4 Hands Brewing Smoked Pigasus

Order all 4 Hands Beer online also.

New batch is here!

4 Hands Brewing Smoked Pigasus...$6.99 / 22oz

A smoked rye maple porter. A collaboration with Pappy's Smoke House.
Smoked Pigasus is a robust and delicious porter brewed with rye, smoked malt, and maple syrup.  the maple syrup provides a perfect balance for the smoked malt.  Smoked Pigasus pours a deep mahogany with aromas of chocolate, smoke, and caramel.  A big thank to Pappy's Smokehouse!" -- label

10 year old White Burgundy!

2003 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse Tete de Cru “Les Perrieres”....$31.99
Wow, I was quite surprised by this wine, as 2003 was a famously hot vintage and Pouilly Fuisse are not known for their long life, but the 2003 Ferret “Les Perrieres” is still amazingly fresh and vibrant. This wine also represents the last vintage made under the uncompromising eye of Madame Ferret (before she passed and the estate was sold to Louis Jadot). A rare treat to find a White Burgundy that is so perfectly aged priced $20 less than current release price (2010 sells for $50). At $31.99 this wine is a fantastic value.  

Après Wine Group

Recap of the first Après Wine Club Favorite Red Wine $35-$50

First off thanks to all who attended our first Après Wine Group. We tasted 8 wines from 6 different vintages and 3 different countries:

2008 Doyenne AIX, Red Mountain Washington State

2000 Dehesa La Granja, Ribera del Duero Spain

2002 Mi Sueno Syrah, Napa Valley California

2007 Saint Damien Gigondas, Rhone Valley France

2001 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva

2005 Dain Wines Syrah, Las Madres Vineyard Carneros California

2006 Antica Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California

2006 Duckhorn Howell Mountain Cabernet, Napa Valley California

All of the wines were tasted blind, which can be both a fun and humbling experience, but most importantly it is a learning experience.  One of the guests pointed out to me the bitter orange/orange peel character in the Gigondas made it clear to him that is was a Grenache based wine from the Southern Rhone, and while I had also guessed the wine to be a Rhone and was able to pick out the smell easily I had never before made the connection between the bitter orange flavor and Grenache from the Rhone. It’s these type of connections that make this tasting format so enjoyable and especially educational for me. Happily all the wines showed well, the 2006 Duckhorn being the almost unanimous choice for Wine of The Night, thanks to Chris S. for bringing the Duckhorn and to everyone else that participated and brought their favorite red wine.  Please join next month February 21^st and bring a bottle of your favorite White Wine between $35-$50. Salut!

Sign up for the next one!

Après Wine Group at The Wine and Cheese Place

Have you ever wanted to host or join a Wine Club or Tasting group, but don’t have 10 friends who share your same passion or schedule? Look no further we at The Wine and Cheese Place are creating a tasting group for everyone (or at least the first 10 people to sign up for our Après Wine Group on the third Thursday of every month. We are limiting to 10 people so that 1 bottle can be shared by the whole group)

The Time: 7:30 pm the third Thursday of every month (except November. and December).

The Place: The Wine and Cheese Place on Forsyth

Reservations required - click here to sign up

or call Aaron 314.727.8788 or email aaron@wineandcheeseplace.com

for questions or more info.

Cost: $5 per person + you must bring (or purchase) a wine in theme

The Concept: Every third Thursday Aaron, Wine and Food Buyer for The Wine and Cheese Place on Forsyth, will host an impromptu wine club. A theme will be chosen each month, wines will be served blind and fun will be had by all. This is a chance to learn, taste and expand your palate while meeting new people who share your interest in wine. There is only a $5 charge (to cover the cost of cheese and crackers) all we ask is that you bring a bottle in theme (feel free to bring a ringer as well) and bring something you are excited to try and share.

Just sign up for the ones you are interested in......

February 21st: Bring your favorite White Wine between $35-$50

March:21st: Bring a North Coast Cabernet Napa and Sonoma over $50.

April: 18th : Bring a Tuscan Red Wines between $35-$50

Just featured on STLToday.com

Wine and Cheese Place launches wine-tasting club

 •  By Evan S. Benn ebenn@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8348

0

Getting a group of friends together for a night of blind-tastingwines is a great way to have some fun while expanding your palate. But who has time to coordinate all those schedules and decide on a convenient location?

Aaron Zwicker, wine buyer for the Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton (7435 Forsyth Bouelvard), is hoping to alleviate those organizational headaches with the launch of his monthly Après Wine Group.

At 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, Zwicker will lead a group of 10 people through a blind tasting of various wines at his shop.

Tonight's inaugural meeting, for which there are still a few seats available, will feature red wines between $35 and $50. Next month's (Feb. 21) will include white wines between $35 and $50. 

Each participant is asked to bring a bottle that fits the monthly criteria, and everyone will get to taste all the wines. An admission fee of $5 will cover cheese and crackers.

You can sign up online, by calling 314-727-8788 or by emailing aaron@wineandcheeseplace.com.

Stone's Green Ginger Wine

Back in stock now!

also online

 

Stone's Green Ginger Wine...$9.99 / 750ml

Stone's Original Green Ginger Wine is still made to the same recipe by blending the finest quality raisins and pure ground ginger and is enjoyed in so many ways by millions of consumers each year.

Many enjoy Stone's on its own or over ice, but it is most famously drunk as a 'Whisky Mac' when mixed with whisky. The warmth of Stone's is a perfect complement to the smooth taste of the whisky. This perennial 'Winter Warmer' is the perfect way to relax on the long dark evenings.

Displaying its versatility, at the other extreme, Stone's creates the perfect summer cooler as a long drink combined with lemonade or other mixers such as ginger ale. In the last few years the resurgent interest in cocktails has prompted prestigious mixologists to discover an array of tempting concoctions. Some of the most stylish bars are now creating new drinks by exploiting the, perhaps, unique potential of Stone's Original Ginger Wine.

Not to be outdone, the current generation of chefs have smuggled Stone's into the kitchen to bring the smooth, rich ginger flavour to any number of dishes, sauces and puddings.

Visit the Recipes & Cocktails section to help create many ways to enjoy Stone's Original.

Tomr's Tonic

We were the first to bring Q-Tonic to St. Louis - read more

and then we brought you John's Tonic Syrup - read more 

now here is Tomr's Hancrafted Tonic Elixir

Here is an article about it and the new Lounge Attire Cocktail Cranberries we just got in -- read more in the San Francisco Informer

More info on Starschef.com

In stock now
Tomr's Handcrafted Tonic .....$7.99 / 200ml
You use one ounce or less per drink, so there are six to ten drinks worth in a bottle.
Bringing flavor to life is the guiding principle for our lives and our company. It is also the basis for our inaugural product,

Tomr’s Tonic.
It is true that the Gin and Tonic has strayed far from its exotic heritage, however we noted and enjoyed many new small batch Gins that are being produced by micro distilleries. We realized that it was the Tonic that left us wanting. We searched the marketplace for a rich, flavorful tonic that would enhance the flavors of any premium Gin. In essence, we wanted a Gin and Tonic that demanded to be savored, not swilled. When our search proved fruitless, we decided to don our alchemist’s hat and create a new beverage that was true to the original Peruvian Tonic heritage. Our criteria were simple; the ingredient list must include bark from the cinchona tree (the original source of quinine), the flavor had to enhance, not overpower the flavor of any Gin, and everything had to be 100% natural and organic. A pinch of this and a dash of that, plus hundreds of hours of experimentation and tastings resulted in a beautiful amber colored beverage that we lovingly call Tomr’s. We acknowledge that the ingredient list is simple, as all Tonics are. Yet, we have achieved something truly unique; a small batch Tonic Water that delivers exotic flavors that harkens back to the Raj in 1800’s India while melding beautifully with your favorite Gin.

For the perfect Tonic and Gin,(thanks Billy Joel) ...simply follow this recipe:
1 ounce of Tomr’s
2 ounces of your favorite Gin
Add Ice
3 ounces of Seltzer
Stir


…. And Brace Yourself!

Becherovka Original Czech Liquor

It has been over a year since we  have seen this one at The Wine and Cheese Place!  We have been special ordering it and ordering it -- finally it arrives!!!  (according to our computer the last bottle was sold in Aug 2011)

In stock at Forsyth and online (Rock Hill later today)

Becherovka Original Czech Liquor...$22.99

Becherovka is original czech liquor. It is produced in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) in the West Bohemia. It's mysterious recipe is still kept in secret and there are only two persons in the world who know the rights ingredients and herbs used in production. Its lovers prefer to enjoy it pure and ice cold, and thanks to the dynamic growth in popularity of mixed drinks it can be also found in various cocktails (the most popular is "beton" - Becherovka mixed in a refreshing combination with tonic water).

Twisted Pine Espresso and Ghost Face

Back in stock now at Forsyth and online now --

Twisted Pine Big Shot Espresso Stout

Style: Coffee Stout IBU’s: 30 Hops – Northern Brewer, East Kent Goldings

Rated a 95 on ratebeer.com. Big Shot is a favorite of many coffee-loving beer drinkers. This thick Stout is playfully infused with espresso in every pint. It pours jet black with a rich creamy brown head with wonderful roasted coffee and grainy malt aromas. The earthy, dark chocolate flavors of the espresso showcase the flawless balance of the beer.

Twisted Pine Ghost Face Killah....$3.39 / 12oz btl

Style: Chili Beer IBU’S: 10 Hops – Willamette, Northern Brewer ABV 5%
GFK is brewed with 6 zany peppers. Anaheim, Fresno, Jalapeno, Serrano, Habanero and Bhut Jolokia – Otherwise known as the Ghost Pepper. 200 times the heat of jalapenos, Bhut Jolokia are the hottest peppers in the world, a pepper so hot it can be weaponized. So hot that our brewers had to wear masks and gloves to cut them up. Aroma of smoked chillis fills the nose on first whiff, but don’t let it linger to long. Immediately on first taste GFK has a nice golden wheat flavor, but this is only for a fleeting moment before the temperature rises. Just hold on, the warmth of this beer will set in for a long spicy burn. There is only one finish on this beer – HEAT!

Food Pairing: Ice-cream or milk, because that is all that is going to help you with this brew.

Cocktail Cranberry

Lounge Attire Premium Cocktail Cranberry...$10.99 / 8oz jar

There are 100+ garnishes per jar.

click here to read some of the press

click here for drink ideas

Lounge Attire Premium Cocktail Cranberries

Grown on a family farm on the southern coast of Oregon, which boasts a much longer, milder growing season, these exquisite cranberries are naturally deep, dark red and sweet. They are hand-sorted, hand-packed, and I believe you will find them exceptional.

A love of food, flavors, and entertaining combined with a love of the timeless and classic, inspired me to create our cranberry garnish. They are perfect for dinner parties, special events, receptions, and home entertaining. We are thrilled to bring you and your guests something new, elegant, and delicious!

They add an entirely new dimension to the “art of mixology”:

• They are a natural complement to cocktails

• They float and are stunning in a glass of champagne

• They are beautiful served with food! Appetizers, desserts, salads…

• Cocktail Cranberry = 1 calorie, maraschino cherry = 10 calories

A garnish is a finishing touch; a mark of distinction. This product is a beautiful complement to the high level of creativity that is happening in the cocktail industry today.

A more sophisticated garnish for a more sophisticated clientele.

I invite you to try one.

Cheers!

Natalie Foss, Proprietor

Lounge Attire

Premium Cocktail Cranberries

Benriach Heart of Speyside

In stock now

Benriach Heart of Speyside...$34.99

NOSE:  Fresh heather, fruit, honey, nuts and oak wood.

COLOUR: Amber, gold.

TASTE:  This expression cleverly captures fruit, honey, heather and spice notes, against a backdrop of mellow oak wood, in a fresh and lively combination.

AWARDS

Silver Medal 2011:  International Wine and Spirits Competition

Glen Moray Single Malt Scotch

Glen Moray Classic Single Malt Whisky...$21.99

Tasting Notes: 'Shortbread, butterscotch and lemongrass'
Colour: Light gold.
Nose: At full strength, the aroma is fragrant and lightly drying with warming malty notes. The first impression is of butterscotch and shortbread with fresh herbal/grassy notes. Lemon curd and meringue are discovered in the background.Taste:  The mouthfeel is lightly spiced with a warming and gently mouth watering effect. Malty toffee sweetness is present throughout with blackcurrants and a fragrant citrus lemongrass tang.
Finish: Shortbread, fresh herbal notes (lemongrass) and the sweet spiciness of ginger marmalade.

Glen Moray 12 years old Single Malt Whisky....$29.99
Tasting Notes: 'Highland toffee, brambles and ginger marmalade'
Colour: Mid-golden
Nose: At full strength, the aroma is sweet, fruity and floral, exceptionally well-rounded and balanced in flavour, characteristic of this classic Speyside single malt. The first impression is of Highland toffee and candy floss with honeycomb and sweet malt notes. Herbal top notes are discovered with heather and brambles.Taste: As befits a classic Speyside malt, the taste is smooth, warming and rounded with a good firm body. Lots of sweet, soft malty flavours evolve in the centre of the palate, surrounded by toffee and mouth watering fruits (blackcurrants and dried apricots). Boiling sweets reach the roof of the mouth before the emergence of liquorice, tea and nut oil.
Finish:  Toffee, blackcurrants and a hint of liquorice remains into the finish which is medium in length.


Glen Moray 16 years old Single Malt Whisky...$46.99
Tasting Notes: 'Dried fruit, chocolate and barley sugar'
Colour: Deep gold
Nose:  A rich and mature nose with a robust character. It is reminiscent of dried fruit, perhaps figs and raisins, mixed with chocolate and spices (cloves and boiling sweets). There is a hint of leather and linseed oil giving an overall impression of warmth and depth of character.Taste:  Sweet, full and exceptionally well-rounded, the taste is smooth with a good firm body, meeting the expectations set from the rich, mature nose. The texture is gently oily and mouth-coating with chewy oak tannins. The flavour is initially of toffee, progressing to mint humbugs and barley sugar and followed by a hint of smoke and peat flavours.
Finish:  Medium to long finish with a flavour and texture reminiscent of barley sugar and humbugs.

Recipe of the Week!

Spanish Tortilla with Chorizo, Peppadews, and Goat Cheese(Recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated)
The following makes a fantastic appetizer for a large group or a light make ahead dinner, as traditionally Spanish Tortilla is a dish served at room temperature.
Ingredients: 

• 6 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil  ***
• 1 ½ lb Yukon Gold Potatoes (3 or 4, quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/8 inch thick pieces)
• 1 Small Onion, halved and sliced thin
• 8 Large Eggs  ***
• 4oz Spanish Chorizo (spicy or mild your choice, Spanish style Chorizo is cured so you are not actually cooking the meat but rather using it to season the oil and dish)  ***
• ½ Cup Jarred Peppadews, rinsed dried and chopped  ***
• 4oz Fresh Chevre  ***
• Salt and Pepper to taste

*** Available at The Wine and Cheese Place

• -Toss Potatoes and Onion in 4 tablespoons of Oil and a few liberal grindings of black pepper until all slices are coated in oil.
• -Heat Chorizo and 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil in a 10 or 12 inch non-stick skillet at medium high heat  (I would caution against using a cast iron skillet as you will later need to invert the pan in order to flip the Tortilla and cast iron can be quite heavy for this procedure) until the Chorizo begins to brown and the fat begins to render, about 5 minutes.
• -Once the fat from the Chorizo has rendered add the potato and onion mixture toss a couple of times to coat and reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook until mixture is tender, about 20-25 minutes.
• -While the onions and potatoes are cooking in a large bowl (large enough to add the potato and onion mixture) beat the eggs with a pinch of salt, add peppadews and crumble goat cheese into the eggs.
• -Once the potatoes and onions are tender remove from heat and fold into the egg mixture.
• -Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil back into the pan, return to high heat. Once hot but not quite smoking add in the egg, potato and onion mix, shaking pan constantly for mixture to settle.
• -Reduce heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes until golden brown, shaking the pan every thirty seconds.
• -After 2 minutes loosen Tortilla with a rubber spatula and invert onto a plate large enough to cover the entire pan. Then slide the Tortilla back into the pan to brown other side, again cook for about 2 minutes shaking every thirty seconds to brown second side.
• -Once browned on both side slide Tortilla out onto a cutting board and let cool at least 15 minutes, again this can be served at room temperature.
• -When cooled slice into wedges and serve along side a small salad for a light dinner, or cut into smaller squares to serve as a one bite appetizer option for a larger gathering.

*Bonus application: I found this dish makes an awesome breakfast as well, I simply put one slice of cheese on top of a Tortilla wedge ( I like a Young Manchego for this), microwave for 40 seconds, until cheese is melted a bit, top with your favorite hot sauce (Busha Browne’s Pukka Sauce is mine)

Oud Beersel Geuze is back!!

We are proud to have Oud Beersel back 

at The Wine and Cheese Place!

In stock now at Forsyth and Rock Hill now

and now online

Oud Beersel Oude Geuze....$8.99 / 375ml
from Brouwerij Oud Beersel is a classic among Belgian beers. Following spontaneous fermentation in wooden barrels (no yeast or sugar added), young and old lambic are blended; which results in a dry, tart and fruity wine like taste. Oud Beersel Oude Geuze is the white sparkling wine of the beer world.
Beer Style:..... Traditional Belgian Lambic Ale
Alcohol by Volume:..... 6%
Characteristics:..... An uncompromisingly traditional geuze, tart, refreshing, naturally sour with musty sweetness, improving for at least five years in the cellar
Ingredients:..... Raw wheat, malt, hops (2-3 years old)
Awards:..... 2002 World Beer Championships - Gold Medal "Exceptional"

Oud Beersel Framboise Lambic...$9.99 / 375ml
From Brouwerij Oud Beersel is a classic among Belgian beers. Created by adding whole fresh raspberries to young lambic, which provides both seasoning and sparks another fermentation resulting in a product of great complexity. It has the acidity of champagne, the bouquet and delicate flavor of raspberries, and balance of almondy dryness. Oud Beersel Framboise is the missing link between beer and wine.
Beer Style:..... Traditional Belgian Fruit Lambic Ale
Alcohol by Volume:..... 5%
Characteristics:..... Traditional framboise, wonderful as aperitif, improving for at least two years in the cellar
Ingredients:..... Raw wheat, malt, hops (2-3 years old), fresh raspberries (250g/L)

Oud Beersel Oude Kriek Lambic...$9.99 / 375ml
from Brouwerij Oud Beersel is a classic among Belgian beers. Created by adding whole fresh cherries to geuze (a blend of young and old lambic), which provides both seasoning and sparks another fermentation resulting in a product of astonishing complexity. It has the acidity of champagne, the bouquet and delicate flavor of cherries, and balance of almondy dryness. Oud Beersel Oude Kriek is the pink sparkling wine of the beer world.
Beer Style:..... Traditional Belgian Fruit Lambic Ale
Alcohol by Volume:..... 6.5%
Characteristics:..... An uncompromisingly traditional kriek, wonderful as aperitif, improving for at least five years in the cellar
Ingredients:..... Raw wheat, malt, hops (2-3 years old), fresh cherries (200g/L)

Awards:..... 2002 World Beer Championships - Platinum Medal "Superlative"

Charleville Box of Chocolate

We got in  two more cases, no reservations this time, just come and get it at Forsyth.

Remember the 7 day pick up window on your Box of Chocolate from last Thursday.  Come and get them before they go on the shelf also.





Charleville Box of Chocolate Belgian Quadrupel Ale...$7.49 / 22oz
"It's difficult to express Love's Nuances, much like the complexity of this Belgian Style Chocolate Quad. You might use a Box of Chocolate to express your love. We use it to demonstrate our passion for great beer!" -- label
Grains:
Two row barley
Special B
Belgian Chocolate
Beligian Candy Sugar

Hops:
IBU=15
Northern Brewer Hops
Styrian Golding Hops

ABV = 10.5%

New beers...

New beers...

Magic Hat Pistl Dandelion Ale...$7.49 / 6pk

Magic Hat Spring Mix...$14.99 /  12 pk

.-- some interesting styles

Includes #9 of course plus

Pistil Dandelion Ale

Saint Saltan Gose

Ticket to Rye IPA

Redd's Apple Ale...$7.49 / 6pk

NEW RYE Whisky

George Dickel RYE Whisky...$19.99 / 750ml"We start with the finest distilled RYE Whiksy in the world. Then we finish it the classic way that George Dickel pioneered by chilling our rye whisky and filtering it through sugar-maple charcoal made from our local woods. This creates our signature smoothness with spicy rye notes, subtle hints of sweet vanilla and a smoky oak finish. We reckon it's the best darned rye whisky you can get anywhere" - label

2nd Shift Katy!

another case arrives today!

Online now also

2nd Shift Brewing Katy...$9.99 
Don't know what to call it besides a Brett Beer. This one gets aged for 3 months in oak barrels with Brettanomyces Lambicus, a cool yeast that gives this beer a wonderfully pretty aroma and flavor that everyone better like or else I'll look you up and teach you a lesson.
5.4% ABV

Old St. Louis beers...

In stock now and online

Old St. Louis Gaslight Square Ale... 6pk

"Old St. Louis Gas Light Ale is not for the novice beer drinker.  A full bodied ruby colored beer, its combination of German and Belgian hops and malts help to create a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, making it perfect beer for any occasion." - label

Old St. Louis Streetcar IPA... 6pk

"Old St. Louis Streetcar IPA is a hoppy and bitter pale ale brewed in the historical English style with American ingredients and know how." -- label

Old St. Louis Courthouse Lager...6pk
"Old St. Louis Courthouse Lager is a pale lager with a light color and body.  Brewed with Vienna malt, this lager has the crisp and clean finish one would expect from a classic American Lager"

Budweiser Black Crown

Now available at The Wine and Cheese Place on Forsyth

NEW BUDWEISER!

Budweiser Black Crown....$5.99 / 6pk

Beer Was Crowd Favorite During Nationwide ‘Project 12’ Competition
ST. LOUIS (Jan. 8, 2013) – It started with a bold experiment. A year ago, Budweiser asked its 12 brewmasters to envision their own unique version of one of the world’s most iconic beers. After 12 recipes, six beers brewed for national sampling, and 25,000 opinions, the experiment has resulted in a new golden amber lager based on the voice of the people: Budweiser Black Crown.

With a blend of two-row caramel malt and four types of domestic hops, Budweiser Black Crown is finished on a bed of Beechwood chips for a smooth, balanced taste. Incorporating the proprietary yeast directly descended from the original Budweiser yeast strain used by Adolphus Busch in 1876, Budweiser Black Crown retains the key characteristics of Budweiser with its clean taste and high drinkability. Featuring more body, color and hop character than the flagship lager, it also has a slightly higher alcohol content at 6% ABV.

The Budweiser Black Crown recipe was the creation of Los Angeles brewmaster Bryan Sullivan and was the crowd favorite among the more than 25,000 adult drinkers from coast to coast who participated in the brand’s Project 12 sampling initiative.

“It didn’t matter where in the United States we asked, this is the beer that consistently drew the best feedback, and overwhelmingly so,” said Rob McCarthy, vice president of Budweiser.

During the process that led to Budweiser Black Crown, Sullivan and his fellow Budweiser brewmasters personally sampled the beer with consumers to get their direct feedback. Sullivan collaborated with Fairfield, Calif., brewmaster Scott Ungermann and Houston brewmaster Dave Cohen to perfect the recipe.

“People respond really well to Budweiser Black Crown, which has a little more body and color and a touch more hop character than our flagship Budweiser lager,” said Sullivan, who heard from beer drinkers during a sampling program at the Budweiser Made in America music festival over Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia. “As brewmasters we spend most of our time in the brewhouse. Project 12 gave us a chance to hear firsthand from the people we brew our beers for. Budweiser Black Crown is a great beer and it is a thrill for our whole brewing team to see it launch with a Super Bowl spot.”

info from Anheuser Busch