You’re hosting a summer gathering and you know you’ll be serving beer – but how? You could always pick up a case of Bud Light and throw it into the garage cooler but I’ve got a feeling you’re not that kind of host. So what IS the best way to serve beer when guests will be mingling outside?

Do you fill growlers at your local brewpub? Do you use a pump or picnic tap to serve a keg? Both options cut down on bottles and cans but the variety of beer for guests to choose from is lacking. Is it better to buy bottled sampler packs? What’s the most cost-effective way to serve great stuff and keep everyone happy?

I’m not sure there’s a definite answer here, to be honest. I have my own approach but others might have a better way. Personally, for smaller parties I like to combine the growler option and the sampler packs. I usually buy a sampler of something more standard—like Sam Adams—and then get some fun stuff in the growlers for the serious beer snobs. Throw in a case of something cheap for the people who don’t care and you’re all set.

When I’ve got a big group coming over however, I’ll grab a keg of something that most everyone would like. Yuengling always goes over well with my friends. Someday I’ll have an outdoor kegerator.

What’s your beer host game plan? Take the poll and leave some comments to let me know!

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TAGS [ BEER OUTDOORS | KEG BEER | GROWLERS | BEER SURVEY | BEER POLL | SUMMER PARTIES | LABOR DAY | BEER TIPS ]

"Infusion." It probably sounds like something that happens in a nuclear reactor if you’re not already familiar with the process or the term, but I’m here to tell you, it’s not that complicated. In fact, the concept of infusion - at its most basic level - is about adding and embedding flavor; and while infusion can apply to teas, water, and oils, I’ll be focusing on our favorite subject here on the KW Blog: liquor, specifically my personal favorite: vodka.

The best part about the whole infusion process (and in doing it yourself) is that there’s only some minor work and patience involved in creating your own, unique, flavor-full concoction to enjoy on those remaining hot, summer nights ahead.

Vodka is a very flexible liquor - not only because it "plays well with others," (it will mix with just about anything) but it is a clean, tasteless foundation for many cocktails. As such, the world of flavoring vodka is suddenly open to vast possibilities, some which seem to have been overlooked or even ignored. The deciding factors in creating your own vodka infusion are limited only by your imagination and discerning taste buds.

It’s All About Flavor
Remember that "flavor" is the combination of two senses: taste and smell. So, the results of your efforts will not only taste great, but will smell really appealing, too.

The most commonly infused vodka flavors on store shelves today cover a wide variety of citrus, melon and berry, along with smatterings of chocolate and espresso flavors. While these "standard" flavors aren’t necessarily bad, they’re so very pedestrian. That’s why I’m here: to open your minds to the possibilities beyond the single-flavor standard that vodka distillers provide to you in pre-made, artificially-sweetened form.

What You’ll Need
The first, most important step is to find an un-flavored brand of vodka that suits you. "Do not pass ‘Go’. Do not collect $200."

Sure, you can throw down $40 or more on a bottle of the good stuff, but if your wallet finds you less of a connoisseur – or if you’re simply not that picky (or just don’t care), then go for one that suits you best. Just make sure it’s one you will truly, honestly enjoy because you’re going to be the one to drink it when all is said and done, not me.

Here’s a short list of other things you’ll need before we get underway…

• Vodka
• Mason Jars
• Knife
• Cutting Surface/Board
• Fruit and/or Herbs
• Mesh Strainer
• Coffee Filters
• 4-6 days

Start Here
Clean the mason jars and fruit thoroughly - not just for health reasons. A clean jar and clean fruit will provide you with a crisp, clean taste, allowing you to focus on the flavor you’re creating, not pesticides or whatever else may be lingering on the surface of the fruit (eew), or remnants of the manufacturing process.

Cut the selected fruit(s) in half, quarters, or less and put into the mason jars… (For more exotic combinations of flavors, see the list below.) Divide the vodka among the mason jars. Again, how many jars you’ll need depends on how many varying flavors you want.

The Next Step
Shake each full mason jar thoroughly and store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 days. Be sure to shake the jar multiple times a day. On or about the 3rd or 4th day, give yourself a preview of your work in progress by taking a quick sip.

How This Works
No, it’s not witchcraft. The oils from the fruit (and any herbs you might use, like mint) are released into the vodka through a natural process. These oils contain the molecules that give each fruit or herb its own distinct taste and scent. Likewise, the vodka permeates and saturates the fruit already soaking in the vodka, making it a nice and potent garnish (or snack).

When It’s Ready, You’re Ready
On or about the 6th day, place a coffee filter into the mesh strainer. Slowly pour the contents of each distinct flavor from their respective mason jar through the coffee filter/strainer into a separate, clean container. If you’re making one large batch of the same flavor, you can strain all of it back into the original bottle. You can also opt to save the fruit as garnish.

Try These in Different Combinations
In addition to the standard cherry, strawberry, lemon or lime, I’d like to suggest you give the following a taste. They’ll liven your taste buds and leave you feeling cool and refreshed:

• Mango
• Lychee
• Loganberry
• Blueberry
• Blackberry
• Boysenberry
• Pineapple
• Carambola (aka "Star Fruit")
• Kiwi
• Nectarine
• Peach
• Pear
• Plum
• Honey Dew
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon

Suggested Pairings

• Banana, Strawberry, Kiwi
• Nectarine, Peach, Carambola
• Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mint
• Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honey Dew
• Blackberry, Lychee
• Mango, Pineapple
• Peach, Plum
• Raspberry, Mint
• Orange, Lychee, Kiwi, Carambola

The possibilities are endless.

TAGS [ VODKA INFUSION | VODKA INFUSIONS | INFUSE VODKA | FRUIT VODKA | FRUIT VODKAS | VODKA INFUSION RECIPE | HOW TO MAKE A VODKA INFUSION ]

We’ve shipped a whole lot of tonic water from our warehouse in the past few days! I’m not one to brag but when it comes to premium tonic waters, we have the best selection available.

I’m thrilled that we’re not the only ones who realize that while tonic is good, GOOD tonic is simply incredible. If you ask me, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than relaxing on a deck, patio, or boat with a crisp, refreshing vodka and tonic (or gin and tonic) – made the right way, with the right tonic.

Most tonics served at bars and sold in grocery stores are loaded with artificial ingredients and high-fructose corn syrup but you probably wouldn’t know that because you’ve never had the good stuff. When it comes to top-quality tonic waters, we’ve got options. Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water blends spring water with handmade cold-pressed oil from Tanzania, cane sugar and natural quinine from a plantation near the Rwanda-Congo border. Q-Tonic is made from hand-picked Peruvian quinine and Mexican agave. Fentimans is botanically brewed with all natural ingredients and the sharp flavor of ginger to create a perfect balance of bitter sweetness.

We asked our unbiased friends, Deron and Sara, to try them all and let us know what they like best. Their official tasting notes are below.

*Disclaimer: The following opinions are simply that, opinion. Every taste bud is different! Should you disagree with our conclusions, simply comment and let us know what you think. We’re all about discussion and great drinks. Cheers!

Tonic Water Tasting
Monday, June 29th
Rochester, NY
Tasters: Sara & Deron Weet

Tonic Water Samples tasted:

• Q Tonic
• Fentimans Tonic
• Fever-Tree Tonic

All tonic waters were tasted with 1-ounce of Grey Goose Original Vodka, room temperature, and 3 ounces of each tonic water, refrigerated, in a 12-ounce rocks glass with 4 ice cubes.

Please note: Store brand tonic water was not sampled against these, since we ran out of vodka, and did not have any other unflavored vodka in the house.

Comments:

Q Tonic
"The least carbonated of the three." "Clean, not overly sweet, with a dry finish." "Uncomplicated, and lets the flavors of the vodka shine through." "Possibly a bit undercarbonated." "Soft citrus fruit undertones with no aftertaste." "This is the tonic for people who want the flavor of the vodka to be the star." "Don’t mix with rotgut vodka."

Fentimans
"Almost too sweet to be a tonic water." "Citrus fruit bomb, almost resembles a lemon-lime soda with a shot of grapefruit juice." "Full bodied, with some herbal notes in the background." "Some slight sour notes on the swallow, after the taste buds have done a little dance." "May be good at hiding the off flavors of cheap vodka."

Fever-Tree
"The most well-balanced of the three." "A restrained fruitiness, almost seltzer-like." "A bit prickly on the tongue, but very balanced." "Good aftertaste without being too sweet or cloying." "Mouthfeel is a bit slick." "A clean, uncomplicated tonic with a finish that is just dry enough to do the job." "Best of the three."

So, the consensus was that the Fever-Tree was our #1, followed by the Q, then the Fentimans. The Fentiman’s tasted a bit too much like a citrus soda than it did a tonic water, and you might not want to drink lime/lemon/orange/grapefruit flavored vodka with it. The Q was the most unobtrusive of the three, where it in no way would interfere with the flavors of whatever vodka you’re drinking. The Fever-Tree was the best, we felt that it would go with gin as well as with vodka.

Either way, all three were a hell of a lot better than supermarket crap.

Grab a Premium Tonic Water Sampler Pack with 2 bottles of each brand, try them all and let us know what YOU decide.

TAGS [ TONIC WATER | PREMIUM TONIC WATER | PREMIUM TONICS | Q TONIC | FEVER TREE | FENTIMANS | Q TONIC WATER | FEVER TREE TONIC WATER | FENTIMANS TONIC WATER ]

When The Food Network contacted us a little while back about our Faucet and Shank Kit we weren’t exactly sure what they had up their sleeves… and I can tell you, tapping a watermelon never once crossed our minds!

The innovative brains at The Food Network have done it again, turning something ordinary into extraordinary with a melon, a cocktail recipe and our very own faucet and shank kit.

Here’s the recipe our friends at The Food Network suggest for the perfect cocktail keg, adapted from The Bubbly Bar, a new cocktail book by Clarkson Potter.

Watermelon Sours in a Melon Keg
(makes 10-12 drinks)

4 cups watermelon chunks, pureed
4 oz Alizé Red Passion, or any other fruit-flavored liqueur
8 oz gin
2 cups sour mix
Sparkling rosé
Lime slices, for garnish
Watermelon, to turn into a keg

Prepare your watermelon by cutting a lid from the top and scooping out the fruit (use 4 cups of the fruit later for your watermelon puree). Drill a small hole near the bottom of the melon, then use a knife to widen the hole until it’s just slightly smaller than the keg shank. Attach the shank and faucet and you’re ready to add your cocktail.

After pureeing 4 cups of watermelon chunks, strain. Stir in your fruit-flavored liqueur, gin and sour mix. Chill. Add sparkling rosé before serving. Garnish with lime slice and enjoy!

Thanks to the fantastic minds at The Food Network for inventing such a fun and different way to tap into your melon.

Cheers!

TAGS [ THE FOOD NETWORK | WATERMELON KEG | COCKTAIL KEG | FOOD NETWORK WATERMELON KEG | FOOD NETWORK COCKTAIL KEG | FAUCET AND SHANK KIT ]

The other day I stopped by a local fire hall in Swormville, N.Y. to see an assembled bar foot rail that was purchased from KegWorks. This particular bar foot rest was made of satin stainless steel material and extended across the patrons’ side of the bar. While I was checking out the bar foot rail I realized just how really nice this bar area was and how much the foot rail completed its overall look. You can see from the image that having something to rest your feet on is essential, especially when sitting on a tall bar stool. Foot rests actually take the pressure off your lower back and also help your body relax, when sitting at the bar. This foot rail not only serves a functional purpose, but it gives this bar area a classy feel altogether.

I spoke with someone at the fire hall who was very pleased with the decision in purchasing a foot rail made of satin stainless steel. He described the satin stainless steel material as requiring very little maintenance and was overly satisfied with the high quality, durable material. As you can see from the image, satin stainless steel has a moderately shiny, non-mirrored surface. It can best be described as a smooth, velvety shine.

Polished stainless steel and polished brass are also two other great materials for bar foot rest tubing and components. Polished stainless steel has a very shiny, mirror finish that reflects a lot of light. Polished brass is similar to polished stainless steel in that it has a very shiny, reflective surface as well. Polished brass end caps and brackets can be paired with unstained wooden tubing. Read about materials, parts and bar rail installation at BarFootRest.com, complete with easy-to-install foot rail instruction video, designed to guide you through the simple process.

TAGS [ BAR FOOT RESTS | BAR FOOT RAILS | BAR RAILS | INSTALL BAR FOOT RAILS | BAR RAIL INSTALLATION ]

I grew up around kids with vintage Chevelles, GTOs… even a ‘56 Chevy. Most of these guys even looked the part for the cars they drove, clad in white t-shirts with sleeves rolled up, containing a pack of Lucky Strikes (not kidding), blue jeans, rolled at the bottom, over black Dr. Martins, all topped off with some serious black leather and greased-back hair.

When it comes to home or commercial bars, each one has its own style, reflecting that of the person or persons that put their heart into it. You’ve got your sports bars, your tropical tiki-inspired bars, your English or Irish pub style bars and, of course, one of my personal favorites, the classic greaser bar, which reminds me of days with my old pals at the speedway or hanging around the garage, getting to know the inside of an engine block.

The moment I saw this vintage bar sign, I was whisked back to the days of my childhood which, to be perfectly honest, aren’t that far back (the above mentioned cars were vintage when we were kids, hahaha) but memories they are and this Vintage Liquor Pin-Up Girl Sign took me on a much enjoyed journey.

If you’re looking for ways to add classic vintage character to your bar, this is a perfect way to start.

Cheers!

TAGS [ BAR SIGNS | VINTAGE BAR SIGNS | CLASSIC BAR SIGNS | PIN UP GIRL SIGN | LIQUOR SIGNS | PIN UP GIRL ]

Today I came across this gorgeous foot rail image of one of KegWorks bar foot rests, that was taken recently. This polished brass foot rail fits this bar perfectly. Bar foot rails are classy, functional and are a great addition to your bar area. It’s amazing what a few accessories can do. Best of all you have something to rest your feet on. KegWorks sells all the parts you need to build your dream bar foot rail at a great price!

If you’re looking for a bar foot rail or just want to learn more check out KegWorks new informational site on foot rests. Foot rail parts include tubing, brackets and end caps. Read about each material first - polished brass, polished stainless steel, satin stainless steel and unstained wood - before deciding which is best for your bar.

Remember KegWorks provides do-it-yourself instructions and installation videos to guide you. KegWorks customer feedback on bar foot rails purchases has been extremely positive. Don’t hesitate to call customer service if you have any questions at all!

Thanks,
Jennifer

TAGS [ BAR FOOT REST | BAR FOOT RESTS | BAR FOOT RAIL | BAR FOOT RAILS | BAR RAIL | BAR RAILS | INSTALL BAR FOOT RAILS ]