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Once it gains traction and attention, a trend can just keep steamrolling – snowballing, even – to the point where it’s impossible to ignore.  Everyone starts talking about it.  Everyone  wants to witness it for themselves.  But as quickly as it appears, another beast (stick with me on the analogy)... Read More

In modern times we consider the Mint Julep a staple of Derby Day drinking, but once upon a time, like from the turn of the 19th century through the Civil War, the Mint Julep was a staple of everywhere drinking.  The beverage hails from the South and has agrarian roots,... Read More

It might be significant that in all of the several photographs I’ve seen of John Geber, he has his arm around someone or something: his wife, his daughter, a wine barrel. The guess would be that he is both affectionate and possessive. More to our point, he is the energetic... Read More

“Dann’s somewhat famous for failing,” Martha says. “This time, people really wanted him to succeed.” That’s Dann Paquette, the brewer of Pretty Things beers, that Martha’s talking about; she’s Martha Holley-Paquette, Dann’s wife and partner in the Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project. Dann smiles wryly at this spousal evaluation,... Read More

Andrew Cabot has been sailing his whole life. In the last few years, he and his uncle have sailed around Europe, down the Arctic along the west coast of Norway, and then some. You might say a penchant for the seafaring life is in his blood. His ancestor six generations... Read More

Tiki drinks have seen a resurgence among cocktail enthusiasts in recent years, and for good reason.  Who wouldn’t be tickled by sipping a cocktail with a pink umbrella from a skull mug?  People are often surprised to learn, however, that these beverages are actually serious cocktails, considered so delicious in... Read More

The Grand Conseil 2O11, this year’s edition of the annual international meeting of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, the Burgundy education and chowder society, was held in Boston in May. Among the participants who came from France, Canada, and all over the US were three celebrated Burgundian vignerons, terroirists... Read More

Let’s talk about new ways to enjoy the summer beer drinking season. Berliner Weiss Usually reserved for light lagers and delicate Kolsch and Blonde Ale styles, perhaps no beer style approaches the pure quenchability of Berliner Weiss.  A true outlier in the beer world, one that celebrates both sourness and... Read More

One simple way to concoct fantastic cocktails is to make your own fresh syrups and garnishes.  Simple and delicious, sweetened preserved cherries are a perfect alternative to the artificial, borderline florescent cherries we know of today as the “maraschino” cherry.  Originally named as such because the earliest recipes included the... Read More