Review: Old Pal Ale
Numerous alcohol companies are jumping headlong into the cannabis market, but here’s an example of somebody doing the reverse. Old Pal is a big name in the cannabis lifestyle space, and now it’s launching a beer. It’s a plain old beer: Old Pal Ale does not contain any THC or CBD; it’s as straightforward as…
Review: Shibui Japanese Whisky, Complete Lineup 2021
Shibui is a new Japanese whisky brand with a tagline that clarifies things from the start: “We don’t distill, we discover.” In other words, Shibui is a blender that collects casks of all types from all over Japan — and beyond — and figures out how they might show themselves best. For its initial production…
Review: Troegs Double Blizzard and Grand Cacao
The end of the year sees Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Troegs trotting out its most prized beers, including a sampler pack of winter-friendly brews. We look at two of those beers here, both of which are also available individually as well. Troegs Double Blizzard – “A semi-hazy Double IPA dry-hopped with 4 pounds per barrel of Chinook…
Review: Douglas & Todd Bourbon Cream
Minneapolis-based Phillips Distilling Company recently launched Douglas & Todd Small Batch Bourbon Cream Liqueur, a classic whiskey cream liqueur that’s made with its own 4 year old Douglas & Todd bourbon, Midwestern cream, and vanilla flavoring. As bourbon cream liqueurs go, it’s a solid and worthwhile example of the style. The nose blends notes of…
Review: NV Anna de Codorníu Brut Rosé D.O. Cava and Codorníu Zero Brut Alcohol Free
Codorníu has a tradition of making wine in Spain that dates back to 1551, and they produce a wide range of different cavas. Today we are trying two distinct bottles from their catalogue: a Brut Rosé and an alcohol free Brut. NV Anna de Codorníu Brut Rosé D.O. Cava – Made from 70% Pinot Noir…
Review: Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Bourbon, Alter Ego Rye, and Bourbon 15 Years Old
The Doc Swinson’s Collection is a new brand that’s been making serious waves since it hit the scene. This non-distilling producer’s story begins like many, with the discovery of a few barrels of good bourbon that the company bottled up and sold. Since then, Doc Swinson’s has started bottling older and older stock, and —…
Review: Lagunitas IPNA Non-Alcoholic IPA
Off the sauce? A frosty non-alcoholic beer offers a potential option… at least in theory. Let’s see what Lagunitas does with the category with its cheekily-named IPNA. If you handed me this beer and didn’t tell me it was non-alcoholic, I’d say it was a pretty shoddy representation if IPA. Knowing it’s (almost) boozeless, it’s…
Review: Red Wines of Alentejo, Portugal, 2021 Releases
With over 250 indigenous grape varieties, Portugal has the highest density of native grapes of any country in the world. And while Portugal is largely known for its supple Ports and zippy white wines, there are plenty of delightful red table wines made here as well, particularly in the sunny Alentejo region that dominates the…
