Drink With The Wench » BEER MIXOLOGY http://drinkwiththewench.com Drinking through the world, one beer at a time. Mon, 02 Mar 2015 00:57:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.7 The 10 Best Bars in Denver for Craft Beer Lovers: A #GABF Bucket List http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/the-10-best-bars-in-denver-for-craft-beer-lovers-a-gabf-bucket-list/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/the-10-best-bars-in-denver-for-craft-beer-lovers-a-gabf-bucket-list/#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:57:56 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8683 True story: I was born in Denver. Sadly, aside from birth and two years of childhood, I am far from being an expert on the city of Denver. But, what I lack in knowledge about the city, I make up for with my expertise in partying — errrr, responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Even though I haven’t been going to the Great American Beer Festival for nearly as long as most of my colleagues in the beer industry, I have visited enough to have the down-low on Denver’s coolest bars for craft beer enthusiasts. It is important to note at this time that I am a cross-drinker and that, during GABF, I’m guilty of sipping on cocktails. This might sound sacrilegious, drinking booze during the country’s largest craft beer festival, but I assure you that palate fatigue happens to the best of us and more brewers than you think suffer from cross-drinking tendencies.

Regardless of whether or not you dabble in the spirits realm or only drink beer, I’ve compiled a list of what I think to be THE BEST booze destinations in the city of Denver — especially for craft beer lovers. So if you are headed to GABF this year, make sure to add these bars to your bucket list!

Denver Nightscape

Photo Credit: Denver Nightscape by Dag Peak

10 Best Bars in Denver for Craft Beer Lovers

1. Falling Rock Taproom

1919 Blake St.

Even if you’ve never been to GABF, you’ve probably heard of the legendary Falling Rock Taproom. Located a good stumbling distance from the Colorado Convention Center, Falling Rock Taphouse is, by far, the most popular place to be during GABF. Falling Rock not only boasts an always updating tap list of the most coveted and celebrated craft beers in the country, it is also home to some of the most epic and buzz-worthy events during GABF including Dr. Bill’s famous rare beer tasting. Not to mention, I spend about 80% of my GABF trip at Falling Rock — so if you want to find me, look there!

Twitter: @FallingRockTap

2. Star Bar

2137 Larimer Street

Located just blocks from Falling Rock, Star Bar is a great destination for cross-drinkers looking for a place to escape from all the hops and perhaps even belt out a song or two (yes kids, this is a karaoke bar on Thursday nights). But, don’t forget your beer swilling friends — Star Bar also boasts an outstanding selection of craft beers both on tap and in the bottle. Can’t choose between a cocktail and a craft beer? No worries! Star Bar is one of Denver’s premier spots to enjoy a really well-made beer cocktail.

Twitter: @StarBar_Denver

3. Euclid Hall

1317 14th Street

For those desiring an orgasmic food & beverage experience, look no further than Euclid Hall. Fresh hand-cranked sausages, poutines to die for, and an extensive seafood selection — Euclid Hall is a carnivore foodie’s wet dream. They also have a full liquor license, mixing up some of the best cocktails you will find in Denver. Once again, if you can’t decide between one of their awesome craft beers and a cocktail, no worries! Euclid Hall is also a beer cocktail destination in Denver!

Twitter: @EuclidHall

4. Rackhouse Pub

208 South Kalamath Street

For those who partied too hard during the GABF festivities, Rackhouse Pub offers the best hangover deal around: $3 Beermosas and Bloody Marys plus FREE Bacon on Sundays. Now, you don’t have to wait until Sunday to experience the boozalicious awesomeness of the Rack. Not only is the mac & cheese alone worth the visit, Rackhouse Pub is also a whiskey lover’s paradise. Attached at the hip to Stranahan’s Distillery, Rachkhouse boasts a whiskey menu 60+ varieties deep, offering whiskey flights to the experts & novices alike. And you guessed it, the Rack also has beer cocktails!

Twitter: @RackhousePub

5. Cheeky Monk

534 E. Colfax

Belgophiles rejoice! Less cheeky and more monky, the Cheeky Monk is a one stop destination for all things Belgian and beer. If you are a mussel freak, and I’m not talking about WWF, this place is screaming your name. Cheeky Monk is famous for its moules & frites, offering  7 unique award-winning mussel recipes including the ever popular Bacon & Gorgonzola and my personal favorite, the Mulligatawny. Cheeky Monk also serves an extensive selection of Belgian and Belgo-style craft beers, all properly served in their coordinating vessels.

Twitter: @TheCheekyMonk

6. Colt & Gray

1553 Platte Street

A little ways a way from the Colorado Convention Center activity, the cab fair to Colt & Gray is well worth the cash. Limited release beers, high-end cocktails, world class wines — Colt & Gray is serious about it’s beverage program. But don’t let the booze menu distract you too much, Colt & Gray is also a gastronomy haven. For the meat afficianados, Colt & Gray offers an amazing array of charcuterie — painstakingly made in house. Foie gras, tartare, sweatbreads and bone marrow are also amongst the amazingly decadent meat items on the menu. If there was one place to splurge in Denver, this would be it. Oh yeah, Colt & Gray is yet ANOTHER beer cocktail hot spot.

Twitter: @ColtandGray

7. Freshcraft

1530 Blake Street

The name says it all. Fresh food, craft beer and a fun atmosphere, Freshcraft is open early (11am) to help you start your day of beer adventures — or recover from the previous night. And vegetarian beer lovers can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Although the farm-to-table beer destination boasts a menu loaded with tasty meat products, Freshcraft also has a delicious selection of meatless treats including vegan sliders, fried pickles, and quinoa cakes. Hungry after midnight? Freshcraft is one of the only beer spots you will find the serves a late night menu till 1am on Friday and Saturdays. Facing palate fatigue? Freshcraft is yet another destination that offers a great selection of spirits and cocktails!

Twitter: @FreshCraftFood

8. The Cruise Room

Located in the Oxford Hotel, 1659 Waze Street

No trip to Denver is complete without a pit stop at this legendary martini bar. The Cruise Room is downtown Denver’s first bar — opened the day after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. Always dark with beautiful Art Deco décor, the Cruise Room is original in its entirety. Now I know what you are thinking; Hot damn girl! All you have done so far is talk about cocktails, do you even drink beer? Well, that is what the actual festival is for, my friends. But, if you are like me and my fellow cross-drinking brewers, your palate gets exhausted after drinking liquid hops, lacto-bombs, and imperial this-that-and-the-other-thing all day and night. If you want to run into la creme de la creme of the beer industry, this cult classic cocktail bar would be the spot.

9. Great Divide Taproom

2201 Arapahoe Street

The list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning at least one brewery stop — and Great Divide tops my list as the best taproom in town. In addition to hosting some cool events during GABF, the Great Divide taproom is the perfect place to guzzle down awesome craft beers. Oh, and I hear it is a great spot for ogling cute beertenders (but don’t take my word for it — wink). Last year, Great Divide expanded its taproom, making it bigger, better and beerier than ever! And for those looking to start their craft beer adventures early, Great Divide is open early at the ripe hour of 10am Thurs-Sat during GABF!

Twitter: @greatdividebrew

10. Whiskey Bar

2201 Larimer St.

For those who need that one last drink before calling it a night, Whiskey Bar is the spot for ensuring your arrival in hangover city. But you don’t have to wait until last call to get your whiskey fix, Whiskey Bar offers $3 specials all day every day and a $3 you call it (yes, you read that right — you all the shots) happy hour from 4-7pm. With 200+ whiskeys and a constant streaming of sports, Whiskey Bar is also a great place to escape the madness of GABF to watch “the game” (whatever that may be for you).

Twitter: @WhiskeyBar

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But outside of amazing craft beer, awesome food and cocktails, these bars all share something much more important in common — all boast great atmospheres and wonderful people.

As with all lists of this nature, I’m sure there will be a plethora of hemming and hawing and some hurt feelings — which is why encourage leaving feedback in the comment section below!

Cheers!

 

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/the-10-best-bars-in-denver-for-craft-beer-lovers-a-gabf-bucket-list/feed/ 5 Risky Persuasion: Bringing Beer Cocktails to the Brewing Network http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/risky-persuasion-bringing-beer-cocktails-to-the-brewing-network/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/risky-persuasion-bringing-beer-cocktails-to-the-brewing-network/#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:17:09 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8629 Armed with shakers, jiggers, muddlers and magic fairy dust, my friends and I are about to attempt a feat of the most unthinkable proportions. This Sunday, Andie Ferman of St. George Spirits, Dan Del Grande of Bison Brewing, and I are setting out into uncharted territory to convince the ever-skeptical beer purists of the Brewing Network and their extremely loyal army of beer heathens that beer cocktails are, in fact, awesome.

Dan, Andie & Me

We expect to be met with lots of resistance, doubt and disbelief. The weaker ones will be easily wooed, but the stronger ones will take more convincing. The purists will cry blasphemy and bastardization! They will stick us with pitch forks and threaten to burn us at the stake.

But we are determined to razzle dazzle the non-believers with our delicious, whimsical and oh-so-sexy concoctions. By creatively combining artisan spirits with craft beer and a touch of magic, the Brewing Network will soon find itself under the spell of beer mixology. And, if worse comes to worst, we will just get the hosts of the show so liquored up they will think the whole thing was a dream.

Will we we shunned from the beer industry, forever to be known forever as outcasts? Or we will find new alliances for the beer cocktail movement in the Brewing Network? The only way to find out is to tune into the LIVE show on Sunday, September 16th at 5pm PST.

Listen to the LIVE show here.

 

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/risky-persuasion-bringing-beer-cocktails-to-the-brewing-network/feed/ 2 LA Beer Week Event Preview: Craft Beer, Prickly Pears, Poutine and More! http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/la-beer-week-event-preview-craft-beer-prickly-pears-poutine-and-more/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/la-beer-week-event-preview-craft-beer-prickly-pears-poutine-and-more/#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:51:06 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8621 Although the city of LA is mostly associated with Hollywood, fake boobs and horrible traffic, Los Angeles is slowly but surely emerging as one of California’s best beer cities. More and more buzz-worthy breweries, beer bars, and gastropubs are popping up in The City of Angels. What was once a beer desert, LA is slowing metamorphosing into a beer paradise.

Next week, September 20-30, marks the start of the 4th Annual LA Beer Week. Although LA is relatively “new” to the beer week scene, it is still one of the best beer weeks, in my opinion, that the country has to offer. But don’t take my word for it. Check out the epic line-up of events already on the schedule! And don’t forget to follow the LA Beer Week action on Twitter —
@LABeerWeek and the official hashtag: #LABW

LA BEER WEEK EVENT PREVIEW

Thursday, Sept 20

  • Stone Total Town Takeover: Pasadena | Stone Brewing Co. previews its soon-to-open Stone Company Store – Pasadena location. Co-Founders Steve Wagner & Greg Koch will be on hand, sharing special beers and nibbles from Stone Catering, with live music. Tickets are $25; all proceeds will benefit a local charity. (7-9:30p) Other events with the Stone Brewing Co. team will also be taking place in Pasadena throughout the day. (Details)
  • Fried Chicken, Craft Draft | Eva Restaurant offers Chef Mark Gold’s all-you-can-eat fried chicken and all-you-can-drink Beachwood BBQ & Brewing Foam Top Cream Ale for $39. RSVP via (323) 634-0700. (6-10p)
  • Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Invades Little Tokyo | Far Bar will be pouring 12 of this famed Delaware brewery’s beers, including some very rare and hard-to-get selections. In addition, an extra special treat will be running through the “organoleptic hop transducer module”… better known to Dogfish Head fans as Randall the Enamel Animal. (6p)

Friday, Sept 21

  • Poutine Paradise | No, it’s not a recipe or song from Cookin’ with Coolio… it’s five courses of gourmet poutines will be paired with five Schneider-Weisse beers, along with a special dessert pairing at P’tit Soleil Westwood. (Two seatings: 6:30p & 8:30p)

Saturday, Sept 22

  • Walker’s Wild Ride | David Walker of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. will be hauling several rare sour beers around town in a vintage ‘55 Land Rover, with stops at Golden Road Brewing, Verdugo Bar, 38 Degrees Alehouse & Grill, Far Bar, and Blue Palms Brewhouse. (12:30p-??)
  • Better Weather Fest | Golden Road Brewing will be celebrating their first year and their new brewery/restaurant expansions. Festival goers will be able to enjoy craft beers from a number of breweries, tour the new facilities, order eats from food trucks (Mandoline Grill, Crispy Waffle & Frite), all while relaxing to musical beats. (12-4p)
  • Schneider Beer Brunch | Wurstküche hosts a tasty 5 course sausage and Schneider beer pairing, presented by a special guest from the brewery. Includes an Aventinus ice cream dessert course paired with Vintage 2008 Aventinus. (11a)
  • OC Fest of Ales | The inaugural OC Fest of Ales kicks off in Anaheim with over 100 beers, VIP food pairings, music and a Beer Run 5K.

Sunday, Sept 23

  • Brewer’s Brunch | Eagle Rock Brewery be opening up for brunch to chat with the owners and brewers. Resident Chef Jerry Su will be serving up some amazing brunch options as well. Entry is $15; includes two beers, food, and you get to keep the pint glass. (10a-1p)
  • Berliner Brunch | Beachwood BBQ & Brewing (Long Beach) offers a special brunch menu along with several different varieties of Berliner Weisse on tap, served with or without house-made syrups. (11a-4p)
  • Craft for Crap | Beer Belly wants you to educate your friend who somehow still drinks crap beers, despite the bounty of good we’re now surrounded with. Bring that friend, and one of the crap beers from their fridge and trade it up for a craft beer, at the low, low price of one cent.
  • Beauty of the Barrel | The Victorian has partnered with Brew Something LA to help you enjoy both barrel-aged spirits and barrel-aged beers in one place at one time. Tickets are $40, and net proceeds go to benefit The Virginia Avenue Project. (4-8p)

Monday, Sept 24

  • Ancient Ales Dinner | The Little Bear’s Chef Andre Guerrero has created a five-course meal to be paired with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s five “Ancient Ales.” The menu is insane. Tickets are $75; reservations can be made via (213) 622-8100. (7p)
  • So You Want to Open a Brewery in LA…A Brewers Panel | Join moderator Tomm Carroll (from The Celebrator Beer News) at Rock & Brews as he talks with those brave few who have recently started brewing professionally in Los Angeles — or have plans to do so in the near future. They’ll discuss their experiences with starting a brewery and share their war stories. (7p)

Tuesday, Sept 25

  • Musical Beer Crawl | Local beer darling/social media pro Cambria Griffith hosts the 2nd Annual LA Beer Week Musical Beer Crawl. This event unites the numerous extra-fantastic beer, music and food venues all along Echo Park’s W. Sunset Blvd. for a night of real beer, live music, discounts, surprises and giveaways. Printable “passports” will be available for download at MusicalBeerCrawl.com beginning Tuesday, Sept 18.
  • Beer University: Farmhouse Ales | Steingarten LA hosts homebrew guru Drew Beechum, who will give an amazing talk on saisons and other farmhouse ales, selecting some of his favorite examples of the style to drink, with specially tailored food and beer pairings. Five courses. RSVP via (310) 441-0441. (7p)

Wednesday, Sept 26

  • Brewmaster’s Dinner | Kinetic Brewing Company hosts an epic eight-course beer pairing dinner at their brewery in Lancaster. Tickets are $65. (6p)

Thursday, Sept 27

  • Suckling Pig Roast | King’s Row Gastropub roasts a whole hog that’s been marinated in Firestone Walker beer. 8+ Firestone Walker beers on tap. (6p)
  • Big Crawl in Little Tokyo | Special beers and glassware giveaways at some of Little Tokyo’s best beer bars: Far Bar, The Escondite, The Lazy Ox Canteen, Spitz, Izakaya Fu-ga, Weiland Brewery, and Xlixe Pizzeria. (6p)
  • Lucky Baldwins Exclusive Pub Tour | Shuttle buses take patrons around the Pasadena environs all night, looping between all three Lucky Baldwins locations. Tickets are $45. (6:30p-12a)
  • Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey night | Join the crew from this famed North County San Diego brewery along with over 20 of their beers at The Surly Goat. (6p)

Friday, Sept 28

  • The Oinkster 6th Anniversary | Six burger specials from the past six years, with a tap takeover featuring Eagle Rock Brewery.

Saturday, Sept 29

  • FoodGPS LA Beer Float Showdown | FoodGPS.com’s Josh Lurie has assembled five teams of top L.A. chefs and local breweries to collaborate on creating the ultimate beer float at Golden Road Brewing. Come taste and vote for your favorite. Tickets are $35; VIP $45. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Pablove Foundation. (2-5p)
  • Boneyard Bistro Brunch | Six-course brunch menu, with beer cocktail and special release beer pairings from Deschutes Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., and Lagunitas Brewing Company. Tickets are $45. (2p)

Sunday, Sept 30

  • LA Beer Week Festival | The signature closing festivities for LA Beer Week. Over 70 breweries will be in attendance at Union Station, pouring unlimited samples of their goodies alongside food trucks and local artisans on-site peddling their wares. Tickets are $50; net proceeds benefit The Spero Foundation, The LA Brewers Guild, and the Glassell Park Recreation Center. (12-4p)

There are also some special events taking place over the entirety of LA Beer Week (9/20-9/30), including:

  • Savory Malibu will create a special three-course beer pairing menu featuring Smog City Brewing. RSVP via (310) 589-8997.
  • City Tavern will be featuring a different barrel-aged beer pairing each day.
  • Bar | Kitchen (at The O Hotel) will be making special craft beer cocktails.
  • Lucky Baldwins 16th Anniversary Celebration will feature rare and vintage beers from Stone Brewing Co.

And even more taking place over the course of several days, including:

Also super cool: LACraftBeerTours.com is offering shuttle bus service between breweries to help celebrate LA Beer Week. Email pat@lacraftbeertours.com to RSVP or for more info.

  • Saturday, Sept 22
    • LA: Eagle Rock/Strand/El Segundo/Golden Road (11:30am & 5:15pm. Free.)
    • South Bay: El Segundo/Brewery at Abigaile/Monkish/Beachwood BBQ & Brewing (1-10pm; shuttle runs on a continuous loop. Tickets are $15.)
  • Sunday, Sept 23 (11am. Free.)
    • LA to OC: Golden Road/Noble Ale Works/Old Orange/The Bruery
  • Thursday, Sept 27 (5pm. Free.)
    • South Bay: El Segundo/Strand/Monkish/Select Beer Store
  • Sunday, Sept 29 (1pm. Free.)
    • OC: Old Orange/Noble Ale Works/Bootlegger’s/The Bruery
]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/la-beer-week-event-preview-craft-beer-prickly-pears-poutine-and-more/feed/ 0 [Video] Strawberry Blonde Brewjito via Cooking Stoned http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/video-strawberry-blonde-brewjito-via-cooking-stoned/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/video-strawberry-blonde-brewjito-via-cooking-stoned/#comments Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:30:14 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8585 Thanks to my awesome and ever-talented friends, Chris Eldridge & Jerry James Stone, some of my beer cocktail recipes have been turned into snazzy videos!

This particular video is for the “Strawberry Blonde Brewjito” — a beer-inspired twist on the classic mojito.

“Made with fresh strawberries, American blonde ale and agave nectar…this mojito is anything but ordinary. It’s fresh, bright and bound to be a classic. But why blonde ale? As Ashley mentions in the video below, you can pretty much use beer in any cocktail recipe which calls for club soda. And a blonde ale is just bright enough to pair with a mojito and not over power it.” — Jerry James Stone

For the full recipe and bartending instructions, check out the video below and visit BeerMixology.com.

About the Beer Mixology Team

Jerry James Stone

Jerry is a writer for Discovery Channel, and the producer and main recipe developer for TreeHugger’s Green Wine Guide, which features sustainable wineries and vegetarian wine pairings. He’s currently creating the official Philz Coffee cookbook for the Bay Area establishment which will feature recipes about cooking with coffee.

He has been a food judge alongside Michael Pollan and Alice Waters for the Good Food Awards and wrote the nightlife section for Fodor’s 2013 San Francisco guide book. His writings can be found in MAKE magazine, The Atlantic and Digg.com.

Follow Jerry on Twitter @JerryJamesStone

Ashley V Routson

Known to most as The Beer Wench, Ashley is a self-proclaimed craft beer evangelist & social media maven on a mission to advance the craft beer industry through education, inspiration and advocacy. She is currently the “Director of Awesomeness” at Bison Brewing in Berkeley, CA  — where her responsibilities include everything from marketing, sales, PR, social media & events.

Ashley is also a freelance consultant and professional speaker on the subjects of social media, beer mixology, food & beverage pairings. She is the founder of DrinkWithTheWench.com & BeerMixology.com as well as a regular contributor to CraftBeer.com.

Follow Ashley on Twitter @TheBeerWench & @BeerMixology

Chris Eldridge

Chris an Independent Video Producer, Editor, and Cinematographer for corporate, television, and marketing-oriented clients, with a persistent, detail-oriented work ethic. He studied Cinematography at San Francisco State University, working as a projectionist at movie theaters in San Jose & San Francisco. Out of school, Chris began working in Television and shooting feature films with friends, one of which saw theatrical distribution in the US & India.

Chris currently produces content for the EMS industry, as well as several wine, beer, arts, and entertainment pieces for his personal project, CineVine.com.

Follow Chris on Twitter @thedridge & @CineVine

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/09/video-strawberry-blonde-brewjito-via-cooking-stoned/feed/ 1 KQED Public Media for NorCal Features Beer Mixology http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/07/kqed-public-media-for-norcal-features-beer-mixology/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/07/kqed-public-media-for-norcal-features-beer-mixology/#comments Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:13:32 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8455 Recently the Discovery Channel took notice and now Public Media (NPR) is catching onto to the relatively new and ever exciting trend of beer mixology.

I recently partnered with two of my talented and forward thinking friends, Jerry James Stone and Chris Eldridge, to launch a beer mixology pilot project (you can read more about the team below). Our ultimate goal is to develop one of the most, if not the most viral beverage-themed video series on the Internet (move aside Wine Library TV!).

I am very excited and honored to announce that the second recipe and video in the series made its official debut on Bay Area Bites — KQED’s food blog. Perfect for summer, this refreshingly tart and slightly sweet cocktail is made featuring ingredients found in the SF Bay Area. Trumer Pilsner, fresh black and blueberries and St. George Spirits Breaking & Entering Bourbon blissfully meet in cocktail that I coined Liquid Pie. The bourbon provides subtle flavors of vanilla and caramel while the Pilsner adds some crust-like notes to the mix. And naturally, the fresh muddled berries and agave nectar add the the desired pie filling that makes the unique beer cocktail really pop!

Instead of posting the recipe and the video on my blog, I’m going to force you to visit the KQED blog post so that you can help support our project by liking it on Facebook and retweeting the link on Twitter. Just think of the possibilities if this project takes off! Thanks, in advance, for all your support.

And here is a little teaster for the road…

___________________________

About the Beer Mixology Team

Jerry James Stone

Jerry is a writer for Discovery Channel, and the producer and main recipe developer for TreeHugger’s Green Wine Guide, which features sustainable wineries and vegetarian wine pairings. He’s currently creating the official Philz Coffee cookbook for the Bay Area establishment which will feature recipes about cooking with coffee.

He has been a food judge alongside Michael Pollan and Alice Waters for the Good Food Awards and wrote the nightlife section for Fodor’s 2013 San Francisco guide book. His writings can be found in MAKE magazine, The Atlantic and Digg.com.

Follow Jerry on Twitter @JerryJamesStone

Ashley V Routson

Known to most as The Beer Wench, Ashley is a self-proclaimed craft beer evangelist & social media maven on a mission to advance the craft beer industry through education, inspiration and advocacy. She is currently the “Director of Awesomeness” at Bison Brewing in Berkeley, CA — where her responsibilities include everything from marketing, sales, PR, social media & events.

Ashley is also a freelance consultant and professional speaker on the subjects of social media, beer mixology, food & beverage pairings. She is the founder of DrinkWithTheWench.com & BeerMixology.com as well as a regular contributor to CraftBeer.com.

Follow Ashley on Twitter @TheBeerWench & @BeerMixology

Chris Eldridge

Chris an Independent Video Producer, Editor, and Cinematographer for corporate, television, and marketing-oriented clients, with a persistent, detail-oriented work ethic. He studied Cinematography at San Francisco State University, working as a projectionist at movie theaters in San Jose & San Francisco. Out of school, Chris began working in Television and shooting feature films with friends, one of which saw theatrical distribution in the US & India.

Chris currently produces content for the EMS industry, as well as several wine, beer, arts, and entertainment pieces for his personal project, CineVine.com.

Follow Chris on Twitter @thedridge & @CineVine

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/07/kqed-public-media-for-norcal-features-beer-mixology/feed/ 0 Tales of the Cocktail® Presents BEERTAILS Seminar with Vanberg & DeWulf http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/tales-of-the-cocktail-presents-beertails-seminar-with-vanberg-dewulf/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/tales-of-the-cocktail-presents-beertails-seminar-with-vanberg-dewulf/#comments Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:32:59 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8442 As an huge advocate and self-proclaimed leader of the beer cocktail movement, I’m thrilled to announce that Tales of the Cocktail® is presenting a beer mixology themed seminar during this year’s festival. I’m even more excited to learn that my good friends Wendy Littlefield and Don Feinburg of Vanberg & DeWulf are the official beer sponsors!!

Wendy and Don have been importing some of the best specialty Belgian and Northern France beers in the world, Dupont being the most notable, for over 30 years. They are also the founders of Brewery Ommegang and established experts in food & beer pairing. Their involvement in Tales of the Cocktail® this year is a huge step for craft beer and for the beer cocktail movement.

For those unfamiliar with Tales of the Cocktail®, it is the world’s largest cocktail festival and by far the best event on planet earth for both spirits industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts alike. For five days straight, the most respected minds in mixology converge in the city of New Orleans for a seemingly endless stream of cocktails, cuisine and culture. Anyone who is anyone is there, and the parties are beyond epic. And I would know, I’ve been.

Me & Alan Kropf of Mutineer Magazine at Tales in 2010
Me with Alan Kropf of Mutineer Magazine at Tales in 2010, Photo: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

 

In addition to being the biggest cocktail party in the world, Tales boasts an event schedule of seminars, dinners, competitions and tasting rooms where brands showcase their latest products. This year, Tales is featuring a seminar on a topic near and dear to my heart…. beer cocktails!

Sadly, I pitched a beer mixology panel with some of my friends and our panel was rejected. However, as an advocate of the beer cocktail movement, I am just happy that the topic was selected, regardless of who was selected to present it. This is just continued proof that beer mixology has clout and relevance in the cocktail community — yay! Next step? Convert the craft beer community!

Unfortunately, I will not be attending this year’s Tales of the Cocktail®, although I would probably give up an unborn child or two to get there. If anyone reading this gets to attend the BEERTAILS panel, I expect a full report on my desk the next day! Or at least a little insight into the action.

______________________________

About the BEERTAILS Seminar

Fasten your seatbelts Ladies & Gentlemen, it’s gonna be a bubbly ride. Beer is the most chemically complex alcoholic beverage in the world and top mixologists around the globe are discovering not only the flavor complexity it adds to a cocktail, but also the magic of its effervescence with elevating aromas and the unique texture it adds to a cocktail. You will ‘get your hands dirty’ and your tastebuds buzzing during this exciting 90 minute ride.

A properly made beertail starts with an exceptionally balanced cocktail onto which an appropriate beer is floated on top. The brew not only pulls the aroma of the cocktail beneath ‘up’ with its effervescence, but also compliments and contrasts with the cocktail to create a unique ‘beertail’. The lucky drinker tastes the beer with the first few sips, but with the subtle aroma of the cocktail. Then the middle of the drink is the beer and cocktail together on the palate. Because the beer floats, the final tastes are the cocktail on its own.

Our beer sponsor Vanberg and DeWulf for 30 years has been the leading importer of world class beers from Mecca..oops, Belgium. Aren’t they the same place? Through this tasting lead by some of the most forward thinking minds and palates in the beverage world, you will enjoy 20 unique flavor experiences. With Four Beertails, you will taste the cocktail on its own, then the beer on its own, then the beer floating on the cocktail with the cocktail’s aroma coming thru the head, then the cocktail and beer together and finally the cocktail at the bottom with just a hint of the beer’s malt, but sans bubbles.

To compliment Vanberg & DeWulf’s world-class beers, the base spirits for this experience will be HUM Botanical Spirit, Sombra Mezcal, El Dorado 15 Year Demerara Rum and Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve Bourbon. “”At BEERTAILS, we treat you right””.

As cocktails hit their renaissance and craft beers hit an all time high, Tales of the Cocktail’s 10th Anniversary is the perfect forum for the movers and shakers in the cocktail world to taste and hear first-hand the ‘next big thing’ in the world-wide cocktail movement.

Here’s a quick sneak peak into what is in store by panel moderator Adam Seger CCP:

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/tales-of-the-cocktail-presents-beertails-seminar-with-vanberg-dewulf/feed/ 0 The Discovery Channel Features Beer Mixology http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/the-discovery-channel-features-beer-mixology/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/the-discovery-channel-features-beer-mixology/#comments Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:29:14 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8387 Beer Cocktails: love them, hate them, the trend is here to stay. Case in point? The Discovery Channel recently featured a beer cocktail recipe and video on its website designed and executed by none other than yours truly (with the help of amazing partners, naturally).

I recently partnered with two of my talented and forward thinking friends, Jerry James Stone and Chris Eldridge, to launch a beer mixology pilot project (you can read more about the team below). Our ultimate goal is to develop one of the most, if not the most viral beverage-themed video series on the Internet (move aside Wine Library TV!).

The first recipe and video in the series, “Roasted Apricot Margarita (Made with Beer)“, was posted on the Discovery Channel’s website this week. The unique recipe features a twist on the classic margarita with apricot preserves and American IPA (video features: Bison’s Organic IPA).

Instead of posting the recipe and the video on my blog, I’m going to force you to visit the Discovery Channel post so that you can help support our project by liking it on Facebook and retweeting the link on Twitter. Just think of the possibilities if this project takes off! Thanks, in advance, for all your support.

And here is a little teaster for the road…

___________________________

About the Beer Mixology Team

Jerry James Stone

Jerry is a writer for Discovery Channel, and the producer and main recipe developer for TreeHugger’s Green Wine Guide, which features sustainable wineries and vegetarian wine pairings. He’s currently creating the official Philz Coffee cookbook for the Bay Area establishment which will feature recipes about cooking with coffee.

He has been a food judge alongside Michael Pollan and Alice Waters for the Good Food Awards and wrote the nightlife section for Fodor’s 2013 San Francisco guide book. His writings can be found in MAKE magazine, The Atlantic and Digg.com.

Follow Jerry on Twitter @JerryJamesStone

Ashley V Routson

Known to most as The Beer Wench, Ashley is a self-proclaimed craft beer evangelist & social media maven on a mission to advance the craft beer industry through education, inspiration and advocacy. She is currently the “Director of Awesomeness” at Bison Brewing in Berkeley, CA  — where her responsibilities include everything from marketing, sales, PR, social media & events.

Ashley is also a freelance consultant and professional speaker on the subjects of social media, beer mixology, food & beverage pairings. She is the founder of DrinkWithTheWench.com & BeerMixology.com as well as a regular contributor to CraftBeer.com.

Follow Ashley on Twitter @TheBeerWench & @BeerMixology

Chris Eldridge

Chris an Independent Video Producer, Editor, and Cinematographer for corporate, television, and marketing-oriented clients, with a persistent, detail-oriented work ethic. He studied Cinematography at San Francisco State University, working as a projectionist at movie theaters in San Jose & San Francisco. Out of school, Chris began working in Television and shooting feature films with friends, one of which saw theatrical distribution in the US & India.

Chris currently produces content for the EMS industry, as well as several wine, beer, arts, and entertainment pieces for his personal project, CineVine.com.

Follow Chris on Twitter @thedridge & @CineVine

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/the-discovery-channel-features-beer-mixology/feed/ 0 Beer Cocktail Recipe Featured in DRAFT Magazine! http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/beer-cocktail-recipe-featured-in-draft-magazine/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/beer-cocktail-recipe-featured-in-draft-magazine/#comments Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:50:46 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=8340 As many of you might know by now, I’ve been extremely distracted these days working on my side project BeerMixology.com. And it seems to be “paying off” as more and more food & beverage publications have been catching onto the beer cocktail movement.

I’m excited and honored to share with you a recipe designed for DRAFT Magazine, who published the recipe in the May issue of the magazine and is currently featuring it in the recipe section of their website.

Before revealing the recipe, I’m going to include a brief intro to the cocktail, which was not actually published in the magazine. Cheers!

Move over April showers, spring is in full bloom and the Saison season is upon us! Saisons were traditionally made as a safe, low alcohol, source of hydration for farm workers during the hot harvest months in a time when water dangerous because it was riddled with bacteria. Characterized mostly by the farmhouse strains of yeast used in fermentation, Saisons are typically pale in color, very well carbonated, and boast fruity and spicy aromas and flavors, with little to no hop presence, expect in some American versions.

Sometimes slightly tart, characteristically dry and refreshing, Saisons are perfect for the hot Spring and Summer months. This style of beer also works well in a variety of beer cocktails. The following garden-inspired beer cocktail recipe features the Saison, fresh strawberries, mint, and a hibiscus- infused vodka. The cocktails is pleasantly floral, fruity and refreshing, making it perfect for the Spring and Summer months.

Strawberry Fields

Ingredients:

  • 1 fresh strawberry, quartered
  • 5 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce agave nectar
  • 11/2 ounces hibiscus vodka (see below)
  • 4 ounces saison

Photo: Kevin Robie

Instructions: Muddle the strawberry and mint with the lemon juice and agave nectar until strawberry is completely macerated. Add vodka and ice, shake 5 times (not enough to crush the ice). Add beer and shake 5 times. Pour, with the ice, into a tulip glass and garnish with a sprig of mint.

DIY Hibiscus-infused vodka: Pour 2 cups vodka over 1 ounce dried hibiscus flowers in an airtight jar; seal tightly and store in a cool place for 24 hours. Pour through a fine strainer into a sterilized bottle or jar.

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/06/beer-cocktail-recipe-featured-in-draft-magazine/feed/ 1 BREWPUBLIC & The Guild Pub Present: The Beer Mixology Hat-Trick http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/02/brewpublic-the-guild-pub-present-the-beer-mixology-hat-trick/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/02/brewpublic-the-guild-pub-present-the-beer-mixology-hat-trick/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:30:33 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=7956 Three breweries, three states, three beer cocktails. On February 25th, BREWPUBLIC is bringing together a trifecta of tristate craft breweries to perform the ultimate beer mixology hat-trick at The Guild Pub in Portland, OR.

Saturday evening, starting at 6pm, The Guild Pub will experience an invasion of brewers and a three-way tap and cocktail menu takeover. Representing the home team is Commons Brewery, a small craft brewery located in Southeast Portland, Oregon. Joining the threesome from the North is Mt. Tabor Brewing, the newest craft brewery to open in Vancouver, Washington. And completing the love triangle, from the state to the South, is Bison Brewing, a 100% certified organic craft brewery from Berkeley, California.

“The Guild has been interested in doing beer cocktails for some time and is excited to partner with three innovative craft breweries, Portland’s number one source for beer news, and the country’s premier beer mixologist for the first of many beer cocktail events to come.”  – Dan Roy, owner of The Guild Pub.

For four straight hours, The Guild Pub will feature a menu of original beer cocktails designed by each of the breweries with the help of BeerMixology.com’s founder, Ashley “Beer Wench” Routson. In addition to the cocktails designed by each brewery, there will be a special “his & her” beer cocktail collaborated on by beer blogging duo, Angelo De Ieso and Ashley Routson. Sample pours of each beer will be available for the inquisitive minds craving a side by side analysis. Brewmasters from each brewery will also be in house, making the menage-a-trois of beer love an even more intimate experience.

 


The Beer Mixology Hat Trick
Who: BREWPUBLIC, Commons Brewery, Mt. Tabor Brewing, Bison Brewing
Where: The Guild Pub
1101 East Burnside Street
When: February 25th, 6-10pm
Cost: $8 per cocktail, $4 per pint

]]> http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/02/brewpublic-the-guild-pub-present-the-beer-mixology-hat-trick/feed/ 1 You’re Invited! The Unbirthday Beer Cocktail Party http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/01/youre-invited-the-unbirthday-beer-cocktail-party/ http://drinkwiththewench.com/2012/01/youre-invited-the-unbirthday-beer-cocktail-party/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:46:30 +0000 http://drinkwiththewench.com/?p=7799 You’re Invited!

The Unbirthday Beer Cocktail Party

An SF Beer Week invitation even the Queen of Hearts can’t resist

On February 12th, you are invited to enter a world where time is backwards, nothing is what it seems, and everything is what it isn’t. As a part of the SF Beer Week festivities, Bison Brewing & St. George Spirits are transforming local farm-to-table restaurant, Revival Bar & Kitchen, into a Wonderland of nonsense to throw a Mad Hatter-themed party of epic proportions.

This is your chance to explore the world of beer mixology in a most unique setting. The Unbirthday Beer Cocktail Party will feature three boozy concoctions designed by Bison Brewing’s  Ashley Routson, and founder of BeerMixology.com, Revival’s head mixologist, Nat Harry and St. George’s very own “Vodka Vixen,” Andie Ferman. No worries, these mysterious tonics will not cause you to grow or shrink.

Don’t be late, for this very important date. Tea time starts promptly at 2pm and ends at 4pm. Price of admission includes three beer cocktail tickets, an array of elegant appetizers, and a raffle ticket for swag. The first 25 ticket buyers get early access to a VIP hour, featuring a tasting of organic brews and straight spirits led by the Bison and St. George crew.

Costumes, while optional, are encouraged! And sorry Alice, this tea party is for adults only, 21 & over.

Event Details
What: The Unbirthday Beer Cocktail Party
Where: Revival Bar & Kitchen (downtown Berkeley)
*** 1 block from downtown Berkeley BART station
When: February 12th, 2-4pm
*** First 25 tickets purchased get early access to VIP hour, 1-2pm
Cost: $30 online, $35 at the door.
Eventbrite: http://beermixology.eventbrite.com

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