Two weeks of waiting, followed by a day of chilling in the fridge and then the moment of truth. Opening the first bottle of homebrew. I’ll admit, this shouldn’t be such a moment fraught with anxiety. If you’re a competent homebrewer you should have consistent success, you methods should be tested and true. Brewing should [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘What I’m drinking …’
July 8, 2010
A stiff upper lip and a Pimm’s Cup
Lounging in the plush couches on the veranda, we sipped cocktails and chatted but for the most part just luxuriated. The clank of Bocce balls resounded every now and then as well as an outburst of laughter from some of the other guests. Waiters and waitresses moved between the tables, to ensure every class was [...]
July 7, 2010
A dandy summer shandy
During the hot days of summer, mixing in a little juice or lemonade to your lager can be quite tasty. The English name for such a drink is a shandy. This calls for a light ale mixed with ginger, ginger soda or lemonade. During the Fourth of July weekend I took a Samuel Adams Summer [...]
July 1, 2010
Beverages for El Quatro de Julio
What happened to June? Anyway, the Fourth of July is around the corner and I decided to post a few recommendations for libations this holiday. Not much can beat cold beer, barbecue and blowing shit up on the day we solemnly remember the founding fathers and their bravery, but everyone can use a little dose [...]
June 30, 2010
What I’m drinking … a little bit of history
Every now and then in this wine life someone has an old bottle and they’ve decided it’s time to open it. A good friend of mine moved about two years ago and his family’s wine cellar was uprooted and has been in a state of flux since. He’s been concerned about the condition in which [...]
June 27, 2010
Mini kegs
While getting ready for a party recently, I dropped a case of Coors in the shopping cart and was headed for the aisle when I paused in front of a Heineken mini keg. These have been in stores for a while, but you don’t seem them at parties much. They hold five liters of beer, [...]
June 19, 2010
Stirred, not shaken
Sitting at the bar in the new Westin in Napa, considered to be the top, new hotel in Downtown Napa, I figured their bartender would know how to fix a martini. But no, I was wrong. When my Tanqueray 10 martini with a twist was delivered in front of me, I was disappointed — yet [...]
April 24, 2010
What I’m drinking … Hoegaarden
Sunshine, cool breezes, fields of green grass and wildflowers below fat clouds hinting at possible rain showers drifting across blue skies. Spring is one of my favorite seasons and heralds a time to put away dark stouts and smoky porters and turn to fresh, effervescent beers that give one the same sense of revival that [...]
March 14, 2010
What I’m drinking … free wine!
I work at a winery, my wife works at a winery so we get lots of free wine. It’s a great industry perk and I never tire of coming home to find a case of wine sitting on our kitchen table and Christine saying they had to clean out some inventory. For me, the real [...]
January 20, 2010
What I’m drinking …
The wintry weather had me in the mood for a smooth, indulgent cocktail this past weekend. I was making a big batch of carnitas and wanted a few cocktails before dinner. In light of the carnitas, I found myself leaning to the Mexican coffee liqueur Kahlua and from there it was just a short jump [...]
