The craic

After five months in the barrel my Port finished (Scotch) Whisky was ready to bottle. Fantastic...

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:42:05 -0800

After five months in the barrel my Port finished (Scotch) Whisky was ready to bottle.

Fantastic color and smooth finish. Time to enjoy for the Holidays.

Beannachtai na Nollog ( Merry Christmas)

The evolution of craft beer in a can | SmartBlogs SmartBlogs

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:26:06 -0800

The evolution of craft beer in a can | SmartBlogs SmartBlogs:

Would you buy craft beer in a can? After all, brewers are in business to make money and they need more affordable ways to package their products.

Wine Spectator top 100

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:17:31 -0800

Free access to the new list at winespectator.com

Budweiser launches beer 3 pack from Project 12 crowdsourcing initiative | brand-e

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:03:42 -0800

Budweiser launches beer 3 pack from Project 12 crowdsourcing initiative | brand-e:

It is always good to have one of your ideas come back to life. I worked on this about 7 years ago. Of course my team did it better:)

WABL tasting update

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:34:38 -0800

Last Thurs. I attended the WABL event in SODO and came away with a few great ideas. Hopefully, I will have more to report on these ideas in the future as I plan my next adventure in the Washington beverage world. In the meantime, I thought I would share info on what you missed. Below is a list of what was on tap.

My two favorites where FlyersBrewery - Crash and Burn smoked stout and Anacortes Brewery - Dry fly Whiskey Red.

If you like a good hearty stout with character Crash & Burn will be your new favorite. Just watch the ABV of 7.5% which will sneak up on you.

The Dry Fly Whisky Red combines two of this states growing industries; brewing and distilling. Dry Fly is an up and coming Micro Distiller from Spokane. Anacortes Brewery aged their Ale in a whiskey barrel to impart some color and flavor. A good decision and a great drinking ale is the result.

I also tweeted from the event about Valholl Brewings Valhalapeno Red. The brewer told me that it was a one off that they made specifically for the event. Their goal was to have some fun and make something that pushed the envelope. And they succeeded.

While I can’t recommend the beer by it self, it does make for a new amazing beer when mixed with the Crash and Burn stout. The combination of spice/heat with the smoked malt make for an amazing new beer.

Cheers!

BreweryBeerDescriptionAnacortes BreweryDry Fly Whiskey RedRed ale aged in a Dry Fly whiskey barrelFish BrewingFish Brewing Fresh Hop AleFish Tale Organic Fresh Hop Ale uses fresh hops that are picked and shipped directly to our brewery to arrive within six hours. That way we get them into the brew kettle while their oils and resins are still at their peak and before the flavors and aromas fade. The result is a beer that subtly highlights the herbal, grassy and citrusy characteristics of the hops, offering a nuanced, yet tempered profile.Flyers BreweryCrash and Burn Smoked StoutThere is about 80% of the grist using Weyermann Smoked Malt so there is a considerable amount of smoke flavor and aroma. 7% Foreign style stout as the base.Fremont BrewingWiney BrotherMerlot barrel aged Brother Double IPAHood Canal BrewingHoods Head Smoked Amber80% of the grist using Weyermann Smoked Malt so there is a considerable amount of smoke flavor and aroma. 7% Foreign style stout as the base.Hales AlesMerlot WitBelgian Wit beer aged in French Merlot barrels for 11 months at cellar temperature. 4.7% ABV, 4 IBU. Tart & dry, aroma of bready Merlot, lingering oak tannin finish.Issaquah Brewery/RoguePolish FrogPolish-style Grodziskie bier, Ingredients: 100% Oak-smoked wheat malt, Sterling hops-ABV: 3.5%, IBU: 40Naked City BrewingSmoketoberfest – RauchbierThis delicious smoked lager is brewed in the tradition of the great Rauchbiers of Bamberg to evoke the old abbey church spires, green hillsides, and rich beer-loving tradition of that special German town. Made with Weyermann Rauchmaltz brewed in a 150-year-old malting house, as well as Pale Malt, Light Munich, Aromatic, Biscuit, and German Hop varieties.Scuttlebutt BreweryFresh Hop IPADry hopped with untoasted American OakTwo BeersOaked and Infused Double IpaAn Oaked Version of Two’s Beer’s Double IPA-Infused with additional ingredients to be announced.Valholl BrewingValhalapeno RedMashed and boiled jalapeno pappers and “dry peppered” in the Firkin.Wingman BrewingSour Bourbon Cherry Stout7.6%ABV Cherry Stout soured with lactobacillus in a Woodinville Whiskey Barrel.Wingman BrewingBelgian Sour Blend9%ABV A blend of our golden sour and brown sour aged in 21Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Barrels.

WABL 7th Anniversary Party!

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:50:46 -0800

WABL 7th Anniversary Party!:

Should be a fun event in SODO. I will be volunteering at the event.

MediaPost Publications Redhook Beer Ad Backs Gay Marriage 11/05/2012

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:14:59 -0800

MediaPost Publications Redhook Beer Ad Backs Gay Marriage 11/05/2012:

I have made a lot of beer ads in my career and I like controversy but this is a bad ad. Advice to the agency, politics and beer do not mix.

While I agree with the position taken, this feels like amateur hour at an agency who doesn’t think through its strategy. Redhook you need a new agency. An agency with beer experience that is worthy of your product.

Diageo Uses Tech To Personalize Whiskeys With Videos From Gift-Givers | Global News - Advertising Age

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:47:38 -0700

Diageo Uses Tech To Personalize Whiskeys With Videos From Gift-Givers | Global News - Advertising Age:

Now that is a creative use of QR technology. It provides for a “cool” user experience and helps to market the brand.

Fall Martini

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 11:43:54 -0700

Latest invention : Chai infused cider martini. Single Silo Chai Vodka from the folks at Project V distillery and some fresh spiced apple cider.

Top U.S. wine destinations: TripAdvisor names Travelers' Choice - Pack Up - Boston.com

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:18:44 -0700

Top U.S. wine destinations: TripAdvisor names Travelers' Choice - Pack Up - Boston.com:

I actually agree with the top pick. Sonoma is a great place to rent a bike and taste some great Zin. Look at dry creek in Healdsburg. Then when you need a beer break you can grab a Racer x at the Bear Republic.

Cheers

New meaning to drink local.

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:31:22 -0700

New meaning to drink local.:

The American distilling institute projects that there will be 1000 local distilleries in the next ten years. There are just under 300 today.

While these distilleries will never be a threat to Diageo, they will provide new options to consumers and spark a new class of drinkers. It may be similar to the micro/craft beer segment in 10 years time.

Growth of Micro distilling. http://www.distilling.com/PDF/white_paper.pdf

Make Mine a Single: The Rise of Stronger Spirits - WSJ.com

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:30:04 -0700

Make Mine a Single: The Rise of Stronger Spirits - WSJ.com:

While I am a big fan of the micro distilling segment and small batch spirits, as a regular consumer you need to be very careful and understand what you are drinking.

A drink is no longer a drink when the alcohol content jumps 20-50%.

MediaPost Publications Beer Faces Competition From Other Segments 10/01/2012

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:34:02 -0700

MediaPost Publications Beer Faces Competition From Other Segments 10/01/2012:

The beer industry continues to change as consumers alter their product preferences. The most striking shift to me is that consumers are opting for more expensive products (spirits and craft) during a recession.

Recessions in the past would drive the domestic sub-premium category as consumer would seek more bang for their buck. Maybe the consumer mindset is shifting to drink less but drink better/local? If so, that would help explain the stock downgrades this week.

I just registered “craicmarketing.us”. I started a beverage marketing/advertising shop...

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:44:36 -0700

I just registered “craicmarketing.us”. I started a beverage marketing/advertising shop and needed a working title. Let’s see how far it can go. After all, if you can’t have fun or good times ( Craic) in the beverage world, what’s the point.

America’s Best Beer Bars | Food & Wine

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:52:01 -0700

America’s Best Beer Bars | Food & Wine:

I can’t believe I have only been to one of these places. I will have to visit Uber Tavern and get my count to two.

Rabbit part two

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:41:14 -0700

I took part in a Notre Dame club of Seattle bike ride this weekend and wanted to share some of my local beer knowledge with the group. As I was explaining how to get to the Black Raven I momentarily thought I should warn them about the suicide rabbit who lives on the trail. I decided against it.

Well, I now know what I looked like on my bike when that rabbit flew in front of my tire. I watched our lead rider swerve all over the trail as the rabbit danced under his front tire.

Both rabbit and rider emerged un-harmed and I had a very good laugh.

Moral of the story: Black Raven is a must if you are visiting the area, just watch out for the rabbit.

Snooth Top 5 Zins under $15

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:15:09 -0700

It is BBQ season and nothing goes better with a BBQ than a good Zin. Especially if you can find one for under $15.

So to help, I have attached a story from Snooth that lists its top 5 selections under $15. I have not tried any of them yet but I do have one to add to the list. Gnarly Head has an Old Vine Zin as well as a red bled (mostly Zin) that you can pick up for $10 + bucks. Great for a casual BBQ or just a Tuesday night steak on the grill.

Cheers!

http://www.snooth.com/articles/top-5-zinfandel-under-dollar-15/?utm_campaign=6891&utm_medium=email&utm_source=all&utm_content=14471

Alcohol Brands See Growth in Engagement on Facebook - eMarketer

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 10:00:25 -0700

Alcohol Brands See Growth in Engagement on Facebook - eMarketer:

It just makes sense. Brands that are social by nature should invest in social media.

Soft Tail Spirits

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:14:28 -0700

Soft Tail Spirits:

Found Soft tail spirits by accident today. I was driving through Woodinville to visit Convergence Zone Wines open house to celebrate their new location.

Soft Tail has an interesting Washington spin for their Vodka; Washington Apples. This is not an apple flavored Vodka. Rather Apples take the place of potatoes or grains.

They also make some interesting Grappa. It is unique and worth a sample.

Cheers.

Self Chilling Can

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:10:39 -0700

The end of warm beer is coming. Look out Coleman and Ice makers.Soon MTNs will turn blue with push of a button.

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-06/first-ever-self-chilling-can