ve chosen to offer the brewery as a complete turnkey business because we believe in what we’ve built and want to see it continue in Jeannette. Our hope is that someone carries it forward and keeps this space alive for the community.

To our incredible brewer and bartenders — thank you. You’ve become family, and none of this would exist without you.

To everyone who has stopped in, supported events, joined the mug club, laughed with us, or shared a beer—thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

And hey… if you know someone looking for a late-1800s department store turned brewery in downtown Jeannette, we’d love an introduction. We hope someone continues what we’ve built and carries it forward.

With heartfelt gratitude,�Dave & Jackie

– Sobel’s Obscure Brewery (Instagram Post)

Sobel’s Obscure Brewery

Known for their Facebook and social media posts with the father and daughter who run the company (Dave and Jackie) with their dad jokes and great media posts, the brewery has had a faithful following over the years, even expanding to grow into the larger current venue that they own. As of right now there is no end – sight for the brewery, as they are looking to sell, and in the meantime stay open. Hopefully they are able to find a good, respectful buyer, but until that happens, the brewery will still be operating.

For More Information on Sobel’s Obscure Brewery

The following comes via Untappd. Sobel’s Obscure Brewery is a micro brewery from Jeannette, PA . They have 82 unique beers and over 15,000 ratings, with a global average rating of 3.56 (as of 6.25.26). Their Untappd description reads: “Like many other brewers, we started out with a passion for drinking beer. Which grew into a passion for home-brewing and creating new, exciting, and oftentimes obscure recipes. Born out of our garage, we set out to create exciting new and different recipes. After gifting some brews to our friends and family, and being awarded at competitions, we decided to give it a try on the big stage! Founded officially in 2012, Sobel’s Obscure Brewery is a family endeavor run by David Sobel and his two children, Gordon and Jackie. Always ready for fun and laughter, we endeavored to create not only a great product, but a quirky brand that would spur consumers to try us and follow our progress! Get to know our beer gnomes! Keep on the lookout for the funny antics they get up to! Download our app (coming soon!) and play some games! 

You can find them on the following social media platforms:

• Sobel’s Obscure Brewery – Official Website
• Sobel’s Obscure Brewery – Facebook
• Sobel’s Obscure Brewery – Instagram
• Sobel’s Obscure Brewery – Twitter
• Sobel’s Obscure Brewery –Untappd

The Pennsylvania craft beer community is mourning the unexpected loss of Larry Winans, co-owner and co-founder of Jackass Brewing Company in Lewisburg. For the past seven years, Winans helped turn a friendship, a shared love of homebrewing, and a little too much beer into a brewery that became part of the fabric of the local community. Now, as Jackass Brewing Company moves forward, the people who knew Winans are remembering not only the brewer and business owner, but the friend, community member, and relentlessly positive presence behind the beer.

Larry Winians (photo courtesy of Jackass Brewing)

Jackass Brewing Company Carries On the Legacy of Co-Founder Larry Winans

For seven years, Jackass Brewing Company has been part of the craft beer community around Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, bringing locally made beer, friendship, and plenty of good times to the area.

Now, the brewery is moving forward without one half of the friendship and partnership that started it all.

Larry Winans, co-founder of Jackass Brewing Company, has died at the age of 61.

But for longtime friends, customers, and the people who helped build the brewery alongside him, the story of Larry Winans isn’t simply about the loss of a brewery owner. It’s about the loss of a friend—and the legacy he leaves behind at Jackass Brewing Company and throughout the Lewisburg community.

From Friendship to Homebrew to Jackass Brewing Company

The story of Jackass Brewing Company begins, appropriately enough, with two friends and a batch of homemade beer.

Winans, a dentist by profession, and Skip Kratzer, a school teacher, became friends through fitness. The two eventually started talking about brewing beer together after meeting at a pub located across the street from where Jackass Brewing Company would eventually open.

Kratzer asked Winans if he wanted to make beer.

They did.

What started as two friends experimenting with homebrewing eventually became something considerably larger.

“We always joked that we ended up, we had a problem, we had more beer than we knew what to do with,” Kratzer said. “We started giving it to our friends, and eventually, when the demand kept going, we decided this would be a great adventure.”

And so Jackass Brewing Company was born.

The brewery opened in East Buffalo Township and gradually became a fixture in the Lewisburg-area craft beer scene.

For Kratzer, however, the brewery was always about more than beer.

It was about people.

“The Gold Standard of What a Friend Is”

When Kratzer talks about Winans, one word keeps coming back to him: friend.

“If I could use one word that I think the whole world would describe him as, is he was a friend,” Kratzer said. “He is probably the gold standard of what a friend is.”

That friendship was the foundation of Jackass Brewing Company.

The business may have involved beer, taprooms, recipes, equipment, employees, customers and all of the other things that come with running a Pennsylvania brewery. But underneath all of that was the relationship between two best friends who decided to take something they enjoyed doing together and turn it into a business.

That’s a familiar story in the craft beer world.

Breweries frequently begin with a couple of friends making beer in a garage, basement or kitchen before eventually asking the much bigger question:

What if we actually did this for a living?

For Winans and Kratzer, that question became Jackass Brewing Company.

Seven years later, it had become a community.

Jackass Brewing Company Isn’t Going Anywhere

While Larry Winans is no longer here, Kratzer says Jackass Brewing Company will continue.

The brewery’s Lewisburg and Williamsport locations will remain in operation, with Kratzer and the rest of the Jackass Brewing Company team carrying the business forward.

That doesn’t mean moving on from Winans.

If anything, Kratzer says the opposite.

“We exist to carry his memory forward,” he said.

That’s an especially meaningful statement considering what the brewery—and the broader hospitality industry—has already experienced.

Kratzer specifically pointed to the community’s support during the COVID-19 pandemic, when breweries, restaurants, bars and other small businesses across Pennsylvania faced an incredibly uncertain future.

“This community has kept us alive during the difficult times of COVID,” Kratzer said. “I have no doubt that they will continue to do so in the future. We’ll find our way forward from this.”

For an independent craft brewery, community support can mean everything.

People don’t simply visit their local brewery because they want a pint. They go to see friends, meet new people, celebrate birthdays, listen to music, grab dinner, bring their families, watch a game, or simply spend a couple of hours somewhere that feels like home.

That sense of community appears to have been particularly important to Winans.

Captain Positivity

Kratzer described his friend as “Captain Positivity.”

And that positivity wasn’t something he kept to himself.

According to Kratzer, Winans had an infectious personality and a natural ability to bring people together. His legacy, he believes, will be rooted in the way he cared about other people and the community around him.

That’s perhaps one of the more fitting legacies for someone who helped create a brewery.

Beer has always been about more than what’s in the glass.

At its best, craft beer is about bringing people together.

A brewery becomes a meeting place. A table becomes a gathering point. A beer becomes an excuse to sit down with somebody you haven’t seen in a while.

And people like Winans become part of the reason those places matter.

A Bucket List and One Remarkable Item

Among the memories Kratzer shared was something particularly interesting: Winans had a handwritten bucket list containing things he wanted to accomplish during his life.

One item stood out to Kratzer.

Winans wanted to receive “an abundance of public adoration.”

Looking back, Kratzer believes his friend accomplished exactly that.

“I believed he’s achieved it, whether or not he knew he did, is that one of his Bucket List items was to receive an abundance of public adoration,” Kratzer said. “The public adored him.”

It’s a striking thought.

Not because public adoration is necessarily something most of us would put on a bucket list, but because it says something about the relationship Winans had with the people around him.

A successful brewery can be measured in barrels brewed, pints poured, locations opened, awards won or years in business.

But there are other measurements, too.

How many people knew you?

How many people considered you a friend?

How many people felt welcomed when they walked through your doors?

And, perhaps most importantly, how many people are going to miss you when you’re gone?

By those measurements, Winans appears to have left quite a legacy.

The Future of Jackass Brewing Company

Jackass Brewing Company will now enter another chapter.

The brewery will continue operating in Lewisburg and Williamsport, while the people who knew Winans work to keep the spirit of what he helped create alive.

There will inevitably be difficult days.

There will also be beers poured, conversations had, friends reunited and new memories made.

That’s the strange thing about breweries.

They are businesses, but they can also become landmarks in people’s lives.

A place where someone had a first date.

A place where friends meet every Friday.

A place where somebody celebrates a birthday.

A place where a family gathers.

A place where two friends once decided they had made too much homebrew and wondered what might happen if they turned their hobby into something bigger.

That decision eventually became Jackass Brewing Company.

And now, even without Larry Winans physically there, the brewery remains one of the places where his story continues.

Jackass Brewing Company isn’t just carrying on a business. It’s carrying forward a friendship, a community and the legacy of one of the people who helped create it.

Larry Winans is survived by his wife, two adult children, family and friends.

Services will be held Sunday, June 28, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Rooke Chapel on the campus of Bucknell University.

He was 61 years old.

World Cup and Beer – Breweries Bring People Together

June 11 marks the kickoff of the World Cup, one of the most globally unifying sporting events on the planet. Every four years, time zones blur, sleep schedules get wrecked, and entire nations rally behind ninety minutes of hope and heartbreak. But for craft beer fans—especially here in Pennsylvania—it’s also a perfect excuse to turn matches into full-on tasting events.

The World Cup isn’t just about soccer. It’s about culture. And few things represent culture more tangibly than beer.

A Global Tournament, A Global Tap List

One of the most fun ways to celebrate the World Cup is by drinking along with the teams. Each match becomes an opportunity to explore a country’s brewing traditions—or at least a craft interpretation of them.

• Watching Germany? Reach for a crisp helles lager or a hefeweizen from a local brewery putting their spin on Bavarian classics.

• Rooting for Belgium? Time to crack open a dubbel, tripel, or a Belgian-style golden ale—bonus points if it’s deceptively strong.

• England match on? A malt-forward ESB or a smooth pub ale fits the bill.

• Supporting Mexico? A light lager works, but craft versions with lime or salt twists elevate the experience.

Pennsylvania breweries have leaned heavily into global styles over the years, so there’s a good chance you can build a “World Cup flight” without leaving the state.

Pennsylvania Breweries Join the Party

Local breweries are no strangers to big-event energy, and the World Cup provides a built-in theme for taproom engagement. Expect to see:

• Early opening hours for morning matches

• International-themed tap takeovers or rotating drafts

• Soccer watch parties with projector screens and packed patios

• Limited releases tied to participating countries or teams

Some breweries even organize bracket-style competitions—not just for the games, but for beers. Think “IPA vs. Lager” showdowns running parallel to knockout rounds.

For beer bloggers and content creators, this is prime time. A simple “match + beer pairing” series can drive engagement, especially if you’re highlighting local breweries alongside international styles.

Beer Pairings by Match Intensity

Not all games are created equal, and your beer choice can match the energy:

• Early Group Stage Matches: Easy-drinking lagers, kölsches, or session IPAs. You’re pacing yourself.

• Rivalry Games: Go bold—double IPAs, imperial stouts, or barrel-aged offerings.

• Knockout Rounds: Something special. A rare bottle, a vertical tasting, or a brewery-exclusive release.

• The Final: Champagne of beers? Maybe. But a well-crafted saison or a celebratory wild ale feels more on brand.

The Social Side of Soccer and Beer

At its core, both soccer and craft beer thrive on community. Whether you’re packed into a brewery in Harrisburg, watching from a quiet taproom near Jersey Shore, or hosting friends at home, the shared experience is what makes it memorable.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about hearing a room erupt after a goal while holding a pint that was brewed just miles away. It grounds a global event in something local and tangible.

Final Whistle Thoughts

The World Cup only comes around every four years, but the creativity of craft beer is constant. Bringing the two together turns every match into more than just a game—it becomes an experience.

So as the tournament kicks off on June 11, consider planning your own beer lineup alongside the match schedule. Explore new styles, support local breweries, and maybe even discover a new favorite along the way.

Because in the end, whether your team lifts the trophy or crashes out early, at least your beer game can still be world class.

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

• Beer Review: The Pandalorian (Tattered Flag)
• Beer Review: Wookie Monster (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Blue Milk (RAR Brewing) (Batch 1)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Tatooine Tart (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: RAWRGWAWGGR (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Droid Juice (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Wookies and Cream (Tall Tales Brewing)
• Revenge of the Fifth / Cinco de Mayo
• May the Fourth Be With You
• Beer Review: This is Nut the Fluff You’re Looking For (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: This is the Way (Broken Goblet Brewing)
• Beer Review: This is the Whey (Bolero Snort Brewery)
• Beer Review: Java the Stout (Jackie O’s Brewery)
• Beer Review: The Mangolorian (Brewery Fire)
• Beer Review: BoBull Fett (Bolero Snort Brewery)
• Mead Review: The Meadalorian (Space Time Mead and Cider Works)
• Beer Review: Let the Haze Flow Through You (Black Flag Brewing Co)
• Book Review: The Jedi Path and The Book of the Sith (Daniel Wallace)
• Book Review: Guardians of the Whills (Greg Rucka)
• May the Fourth Be With You (2022)
• RAR Out of Order Star Wars Drop!
• Beer Review: Vader (Mispillion River Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Green Milk (RAR Brewing Company) (Batch 1)
• Beer Review: The Phantasm Menace (Second Sin Brewing Company)
• RAR Brewing – Out of Order – Star Wars Can Drop (2023)
• May the Fourth Be With You (2023)
• Brewery Fire Celebrates Their Fourth Anniversary: The Power of the Fourth
• Crooked Crab – May the Fourth Be With You (2024)
• Book Review: Star Wars – Most Wanted (Rae Carlson)
• Beer Review: Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) (Delta Beer Lab)
• Beer Review: Chewbacca (Rotunda Brewing Company)
• May the Fourth Be With You – From a Non a Star Wars Lover at RAR Brewing’s Star Wars Fest (Amy’s Column)

Futurama

• Good News Everyone, Futurama is Back: Exploring Futurama – Inspired Craft Beers
• Book Review: Futurama and Philosophy (edited by Courtland Lewis)
• Futurama Episode Review – The Impossible Stream and Mead Review: Omicron Persei 8 (SpaceTime Meadery)
• Mead Review: Omicron Persei 8 (Space Time Mead and Cider Works)
• Futurama Episode Review – Children of a Lesser Bog and Beer Review: Stay on Target (Allusion Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: I Apologize For Nothing (Fourscore Beer Co.)
• Beer Review: Fing-Longer (Turning Point Beer)
• Futurama Episode Review – How the West was 1010001 (and Beer Review: The Shining by Foam Brewers)
• Futurama Episode Review – Parasites Regained
• Beer Review: Hop Bender (Local Craft Beer)
• Futurama Episode Review – I Know What You Did Next XMas and Beer Review: Bo Katan Red IPA (Brewery Fire)
• 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰 on Draft and Cans at Intermission Beer Company
• Beer Review: I’m 40% Galaxy (Local Craft Beer)

Lord of the Rings:

• Book Review: An Atlas of Tolkien (David Day)
• Book Review: The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Magic the Gathering:

• New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

Heroes of Barcadia:

• Rollacrit Partners with Voodoo Ranger IPA for New Kickstarter, Heroes of Barcadia: Heroes for Hire Tabletop Game

Zelda:

• Zelda and Craft Beer
• Beer Review: Motueka’s Mask (Black Flag Brewing Company)
• Book Review: The Psychology of Zelda (edited by Anthony M. Bean)
• Book Review: The Legend of Zelda and Theology (edited by Jonathan L. Walls)
• Beer Review: Triforce Hazy IPA (Black Flag Brewing Company)

Rick and Morty:

• Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

Space Balls:

• Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

Game of Thrones:

• Beer Review: Game of Thrones: My Watch Has Ended (Omnegang Brewery)
• Book Review: The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister (George R.R. Martin)

The Simpsons:

• Beer Review: I Voted for Kodos (Second Sin Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: I Voted for Kang (Second Sin Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Ned Flanders Red (AleCraft Brewery)

Back to the Future:

• Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

Scrooged:

• Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

Groundhog Day:

• Beer Review: Prognosticator Pils (Logyard Brewing Company)
• Logyard Brewing’s Prognosticator Pils is the Official Beer of Groundhog Day (2022)

A Christmas Story:

• Beer Review: The Soft Electric Glow of Sex (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! (Eight and Sand Beer Co)

The Peanuts:

• Book Review: The Philosophy of Snoopy (Charles M. Schulz)
• Book Review: You Don’t Look 35, Charlie Brown! (Charles M. Schulz)

Pro Wrestling:

• Beer Review: Broken Skull – Stone Cold Steve Austin’s IPA (El Segundo Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Macho Man (Couch Brewery)
• Beer Review: Royal Rumble (Funk Brewing)
• Stone Cold Steve Austin and the WWE Are Celebrating 3:16 Day
• Human Robot and The Full Pint Are Hosting RoboMania
• Brawl in the Beer Hall at Lakefront Brewery
• Hulk Hogan Announces Real American Beer
• Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Negligence at Promotional Event

Soccer:

• Beer Review: Pulisic Pilsner (Jackass Brewing Company)
• Book Review: Pulisic – My Journey So Far (Christian Pulisic)

World Cup:

• Qatar Bans Alcohol Sales at World Cup in Last Second Decision
• Breweries Opening Early For the USA vs Netherlands World Cup Game
• World Cup Kickoff Meets Craft Beer Culture
• Scotland Fans Drink Boston Lager Dry During 2026 FIFA World Cup, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries

Phillies:

• Drunk Phils Fans and Rotunda Brewing Company Collaborate Together on Jam the Batter sWheat Tart
• Mystery Phillies fan buys rounds of beer for people in Section 103

Philadelphia Eagles:

• The Philadelphia Eagles Running Back – D’Andre Swift – Visits Bald Bird Brewing Company

Matrix:

• Matrix Monday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

• Beer Review: Terpenes in Time (BAREBottle Brewing Co)

Mario:

• Beer Review: Level Up (Idiom Brewing)

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

• Beer Review: Azathoth (Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company)

Seinfeld:

• Beer Review: Jon Voight’s Car (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Airing of Grievances (Black Flag Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Treats of Strength (Icarus Brewing)

The Muppets:

• RAR Brewing – Out of Order – Muppet Series Can Release
• RAR Brewing Brings the Nostalgia with Muppets Out of Order Series

Jason Voorhees / Friday the 13th:

• Beer Review: Juicin’ Voorhees (Pariah Brewing Company)
• Haunted Hops

Other:

• Beer Review: Super Villain (Urban Village Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Pixels (Seminar Brewing)
• Beer Review: Villeinage (Elder Pine Brewing and Blending)
• Beer Review: Intergalactic Deals (Levante Brewing)
• Beer Review: Galactic Space Circus (Creature Comforts Brewing Co)
• Beer Review: The Death of Civilization in Slow Motion I (Ghost 907) (Adroit Theory)