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303magazine · 6 years ago

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The Great American Beer Festival kicked off last night for the 37th year. Along with the usual suspects of beer-themed costumes, a bagpipe procession and general drunken debauchery — the annual event had something new up its sleeve. Over 100,000 square feet of space, along with a new footprint, made its debut. Some say this is why the highly popular festival didn’t sell out at the record-breaking pace it’s used to and that ticket quotas must have been raised. That makes sense since for a Thursday session it felt packed even with the added space. With even higher attendance expected for the weekend sessions, we’re here to help you make a game plan so you don’t miss out.

Get Your Bearings

Photo by Kyle Cooper.

The festival has a new layout this year. Instead of breaking it down by regions, the breweries are listed alphabetically. But there’s a catch — it’s not just A to Z, front to back. It’s broken into two sections with the “Meet The Brewer” side having its own alphabetized order. That section is located towards the left side of the convention center when you enter from the ticket holders entrance. We understand why the festival changed the layout from being organized by region — but we have to say it was still hard to find the desired brewery and we did miss wandering around different regions to see what area delights we could find. So more than ever, you should download the app and have the layout ready. Pro tip: when telling people where to meet you, skip the letter and just tell them the section number. Since there aren’t duplicates section nunbers, it’s way easier to find and you’ll avoid the confusion by telling someone to meet you in “B” and then later realizing there are two different B sections (one in Meet the Brewer and one in the general area). So, key takeaway — study the map and get your bearings before diving in.

Where to Head First

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Once you know the lay of the land — you’ll need to prioritize on what breweries to hit up first. We have a more fleshed out list of “beers to hunt down” but after last night we have a few additions as well as some reminders. First — head to Weldwerks. The Greeley born brewery has amassed a big fandom since the last GABF and is going to draw crowds. They have brought a huge lineup to represent its 100 beers it brewed in the last year (yes, 100) but even still beers like the Peanut Butter Cup Medianoche is going to go fast. So make a B-Line to that brewery from the entrance. It’s fairly close to where you’ll come in, so if you’re quick you may not have to wait in a huge line. There are a few more breweries that had huge lines and kicked kegs you’ll need to check out next including Great Notion, More and New Glarus. More, in particular, kicked almost all of its kegs halfway through the fest, so if they are on your list you may want to make them stop number 2. We recommend getting the Henna: Swirl, “a chocolate and vanilla imperial stout that tastes like old fashion vanilla ice cream soaked in decadent chocolate syrup.”

If you’re lucky smart enough to have purchased a ticket to Paired (seriously, it’s worth it), there are some major standouts to not miss. First stop, grab a grilled oyster and a spicy “seafood pan roast” from Sam Talbot and then head straight to Mercantile’s booth where, if you’re lucky, you might meet the James Beard award-winning chef himself — Alex Seidel. Dishing out a simple but insanely delicious chicken sausage slider — Seidel lives up to the hype. Then, even if you’re not ready for dessert you must head straight to Arcana‘s spot (located diagonally to Mercantile’s booth in the far right-hand corner). This was hands down the best pairing of the night, and maybe the best beer and food pairing I’ve ever had (yes, it’s that good — but you have to do it right). The bite consists of a slightly savory and spicy meringue made with guajillo chiles, topped with a squash puree, fried dulse (kind of like seaweed) and sesame seeds. It’s good on its own, but if you pop one into your mouth and take a sip of Rahr & Son’s Drunken Santa (a spiced English ale aged in Bourbon barrels), the beer will dissolve the meringue and elevate all the flavors. The result is a spicy treat that hits all the right fall flavors.

Special Spots

New Holland’s Speakeasy.

Once you’ve knocked out all your must do’s, there are a few areas worth exploring. First, we stumbled upon a secret “speakeasy” over at New Holland. Attached to its normal pouring station, the Michigan brewery erected a faux brick pub where they are pouring special variations of its famous Dragon’s Milk. They only let groups of four in at a time, so you’ll have to stand in line — but if you love a good stout (including an intense double rum coconut edition), you won’t want to miss it. After you finish up the speakeasy, check out Ology Brewing out of Tallahassee. The line won’t be long, and there’s nothing fancy about the booth but it’s definitely a breakout brewery worth trying (shoutout to our friends at PorchDrinking.com for the recommendation). Give the Juice Lab a try and you’ll see what we mean. To finish out the night, don’t forget to stop by the newest activation — Jameson’s Caskmates Barrel Aged Beer Garden. The huge new spot is featuring only (you guessed it) barrel aged beers meaning the ABV is going to be higher. So if you’re still feeling like you can put down a few — head there to wrap up.

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With one day under its belt, GABF is already turning out to be another satisfying year. It may take you a few extra minutes to decipher the new layout, but we welcome the effort. Competition is rising (we’re looking at you, Shelton Brothers), and it’s important that GABF tries to innovate in order to stay on top. We hope to see more of this from the annual event in the coming years and encourage them to continue to think big.

All photography by Brittany Werges, unless otherwise noted.

Your Game Plan For GABF This Weekend The Great American Beer Festival kicked off last night for the 37th year. Along with the usual suspects of beer-themed costumes, a bagpipe procession and general drunken debauchery — the annual event had something new up its sleeve.

#303 Magazine #Beers #Best Beers Great American Beer Festival #Brittany Werges #GABF 2018 #GABF denver #GABF guide 2018 #Great American Beer Festival #Great American Beer Festival 2018

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boozedancing · 7 years ago

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A while back, G-LO received his usual boozemail, while I received a few “Notices to Occupant” for a rug cleaning service and an online “college” that’s ranked jusssssst slightly below Trump University. While a home filled with hardwood floors might not be the best audience for a rug cleaning business, I’m always in the market for some additional education. And since this “college” swears to have only the bestest professors with the biggest brains, I filed that online “college” paperwork away for later. Enough about me and my endless quest for self improvement (like I’m EVER gonna improve! Just ask Benita. I’m beyond hope. And yet somehow, I’m her “Happily ever after…”), let’s get back to G-LO’s latest bit of boozemail which was quite a doozy.

This time around, G-LO received a mixed six pack from the fine folks at Ninkasi which consisted of three different beers. For those of you keeping score, we received two of each variety which of course means that we didn’t have to argue you about how to divy up the boozemail (or should we call it brewsmail?). I get one of each, and G-LO gets one of each; no tough division of labor problem here! As is usually the case, our only obstacles to getting our reviews done in a timely fashion are the Benevolents and the Urchins and the not to be trifled with monkey wrenches that they throw our way whenever we attempt to get some “work” done.

After several failed attempts at scheduling a research session, we were finally successful in arranging a Night at the Murder Table (which is almost as funny as Night at the Museum, but with more of a Godfather flavor. The night G-LO has cannolis and suggests a ride out to the country, I’m outta there!). With a trio of Ninkasi brews in hand, time to properly research them, and a somewhat hospitable environ in which to taste said brews all lined up, I sauntered over to G-LO’s to get some “work” done (I of course made sure to keep my LifeTime app active as I MUST get all of my steps in lest I get the hose).

The three Ninkasi beers that we tasted are the Yours Truly Easy-Drinking Ale, the Pacific Rain Northwest Pale and the Prismatic Juicy IPA. As far as the drinking order goes, we decided to let the ABV be our guide, i.e. we would sample the beer with the lowest ABV first and then take it from there.

With the excessively long backstory out of the way, let’s get on with the reviews…

Ninkasi Yours Truly Easy-Drinking Ale

Here’s what Ninkasi has to say about their Yours Truly Easy-Drinking Ale:

Brilliant in color, Yours Truly is crisp, and refreshingly effervescent. A dash of hops gives this beer a lightly floral, herbal, and fruity hop profile that subtly dances on the palate. Its sweetly-toasted malt profile carries notes of cracker, cereal, biscuit, and honey. With a smooth finish, Yours Truly leaves you ready for the next sip.

And here’s what we thought of it…

Appearance: Bright yellow with pale orange highlights [Editor’s Note: These are G-LO’s words. Is he describing a strawberry blond co-ed on campus, or a beer? I guess only he knows the answer]. Minimal head and lacing.

ABV: 4.3%

Aroma

Limpd: Malty, doughy, wet cardboard with a hint of allspice.

G-LO: Bright and citrusy on the nose with hints of orange and grapefruit zest and maybe a touch of mango. A bit of honey sweetness [Editor’s Note: This was also G-LO’s nickname at school] on the back-end.

Taste

Limpd: Lightly carbonated with a big malty backbone, minimal sweetness and a slightly hoppy bite as it heads to a smooth finish

G-LO: Lightly carbonated [Editor’s Note: We finally agree on something!]. Not as sweet as I was expecting. A good bit of pithy lemon flavor at the start. Gets mildly bitter in the middle with a bit of astringency as you get to the finish. Ends with more of that lemony bite.

The Verdict

Limpd: Tasty, refreshing and certainly session-worthy. As we head into the warmer weather, this would be a nice beer for some weekend day drinking!

G-LO: Since I went into this beer completely blind, I had no idea what to expect. The nose messed with my palate at first (i.e. it didn’t taste like it smelled). But once I adjusted, I grew to like it. It was a bit too lemony in the end, but overall, an easy-drinking refresher of a beer.

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One down and two to go…

Ninkasi Pacific Rain Northwest Pale

A few words from Ninkasi about their Pacific Rain Northwest Pale:

This flavorful Northwest Pale Ale starts with a balanced, malty sweetness that lays the groundwork for profiling some of the most alluring hops around. Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Nugget hop varieties offer a captivating experience with flavor and aroma notes that are citrusy, tropical, floral, and piney. The residual sweetness rounds out the hop flavor making each sip as smooth and refreshing as the last.

And here are our impressions…

Appearance: Pale yellow-orange color with a 1/2 of foam that dissipates quickly.

ABV: 5.4%

Aroma

Limpd: Citrusy (tangerines?) upfront with a good bit of hops and some malty sweetness.

G-LO: A bit maltier than the Yours Truly with a lightly sweet and biscuity malt coming through. Citrusy hops on the back-end with a bit of funk too (think a cycling jersey after a long ride). [Editor’s Note: Why? Why would anyone think of that? More importantly, why would anyone want to drink that?].

Taste

Limpd: Like the Yours Truly, the carbonation is light. Sweet and citrusy (lemonade and honey) with just the slightest hoppy bite in a bitter finish.

G-LO: Lightly carbonated with a medium mouthfeel. Nice balance of malts and hops with a nice wallop of bitterness (but, never overwhelming!) and a lightly bitter finish.

The Verdict

Limpd: Not as flavorful as the aroma had suggested. I thought it was a little muted; not bad, just a little too soft. I think G-LO screwed me; the beer was too cold (OK, so it was my own beer that I brought from home but G-LO took possession and possession is 99 44/100% of the law, or something like that, so G-LO is still to blame). Anyway, as the beer warmed, the flavors really opened up. Right out of the fridge, it was a little meh. As the beer warmed halfway to room temperature, there was a noticeable difference, with the hops taking more of a presence upfront and the balance of flavors becoming far more apparent.

G-LO: Nothing earth shattering going on here. Just a solid, easy-drinking beer that is almost session-worthy given its relatively modest ABV.

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And now for the big finish…

Ninkasi Prismatic Juicy IPA

Ninkasi has the following to say about their Prismatic Juicy IPA:

Full of juicy hop aroma and flavor, Prismatic’s colorful hop experience is citrusy, tropical and fruity with a subtly sweet malt and a balanced finish. Notes of pineapple, passion fruit and guava excite and linger on the palate.

Here’s our take…

Appearance: Lightly cloudy, golden-yellow color. Very little head or lacing.

ABV: 5.9%

Aroma

Limpd: Most fragrant of the three. Very hoppy. Clearly an IPA. More grapefruit and resin with a bit of biscuits.

G-LO: Even more citrus than the first two beers with much more orange and tangerine coming through. Lots of biscuity malts too.

Taste

Limpd: As lightly carbonated as the others. Very malty upfront with a blast of hops that dissipates into some sweetness and then a bitter finish.

G-LO: Smooth and creamy carbonation. Nowhere near the bitterness I was expecting. Lots of lightly sweet and juicy citrus from start to finish. The finish is quite crisp and clean with some lingering citrusy hop bitterness. Also somewhat astringent.

The Verdict

Limpd: I had high hopes for this one but it left me a little wonting. I’m not sure if it was too cold or if the other beers were just more to my liking (I’m not the biggest IPA fan), but too me, this one was only ok.

G-LO: Easily the best of the three. Much like with the other two, not anything other worldly going on, just a well-crafted and very satisfying IPA. Think Comfort Beer.

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Final thoughts

Limpd: I really enjoyed the sampler. I found the Pacific Rain to be the most flavorful (once it warmed a bit), the Yours Truly to be one of the best session-worthy beer that I have had in a while, and the Prismatic to be only okay (as a sidenote, I recently had this one again and found that I liked it much better the second time around). Overall, as with the Sleigh’r, I say “Well done, Ninkasi!”

G-LO: As with our experience with the Sleigh’r, Ninkasi makes a variety of well-crafted, well-balanced and easy-drinking beers. Picking one over another is like picking your favorite child (Yeah, yeah, you love them all the same! Keep telling yourself that). While the Prismatic was my favorite, the other two really weren’t that far behind. It’s just that the IPA style is more to my liking.

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Many thanks to Ali Aasum of Ninkasi Brewing for sending use these VERY generous samples!

Higher Ed, Carpet Cleaning, Urchins, and a review of 3 Hoptastic @NinkasiBrewing #CraftBeers! A while back, G-LO received his usual boozemail, while I received a few "Notices to Occupant" for a rug cleaning service and an online "college" that's ranked jusssssst slightly below…

#Beer #Beertography #Craft Beer #Drinkwire #Ninkasi Brewing #Oregon brewers #Pacific Rain Northwest Pale #Prismatic Juicy IPA #Review #Reviews #Yours Truly Easy-Drinking Ale

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oovitus · 7 years ago

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Would I be healthier if I quit drinking? My quest to understand the real tradeoffs of alcohol consumption.

The after-work gin and tonic. The bottle of wine over dinner. A few beers on the weekend. Before long, the alcohol adds up.

Is that a problem? Can drinking stand in the way of your health and fitness? Do you need to quit drinking to change your body? Or could it actually be good for you?

In this article we explore the question in a personal way.

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“Should I take a break from booze?”

Have you ever asked yourself this question?

I’ve asked it, as have many of our Precision Nutrition Coaching clients.

At the same time, like many of our clients, I’ve never really felt like I needed to quit drinking. My consumption is normal by most accounts, as is theirs. It’s “moderate.”

But boozy beverages seem to show up a lot in my life — and I know I’m not alone in that.

Maybe we like having a beer to mark the end of a work day. Maybe on Friday we get fancy with a cocktail.

Something to celebrate? Pour a little champagne. Crappy day? That Chardonnay or Cabernet will soften the edges a little bit.

The drinks can start to add up.

If we consider ourselves healthy people, alcohol is easy to justify. We exercise. We try to eat nutritious food. If we’re getting coaching, we know we’re working on our stuff.

But still. Some of us wonder…

Are we OK?

Are we justifying something we shouldn’t?

Are we ignoring the elephant in the room who’s currently dancing with a lampshade on its head and laughing a little too loud while telling off-color jokes?

Are we pretending craft beer or red wine is a health food because it’s artisanal or full of antioxidant something-something?

If we want to be healthy, fit, and functional, how does alcohol factor in?

As I discovered, the answer isn’t straightforward. (It rarely is.)

For one thing:

You may have heard that drinking is actually good for you.

Moderate alcohol intake is associated with a lower risk of diabetes, gallstones, and coronary heart disease.

Light to moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, helping reduce your risk of cardiac arrest and clot-caused stroke by 25 to 40 percent.

And there have been several studies indicating that drinkers — even heavy drinkers — actually outlive people who don’t drink.

We see headlines like this every time a new study comes out, which seems fairly often, judging by my newsfeed.

An important point that seems to get buried:

If you don’t already drink, health experts recommend you don’t start.

Wait, what? If drinking is so good for you, then why not add that antioxidant-rich red wine to MyPlate — a nice goblet right where the milk used to be?

Because no one knows if any amount of alcohol is actually good for all of us.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you not to drink.

That’s not what this article is about.

But, despite all the headlines and pro-drinking studies:

Most of the research on alcohol’s potential health benefits are large, long-term epidemiological studies.

This type of research never proves anything.

Rather than showing that X causes Y, it simply says that X seems to be correlated with Y.

So even though many studies suggest that light to moderate drinkers have lower rates of the above-mentioned health problems than non-drinkers, that doesn’t mean drinking causes those benefits.

Sure, it could be that alcohol consumption raises HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Or it could be that moderate drinking reduces stress.

Or it could be that drinking doesn’t cause any health benefit.

Rather, it could be that people who drink a light to moderate amount also have something else going on in their lives, unrelated to alcohol consumption, that keeps them healthier, such as:

robust and resilient genes

a lower-stress personality

a particular lifestyle

good social connections and support

We just don’t know for sure.

Any physiological effects would vary from person to person.

The amount of alcohol that may help your heart health might harm your friend’s — for instance, if they have a history of high blood pressure.

And most of the research indicates that you’d have to be a light to moderate drinker with no heavy drinking episodes (even isolated ones) to see a heart benefit.

OK, given that…

What is “moderation”, anyway?

Definitions vary around the world, but according to the United States Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, “moderate drinking” means, on average:

For women: up to seven drinks per week, with no more than three drinks on any single day.

For men: up to 14 drinks per week, with no more than four drinks on any single day.

And here’s a guide to health-agency classified “drinks”:

Sure, you might know you’re not a binge drinker (that’s five or more drinks for men, or upwards of four for women, within two hours).

But when was the last time you poured wine in a measuring cup, or tallied your total number of drinks at the end of the week, or calculated your weekly average in a given month, or adjusted your tally to account for that sky-high 9.9% ABV Strong Ale you love?

Studies show that people routinely, sometimes drastically, underestimate their alcohol consumption.

It’s easy to edge into the “heavy” category without realizing it.

For example, if you’re a woman:

That’s a big problem, since heavy drinking comes with a much higher risk of major health problems.

Risks associated with moderate and heavy alcohol consumption

Moderate Heavy Heart Arrhythmias High blood pressure Kidney disease Heart disease Stroke Brain Disinhibition Altered judgement Poor coordination Sleep disruption Alcoholism* Chemical dependence Depression Alcoholism Neurological damage Epilepsy Dementia Damage to developing brains Immunity Infection / illness / lowered immune response Cancer (mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast) Damaged intestinal barrier Increased inflammation / flare-ups of autoimmune disorders Hormones Breast cancer Hormone disruption Impaired sexual function Impaired reproductive function Thyroid disease Liver Worsening of existing conditions such as hepatitis Fatty liver Alcoholic hepatitis Fibrosis / cirrhosis Hepatocellular Liver cancer Metabolism Weight gain or stalled weight loss** Interference with some medications Loss of bone density Bone fractures Osteoporosis Anemia Pancreatitis Changes to fat metabolism Muscle damage

*Particularly if there’s alcoholism in your family **If drinking causes you to eat more food or opt for energy-dense meals

In young males especially, even moderate drinking increases the risk of accidental injury or death, due to the “Hey y’all, hold my beer and watch this!” effect, or simply the dangerous equation of youthful exuberance combined with less impulse control, combined with more peer pressure, combined with things like motor vehicles and machinery.

All drinking comes with potential health effects.

After all, alcohol is technically a kind of poison that our bodies must convert to less-harmful substances for us to enjoy a good buzz relatively safely.

Through a series of chemical pathways using the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), we convert ethanol to acetaldehyde, then to acetate. The body breaks acetate down into carbon dioxide and water.

A second system for processing alcohol, the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS), involves cytochrome P450 (CYP), an enzyme group that chemically affects potentially toxic molecules (such as medications) so they can be safely excreted.

In light to moderate drinkers, only about 10 percent of ethanol processing is done by the MEOS. But in heavy drinkers, this system kicks in more strongly. That means the MEOS may be less available to process other toxins. Oxidative cell damage, and harm from high alcohol intake, then goes up.

The biochemistry doesn’t matter as much as the core concepts:

1. We have to change alcohol to tolerate it.

2. Our ability to process alcohol depends on many factors, such as:

our natural individual genetic tolerance

our ethnicity and genetic background (for instance, many people of East Asian ancestry have a genetically-linked aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency, which affects their ability to properly metabolize alcohol)

our age

our body size

our biological sex

our individual combinations of conversion enzymes

etc.

3. Dose matters. But all alcohol requires some processing by the body.

So what’s the “sweet spot”?

What amount of alcohol balances enjoyment (and your jokes becoming funnier) with your body’s ability to respond and recover from processing something slightly poisonous?

The moderate-vs-heavy guidelines are the experts’ best guess at the amount of alcohol that can be consumed with statistically minimal risk, while still accounting for what a lot of people are probably going to do anyway: drink.

It doesn’t mean that moderate drinking is risk-free.

But drinking is fun. (There, I said it.)

In North America, we tend to separate physical well-being from our emotional state. In reality, quality of life, enjoyment, and social connections are important parts of health.

So let me say it:

I enjoy drinking.

So do a lot of other people.

In the U.S., for example, 65 percent of people say they consume alcohol. Of those drinkers, at least three quarters enjoy alcohol one or more times per week.

The wine flows at lunchtime in continental Europe (for Scandinavians, it’s the light beer lättöl). Hitting a pub or two after work is standard procedure in the UK and Japan. Northern Europeans swear by their brennivin, glögg, or akvavit (not to mention vodka). South America and South Africa alike are renowned for their red wines.

Thus, for much of the world’s population, alcohol — whether beer, wine or spirits — is something of a life staple.

And if you’re doing it right — meaning tasteful New Year’s Eve champagne toasts are more common in your life than shot-fueled bar dances to “Hotline Bling” — there are some undeniable benefits to be gained:

Pleasure: Assuming you’ve graduated from wine coolers and cheap tequila shots, alcoholic beverages usually taste pretty darn delicious.

Leisure: A bit of alcohol in your bloodstream does help you feel relaxed. And like a good meal, a good glass of wine should offer the opportunity to slow down for a minute.

Creativity: There’s evidence that when you’re tipsy, you may be more successful at problem-solving thanks to increased out-of-the-box thinking.

Social connection: Drinking may contribute to social bonding through what researchers call “golden moments” — when you all smile and laugh together over the same joke. This sense of community, belonging, and joy can contribute to your health and longevity.

If you’re going to drink, drink because you genuinely enjoy it.

Drink if it truly adds value and pleasure to your life.

Not because:

you’re stressed

it’s a habit

other people around you don’t want to drink alone; or

it’s “good for you”.

With confusing alcohol consumption categories and contradictory news headlines, many people give up trying to decide whether drinking is healthy or not.

A new study shows alcohol may be harmful? Whatever.

Or:

Drinkers live longer? I’ll hop on that horse and ride it straight to the bar!

So forget about the potential health benefits of alcohol.

There are plenty of (probably better) ways to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease — like eating well, exercising, and not smoking.

Wanting the enjoyment of a perfect Old Fashioned or a rare sake is a legitimate — probably the best — reason to drink.

As with what you eat, what you drink should be purposeful and mindful. And delicious.

Drinking or not drinking isn’t about “healthy vs. not”. It’s about tradeoffs.

Alcohol is just one factor among many that affect physical performance, health, and fitness.

Whether to keep drinking or cut back depends on how much you drink, what your goals are, and how you want to prioritize those things.

Only you know what you are, or aren’t, willing to trade.

It may be a simple “yes” or “no”.

Saying “yes” to six-pack abs might mean saying “no” to a few drinks at the bar.

Saying “yes” to Friday happy hour might mean saying “no” to your Saturday morning workout.

Saying “yes” to marathon training might mean saying “no” to boozy Sunday brunches.

Saying “yes” to better sleep (and focus, and mood) might mean saying “no” to your daily wine with dinner.

Saying “yes” to moderate alcohol consumption might mean finding a way to say “no” to stress triggers (or human triggers) that make you want to drink more.

Or it may be where you’re willing to move along the continuum.

Maybe you’re willing to practice drinking more slowly and mindfully, but you’re not willing to decrease your total alcohol intake.

Maybe you’re trying to lose weight, so you’d consider drinking a little less. Like 2 beers instead of 3, but not 0.

Or, maybe you’re willing to stay sober during most social situations, but you’re not willing to endure your partner’s office party without a G&T on hand.

Maybe there is a “best” answer for how much alcohol is okay for everyone. But we don’t know what it is yet.

At least not for certain.

That’s OK.

You can write your own “Owner’s Manual” for YOU as a unique individual.

Guidelines for drinking don’t tell us who YOU are or what effects alcohol has on YOU.

So let’s forget about “expert” advice for just a moment.

Instead, let’s try letting your body lead.

Read its cues. Observe yourself carefully, gather data, and see how alcohol is — or isn’t — working for you.

Here’s how.

What to do next: Some tips from Precision Nutrition

1. Observe your drinking habits.

Keep track of all the alcohol you drink for a week or two (here’s a worksheet to help you).

You don’t need to share it with anyone or feel like you need to change anything. Just collect the info.

Next, review the data. Ask:

Am I drinking more than I thought? Maybe you hadn’t been taking the couple of casual beers with Sunday NFL into account.

Is my drinking urgent, mindless, or rushed? Slamming drinks back without stopping to savor them can be a sign that drinking is habitual, not purposeful.

Are there themes or patterns in my drinking? Perhaps you habitually over-drink on Friday because your job is really stressful.

Is alcohol helping me enjoy life, or is it stressing me out? If you’re not sleeping well or feeling worried about the drinking, the cost can outweigh the benefit.

Does alcohol bring any unwanted friends to the party? Binge eating, drug use, texting your ex?

If any of the answers to these questions raise red flags for you, consider cutting back and seeing how you feel.

2. Notice how alcohol affects your body.

Use Precision Nutrition’s “how’s that working for you?” litmus test. Ask:

Do I generally feel good? Simple, but telling.

Am I recovering? How’s my physical performance after drinking? If I were to hit the gym on Saturday morning after a Friday night social, how would I feel and perform?

What happens afterwards? Do I get a hangover, upset stomach, poor sleep, puffiness/bloating and/or other discomfort?

How does the extra energy intake work for my goals? Is alcohol adding some calories that I don’t want? Am I trying to lose weight, for instance?

What do my other physiological indicators say? What did my latest medical tests suggest? How’s my blood work? My blood pressure? Any other physiological indicators that I’m watching?

If you’re unsure about whether your alcohol use is helping or hurting you, talk to your doctor and get a read on your overall health.

3. Notice how alcohol affects your thoughts, emotions, assumptions, and general perspective on life.

Again: How’s that working for you?

Do you feel in control of your drinking? Are you choosing, deliberately and purposefully… or “finding yourself” drinking?

What kind of person are you when you are drinking? Are you a bon vivant, just slightly wittier and more relaxed, savoring a craft beer with friends? Or are you thinking, Let’s make that crap circus of a workday go away, as you pound back the liquid emotional anesthetic through gritted teeth?

If you had to stop drinking for a week, what would that be like? No big deal? Or did you feel mild panic when you read that question?

4. Play “Let’s Make a Deal”.

To pinpoint which goals and activities in your life are the most important to you, ask yourself:

What am I currently saying “yes” to?

What am I currently saying “no” to?

What am I willing to say “yes” to?

What am I willing to say “no” to?

What am I prepared to say “yes” and “no” to? Why?

There are no right or wrong answers.

Just choices and compromises.

You’re a grown-up who can think long-term and weigh options rationally. Whether you drink or not is your call.

5. Disrupt the autopilot.

One of the keys to behavior change is moving from unconscious, automatic reactions to conscious, deliberate decisions.

To experiment with decreasing your alcohol intake, try these strategies:

Delay your next drink. Just for 10 minutes, to see if you still want it.

Look for ways to circumvent your patterns. If you usually hit the bar after work, try booking an alcohol-free activity (like a movie date or a yoga class) with a friend instead. If you stock up on beer at the grocery store, skip that aisle altogether and pick up some quality teas or sparkling water instead.

Savor your drink. Tune into the sensations in front of you. Here’s an idea: try tasting wine like a sommelier. Look at it, swirl it, sniff it, taste it.

Swap quantity for quality. Drink less, but when you do drink, treat yourself to the good stuff.

6. Call on the experts.

Change almost always works better with support. It’s hard to change alone.

Talk to your doctor about your drinking patterns and your health.

Consider genetic testing. Many commercial genetic testing services can tell you about your alcohol tolerance, or your risk of other chronic diseases (such as breast cancer) that are linked to alcohol intake.

Get nutrition coaching. Precision Nutrition coaches specialize in helping clients optimize diet and lifestyle patterns for good.

7. If you choose to drink, enjoy it.

Savor it. Enjoy it mindfully, ideally among good company.

If you’re a coach, or you want to be…

Learning how to coach clients, patients, friends, or family members through healthy eating and lifestyle changes (including how to manage energy balance) — in a way that supports long-term progress — is both an art and a science.

If you’d like to learn more about both, consider the Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification. The next group kicks off shortly.

What’s it all about?

The Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification is the world’s most respected nutrition education program. It gives you the knowledge, systems, and tools you need to really understand how food influences a person’s health and fitness. Plus the ability to turn that knowledge into a thriving coaching practice.

Developed over 15 years, and proven with nearly 100,000 clients and patients, the Level 1 curriculum stands alone as the authority on the science of nutrition and the art of coaching.

Whether you’re already mid-career, or just starting out, the Level 1 Certification is your springboard to a deeper understanding of nutrition, the authority to coach it, and the ability to turn what you know into results.

[Of course, if you’re already a student or graduate of the Level 1 Certification, check out our Level 2 Certification Master Class. It’s an exclusive, year-long mentorship designed for elite professionals looking to master the art of coaching and be part of the top 1% of health and fitness coaches in the world.]

Interested? Add your name to the presale list. You’ll save up to 33% and secure your spot 24 hours before everyone else.

We’ll be opening up spots in our next Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018.

If you want to find out more, we’ve set up the following presale list, which gives you two advantages.

Pay less than everyone else. We like to reward people who are eager to boost their credentials and are ready to commit to getting the education they need. So we’re offering a discount of up to 33% off the general price when you sign up for the presale list.

Sign up 24 hours before the general public and increase your chances of getting a spot. We only open the certification program twice per year. Due to high demand, spots in the program are limited and have historically sold out in a matter of hours. But when you sign up for the presale list, we’ll give you the opportunity to register a full 24 hours before anyone else.

If you’re ready for a deeper understanding of nutrition, the authority to coach it, and the ability to turn what you know into results… this is your chance to see what the world’s top professional nutrition coaching system can do for you. jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery("#references_link").click(function(){ jQuery("#references_holder").show(); jQuery("#references_link").parent().hide(); }); });

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The post Would I be healthier if I quit drinking? My quest to understand the real tradeoffs of alcohol consumption. appeared first on Precision Nutrition.

Would I be healthier if I quit drinking? My quest to understand the real tradeoffs of alcohol consumption. published first on

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greatdrams · 7 years ago

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Pricing in whisky, a few thoughts

More and more, and with every press release for supposedly new high quality limited edition releases packed with superlatives and little substance, I'm finding myself becoming disillusioned with how pricing in whisky works and how brands, especially the new ones, think it can be sustainable to charge astonishing amounts of money for average products.

For clarity, and for newer readers who do not know me well yet, my background is in branding, and specifically brand strategy. In practice this is the thinking behind the naming of a product, the packaging design, the storytelling and the way in which it is communicated.

That is to say that I know a thing or two about the process and it fills me with fear for the future of the category when I see brands with little about them, peddling young spirit or 'founders membership schemes' whereby punters are being asked to shell out good money for what will probably be something that does not become collectible, as you can rarely plan for this unless you're very high end Japanese whiskies or you had foresight three decades ago to lay down a load of stock otherwise destined for blend fodder.

I started thinking about this more and more when I wondered what my son, currently 8.5 months old at time of writing, would be paying for something even moderately interesting when he is of legal drinking age.

We should all be open to trying the basics within whisky, none of us are above enjoying the value blends such as Grant's Family Reserve, Johnnie Walker Red, Label 5, Chivas 12, Ballantine's Finest as these are stunning whiskies for the cost and seriously easy drinking.

But we must also think premium, try premium and explore what this phenomenal drink has to offer. It was this thought that reminded me that when I was at Uni in Liverpool I used to get so much grief for drinking Budweiser, at £2.10 per pint back then, instead of Carling which everyone else drank at £1.60 per pint. I always saw the value in going for the slightly higher ABV, the bigger brand and the premium option, especially if that was 50p extra, although it annoyed people I was in rounds with greatly.

So when I looked through some of the whisky bottles in my collection that I've had for a decade or more, such as Suntory 17 Year Old (labelled Hibiki globally) which I bought in Tokyo in 2008 for £72 and now retails for up to treble that, and then thought about the drams I can buy now for that same amount of money I felt somewhat uneasy:

Laphroaig Lore

Hibiki Harmony

English Whisky Chapter 13

Balcones Baby Blue

Penderyn Rich Oak

Ailsa Bay

Obviously these are all good whiskies that I love for a variety of different reasons and have each of them in my collection, but are they premium, aged, medal-winning and utterly knockout like that Suntory 17 Year Old? I think the answer is no.

The inflated retail price of some of these recent releases are laid bare when they are then put into auctions, although why people put them up for sale before they have even sold out baffles me, and they often lose money as the market sees through the retailer RSP (recommended selling price).

So what will pricing in whisky bring in the coming years? Hopefully more good value drams such as the Glen Moray range; accessible, great tasting single malts, but, granted, their recent Glen Moray Mastery might be a touch out there vs. their traditional pricing strategy although it is a good drop.

In 17.25 years, I want my son to be able to buy a fantastic single malt, maybe even from his birth year, and not be having to pay through the roof for it.

There needs to be a bit more sensibility in the market's pricing strategy to keep this recent, and glorious, snowballing boom in whisky sales globally going, otherwise people will move on to other drinks categories.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above and whisky pricing in general, please leave a comment below or on Facebook.

The post Pricing in whisky, a few thoughts appeared first on GreatDrams.

from GreatDrams http://ift.tt/2jdrz8B Greg

#whisky #GreatDrams

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chicagobeerpass · 7 years ago

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Essential Chicago Oktoberfest Beers

Prosit! October is here, and the weather is finally starting to get a little cooler here in Chicago. Although the official Octoberfest kicked off September 16th and it ends October 3rd, it doesn't mean you can't drink these tasty Marzen's that are still on tap and in cans around the city until they are gone. At roughly 5.0-6.0% ABV, these beers are a dark/copper color, have a mild hop profile and pair fantastic with a pretzel or sausage. If done right, you'll get flavors of sweet dried fruit and warm bread.

Throughout Chicago there are plenty of great breweries brewing Oktoberfest beers, they typically aren't hyped up, they just slide into the release schedule and slowly disappear as the weather gets even cooler. If you blink, you might miss them, so we wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of our favorites this season. This list does not include all of the Octoberfest beers in Chicago, but these are the ones that we've had and are standouts.

Baderbrau - Oktoberfest So you may not be tailgating at SOX park anymore with South Side Pride, but you can still grab cans of Baderbrau's Oktoberfest for Da Bears game. At 5.1% ABV, this beer is very drinkable and not overly complicated. Although this one is a little more bitter than what you'll get from those German Oktoberfest beers, this makes sense since, after all, we do love our hops in America.

BuckleDown Brewing - Oktoberfest We recently had this on an episode of the podcast, but it's always been a favorite and reminds us that we don't drink enough BuckleDown beer. At 5.2% ABV, it tastes of caramel malt and sweet malt with a hint of hops. Pour this out of the can, ideally into a stein or maybe even das boot.

Burnt City - Oktoberfest Lager You can find this beer in the can with a fun German robot dinosaur on it, but if you can make it to the tap room on Lincoln, and have it there, you'll enjoy it that much more. At 5.3% ABV, this has a nice toasted malt with sweet hints of caramel. It is a tad bitter but is washed away with a light sweetness. Hop on your bike, head up to the brewery and grab one before it's gone.

Half Acre Beer Co. - Lager Town If you're looking for a slightly different take on the Oktoberfest, then the Lager Town is the way to go. Of course, you wouldn't expect Half Acre to stick to the norms. At 6.0% ABV, this beer is tasty and maybe a little closer to an Amber Ale than your traditional Marzen.

Metropolitan Brewing - Afterburner With a new tap room right on the river, there is nothing quite as beautiful as drinking a fresh Oktoberfest and raising a toast to the growth of Metropolitan. At 6.1% ABV, this slides into the higher end ABV of Oktoberfest beers but drinks very easily.

On Tour - Oktoberfest Just down the street from the Goose Island brewery on Fulton, On Tour is serving up some great beers. You can typically find something new on tap when you stop in, and it's quickly becoming a go-to spot for us. Their 5.8% ABV Oktoberfest has a rich malt character and is pretty light, making it a highly sessionable brew.

Revolution Brewing - Oktoberfest At the moment Revolution seems to be the king of craft beer in Chicago, and you really can't go to a bar or even look in a friends refrigerator without seeing Revolution. With an ABV of 5.7%, the flavor is firm and simple with a fantastic aroma. Even though Revolutions can design is on point (even sporting a German Tuba player), you're still going to want to pour this beer out into a stein because the aroma is one of this beers best attributes.

Two Brothers Brewing - Atom Smasher With an ABV of 7.7%, this is going to be the booziest of all the ones we're featuring here. You may ask yourself after downing a couple, did it need to be that big? Probably not, but with a name like Atom Smasher, it probably needed to kick things up a notch. This beer isn't the most delicate example of the style, but sometimes you're up for something with a little more of a punch.

We know there are plenty of other tasty examples of the style in stores and on tap in the city and suburbs. If you have a favorite Oktoberfest beer, let us know. Since these beers are brewed and released for a limited season, they don't stay on tap or the shelf too long, and we'd love to taste them before they are gone.

#buckledown brewing #On Tour Brewing #oktoberfest #Two #REVOLUTION #revolution brewing #craftbeer #craft beer #booze #drinking #Metropolitan Brewing #Metro #Burnt City Brewing #Burnt City #Baderbrau #Half Acre #half acre beer co

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forgottenbones · 8 months ago

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youtube

Mickey's "Fine" Malt Liquor Review

#unemployedwineguy #alcoholism #in many ways it's similar to what beer was in medieval europe for the peasantry...#essentially 'bread you could drink'#maybe with a slightly higher abv...

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years ago

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Eight Things You Should Know About New Amsterdam Vodka (and Gin)

Judging it on bottle alone, New Amsterdam Vodka looks like a sleek, Manhattan-based vodka brand intended for Big Apple power brokers. It’s the most skyscraper-looking vodka of any brand we know. Surprisingly, though, it’s actually a fairly accessible, value-driven brand that does its best marketing by appealing to the young-and-hungry millennial crowd.

Considering the fair price point — you can get the vodka or gin for roughly $15 or $20 — and the reliably powerful name behind the brand, itself, New Amsterdam (i.e., the 17th-century name for Manhattan), is in a decent position to stick around for a while, meaning it’s not a bad idea to get to know it (just don’t use it in a Martini, see below). Here are eight things you need to know about New Amsterdam vodka (and gin).

It’s close cousins with Boone’s Farm and André ‘Champagne.’

New Amsterdam is a vodka and gin brand conjured up by E&J Gallo, a mega-umbrella winery and distributor based out of Modesto, Calif. Gallo was founded in 1933 with run-of-the-mill ambitions but today has a multitude of brands underneath it. Among them are many names you might now, such as Barefoot, Naked Grape, and Mirassou — not to mention André “Champagne” and Boone’s Farm, which, for the uninitiated, is a range of flavored low-ABV fruit wine coolers that come in 6-packs (and often lead to poor choices made while wearing daisy duke overalls).

Both the gin and vodka are grain-based. (Mostly.)

Both New Amsterdam gin and vodka are made with grain, and are distilled five times (meaning you don’t have to go looking for cereal notes on the nose or lingering, rounded sweetness on the mouthfeel). The recent New Amsterdam 100 Proof Vodka is made with corn, giving it a mild moonshine vibe but in sum doing little for the final flavor, as vodka is intentionally stripped of oils and congeners (molecules that would impart distinctive flavor).

The gin came first, but the vodka took over.

New Amsterdam Gin debuted in 2008. The brand released its vodka in 2011. Since then, the vodka has taken over in terms of its brand prominence. There’s the regular New Amsterdam Vodka, the New Amsterdam 100 Proof, plus a line of fruit flavors (Citron, Coconut, Pineapple, Red Berry, Mango, Peach, Watermelon, Apple, Orange, Lemon, and Raspberry). To the confusion of some, the gin was recently rebranded as “Stratusphere,” with an Original and a slightly higher-ABV London Dry version.

The vodka is record-setting.

After its debut, New Amsterdam became the fastest-growing vodka brand in the world, setting records for how quickly it reached first the 1-million-case, and, later, the 5-million-case threshold.

PSA: New Amsterdam is not a Martini gin.

Review after review reiterates that New Amsterdam’s standard gin isn’t ideal for Martinis — largely owing to its heavier emphasis on citrus. (One reviewer noted “the finish is just orange and black pepper,” while another reviewer noted the “cloying sweet, almost artificial orange” flavor. The best gins for making a Martini, in our humble opinion, tend more toward herbaceous, woodsy, spicy, and leaner floral flavors. There are gin cocktails in which citrusy flavors work, FYI — see the Negroni.

They made up a nightmarish slogan to target millennials.

New Amsterdam’s 2017 “Pour Your Soul Out” kind of sounds like a demon’s command at the end of a horror movie. Yet the brand came up with the slogan to target 21- to 29-year-old cash-strapped (and yet passionate) millennials. “It was the perfect tagline for a brand that wanted to celebrate the hustlers, the dreamers, and the doers,” explained New Amsterdam director of marketing Michael Sachs. The flagship ad, which debuted during the NBA Finals, featured a drummer who “gives 110 percent to his art,” which is cool because half-hearted drumming actually just looks like this.

New Amsterdam likes sports marketing. Mostly hockey.

Gatorade can understandably claim to have “synergy” with professional athletics. But the lack of obvious connection between vodka and sports doesn’t stop Gallo from marketing booze products with pro athletes and sports teams. Gallo paired New Amsterdam Gin with the Oakland Raiders in the 2010-2011 season. It also sponsored Barstool Sports’ Spittin’ Chiclets hockey podcast in 2018. And since 2018, it’s been the official vodka of the NHL, which makes sense because both vodka and hockey lead to dudes fighting shirtless and then telling each other “I love you, bro.”

When life gave New Amsterdam Ryan Whitney, they made pink lemonade.

That’s the expression, right? In 2019, New Amsterdam even debuted a pink lemonade-vodka mix called The Pink Whitney for pro hockey fans in honor of former Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Whitney’s (maybe surprising) favorite drink: pink lemonade mixed with vodka. Not unlike New Amsterdam Vodka after its debut, the stuff was wildly popular, flying off the shelves by the case-load — because it turns out all you need to do to revive the allure of the lemonade stand in the adult heart is add 30 percent ABV.

The article Eight Things You Should Know About New Amsterdam Vodka (and Gin) appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/new-amsterdam-guide/

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johnboothus · 4 years ago

Text

Eight Things You Should Know About New Amsterdam Vodka (and Gin)

It’s close cousins with Boone’s Farm and André ‘Champagne.’

Both the gin and vodka are grain-based. (Mostly.)

The gin came first, but the vodka took over.

The vodka is record-setting.

After its debut, New Amsterdam became the fastest-growing vodka brand in the world, setting records for how quickly it reached first the 1-million-case, and, later, the 5-million-case threshold.

PSA: New Amsterdam is not a Martini gin.

They made up a nightmarish slogan to target millennials.

New Amsterdam likes sports marketing. Mostly hockey.

When life gave New Amsterdam Ryan Whitney, they made pink lemonade.

The article Eight Things You Should Know About New Amsterdam Vodka (and Gin) appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/new-amsterdam-guide/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/eight-things-you-should-know-about-new-amsterdam-vodka-and-gin

0 notes

isaiahrippinus · 4 years ago

Text

Eight Things You Should Know About New Amsterdam Vodka (and Gin)

It’s close cousins with Boone’s Farm and André ‘Champagne.’

Both the gin and vodka are grain-based. (Mostly.)

The gin came first, but the vodka took over.

The vodka is record-setting.

After its debut, New Amsterdam became the fastest-growing vodka brand in the world, setting records for how quickly it reached first the 1-million-case, and, later, the 5-million-case threshold.

PSA: New Amsterdam is not a Martini gin.

They made up a nightmarish slogan to target millennials.

New Amsterdam likes sports marketing. Mostly hockey.

When life gave New Amsterdam Ryan Whitney, they made pink lemonade.

The article Eight Things You Should Know About New Amsterdam Vodka (and Gin) appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/new-amsterdam-guide/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/624534014541398016

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wineanddinosaur · 5 years ago

Text

10 Things You Should Know About Buffalo Trace

When you hear the name “Buffalo Trace” you probably think of a bottle of bourbon whiskey with a proud- and/or slightly pissed-looking buffalo on the label (wouldn’t you be?). But in the world of bourbon, Buffalo Trace isn’t just a bottle.

Buffalo Trace’s legacy (originally Old Fire Copper Distillery) basically encapsulates the history of American bourbon itself. The brand has gone through several names, a catastrophic lightning strike, a devastating flood, that little Prohibition hiccup, and even an unlikely (and almost game-ending) rivalry with vodka and gin in the 1970s and ‘80s. And yet somehow, the brand (and maybe the buffalo) is still kicking.

Below are 10 Buffalo Trace facts to ponder the next time you pour a couple fingers, whether it’s flagship Buffalo Trace, a game-changing single barrel called Blanton’s, or something a bit more expensive (if $20K is out of your budget, check out our favorite cheap whiskey bottles here.)

A “buffalo trace” is a thing.

The distillery had a few names over the years. First, it was the Old Fire Copper Distillery. It was later, and for the longest period, called George T. Stagg Company, named after its second owner. It was finally and decisively rechristened Buffalo Trace in 1999.

The name honors old local “buffalo trace” roadways stamped onto the landscape by actual buffalo roaming the untamed wilderness of early America. The connection to distilling isn’t only geographic: Those traces became essential routes for explorers, settlers, farmers, and other early American professionals (as this was before the age of the Influencer, who can largely work remotely or anywhere near ice cream).

The Buffalo Trace distillery is a National Historic Landmark.

Buffalo Trace was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2013, in large part because it’s the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Indeed, it is “a rare, intact example of a distillery operating before, during, and after Prohibition,” according to Buffalo Trace’s own award submission. (See below for the “during” part).

Buffalo Trace’s head honchos were the heavy hitters of bourbon.

Buffalo Trace’s historic lineage is like a who’s who of bourbon: There’s the founder, Colonel E. H. Taylor (a descendent of Presidents Madison and Taylor); George Stagg (the business-savvy bourbon innovator for whom the distillery was named for about a century); Albert B. Blanton (who kept the distillery running through Prohibition and was in many ways responsible for turning the distillery itself into a focal point of bourbon culture), even Pappy Van Winkle himself (a name that sounds like a bourbon elf, if such a thing existed, he was that magical, see below).

Buffalo Trace’s first-ever master distiller basically reinvented bourbon.

Among the most important names on the Buffalo Trace roster is that of Elmer T. Lee. And Buffalo Trace almost didn’t hire him! (See below.) It did, and bourbon in general is better off for it, since Lee — its first ever master distiller — basically resuscitated bourbon (his New York Times obit gives a hint of the glint of his bourbon star power). Long story short, Lee came up in the distillery as bourbon was at a low point (i.e., actually struggling against vodka and gin).

Rather than learn to love a Dirty Martini, Lee created a bourbon that radically emphasized the process and nuance behind quality bourbon, creating the first-ever single barrel bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, and introducing thirsty Americans to the concept of premium bourbon in general. (And we haven’t un-obsessed ourselves yet.)

Lee reincarnated modern bourbon. Buffalo Trace almost didn’t hire him.

When Lee first applied to work at Buffalo Trace, he was turned away. Fortunately clearer heads prevailed (someone told Lee to just show up anyway) and Lee eventually became the distillery’s first master distiller. Beyond basically saving the bourbon industry, he worked at the distillery from 1949 until his retirement in 1985. And yes, you can technically toast him with any of the delicious craft bourbon’s he helped pave the way for; there’s also an Elmer T. Lee bourbon.

Buffalo Trace was only one of four distilleries boozing it up over Prohibition.

Prohibition closed down almost every alcohol producer in the country, but for a select few. Buffalo Trace was one of only four distilleries allowed to remain open. While a few wineries remained open to make sacramental wine (sure), the handful of distilleries like Buffalo Trace (still George T. Stagg back then) were making “medicinal whiskey,” since these were still the days of “medicinal booze,” and wonderful/quack physicians kept busy writing whiskey prescriptions for fevers, colds, boredom, sobriety, or whatever malady you could present.

Buffalo Trace is boozier than it legally has to be.

Among the few, but vital, laws governing bourbon production in America is that bourbon must be a minimum of 40 percent ABV (80 proof) in the bottle. You’ll see variations, of course, including powerhouse ABVs called “cask strength” (meaning the bourbon wasn’t cut with any water). But standard Buffalo Trace bourbon clocks in at 45 percent ABV, which isn’t uncommon among flagship bourbons (see Bulleit, Four Roses, etc.). This means there’s a bit more “heat” on the palate, though for much of the Buffalo Trace line that’s balanced out by heavy corn flavor.

Buffalo Trace loves its corn.

Bourbon has to be made with a mash bill that’s minimum 51 percent corn by law (mash bills being the ingredients list of grains that get turned into tasty alcohol). Buffalo Trace wisely keeps its mash bills pretty secretive, but it is fairly well known that its main mash bill, or “Mash Bill #1,” goes heavy on (non-GMO) corn, with some estimates having the corn percentage as high as 90 percent of the yellow stuff. (People really try to figure this out.) The result is sweeter bourbon with a leaner heat than you’d get from a heavier wheat or spicier rye content. Because BT uses more than one mash bill and ages its bourbons differently, you’ll still get get whiskies that are variously sweeter, spicier, smoother, thicker, perkier, more delicate, sturdier, etc., all under the “Buffalo Trace” umbrella.

That Buffalo Trace umbrella shelters some hugely significant bourbons.

Pappy Van Winkle, for instance. A “wheated” bourbon, the invention of William Larue Weller, Pappy has a higher proportion of wheat after that first, legally required 51 percent corn. That isn’t the only thing that makes Pappy Van Winkle so expensive or obsessed (and punched and kicked) over. The storied, scarce bourbon has other things going for it: lore, scarcity, aging time, flavor, strange containers.

Buffalo Trace makes one of the most expensive whiskeys on the market.

Another prestigious bourbon line under the Buffalo Trace umbrella, Eagle Rare bourbon is aged for no fewer than 10 years. And while yes, there’s a 17-year-old version, why not get really ambitious and try Double Eagle Very Rare, which is aged for 20 years minimum, housed in a silver box that lights up when you open it, and was made in super-limited quantities? Of course, the price tag is a bit prohibitive — the bottle costs anywhere from $15K to $20K.

The article 10 Things You Should Know About Buffalo Trace appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/buffalo-trace-bourbon-whiskey-guide/

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johnboothus · 5 years ago

Text

10 Things You Should Know About Buffalo Trace

A “buffalo trace” is a thing.

The Buffalo Trace distillery is a National Historic Landmark.

Buffalo Trace’s head honchos were the heavy hitters of bourbon.

Buffalo Trace’s first-ever master distiller basically reinvented bourbon.

Lee reincarnated modern bourbon. Buffalo Trace almost didn’t hire him.

Buffalo Trace was only one of four distilleries boozing it up over Prohibition.

Buffalo Trace is boozier than it legally has to be.

Buffalo Trace loves its corn.

That Buffalo Trace umbrella shelters some hugely significant bourbons.

Buffalo Trace makes one of the most expensive whiskeys on the market.

The article 10 Things You Should Know About Buffalo Trace appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/buffalo-trace-bourbon-whiskey-guide/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/10-things-you-should-know-about-buffalo-trace

0 notes

isaiahrippinus · 5 years ago

Text

10 Things You Should Know About Buffalo Trace

A “buffalo trace” is a thing.

The Buffalo Trace distillery is a National Historic Landmark.

Buffalo Trace’s head honchos were the heavy hitters of bourbon.

Buffalo Trace’s first-ever master distiller basically reinvented bourbon.

Lee reincarnated modern bourbon. Buffalo Trace almost didn’t hire him.

Buffalo Trace was only one of four distilleries boozing it up over Prohibition.

Buffalo Trace is boozier than it legally has to be.

Buffalo Trace loves its corn.

That Buffalo Trace umbrella shelters some hugely significant bourbons.

Buffalo Trace makes one of the most expensive whiskeys on the market.

The article 10 Things You Should Know About Buffalo Trace appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/buffalo-trace-bourbon-whiskey-guide/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/190824755349

0 notes