Today on Consuming the Craft, I sat down with Jesse Phillips from Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, Virginia. We took a deep dive into Port City's current lineup, including their much-lauded Oktoberfest, their adventurous lager series, and their limited-run Brewer's Cut releases. Jesse also shared his perspective on seasonal beer trends, local collaborations—especially with coffee roasters—and the importance of creative small batches in keeping both staff and customers excited. Throughout, Jesse brought a selection of impressive beers and joined me for a tasting of an exceptional bourbon, Eagle Rare, sparking conversations about pairing, palate development, and the joy of connecting over a shared craft. Jesse Phillips is the warehouse manager at Port City Brewing, where he oversees beer movements from production to the tasting room and helps track consumer preferences through his keen observations. Having started his brewing career at Port City, Jesse is passionate about expanding his palate through lagers and experimental releases. He has a talent for fostering local collaborations, especially with coffee roasters around the DMV, and is an advocate for seasonal and small-batch beers that surprise and delight customers. Jesse's energy and insider perspective brought unique insights into Port City's brewing philosophy and community-driven approach. "Something that I love about working at Port City...it's really opened up my palette to all these different lagers that I would never normally try." ~Jesse Phillips This Week on Consuming the Craft: ·     Port City Brewing has a robust seasonal and specialty beer program, including a lager series, Oktoberfest, and experimental styles like Doppelbock, Baltic Porter, and Schwarzbier. ·     Small-batch innovations are supported by the Brewer's Cut series, enabling creative combinations and limited releases. ·     The West Coast IPA is a recent standout, selling rapidly and reflecting a surge in customer demand for hop-forward beers. ·     Collaborations with local coffee roasters enhance Port City's porter offerings and foster strong community ties. ·     The brewery is expanding its sour lineup with balanced fruit blends, notably a watermelon gose and the upcoming Gobblestone, cranberry gose, for Thanksgiving. ·     Port City’s Christmas Tidings beer is a Belgian strong ale brewed with Virginia honey, earning its reputation as a "makeout beer" for festive occasions. ·     Local connections, like food trucks and coffee roasters, are integral to Port City's identity and customer experience. ·     The brewery encourages responsible enjoyment and pairing of its products, supporting a culture of hospitality and craft appreciation.Contact for Jesse Phillips: Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA Port City Brewing Website (http://www.portcitybrewing.com/)Resources Mentioned: ·     Port City Brewing Company (lager series, Oktoberfest, Brewer's Cut releases) ·     Swings Coffee, Hypergoat Coffee, Continuum Coffee (collaborating roasters) ·     Eagle Rare Kentucky Bourbon (Buffalo Trace) ·     Riverbend Malt Company • Oak and Grist Distillery (Asheville, NC) ·     Zillicoah Beer Company, Alluvium, Diatribe (Asheville locations) ·     La Tangaria Food Truck (on-site at Port City, top-rated tacos) This episode is brought to you by… McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market.