127 Days of Food and Beverage, In Pictures

For the past 127 life-altering days, the main goal around here has simply been to keep everyone’s physical and mental health as strong as it can be. As any of you can attest to daily it isn’t easy to deal with, but hopefully we can all find some pockets of time to be able to sit back and appreciate what we have. During these times of quarantine/lockdown/social distancing, I have always been able to count on Friday Pizza & Movie Night, takeout dinners to support a local restaurant once per week, and the Sunday Cocktail & Appetizers right here at home. Of course, there is the occasional Thursday Happy Hour on our deck with oversized chess, checkers, and “four-in-a-row,” or even the Tuesday night where I decide, “screw it…I’m getting a beer.”

Seeing as I haven’t shared anything with you all in a while, I figured now is as good a time as any to do so. I have taken some of my favorite moments of food and beverage experiences over the last 3+ months to help you get caught up. Think of it as a “Best Of” mini-guide to help you the next time you are looking to cook something up or pick up something new at your local liquor mart.

Drink from the fire hose, and feel free to share what you have tried since March…I’d love to hear about it! In the meantime, hang in there and be good to one another.

Local Oysters with Bacon Butter

I normally go for raw oysters, but the technique of using a bed of hot rock salt was amazing.

Garlic Scape Pizza with Proscuitto

You need to try a garlic scape.

Misty Cove Sauvignon Blanc

It’s like drinking passionfruit lemonade. No other wine I ever had went down easier.

Bodegas Garzon Cabernet Franc Reserva

Ever try a wine from Uruguay? This is a great place to start. Loaded with berries and spices.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

One of my favorite pastimes is taking a carcass and cooking it over wood and charcoal for several hours.

Chicken Shawarma

A new adventure for me, using marinated boneless skinless chicken thighs held together with red onions and metal skewers led to a tasty meal in a pita.

Strawberry Beer Coolers

Not a bad little beer cocktail!

Cabernet Franc Vine

These are doing much better than our Gruner Veltliner vines. More than anything, I’m just thrilled they are alive

Wines of Dry Creek Vineyard

Had a fun virtual tasting, learning the winery’s story and philosophy. I contend their Chenin Blanc is one of the best values on the market for any wine.

Pink French 75

Gin, sparkling rosé, simple syrup, and a squeeze of lemon

Grilled Vegetable Bounty

Pick up as many veggies as your arms can carry and grill the lot of them.

Brisket pizza

Because that’s what you make out of the leftovers from…

Smoked Beef Brisket

Not bad for an Italian boy from Brooklyn.

Oven-Fried Eggplant Pizza

Crispy, salty goodness.

Maple Bacon Donuts

Greatest Wife In The World calls, I haul.

Michel Schlumberger Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Did a virtual tasting for an old friend, featuring this wine. A really well-made Pinot Noir that deserves your attention.

French and Italian Rosé

Campuget is from southern France, while the Planeta is from Sicily. Priced about the same and they may look similar, but the flavors are totally different. This is why you taste wine side-by-side.

Sancerre

This is the Greatest Wine In The World, didn’t you know?

"Wine Diamonds"

Sometimes in an unfiltered white wine, you may see these harmless calcium deposits at the bottom of the glass. Especially in a wine like…

Domaine a Deux Touraine Sauvignon

A zesty, yet full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley that has incredible creamy-citrusy finish.

Château Charrier Bordeaux

Everyday red Bordeaux wines have been so good lately. 2018 is shaping up to be a really good vintage.

Burgundian Grape Varieties

Did a virtual tasting where we discussed the ins and outs of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Pacific Pinot is a fantastic way to get to know the grape for less than $20, while the Louis Jadot wines are a great way to get introduced to individual villages and communes within Burgundy.

Celery Gimlet

I dare you to find a better way to awaken the appetite. Muddled celery, lime, and simple syrup shaken with good quality gin.

Staying Home: Less News, More Booze

Two weeks of quarantine has simultaneously gone by really fast, yet somehow slowly. The boys started their online learning sessions for school, while the adults in the house still have work to accomplish. When there is downtime, I know it is too easy to scroll through the news feed on my phone and get annoyed or angry or anxious about where things are headed with a pandemic. Instead, why not take the opportunity to take a deeper dive into something you already enjoy? Like booze!

You can nerd out through study and research, read fascinating accounts of wine and history, or learn how to make a cocktail. There is enough out there to keep you engaged for as long as we need to stay holed up at home. Here are some of my favorites that pair perfectly with your favorite beverage of choice.

Note: links to book titles send you to Amazon’s web site as a point of reference, but note that with the pandemic impact you are likely not getting these books in two days through Prime. Consider alternative sources or e-book versions if you can.

Wine & War, Don & Petie Kladstrup: The setting is France during World War II and the Nazis are in full force. Through the turmoil, you get to learn about how German wine merchants conducted business with France, the fate of legendary French vineyards, and how French wine producers coped with being prisoners of war. A wildly entertaining read that offers plenty of perspective.

An outstanding take on the Aviation. You don’t have to buy Creme de Violette AND you get to have Lavender Liqueur on hand for any unaged spirit-based cocktail.

The World Atlas of Wine (8th Edition), Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson: If you want to nerd out with a desk reference of colorful maps that discusses a full range of worldwide wine regions, this is the book for you. There’s even a section that covers all of the basics of wine production, storage, service, and how to taste wine. Give yourself a crash course in wine from the comfort of home.

How To Cocktail, America’s Test Kitchen: Over the years, I have become a fan of America’s Test Kitchen on PBS when it comes to learning more about cooking. The folks there try many ways of preparing a dish, whether changing proportions of ingredients or method of cooking. Well, that experimental mentality was applied to making cocktails, even providing opportunities for you to make your own liqueurs, sugar and salt rims, or snacks to enjoy for a cocktail party (to have inside with family or virtually). I have made the lavender liqueur from the book, and let me tell you…it’s easy to do and makes a great addition to an Aviation.

Booze & Vinyl, Andre Darlington and Tenaya Darlington: If you have some old records laying around, dust them off and have your own listening party, complete with beverage pairings! Booze & Vinyl is a fun book that discusses timeless albums and cocktails to go with the mood. Everything from Johnny Cash to The Clash, Frank Sinatra to Madonna are covered with interesting stories about the artists and the music. The authors also penned TCM Movie Night Menus, another book I recommend if you gravitate more towards being a foodie.

Kicking Back: Argentina, Brews, and Sherry

You all know I spend a great deal of time tasting as a professional. Dissecting wines, spirits, beers, and any other beverage is just what I do. However, I also like to kick back over the weekend and simply enjoy something without thinking about it (too much). OK, fine…I taste the first mouthful critically, figure out what is going on, then savor it while watching a movie, dining out, or for nothing more than straightforward pleasure.

And what good is it if I taste these wonderful things and then not share them with you? So here we go with a run-down of everything I sampled over the weekend. It will give you something to consider when expanding your drinking horizons.

Domaine Bousquet Virgen Red Blend Mendoza

It is appropriate that I would have this wine during Lent as this Certified Organic Argentinian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc is Vegan-Friendly (so no animal products were used during the fining process). No oak, no filtration, and no sulfites added, Virgen is packed with blackberry and blueberry fruit flavor and a slight floral/herbaceous note on the nose that complements the fruity fragrance. 14.5% ABV. $15

Firestone Walker Lager, Paso Robles, California

From the Firestone Walker website:

In the words of Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, "Firestone Lager is made for drinking, not thinking. It's about enjoying a good, clean beer."

I couldn’t agree more. When hanging with the family at the Jealous Monk, I wanted something easy to help me wash down the plate of sausage, spaetzle, pierogies, and sauerkraut I ordered for dinner. This German-style Helles has touch of malt and hint of bitterness, which is all I needed. This is a real crowd-pleaser that has lawnmower beer potential. 4.5% ABV, IBU: 17, $10/6-pack

New England Cider Company Passion Fruit Cider, Wallingford, Connecticut

There have been many times I have seen ciders from these folks, and I have passed over them wondering if it would be too sweet. Well, The Greatest Wife In The World ordered this with Fish & Chips, and it was pretty damn tasty. A sweeter cider, but not sticky or cloying at all as it was very well-balanced with a nice zing of acidity. The passion fruit flavor enhanced the fruitiness of the cider, too. Kudos to the New England Cider Company on this seasonal release! 5.2% ABV, $11/6-pack (estimated)

To close out the weekend, I revisited a wine from a recent program we did at the store with Lustau Sherry, the Almacenista José Luis González Obregón Fino del Puerto. Yes, this is a mouthful to say, but you know what? This bone dry, tangy, nutty Sherry is a perfect partner with nuts, olives, cured meats, and a range of hard cheeses. It’s also so good, the entire Lustau evening deserves a post of its own (hint, hint…). 15% ABV. $17/500mL bottle.

Drinking Religiously

Much of our modern drinking culture stems from the work of monks during the Middle Ages. Even though much of their lives were spent serving a higher calling by attending multiple church services per day and translating texts to other languages, the monks also provided medical care, farmed the land and among other things, produced beer and wine. Of particular note, the Paulaner Friars in Bavaria (Munich) created a beer that would sustain them during the fasting periods when richer food like meat (where with bread was a staple of the monk’s diet) was a no-no. This style is referred to as the doppelbock.

Behold…my beer-inator!

The bock family of lagers are strong and malty with no real hoppy character. At 6.0-7.0% abv, the bocks are smooth, creamy, and rich in texture with a caramel flavor. The Paulaner Friars took this style to the next level in strength and richness with the doppel (double) bock, where the beers were even darker and fuller-bodied, with an abv checking in around 7.5-8.0%; modern examples by craft brewers can take this up to an abv as high as 12.0% with toasty flavors entering the equation, essentially “liquid bread” to feed the monks. When the fasting period was over, the lighter and hoppier maibock (also referred to as helles lager) was consumed in celebration.

The Paulaner Friars called this the “Salvator,” which translates to “savior,” and to this day many doppelbock beers include -ator in its name in reverence to the foundation of this beer style. Fun fact: bock beers, where “ein bock” translates to “billy goat,” will frequently depict goats on the labels.

Whether you observe Ash Wednesday today and the Lenten season, or you just want to introduce yourself to a new beer style that will warm you up during these remaining chilly days, reach for a doppelbock. Additionally, if you are a fan of Belgian Dubbels, try its lager counterpart to the east. Here are three for you to find.

Paulaner Salvator ($11/6-pack): The granddaddy of them all, this beer has been made for 375 years. The Salvator has a creamy texture with a chocolate-covered caramel flavor backed up by light hoppiness to create balance on your palate. 7.9% abv

Ayinger Celebrator ($14/4-pack): darker and maltier than the Salvator, but drier on the finish, the flavor profile shows more of a toasted bread and espresso character. It’s kind of like drinking breakfast (which 500 years ago was exactly the idea). 7.2% abv

Tröegs Tröegenator ($11/6-pack): Here is an American take on this style from central Pennsylvania, a region that traces its history to German settlers. The Tröegenator shows more of a reddish color than dark brown and has more noticeable hops and fruit than the traditional producers, but it still sticks to the malty character that defines the doppelbock style. 8.2% abv. NOTE: there is also a Bourbon barrel-aged version of this beer, where the alcohol is jacked up to 9.8% abv, available in 12.7 oz bottles that are about $15 per bottle.

Happy Birthday, Grandma

A couple of years ago, I wrote a post that discussed a side of my heritage than some of you may not have known. It was fun to take some time to remember how I got here and discuss some beverages native to Belgium and choose non-Belgian beverages to enjoy with the local cuisine.

Last month, my grandmother passed away; today would have been her 94th birthday.

As I got to know more about our family’s history, I had no idea that alcoholic beverage industry was in my blood. Grandma worked in a liquor factory putting labels on bottles as a teenager during World War II. So if the bombs were coming in, she and her coworkers had to run out of the factory since fire plus alcohol is a life-threatening combination. And even though she was working in a liquor factory, she didn’t drink (maybe alcoholic beverages are not in my blood after all).

Very tasty stuff here…

Grandma’s hometown of Hasselt is located in the part of Belgium that was part of Flanders (so she spoke Flemish, not French as they do farther south). Flanders boasts a ton of breweries making classic Belgian beers of so many styles. Today, I raise a glass to Grandma on her birthday. Join me with any of the three beers below (or anything else of your choosing, honestly).

Leffe Blonde Ale: Leffe has classic banana bread flavor, floral aromatics, and is lightly hopped. Pretty easy drinking at 6.6% abv.

Duvel Golden Ale: This is a strong pale ale that is quite popular and easy to find. Citrusy and spicy (especially cloves), malty on the palate, but gives way to a grapefruitiness on the finish to make this lively. 8.5% abv.

Westmalle Dubbel: Beautiful deep brown color with cherry, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a sturdy, savory bread character. No bitterness, nutty on the finish. Very malty and creamy, perfect for a cold day by the fire. 7.0% abv

Wines "&" Spirits "&" Beers...Oh My!

How come these letters never made it into the English language? Credit: Dr. Seuss' On Beyond Zebra

I can't get enough of the National Days of the Year Calendar. I am always amazed at what topic or category deserves our attention and awareness. There are some that are for a good cause (HIV awareness, POW/MIA Recognition) and some that are simply out there (National Crush a Can Day?). Did you know that tomorrow is National Ampersand (&) Day?

Yes! This little symbol that supposedly used to be the last letter of the alphabet has its own day. The symbol that is supposed to be "e" and "t" mashed together, where the Latin word "et" in fact means "and," is to be celebrated on September 8th every year! My goodness.

Let's have some fun today. Go ahead and give recognition to the ex-27th letter of the alphabet. Let's do this by grabbing a bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage with a "&" on the label. Need some ideas? I have some outstanding producers for you to seek out.

Here's to you & whoever else is celebrating National Ampersand Day!

Moët & Chandon: The legendary wine you see from this Champagne house is the Dom Perignon range, but you don't have to reach for the top shelf if you don't want to. Brut Imperial will do you just fine.

Bouchard Pere & Fils: This Burgundy negociant offers a wide range of expressions from many villages throughout the region. Here in Connecticut, we have access to many of their Chardonnay wines from the Côte de Beaune region, but a white or red wine simply labeled "Bourgogne" will help you stay under $20.

Nickel & Nickel: This Napa Valley winery specialized in many single vineyard expressions. These are excellent New World wines that are going to be pricey, but they will deliver.

Cooper & Thief: These folks are capitalizing on the newest winemaking craze, aging red wine in Bourbon barrels. Of all the producers making this style of wine, I find Cooper & Thief does it best.

Wells & Young's: I didn't find many beer producers with the "&" in its name, but one thing I remember about Wells & Young's is their delicious Double Chocolate Stout.

Wray & Nephew: Their signature product is the Overproof White Rum, clocking in at an astounding 62.75% abv (125.5 Proof). It is pungent, fiery, and great in any rum-based cocktail like a traditional Daiquiri or a Mojito.

Gordon & Macphail: For 123 years, Gordon & Macphail has sought out casks from Scotch distilleries to bottle as single malts under their own labels. The portfolio is comprehensive, with non-traditional age statements and individual "vintages" dated on the labels.

World Cup of Beverages: Kick It Off In Style

NOTE: In this series, I am investigating drinking culture in dozens of countries, making a few recommendations along the way mostly for products you can get in the United States. But I will make mention of others that, should you encounter them overseas, you may want to give them a shot. There is no political judgments being made here, but I am drawing from the history and culture of the respective nations in to present material in the most meaningful way possible. If you find anything I write to be in error, please reach out to me and make me smarter on the subject.

On Thursday, June 14th of 2018, the greatest world sporting event begins at 11:00am Eastern Time, and it has become one of my personal favorites. I speak, of course, of the FIFA World Cup.

While the Super Bowl and Wrestlemania are just dandy spectacles here in America, nothing gives you the opportunity to get to know the world from the comfort of your own living room (or computer desk if you are working). Now since the games start as early as 6:00am ET and end as late as 5:00pm ET, I understand day drinking may not be an option. However, don't let that stop you from enjoying a drink from any of the 32 countries represented at some point during the 32-day festivities. So today I start with Russia and Saudi Arabia as they will get things kicked off tomorrow.

Boris Egorov of Russia Beyond does a solid job of giving you a timeline on the myths that come with drinking in Russia, but also points out some major issues and the steps being taken to curtail heavy drinking (which has been a stigma associated with Russian drinking culture for a long time). Vodka wasn't even an original product of the Russians, and it wasn't until the 1990s fall of the Soviet Union that led to rampant unregulated alcohol production and consumption. A lot of cheap garbage was being made available for sale. Alcoholism is a problem in Russia (acknowledged in Egorov's article), but there is a movement from alcohol producers to reconnect with history of traditional lower alcohol lagers, as well as experiment with craft brewing. And certainly, vodka will be made too. The Zyr brand has done very well since its introduction in 2003. I will be honest...I have never been a huge vodka drinker. However, on a warm day when you decide to spike some lemonade, there's nothing more satisfying. Zyr has nice texture, little fire, and a clean finish. The price tag takes you to the $30 mark, but it delivers. Looking to shave a few dollars off? There's always my old dependable Stolichnaya (about $20), which definitely begs to go into a cocktail; the blueberry vodka is outstanding in lemonade with a few fresh blueberries dropped into the glass.

As for beers, availability will be irregular from state to state. However, the Baltika Brewries portfolio, which is part of Carlsberg, has a lot of interesting-looking beers. Sadly, I have not had the chance to sample any yet, but please let me know if you do!

Now, with Saudi Arabia we are at the other end of the drinking spectrum. Production and sale of alcohol is illegal. Bringing alcohol into Saudi Arabia is a huge no-no. You won't be drinking the locally homebrewed beverage known as sidique, a refermented beer with flavorings sometimes added to it, here in the United States...it can't be sold. Expat compounds may have some brands like Jack Daniel's and other global brands around in those bars, but you can't drink in public spaces. What do you do?

This is SOOOOO good. How's that for a professional review? Oh, right...I'm not a tea professional. Image credit: English Tea Store

Well...since the Saudi team is playing at 11:00am on a Thursday, and emulating sidique will take some effort (you will need several weeks), perhaps a cup of coffee or tea will do you just fine. Tea in particular is an offer of hospitality in Saudi Arabia and in the Arabic community in general. You can get your hands on chamomile, mint, cinnamon, or straight-up black tea rather easily. If you are looking for something that tastes great and is a change from what you find in the supermarket, I can't say enough about the quality of the Harney & Sons offering. Adding milk to a strong tea makes for an authentic Arabic style (and cuts back on the bitterness of a black tea). So yeah...you can drink in Saudi Arabia, but 99% of it is going to be alcohol-free. It's good to give the liver some time off.

And there you have it! You can get World Cup festivities started the right way. Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, blueberry vodka lemonade at cocktail hour. There's something for everyone I hope you enjoy the games, as well as exploring a new drink or two.

The Obligatory Wine With Halloween Candy Post

It's that time of year! Get ready for (if you haven't seen them yet) the blitz of articles about pairing wine and other booze with Halloween candy.

Before I get into the meat of this topic, let me start with this: Halloween is quite the production in my neighborhood. Everyone around here understands we have a window of time to celebrate and generally just have a good time. When it's done, it's done; people have jobs to get to and life to deal with the next day. During that time, however, the neighborhood has fire pits and music. Some houses have some tasty beverages for the adults to sample while kids get the traditional range of "fun size" candies, along with a sprinkling of full-size confections from the really awesome houses.

So whether you end up enjoying Halloween with the neighborhood for a few hours, or end up coming back from trick-or-treating with the kids to knock down a beverage or two, there's always one thing to remember if you are going to pair your booze of choice with candy:

Make sure your drink is (or seems) sweeter than the candy you are eating.

I can't stress that point enough. Dry wines and light beers are going to taste very thin and harsh with just about any type of candy, whether it is fruit flavored, chocolatey, peanut buttery, or anything else. Sorry, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and many Italian white wines...you are out. IPAs and (Insert macrobrew here) Lite? So are you. High-tannin or light-bodied red wines? Brutal. Your beer and wine will just taste astringent and tart. These are all mighty fine adult beverages and I love them all...just not today.

However, there are some ways to get around this rule of thumb when it comes to drinking with candy, especially if you just don't like sweet wine or other alcoholic beverages. Sometimes playing around with flavor composition, illusions of sweetness, and texture can help make a pairing work.

Less than an hour away from home, Two Roads has always delivered on just about any beer I have had from them. The Oktoberfest is no different.

Let's start with the beer-drinkers. While most beers aren't necessarily sweet, there is a component of a brew that can give you the impression of sweetness on your palate: malt. That's right...most malty beers feel full-bodied and creamy with a caramel/chocolate/toffee flavor profile. These are all the aspects of a malty beer that can play nicely with your Twix, Kit-Kats, and Butterfingers. Newcastle Brown Ale and other English Brown Ales work nicely with these candies. Additionally, go for what is readily available at this time of year: Oktoberfest/Märzen style beers. These are a little lighter and not quite as malty as a Brown Ale, but has some of the sweet fall baking spice notes. Whether you go with the ubiquitous-but-steady Sam Adams or a local craft brewery, you can't go wrong (assuming you like the style, of course). If you prefer to steal the fruity candies like Starbursts and Skittles from your kids, try a Fruit Lambic; Lindemans tends to be the most readily available of this style and finishes sweeter than other producers.

Now, what do we do about wine? If you are not a sweet wine lover, then we need to find wines that are full-bodied, fruity, and assertive. Oaked Chardonnay does the trick with the bold, tropical fruit flavor, butterscotch and cream (the byproduct of malolactic fermentation), and sweet spices. Look no further than the outwardly named "Butter" by JaM Cellars. It's going to have all of that for about $15. Great for popping the candy corns or even milk chocolate.

Fruit-forward, full-bodied reds can work wonders with candy.

For a "dry" red, Australian Shiraz and California Zinfandel can be so ripe, full-bodied, and jammy, the wines will leave you with a sweet sensation on the finish. Yalumba Y Series Shiraz ($15) or Bogle's Old Vine Zinfandel ($10) keeps things simple and straightforward. The red fruit bomb that is the Zinfandel and the raisiny/figgy/peppery character of the Shiraz will each give you what you need for dark chocolate candy.

A little off the beaten path, but worth trying if you find it. Alvear offers terrific value with all of their products.

For the sweet wines, Port and dark chocolate has long been an essential pairing; the complexity of each feeds off of one another. You can also consider the syrupy, chocolatey, and mouthcoating Pedro Ximinez ("PX") Sherries; PX can be poured over ice cream for some serious indulgence if rummaging through Halloween candy isn't good enough. It will just overwhelm any confection you throw at it, though it will play well with a Snickers or Reese's since Sherry generally has a nutty character to it. Bodegas Alvear's Solera Cream ($18) is made with 100% PX grapes in the region of Montilla-Moriles, a production area more inland with a hotter climate than the traditional Sherry regions. As a result, the wines are less expensive.

We haven't touched on enough wine to drink with your fruity candies. Go big or go home, I say, with the Hungarian sweet wine known as Tokaji [toe-KYE]. Royal Tokaji Wine Company Red Label Tokaji is peachy, citrusy, and full of honey. There is always Ice Wine from Canada, the Finger Lakes, and Austria that are delicate, fruity, and sweet, but with plenty of acid to prevent the wine from feeling sticky sweet on your palate. Inniskillin is a well-known Canadian producer as is Nigl of Austria. If you are willing to spend $40 for a 500mL bottle, dive in (then save whatever is left in the bottle to enjoy with fruit tarts and cakes on a later date).

A mere ounce of this stuff instantly boosts the flavor of any beverage. Feel free to go inexpensive on the vodka. I won't tell.

Now, what if you are into spirits? Well, one of the easiest things you can do is hook yourself up with a flavored vodka of choice, mix with lemonade, and be on your way to gorging on Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers, and Gummi Bears/Worms/Other Creatures. One concoction we enjoy in the summer is blueberry vodka with lemonade, and honestly you can get away with that year round. Or, grab the magic Cognac and raspberry liqueur known as Chambord ($35-ish) and add that to your flavored vodka. No Twizzler stands a chance.

Here are some others you can work with as well in the spirits department: Bailey's Irish Cream and a Milky Way, El Dorado 12 Year Rum with any caramel candy (or even those banana Laffy Taffy things), and Champagne and pretzels (there will be pretzels in the candy bag, I promise you...and that's a good reason to drink Champagne).

Hey, have fun with this. I have seen some posts out there on the topic that give zero explanation as to why any of the pairings work. Hopefully, I make some sense with my line of thinking, but I would also love to hear what you enjoy with the Halloween haul. Just remember this: alcohol and sugar dehydrate you. Consume both for long periods of time without some water or other food in-between shoveling in the sweets can lead to some wretched hangovers. Enjoy the evening in moderation and, of course, be safe!

What You Are Drinking For NFL Week 2

Two very different cities with one thing in common: football teams with explosive offenses that are must-see television on Sunday night.

Yeah, last Sunday night was a snoozefest. Even Dallas Cowboys fans have to admit that was a boring show, but this week's Sunday night game is shaping up to be much different, especially to the casual fan.

This week's contest takes us to Atlanta, where the Falcons open up their brand new billion-dollar stadium against the Green Bay Packers. This is a rematch of the January NFC Championship game, where the Falcons ran the Packers out of the building before you could even warm your seat to the tune of a 44-21 final score. Now the Packers head back to the same city to exact some revenge. Each team is loaded with star players; quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan are recognizable and if you are a fantasy football player, chances are high you have someone you are counting on in what should be a game loaded with offensive fireworks.

So when we are looking for something to drink with a game that mass appeal to both the casual fan and the die-hard, we need to keep things simple. We want our beverage to taste good and be interesting, but we also don't need something to contemplate or analyze. Since Wisconsin and Georgia aren't wine country powerhouses, wine won't be in the equation. There are some fine distilleries in each state, but neither has strong enough nationwide distribution where I can make a recommendation for you to find easily. By default, we go to the old-school traditional pairing of football and beer.

Wisconsin has a long brewing history, thanks to German immigrants settling in the state and bringing their beer-producing knowledge to 1840s America. Within each town there was some kind of brewery/brewpub, but as quickly as business grew, Prohibition and The Great Depression closed the doors on many establishments. However, one brewery that managed to survive it all was Stevens Point Brewery. Located a two-hour drive northwest of Milwaukee, it was able to cope with Prohibition by manufacturing soft drinks and sodas, plus beverages known as "near beer" during the Dark Ages of alcohol production. Stevens Point has been in business for 160 years, but it wasn't until 1990 that it made its first sale outside the state of Wisconsin, which was their flagship Point Special Lager. By 2004, distribution expanded throughout the Midwest and demand for more products rose. Today, Stevens Point makes a fantastic range of solid-to-outstanding beers and non-alcoholic sodas that are worth trying when you see them.

When it comes to beers from Georgia, I had no experience with them until I took my first trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a really cool downtown and waterfront area that is becoming quite the food and drink destination, Chattanooga has access to so many beers and spirits made by craft producers throughout the south. So when I walked into a Chattanooga grocery store for the first time and saw a display of beers from Atlanta's Sweetwater Brewing Company, I was intrigued and picked up a few. SweetWater produced its first beer back on April 20th of 1997, the 420 Pale Ale. It didn't take long for word to get out about how good their beers were, leading to quick growth at a time when craft beers were really making a name for themselves. Winning an award for Best Small Brewery at the Great American Beer Festival made a major impact as brewery expansion was needed to meet demand. In just 20 years, SweetWater established itself as one of the top craft brewers not just in the American South, but nationwide.

Trust me...I am not overlooking the wealth of craft brewers located in Wisconsin and Georgia. However, the best place to start if you are looking to get each state under your beer-drinking belt is to go with the breweries with the greatest amount of access. Stevens Point and SweetWater can do just that for you. Here are two brews that taste good, have great balance, and don't require a lot of thought while you are watching the game on Sunday.

Stevens Point Beyond the Pale IPA ($10/6-pack): Tropically fruity with a touch of maltiness to balance the refreshing quality and the hoppiness of the beer. 6.5% abv means you aren't rocketing through these beers, but it if the game is that interesting you will be taking it slow anyway.

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale ($10/6-pack): This golden ale is very aromatic with floral and earthy notes. It is a mouthwatering brew that will make you want to keep the salty snacks coming as you enjoy the game. 5.7% abv, which is on the lower end of the craft beer alcohol spectrum...as long as you aren't driving after the game is over, grab an extra one.

What You Are Drinking For Sunday Night Football Week 1

The glamour and glitz of New York and Dallas are overshadowed by a strong community brewery in Brooklyn and a humble distillery 95 miles south of "Big D" in Waco. Image credits (L-R): Business Insider, D Magazine, Brooklyn Brewery, The Beer Haul

You (hopefully) just read my in-depth analysis of the teams playing in tonight's NFL Kickoff game, and what you can drink from the respective cities/regions involved. I finish up the Opening Day special with the two teams playing on Sunday Night, which will be the norm for this series; I would be here all day and night if I tried to come up with recommendations for every game of the season!

Where Sunday's score will be settled this week in prime time. Image credit: Dallas Cowboys

The first Sunday night game that counts in the 2017 standings is being played by two teams Eagles fans wish would be wiped off the face of God's green earth: the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. These are two teams that drive massive ratings anytime they are on television (to the chagrin of the Eagles fan) and hail from two states that are booming in all three phases of alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, and spirits. It's not going to be an easy decision.

The Giants call themselves New York, but play in New Jersey, so I have been given some leeway with where I can choose from. However, I am going to stick to my place of birth for the New York/New Jersey choice. I was born in pre-trendy Brooklyn, New York that looks nothing like it does today. When Brooklyn Brewery first opened for business 1988, the goal was to revive the brewing scene in New York City that was hit hard by both a hop shortage and then Prohibition. Co-founder Steve Hindy took the approach of donating his brews to local events, mostly in creative arts like music, theater, and museums, but also in other business launches, according to their web site. The foundation was formed through ties to the Brooklyn community and spread from there. Today, you can find Brooklyn beers on the shelves nationally, with a killer range of products.

For the Dallas area drink of choice I head south to Waco, where Balcones Distilling is located. I had made mention of their Texas Single Malt Whisky in the past, but never really went into great detail about the company. Balcones got started in an old welding building in 2008, knocking down walls, bringing in copper stills and started distilling by 2009. The goal was simple: make authentic Texas whisky (note the lack of 'e' in whisky, sort of an homage to the Old World), where malted barley plays a key role in their products as it does in Scotch whisky production. However, the hot days in Texas offer an aging environment different from Scotland, where the spirit matures in barrel faster, leading to a different flavor profile. Balcones also uses corn in their products as is common in Bourbons from Kentucky, but sourcing in the American Southwest leads to a different flavor from Kentucky Bourbon. In a mere nine years, Balcones has put itself on the map as a fantastic whisky producer with distinct products.

So I'll be honest: I am a Giants fan. I will be sitting on the couch rooting for my team with beer in hand, but in a showing of support for the greater good of alcoholic beverages, I will recommend a Balcones whisky for you and I to enjoy...it's just really good and impossible to ignore! Here's what you (yes, you too, Eagles fans!) are drinking Sunday night:

Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest ($10/6-pack): Malty and creamy, but balanced with the right amount of hops. It's like drinking a loaf of dark, crusty bread with a touch of baking spice. Enjoyable on a cool, late-summer night.

Balcones Brimstone ($70): This is a deep, bold, unique whisky that imparts an incredible smokiness thanks to a proprietary process using local Texas scrub oak. Tobacco, red chiles, tea, and a flavor I can only describe as "Texas BBQ rub" based on black pepper with a long savory finish. If you are a fan of strong, upfront flavors and aromas in your whisky (I am looking at you, IPA beer drinkers), this is one to sample!

Kicking Off A New Season Of Drinking

From urban revitalization to quaint villages, there is a stark contrast between the two regions of Western Missouri and Coastal New England. Image credits (L-R): Lawnstarter, MysticSeaport.org, VisitKC, Wikipedia

Editor's Note: The author is a huge professional football fan and is about to make mention of this sport in a new weekly series. Fear not, non-football fans; the focus is on the aspects of drinking delicious alcoholic beverages from all across America.

I am entering my favorite part of the year: the humid summer weather will be going away, my kids are back at school, and the football season is getting underway. When the calendar flips to September, the big red wines become more frequent than white wines, and the spirits cabinet morphs from Tequila and rum to Scotch and brandy. My beer preferences change from the refreshing wheat ales to hearty stouts. Despite all my efforts to convince you that there is no need for "seasonal" drinking, guess what? I still do it...and I don't care. With that in mind, today I debut a new series revolving around the teams playing on NBC's Sunday Night Football. Since Week 1 has kicked off every year on a Thursday night since 2002, I will be including the Thursday night game in my opening post. 

Gillette Stadium: the site where the opening conflict gets resolved.

2017's opener gives us the Kansas City Chiefs and the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Aside from outstanding barbecue, some of my favorite items coming out of Kansas City is the beers of Boulevard Brewing Company. The founder of the brewery, John McDonald, was a carpenter by trade, but he drew inspiration for what he was about to build from a European trip in 1984. After sampling many Belgian-style ales from overseas, he was ready to turn his dream into reality. McDonald built his brewery in an old brick building on Southwest Boulevard (where the brewery takes its name from). By 1989, the first keg of Boulevard Pale Ale was ready. 

Thanks to word of mouth, beer-lovers soon discovered how good McDonald's beers were. The company flourished so much, Boulevard outgrew that old brick building by 2004. An expansion of the brewery and addition of state-of-the-art equipment was part of the revitalization of this Kansas City neighborhood. Today, Boulevard boasts an impressive lineup of brews, whether they are available year-round or in limited releases.

For the New England beverage of choice, well I have many states and cities to choose from, with anything from New Haven north and east all the way up to Maine. I do realize that the craft brewing scene is unbelievable throughout New England, but with the weather still a bit muggy and warm lately I will give you a rum to enjoy!

Back when I did some events for a private club in New London, I remember being introduced to filmmaker Bailey Pryor, who produced The Real McCoy: The Legend of Bill McCoy and the Rum War at Sea. In a nutshell, it was the story of a rum-runner during the Prohibition Era, constantly beating the authorities in the spirits trade, all while gaining such a well-regarded reputation for providing uncut spirits, the buyer always knew he was receiving "The Real McCoy." It's a fascinating piece, and if you have about an hour to check it out, you should click the link above.

Pryor worked with Richard Seale, Master Distiller at Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, to develop a rum that could live up to the name "The Real McCoy." While the distillery is down in the Caribbean, the company operates out of Mystic, Connecticut, offering a range of rums that includes 3 Year, 5 Year, and 12 Year age statements. Certainly great for mixing cocktails, I chose one that I really enjoy sipping on its own. 

So who do you have...Kansas City or New England? No matter who you root for, you can't go wrong with either of these two beverages. Stay tuned for Part 2, which includes what to drink for the Giants-Cowboys game. Cheers!

Boulevard Brewing Company Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale ($13/4-pack): When I went to Florida on vacation this summer, it seemed as though all of the restaurants in or near the theme parks had Boulevard's Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. So after spending a week in Disney World passing on Tank 7 every time, we went to Universal Studios Orlando only to see this beer on our lunch menu at Cowfish. I was happy to have finally tried it; citrusy and lively, Tank 7 has some body and richness (at 8.5% abv) to it, but it finishes bone-dry and made me want to eat everything in the restaurant. Boulevard also has a "Great Eight" variety pack, which includes Tank 7 and three other beers from the Smokestack Series (The Calling Double IPA, Tell-Tale Tart Sour Ale, and the Imperial Stout) that should cost you about $20 if you can get your hands on it.

The Real McCoy 5 Year Old Rum ($26): A tasty range of dried fruits (mango, pineapple, papaya) on the palate are complemented by the flavors from the ex-Bourbon casks used to mature the rum. Vanilla and brown sugar come through, but the finish is nutty and spicy...it's like drinking French toast! 

Raise A Glass To Freedom: What To Drink On Independence Day

As you know, I spend a lot of time on this blog promoting the virtues of adult beverages from all over the world. You have seen all kinds of unique grape varieties show up in wines I want you to check out from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, South America, and all throughout Europe. There is an enormous range of spirits out there; you can find plenty of whisk(e)y and vodka from just about any country, and you know how highly I have spoken of Tequila and Gin, too. I am even trying to be good about giving beer some love here on top of all of that.

But as we approach The United States of America's 241st birthday, it's time to celebrate in style with some fine native drinks. America was founded on being bold and daring; I do that here by getting you to consider drinking something you may never have thought to seek out on your own. Yet for this celebration, I want you to stay close to home. Drink something from America with bold flavors! Chances are, those intense flavors are going to play nicely with your barbecues this long weekend. For instance...

Wine fans: drink up our classic regions like Napa Valley, which put the United States on the map for serious wine production. Live on the East Coast? Now is a good time to try something from New York or Virginia. Additionally, try one of your local wines; maybe it isn't even made from grapes. For instance, when I worked in New Jersey, blueberry and cranberry wines were very popular for casual wine lovers.

Whiskey fans: nothing is more American than Bourbon. It can't be made in any other country and call itself "Bourbon." You could even take things a step further with Rye whiskey, which was very popular way back in the Colonial days in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Not a whiskey fan, but you like spirits? There is nothing wrong with spiking your beverage with some local craft gin, rum, or vodka

Beer fans: you have more choice than ever before when it comes to craft beer. Again, seek out a local brewery, or if you want to play to the American Revolution, Sam Adams has always delivered for me when I get paralyzed by choices.

I am going to give you an option in each category and share a cocktail that we love making at this time of year. Have a friend in North Carolina or Washington state? Raise a glass to them. Have an enemy in Texas or Illinois? Raise a glass to those folks, too. Chances are that while they are driving you crazy, they are helping you stay on your toes. With that, have a safe 4th of July holiday and enjoy these beverages responsibly.

7 Moons California Red Blend ($12): I poured this at our store's 15th Anniversary Tasting and it went over incredibly well thanks to its jammy red and black fruit along touch of vanilla and spice. This is made up of seven grape varieties: Zinfandel, Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. It's a tasty "wine stew" that will go very well with a simple beef burger.

Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon ($40) and 6 Year Rye ($40): Go big, or go home. Part of the Wild Turkey range, Russell's Reserve has bold flavor, spiciness and richness. The Bourbon is like caramel-coated cherries and vanilla. I enjoy the citrusy aromatic intensity of the 6 Year Rye on its own, but mixed with equal parts Regatta Ginger Beer, it is a simple cocktail to help you beat the heat.

Two Roads No Limits Hefeweizen ($8/4-pack of 16 oz cans): Some love for a Connecticut brewery! The Hefeweizen is great for the summer with just 5% abv, tropical fruit flavor and a refreshing citrus kick on the finish.

Here is the cocktail we love at this time of year: Rosé, Bourbon, and Blue, which comes from Bon Appetit's The Grilling Book, an unbelievable book I received one Father's Day that has killer food recipes and some interesting cocktails (non-alcoholic versions, too!). Even if you aren't a Bourbon fan, I will bet you anything that you will enjoy this.

Ingredients (Makes 8 cocktails):

7 Tbsp raw sugar

2 cups fresh blueberries, divided

The finished product.

2 cups freshly brewed unsweetened black tea (orange pekoe is highly recommended)

1.5 cups of fruity rosé wine (We used 90+ Cellars Languedoc rosé for $9.99, but a rosé from the Navarra region of Spain works nicely here, too. Sorry...we included something non-American.)

1 cup Bourbon (Our choice was Knob Creek 100 Proof. It's loaded with flavor and stands up to all the ingredients you will be adding)

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

8 lemon slices

Stir sugar with 7 Tbsp hot water in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved; transfer to a food processor. Add 1.5 cups blueberries and purée until smooth. Set a fine mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Strain blueberry mixture, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Add tea, rosé, Bourbon, and lemon juice. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Cut remaining blueberries in half; add to pitcher. Fill Old-Fashioned glasses (or any sturdy glasses) with ice. Divide cocktail among glasses and garnish with lemon slices.

Drinking Through Disney: Canada Edition

Time to release a new series of posts! After returning from hitting the theme parks of Florida for a week and a half, I have much to share with you. Tolerating the combination of searing Orlando heat and crowds of sweaty people can be made so much easier when you realize there is always a good beverage or three to be had.

So, yeah...I worked on vacation, and I am proud to have done it just for you. This week's installment of Drinking Through Disney takes us to Epcot, a place that our entire family can agree to go to at any time. More specifically, we made a stop at Canada in World Showcase, a place we often breezed through in order to grab a beer at an English pub or a dessert from the French pastry shop. With July 1st being Canada Day, I thought it made a ton of sense to share the lunchtime experience at Le Cellier Steakhouse.

When we sat down, our greeter informed us that the character of Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by the city of Winnipeg, which was also a bear named by World War I Lt. Harry Colebourn of a Canadian cavalry regiment. He bought a black bear cub in 1914, named him after his hometown of Winnipeg (shortened to "Winnie"), and joined on Colebourn's journey to the his training camp in Valcartier, Quebec. Winnie eventually accompanied the lieutenant to England as a pet for the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters. Winnie stayed at the London Zoo while Colebourn was sent to France. Mind you, I thought this was all made up nonsense; it all sounded like something I would just tell people if I was a tour guide. However, the good ol' Internet proved it to be true.

With this blog being called Flight School, I could not have been more excited to see so many flights of beer, wine, and spirits made available to me throughout Disney. At Le Cellier, I had many options.

There was the Ice Wine flight (delightful-looking, but drinking sweet wines on a 90+ degree day wasn't appealing), the French dessert wine flight (same as above, but kind of cheating by using France), the Crown Royal flight (fun, but prefer not to fall asleep while walking through World Showcase mid-afternoon), and the Unibroue Brewery's beer flight (ding, ding, ding...I'm in!).

Unibroue, based in Chambly, Quebec, produces a lot of Belgian-style beers. Their La Fin du Monde was the first non-American craft beer I ever had, and it was part of this flight, along with the Éphémère Pomme and the Trois Pistoles. One of things I really like about Unibroue is that they tend to bottle their beers unfiltered, so the brews are packed with flavor.

Left to right: Éphémère Pomme, La Fin du Monde, Trois Pistoles.

The Éphémère (5.5% abv, $7/4-pack) is actually a series of white ales brewed with different types of fruit; Pomme (apple) is available year-round, while others such as Canneberge (cranberry) and Sureau (elderberry) come out seasonally. The Pomme tastes almost like a refreshing cider; you really notice the green apple flavor, but it doesn't take over the whole beer. It's tart and lively.

La Fin du Monde (9% abv, $10/4-pack) is a Belgian-style Tripel ale; I remember how hard this beer hit me the first time I had it since I never noticed the alcohol content back in my days of ignorance. Today, I appreciate its tropical fruit flavor and creamy texture. Unibroue considers this to be their international flagship product as it has gone over in the U.S. better than any beer in their range.

Trois Pistoles (9% abv, $10/4-pack) is a Strong Dark Belgian-style Ale that is sturdy and chocolatey, but it finishes very clean and refreshing. This is one of those dark beers you can drink year-round without it feeling too heavy on your palate.

The beers were all very enjoyable with the prix fixe menu that I ordered from. The Éphémère went so well with the poached pears and blue cheese appetizer, while both the La Fin du Monde and Trois Pistoles each worked with Le Cellier's Wagyu beef burger "Oscar." The Trois Pistoles even worked nicely with the chocolate mousse dessert since the whipped cream was not sweet.

Our server mentioned that these should all be available to order through your local retail store, though I always put in the caveat that each state might have different products available due to individual state regulations, taxes, etc. Additionally, I encourage you to visit their web site; I love how it is set up. Unibroue has tons of food pairings, and they also show you the type of glass to use for maximum enjoyment, but a standard pint glass will always do fine in a pinch. They even have some unbelievable recipes (La Fin du Monde Bacon Jam, for instance).

I couldn't be happier to have taken the time to slow down and explore Canada's food and beverage in World Showcase. The best part is, even if you can't get down to Le Cellier, you know you have access to the beers, too. Additionally, keep an eye out for wine and spirits from the other flights. If you want to see those, I have them below. 

Now I raise a glass to our neighbors to the north...Cheers/À votre santé!

Skip The Tie. Buy Him Booze!

This Sunday marks one of the highlights of the calendar. National Turkey Lover's Day? National Go Fishing Day? Well, if you love turkey and like or want to go fishing, then yeah...you will be on Cloud Nine. No, I am referring to Father's Day. Additionally, do you know what today is? Apparently, it is National Bourbon Day. What a great time to be a whiskey-loving father!

Yawn. Can I drink this?

You may be looking for a gift for dear old Dad this week or anyone you know who is a father. Sure, you could go with the cliché gifts, but why?

A toolbox? Guess what...I haven't a handy bone in my body.

A tie? I don't use one in the wine and spirits biz. Things tend to be casual around here.

How about a service, like mowing the lawn or washing the car? Cute, but the grass and the car will be in worse shape that it was before.

Nah. Assuming dad likes a good adult beverage, skip all that stuff and buy him booze! You are in luck, good Father's Day gift shopper. You have more options at your disposal than ever before. I something interesting today when tasting products with Berkshire Mountain Distillers: they received the 50th distillery permit in the country back in 2007. Today, there are over 1,300 permits. Craft spirit fans rejoice!

What about wine? There's a style for everyone. White, pink, or red? Sparkling? New World or Old World? Perhaps Dad is also a cigar-lover and would enjoy some Port, Sherry, or Madeira along with a stogie. I also know if I see my father, I can walk in with a bottle of red wine and everyone will be happy. In fact...red wine is required prior to entry of my parents' house, or I get sent away.

Of course, you have beers, too. There are over 5,300 breweries in the U.S. alone. Europe has about as many, too. So many choices available to you!

This isn't a comprehensive buying guide, but here are some brews, wines, and spirits that I enjoy personally or have brought as gifts before. Any of the following would make a fine choice for the old man, with some emphasis on Bourbon for spirits. To all the dads out there, have a great day this Sunday and keep kicking ass in the parenting department! Your family will (hopefully) reward your efforts with something below.

Two Roads Brewing Rye 95 Tripel Blonde Ale ($10/4-pack): Fruity, hoppy, spicy, complex, and rich. It may not be an ideal drink for the summer, but it does taste fantastic. At 9.5% abv, it's a beast, but after a long day for Pops it can be very satisfying.

Goose Island Sofie Saison ($12/4-pack): This Belgian-Style Ale takes 20% of the beer and ages it in wine barrels with citrus peels. Golden in color, peppery, citrusy, and lively. It's a great way to treat Dad.

Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Red Blend ($25): I remember how good the Single Block series is when Ventisquero's wines were presented in the classroom. This is a red blend of Garnacha (Grenache), Cariñena (Carignan), and Mataro (Mourvèdre) that is big and bold, full-bodied, and fruity. This has a surprising acidity on the finish that doesn't make this wine feel to heavy on the palate, and it is a steal at this price.

Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Grünlack (Green Seal) Spätlese ($55): If Dad is out there fishing and catching some trout, enjoying lobsters, or even sausages on Sunday, this is a killer pairing with any of those dinner options. Schloss Johannisberg is a single vineyard estate in the Rheingau region of Germany that has been making exquisite wines for 500 years. Pineapple, peach, green herbs, and a beautiful balance of acidity and sweetness make this an awesome wine to either enjoy now or let dad stick in the cellar to evolve further.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 120 Proof ($48): I really enjoy Knob Creek's flagship 100 Proof expression, but let Dad taste what their whiskey is like almost straight from the barrel. Bottled at this high proof, the Bourbon has a ton of character and fire, with toasted nuts, vanilla, caramel, and a little bit of smokiness on the finish. Get the fire pit going and grab a dram of this whiskey!

Berkshire Mountain Distillers Smoke and Peat Bourbon ($60): Out of western Massachusetts, Berkshire Mountain distills and ages all of their product on-site. This expression takes Berkshire's flagship Bourbon that was already aged four years, then ages it another six months in casks that previously held Laphroaig 10-Year Scotch Whisky. Plenty of smoke and medicinal notes from the peat, but does not overwhelm the corn-based sweetness of the Bourbon. Great for those who aren't sure if they should buy Bourbon or Scotch...this brings the best of both worlds!

A Salute To My Other Side

With a last name like Ambrosini, it is obvious that Italy makes up my family background. Italian culture didn't necessarily rule my house as a kid, but it certainly made an impact on me. Wine was not a huge part of my upbringing, but it was present here and there, mostly on special occasions. Food, on the other hand...that was an Olympic sport at Casa delle Ambrosini, as well as at the homes of my extended family (that will get a post on its own someday, because it is a well-deserved epic tale of eatery).

Photo credit: Rick Steves

But today, I focus on the other part of my own cultural makeup. That is correct, I am not 100% Italian. My family history also traces back to one of Europe's most popular battlegrounds, Belgium. Yes, Belgium. Outside of my own family, I know of no one else in my social circle who is Belgian, and I love it. The reason for a post about Belgium today is that my one surviving grandparent (my father's mother) just celebrated her 92nd birthday this week. A Belgian native, she came to the U.S. in rather dramatic fashion, being whisked away as a teenager from the perils of World War II by my grandfather. They fell in love, started a family in pre-gentrified Brooklyn, New York, and the rest is history.

This story compelled me to learn more about this "Low Country," both as a kid and as an adult. I did research projects for grade school on World War II (where my grandmother was an unbelievable resource). I went to Belgian cafes and restaurants; Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia is one that immediately comes to mind as a great place for beers and Belgian cuisine.

Here at Flight School wine is a big part of what we discuss, but wine is not made in any real quantity in Belgium. It is, however, consumed at a rate of about 30L per capita (or three times that of the United States). Perhaps this explains my affinity for adult grape juice, but let's not forget about those delightful Belgian beers.

Trying to describe and pinpoint one style of Belgian beer is nearly impossible, sort of like blanketing "Italian wine," because you have a ton to choose from in the Belgian category. You could find any of the following: Trappist-style and Abbey-style; Blonde, Pale, Strong Pale and Strong Dark; Dubbel, Tripel and Quadrupel; Saison, Lambic, Flemish Sour Brown and Flemish Red...the list goes on. Now I am no authority on such subject matter, but if you need a resource I highly encourage you to visit the Beer Advocate style page. You will get to know all of the differences in styles and see examples from a wide range of producers.

As for spirits, Gin and fruit liqueurs are what you will typically find here in the United States. Prior to gin, Belgium was producing the predecessor to gin known as Jenever, which a distilled malt wine that has a richer, earthier flavor than gin's refreshing aromatic character. Within the last year, I encountered Belgian gin for the first time...and I couldn't have been happier to have done so.

From a food standpoint, mussels cooked in beer are one of my favorites. Sausages, pommes frites, and countless other seafood are delicious, too. You also can't forget about a huge array of chocolate and pastries for dessert.

So I raise a glass to my grandmother today with some tasty choices for you to try.

Saison Dupont ($10, 750 mL): Golden, citrusy, yeasty, and light-bodied with a touch of hops. An easy one to knock down, and the first Belgian beer I ever tasted.

Chimay Cinq Cents ($11, 750 mL): Peachy, malty, and loaded with green herbs and spices. While on the richer side, it is well-balanced with zestiness and refreshment.

Ommegang Dubbel Abbey Ale ($10, 750 mL): This is a sort of New World take on an Abbey-style ale, brewed with licorice, coriander, and orange peel. Very refreshing despite 8.5% abv and a fine way to usher yourself out of the winter.

Domaine des Quatres Routes Muscadet ($14): I had to throw a wine in somewhere, and this light-yet-creamy Loire Valley white wine makes a great partner with steamed mussels (mentioned above as a Belgian food staple) or clams.

Belgin Speciale Dry Gin & Dry Hop Gin (about $25 each): I would put the Speciale up against any of the larger brands. 17 different botanicals are used, but I definitely notice the cloves, thyme, and cardamom in this. Very clean and fragrant. The Dry Hop Gin adds a substantial amount of Belgian hops to the recipe, resulting in a fuller-bodied gin with a pleasant bitterness. The Dry Hop can be consumed either in a cocktail or on its own. 

Enduring The Big Game and Joe Buck: How To Drink On Super Bowl Sunday

(Warning: Contains some football and other sports content)

Long before I became interested in alcoholic beverages, I was a severe sports nerd. I still follow sports, but it doesn't consume my life as it once did. The days of watching a hockey game go into five overtimes on a Wednesday in February are over; I value sleep far more than my desire to stay up for a game. That being said, I have still been hooked on one sport and that is professional football.

Yeah, I know. The sport isn't perfect these days, and truthfully none of them are. Football game flow is choppier now and off-field transgressions are always in the spotlight. Basketball games come to a screeching halt with two minutes left in a half. Baseball can take forever since there is no clock. Major college sports is driven by the quest for the dollar. I get it, trust me. But with its ease of television viewing, ability to wager (where legal) and play fantasy games, I can't resist the call of the National Football League. 

So this little sporting event viewed by gazillions of people is being played on Sunday evening that I shouldn't really mention by name or some NFL executive's minion will beat down my door and give me a scolding, a fine, and perhaps take one of my children away as a penalty (Hint: it rhymes with "Duper Hole"). But this Sunday's championship largely isn't watched for the game itself (unless you live in Atlanta or a state north of Connecticut). Instead, we have large gatherings of friends, family, coworkers, and maybe even a few enemies. We watch the funny commercials and movie trailers. We have "square pools" and friendly wagers. We have tons of food and drink at the ready, because if you are getting started when the pregame shows are on, this is a 12-hour event for you.

This man hates your team. Image credit: Twitter @DrunkJoeBuck

Ah, drink you say? Indeed I do, because for roughly five hours, you have to hear Joe Buck, Fox Sports Lead Announcer, slight your team on Sunday (C'mon...you believe he hates your team with his commentary, no matter which team you root for). You can go in any direction you want: beer, wine or spirit. The key here is to get something you don't have to think about too much. Remember, you are likely at a casual party or focused intently on the game, eating many different things. Your party foods might be along the lines of nachos, pizza, wings, burgers, or pulled pork/barbecue just to name a few favorites.

I tend to favor low-alcohol beers, anything less than 6.0% abv and fruity and/or acidic wines low in tannin. Want a few recommendations? I have them for you below. Whether your team is in the game or you don't care about football, enjoy yourself this Sunday and as always...drink responsibly. 

If you are a beer person, rooting for New England: 

• Berkshire Brewing Co. (Massachusetts) Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale ($6, 22 oz. bottle). This is the brewery's flagship product; it is malty and rich, but not crazy-high in alcohol at 5.2%. A good match with a simple burger.

If you are a beer person, rooting for Atlanta:

• Pontoon Brewing Co. (Georgia) No Pants Pilsner ($9/six-pack). If you prefer a Lager style, this pine-scented Southern Pilsner is very refreshing, smooth, and easy-drinking, great with a plate of wings.

If you are a beer person who doesn't care about the game at all:

• Ommegang (New York) Game of Thrones: Iron Throne ($10, 25.4 oz bottle). Sit back and watch the chaos and squirming from afar while you sip on this Belgian-style Pale Ale from Cooperstown, NY. That's right...I recommended a beer from the Baseball Hall of Fame location for a football game.

If you are a wine person, here's what we are tasting at the store this afternoon from 2:00-5:00pm:

• Andrew Murray Vineyards Santa Maria Valley Viognier, (about $20). This white grape traditionally grown in the Rhone Valley of France has a second home in Santa Barbara County, California. Andrew Murray's expression is citrusy, floral, and has a honey-drizzled peach flavor. Great for Buffalo or "Hot & Honey" style wings.
• Monti Guidi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva ($15). When the Montepulciano grape shows its best, it is a fruity, dry red wine. Flavors of sour cherries and blackberry jam with a touch of black licorice. Two years in barrel increased the wine's body and softens the tannins. Perfect for a sausage and pepper sandwich or just a slice of cheese pizza.
• Bodegas Ateca "Atteca" Garnacha ($16). This Garnacha from Aragon, Spain is very full-bodied with soft caramelized red fruit peppery spice. I like this with a plate of loaded nachos.
• The Federalist Mendocino County Zinfandel, Bourbon-Barrel Aged ($21). Zinfandel when made as a serious red wine is plush, soft, and very fruity/jammy. After the wine is fermented and aged as normal, it is transferred to used Bourbon barrels for six months to impart extra cherry and vanilla flavor. Even though the abv registers a whopping 15.5%, you don't even feel the fire from the alcohol. Great with pulled pork or brisket BBQ.

If your team is victorious:

• Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch ($80): Treat yourself to what I feel is the most balanced flagship product of any distillery. It has just the right amount of fruitiness, malt, spice, and smoke. Congratulations to you! 

 If your team failed:

• Water (Free, from the tap): Rehydrate and go to bed. No need to wake up the next morning both hung over and a loser.

I Survived Volleyball Night...Now It's Time For A Drink

When we moved to Connecticut over four years ago, I knew I needed to find a physical activity to do. It had been a LONG time since I had really broken a sweat aside from going for walks or hikes in a park, or eating jalapenos in the summer sun. Taking care of the kids and studying for wine school took up most of my waking hours for several years, and when I was done with that for the day, I wanted to do nothing.

Yeah, that's not good...

I used to play basketball. A lot of basketball, and over the years I just didn't like how my back, knees, and ankles felt when I was through. So when I looked in our town's Parks & Rec brochure, I said, "Oh...they do volleyball here. Let's give this a shot."

I showed up the first day, and when I watched people warming up I muttered, "What the #$%! am I doing here?" Fortunately, I stuck with it. To this day, returning a serve is still a coin flip proposition, but I did improve my setting, spiking, and blocking. People who had been doing this much longer than I have coached me up on my technique, too, and I was (and still am) happy to take the advice. As a result of venturing out of my comfort zone, I not only became a believable enough player, but I also met some awesome people who became friends.

And while the theme of this blog is to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone with your adult beverage purchases, I actually tend to stay rigid when I am looking for a post-game drink. Most nights I immediately head directly to the showers and bed. However, on the nights I choose to meet up with the crew at the bar or watch a game at home, I need something restorative after chasing down a free ball to the corner, absorbing punishing kills, or diving after a short tap over the net. I essentially play steel cage volleyball, so my body is always in need of repair.

That's me on the left back in August; I almost look like someone who can play volleyball! Soon enough, we'll be playing on the beach again. Hopefully, my friends don't mind their likenesses being used for my benefit.

Whether you are into running, cross-fit, weight training, or just going for a stroll, I'm sure you like to reward yourself for getting the blood flowing with a satisfying drink. Now, I will say this: I am no fitness expert, but I do find it important to re-hydrate with water or your electrolytic drink of choice. Directly replacing all those lost fluids and nutrients with booze will lead to feeling like garbage the next day. For a non-alcoholic drinkable meal, a smoothie made up of some proportion of frozen fruit, yogurt, banana, fruit nectar, and greens (maybe even a scoop of protein powder) does wonders for keeping you going. When I am in for the night, it's leftover pasta or a sandwich of some kind. Even when I go to the bar after playing, wings or pulled pork is a must for me.

So after proper refueling, here's what I typically reach for after my body has splattered itself on the court for two hours on a Tuesday night.

Abita Turbodog ($9/6-pack): Yes, a beer has made it into a post! This is a full-bodied brown ale that has all of the "brown" flavors going on: caramel, toffee, roasted nuts, and chocolate. It's a very good brew to have on-hand in the winter months. If I have zero inventory, well...I go for a Guinness Draught or Boddington's Pub Ale.

Two Roads Worker's Comp Farmhouse Ale ($10/6-pack): More beer! If I need something lighter but still loaded with flavor, I love a good Saison/Farmhouse Ale, a wild yeasty style that is traditionally made in winter to be sold in the summer. This Connecticut brewery's example is packed with tropical fruits and spices. I will happily knock this back year-round, along with Maine's  Allagash Saison (pictured, about $10/4-pack).

Whisk(e)y (any price point): On nights where I have exerted myself more than I expected to, or if the games are particularly intense, whiskey is in order. Bourbon, Scotch, whatever. As I write this, I am enjoying the Sons of Liberty Battle Cry Rhode Island Single Malt American Whiskey ($44). This is actually a distilled Belgian-style ale, which results in what tastes like breakfast: a bowl of oatmeal with almonds and baking spices. They also make the Uprising American Whiskey, made from a distilled stout beer for a few bucks more.

You have something you like to enjoy after a workout? Share it with me below!