Recipe: Homemade Orange Simple Syrup and Candied Oranges
When cooking, there is seldom a need to throw out leftover food items. The motto of the day is: Let nothing be wasted. Wort leftover from a homebrew session can be mixed with honey and boiled down into a nice glaze to use when cooking ham and pineapple. The same goes for making desserts. Today…
Review: Wines of Lula Cellars, 2016 Releases
Mendocino’s Lula Cellars is the brainchild of winemaker Jeff Hansen, who produces a number of traditional Anderson Valley varietals in his Philo facility. Today we look at three of the winery’s new releases (all from late 2016), a pair of pinots and a zinfandel. 2013 Lula Cellars Pinot Noir Mendocino – Fairly burly, even by…
Review: D. George Benham’s Vodka Vodka (2017)
We were big fans of Sonoma-distilled D. George Benham’s gin, so it made natural sense to take a spin with its vodka. The title above isn’t a typo: This is “Vodka Vodka,” or “vodka-flavored vodka,” in the parlance of Graton Distilling, a nod to the purported purity of the spirit. That moniker didn’t pass legal muster,…
Review: Stateside Urbancraft Vodka
Philadelphia-based Federal Distilling’s inaugural Stateside Urbancraft Vodka does not disappoint. Beginning with the fun flip-top bottle and ending with the seamless finish, this is a very enjoyable vodka. Distilled seven times and aerated with “medical grade oxygen,” Stateside has a very pleasant, gin-like juniper and citrus nose upon first approach. The vodka drinks cleanly and…
Review: Stone Enjoy By 02.14.17 Chocolate & Coffee IPA
Stone’s latest “Enjoy By” IPA says it should be consumed by Valentine’s Day, but it was seemingly created for consumption on Valentine’s Day. Anyone looking for a special V-Day gift for that beer-loving special someone should look no further than this romantically-themed one-off brew. As the name suggests it’s an IPA, brewed with the typical pantheon…
Review: Bear Republic Double Aught Pilsner, Racer X (2016), and Pace Car Racer
A trio of new beers from Bear Republic Bear Republic Double Aught Pilsner – A light, Euro-style lager made with imported Hallertauer hops, this beer fully fits the part it was designed to play, bold with malty notes, a slight nutty character, and toasty cereal notes to round things out. Gentle in flavor but packed…
Review: Sonoma County Distilling Cherrywood Rye (2016) and Black Truffle Rye
We looked at a few of the products of budding craft distiller Sonoma County Distilling Co. in 2015, and now we’re back with some fresh coverage, including a look at the second batch of SCDC’s Cherrywood Rye and a first encounter with a limited-edition rye flavored with… wait for it… truffles. Thoughts on both whiskeys…
Cocktail Recipes: Get Drunk for Inauguration Day!
Whether you’re celebrating the inauguration of America’s new president, mourning the outgoing administration, or simply looking for something historical to drink, we have a few suggestions. Here are some cocktails preferred by Presidents past — or created in their honor. (With a nod to information provided by the New York Post.) By the way: In interviews, Donald…
