Last night in Texas.  Figured I’d introduce my brother to the tart, smoky delights of the Freigeist Abraxxxas.  His reaction?  Well, it’s the quote above… Certainly one of the strangest, most beguiling beers I’ve ever tried, the Abraxxxas is technically a Smoked Lichtenhainer Weisse.  Inspired by an Eastern German tart wheat beer, it’s a bit […]

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Ask an Insider is an interview series that talks to the people that make, serve, shake, sip, pump, pour, crush, distill, and bring life to this industry.  (For other interviews in the series, click the Ask an Insider tag at the bottom) Carla Rzeszewski, Wine Director The Spotted Pig, The Breslin & The John Dory […]

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Sancerre (100% Sauvignon Blanc), La Grande Côte, François Cotat, 2010, Loire Valley Sancerre.  Its one of those french words that just rolls off the tongue.  Everyone loves to say it. Just like “Chardonnay,” there is no confusion how to pronounce it…and, therefore, all Americans love it.  Even old Uncle Earl can sound sophisticated when he […]

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Arcese (Favorita, Arneis, Cortese, Sauvignon Blanc), Bera Vittorio e Figli, 2010, Piedmont Nearly one year ago today, my wife and I were in Piedmont, one of Italy’s top wine regions.  It was a dream come true, and after years of dreaming and scheming, I had to pinch myself when I drove past road signs with names like “Barolo”, “La Morra”, “Alba” […]

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It’s truly amazing how much work goes into opening a restaurant. Having now worked on the operations side of things for four years, I’m still amazed by this.  And even more amazed how the guests on the other side of the bar have no idea what this process entails.  The thought of someone thinking, “Oh, […]

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I saw this beauty while shopping at my local grocery store today.  Wow.  You’ve gotta be f’in kidding me.  Waist Watcher Diet Chocolate Fudge Soda. A few things I love about it: You can have your Chocolate Fudge soda craving, but in diet form…with Splenda!  Glorious Splenda! It’s “Waist Watcher” not “Weight Watchers” It comes […]

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Le Pousseur (100% Syrah), Bonny Doon Vineyard, 2008, Central Coast (13.5% abv) There is something transporting about this wine, like being wrapped up in a harlot’s velvet shawl. You enter the room somewhat willingly, thinking you know what you’re in store for, wanting to keep it light and fun, only to find your mind and […]

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There are certain sign posts that mark the passage of the seasons.  The first smoke billowing forth from the chimneys, the first leaf you see falling from the trees, the first flower you see resiliently climbing forth from the sidewalk cracks on 12th street, or the first snowflake you see falling from the sky, silhouetted […]

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Greetings from Amsterdam (and no, I am not writing you from a smoke-filled coffee shop). Tomorrow, we return to NYC after 93 days in Europe.  Along the way, we have met countless inspiring artisans making wine, beer and spirits in the name of craftsmanship. They toil away in nooks around the world, battling the forces […]

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My only request for Kat’s beer run was to include “some interesting boozy thing in a can”.  Along with a cold tall boy of Mythos and one of Fix Hellas, she came back with this beauty. “OriGINal Long Drink”: Gin-Grapefruit drink.  Contains the following:  water, sugar, gin, carbon dioxide, acid, flavours, stabilizer, safflower and lemon […]

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Forget wine. Forget beer. They’re mere newbies in the world of fermented beverages. Mead is the patriarch, the original, the granddaddy that launched the human fascination with alcohol. But, strangely enough, it’s fallen out of fashion. How could this be? This was the drink of Aristotle and the Ancient Greeks; the drink of the brave […]

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Pinot Gris, Prophet’s Rock, 2009, Central Otago (13.2% abv) The orcs are moving in on you.  You can hear their gnarled grunts approaching the perimeter of your camp like a fast-moving plague.  The ringwraiths were spotted yesterday on the horizon, their ghostlike, ethereal figures barely visible through the fog. You’re being hunted.  And the enemy […]

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Contra, Bonny Doon Vineyard, 2009, Contra Costa County (13.5% abv) At the mouth of Big Thompson Canyon in Northern Colorado, lies a small store that sells Black Bing Cherries.  Juices, ciders, jams, you name it. The store itself was unmissable; a large red roof over a white building from which hung hundreds of red juice […]

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Gouden Carolus Tripel, Brouwerij Het Anker, Belgium (9% abv) A wolf in sheep’s clothing…yep, that about sums it up. Belgian Tripels are deceptively smooth and ridiculously drinkable; watch out, though, cause they’ll knock you on your ass lickety-split.  Granted, you’ll have a big smile on your face, but on your ass, you will be knocked. […]

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Tequila Reposado, Casa Noble, Mexico (40% abv) Tequila: it’s not just for margaritas anymore. I’m kind of shocked at the sheer number of people that have never tried good tequila…and I don’t mean expensive Tequila, I just mean the authentic kind. For all those who love it, but have only been weaned off the teet […]

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