• State’s newest craft distiller goes on line

    Updated: 2012-08-30 21:14:59
    Just a decade ago, craft distilleries were practically non-existent in New York State. Now, with 22 it is second only to California in the number of them. The newest is the Adirondack Distilling Company, which is making an unusual product after recently receiving its state license. [Go here to get the details.] Go here for [...]

  • NY's newest distillery making gluten-free vodka

    Updated: 2012-08-30 21:11:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120830 NY's newest distillery making gluten-free vodka Just a decade ago , craft distilleries were practically non-existent in New York State . Now , with 22 it is second only to California in the number of . them The newest is the Adirondack Distilling Company , which is making an unusual product after recently receiving its state . license The microdistillery is located in Utica , where distiller Jordan Karp is making gluten-free vodka from locally-grown corn , quite different from most craft vodkas which are made from wheat or other . grains Karp told a local TV interviewer he and co-founders Bruce Elwell and Stee Cox did a lot of research , took a few classes , visited

  • September schedule kicks off a busy autumn

    Updated: 2012-08-29 19:44:56
    The end of August does not mean much of a slowdown in food and drink events in the Capital Region and nearby communities. Here’s a small sampling of what is scheduled for September. Go to my Local Food & Drink Events calendar for more information plus live links to the events themselves. ✔ Grand opening, [...]

  • Distributor planning statewide shochu sales

    Updated: 2012-08-28 20:50:54
    Attention, sake fans. Joto Sake has announced a program to begin wholesaling spirits in the New York market in October, starting with its portfolio of shochus, which includes the Asahi, Seiko Udoko and Shima Senryo brands. Joto has been distributing its artisanal sake line through its wine license in New York State since 2005. The [...]

  • El Loco ownership changes hands

    Updated: 2012-08-27 20:25:43
    Cafe founded in 1983. ALBANY — El Loco Mexican Café has new owners as of today. Patrick and Brianne Noonan purchased the business from founder Marcia Tolive, according to the Times Union. Patrick Noonan had been general manager of his parents’ Orchard Tavern in Albany. The sale price was not made public. In a statement, [...]

  • Celebri-quote: Franka Potente

    Updated: 2012-08-27 17:40:21
    • German actress Franka Potente says she had a drink to ease her anxiety before a romantic scene with Johnny Depp in the 2001 film “Blow.” But she told New York magazine, the move backfired, causing her to slur her way through the scene. “We were shooting in a bar in Los Angeles and there [...]

  • New entries in the cartoon archive

    Updated: 2012-08-26 20:10:31
    I’ve recently added several new cartoons to the “Demented Denizens” archive. Here’s one, and you can go here to see a lot more. Enjoy. Get all the latest news on my Upstate Restaurant Examiner column and check out what’s coming up on my NY Drinks Events Calendar.

  • VT winery tops cold climate competition

    Updated: 2012-08-25 21:28:46
    In the mood for a top-flight cold climate wine? New York, Michigan and Washington State usually are looked to for such things, but our neighbors in Vermont are beginning to get some recognition. In fact, Shelburne Vineyard won “best of show” honors for its 2010 Marquette Reserve Red in the International Cold Climate Wine Competition [...]

  • New Columbia County distillery sets Sept. 1 opening

    Updated: 2012-08-23 22:29:04
    (L-R) Baker, Pickerell, Welly ANCRAM — Last November, I posted a story and photos of a distillery being created near this Columbia County community. Now, owner Jeffrey Baker and master distiller Dave Pickerell have announced a September 1 opening. On that day, Hillrock Estate Distillery will be open to the public as well as introducing [...]

  • One more downtown Albany nightspot closing

    Updated: 2012-08-22 21:58:55
    ALBANY — Savannah’s, a downtown hotspot for draft beers (more than 50) and live music, will close after business on Monday night. And that will, effectively be a double whammy to the entertainment district. Owners Joe Schaefer and Peter Cusato had been working on a spot adjacent to the 1 South Pearl Street venue that [...]

  • Strictly Comedy

    Updated: 2012-08-18 06:19:18
    This is funny. I remember when liberals sported on their automobiles bumper stickers reading, “Hatred is not a Family Value.” Then, back in 2003, in The New Republic, Jonathan Chait wrote an essay explaining why it was legitimate to hate...

  • CIA offering special anniversary ale

    Updated: 2012-08-16 22:01:37
    Photo: CIA/Phil Mansfield HYDE PARK — You’ll have to drive to this Ulster County community to try it, but true craft beer lovers might be interested in the limited edition American Bounty Anniversary Ale made to mark the 30th anniversary of The Culinary Institute of America’s American Bounty Restaurant. The beer was locally brewed and [...]

  • Happy National Rum Day

    Updated: 2012-08-16 16:45:03
    This past week marked the 10th installment of New Orleans mixology orgy, Tales of the Cocktail. It is by far the largest celebration of cocktail culture in the country. ...Read More

  • Wine Wonderland – Francis Ford Coppola Winery

    Updated: 2012-08-15 16:59:22
    Nestled in the picturesque countryside of northern California, south of Geyserville just off the 101, two iconic glass spires glow vividly against the deep blue sky framed by vine studded rolling hills sweeping off into the distance. ...Read More

  • Rose Courvoisier Liqueur Review

    Updated: 2012-08-14 06:36:55
    Search Home Top Drinks Submit a Drink Recipe Box Drinks Blog Drink Recipes Wine Reviews Cocktail Eats Bar Supplies Home Cocktail Blog Rose Courvoisier Liqueur Review Rose Courvoisier Liqueur Review Rachel Halpren Monday , August 13, 2012 Rose Courvoisier recently celebrated its first year anniversary as a product . That’s not bad for a new product release in the ever competitive spirit space these days . It seems like new products are being released weekly , if not daily . It’s hard to keep up . Rose Courvoisier is a liqueur at 18 alcohol by volume versus the Courvoisier cognac that clocks in at a much heavier 36 that was created by blending Courvoisier cognac and red . wine Courvoisier recommends that this lovely libation be served neat or on ice . But , we think it would make a great

  • The Billionaire’s Vinegar – Literary Monday

    Updated: 2012-08-14 03:37:25
    Search Home Top Drinks Submit a Drink Recipe Box Drinks Blog Drink Recipes Wine Reviews Cocktail Eats Bar Supplies Home Cocktail Blog The Billionaire’s Vinegar Literary Monday The Billionaire’s Vinegar Literary Monday Rachel Halpren Monday , August 13, 2012 In The Billionaire’s Vinegar Benjamin Wallace investigates one of the largest , if not the largest , alleged frauds in the wine business . The Billionaire’s Vinegar is a fascinating look into the world of high stakes , high priced wine . Loads of wine obsessed rich people looking to possess rare and elusive bottlings . You can see why this book is fascinating it quickly caught my attention , and I was engrossed to the . end The Billionaire’s Vinegar examines the alleged cache of wines collected by Thomas Jefferson and discovered by

  • Cultured Spirit

    Updated: 2012-08-10 18:23:01
    I think that yogurt in cocktails is a wonderful marriage. It goes together very well during the summer season and is one of my favorite combinations. The sweetness of aged rum and fresh pineapple gives this Cultured Spirit very interesting layers.… Read more

  • Highlights from Tales of the Cocktail 2012

    Updated: 2012-08-10 03:18:33
    This past week marked the 10th installment of New Orleans mixology orgy, Tales of the Cocktail. It is by far the largest celebration of cocktail culture in the country. Tales (as it called by 'vets') is a who's who of bartenders, journalists and brands. It is a wonderland for up and coming barterers and enthusiasts. ...Read More

  • Reply to Favorite Whisky

    Updated: 2012-08-09 13:44:21
    FoodBev Photos posted a reply: It has to be JD!

  • The Wild Vine – Literary Monday

    Updated: 2012-08-07 06:39:40
    Search Home Top Drinks Submit a Drink Recipe Box Drinks Blog Drink Recipes Wine Reviews Cocktail Eats Bar Supplies Home Cocktail Blog The Wild Vine Literary Monday The Wild Vine Literary Monday Rachel Halpren Monday , August 6, 2012 The Wild Vine is a must read for any lover of American wine or what we like to call weird varietals” . Weird varietals are obscure wines that are often made from indiginous grapes or hybrids . In this case , The Wild Vine chronicles the birth , growth and near death experience of Norton , a grape that its author calls the most American of grapes . As you learn in the book , it’s obscure , a hybrid and indiginous to the United States . In providing context for his exploration of Norton , Mr . Kliman also chronicles the struggle of the American wine industry from

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