Hop Chatter

There are few things in the beer world as traditional and characteristic as the stein glass or the modern rendition often called the beer mug. I find that there's nothing better than drinking beer out of a stein when on a night out with friends. As soon as I see the server coming to the table holding a round of beer in steins, I cannot help but feel merry. It's a glass that demands a group of friends to start cheering and seems to embody the roaring good time that will ensue.

Oktoberfest is a celebration of the changing seasons and the best way to celebrate is with friends! That’s why 4 years ago the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company set out to revamp the concept of the brewing collaboration by selecting authentic German brewers to partner with. This year’s partner Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery, might prove to be the best yet.

Football season is finally upon us. Whether you prefer a sports bar or the comfort of your own home, watching football is so much better when you have a cold beer in your hand. With that in mind, here are six crushable beers to drink during the game.

One of the most subtly important aspects of drinking a beer is the vehicle of the beer itself. While beer is drunk predominantly from cans, glass bottles, glasses, and even plastic cups, most beer drinkers can agree that the method of drinking is crucial to the enjoyment of the drink itself.

July has come and gone, and by now most beer drinkers have checked out the various "summer beers" on the market. I know I’ve been overwhelmed by the variety of beers with the sub-name “summer” available at my local beer store. The style just didn’t seem to have a neat grouping, like fall has Oktoberfest, since summer beers range from IPAs to wheats to pilsners. This begged the question then: What even is a summer beer?

The summer has finally arrived! And with Fourth of July almost here, we’ve taken the liberty to compile a list of patriotic beers that you might want to enjoy this holiday.

Summer is in full swing, and the Capital Region was never so appreciative! We always greet the sun and warmth with the respect such a season deserves: drinking and merriment. Graduation parties, a sprinkling of birthdays, Memorial, Labor and Independence Day parties all dot our calendars as well as the impromptu gatherings in the backyard with a grill and a case of beer.

We get up close and personal with Ithaca Beer Co. owner, Dan Mitchell, in this intimate Q&A.