The brewers at New Belgium and Perennial Artisan Ales believe that dessert is best poured — and their brand new collaborative release is proof. Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout is both decadent and desirable, brewed with belgian yeast, roasted malts, and a shake of salt to balance things out. The 9% ABV, pitch black, sweet chocolate treat arrives this month from two respected breweries.
The Fall season sees temperatures beginning to drop, leaves changing color, and most importantly, a steady stream of great new whiskey releases. Heaven Hill releases Parker's Heritage every fall, a special series named for Master Distiller Parker Beam, who was diagnosed with ALS several years ago. This year for the first time, Parker's Heritage is not a bourbon, but instead is a 13-year-old Wheat Whiskey that is bottled at a hefty 136.2 ABV cask strength. What emerges is a big, bold whiskey with a long, spicy tail. And $5 from every bottle sold goes directly towards ALS research and treatment.
As craft brewers continue to try and top each other with the latest extreme brew, it's nice to see a new beer that keeps things simple. Mosaic Promise from Founders Brewing does just that, highlighting a single malt — Golden Promise — and a single hop — Mosaic. Just released in limited markets across the US, Mosaic Promise not only is a simple, refreshing IPA, but also benefits a good cause, as proceeds will benefit ArtPrize, the world's largest art competition that just happens to take place in Founders backyard in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As we usher in the fall season, the inevitable onslaught of Pumpkin beers are upon us. And whether you roll your eyes at the seasonal change of pace or welcome it with open arms, Pumking from Southern Tier Brewing is not to be ignored. This fall, Pumking arrives with the same classic fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and of course pumpkin — but boasts a brand new label for the 22oz bottle this year. The king of Pumpkin beers is back, but will be gone before you know it.
As the thirst for Rye Whiskey escalates among spirits appreciators, it's getting tougher and tougher to find one that is good, available, and affordable. Old Scout Rye Whiskey from Smooth Ambler fits that profile to a tee, as the distillery quickly climbs the ladder of reputation in the industry despite only being around since 2009. Their Rye Whiskey is 7 years old, uses 95% rye in the mashbill, and clocks in at 99 proof — making it an excellent candidate to drink neat or to add to your next Old Fashioned.
If you're trying to track down the most sought after spirits of 2014, chances are you're out of luck — unless of course, you know about Caskers. A one-stop shop for liquor connoisseurs, Caskers tracked down the bottles that you and other boozehounds searched for the most in 2014 — based on millions of searches — and has them available right now, while they last. So instead of driving all over town with no guarantee of finding that small batch bourbon or premium single malt, look no further than Caskers for the best of the best, easy on the wallet and delivered right to your door.
The products you use every day, like shampoo or shave cream, should always be the best. But drugstore pickings are slim, and online shopping is risky when you don't know what you're paying for. That's why Birchbox Man lets you try before you buy. Subscribers receive a monthly box of grooming and style essentials, all tailored to match their personal profiles. Think woodsy beard oil for the urban lumberjack, or a wool knit tie for the sartorially inclined. If you like what you get, you can buy full-size versions in the Birchbox Shop, with perks like free shipping to sweeten the pot. No more letdowns, duds, or compromises: Just a sink ledge stocked with greatness.
Even after more than a quarter century of quality brewing, it's nice to remember where you started. That's why Deschutes Brewery in Oregon released Black Butte XXVI — a special anniversary Imperial Porter. The special edition of Black Butte is always worth celebrating, and this year is no exception. Brewed with cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses, and Oregon cranberries — and then aged in Bourbon barrels for six months — it's good enough to save for a special occasion of your own.
Now that the calendar has ticked over to September, we don't feel as guilty tipping back fall beers anymore. And one you should never feel guilty about is Oaktoberfest from Firestone Walker. It's their take on a traditional German Märzen style complete with imported Pilsner and Vienna malts along with German Hallertau hops. Despite the oaky name, this Märzen is brewed in stainless steel tanks and gets its name from Firestone Walker's hometown, Paso Robles, which is Spanish for "Pass of The Oaks." Easily one of the best ways to celebrate the incoming fall season.
If there's one thing bourbon connoisseurs love, it's bourbon with an age statement. While many distillers move away from letting you know how old the juice in their bottles are, Heaven Hill continues to annually release "extra-aged" limited edition goods like Elijah Craig 23. This single barrel expression should satisfy both collectors of rare releases and those who work their way through a bottle quickly as well, as the extra-age adds nicely to the overall flavor and experience of a dram. It's a bourbon old enough to drink itself that won't be around very long.
We can't get enough of barrel aged beers, and we are guessing you might not be able to either, so let us introduce you to yet another one worth your time. Barrel Aged Brown Ale from Upslope Brewing in Boulder, Colorado is the first quarterly release in their new Lee Hill series, which celebrates the breweries original location in Lee Hill. Volume 1 is this 7.6% ABV Brown Ale aged for four months in Maryland Rye Whiskey barrels from Leopold Bros. that also happens to come in these sharp looking 19.2oz cans.
When it's time to make a beer run, you have to make sure you have enough to go around and last through your drinking session. And who wants to mess with a puny 12 pack or even a 30 pack of corporate swill when you can ensure you won't run out by hauling home the 99-Pack from Austin Beerworks? The case holds an unheard of 99 12-ounce cans of Peacemaker Anytime Ale, or 1,188 ounces of beer. Bring a friend and maybe a pickup truck to haul home the seven-foot-long case to feed a thirsty party or stock your cellar for the long haul.
If you're after a Gin that can take you around the world in one glass, look no further than Elephant Dry Gin. Inspired by African exploration and its spirit of adventure, Elephant Gin is distilled in Germany using 14 botanicals that include African ingredients like Devil's Claw, Baobab and Wormwood. The unique gin can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail, and not only tastes like a well-rounded Gin, but comes in a tremendous looking bottle as well. It also stays true to its name, as 15% of the profits go to two African elephant foundations.
Here comes another great example of a Belgian Saison that you'd think comes from Belgium, but it's actually an Ohio product. Petite Saison from Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster, Ohio not only fits the bill of a high quality Belgian style Saison, complete with a yeasty malt flavor with some citrus influences, but also comes packaged in this great looking 375ml bottle, caged and corked. Serve it blind to a hardcore Belgian beer snob and see if they can tell you where it's from.
Gose is quickly becoming the most popular new style in craft brewing after the thirst for some of those that were first to market continues to rise. Almanac Brewing decided to embrace the old German style with Golden Gate Gose. Almanac takes the classic wheat style and uses San Francisco Bay sea salt, lemon verbena and coriander grown especially for the brewery in Santa Cruz, California. The tart, refreshing beer makes sense just about anytime, but pair it with fresh seafood to unlock its true potential.
We'd be the first to admit that "sludge" isn't typically the type of word we like associated with our drinks, but in the case of Seaworth Single Fin Sludge Cold Brew Coffee, we'll gladly make an exception. This thick, concentrated cold brew offers tons of coffee bean flavor with minimal acid, giving it a rich buttery taste that's great over ice or warmed up. And thanks to a caffeine content that's nearly four times higher than a regular cup of coffee, you won't be needing another glass nearly as often.
The Mojito, the Whiskey Sour, the Sazerac, and the Mint Julep all have something in common — and no we're not talking about the booze, though they certainly have that — we're talking about simple syrup. It's that critical ingredient that pervades so many great cocktail recipes, and its ingredients are simple as the name suggests: just water and sugar. With the Simple Syrup Kit, you can make this crucial ingredient at home, instead of wasting your time and money buying it from the store. This kit makes it dead simple to make simple syrup, with measurements indicated on the bottle, a convenient funnel, and an innovative pour spout and cap that won't gum up or over sweeten your drink.
It might not be the most well known rum, but it's hard to peruse a list of the best rums in the world and not see Ron Zacapa Solera Rum listed. This Guatemalan rum was created in 1976 and is distilled from virgin sugar cane honey. The sweet, smooth rum is aged using the solera method, a 500 year-old Spanish process which uses fractional blending of different ages of rum. The result is a combination of rum aged between 6 and 23 years that is nothing short of delicious.
Ready to get adventurous with your next beer purchase? If you are, Love Child from Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City, Missouri is a great candidate. The fourth batch in their Love Child Series, this beer is a barrel-aged wild ale made by blending batches of beer, aged between 11 months and 5 years in whiskey barrels, wine foeders, and stainless steel tanks. The finished product is a funky, fruity, sour creation and defies simple explanation but is sure to push the boundaries of your palette and possibly turn you into a fan of sour beers, if you aren't one already.
When it comes to classic cocktails, there aren't many as popular and tasty as the Old Fashioned. But it can be pretty difficult to replicate the perfectly mixed version of the drink you get at your favorite bar. Mr Lyan's Bonfire Old Fashioned is trying to change that, by taking the famous recipe and bottling it for you to enjoy at home. A pioneer with bottled cocktails in London, Lyan uses their whiskey, some cola bitters, and a rare black tea called lapsang souchong, which adds a smoky bonfire to the cocktail. Just chill the bottle, pour, and enjoy at home without the help of a trained mixologist.
The entire bourbon industry owes a debt to the distillers who laid the groundwork for the boom the industry is currently in the midst of, and Wild Turkey's Jimmy Russell is at the top of that list. Diamond Anniversary is a new bourbon honoring Russell and his 60 years of service to Wild Turkey, selected by his son, Master Distiller Eddie Russell. It's a blend of 13-16 year-old barrels that comes in at 91 proof and does an excellent job paying tribute to Russell and Wild Turkey. A must-have for Wild Turkey fans and anyone who appreciates great bourbon.
