During the holiday season I always seem to rush around from store to store and try to guess what my family and friends who seem to have everything could possibly want as a gift. I stumbled upon this book about distilling whiskey and really got into it. Tons of photos, diagrams and history about the process. Enough to get any whiskey geek, history buff or photographer interested.

This is perfect, I finally have exactly what I need… now how do I possibly get these books to everyone on my list without them realizing that I gave them all the same gift…

TAGS [ WHISKEY BOOK | DISTILLING WHISKEY | WHISKEY GIFTS | LIQUOR GIFTS | SPIRITS GIFTS | DISTILLING BOOK ]

Black Friday. Blah. I always hated getting up at 5 am, getting shoved out the door by my mom who "had to get those deals," and waiting in sub-zero temperatures for a doll for my sister. When I finally was old enough to fake sleep through it all and save my dad from this menace too, I was able to stay out of the rat race.

Finally as it draws near to my son’s first Christmas, I find myself pouring over toys and junk that will soon fill my living room and need to be donated to a needy cause in the next year or so when he outgrows them.

I have to say I’m glad that the internet has grown up enough that I don’t even have to leave the house to start and finish my shopping. In fact, I’d like to propose that instead of celebrating Black Friday (an insane American tradition) we should celebrate Black and Tan Friday! Imagine this, getting up late, eating lunch, pouring yourself a black and tan later in the afternoon, and starting and finishing your shopping in less than an hour. Sounds great to me. I’ll see you online, Black and Tan in hand.

TAGS [ BLACK FRIDAY | BLACK AND TAN | BLACK AND TANS | GUINNESS SPOON | BLACK AND TAN SPOON ]

You begged. You pleaded. You promised us your first born… and, although we’ll pass, finally they’re back. BrewTenders are here and ready for self-serving your hoards of friends, family and the like.

That’s right… these are self-serving 80-ounce beer and drink pitchers, which save you time and energy so you can better enjoy the festivities yourself. Plus, they light up, adding even more to your party décor.

The BrewTender features

• a removable ice chamber, which eliminates dilution from melting ice
• a lazy-susan style rotating base that’s perfect for pub or dining tables
• a bar style tap handle for easy dispensing of beer, cocktails, juice, iced tea or anything cold
• an internal beverage and ice lighting system
• and is available in red or black

Get yours now for only $59.95!

TAGS [ BREWTENDER | DRINKTENDER | BREW TENDER | DRINK TENDER | PARTY PITCHER ]

When the Hindenburg airship went down, taking the lives of 38 people and injuring another 60 on May 6th, 1937 much was lost. The Hinderburg, carrying 97 passengers on board, was destroyed within a minute while attempting to dock at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey.

Fire Chief Leroy Smith of the Matawan Fire department in NJ came across a fire-damaged bottle of Lowenbrau Beer and took it from the wreck site.

This week, that bottle of beer went to auction and fetched the sum of £9,400, but "with buyer’s premium, the bottle will cost the purchaser £10,810," or around $18,000 USD. That price gives it the world record for the most expensive bottle of beer ever sold. A $400 bottle of limited edition Carlsberg previously held the record.

Who needs Pabst when you can buy Hindenburg?

TAGS [ HINDENBURG | LOWENBRAU BEER | BEER AUCTION | BEER NEWS ]

Check out this rad 4-tap keg fridge that one of our customers just finished creating, with faucets, tap plugs and other pieces of equipment he picked up from us:

Jon, I’ve gotta say, we are seriously impressed. Thanks for passing along the photo!

TAGS [ KEGERATOR | KEG FRIDGE | DRAFT BEER EQUIPMENT | BEER FAUCETS | KEG REFRIGERATOR ]

Well, it’s almost Thanksgiving and it’s a food holiday. This means it’s also a good opportunity to try new recipes. I personally like to perfect the old ones before I move on to new ones but I think I will try some new things this year.

I will, however, go to trusted sources. There can be no more trusted source than Martha Stewart and friends.

She has graciously thrown together a nice and simple Holiday Recipe Book, just in time for the big feast. Be sure to check out the Cocktail Section (Chapter 5) as well.

And of course you can get some of the supplies from us if you don’t have them already:

• Premium Cocktail Mixers
• Cocktail Shakers
• Straws, Stirrers and Picks
• All Bar Tools

Good Luck!

Cheers,
$hane

TAGS [ MARTHA STEWART | THANKSGIVING COCKTAILS | HOLIDAY MENU | THANKSGIVING MENU | HOLIDAY COCKTAILS ]

Just Beer Brewing Co. is a small operation that’s making a big impact. Yesterday, November 10th, they released their new brew, Semper Ri, at the U.S. Marine Corps celebration in Boston. Brewed on the very day that brewery owner Bill Russell’s stepson, 2nd Lt. Joshua Bruins, and his Marine regiment were deployed to Afghanistan, it’s truly a beer with a cause.

Russell describes Semper Ri as a winter beer that’s "very crisp and drinkable." With 20% rye malts and a name that plays on Marine Corps motto, it will be available in 22-ounce bottles at select retail outlets in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

For the seven months that Josh and his unit are abroad, Just Beer will put $2 from the sale of every bottle towards care packages for the troops.

Due to limited availability and distribution, it’s likely that you may not be able to get your hands on your own bottle of Semper Ri but I’ve written to the brewery to find out if there are other ways to contribute. I’ll keep you posted!

As we honor and remember all of our veterans and the brave men and women still serving our country today, I’d personally like to thank Just Beer for their idea and their efforts. Some of us might not always know how to adequately express our gratitude and respect for the countless American heroes who make great sacrifices to ensure our freedom - but we all know how to enjoy a beer.

TAGS [ SEMPER RI | JUST BEER BREWING CO | VETERANS DAY | USMC BIRTHDAY ]