The Wine and Cheese Place: 2010-09-12

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Twisted Pine from Colorado

In stock now.
Twisted Pine Saison Le Petite Ale...$7.49 / 22oz

"Le Petite is a beautifully crafted Belgian-style Saison with delicate estery and fruity flavors provided by the yeast. “When working with a great strain of yeast, you want it to shine though as much as possible,” says brewer Jeff Brumley. “This is definitely a big step for us to make such a distinct style of beer.”

Saison is a style of beer that was originally brewed for farm workers in Belgium to drink after a long day of work. This style is typically known as an easy drinking summer session beer with medium alcohol content. Le Petite combines a wonderful breadiness followed by subtle notes of apricot and pear as it warms. Noble hops provide a clean crisp finish to this flavorful balanced beer.

Belgian-style beers provide the perfect complement to food. The yeasty characteristics of this Saison make it a natural pairing for a variety of breads, cheeses and salads. It is a great beer for a backyard barbeque or watching the sun set over the Rocky Mountains." -- beernews.org

A new BFM Grand Cru...

Order all BFM online

Very, very rare beer.

At this point, we are on the only place in world to show availability on RateBeer. Only 4 reviews so far on RateBeer and 1 review on BeerAdvocate

Abbaye de Saint Bon Chien Grand Cru....$19.99 / 375ml

Single Cask Ale Aged in Merlot Piana Vecchia Barrel

Brewed in in 2009, bottled in March 2010

Ale Matured in Oak Barrel. Hand bottled, without prise de mousse. This Grand Cru's complexity will increase with age. 11% ABV

Ingredients: Swiss mountains' spring water, barley malts, sugar, hop, yeast.

info from the label

Artisan spirits from New Holland in Michigan....great package.

In stock at Forsyth!!!

New Holland Hatter Royale Hopquila....$24.99 / 750ml
"For centuries, cultures all over the world, have celebrated the benefits, aroma and flavor ofHumulus lupulus, a.k.a. "hops." Their lively aromatics and punctuated bitterness are best known for their most infamous role in brewing. Hatter Royale is the innovative creation, Hopquila which invites the herbaceous perennial to the exciting world of distilled spirits.A fermented wash of 100% barley is twice distilled, then steeped with Centennial hops. The vivacious spirit features a grain-centric body framed by citrus-laden hop character in the nose and finish. Hoparitas!"

Only 540 bottles made. Each hand numbered

New Holland Zeppelin Bend Straight Whiskey....$24.99 / 375ml
Zeppelin Bend is a culmination of New Holland’s brewing roots and a growing passion for distilling. A straight-malt whiskey, it begins with a brewer’s mash coaxing sugars from malted barley into a liquid wash. This wash is twice distilled and aged in new American oak with a heavy char. Notes of vanilla and clove arise from the slightly caramelized spirit leading to a classic American-oak finish.

New Holland Knickerbocker Gin...$21.99 / 750ml
Knickerbocker Gin is a vibrant, aromatic spirit twice distilled and infused with flavors from more than a dozen herbs and spices. Generous amounts of juniper-berries contribute a bright citrus and evergreen body, bursting with flavor before a clean, dry finish. Named for the Dutch explorers of a new world, Knickerbocker celebrates modern exploration in the historic realm of distilling.

New Holland Freshwater Rum - Huron White....$21.99 / 750ml
Freshwater Rum is a series of rums inspired by the majestic Great Lakes. Huron white rum is distilled from a wash of fermented cane-sugar molasses. It is clean, bright rum with a delicate sweetness and hints of vanilla. Freshwater Huron is perfect for cocktails and Great Lakes outings by boat or on shore.

New Holland Freshwater Rum - Michigan Amber...$24.99 / 750ml
Freshwater Rum is a series of rums inspired by the majestic Great Lakes. Michigan amber rum is distilled from a wash of fermented cane-sugar molasses. Its oak-barrel aging reflects in a caramel color and deep body. A rich and smooth marriage of molasses and oak, Freshwater Michigan is classic rum excellent for classic cocktails or served neat, perhaps with a single ice cube.

New Holland Freshwater Rum - Superior Single Barrel....$33.99 / 750ml
Freshwater Rum is a series of rums inspired by the majestic Great Lakes. Superior single-barrel rum is distilled from a wash of fermented cane-sugar molasses. It showcases barrel-aging in robust, yet elegant flavors. Freshwater Superior is hearty rum sure to inspire and reward nautical voyages and incredible marine adventures

Back in stock....Rigor Mortis..

A couple of good ones back in stock...

Dieu du Ciel Rigor Mortis ABT....$4.99 / 11.5oz
Quadrupel - 10.5%

alc./vol.oz.)
"Strong brown ale inspired by the beer brewed by Belgian Trappist monks. Very little bitterness, this beer has intense malty and sweet flavours, mixed with the taste of chocolate and caramel. It presents complex red fruit and spice flavours due to the type of yeast that is used during the brewing process. This beer is at its best only after it has aged for six months. The Rigor Mortis are complex beers designed and brewed with patience and care in the tradition of the great Belgian Abbey beers.
Rigor Mortis Abt is brewed only once a year, and is sold in April until stocks last.
This beer won a gold medal (first place amongst 10 gold medal winners) at the adjudicated "MBeer" contest during the Mondial de la Bière in Montréal in 2006. Rigor Mortis Abt will become available starting on Monday May 18, 2009. As only one brew was made, it probably won't stay long on the shelves! It won't be brewed again before next year, so don't hesitate to make some reserve of it, mostly that this beer can easily withstand a few years of aging." -- brewery
Rated 99 percentile on Ratebeer.com

"Rigor Mortis ABT is one of the more admired representations of the style; it ranks in the top ten at RateBeer" -- http://www.beernews.org/

Dieu du Ciel Derniere Volonte....$4.99 / 11.2oz

Blond Abbey-style beer "Bottle conditioned"ABV = 6.5%"Dernière volonté (French for "Last Will") is a mix of Belgian and English brewing traditions. Complex flavours of hop flowers and spicy, fruity esters from our belgian yeast are perfectly balanced with the robust flavours and aromas of malt. The finish is commandeered by an assertive aroma from dry-hopping." -- brewery Rated 94 percentile on RateBeer

Order online now

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

North Shore Distillery

This Friday, September 17 -- North Shore - Chicago, IL
4-7pm
Sonja Kassebaum, co-founder, of North Shore distillery will be on hand to taste through the following products.

North Shore Products are also available online

She has a great assortment of one of a kind spirits!!! Don't miss this one.
North Shore Distillery from Chicago
"You have arrived at the virtual home for the first boutique distillery in the Chicago area (and in Illinois). Since 2005, we've been producing a range of inspired and unique spirits for your enjoyment. Our award winning, small-batch, handmade products are designed for the true spirit connoisseur, using the finest ingredients and the most advanced distillers' techniques. Thanks for visiting - we hope you come back often." -- North Shore

North Shore Distiller's Gin No. 11....$29.99 / 750ml

Classic Dry Gin
Our Ode to Traditional London Dry Gin
We love to rave about our Distiller's Gin No. 6, but we didn't stop there. We also created another gin - Distiller's Gin No. 11 - which appeared for the first time in March 2007. This gin is based on the traditional London Dry Gin profile. If you are a fan of abundant juniper flavor, this may be your new favorite gin. We created No. 11 for those looking for a warm round nose, and an unmistakable dry gin flavor.

The botanicals in No. 11 add fullness to the gin without taking away from the leading role of the juniper berries. The balance is remarkable and lends itself well to classic cocktails from when gin was king.

•94 pts Gold Medal/Exceptional Rating - Beverage Testing Institute, 2008
Tasting notes: "Clear. Dense, compacted aromas of honeycomb, lime soufflé, peppery juniper, and sweet spices. A soft, silky entry leads to a fruity medium-full of citrus custard pasty, pink peppercorns, fresh herbs, and honeyed juniper berries. Finishes with an long interplay of flavor with a touch of eucalyptus and minerals. A lovely, deeply flavorful, and elegantly styled gin that will be sensational in vintage cocktails."
This makes it the second highest rated American made gin. The only American gin rated higher? Our very own Distiller's Gin No. 6.

North Shore Gin No.6...$29.99 / 750ml

Modern Dry Gin

"Distiller's Gin No. 6 is extremely smooth, with a complex blance of citrus, spice and floral notes. We create No. 6 (90 proof) by infusing our grain-based spirit with hand-selected botanicals from all over the world, along with fresh lemon zest and lavender blossoms.
If you have never tasted this gin, or you think you don't like gin, we strongly recommend trying No. 6 neat (straight) before mixing it into a cocktail or martini. This will allow you to smell and taste the complex nature of this gin. We know you will be amazed at how much you like this gin.
Distiller's Gin No. 6 is fantastic in a traditional martini - we recommend an 8:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, although this gin works well with more vermouth if you like it that way. It also adds character and intriguing flavor to a range of cocktails, such as those you'll find in our cocktail repository.
This gin has received several awards, including:
95 pts Gold Medal/Exceptional Rating - Beverage Testing Institute, 2008
"A superb gin that virtually bristles with fresh, 3-D flavors. Very impressive!"

North Shore Vodka....$28.99 / 750ml
"Almost every high-end vodka claims to be a "small batch" vodka. How is this possible when you see them on every shelf, in every store in the country and on the shelves of many stores overseas? Small is obviously a relative term. The daily production capacity of most of these "small batch" imports is comparable to our distillery's yearly capacity. Our small batch production is actually that.
But enough about the others. North Shore Vodka is elegant and refined. Made from distilled midwestern grain, our vodka has a smooth, refreshing taste with a pleasant clean finish. Through our proprietary process, and our focus on the quality of each and every batch, our master distiller ensures that our vodka has the individual character and quality required to be enjoyed on its own or in your favorite martini or cocktail.
We proudly share with you this wonderful vodka and truly believe that you will enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoy making it.

Visit our Cocktail Repository for favorite drink recipes using North Shore Vodka.

A Rare Creation - U.S. Made Aquavit
North Shore Aquavit....$29.99 / 750ml

Most common in Scandinavia, aquavit is a truly enjoyable spirit. In that part of the world, you can find many small and large-batch aquavits with widely varying flavors. In the U.S., the selection is far more limited. In Chicago, we have only found five aquavits (and only 3 are common), all of which are imported. We thought it was high time one was produced on this side of the ocean.

By the U.S. government's definition, aquavit's dominant flavor must be caraway seed (most commonly found in rye bread). Beyond that, the distiller uses his or her own artistic flair to add additional flavors and qualities to the spirit.

Aquavit - Private Reserve has a complex balance of spices and flavors. We begin with hand-selected botanicals from all over the world, including caraway, cumin, and coriander. These botanicals are macerated and distilled with the alcohol, and we age the spirit in new American oak to soften and meld the flavors. Unlike other aquavits, we do not add caramel coloring. All of the flavor and color is natural, and are the direct result of our process.

Enjoying Aquavit - Private Reserve
Aquavit is traditionally enjoyed chilled and straight, but it can also be sipped neat. Being avid mixologists, we have some fun and savory cocktail recipes with it as well. Visit our Cocktail Repository to find some favorite recipes with Aquavit - Private Reserve.

This spirit received 95 points - Exceptional Rating from the Beverage Testing Institute in November 2008 and was the Highest Rated Aquavit

Tasting notes: "Yellow straw color with a chartreuse cast. vibrant and stimulating aromas of pink peppercorns, cardamom, lemongrass, medicinal roots and herbs, and sandalwood follow through on a silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a touch of tilled earth a long, spicy fade. Excellent flavor, purity and depth.
This spirit also received a Gold Medal in the 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and in July 2008 the folks at Spirits Review awarded it a 9 out of 10, and described it as "[i]ncredibly smooth and seductively aromatic - especially for an aquavit."

North Shore Absinthe Verte....$59.99 / 750ml
Introducing Sirène Absinthe Verte

Like the sirens of Greek mythology, Sirène will tempt you. With a beautiful, nuanced aroma and flavor, Sirène embodies the rich tradition and history of absinthe.

Absinthe has always been a favorite spirit at North Shore Distillery - first as a curiosity on our world travels, then as a fascination. We have tasted many variations and have been working on our own recipes for years. Now that is possible to actually introduce one to the market, we are excited to share this incredible absinthe with you.

Creating Sirène
We take a traditional approach to creating Sirène. We use the traditional trinity of absinthe ingredients along with a proprietary blend of additional herbs and spices to create Sirène's richness and complexity. The process requires a significant amount of time, preparation and botanicals, but the result is worth the effort.

Enjoying Sirène Absinthe
Absinthe is traditionally enjoyed in a drip. Pour about an ounce of absinthe in to an absinthe glass or a rocks glass. Then place an absinthe spoon on the glass and place a sugar cube (optional) on the spoon. If you do not have an absinthe spoon you can just add simple syrup to your absinthe. Then you drip ice cold water over your sugar cube and in to the absinthe. You can use an absinthe fountain or simply a carafe of ice water. We recommend having your first drip with three parts water and one part absinthe. Then adjust the water next time to your personal taste.

Very rare limited release, looks like we got one of the last cases, we have bottles numbered up to 504 (only 515 made)

North Shore CR2 "Corpse Reviver"....$44.99 / 750ml
Each year we bring together incredible combinations of ingredients to produce special single-batch spirits. This year's is no exception. It is our delight to introduce our Spring 2010 limited release, the Corpse Reviver. Thanks to our beloved federal government, the product is officially named CR2.
This year, we have made just 515 bottles of this limited edition spirit, and as with past limited releases, once it's gone, it's gone.
The Inspiration and a Little History
As you walk through a liquor store today, you will see a number of "pre-mixed cocktails" in a bottle. Artificially flavored and colored, they almost never taste like a real cocktail would. Granted, you may not want to squeeze the lemons or limes and measure out all of the ingredients to make a cocktail, but you should not have to resort to these modern alternatives. So, we decided to show that you can make a cocktail in the bottle and make it well.
For this project, we chose a fantastic old cocktail for inspiration - one that requires ingredients that aren't always on hand, and that when made properly, is a joy to drink. As we were deciding, one of our mixologist friends made a joke about bottling a Corpse Reviver. Little did he know, we were already on that path.
About Corpse Revivers

One of our favorite cocktails is a Corpse Reviver #2. The recipe is straight forward - equal parts gin, orange liqueur (usually Cointreau), Lillet (Blanc, of the modern offerings, but originally Kina Lillet), lemon juice and a dash of pastis or absinthe. This cocktail is a great example of what we like to call "cocktail alchemy." When done properly, all of the flavors blend together perfectly and balance each other out, creating a drink that is better than the sum of its parts. The complexity of ingredients and flavors made this the perfect cocktail inspiration for the challenge.
Cocktails are an American creation, and one category of cocktails from the late 1800's were known as Corpse Revivers. As the term implies, these were meant to be consumed in the morning, typically after a night of drinking.
The first printed appearance of the term "corpse reviver" we found was from 1861. Cocktails with this name were poured at the American Bar at World's Fairs in London and in Paris. There were many variations, and many drinks labeled corpse revivers. However, after Prohibition, most cocktail historians believe that only two recipes for corpse revivers survived; the Corpse Reviver #1 and the Corpse Reviver #2. It is this Corpse Reviver #2 recipe that we decided to use as our guide for this limited release.
Producing The Spirit
In tackling this challenge, we looked for a way, through distillation, to incorporate, not only the flavors of gin, but also orange liqueur, lemon juice, Lillet, and the hint of anise and spice derived from the absinthe. We blended our special distillate with a wonderful white wine from our friend Carl Sutton at Sutton Cellars, and then added a touch of sugar to sweeten it just a tad. We were left with an exciting bottled cocktail.
The final spirit shares many traits with the Corpse Reviver #2. Aroma, flavor, even clarity (or lack thereof), echo the qualities of the cocktail. Admittedly, the one thing missing is the pulp from fresh squeezed lemons, but the taste of fresh citrus is there, coming from the fruits included in our distillation.
Tasting Notes & Recipes
The first thing you will notice is a pleasant fresh citrus aroma. Then the melody of botanicals fill in underneath, providing a full, inviting bouquet. As you drink the spirit, you will taste a delightful combination of citrus and herbal notes with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. No single flavor dominates. A symphony of flavors, with harmonious complexity.
To enjoy this wonderful spirit, simple shake it with ice, and strain into a cocktail (martini) glass. The traditional garnish is a single cocktail cherry placed in the drink. Find our recipes for homemade cherries here

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Taste the amazing Compass Box....

The Wine and Cheese Place has been promoting great Artisan Spirits for some time now. We want to take it to the next level and let you taste them. We have some great tastings scheduled at The Wine and Cheese Place in September.
.
The Wine and Cheese Place
7435 Forsyth Blvd
Clayton, MO 63105
314-727-8788

We have Robin Robinson, the U.S. Ambassador for Compass Box at our store!!

Thursday, September 16 - Compass Box Scotches
5-7pm
Come taste the award winning Whiskys from Compass Box
Compass Box Asyla...$36.99
Compass Box Hedonism...$82.99
Compass Box Oak Cross...$39.99
Compass Box Peat Monsters....$46.99
New one -- Compass Box The Spice Tree --
....known as the "illegal whisky" -- read the very interesting story about this amazing scotch

Available online

Notes taken from John Glaser, Compass Box whisky maker.

Compass Box The Peat Monster....$46.99
A malt whisky for real peat heads, and for lovers of complex, multilayered whiskies. What makes it fit into the Compass Box house style is the balance of richness and subtle sweetness that the old casks of Ardmore provide to the smoky-peaty Islay malts. This is the great benefit of combining single malts from different distilleries. We are not limited to the produce of one distillery. Like a wine maker blending grape varieties, we can create layers of complexity. And, as of late 2007, we’re introducing even more complexity by adding some south shore Islay malt to enhance the peatiness and earthiness. As with all our whiskies, several months of marrying before bottling allow the flavours of each of the whiskies to knit together.
Distillery Sourcing
Islay single malts from the village of Port Askaig as well as some south shore whisky (as of late 2007); and Ardmore. All aged from 10-16 years.
Wood
A mix of first-fill and refill American oak.

Compass Box Asyla -- $36.99
The Secret is in the Oak. The secret to making Asyla is the quality of the casks. We use only whiskies aged in first-fill American oak casks because these yield whiskies with more vanilla character, more richness and more sweetness than refill casks. There is no other blended Scotch whisky on the market that uses whiskies of this quality. Also, there are few blended Scotches that use 50% malt whisky as we do (all unpeated malt whiskies). The result is a carefully crafted, elegant Scotch whisky that makes the perfect aperitif.
Distillery Sourcing
Malt whiskies: Linkwood, Glen Elgin, Teaninich. Grain whisky: Cameron Bridge.
Wood
100% first-fill American oak ex-Bourbon.

Compass Box Oak Cross...$39.99
Innovative New Oak Casks. We work with a small mill in France that produces some of the highest quality cooperage oak in the world. It was our work with this mill that led us to experimenting with secondary maturation of malt whiskies in casks fitted with new French oak heads. This is something no one else in Scotland does. The result is malt whisky with more character and complexity. We use this technique on about 50% of the malt whisky in Oak Cross and it results in a superior finished product.
Distillery Sourcing
Made entirely of Highland single malt whiskies led by Teaninich and balanced with malts from the villages of Brora (for fruitiness) and Carron (for weight). All 10 to 12 years-old.
Wood
All the whiskies are aged for their primary maturation in a mix of American oak cask types. The marrying casks are a mix of first-fill Bourbon barrels and our proprietary “Oak Cross” casks made of American and new French oaks.

Compass Box Hedonism....$82.99
Rare, Old Scotch Grain Whisky. Hedonism is unusual in the Scotch whisky world: a 100% Scotch grain whisky. It is very rare to see 100% grain whisky bottling, even in Scotland. Going back 100 years, grain whisky brands were were common, but they were overtaken in popularity by the big brands of blended Scotch, which comprised both grain whisky and malt whisky. Today, most Scotch grain whisky gets blended into the big brand names, typically at young ages. For Hedonism, we search for very old casks of Scotch grain whisky, typically over 20 years in age. And we only bottle Hedonism once or twice a year, when we find casks with the right flavour profile. Rich, Sweet, Alluring. When good Scotch grain whisky is aged in good quality American oak casks, the results can be stunning: a rich, sweet, alluring whisky, redolent of vanilla, pastry cream and coconut. You’ll find all these things in our Hedonism bottlings. We believe that great Scotch grain whisky is the little-known treasure of the Scotch whisky industry.
Distillery Sourcing
Cameron Bridge, Carsebridge and Cambus, between the ages of 14 and 29 years old.
Wood
100% first-fill American oak barrels or rejuvenated American oak Hogsheads.
Bottling Details
Read more on their website

Farm raised eggs...

Non factory produced from right here in Missouri -- in stock now!!!
In stock now at Forsyth and now in stock at ROCK HILL
Farm Fresh Eggs, free range

"The Year of the Bacon" has been a hit and now we have the farm fresh eggs to go along with the bacon. So many people are hooked on these eggs!
Here is a picture of the eggs!! You get a mix of Heritage Breed Chickens. I am told by Dry Dock that you will not notice a big difference in the taste of the eggs from the different breeds because they are all fed the same diet.

"We grow with nature, not against it" -- Dry Dock
Dry Dock Farm Heritage Breed Farm Fresh Eggs...$4.99 / per dozen
We have been tasting and searching for the right eggs for our store to go along with our artisan Bacon program. We have found them with Dry Dock Farms. Dry Dock Farms has all free range Heritage Breed chickens. Tomorrow we are getting our first batch, it will be an assortment of heritage breeds. Once you try these farm fresh eggs, you will not be able to go back to the "grocery" store mass produced eggs. The flavor is so much fresher and richer.

What is Heritage Breed?
Basically many of these "heritage" breeds of chickens (and other animals) were becoming threatened because the large egg producers were favoring chickens that produced a quantity of eggs and not quality. To quote The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), "Modern food production now favors the use of a few highly specialized breeds selected for maximum output in a controlled environment. Many traditional livestock breeds have lost popularity and are threatened with extinction. These traditional breeds are an essential part of the American agricultural inheritance."

Some of the Heritage breeds that Dry Dock has includes:
Ameraucana Chickens - "Easter Egg Chicken" -- produces blue and green eggs
Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens -- Brown Eggs - pre-World War II - this was the most popular and most likely the eggs being eaten.
Rhode Island Red Chicken -- Light to Dark Brown Eggs
New Hampshire Chicken (see picture from Wikipedia above) -- Light brown eggs

"Dry Dock Farm is 3 acres of rich river bottom land near the village of Silex, Missouri. We purchased our farm in 2005. We are remodeling our turn of the century farm house and barn.
We grow Heirloom vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Our Heirloom tomatoes are bursting with that old time “picked from Grandma’s garden flavor”. We grow our produce and flowers using bio-intensive, no chemicals, no GMO seeds, and we enrich our soil with natural minerals, cover crops, worm castings and compost. We also raise Heritage chickens, turkeys, geese. ducks and assorted other poultry. Our birds are raised on pasture with fresh air and sunshine. They are fed a vegetarian diet, to provide you with the best tasting farm fresh eggs.

Dry Dock Farms runs a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
In basic terms, CSA consists of a pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Members or shareholders of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm throughout the growing season as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land. (USDA definition)

Read more about CSA

More Oktoberfests...

Just arrived at Forsyth...

Warsteiner Oktoberfest...only......$12.99/ 12pk!!

Paulaner Wiesn Bier 1 LITER CAN with mug....$12.99 / each

Gift set of a Paulaner 1 liter can of Wiesn Bier (that is how it is spelled on the can). "Limited edition authentic beer of the 200th Munich Oktoberfest". Plus you get a giant Paulaner glass mug that the whole liter can fits into!

This is what the mug looks like...

Brewdog and Mikkeller do it again!

Order all Mikkeller online

A very special collaboration....
Mikkeller/BrewDog I Hardcore You....$6.59 / 11.2oz
Rated 99 percentile on RateBeer

From BrewDog's website --
Question: What do you get if you blend Hardcore IPA and I Beat You together and then add even more dry hops?

Answer: I Hardcore You. Introducing a new type of collaboration. Coming Soon from Mikkeller and BrewDog

The wait is over, it is at The Wine and Cheese Place!
(Again, we are the first to post distribution in the U.S. on RateBeer)

"I Hardcore You is a 9.5% Imperial India Pale Ale, an international collaborative effort between 2 of Europe's most rock 'n roll brewers. This beer is a blend of BrewDog’s Hardcore IPA and Mikkeller’s I Beat You (2 of my favourite beers). After the blending, the beer was then dry hopped a further twice. Making I Hardcore You a beer which has been dry hopped four times, or maybe even six times. We kinda lost count.
As far as we are aware this is the first collaboration of this type anywhere in the world. The first time a collaboration beer has been made by blending beers from the respective brewers together**. This is a one off brew with a small amount available for a limited time only." -- BrewDogs website.

**Not sure if this is true -- isn't the Avery Collaboration not Litigation a blend of Avery's Salvation and Russian River's Salvation?

Mikkeller Black Tie

Just arrived in the U.S. -- we are the first to show U.S. distribution on RateBeer.
Currently 98 percentile on RateBeer

Mikkeller Black Tie Barrel Aged....$16.99 / 500ml
11.5% ABV

"Black Tie was first dubbed Mandeøl (Man Beer). It was brewed for the Swedish market and only as draught beer. After spending four months in Scottish whiskey barrels and then being bottled it earned it's present name, Black Tie. Black Tie is an imperial stout with honey and smoked barley. Sweet, smokey and sophisticated - slick and sexy like a black tie.

Ingredients :
Water, malts, hops, yeast and honey.

Also available onlne

New beers....

I will try to post more info later (and get them online)... very hectic day...

Mikkeller I Hardcore You Imperial IPA! Collab with Brewdog
Mikkeller Black Tie Barrel Aged
Mikkeller Black --new batch
Twisted Pine Saison Le Petit Ale

plus more....

Nemesis update!

Update:
Provisions - might have some extra tomorrow.
Robin@provisionsmarket.com

Gone at Forsyth.

gone at Rock Hill

Just arrived -- Founders Nemesis 2010 !!!!
We are limiting it to 3 bottles per person to spread it around more.
To reserve your Founders -- click here (you can pick up at any store, it might take a few days to get it transfered)

Founders Breakfast Stout is here also!! No limit

As many people have asked to get on a waiting list, we have told everybody no waiting list, no reservations. For a few reasons....mostly to be as fair as possible, plus

I do not know how much I am getting
I am not sure how much to give per person yet
I have had over 80 requests and I know I cannot fill that amount.

The fairest way we have found for these limited releases is for us to post it when it arrives. Have everybody order online for pickup at any of our four stores. I will decide the limit per person when it arrives on Monday. I am guessing it will be 2 or 3 bottles per person. If we only get a few cases, 2 bottles per person would only be enough for 24 people to get some, 3 would only be enough for 16 people. That is why we did not take a waiting list.

Monday, I will post on the blog, facebook, and twitter. With a link to order.

Founders Nemesis 2010

"What you have here is a rarity. A special, one-of-a-kind ale that is only made once a year. Sometimes that’s all. Forever. No more. Nada. Limited-time only. You never know what you’re gonna get. But you can be sure that it’ll be damn tasty." -- Founders

A different beer every year.....
The 2010 release of Nemesis is best described by our brewing team as “a dark barley wine that pours black with a subtle mahogany hue. Brewed with 5 malts and no shortage of hops for a pleasantly bitter booming flavor. Roasty and toasty with a multitude of tastes that melts on your tongue”. -- Founders

We are not taking reservations because we do not have any idea how much we are getting.
order other Founders online now!

Abita SOS arrives

Abita SOS "Save our Shore"....$4.49 / 22oz bottle

"A Charitable Pilsner"

This Abita Beer is a message in a bottle...a distress signal for the troubled waters of our Gulf Coast. For every bottle sold Abita will donate 75¢ to the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill. This unfiltered Weizen Pils is made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold color, a sweet malt flavor, and a pleasant bitterness and aroma. In addition, related retail merchandise (hat, tee shirt, lapel pin, decal and car magnet) will be sold and 100% of the net proceeds will also go to the SOS Fund.

Black Bull 40 year now in stock!

We have Batch #1 -- Bottled 11/09
Very limited, we only have 6 bottles.

Order online also now Black Bull 40 year old Scotch....$269.99 / 750ml

"The spirit in this very first bottling of Black Bull 40 contains whiskies ranging from 40 to 44 years old from the following distilleries: Bunnahabhain, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet, Glenburgie, Highland Park, Miltonduff, Springbank, Tamdhu and Invergordon.

Black Bull 40 Year Old, the flagship of the Black Bull range is a superior blend of the finest Single Malt and Single Grain whiskies available from Scotlandâ€™s premium Distilleries. The spirit in this very first bottling of Black Bull 40 contains whiskies ranging from 40 to 44 years old from the following distilleries: Bunnahabhain, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet, Glenburgie, Highland Park, Miltonduff, Springbank, Tamdhu and Invergordon. Black Bull 40 year old is 90% single malt and 10% single grain and is bottled at cask strength. The spirit is completely natural, without chill filtration or added colourant." --website

Tasting Notes
Colour: Tawny
Nose: Sweet, Grapefruit, vanilla, iced buns, apples and mint
Flavour: Mild, juicy fruits, slight touch of oak and a soft coastal note. Raisins and cinnamon, exceptionally smooth
Finish: Vanilla, some kiwi fruits, freshly cut grass and a faint hint of aniseed
Comment: The best Bull yet! An exceptionally good whisky

Black Bull 12yr Old....$41.99

Black Bull Deluxe Blended Scotch Whisky 12 years old
As a follow up to the release of 30 Year Old BlackBull in 2009, Duncan Taylor Co is releasing a 12 Year Old BlackBull Deluxe Blend. Black Bull contains 50% malt whisky and 50% grain whisky and has not been altered by chill-filtration. This special blend is a marriage of the finest 12 year old single malt and single grain whiskies distilled in Scotland. The selection of whiskies falls true to the Duncan Taylor ethic of unbridled quality, each whisky from each cask is nose and tasted before going into the Black Bull vatting.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Full Amber
Nose: Robust, chunky aromas. Chocolate, toffee, sherry, vanilla and lemon sherbet.
Flavour: Smooth, mellow and rounded. Milk chocolate, treacle toffee, pears, green apples and lots of sweet vanilla.
Finish: Some heavier fruity notes emerge, and lots of creamy notes coming through
Comments: A very creamy whisky with a lot fruity toffee notes.

Black Bull 30yr old.…$149.99 / btl

The last 600 bottles just arrived in the U.S. and then it is gone!

“Well, what have we here? A blend of 50% malt and 50% grain (a very high malt content for a blend), and bottled at 50% too! The whisky was blended first (very unusual), before being aged in sherry cask for its entire life.
Black Bull, 30 year old, 50%, $200
Antique amber/chestnut color. Full sherry impact, but never cloying—the higher alcohol level and grain whisky cut through the sherry and add balance and drinkability. This is a fruity confection delight, with, raisin chutney, fig cake, orange almond scone, and chocolate-covered cherry. Add to the mix richly textured toffee, old oak, polished leather, and a cinnamon-spiced, tobacco finish. A rare treat! A great old blend that malt drinkers will embrace.”
Rated 94/100 Malt Advocate95 Liquid Gold Award from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2010

Schlafly news...

Schlafly Portfolio Changes Coming in 2011

Some exciting news reported by Mike Sweeney on STLHops.com

"On August 26th, a few of you noticed this seemingly cryptic tweet via the STL Hops Twitter account:
The @Schlafly Saison bottled yesterday, this will probably be the last chance to get it. It will not be coming back as a seasonal next year.
That decision was made way back on July 19th at the most recent Schlafly employee meeting they’ve dubbed the “Beer Town Hall.” It was decided that the Schlafly beer portfolio was in need of a makeover. As with many makeovers, sometimes things go away.
The two casualties of this change in portfolio will be the year-round No. 15 and the seasonal Saison. It was decided that No. 15, which continues to have some die-hard fans, is going to make room for a new series off beers which has been dubbed “The Brewers’ Choice.”
Not unlike New Glarus Brewing Company’s Unplugged Series, the Brewers’ Choice series will be a constantly rotating selection of new beer styles that will be available throughout the year. The genesis behind the Brewers’ Choice came about due to the popularity of the series of draught beers released at the Bottleworks under the same brand name.
It’s important to note that this new line of beers called Brewers’ Choice will work similarly to the original draught version. Many of the beers released in this new line will probably be single batch beers that could possibly never be produced in a bottle again....."

read the full article on STLHops

Spirit month continues this week..

Friday, September 17 -- North Shore - Chicago, IL
4-7pm
Sonja Kassebaum, co-founder, of North Shore distillery will be on hand to taste many of her products. Just heard fro Sonja, we will taste the full lineup == her products include gin, vodka, absinthe verte, aquavit, and Corpe Reviver
Read more about North Shore products

Saturday, September 18 -- Milagro Tequila and Sailor Jerry
2-4pm

Wednesday, September 29 - Haus Alpenz

5-7pm
Eric Seed from Haus Alpenz
We will taste some very interesting spirits including Rothman Creme de Violette, Dolin Vermouths, Cocchi Americano Aperitivo plus more...

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