KegWorks Blog

Football season is well underway and tailgating parties are in full swing. This year, whether you’re tailgating in the parking lot or at home on your couch, KegWorks has you covered. From keg taps to beer games, we’ve got what you need to cheer on your team in style.

Check out the Buccaneer Portable Grill and Cooler Set - it’s the ultimate tailgating find. The tote features a large, insulated cooler compartment for storing drinks and food. A charcoal grill pulls out quickly and packs up easily into the carrying case. Padded handles, shoulder strap, and a reinforced base make carrying a breeze.

Plus, it comes with everything you need to grill, including a turning fork, easy-grip tongs and oversize spatula with a built in bottle opener. These are all high quality stainless steel for years of enjoyment.

The Buccaneer Grill and Cooler Set is just one of our many great tailgating finds and accessories. Click to check out all of our gear, including NFL Neon Signs, Drink Can Belts and Shoulder Coolers, Beer Pong Drinking Games, Tailgating Kegger Kits and much more!

TAGS [ TAILGATE | TAILGATING | FOOTBALL ]

This weekend I was finally able to get some R & R. After a busy couple of weeks and a weekend out of town, I was able to sit on my back patio on Saturday evening. I made a fire, left my cell phone in the house and grabbed myself a nice cool beer (Not ice cold, since I wanted to really be able to taste this specialty Belgian). That’s right, I treated myself to Kapittel Pater, Brown, Abbey Ale. Not only does this beer taste refreshing, with hints of fruit and a pleasant outdoor smokiness, it is not overpowering. It doesn’t have to be preceded by a large steak and potato dinner…although that is never a bad idea.

After a couple of sips, I didn’t think this evening could get any better. Then, I remembered my humidor was next to me! I decided to pull out a classic, the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Imperial, maduro. I have to tell you, cutting these things is hard to do. They are such a perfect looking smoke - a nice box press, dark oily wrapper. They are just brilliant to look at. Anyway, these smoke like a gem and are worth every penny you spend on them. The ash is tight and snow white. The taste is unique and complex - chocolate, nuts and hints of spice combine to make a wonderful experience. Amazingly, none of the flavors dominate the smoke, it is as if they take turns giving you the best of each world. I don’t know if I will have another opportunity like this this year, living in Buffalo… I may be skiing next weekend.

TAGS [ BEER | CIGARS | ABBEY ALE ]

Check out this video to learn the importance of using bitters in cocktails. Alberta does a fantastic job of explaining why bitters are used and some key differences between top brands.

TAGS [ BITTERS | COCKTAIL BITTERS | COCKTAILS ]

This week it was time for Old Fashioneds on KegWorks Cocktail Wednesday. Two new employees joined us this week, so we gave them the good ol’ KegWorks welcome with whiskey.

Although I, myself, am not a whiskey drinker (opting instead for a Pimm’s Cup) our graphic designer, Hannah, said that it was the perfect end to a hard day at the office, calling it a perfect “wind-down cocktail…. a swift kick of whiskey, and a subtle hint of orange.”

I was disappointed to find out that Old Fashioneds are NOT, in fact, meant to be muddled, as I had always believed. Instead, the first few ingredients – sugar, water and bitters – are simply swirled.

Here’s the recipe:

Old Fashioned

1 T Sugar
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Enough water to dissolve sugar
2 oz Rye or Bourbon Whiskey
½ slice Orange
1 Cherry

Mix sugar, water and angostura bitters in an old-fashioned glass. Swirl glass until sugar is dissolved. Add the cherry and orange wedge. Pour in bourbon, fill with ice cubes, and stir.

Stay tuned for Mint Juleps, next week!

TAGS [ COCKTAILS | COCKTAIL RECIPES | OLD FASHIONED ]

After a summer party, your house can be invaded by fruit flies attracted to the final drops of beer in all those empty beer bottles and lemon and lime wedges in the garbage and left in drinks. I have a great way to take care of these lingering warm weather party guests. After I clean up, I take my fruit and vegetable scraps (I find my banana peel from breakfast works best), place them on a piece of tin foil in the oven with the door open and wait. Once all the flies are drawn to the scraps I close the door and put the oven on broil. I let the oven heat up to about 300 degrees and unwanted guests are no more.

TAGS [ SUMMER PARTY | PARTIES | PARTY TRICKS ]

Guys, the pressure of getting a new cigar/beer pairing up on the blog every week has been bearing down like a freight train. Upon my agreement to do these posts, I said I would only do reviews of parings that really made an impression on me; I didn’t want to do them just to do them. I haven’t had anything sensational in the past couple of weeks; they were the same old smokes, good, but nothing I would recommend running out and buying right away. That is until this past weekend.

I was in New York City over the holiday weekend. On Saturday, I was doing my normal run through the city hitting my favorite cigar spots when I stumbled onto a blast from the past – the Camacho Diploma. I have only had this powerhouse once, when it first came out about five years ago. I had bought two and smoked one on the spot. That is all I remember about it..The other is still sitting in my humidor. When I saw this cigar again in NYC I bought another, remembering my first experience.

The next day, I was in Central Park after lunch and happened to have this smoke with me, so I cut it and fired it up. WOW! It hasn’t lost a step. This smoke burned perfectly and had a draw that sets the standard for how draws should be. The smoke was full-bodied and spicy with a nice almond finish. If the store wasn’t closed I would have went back and picked up more. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enjoy a beer with this smoke, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write about it anyway.

NOTE: I don’t recommend this smoke if you have a wife and/or mother waiting for you to get to the airport for an early evening flight. If you are like me, when it comes down to catching a cab to the airport or finishing the smoke, the Camacho Diploma wins every time, and makes for a loud cab ride (and the noise isn’t from the horns in traffic or the radio - if you know what I mean).

TAGS [ CIGARS | CAMACHO DIPLOMA ]

Finally, it’s here - NFL opening night. It’s a night that I look forward to all year, second only to the Bills home opener, and the start of Sabres playoffs. For me, football season is about so much more than a game. It’s the whole all-American vibe that hits home with me; there is just no better way to celebrate our freedoms than with football. No better way to remind ourselves what a great country we live in than with beer, burgers and face paint in a crowded parking lot. Honestly.

So, tonight, to celebrate, I will enjoy the game over a few drafts at a local pub as I rest up for our home opener on Sunday. But I do need my rest because tailgating in Buffalo is serious. I have lived in other cities, I have been to games in other cities, and honestly Buffalonians are no joke when it comes to pre-game. (I speak only of the fans, not the team, of course. That’s a whole different story). In Buffalo, we take no prisoners.

My tailgating group, for instance, will be meeting up at 8:30 Sunday morning (much to the disappointment of many of my friends that are starting before 7), in hopes of being to the stadium by 9:00 for a 1:00 game time. We’re making burgers, dips, breads, yadda, yadda, and the list goes on. I refurbished an old corn hole game; even made beanbags out of an old pair of Zubaz. (Sweet, right?) But most importantly we’re bringing beer! Luckily, working at KegWorks, I have access to resources and products to serve any type of beer and host any type of party.

For those of you kicking off the football season right – with draft beer, there are tons of options for pumping a keg and keeping it cool. If you’re looking for a fast, inexpensive way to serve ice cold draft beer at a game, check out this Tailgate Kegger Kit . Comes complete with tap and insulation bag. Includes a US Sankey tap which works with most domestic beers like Bud and Miller. And, it’s only $48.95, which will help you offset the stadium parking costs.

If you’re looking for more football game gear? Click here!

In the meantime - Go America, go Bills, and get tailgating….

TAGS [ NFL | TAILGATE | TAILGATING | BUFFALO BILLS | FOOTBALL ]