Porch Beers

Porch Beers is a perzine created by Elliott Stewart. In each issue Stewart writes humorous personal essays about his life, tied together by a loose theme.

issues

• Issue 1: Fandom: Issue 1 (March 2021) is about fandom. Stewart writes about fandoms he's been a part of in his life, from pro wrestling to Cats. He also writes about some fandoms he's fallen out of love with, like Hanson and Rocky Horror Picture Show.

• Issue 2: Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Issue 2 (August 2021) is about Stewart's home state of West Virginia. He details the food and folklore, rants about leftist takes on Dolly Parton, and gets real about why he left.

• Issue 3: A Bargain Basement Version of Songbook Issue 3 (November 2021) is a meditation on a dozen meaningful songs for Elliott. He writes about memories attached to everyone from Springsteen to Kendrick Lamar and takes a crack at some music journalism on "what is the best song ever?"

• Issue 4: All the Bacon and Eggs You Have Issue 4 (July 2022) centers on food, particularly the intersections of food, home, and identity. Elliott writes about everything from Chinese food in rural WV to the best meals he has ever eaten.

• Issue 4.5: A People's History of the Food Revolution Issue 4.5 (July 2022) started as an article for issue 4 but quickly spun into its own thing. This one is dedicated to the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution show filmed in Huntington over a decade ago, with interviews of folks involved in the creation process as well as Elliott's take on the series.

• Issue 5: Radically and Unapologetically Queer Issue 5 (January 2023) probably should have been released in June or October, but c'est la vie. This issue tackles LGBTQ Pride, with articles ranging from Queer Joy and trans coming out stories to LGBTQ country artists and small town Pride celebrations.

• Issue 6: The Zine of Job Issue 6 (April 2023) is a reflection on my mental health journey. Topics include depression, PTSD, domestic violence, and jealousy. It's a heavy one, but Elliott hopes some folks can connect with it.

• The Best of #1-3 a remastered and remixed version of what Elliott considers the best of Porch Beers Year One.

• Issue 7: At the Movies Issue 7 (October 2023) talks about movies and the movie-going experience. This issue has articles about the Blair Witch Project, cult classic movie reviews, Elliott Smith at the Oscars, and indie filmmaking.

• Issue 8: Tales of a Burlesque Nothing Issue 8 (November 2023) is a recounting of Elliott's time in the West Virginia Burlesque circuit.

links

• [Porch Beers online]