Review: Dogfish Head Hazy-O! Hazy IPA
The “O!” in Dogfish Head’s new hazy IPA, Hazy-O!, stands for oats, of which four types are used in the brewing of this beer: malted, rolled, naked, and oat milk, the lattermost of which may raise an eyebrow or two. Big and rounded on the palate, it’s got an ample tropical note up front that…
The Top 10 Wines for Summer 2021
As summer 2021 approaches with its promise of the ease of quarantine restrictions, so do the wines with which we might enjoy that time. We’ve seen a ton of wines in the last 6 months or so, and with this list we’re cherry-picking our favorite bottlings that feel idea for warmer times. Ready to dig…
Review: Hopworks Urban Brewery Juicy Bear, Giggle Nuggets, and Ace of Clubs
Trying Cascade Brewing’s excellent sour in January left me thirsty for more Portland beers. This month we have line-up of IPAs from the hop savants at Hopworks Urban Brewery. Let’s see if these three can stand out in a crowded field. Hopworks Urban Brewery Juicy Bear IPA is the lightest in color of the three,…
Review: Tahoe Blue Vodka
“Keep Tahoe Blue” is a common bumper sticker refrain around these parts, as the lake, nestled between California and Nevada, is renowned for its pristine blue water. Tahoe Blue Vodka is a blend of three vodka distillates — 50% from sugarcane, 25% from grapes, and 25% from corn. It’s “made with Tahoe water,” per the…
Review: 2019 Cameron Hughes Lot 752 Gavi DOCG
This indie bottling of Gavi, made from the Cortese grape, has a number of threads to pull at: fresh linen dusted with lavender, lemon curd, and fresh underbrush, all in a swirl. When drinking solo, it doesn’t come together perfectly, a bit too tart and a bit too perfumed on the finish — with some…
Review: Black Tot 50th Anniversary Rum
The relaunch of the Black Tot brand — a masterpiece in its own right — has begat a follow-up, Black Tot 50th Anniversary, a higher-proof rum designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Black Tot Day. As with the recent Black Tot release, it’s designed to pay homage to the original Black Tot recipe, though…
Review: Harpoon From Nova Scotia with Love, The Bock Hog, and Mike’s Pastry Barrel-Aged Cannoli Stout
All three of these new Harpoon releases have something in common: They’re all aged in whiskey barrels. Let’s hit it. Harpoon From Nova Scotia with Love – Brewed in collaboration with Nova Scotia’s Big Spruce Brewing “to celebrate the history of the province’s annual gifting of Boston’s official Christmas tree – provided each year as…
Review: Wheel Horse Bourbon
Wheel Horse Bourbon — from Latitude Beverage Co., in partnership with Owensboro Distilling Company (formerly O.Z. Tyler) — is the follow up to Wheel Horse Rye, which arrived in mid-2020. Now a bourbon follows up: made from a mash of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley and aged for a minimum of two…