Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe North Park Boathouse By: Rick Perrotta II

“We use fresh jalapenos; I leave the seeds in for the extra spice,” says North Park Boathouse chef Eric Strafalace. Mr. Strafalace is speaking of one of their signature appetizers, and our first of the night, the Old Firehouse Dip ($7.99). He’s right – the dip is much spicier than typical restaurant fare. Luckily, it’s also wonderfully balanced, the jalapenos being countered by other fresh ingredients such as diced tomatoes, green onions, crispy bacon, cream cheese and shredded cheddar. On the menu, OTB rightly boasts of working with PA farmers to provide fresh, local produce. The dip is also served with fresh tortillas; the difference between the fresh and the store-bought is evident.

The Old Firehouse Dip was just one of many dishes my party and I were treated to the night we visited Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe’s North Park Boathouse location. Mr. Strafalace describes more food as it is brought out. “The black bean cakes,” known as the 650 Bean Cakes ($7.99), “are thickened with corn starch rather than flour, adding corn starch instead of flour doesn’t interfere with the taste.” The cakes are tremendous, absolutely delicious served with sides of sour cream, guacamole, and homemade pineapple salsa, good enough to be its own appetizer. Then there’s the Spoke Junkie ($7.99), “made from freshly sliced zucchini, rolled up with 3 kinds of cheese, then hand battered.” The best zucchini we have ever sampled!

The attention to detail, creativity, and quality ingredients are just a few things that set Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe apart from other restaurants. There is also the friendly staff, led by manager Jerri Lauffer, and of course the setting and atmosphere. One can see the lake while dining and when the weather is nice, patrons can sit on the dock and more intimately appreciate the beautiful landscape. Owner Mike Kotyk and his partners have done North Park a true service by spending the last 3 years and half a million dollars renovating the Boathouse, which sat mostly undisturbed for some 30 years. Not only that, Mr. Kotyk has signed a five year lease with Allegheny County meaning taxpayers will be getting a new source of revenue and an absolutely fabulous place to dine, drink or simply relax.

Regardless of where one is seated, you are certain to enjoy your visit. Much like OTB’s original South Side location, the Boathouse has an extensive craft beer selection. Impressive brews such as the Southern Tier Krampus and the Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA are on tap plus over forty more beers can be ordered by the bottle including several from Oskar Blues Brewery and Pennsylvania’s own Troegs Brewing Company. My choice, the Krampus, was delivered in a chalice. When ordering by the bottle, glasses were brought without having to ask, this truly added to the overall experience of OTB. They have also added another nice touch by including the Beer Advocate score of each beer on the menu.

Adding to the overall experience, many of the dishes are named after local landmarks or Pennsylvania luminaries, such as the North Ridge Nachos ($7.99) and the Rachel Carson Wrap ($9.99). Others are named for biking references, as Mr. Kotyk is a well-known biking enthusiast, such as the Top Gear Tenders ($8.99) and the Dirt Rag Delight burger ($9.99). The Dirt Rag Delight is a must try. This juicy hamburger is served with American cheese, thick sliced dill pickles, and Wholey’s homemade peanut butter. Yes, peanut butter. This sandwich was inspired by the biker’s need for protein. The peanut butter adds a touch of sweetness while blending surprisingly well with the flavor the burger. You seriously “must try” this burger!

Mr. Strafalace says OTB also offers many selections for their “vegetarian and vegan friends,” which are marked with a ‘V.’ Any of the burgers can be made with a black bean burger instead of ground beef. The Iron City Bites ($7.99) are vegetarian wings made from seitan, which is made from wheat but has the texture of meat. In 2011 and 2012, OTB won an award for “Best Vegetarian Soup” at the South Side soup contest. In addition, we were fortunate enough to try the B.E.L.L.A. tacos (Biking Enthusiastic Ladies Loving Adventures, $9.99) which are stuffed with grilled balsamic marinated Portabella mushrooms, fresh avocado, Asian slaw, and homemade pico de gallo. Again, the jalapenos in the pico de gallo are evident but very nicely offset by the avocado. There are several more options, more than can be listed succinctly.

Toward the end, we were told they have one more dish they would like us to try and they bring out the Granny Gear Salad ($11.99). The Granny Gear Salad features char-grilled chicken over mixed greens, topped with Swiss, roasted red peppers (prepared in-house, of course), julienned apples, and craisins. This terrific salad was served with an outstanding homemade poppy seed dressing, though they were kind enough to offer us other options as well including their fantastic balsamic vinaigrette.

OTB Bicycle Café North Park Boathouse is located on Pierce Mill Run Road in McCandless. Between the service, the music, the setting, the beer, and the level of attention given to serving a quality product with a unique twist, we had a great time with seriously amazing food. They are open 7 days a week – Monday-Wednesday: 11AM-10PM, Thursday-Saturday: 11AM-11PM and Sunday: 11AM-9PM – For more information, including the menu and contact information, please visit www.otbbicyclecafe.com. Or for directions you can call 724.940.5000

BZ’s Bar & Grill By: Suz Pisano

BZ’s Bar & Grill at 140 Federal Street sits right across from PNC Park and has been on my radar ever since they began renovations months ago. They’re finally open, and Nightwire gets to be the first to tell you all about it. Brandon Herriott is one of the owners. He’s the ‘B’ and his partners Bob & Laura Zoravkovski are the ‘Z’ and the investors in this new hot spot offering great food, amazing drinks, craft beers, happy hour, lunch specials and much, much more. They came together from an act of kindness, Brandon was asked by Bob to look over a proposal for a pending restaurant/bar acquisition, which he graciously accepted and wouldn’t take anything for his expertise and advice on this project. This simple act of kindness eventually put Bob and Brandon together as business partners and they landed on a concept and a location bringing together many years of working in the industry as well as the capital to invest in a dream. This new bar and grill promises to be a big hit year-round with interesting takes on comfort foods and favorites using only the best ingredients.

Let’s start with Small Plates. We tried the Hummus Trio ($8) served with Gremolata, Hot Cherry Pepper Relish and Bruschetta Mix. I can’t tell you which one I preferred, but there is plenty to share, they’re extremely fresh and made in house daily. The “to die for” choice in my book is the Duck Sliders ($9). I have to admit that I spied it on the website and was hoping to sink my teeth into one of these, duck confit, blackberry preserves and herbed cream cheese on the perfect little bun. Oh my! I grew up eating jelly and cream cheese sandwiches; I think it’s an Eastern European thing or maybe a Pittsburgh thing like “jumbo.” I love, love, loved these duck sliders. Also available are Beef ($8) made with brisket or Crab ($11). The Small Plates choices are plentiful with everything from wings, tacos, truffle fries, fried mozzarella to bruschetta and a goat cheese crostini. Salads are offered in Greek, Caesar, Capresanella- fresh tomato, mozzarella & basil. Additions include Portobella, chicken, shrimp, crab cakes, lamb or brisket. There are so many options at BZ’s that you’re gonna want to take your time while perusing the extensive menu.

Another menu item that caught my eye was the Shrimp Po’ Boy ($12), delicately fried shrimp, pickled cucumber, mayo, lettuce and tomato. Yum. And yum for the next day when I ate the leftovers! The pickled cucumber is delicious; don’t take it off! We also tried the Big Texan ($11), which is Brisket, pickled onions, hot Chinese mustard, cheddar cheese and BBQ Sauce. Quite a mouthful of flavor but the brisket is melt-in-your-mouth, cooked for hours and hours and hours. Not a sandwich for the meek. I have to mention the Gyro ($11) made with real lamb, marinated and cooked to perfection, not lamb lunchmeat. I can’t wait to try it.

Burgers are also served up at BZ’s. We were pleasantly surprised to try the Turducken Burger ($12) a deconstructed version of the mythical Thanksgiving bird. BZ makes their burger with turkey dark meat (yum) layered with duck confit and topped with a fried egg, arugula and sage aioli. Turkey, duck & chicken all represented in this delectable burger version. The turkey was so flavorful, perfectly seasoned, juicy and moist. You know I’m never a straight up turkey burger fan but I would highly recommend this burger, I’m even going to order it again on my next visit. It’s that delicious! The fries that accompany the sandwiches and burgers are lightly dusted with a secret house made seasoning, you’ll definitely eat every one. A nice enhancement to the thin cut fries- my favorite kind.

BZ’s also makes pizzas. They offer everything from the classic to the Racy Swine ($12) with house made chorizo, bacon, pepperoni, mozzarella, red chili flakes and marinara sauce. Absolutely delicious. The 4- cut pizza is a hearty meal or enough to share along with a salad. Other offerings include the Fungi, Spanakopizza, spinach and feta delight, Pear & Blue with walnuts and truffle oil, or the Bedded Duck- duck confit with goat cheese, olive oil, garlic and arugula. I mentioned that one last because it’s another thing I can’t wait to try. Pizza crust is house made and the perfect consistency for the toppings. I know good dough! I adore homemade pizza dough and have tried several recipes in my home kitchen.

While sitting and chatting with Brandon, he suggested that we should try another specialty of the house: Mac and Cheese. We were presented with a Mexican Mac and Cheese ($15) with chorizo, goat cheese in their four-cheese classic mac, which we all loved. The Lo Country ($16) version adds pimento cheese and fried chicken! There’s even a Crabby ($16) mac and cheese!

If you’re a BLT fan, BZ’s just might be your spot. They offer a Classic ($8), Black N Bleu ($9) bleu cheese gremolata dressing, or a BLT du Jour featuring a bacon of the month. Yes, bacon. For $3 they will add 3 ounces of bacon to anything on the menu. Think of the possibilities!

This is a perfect opportunity to mention the Maple Bacon-infused Old Fashioned that we sampled. It was just one of the many signature drinks brought to BZ’s by Bar Manager Matt Nalepka. He’s a transplant, too, and also an award-winning martini maker! Pittsburgh will be happy to have him serving up some very special cocktails. I think having a cocktail is like having a little celebration, something you might never have at home. Cocktails are meant to be savored. At BZ’s, homemade syrups and stellar ingredients had us passing drinks around the table all evening. The Elderflower Fizz was heavenly, presented in the perfect glass with a lavender garnish. The Berry Sophisticate was so exotic, the blueberry garnish made me feel like I was in paradise. The Thai Coconut Tea was a nice twist on a favorite but my two favorites were the Key Lime Pie (order one!) and the Dirty Martini served with a pickle and spicy pickle juice. Wow! I snagged that drink immediately and claimed it as mine. I’m so looking forward to returning to BZ’s to try something new!

Now for the ever-changing craft beer selections. If you can’t land on one beer selection, try a flight. (Flights are the perfect complement to any mac and cheese choice, especially in these cold winter months. I think I’ll have my next mac and cheese at the bar!)

Entrees at BZ’s include Pepperonata ($15,) a hot Italian sausage served with onions, sweet peppers, and marinara sauce with Gemelli; Mushroom Ravioli ($15); Scampi Pasta ($15) (adding chopped bacon to that is an extra $3); and Dry Aged Ribeye ($26), which I cannot wait to try! A Fish Dish is offered in limited quantities as is a daily special.

We shared the Chicken Marsala ($14), and we all loved the roasted vegetables, which included Brussels sprouts, carrots and potatoes as the side. The Marsala was rich and delicious, and the chicken cooked to perfection. What a beautiful meal. And don’t forget to save room for their homemade desserts, S’Mores Cheesecake ($6), totally to die for, Chocolate Lava Cake ($6) and Dessert Du Jour. Very close attention is paid to presentation, and service at BZ’s promises to be great. Brandon’s experience in absolutely every aspect of the restaurant industry is evident in the professionalism and level of pride offered at this brand new establishment.

Weekly specials at BZ’s include:
Monday: Red Blooded Mondays–$6 BLTs or Burgers with Fries, 20% off Big Bottled Beers and a featured Bloody Mary
Tuesday: Backyard BBQ Tuesdays–House made BBQ platter for $10, includes 2 Sides and canned beer specials

Wednesday: Hump Day Happy Hour–specials from 5:00pm-9:00pm. Karaoke/DJ/Name That Tune and DJ Bromeo starting at 7:00pm
Thursday: Ladies Night–Special $5 Martini menu from 5:00pm-close, ½ off select apps. DJ Bromeo at 7:00pm. Monthly drawing giveaway.
Friday: Early Recess –Happy Hour specials from 3:00pm-7:00pm.
Saturdays start at 9:00pm–$5 Bombs and Beat The Clock starting at 10:00pm. $1 Domestic drafts
that go up a buck every hour till regular price. The establishment with the most employees present (must have at least 5 to qualify) will receive a free $100 tab.

Sunday: SIN Sundays–Service Industry Night
Happy Hour Specials: Monday – Friday (normal hours are 5pm-7pm) $3 draft beers, $6 Specialty Drinks and Martinis, ½ off Wine, and ½ off selected appetizers.

BZ’s Bar and Grill is located on the North Shore at 140 Federal Street next to PNC Park. 412-323-BZBG(2924). They are opened daily Monday through Sunday 11am-2am. Check them out on the web at www.bzbarandgrill.com

Saga Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

By: Nightwire

Saga is the latest addition in Settler’s Ridge Center, located in Robinson Township. We found SAGA’s atmosphere to be extremely inviting, tastefully decorated with silk foliage and a beautiful waterfall in the entry. In addition to a full bar and beautiful hibachi room, SAGA features a sushi bar draped in vines and wrapped in  enchanting hazy blue lighting spanning the length of the ceiling, with large, private booths. They also offer outdoor seating, ideal for a warm fall evening.  Upon entering, we were promptly greeted by the manager Sun, and Jason, one of Saga’s partners.  Saga was comfortably busy for Thursday early evening.  Since opening on April 8^th, Saga is already seeing repeat business and building a solid customer base.  We cannot wait to tell you why!

We start at the bar.  Happy Hour at SAGA is from 4:30pm – 6:30pm, with two-dollar domestics and two-dollars off well drinks. SAGA offers a full bar. Bar Manager Gina started us with a Pineapple Passion ($6.00). This is a creamy coconut rum concoction with pineapple juice. Gina likens it to a “pineapple cotton candy”, not too sweet, not too fruity – a perfect blend of flavors. If you are planning to take a date or want to cozy up to someone special during this holiday season, we recommend the SAGA Volcano ($14.00).  This drink is large enough to share with two straws; a definite “Must try!”  The Volcano is a combination of gin, rum, and vodka with tangy orange and pineapple juices, served flaming!  The also offer an award wining “living & breathing” wine list that compliments both their lunch and dinner selections.

Gina definitely knows her way around the bar. She has created a whole menu to choose from of original martinis.  She quickly reminds us that Saga has plenty of non-alcoholic options and fun specialty drinks for children. We tried a Japanese orange soda – highly carbonated and tastily tart in a colorful glass bottle. SAGA offers Edamame, salted soybeans (in pods) a healthy alternative to bar nuts. They were delicious; we could not stop eating them.

Next came our appetizer, an artful array of sashimi ($5-$7.00 a la carte) nestled in flowers and bamboo, the presentation was spectacular. There was fresh cut Ahi tuna, salmon, flounder, snapper, and yellow fin. Definitely tender, delicious, top quality and the freshness of an ocean catch.

Next, we were off to the hibachi grill. The room is spacious yet extremely comfortable and personal.  The servers quickly served us a bowl of soup, a clear chicken and beef based broth garnished with mushroom and shallots very tasty, and definitely not salty.  Next, the salads served with Saga’s homemade house dressing, very creamy with a hint of apples and oranges, one of the best Japanese dressings we have ever tried.

Hibachi Chef Victor emerged from the kitchen and introduces himself. With ten years of experience, he is engaging and poised at the grill. We watch mesmerized as he turns stir-fry into a fascinating experience. He quickly ignites the grill and flames erupt like an inferno. He balances and cracks an egg with just a spatula, quickly slices an onion into a flaming and steaming volcano. A minute into this charismatic show, he quickly proceeds to make a heart-shaped rice mound sizzling on the grill, which he brings to life with a throb from the spatula. Next, we watch as the vegetables cook, with precision and care.  Then he proudly presents us with a glimpse of what’s going onto the grill.  He turns this meat and seafood platter into mouth watering delicacies all seasoned to perfection and not overly saturated with soy sauce.  Saga only uses low sodium soy sauce, which truly enhances and lets the flavors blend rather than over powered with soy sauce.  The filet was melt in your mouth tender, cooked to perfection.  The chicken was moist and extremely flavorful as was the shrimp and scallops, delicious!  The lobster tails were perfectly grilled and succulent – no dipping butter required, you will want to savor every bite. SAGA serves very generous portions and their prices are extremely moderate for the quality and quantity of food they serve. Entrees range from $15- $39.00, there is also a children’s menu available $10.00 -$12.00. Saga is by far the best Japanese Steak house in the greater Pittsburgh area, they offer a variety of fresh seafood and traditional dishes with great service in a professional, friendly and elegant environment.  Saga is definitely the premier address for serious seafood and service where your experience will be unforgettable.  Saga experience the difference!

In addition to the Robinson restaurant, they have two other locations; Cranberry, which is currently celebrating their “Grand Opening” and Monroeville, with a third location coming soon to the South Hills.

Open Monday – Thursday 11am-10P (lunch served 11am – 3pm, dinner 3pm-10pm) Friday Noon – 10pm (dinners served all day), Saturday Noon to 11pm and Sunday Noon – 10pm. Reservations recommended.

Saga also offers birthday celebration “special packages” for only $5.00. Package includes fried ice cream, a blooming, flaming lotus flower candle and a disco ball and all the servers singing a lively birthday song.  Saga also offers private party rooms for your holiday or any celebration and off site catering. Call 412-788-8668 ask for Sun, she’ll take care of everything and make sure your party is picture perfect!

Located at:

1040 Settler’s Ridge Center Rd

Robinson, PA 15205

Tel.: (412) 788-8668

Nightwire likes to eat and we sure like to write about it!  Please read some of our reviews to find great places to eat!

Archies – Pittsburgh

Bistro to Go – North Side – Pittsburgh

Blue – North Hills – Pittsburgh

Cafe Notte – Emsworth – Pittsburgh

Cain’s Saloon – Dormont – Pittsburgh

Chicken Latino – Strip District – Pittsburgh

Di Pietro’s – Pittsburgh

Doce Taqueria – Pittsburgh

Empire Palace – Pittsburgh

Everyday Noodles – Pittsburgh

Flavors of Fort Lauderdale – Florida

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina – Pittsburgh

Hofbräuhaus – Pittsburgh

Hokkaido Seafood Buffet – Pittsburgh

Monte Cello’s – North Hills – Pittsburgh

Monte Cello’s – Wexford – Pittsburgh

Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe North Park Boathouse – Pittsburgh

Sharp Edge Brasserie – Pittsburgh

Sharp Edge Bistro – Pittsburgh

Annapolis, Maryland…….. Something for Everyone!

 Our Great Chesapeake Bay Loop adventure around Maryland continues this month with Annapolis, the sailing capital of the world, that is jammed packed with fabulous restaurants, places to see and tons of things to do. 

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant, Pub & Whiskey Bar

Upon our arrival in Annapolis we headed straight downtown to the famous Galway Bay for lunch.  Opened in 1998, Galway Bay is a well-known Annapolis tradition.  The owners Michael Galway and Anthony Clarke had a mission to bring truly Irish hospitality and food to Annapolis; to be authentic in every sense, and to create a memorable experience in food, beverages and service that their customers will come back for.

The first thing we noticed was the lack of TVs in their pub and restaurant area, a welcome surprise. This has definitely created an atmosphere for lively conversation; a great place to gather and enjoy each other’s company. The dining room’s rustic red brick and wood finishes create comfortable surroundings to enjoy friends, great food, and premium beverages.

Their bar was hand constructed in Ireland and brought over in pieces and assembled by Irish craftsman making this bar simply specular and magnificent! Galway Bay boasts over 80 Irish whiskeys which won the prestigious 2019 Irish Hospitality Global Award for Best Irish Whiskey Experience in the Americas!

We would be remiss if we didn’t tell you about Galway Bay’s Irish Eggnog Liqueur.  This was truly the best Eggnog we have ever had!  It is a hand-crafted imported beverage distilled and bottled at Terra Liquors Distillery in Ireland. This old Irish recipe expertly blends spiced Irish whiskey, vanilla, and Irish cream, finished off with a hit of nutmeg to create a completely unique seasonal delight! Available during the holidays and only in store purchase, we were told people fly in from all over the country to purchase and take home their famous eggnog! Their eggnog was so good we are definitely coming back to buy more for our 2020 Christmas festivities. Yum!

Since this was our first time at Galway Bay we had to try their famous Fish and Chips, I have to tell you their Fish and Chips was the best I’ve ever had… it was outrageously delicious, delicate, tender battered fish cooked to perfection! Their fish and chips makes me want to drive back to Annapolis right now! Their Corned Beef Reuben is legendary and so delicious; they also have a spectacular one-of-a-kind Shepherd’s Pie just to mention a few favorites. Their Chef Kevin Duffy recently returned from a menu study trip to Ireland, where he met with famous Irish chefs such as Darina Allen and Kevin Dundon. Kevin spent time at the prestigious culinary institute, Ballymaloe, and sampled regional cuisine from Wexford, Cork and Kinsale. So everything on their menu is authentic Irish cuisine!

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant, Pub & Whiskey Bar

63 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis 21401

Ph: 410-263-8333 or visit them on the web galwaybaymd.com

Annapolis Ice Cream Company

After lunch we spent the afternoon exploring the shops along Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Main and West Streets and had a ball.  We found so many great shops and boutiques that offered so many unique and wonderful gifts it was hard to stop shopping and browsing.  We did manage to stop shopping long enough for some ice cream at the Annapolis Ice Cream Company.  Their ice cream is homemade with nothing but premium quality ingredients, so delicious! The Annapolis Ice Cream Company uses only the freshest finest quality ingredients in their ice cream and let me tell you it was fantastic!

Annapolis Ice Cream Company

196 Main Street – Annapolis, MD 21401 –

Ph: 443.482.3895 or visit them on the web – Annapolisicecream.com

Westin Annapolis Hotel

While in Annapolis we stayed at the Westin Annapolis Hotel which is conveniently located in the heart of Annapolis.  The rooms are well appointed with magnificent views of the city, a gorgeous lobby, valet parking coupled with accommodating courteous staff members to help create a memorable stay. This property has an indoor heated pool and well equipped fitness center, 24-hour a day room service and dining available at Azure. You can enhance your stay with healthy, delicious dining at Azure restaurant and be sure and try their signature burgers and jumbo lump crab cake or stop in and refuel for a busy day with a refreshing breakfast. We loved this property and highly recommend staying at the Westin Annapolis Hotel while visiting Annapolis. 

Westin Annapolis Hotel

100 Westgate Circle – Annapolis, MD 21401

Ph:  410.972.4300 or visit them on the web –  Marriott.com/bwiwa

Carrol’s Creek Café’

We dined at Carrol’s Creek Café, a 36 year old fine dining Annapolis icon.  Since 1983, Carrol’s Creek Cafe and the Jacobs family have been serving fine food and drinks on the shore of Spa Creek! The food and service was five star in our book, we were greeted and promptly seated at a window table facing out onto the water (a fitting view for our Great Chesapeake Bay Loop trip).  It was a cool evening but the lights from the boats on the water and at the dock gave a magnificent glow and relaxing feel.  This 5 star restaurant was definitely one of our favorites, for food, atmosphere, unpretentiousness and fantastic service. They offer an eclectic and versatile collection of wines, beers and great cocktails.  We started off with Baked Mini Brie in puff pastry stuffed with berries and drizzled with Grand Marnier spiked honey, I’m a huge fan of Brie and this was honestly one of the best I’ve ever had even better than in Paris! Wow, wish I had some now, I think I’ve told everyone about it, actually can’t stop thinking about it! They do offer an extensive starter and dinner menu with something for everyone. For my main course I ordered the Grilled Filet Mignon with caramelized sweet onions, sautéed mushrooms and bacon chive mashed potatoes, finished with a cabernet glace de viande, so tender and done to perfection! My assistant ordered the Pan Seared Scallops with mascarpone, gruyere cheese, tasso ham and green pea risotto, butternut squash hash and chive truffle oil, absolutely fantastic, the scallops were huge and delicious! Very large portions plated and served beautifully. When in Annapolis Carrol’s Creek Café is a must dine at restaurant! Especially traveling the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop, be sure to stop in for seafood (we’ve been told they have phenomenal crab cakes!)

Carrol’s Creek Café  

410 Severn Avenue – Annapolis, MD 21403 

Ph: 410.263.8102

Or visit them on the web – carrolscreek.com – info@carrolscreek.com

Maryland State House

While in Annapolis we visited the Maryland State House the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use and is the only state house ever to have served as the Nation’s Capital. The Continental Congress met in the Old Senate Chamber from November 26, 1783 to August 13, 1784. During that time, George Washington came before Congress to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the Treaty of Paris was ratified, marking the official end of the Revolutionary War.  The State House is where the Maryland General Assembly convenes for three months each year, and the elected leadership of the state — the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Delegates and president of the Senate — all have their offices here. Opened daily until 5pm with free admission. Maryland State House – 100 State Circle – Annapolis, MD 21401

Msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/home.html

William Paca’s House and Gardens

We also enjoyed a guided tour of Declaration of Independence signer William Paca’s home and took a self-guided tour of his reconstructed 18^th century pleasure garden. This five-part Georgian mansion was built in the 1760s by William Paca, one of Maryland’s four Signers of the Declaration of Independence and the state’s third Governor. Carefully restored by Historic Annapolis beginning in 1965, today it is recognized as one of the finest 18^th-century homes in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Guided tours of the house, which features period furnishings and paintings, reveal the inner workings of an upper-class household in colonial and revolutionary Annapolis.

Painstakingly restored to its original splendor using details drawn from historic artwork and archaeological excavations, the two-acre colonial William Paca Garden is a picturesque retreat from the bustle of the city. Visitors can view native and heirloom plants while exploring the terraced landscape’s formal Parterres, naturalistic Wilderness, and practical Kitchen garden. The charming Summerhouse beckons guests to cross the latticework bridge over a fish-shaped pond. The garden frequently hosts weddings, receptions, and other special events.

William Paca House and Garden – 186 Prince George Street – Annapolis, MD 21401

Ph: 410.990.4543

Annapolis.org/contact/William-paca-garden

U.S. Naval Academy – The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center

Another must see while in Annapolis is the U.S. Naval Academy – The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. The best way to truly experience the U.S. Naval Academy is to take one of their highly-regarded historical tours. These tours are led by professional, passionate, certified guides from the Naval Academy Business Services Division, during the tour your guide will bring many of the U.S. Naval Academy’s most important stories to life. The Visitor Center is conveniently located inside USNA Gate 1 near the Annapolis harbor at 52 King George Street. Pedestrian entrances are on Prince George and Randall Streets.  The Visitor Center provides guided walking and driven tours for the public and a variety of guided walking tours for private groups.

Best of all…all proceeds from the sale of tours and merchandise benefit the Brigade of Midshipmen activities. The Visitor Center is the first stop on a visit to the undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. There are information specialists that welcome visitors to view a 13-minute film, The Call to Serve.  The film plays daily, repeating every 15 minutes. 

U.S. Naval Academy – Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center – 52 King George Street – Annapolis, MD 21402

Ph: 410.293.8111

Usnabsd.com/for-visitors

Great Chesapeake Bay Loop

Our Great Chesapeake Bay Loop adventure would not be complete without a visit to the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The museum provides visitors with a rich maritime heritage of the area and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through their programs and exhibits. The museum is positioned overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and is housed in the last surviving historic oyster packing plant in Annapolis. The museum houses the Wilma Lee, one of the few remaining Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks. The Annapolis Maritime Museum truly paints a good picture of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage and culture, from crabbing to oystering to setting sail aboard a skipjack. Right near the museum, visitors can board a boat that goes to the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, the last remaining screwpile lighthouse in its original location in the Chesapeake Bay. Tours are available by going to https://uslhs.org/about/thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse/tours. Visiting the Annapolis Maritime Museum and the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse is an experience to include when traveling along the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop.

Annapolis Maritime Museum – 723 Second Street – Annapolis, MD 21403
Ph: 410.295.0104
Or visit them on the web – amaritime.org/

Miss Shirley’s Café

Before departing from Annapolis, we had breakfast at Miss Shirley’s Café just around the corner from the Westin. Miss Shirley’s Cafe offers guests an upscale-casual and exceptional award-winning culinary experience for all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch. Their specialties are rooted in Southern fundamentals and the abundance of fresh ingredients from the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. They pride themselves in beautifully presented plates, prompt and professional service, as well as clean, comfortable and well-maintained premises.

Established in 2005 by restaurateur and Baltimore native Eddie Dopkin, Miss Shirley’s Cafe was created as a tribute to an inspirational team member and personal friend, Miss Shirley McDowell. McDowell, a food professional at The Classic Catering People, was known for her sassy charm and sheer joy of preparing dishes for those she loved. Corporate Executive Chef Brigitte Bledsoe and the culinary team craft bold seasonal menus that reflect both McDowell’s southern flare and Bledsoe’s love of fresh Maryland ingredients. The menu offers specialties including: Chicken ‘N Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, Crab Cake & Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict & Coconut Cream Stuffed French Toast.

By providing exceptional service, and preparing award-winning dishes, Miss Shirley’s Cafe has grown into a Maryland landmark sought out by both locals and visitors alike. As a local, family owned restaurant, Miss Shirley’s Cafe aims to make all guests feel comfortable & included in their dining experience. The restaurant has become known within the community for its extensive allergy friendly policy, kid friendly activities & bento-style kids meal, seasonal pet friendly patio accommodations, as well as the availability of braille, vegan & gluten-free menus.

Miss Shirley’s Cafe has been featured on national television, including Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and Guy’s Grocery Games, as well as Travel Channel’s Food Paradise. The restaurant has gained additional national attention, being awarded: America’s Favorite Family Friendly Restaurants, Best Pancakes in The Country & Best Breakfast Dish in Maryland by Food Network; The South’s Best Breakfast Spots & Best Fried Green Tomatoes in Maryland by Southern Living Magazine, and Best Breakfast Sandwich in America by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine. Miss Shirley’s Cafe has also maintained its local resonance, having been named Maryland’s Favorite Restaurant by the Restaurant Association of Maryland.

Miss Shirley’s Café – 1 Park Place – Annapolis, MD 21401

Ph: 410.268.5171

Or visit them on the web – Missshirleys.com

For more information on visiting Annapolis, go to visitmaryland.org or visitannapolis.org. Next month, we continue our Great Chesapeake Bay Loop journey around Maryland by featuring Baltimore, MD.

Kicking Back with Victory Brewing Company

When I think about how long ago 1996 was, my gut reaction is to say about ten years or so, and it’s no sooner those words are out of my mouth that I realize that no, it’s more like TWENTY years ago, with a few more years added on for good measure. 1996 isn’t an arbitrary year I’ve chosen to make myself feel old, it’s the year that Victory Brewing Company was founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet in Downingtown, PA. In those twenty-ish years, Victory has grown into a powerhouse of craft beer and an outspoken supporter of the environment and the beer industry as a whole.

In their first year, Victory brewed 1,725 barrels of beer. In the 22 years since then, Victory has expanded production capacity, increased their distribution, and when Victory celebrated 20 years in the business, they were producing more than 140,000 barrels of beer annually. How’s that for impressive?

Today, Victory Brewing Co. brews 10 year-round beers, 15 seasonal and specialty beers thanks to 70 yeast strains utilized by the brewers. You’ll find Victory in 35 states plus DC and in a total of 9 countries including Australia, Japan, Italy, and of course the United States amongst others. While that’s quite the lineup of beers, when Ron and Bill first opened for business they brewed HopDevil, Festbier, and Brandywine Valley Lager.

Finally, if you wonder why Victory beers have that extra something special that sets them apart from others, it may very well be the freshness of the hops. Unlike many other breweries, Victory Brewing Co. only uses whole flower hops in every beer they brew. Most breweries use pelletized hops to save money and time, but the folks at Victory believe that by using the whole flower hops their beers get a purer flavor and aroma, and in turn give you the best beer they can brew.

Seasons change and beers come and go, but the one thing that stays the same is the expectation that Victory Brewing will always have a beer you’ll love.

New Beer Alert
Sure, having those few beers that you love and always order at the bar are great, but getting to try something new is a truly special moment for a beer lover. Opening that bottle or can, not knowing exactly what you’re in for is a feeling that we try to recreate with every beer we try. With that in mind, Victory is always coming up with new and interesting beers for us to try, and for 2020 we’re starting off with two truly unique beers to bring us into spring and summer.

Ok, so these are coming back again after their release in 2019 but hey, they’re new to us again, right?

Twisted Monkey – Victory sure has…monkeyed around…with their line of beers based on Golden Monkey, and their newest treat gives us more of it with Twisted Monkey. This 5.7% ABV comes in much lower than the typical beer with Monkey in its name at Victory, but don’t let that get you down. This special beer is a Belgian-style blonde ale with mongo, making it the lighthearted sibling to the monkeys we know and love while giving it something special that the big kids don’t get.

No Brainer IPA – I’ve visited Savannah, Georgia a few times over the years, but I’ll always remember the first time I ordered a beer in the historical city. When I ordered, the bartender asked if I’d like the beer for there or to go. I was so blown away by this question that I didn’t have an answer right away. In the end, the answer was a real NO BRAINER because I got one for there AND one to go, since drinking in public is allowed in Savannah.

I mention this little story because Victory’s newest IPA is just as much of a NO BRAINER as my experience with portable beer. No Brainer IPA is a 6.8% ABV beer that uses Mandarina, Citra, Centennial, and Azacca hops to give you a fruity, citrusy IPA that’s not too hefty on the alcohol while having enough to make this a very well-rounded beer. Victory even uses something called their HopVic technology to “sling all-natural American hops that open up big aromas and flavors that compliment any occasion.”
Kick Back Can Pack
How do you make the variety 12-pack from Victory better? The beer’s already outstanding and the variety is hard to beat. The best way to improve it is to add 3 more beers and make all our favorite beers canned in it, too.

Available now is the Kick Back Can Pack 15-pack from Victory Brewing. In it you’ll find 15 beers of course, but the best part is that there are 5 different beers in the pack, with 3 of each style. The variety 15-pack includes:

Home Grown – A dry-hopped lager that comes in at a sessionable 4.8% ABV featuring Centennial, Mosaic, Azacca, Cascade, Chinook, and Citra hops.

Golden Monkey – Golden Monkey is a mythical concoction that starts as a Belgian-style tripel and adds some special hops to make this beer one that shouldn’t be…monkeyed…around with, thanks to its 9.5% ABV.

Sour Monkey – Next up is the newest sibling to Golden Monkey, and that’s the tart and funky Sour Monkey. Sour Monkey is a 9.5% ABV version of the popular Golden Monkey is soured using a strain of Brettanomyces, giving it added flavors of lemon, tartness, and overall Brett funkiness. Sour beer is something of an acquired taste, though. When first trying a sour beer, it can be somewhat overpowering and not at all what you’re expecting but given a few tastes you’ll find depth of flavor and aroma that makes these beers a truly unique experience. Much like its sibling, Sour Monkey has grown in popularity and might just steal the spotlight from Golden Monkey.

Hop Devil – Back to the beer history lesson for a minute, because one beer that’s been around as long as the brewery is still one of the best beers coming out of Pennsylvania today. Hop Devil from Victory Brewing Co. was one of the first beers brewed by Victory, and thanks to the bold and spicy character that’s balanced out with a solid malt bill, it’s one that is still going strong today. Not only is Hop Devil one of Victory’s first beers, it’s also one of Pennsylvania’s first IPAs to be produced. Pretty cool, eh?

Hop Devil is an American IPA that comes in at 6.7% ABV and focuses on an aromatic kick on the nose that follows through with a full-bodied lasting finish that’s hard to beat. Expect to taste pine and citrus notes that play alongside extra-juicy hop character for a beer that’s balanced yet bold and perfect for strong, meaty dinners or some solid porch sitting.

Prima Pils – With a name that gives away the style of this bright, fresh beer, Prima Pils is a German-style pilsner coming in at 5.3% ABV and features Hallertau, Tettnang, Saaz, and Spalt Select hops, giving this beer an herbal hop-forward bite that’s balanced out with a great malt flavor.

Check out all these beers and more from Victory Brewing thanks to Vecenie Distributing, and while you’re at it, check out the updated artwork that’s starting to show up on our favorite Victory brews, it’s clean, fresh, and always welcome, just like their beers.

Solomons Island, a quintessential Bay town along the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop, is a picturesque storybook waterfront village located just 55 minutes south of the Washington beltway where the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay meet in Calvert County, Maryland; an easy and beautiful 5 hour 35 minute drive via I-76 E and I-70 E only 304.8 miles from Pittsburgh.

Our first stop was at No Thyme to Cook for a private chef prep class hosted by Chef Gwyn Novak. Chef Novak gave us a hands on demonstration of how to professionally prepare food, I have to say, I’m an excellent cook but I learned so many professional tricks of the trade to really make my meal prep easier and much more professional. Thanks Chef Novak, we had a wonderful time..(thyme).

No Thyme to Cook will stir up your inner chef with fun, educational classes overlooking Solomons Harbor, their classes are designed for everyone – from the novice to the experienced cook. The building that houses No Thyme to Cook has been in their family for hundreds of years. The new renovations have turned this century old building into a breathtaking showplace with two large fully equipped levels of cooking space all overlooking the harbor with outdoor covered seating and breathtaking views. Simply amazing and so relaxing; you can sit back and relax with your favorite glass of wine or beverage. Aww can you feel the harbor breeze?

While at No Thyme to Cook you have to check out their gift shop filled with professional chef tools and hard to find items to enhance your cooking experience. So many must have items it was hard to not want everything!

No Thyme to Cook is located at 14624 Solomons Island Road S, Solomons, MD 20688 for more information or to book a class when visiting the island go to https://www.nothymetocook.com/ or call them at 443.624.5048

Next stop Half Shell Adventures, (located off the dock of No Thyme to Cook) their goal is to help you create lasting memories with the people in your life, while enjoying everything that Southern Maryland’s beautiful waterways have to offer. They offer excellent service, a wonderful experience and adventure from booking to disembarking, and a new appreciation for the beautiful bodies of water that they call home. Visit them on the web at https://www.nothymetocook.com or call 443-624-5048 (OR https://www.halfshelladventures.com/ (410) 610-9393)

While on Solomons Island we stayed at the most gorgeous bed and breakfast Solomons Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast. The main house of this premier Chesapeake Bay Inn was built in 1906 in Queen Anne Victorian style and was the family home of Clarence Davis. M.M.Davis & Son were renowned builders of early twentieth-century sailing yachts and many of these were trophy winning racing vessels, the most notable being Manitou, owned and restored for a time by President John F Kennedy. On the ground floor of the Inn you are welcome to relax in the living room or comfortable sitting room, read the newspaper, or choose a game from the large variety they have for the occasional rainy day. Escape to the front porch or the garden with a book from the library. Relax and enjoy a full, delicious breakfast while overlooking the harbor in the bright and airy enclosed porch. All areas are independently heated with radiators and cooled with central air conditioning. The Carriage house, built in 1997, comprises two spacious bedroom suites, each with an independent entry. Each room is well appointed and absolutely beautiful.

Their breakfasts are a fusion of European and North American styles, always cooked from fresh ingredients and served as a three-course meal. Simply delicious home cooked breakfast made and served with love. They also took the time to inquire about any culinary preferences or allergies we might have had. We were offered a choice of fruit juices with coffee or tea to compliment a delicious American style freshly cooked cinnamon-sugar doughnut, signature banana crumb muffin, lemon drizzled Bundt cake or a traditional English fruit scone. A second-course of fresh fruit followed our entrée comprising of eggs, vegetables, nuts, cheeses or meats in creative combinations. Our favorite was the stuffed French toast, followed by Quiche Lorraine (French-style) and Soufflé Frittata. You can also choose poached eggs on two sides of an English muffin (with a side of Canadian bacon). Breakfast was a culinary delight… Yum!

To book a reservation please visit: https://solomonsvictorianinn.com/
or email info@solomonsvictorianinn.com located at 125 Charles Street, Solomons, MD or call 410-326-4811

For dinner we dined at The Pier which offers a “Taste of Southern Maryland” dinner that we highly recommend, this great offering gives you a taste of everything that Southern Maryland is famous for. The food was delicious, well-presented and prepared, seasoned to perfection plus their drink selections were amazing. The Pier has classic seafood dishes with brunch and live music in a cozy setting with patio seating set on their pier. The Pier is a wonderful place to enjoy your favorite beverages with friends or family plus an awesome place to watch the amazing sunsets.

The Pier is located at 14575 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD – 410-449-8406 or visit them at https://thepiersolomons.com/

There is so much to do and see on Solomons Island we wandered around and found Grandmother’s Store and amazing little shop filled with unique gifts, handmade items and souvenirs – located on the Main Street it’s a must stop at shop. Open daily 10-5p ph: 410.326.6848

For you antique lovers we found Vintage Treasures & Nused Furniture a collection of superior antiques and collectibles; we had so much fun browsing thru all their antiques and treasures. Located at 13864 Solomons Island Rd – or visit them at Facebook.com/Vintage-Treasures-Nused-Furniture
Ph: 410.231.2200 Open Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri – 11-6 and Sat/Sun 10-5 Closed Wed

The Calvert Marine Museum is a treasure and must see while you’re on the island, the Holiday Inn offers superior accommodations for those preferring a hotel, Spring Cove Marina where they have one of the largest collections of sailboats and just a gorgeous place to visit as well as the , Drum Point Lighthouse and Annmarie Sculpture Garden. For more information and things to do and see visit http://solomonsmaryland.com/ or visitmaryland.org.

Next month we will continue our Great Chesapeake Bay Loop journey around Maryland by featuring Annapolis. MD.

Maryland where there is something to do and see for everyone! A must-visit destination, with an easy and smooth drive from Pittsburgh.

East End Brewing Company

East End Brewing Company is currently celebrating their 15th anniversary, reinforcing both the brewery and founder/owner Scott Smith as icons in the Pittsburgh craft beer scene still today.

With demand constantly growing and the guys at East End Brewing at near full capacity, it’s a good time to have a good beer from East End Brewing and like Scott suggests, you should probably get one of those good beers for a good friend, too.

The first beers to roll off the line for East End date back to December of 2004 in their original location in Homewood, AKA Pittsburgh’s East End. If you were lucky enough to visit the brewery then, you’ll remember the green keg that say outside the brewery door to let you know they were open for business, which at that time was solely filling East End Brewing Co. glass growlers, which let you take home ½ gallon of fresh craft beer.

As laws changed and overall loosened for brewpubs, East End was able to start selling pints as well as growlers and bottles. With the craft beer movement in full swing, things were a little tight at their East End location, not only in the “taproom” but in the brewery itself. Production was churning out amazing beer as quickly as they could, and still just met demand for kegs, growlers, and bottles.

In 2012 Scott and East End Brewing made the move from their Homewood location to their current spot in the Larimer neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Completed in November of 2012, the new location doubled EEBC’s capacity and gave them the chance to have a real respectable brewpub as well as enough space for a number of different events.

Today, East End Brewing Company continues to lead the pack with beer quality, consistency, and overall experience. Scott is one of the nicest, kindest, and most dedicated brewers/owners in craft beer today not only in Pittsburgh, but anywhere. From his personal life to his brewery life, Scott Smith and East End Brewing Company is about as stand-up as you can get.
You Are Here Neighborhood Beers
Cementing their love for Pittsburgh and for making exceptional beer, EEBC recently launched their Neighborhood Beer project, aptly named You Are Here. The project looks to highlight each of the distinct, diverse neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, all 90 of them. That number is up for somewhat of a debate, but thanks to the City of Pittsburgh offering their input, Scott and EEBC settled on 90. You can see the full list at eastendbrewing.com/you-are-here-beers.

At time of publication EEBC has 18 beers either released or ready to be released. Those are:
• Allentown – Imperial Shandy, June 1, 2019
• Overbrook – Pale Ale, June 21, 2019
• Central North Side – Czech Style Pilsner, July 25, 2019
• Troy Hill – Sour Cherry Gose, August 9, 2019
• East Liberty – Cream Ale, August 13, 2019
• Crafton Heights – NE Style IPA, Sep 7, 2019
• North Shore – Vanilla Cream Latte Ale, Sep 18, 2019
• Polish Hill – Oktoberfest Lager, October 11, 2019
• South Oakland – Tulsi Pale Ale, October 12, 2019
• Fairywood – Coconut Stout, Nov 8, 2019
• Garfield – Hazy IPA, Nov 14, 2019
• Northview Heights – Barrel Aged Stock Ale, Nov 19, 2019
• Saint Clair – Chamomile Saison, Dec 7, 2019
• West End – Keller Pils, Dec 11, 2019
• Larimer – Local American Ale, Dec 20, 2019
• Mount Washington – Bock Beer, Dec 21, 2019
• Knoxville – Hazy Pale Ale, Jan 16, 2020
• Friendship – Mexican Lager, Feb 7, 2020

East End is planning on releasing a unique beer for each of the 90 neighborhoods in EEBC’s signature cans, so be on the lookout at the brewery and at pop-up style can releases around town in these special neighborhoods so you can try the beer tied to your favorite neighborhood, or as Pittsburghers love the neighborhoods themselves, show them all a little love.
Year-Round Beers
Even though there’s an influx of new beers with the Neighborhood Beer Project, East End is still doing what they’re known best for, and that’s brewing their core lineup of beers. Personally speaking, these beers are the primary reason I got into craft beer and I still love them today.

Each of these beers (except for Little Hop) are available in 12oz cans, making them not only great beers but better for the environment and your fridge, too.

Big Hop American Ale
Easily the most recognizable beer sold by East End Brewing, Big Hop is a 5.8% ABV American Ale that drinks a lot like an IPA thanks to the Centennial and Cascade hops used. To keep things balanced and not too bitter, Big Hop has a solid Munich Malt backbone that grants a malty breadiness to the beer while keeping the hops flavor and aroma front and center.

Big Hop is available in growlers, crowlers, kegs/draft, and 12oz cans.

Little Hop IPA
As you may have guessed, this is a slightly smaller version of EEBC’s flagship beer. Little Hop is lighter on the hops and ABV at 4.4%, but the flavor and aroma from this beer is something to be reckoned with. Unlike Big Hop, the hop varieties used for dry hopping this beer change with each batch, so this is one beer you definitely need to try more than once.

Little Hop is available in growlers, crowlers, and kegs/draft.

Monkey Boy Hefeweizen
Changing things up from the first two year-round beers, Monkey Boy is a German-style Hefeweizen that tastes like summer regardless of the time of year. This 6.2% ABV beer features a distinct banana ester profile and a clean, crisp finish. Even though there are no bananas or other additives in this beer, the flavor and aroma will put a smile on your face and have you coming back for more.

Monkey Boy is available in growlers, crowlers, kegs/draft, and 12oz cans.

Fat Gary Nut Brown Ale
Originally brewed as a part of EEBC’s Session Ale series, Fat Gary is a 3.7% ABV brown ale that despite its color is light in body and easy on the tongue. Dark malt character shows through in this beer with a light sweetness and overall crushability. If you have friends that aren’t sure about craft beer, this is the one they need to try today.

Fat Gary is available in growlers, crowlers, kegs/draft, and 12oz cans.

From their success in 15 years of brewing to the attitude Scott and everyone else at East End Brewing Company show their communities and customers every day, we wish everyone at East End Brewing Co. cheers to another 15 years.

Logyard Brewing Company

A Log Yard, or lumber yard as it’s also known is a place where lumber and wood-centric products used in construction or mass production are processed and prepared for a lifetime of service. While lumber yards are frequented by average consumers, Log Yards are for the professionals, where the real work gets done and a high level of pride is taken in the work that’s done there.

This is a perfect metaphor for Kane, PA’s Logyard Brewing Company, where professional brewing is looked at with the same reverence and pride as the brave and skilled folks that man the saws and planers at a more typical Log Yard.

A quick visit to logyardbrewing.com will show you the three pillars of Logyard Brewing’s ethos, which probably match up with their wood-processing brethren, which are:
1. Quality
2. Hyper-Local
3. Sustainability

By focusing on these three key tenants of brewing, Logyard stands out in the ever-growing craft beer world.

With an emphasis on sustainability and keeping ingredients and flavor profiles as local as possible to the Kane, PA area, Logyard has created a perfect niche that their never-ending push for quality keeps them on top of. That doesn’t mean their beer has to stay hyper-local, far from it. Thanks to Vecenie Distributing you can get your hands on some Logyard beer and see how the local black cherry and black birch hardwoods influence the flavors of their beers.
The Beers
Speaking of beers, that’s what you came here for, so let’s talk beer and see what Logyard Brewing has in the way of beers, including:
• Bucking Birch Kane Style Ale
• Pine Man IPA
• Timbersale Copper Ale
• Tallybrook Nut Brown
• Safety Swede Blonde Ale
• Birch Blonde Kane Style Ale
• Big Blueberry Ox

It’s not hard to see the correlation between the logging industry and Logyard Brewing’s beer lineup. For instance, check out their take on the classic IPA with the 5% ABV Pine Man American IPA. This beer focuses on the piney flavors an IPA has to offer while keeping the beer refreshing with just the right amount of bitterness.

Checking out the Tallybrook Nut Brown Ale shows us a beer that fits nearly every taste. Brown ales are one of the easiest craft beer styles to love, making them an excellent crossover beer to pull in those not wise to the ways of great beer. Logyard’s version of a nut brown ale is technically an English Brown Ale that comes in at 5.5% ABV, making it both complex and delicious while being solidly crushable.

If fruit beers are more your thing, then Logyard has you covered, too. Their Big Blueberry Ox is a lower alcohol option coming in at 3.4% ABV, but don’t let that lower ABV fool you. This fruit beer has bright, crisp flavors and when it’s in season, it’s hard to say no to.

Along with these beers you’ll also find a few versions of the ever popular New England Style IPAs on tap and in cans. For example, their Proper Notch NE Style 2X IPA comes in at 8.1% ABV and features a ton of flavor that masks the higher ABV surprisingly well. As with other NE IPAs, Logyard’s version is hazy, juicy, and best consumed as soon as possible. Thankfully they brew this beer year round, so you’ll always get a freshie.

Each of these beers and more are available from Logyard Brewing in the Pittsburgh area, so check out your favorite bars and bottle shops to pick some up today.

Holiday Beers Showcase

The holidays are a time of giving, and with all the family gatherings, parties, and get-togethers that come along with this feeling of giving comes a time to enjoy some amazing seasonal craft beers. Many breweries save some of their biggest and boldest beers for the cold winter months. Sometimes this is done to match with the seasonal hop harvest at the end of the fall, and more often than not it’s done to help get all of us through the coldest of months thanks to big amazing beers.

History of Holiday Beers
Before getting to some of the best holiday beers around, it’s worthwhile to take a minute to see just where these beers came from, and why we enjoy these specific styles only in the winter months.

The tradition of brewing very special beers for the holiday season has much deeper roots than what you may think. These types of beers most likely started in the Scandinavian countries with the Vikings. The Viking people traditionally enjoyed strong malty “beer” in the winter months to celebrate their Jul, or as we know it today, Yule.

The Vikings would offer some of their beer up to their gods, and no weak drink would do for Odin, Thor, and Frey, so big beers were the law of the land, so to speak. Even after converting to Christianity, the Scandinavian countries still kept their love of these drinks, even requiring a certain amount of beer per household for Christmas.

These traditions spread to other countries, most notably England, where modern brewing got its start. The British respected the idea of strong holiday beers before the addition of the Scandinavian beliefs, but both seemed to work together to give a unique twist to both styles of beer.

While the beers of the Vikings and early British were very different than we enjoy today, the tradition of brewing very special beers to celebrate the holidays continues today with some of the best examples of the style. The British don’t make as many holiday beers as they used to, leaving the best up to the US and the Belgians, and with a mix of both, your holiday season is bound to be a merry one indeed.

US-Brewed Holiday Beers
While the tradition of brewing holiday beers may have started overseas, some of the best versions of these beers are definitely brewed right here in the US. American craft beer has exploded with a variety of seasonal beers ranging from bitter and hoppy to sweet and spicy, all of which are more than welcome in the colder months.

While many of these beers fall into what is known as the Winter Warmer category, there are IPAs, red ales, and even new interpretations of age-old beverages. The variety of US craft holiday beers is a testament to how craft brewing has taken hold of the US and is being driven by it, too.

Bell’s Brewery
Celebrating the season, Bell’s is once again releasing their Christmas Ale, a 5.5% Scottish ale that only uses specialty barley and a unique blend of hops to give this beer it’s unique taste, no spices added.

Sure, big, dark beers rule the field in the winter months, but that’s not the only game in town. Take Bell’s Brewery and their Bright White Wheat Ale. This 5% ABV beer is fermented with a Belgian ale yeast and a special blend of malted wheat to give you fruity aromas and hints of clove…all without adding a single spice to the mix.

Bright White is brewed to allow the beer to maintain its natural cloudy appearance to top the package off. This one is only available in the winter months, so pick it up while you still can.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
If you look halfway between 60 Minute and 90 Minute you can find a very unique beer in the form of 75 Minute IPA. This 7.5% ABV beer blends two of the most popular beers from Dogfish Head and adds in some maple syrup to naturally carbonate it. Dry-hopped with whole-leaf Cascade hops, 75 Minute is crisp and bitter while hanging on to a soft and velvety mouthfeel.

Think back to the last big holiday meal you had. Not the food part, but just after you finished eating and you settled into your favorite chair. That feeling that accompanied the “aahhhh” sound you made is a perfect representation of how Suddenly Comfy from Dogfish Head Brewery tastes.

This 6.3% ABV cream ale is a take on a freshly baked apple pie in a bottle. This imperial cream ale features apple cider, Saigon cinnamon, and Madagascar vanilla beans. Expect an aroma reminiscent of pie crust and tastes that will make you think you snuck in one last bite of pie.

East End Brewing Company
In a bid to clear the snow and warm things up for everyone in Pittsburgh, Scott Smith from East End Brewing makes his Snow Melt Winter Ale each year, and even though this substantial 7% ABV beer helps, the snow still seems to stick. This mahogany red ale has a unique malt character and a bright hop flavor that has hints of pine. This beer will definitely help keep you warm and while we all can’t wait for it to warm up, at least we have this to clear the snow for us.

Erie Brewing Company
Most of us usually steer clear of Johnny Law when drinking; Erie Brewing’s Ol’ Red Cease & Desist is an up-front powerful ale that makes its own set of laws about what a winter beer should be. Coming in at 10.1% ABV, this beer has a balanced mix of oak, spices, dark fruits, and even a little caramel. While the alcohol and flavors are up-front about their intentions, this beer finishes smooth and easy to drink.

Tröegs Independent Brewing
It wouldn’t be a holiday season without the wild and wonderful Mad Elf from Tröegs. Coming in at a surprising 11% ABV, Mad Elf uses pilsner, Munich, and chocolate malts paired with spicy Belgian yeast and cherries to make a rich and flavorful beer that might possibly drive you mad, too. Mad Elf is possibly the perfect beer for the holidays.

A new beer for the winter season from Tröegs is their Blizzard of Hops winter IPA. This 6.4% ABV beer has notes of pine and citrus in it as well as a solid malt backbone. If you’re tired of spiced and flavored beers this holiday season, Blizzard of Hops is one beer you can’t miss.

Victory Brewing Company
Victory Brewing out of Downingtown PA has quite the catalog of beers available throughout the year, but they wait until the winter months to release some of their best beers. First up is Winter Cheers. This 6.7% ABV wheat beer uses Tettnang and Citra hops to make a hoppy wheat beer that’s ready to warm you up and give some winter cheer to spread.

North Country Brewing Company
Originally brewed in 2005, Jack Frost Winter Warmer Ale from North Country Brewing is a great example of what a winter warmer should be. Coming in at 7.7% ABV, this malty beer focuses on the malt body, allowing only enough spice into the beer to hint at their presence.

You’ll find some hop flavor in Jack Frost, but not much of the bitterness you’d expect along with it. In short, this is one great malty beer that uses a touch of spice to give you a beer that’s perfect for a cold winter night, and best of all it’s available in cans!

Ellicottville Brewing Co.
True to its name, Chocolate Cherry Bomb is a big 8.2% ABV American imperial stout featuring English hops, chocolate malt, and Oregon sweet cherries. The result is a beer that is just about perfect for that very special day in February with someone extra special or a cold night under a warm blanket at home.

Voodoo Brewing Company
A beer that has become a standard in the ‘burgh for stouts is the one and only Big Black Voodoo Daddy from Voodoo Brewing Co. The roasted malt character is balanced out by the underlying oak notes and hints of vanilla. Coming in at a solid 12.5% ABV, BBVD is all about creamy espresso, caramel, and coffee beans that give this big beer it’s full body and flavor.

Bell’s Brewery
Keeping the American Craft Beer Dream Alive

Craft Brewing today is all about what’s new. The newest brewery on the block seems to get all the attention, & while we can’t blame anyone for needing to check out the new kid on the block, it’s the pioneers of craft beer that are proving the staying power of brewing great beer. For Bell’s Brewery that means more than 30 years of makin`g beer that isn’t like everything else on the market, & that’s a very good thing.

To see where it all started for Bell’s, we need to take a trip down brewery lane all the way back to the late 1970’s. Here we find Larry Bell homebrewing when there wasn’t a supply store in every town or an Internet to order supplies from. To rectify this problem, Larry opened his own homebrew supply store & named it Kalamazoo Brewing Co.

Fast-forward to 1985 & Larry stepped up from homebrewing & in September of this year he sold his first commercial beer. In 1986 the total commercial production was 135 barrels of beer, & while this is small compared to today’s numbers, it was a very big deal at the time.

The 1990s were a big decade for Bell’s, as 1990 saw the first Bell’s Brewery beer sold outside of the state of Michigan. 1993 marked the opening of the Eccentric Café, which was the first on-site brewery pub in Michigan. The brewery continued to grow, which quickly made the craft brewery need a new, larger brewery to continue to grow.

In response to their continual growth, Bell’s opened their new Comstock Brewery in 2003. Constant growth & construction followed their success, & in 2012 the expansion to a new, American-made 200-barrel brewhouse was finished & open for business at the Comstock Brewery.

Seeing the trend in canned beers, Bell’s added a canning line in 2014, & since then more of their most-loved beers have seen the inside of these aluminum vessels, including Hopslam, Oberon, Smitten, Two Hearted, Winter White, & Best Brown Ale.

September of 2015 marked the 30th anniversary of Bell’s Brewery, cementing them as a pillar of the craft brewing community. In 2017 Bell’s co-owner Laura Bell was promoted to CEO of the brewery. As the daughter of Bell’s Founder Larry, Laura grew up with the brewery, being 2 months old when the company was founded. Her father Larry continues to be Bell’s President & is still very active in the planning & oversight of projects at the brewery.

Bell’s Brewery is currently holding steady as the 7th largest craft brewery in the United States with annual production in 2018 topping out at a little more than 463,000 barrels of beer.

Brewery history is all nice & fine, but the beer is really where it’s at, & that’s one thing that is always ringing true at Bell’s. With year-round & seasonal lineups that resonate with craft beer fans near & far, Bell’s is leading the way after more than 30 years of brewing.

The Beers

Bell’s Brewery is known as much for their seasonal beers as they are for their year-round beers, which is hard to do for a brewery that’s been around as long as Bell’s has. Looking at their year-round lineup, it’s hard to list anything but Two Hearted Ale first. This American IPA has been ranked #1 in the US for a third straight year, and for good reason. Two Hearted is brewed with 100% Centennial hops, which gives the beer huge hop aroma & taste, with grapefruit upfront & a nice malt backbone throughout. Two Hearted comes in at 7% ABV in cans, bottles, & on draft. If you only try one beer from Bell’s, this should be it.

Looking at Bell’s seasonal offerings things get even better. By & far one of the best summer beers around is their Oberon American Wheat Ale. This 5.8% ABV wheat ale is brewed with Bell’s signature house ale yeast, which helps to give the beer its hop character & mild fruity aroma. Brewed with only 4 ingredients, Oberon is clean, simple, & incredibly crushable. With summer winding down, this is one beer you want to make sure you don’t miss.

The big thing in beer these past few years has definitely been the hazy, unfiltered IPA. These beer buck the system when it comes to professionally brewed beer. They’re intense, expire quickly, & look hazy & cloudy instead of clear & amber-esque. Even though they don’t quite fit in, these hazy beers are a thing to behold.

Bell’s Brewery has their own take on this new style with their Official Hazy IPA. Official rings in at 6.4% ABV with a short 6-month shelf life. Brewed with American hops & wheat malt, Official is dry-hopped two times with a combination of Mosaic, Citra, Azacca, Amarillo, & El Dorado hops, giving it complex flavors of peach, stone fruit, & a balanced dry finish. You can find Official in 12 oz bottles, 12 & 16-oz cans, & of course on draft. Oh, & did I mention that each 12-oz serving of Official has less than 200 calories & 12g of carbs? Pretty good for a beer this amazing!

Wrapping up our look at our favorite beers from Bell’s Brewery we close things out on their Leaves of Grass Series. Currently this series has Song of Myself, which is a German-inspired American India Pale Ale and The Prairie-Grass Dividing, a Gose-Style Ale with plum, salt, and coriander.

Song of Myself is the first of seven beers in this Walt Whitman-inspired series and comes in at 6.5% ABV. SoM pours a clear golden color & uses 100% German malt & hops to give this IPA a very European twist.

The Prairie-Grass Dividing is the second beer of the series, coming in at a very sessional 4.5% ABV. Pouring a cloudy pinkish hue, this beer pays homage to old-world brewing and ingredients with heirloom grains & plum juice to help create the tart flavor profile this beer sports.

With the focus on independent craft beer, it’s great to see a company like Bell’s that keeps a focus on family & community while making consistently great beer. Bell’s employs more than 400 employees, & thanks to the father-daughter combination of Larry & Laura Bell, continues to be a family-run business making some of the best beer around.

Soaring Through the Canyon of the Eagles
By: Suzanne Ferrara

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Highland Lake region of Texas’ Hill Country is a 940-acre escape for wellness and relaxation. The Canyon of the Eagles resort in Burnet, Texas is a place to unplug yourself from all of your cares while enjoying breath-taking surroundings and natural offerings that nurture your soul.

You will certainly immerse yourself in a world oozing with flora and fauna. The Canyon of the Eagles offers several activities including nature walks, guided-wildflower and wildlife nature hikes, birding and yoga. The resort’s stunning terrain is a refuge chock-full of wildlife, including the endangered black-capped vireo, golden-cheeked warbler, and American bald eagle. The resort offers 14-miles of trails and views and access to glistening Lake Buchanan. (Fact: This very landscape was conducive to a large Native American community, and guests have found artifacts such as arrowheads). The resort’s master gardener, Willard Horn, will show you just how easy it is to procure a green thumb in his garden workshops. (Tip: From March through May, there’s a dazzling display of color including the gorgeous Texas Bluebonnets. One more natural event worth scheduling? April and October are the best times to witness the spectacle of thousands of migrating monarch butterflies).

From the ground to the sky, Canyon of the Eagles delivers it all including an escape to outer space! One of the best astronomic viewing sites in the country is offered right here at the resort’s Eagle Eye Observatory, due in part to the unmatched dark-sky location. This is a true journey into the stars and planets, one unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. The amazing astronomer, Jim Sheets, will literally open up your world to some of the most unforgettable and awe-inspiring sites you can view from earth— many by way of the naked eye and some through the greatest astrological technology available. (Fact: The resort’s observatory is operated by the esteemed Austin Astronomical Society and includes state-of-the-art telescopes with computer-enhanced imaging and instrumentation). With the help of the observatory’s unique sliding-roof– which opens up to the Texas night sky– you will have unmatched views of the moon, distant stars and deep sky objects. This is a magical opportunity, and you will never see the stars and the sky the same way again.

While the view of Lake Buchanan is stunning from the resort, getting out onto the water gives you another unforgettable vantage point, and taking a complimentary wilderness cruise or kayaking right from the resort’s docks is a must. The resort’s private cruises take you close to the breathtaking labyrinth, one of several hypnotic spots where you can relax. Nature guide Steven DeBorde will help you get up close with the stunning rock formations and waterfalls unique to the area; he can also help you master the paddle board as well. Need more things to do? Take part in the resort’s reptile show, listen to live music by local musicians or enjoy several family fun activities including making smores by a beautiful fire.

One of many beautiful spots at the resort is Sunset Point, which overlooks the lake and—as per its name— has one of the most amazing sunsets in view. (Fact: This is a very popular spot for weddings). It’s at this stunning spot that guest can join a yoga class in this breathtaking point. Yoga instructor and health coach Barbara Martinez, who is also the resort’s program manager, has an amazing and de-stressing lake-view yoga class. A yoga instructor for several years all across the region, Martinez has the gift of intuitiveness and can easily get a feel for her guests’ abilities. This class is unintimidating and is for every level; in fact, you will wish the amazing and compassionate Martinez offered yoga in your hometown!! (Tip: After yoga, take a tip in the resort’s refreshing outdoor pool).

Hungry? Do not miss breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Overlook Restaurant which offers a panoramic view of the lake and the stunning terrain. There’s a dual fireplace which opens to the outside patio as well as the inside of the restaurant, and has an outside deck with, yes, grand views. The Overlook offers scrumptious Texas cuisine including steaks, signature dishes and house-made desserts and has an extensive wine list. The Canyon of the Eagles culinary team incorporates the freshest of ingredients, many which come right from the resort’s garden, into their dishes. (Dietary Tip: Their full-service restaurant caters to dietary requirements and offers vegan dishes as well as gluten-free options). (Tip: Grab a boxed lunch or snack for a picnic, hike or to take to your rooms at Guest Services).

Before and after dinner, wet your whistle at the Eagles Nest Lounge which overlooks the lake. Award-winning bartender, Steven Ysais, makes one of the best Margaritas and Manhattans around! Steve is also a consummate mixologist and one of the friendliest people on the planet. Speaking of caring staff, Cindy Bowers, who operates the Eagle Canyon Resort, has an unmatched innate knack for taking care of her guests which is emulated throughout her staff which are all truly one big family. Bower’s has a deep love and passion for preserving Mother Nature’s wonders and runs the Eagle Canyon Resort like a well-oiled machine. (Tip: Be sure to meet Nick Itayem, the Director of Guest Services. Nick is not only a great resource for guest but he will go above and beyond, like the rest of the staff, to meet your wants and needs).

Speaking of rooms, all are ground-level and have rocking chairs and a porch. For some of the best views on the grounds request the following rooms: M2, M3, N2 and N3. Rooms in the ‘P’ Building that face the forest are great for waking up to deer right outside your window! The two corner lake-view rooms at Sunset Point are very nice as well (and those rooms are: J4 and K1); there are also double rooms with connecting doors and a shared porch for larger parties.
You’ll find that in just one day at this unparalleled natural setting, you’ll reach an extremely peaceful state; it will be hard to tear yourself away from the Eagle of the Canyons and its caring people and return to the fast-paced world. One thing is almost certain: you’ll be thankful for the bit of respite you received amid this unparalleled backdrop of flora and fauna, and you’ll long to return to this natural oasis.

Experience Kissimmee 2019

When you think about Florida what are the top 3 things that come to mind almost instantly? Sunshine? Mickey Mouse? Alligators? In-Laws? Theme Parks? Rodeo?
Rodeo in Florida? Yes! Nightwire was recently invited to experience a wide variety of activities in Kissimmee & we can’t wait to tell you all about our fun & travels. There’s even more than a couple alligator sightings!

The Silver Spurs Arena in Osceola County Heritage Park hosted the RAM National Circuit Rodeo Finals. The weekend was filled with over 200 contestants in all facets of rodeo competing for titles and prize money as well as a spot in the Grand Nationals in Las Vegas. The cowboys come from all across the country and Mexico. My favorite parts were the Women’s Barrel Racing & seeing the bucking bulls and the meet & greet with all the cowboys! This particular event happens in the Spring but there are events held throughout the year. It really was fun watching the different events and since there aren’t any rodeo’s in Pittsburgh- why not give it a try?

Events are highlighted on www.silverspursrodeo.com

Did you know that Kissimmee, Florida is the Vacation Home Capital of the World? According to our friends at Visit Kissimmee there are more types of themed vacation homes in Kissimmee than anywhere in the US, something for absolutely everyone and every family. We toured magnificent vacation rentals at Magical Vacation Homes. Homeowners work closely with design teams to create unique and outstanding décor. Wouldn’t your kids love a Star Wars theme bedroom? Or how about an Indoor bowling or a private pool? Homes in this community can accommodate family reunions and corporate retreats. Bedrooms can number up to 15 in some of the larger homes! Their concierge service will assist with all of your rental needs, And here’s a hot tip – last time I drooled over their website there was quite a nice perk to providing an email address. Check it out and start your vacation in style, I think you’ll be surprised at just how affordable a theme park vacation can be away from the hustle and bustle of busy hotels, in your own private residence.

www.magicalvacationhomes.com

If your needs, tastes or budget are for a less private home and more condo oriented – let me recommend to you Magic Village Yards. This is a gated condo vacation community with a full service restaurant & concierge. Beautiful and comfortable with luxurious décor, a full size kitchen, fireplace & balcony, it was the perfect respite after a busy day vacationing. The condo had 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, was very spacious, comfortable and extremely well appointed.

3151 Pantanal Ln, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Phone: (800) 622-1922
Website: https://www.experiencekissimmee.com/
Instagram: @magicvillagevacationhomes
Facebook: @magicvillagevacationhomes

Theme Parks & Disney loom large in Kissimmee with an actual portion of Disney located in this Central Florida neighboring city. At Disney Springs you can explore a themed retail, dining, and entertainment complex inspired by Florida’s charming waterfront towns. The carefully curated environment is filled with unique boutiques, world-class restaurants, and cutting-edge entertainment including live music every night. When Nightwire visited Jose Andreas (aka the man who brought tapas to the US!) opened another Jaleo location. We were lucky to score a table on the 2nd night! And having been to the original Jaleo in Washington DC, it was fun to take my fellow journalists out for a treat!

You know traveling always involves a lot of eating and lots of famous Chefs are represented at Disney Springs. Dig into farm-to-fork cuisine showcasing Florida’s freshest flavors; all crafted from
recipes by award-winning celebrity Chef Art Smith. His restaurant Homecomin’ served up Chicken & Donuts for lunch in a deliciously decorated down home on the farm style theme. There are so many restaurants to choose from and shops and sights to see, that you could easily spend an entire day exploring, shopping, eating or just chilling. Here are just a few of my favorite shops – Zara, Uniqlo and of course the gigantic Disney store.

www.disneysprings.com/
Facebook: @DisneySprings
Instagram: @DisneySprings
Twitter: @DisneySprings
www.experiencekissimmee.com
Facebook: @ChefArtSmithsHomecominFL
Instagram: @homecominfl

Another interesting activity while in Kissimmee is to plan a visit to Celebration Florida, a master planned community built by Walt Disney. It’s one of the most beautiful communities with raised bike paths weaving around lakes and gorgeous homes. Celebration Bike Rental took us on a tour and we saw our first alligator lounging in the sun by the lake. Our guide grew up in Celebration and now resides there and operates the bike rental with his wife. His knowledge of the homes and streets was much appreciated. He pointed out Disney details on many of the homes. Later in the evening we strolled the main street boutiques had dinner at Columbia a fine Cuban & Spanish restaurant offering a sidewalk cafe, indoor & outdoor dining.

www.experiencekissimmee.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventuresactivities/celebration-bike-rental

www.experiencekissimmee.com/things-to-do/dining/listings/columbia-restaurant

10 years ago we last visited Central Florida my personal absolute favorite thing to do was going on an airboat ride! Last time is was at night, looking for alligators. This time it was daylight & we were still looking for gators! This is such a fun activity for any age but if you have kids this is an absolute must activity! The place has recently been renovated to include a little cafe and kids activities center outside. They even have a resident survivalist who does an incredible presentation in native garb. It was so wonderful to see Boggy Creek Airboat Ride surviving and thriving for such a long time. Families love them!

Air Boat Rides
Facebook: @BoggyCreekAirboatRides
Instagram: @boggy_creek_airboat_rides

if you’re feeling like you want to connect with nature and go on an adventure on the water, the Paddling Center at Shingle Creek will help you explore the natural beauty that is Shingle Creek. This habitat is home to many big beautiful birds, reptiles and of course alligators! The knowledgeable guides will identify plant and bird species like you’ve never seen. The alligators are known to the guides and safety is their first priority as you glide along in a kayak. No paddling experience necessary!

Address: 4266 W. Vine St. Kissimmee, FL 34741, USA
Phone: (407) 343-7740
Website: https://www.experiencekissimmee.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventures-activities/paddling-center-shingle-creek
Facebook: @thepaddlingcenter
Instagram: @thepaddlingcenter

If laid back afternoons are more your thing then head over to the Island Grove Wine Company at Formosa Gardens. Have lunch at the Bistro, do a wine tasting & end by shopping in the gift shop!

Yes, Kissimmee has everything and something for everyone!
Address: 3011 Formosa Gardens Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Phone: (407) 507-9888
www.formosawinery.com
Facebook: @FormosaWinery
Instagram: @Formosawinery
Twitter: @FormosaWinery

Get that Can-Do Attitude with Oskar Blues Brewery

The craft beer industry hasn’t been around for very long, but the can-centric Oskar Blues Brewery based in Lyons, Colorado have been around for just about all of it nonetheless. Founded by Dale Katechis in Lyons, Colorado in 1997, the brewery started putting their beer out in can form starting in 2002.

This was no easy feat, mind you. At the time only large-scale breweries worked with the Ball Can Company, meaning that founder Dale Katechis had to do some beer magic to get Ball on board with the Lyons-based brewery to can their beer. Thankfully the sales pitch worked and today we have more Oskar Blues cans that we can count.

Dale loved canned beer so much that we even have him to thank for the stovepipe 19.2 oz beer cans making their way to American shores, as it was his request that made these wonders available to the US market.

Speaking of big cans, we also have Oskar Blues to thank for the Crowler that your local brewery probably fills for you, too. These 32-oz cans and the machine to seal them up all come from Oskar Blues and Ball Corporation, making them continued innovators in the craft beer canning world.

Today, Oskar Blues operates a total of five breweries including ones in Longmont, Boulder, and Oak Room, all in Colorado as well as Austin, Texas and Brevard, North Carolina. Oskar Blues ships their beer to all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as 17 other countries and counting.

The big question that always comes up when talking about canned beer though, is why a can instead of a bottle? Isn’t the glass in a beer bottle better? The short answer is that a can is always better than a bottle for beer, but the long answer has a few more facts.
Why Put Beer in a Can?
Beer has been put into bottles for over 440 years, making this receptacle for beer quite the long-standing champ of getting beer from brewer to drinker. There’s been a revolution in craft beer lately though that’s trying to change that. Canned beer is making a comeback in a major way, with more and more craft breweries jumping on the canning wagon and not looking back. Before we get into why cans are better than bottles (and yes, they really are), a very short history lesson is in order.

The first beer can was available to the public in 1935 from Kruger Brewing. These cans were flat tops that required a church key, or can piercing opener, to open. Jump ahead to 1962 and our very own Iron City Brewing was the first brewery to introduce pull tab cans that required no opener, other than your fingers that is.

Travel ahead in time once more to 2002 and Oscar Blues Brewing becomes the first craft brewery to sell their beer only in cans, no bottles. Today craft beer in cans abounds, with more available every day. So what’s so great about a can?

There’s a lot that’s great about cans, actually. First and probably most importantly, cans are nowhere near as fragile as bottles are. This means no breakage and sharp shards of glass to worry about. Cans are lighter than bottles, so it’s easier to ship them and easier for you to carry a six-pack or case home. Cans are far more recyclable than bottles are, and since they’re lighter, they use less fuel when shipping, so cans are definitely more environmentally friendly than a bottle could ever be.

You can also pack more cans into a truck than bottles, which means beer trucks can transport more beer per trip. A typical pallet can hold 70 cases of bottles while the very same pallet can hold 100 cases of cans. With 30 more cases per pallet, that’s an extra 720 cans of beer per pallet!

Cans also protect your beer from light and oxygen, the two biggest enemies of beer, cans get cold quicker, stack easier, and fit into a cooler better with no worry of finding a broken one when you get where you’re going.

Canned beer is perfect for the great outdoors, too. From the beach to the outdoor concerts, hiking, camping, boating, and baseball/softball games that are spread throughout the summer months, canned beer is just about perfect. There’s no breakage, no fear of injury, and best of all, you can fit more cans into the cooler than bottles!

Oskar Blues Beer
Learning about the history of Oskar Blues and why beer cans are awesome is all nice and fine, but it’s the beer we really care about, right? Currently Oskar Blues offers 6 year-round beers as well as the new Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water, which we’ll get to in a moment. For now, let’s check out the longest-running beers that have earned the title of Year Round at Oskar Blues.

Dale’s Pale Ale – If history is what you want, then Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale is what you need to get. Oskar Blues is the first craft brewery to can their beer and is still one of the only craft breweries in the country that relies solely on canning for individual sales. Big and hoppy, this American Pale Ale (APA) comes in at 6.5% ABV and is as refreshing as it is bitter, and that is to say a lot on both counts. This critically acclaimed trailblazer was the first craft kid on the block in a can and is still one of the best examples of an APA out there today.

Mama’s Yella Pils – Always in a can, Mama’s Little Yella Pils is a craft version of the pilsners available around the world. Brewed with 100% malted barley, Mama’s comes in at 5.3% ABV and a bitterness level that’s just right for a hot day.

Old Chub Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy – Scottish Ales are an interesting breed of beer. They’re dark, yet rarely do these beers feature the flavors you typically associate with dark beers. Old Chub comes in at 8% ABV and like many other Scottish Ales, features prominent aromas and flavors of toasted barley paired with a lightly smoked malt. Together, this gives Old Chub a sweet character that’s backed up with some alcohol and a slight hint of smoke to make it a truly unique experience.

G’Knight Imperial Red Ale – Some beers are named to be catchy and attention-grabbing on the shelf, while others are inside jokes that the brewery chooses to make public. In the case of G’Knight, there’s much more to the name of this beer than meets the eye. Named for another pioneer in the craft beer industry, Gordon Knight, this beer was named to honor him and the impact he had not only on Oskar Blues, but craft beer as a while.

This beer is a hefty, dry-hopped imperial red IPA that’s malty, sticky, and full of hop flavor. Coming in at 8.7% ABV and 60 IBU, this is one seriously great beer.

Originally named Gordon, the beer was renamed G’Knight after a naming dispute with another brewery. Echoing the history behind this beer and its renaming, G’Knight got another, albeit smaller, renaming specifically in the Pittsburgh area when local craft beer legend Tony “The Beerman” Knipling suddenly passed away. The brewery then sent cases of G’Knipling to be shared with his friends and family.

Was this difficult to do for Oskar Blues? No, not really. Did it mean the world to everyone that got a can of G’Knipling? Well, as one of those lucky enough to know Tony and to have one of these cans, all I can say is that it all of a sudden got really dusty in here, and I’m not tearing up, you are!

Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water – The newest kid on the block in the year-round collection for Oskar Blues isn’t really a beer, but a boozy water. Crafted with a light, refreshing flavor in mind, Wild Basin has flavors including Classic Lime, Lemon Agave Hibiscus, Melon Basil, and Cucumber Peach. With zero grams of sugar and only 100 calories, this 5% ABV boozy water is surprisingly exactly what you need for the hot, hot summer. Beers are great and everything but sometimes you need something exactly like this.

MAUI – PARADISE ON EARTH!

Maui is an island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian archipelago. Sprawling Haleakala National Park encompasses the island’s highest peak, volcanic Haleakala, as well as the pools and waterfalls of Ohe’o Gulch, accessed via scenic, winding Hana Highway. The island’s 30 miles of beaches include golden-crescent Kapalua, sheltered from strong currents by lava-rock promontories.

The island of Maui Hawaiian: is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the State of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County’s four islands, which include Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and unpopulated Kahoʻolawe. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444, third-highest of the Hawaiian Islands, behind that of Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Kahului is the largest census-designated place (CDP) on the island with a population of 26,337 as of 2010 and is the commercial and financial hub of the island Wailuku is the seat of Maui County and is the third-largest CDP as of 2010. Other significant places include Kīhei (including Wailea and Makena in the Kihei Town CDP, the island’s second-most-populated CDP), Lahaina (including Kāʻanapali and Kapalua in the Lahaina Town CDP), Makawao, Pukalani, Pāʻia, Kula, Haʻikū, and Hāna.

PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION

We sailed on the Ocean Spirit Snorkel Sail which departed from the docks at Lahaina. We enjoyed fantastic leisurely snorkeling amidst a spectacular setting which offered an abundance of ocean wildlife. Along the way we encountered dolphins that swam along with our boat giving us an amazing show. There are two snorkeling stops along the way, our first stop we saw amazing coral reefs, turtles and stunning fish. It was like being in an aquarium swimming with gorgeous fish. We then headed to another stunning reef where we participated in a free guided reef tour with our certified marine naturalists before being treated to a delicious lunch and drinks. Our lunch was cooked onboard by our amazing captain. It was delicious and perfectly prepared. Then we headed back out to the channel where we sat back, relaxed and took in the scenery as we ride the trade winds for an exciting sail back to Lahaina Harbor. On the way back we were treated and entertained again by some of Maui’s wild dolphins.

Our Captain and First Mate where absolutely the best crew ever providing for our every need and question. Our First Mate was a Marine Biologist and he gave us a quick tutorial on sharks. He worked in conservation and tagged many species of sharks, his knowledge was impeccable and we learn so much.

Our trip included all of our top quality snorkeling equipment, a Continental breakfast: consisting of Maui Vegetable Fritatta (eggs, potato, bell pepper, onion, spinach, mushroom, cheddar, parmesan), assorted pastries, fresh island fruit, juice, Maui coffee. Plus lunch aboard the Ocean Spirit was prepared fresh on board by our gracious and beautiful Captain. Yes, we had a female boat Captain, she was amazing. For lunch she prepared Kiawe smoked pork sandwiches with guava BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, hot dogs, garden burgers, potato-mac salad, house fried trio chips, corn bean salad and dessert. Our trip also included all you can drink soda, juice and filtered water.

The Pacific Whale Foundation is a non-governmental organization founded in 1980 and based in Maui, Hawaii that conducts whale research and educates the public in an effort to save vulnerable species of whales from extinction. As of 2012 the organization had about 150 employees. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers many tours to various sites and options.

The Pacific Whale Foundation hosts the largest variety of tour excursions on Maui. Book a Pacific Whale Foundation Tour. Marine experts aboard. Discover the beauty. Book Online & Save 10% Dolphin Watching Tour. Top Rated Snorkeling Tour. Ultimate Whale Watch Tour. Ultimate Adventure. Award Winning Whale Watch. Check them out at PacificWhale.Org or ReservationsPacificWhale.Org (808) 202-2895

Down the Hatch
This casual seafood eatery with cocktails and shave ice and adult alcohol shaved ice is located in the Wharf Cinema Center Shops in Lahaina. We had the pleasure of meeting with owner Javier Barberi. We found him not only handsome, but extremely brilliant in his vision for this restaurant. His knowledge and presentation of freshly prepared dishes and local catch of the day specials was absolutely amazing. Down The Hatch features an open air courtyard and patio. It’s an amazing space and great location. The food.. oh wow it was simply fabulously amazing. Every dish we tried was hands down some of the best and most amazing freshly prepared dishes all moderately priced. They also have a full service bar and offer Bloody Mary and Mimosas pitchers for only $10. We had the Mimosas pitcher and it was one of the best mimosas we had while on Maui.

Food selections include signature dishes like Chicken and Waffles, southern fried chicken breast, waffles, lava lava sauce, country gravy, maple syrup, served with house made ranch. Hotcakes and Flake, fluffy hotcakes, cereal, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, cream coconut syrup. Fried Rice Plate, scrambled eggs, green onions, rice, soy sauce, Portuguese sausage, topped with a fried egg. Southern Style Loco Moco, two angus beef patties, melted cheese, two fried eggs, country gravy, choice of home fries or garlic white rice. Huevos Rancheros Montaña, two eggs, chorizo, crispy corn tortillas, black beans, cheese, spanish rice, avocado cream, house made salsa. Hobo Plate, 2 eggs, coffee, choice of home fries or garlic white rice

They offer Benny’s: Pork Belly Benny, crispy pork belly, poached egg, hollandaise, baguette. Southern Chicken Biscuits ‘n Gravy Benny, fried chicken, fried egg, country gravy, and warm biscuit. Spinach Avocado Benny, sautéed spinach, avocado, poached egg, tomato, hollandaise, mango salsa, and baguette. Seared Ahi Benny, ahi tuna, poached egg, wasabi hollandaise, green onions, sesame, baguette.

These are just some of the offering for a complete menu check them out online at dthmaui.com
Located in the heart of Lahaina – 658 Front Street, #102 – Phone (808) 731-2386 – Open Breakfast 7:30-10:30am: Lunch/Dinner 10:30am-Midnight: Kitchen open till midnight: Bar 8am-2am: Happy Hour 2p–6p – 15% Off Appetizers – $3.5 Select Drafts/$4.5 Wells/$5.5 Hawaiian Cocktails.

This is a definitely one of our favorites and must try restaurant while on Maui. It will having you coming back for more you may even decide you love it so much that you choose to have breakfast, lunch and dinner there. We give this restaurant a definite 5 stars!!

Old Lahaina Luau – Traditional Hula and Feast

This is the original and best luau on Maui. Your magical journey begins as you enter. You will be greeted by the performers and they will place a traditional flower lei around your neck. Aw the smell of the fresh plumeria flowers, breathtaking. As you enter into this beachside paradise you will be greeted by servers presenting you with traditional island cocktails. Once seated the wait staff was attentive to our every need continually checking on us and making sure you had fresh cocktails. There was island music playing as we strolled along the beach and watching the sunset and enjoying this magical paradise.

In ancient Hawaii, food meant much more than sustenance or even pleasure. The feast that is presented at the Old Lahania Luau is one truly fit for a king. Every dish is carefully and skillfully prepared using the freshest and highest quality meats, vegetable and fruits and ingredients. They have Pua’a Kalua traditional roasted pig done beachside in their “imu” – the Hawaiian underground oven. The best roast pork you will ever have. This giant feast includes island traditional favorites like: Laulau leafed wrapped pork, Poi, mashed taro, Poke Ahi Tuna; Poke He’e, Octopus; Luau Kalo – taro leaf stew; Uala, sweet potato mash; Pipi ko’ala – grilled steak; Chicken long rice; Moa, Island style chcken; I’a, Maui style fish; Stir Fry Vegetables; Local Style Rice, Island Crab Salad; Pohole Salad; Lomiloni Salmon; Freshly baked Hawaiian sweet bread rolls and banana bread, fresh island fruit and assorted island desserts and so much much more! Every dish is fantastic and authentic island food.

The outdoor seating is very comfortable and inviting. They begin the evening entertainment with a tribute to the compelling tradition of the pabu (drum) with the Ote’s, the famous and festive drum dance of Tabiti. Then Kahiko – the Ancient Hula – which presents a series of the most riveting stories in all of Hawaiian mythology, these performances are truly amazing. The next performance is Missionaries and The Merry Monarch, which gives the audience a glimpse into Hawaii missionary era and a celebration for King David Kalakaua. The next performance is Auana – the Modern Hula – which takes you back on a nostalgic journey. The Finale ends the program by returning to their roots. Off to Tabiti for the exciting annual Fete Celebration. A fantastic ending to the best meal and luau on Maui. “Aloha nui loa”

The Old Lahaina Luau is located along the ocean in Historic Lahaina Town at 1251 Front Street – call them to make your reservations toll free 800.248-5828 or visit them on the web OldLahainaLuau.com

Trilogy Excursions

Departing directly from Ka’anapali Beach, we climbed aboard our luxury Trilogy sailing catamaran and escaped the crowded restaurants onshore. As we are escorted to our table, the evening began with cocktails and sailing along Maui’s scenic coast. We enjoyed sipping on premium signature cocktails brought to our private two top table by our server. The crew served us delicious plated appetizers, cooked with locally sourced ingredients that were simply delicious. As we set sail we took in a breathtaking Maui sunset, If you have never seen a Maui sunset, you really don’t know what you’re missing simply breathtaking an unforgettable experience. Our Captain also shared stories of Maui’s local history and marine life.

After mooring in a protected cove, the first course was served. The Trilogy crew was quick to accommodate our every need and served our remaining three courses including a delicious chef-prepared entrée. This is no ordinary dinner! Dinner entrée choices include Steak (with rosemary & garlic crust) Chicken (with citrus & thyme) Fish (panko-crusted, with lemon caper butter). We chose the steak and chicken entrées which were beautiful plated and delicious. The steak was extremely tender and done to perfection. The chicken was moist and delicious. This is definitely 4 star quality entrees, the Trilogy Chefs are amazing and the entire crew was accommodating and right there to tend to your every need. After the sunset, we enjoy starlight sailing and after-dinner drinks and dessert. Amazing desserts!

With Trilogy cruises you’re sure to build lasting memories with this intimate, relaxing and romantic tour!

For additional information and reservations plus special discounts use the address below:
sailtrilogy.com

Kicking Back with Victory Brewing Company

When I think about how long ago 1996 was, my gut reaction is to say about ten years or so, and it’s no sooner those words are out of my mouth that I realize that no, it’s more like TWENTY years ago, with a few more years added on for good measure. 1996 isn’t an arbitrary year I’ve chosen to make myself feel old, it’s the year that Victory Brewing Company was founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet in Downingtown, PA. In those twenty-ish years, Victory has grown into a powerhouse of craft beer and an outspoken supporter of the environment and the beer industry as a whole.

In their first year, Victory brewed 1,725 barrels of beer. In the 22 years since then, Victory has expanded production capacity, increased their distribution, and when Victory celebrated 20 years in the business, they were producing more than 140,000 barrels of beer annually. How’s that for impressive?

Today, Victory Brewing Co. brews 10 year-round beers, 15 seasonal and specialty beers thanks to 70 yeast strains utilized by the brewers. You’ll find Victory in 35 states plus DC and in a total of 9 countries including Australia, Japan, Italy, and of course the United States amongst others. While that’s quite the lineup of beers, when Ron and Bill first opened for business they brewed HopDevil, Festbier, and Brandywine Valley Lager.

Finally, if you wonder why Victory beers have that extra something special that sets them apart from others, it may very well be the freshness of the hops. Unlike many other breweries, Victory Brewing Co. only uses whole flower hops in every beer they brew. Most breweries use pelletized hops to save money and time, but the folks at Victory believe that by using the whole flower hops their beers get a purer flavor and aroma, and in turn give you the best beer they can brew.

Seasons change and beers come and go, but the one thing that stays the same is the expectation that Victory Brewing will always have a beer you’ll love.

New Beer Alert
Sure, having those few beers that you love and always order at the bar are great, but getting to try something new is a truly special moment for a beer lover. Opening that bottle or can, not knowing exactly what you’re in for is a feeling that we try to recreate with every beer we try. With that in mind, Victory is always coming up with new and interesting beers for us to try, and for 2019 we’re starting off with two truly unique beers to bring us into spring and summer.

Twisted Monkey – Victory sure has…monkeyed around…with their line of beers based on Golden Monkey, and their newest treat gives us more of it with Twisted Monkey. This 5.7% ABV comes in much lower than the typical beer with Monkey in its name at Victory, but don’t let that get you down. This special beer is a Belgian-style blonde ale with mongo, making it the lighthearted sibling to the monkeys we know and love while giving it something special that the big kids don’t get.

No Brainer IPA – I’ve visited Savannah, Georgia a few times over the years, but I’ll always remember the first time I ordered a beer in the historical city. When I ordered, the bartender asked if I’d like the beer for there or to go. I was so blown away by this question that I didn’t have an answer right away. In the end, the answer was a real NO BRAINER because I got one for there AND one to go, since drinking in public is allowed in Savannah.

I mention this little story because Victory’s newest IPA is just as much of a NO BRAINER as my experience with portable beer. No Brainer IPA is a 6.8% ABV beer that uses Mandarina, Citra, Centennial, and Azacca hops to give you a fruity, citrusy IPA that’s not too hefty on the alcohol while having enough to make this a very well-rounded beer. Victory even uses something called their HopVic technology to “sling all-natural American hops that open up big aromas and flavors that compliment any occasion.”
Kick Back Can Pack
How do you make the variety 12-pack from Victory better? The beer’s already outstanding and the variety is hard to beat. The best way to improve it is to add 3 more beers and make all our favorite beers canned in it, too.

Available now is the Kick Back Can Pack 15-pack from Victory Brewing. In it you’ll find 15 beers of course, but the best part is that there are 5 different beers in the pack, with 3 of each style. The variety 15-pack includes:

Home Grown – A dry-hopped lager that comes in at a sessionable 4.8% ABV featuring Centennial, Mosaic, Azacca, Cascade, Chinook, and Citra hops.

Golden Monkey – Golden Monkey is a mythical concoction that starts as a Belgian-style tripel and adds some special hops to make this beer one that shouldn’t be…monkeyed…around with, thanks to its 9.5% ABV.

Sour Monkey – Next up is the newest sibling to Golden Monkey, and that’s the tart and funky Sour Monkey. Sour Monkey is a 9.5% ABV version of the popular Golden Monkey is soured using a strain of Brettanomyces, giving it added flavors of lemon, tartness, and overall Brett funkiness. Sour beer is something of an acquired taste, though. When first trying a sour beer, it can be somewhat overpowering and not at all what you’re expecting but given a few tastes you’ll find depth of flavor and aroma that makes these beers a truly unique experience. Much like its sibling, Sour Monkey has grown in popularity and might just steal the spotlight from Golden Monkey.

Hop Devil – Back to the beer history lesson for a minute, because one beer that’s been around as long as the brewery is still one of the best beers coming out of Pennsylvania today. Hop Devil from Victory Brewing Co. was one of the first beers brewed by Victory, and thanks to the bold and spicy character that’s balanced out with a solid malt bill, it’s one that is still going strong today. Not only is Hop Devil one of Victory’s first beers, it’s also one of Pennsylvania’s first IPAs to be produced. Pretty cool, eh?

Hop Devil is an American IPA that comes in at 6.7% ABV and focuses on an aromatic kick on the nose that follows through with a full-bodied lasting finish that’s hard to beat. Expect to taste pine and citrus notes that play alongside extra-juicy hop character for a beer that’s balanced yet bold and perfect for strong, meaty dinners or some solid porch sitting.

Prima Pils – With a name that gives away the style of this bright, fresh beer, Prima Pils is a German-style pilsner coming in at 5.3% ABV and features Hallertau, Tettnang, Saaz, and Spalt Select hops, giving this beer an herbal hop-forward bite that’s balanced out with a great malt flavor.

Check out all these beers and more from Victory Brewing thanks to Vecenie Distributing, and while you’re at it, check out the updated artwork that’s starting to show up on our favorite Victory brews, it’s clean, fresh, and always welcome, just like their beers.

Long Trail Brewing Company

16.2 gallons. That’s the amount of beer per 21+ adult that’s brewed in the state of Vermont each year. This means to make it in Vermont a brewery has to be extra special, and thankfully Long Trail Brewing Company in Bridgewater Corners; Vermont is up to the challenge. Their lineup of beers has grown quite a bit since the original release of Long Trail Ale in 1989, and just like the number of beers offered, their commitment to green brewing practices and environmental stewardship has grown as well.

So what makes Long Trail Brewing Co. so special? To understand that not so simple question you need to look at where they’ve come from by learning a little history. Don’t worry, there won’t be a test later and it’s ok to have a beer while you’re reading.
The Beginning of the Trail
The first batch of Long Trail beer to roll off the line was in 1989. This first batch of beer was brewed on a 45-barrel brewing system that’s dwarfed by its modern equivalent today, but back then this was the perfect system for the fledgling brewers to work with. Known then as the Mountain Brewers and led by founder Andy Pherson, the original goal of the team was to create an American-made alternative to pricy German and English imports.

If there was an official state beer for Vermont, in the early 90’s it would have definitely been Long Trail Ale. The beer became ubiquitous with the state, mostly thanks to their move from the original brewery in the basement of the Old Wooden Mill in Bridgewater Corners to their current home the banks of the Ottauquechee River.
Why the Long Trail?
So where did the name Long Trail come from? Sure, most breweries feel like they’re on a long trail from the time they open, but this isn’t the path Pherson was thinking about when he named the company.

The brewery’s name comes from the actual Long Trail that weaves through New England as well as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. This 272-mile hiking trail snakes through the Green Mountains of Vermont and much like the beer, is something the state is known for throughout the North East US.
Green Beer
No, we’re not talking about the swill that’s served on St. Paddy’s day that glows an unnatural shade of green. This type of green beer is something that’s helping the industry be a leader in the industry.

Long Trail Brewing believes that good beer should be brewed with a focus on the environment as much as the quality of the beer, and with this in mind Long Trail focuses on what’s called ECO Brew. ECO stands for Environmentally Conscious Operations and refers to how the company does business from the sourcing of ingredients to how the spend grain is dealt with.

The spent mash is given to local cattle farmers, the steam is recovered and turned back into water, and even the grease from the brewpub is used as bio diesel for the company tractor!
The Beer
As with any brewery, the beer is really where it’s at and Long Trail Brewing makes some pretty outstanding brews. From year-round favorites to seasonal treats; there’s a beer for every season and taste, making Long Trail Brewing Co. a true Vermont tradition.
Core Beers

Long Trail Ale
First brewed in 1989, Long Trail Ale was brewed as a domestic replacement for imported beers from England and Germany. Today, Long Trail Ale is their flagship beer, making it a 25-year old gem that much like the actual Long Trail Itself, is a local tradition that will be around for years to come.

Long Trail Ale is an amber-colored beer that comes in at 5% ABV and 28 IBUs. This means it’s easy to drink and not too bitter, making it a great beer for a very wide audience. Expect a nice caramel malt aroma and taste up front with a roasty finish. Great beer for BBQ, hamburgers, and anything else involving the outdoors.

Long Trail VT India Pale Ale
Part of the Brewmasters Series, Long Trail’s IPA first saw its release in 2005. Since then it’s continued to be a great example of a classic style that dates back more than 200 years to England’s colonies in India.

At 6% ABV and 48 IBUs, this beer is hoppy enough for hop heads, and approachable enough for those just starting journey into craft beer. Long Trail IPA is crisp, refreshing, and focuses on a citrus hop profile with biscuitly malt undertones.

Long Trail Double Bag Ale
Originally only offered in the Long Trail Brewing tap room, this double altbier started its life back in 1998, and features two different hop varieties and four different types of malts to give it a complex character that’s still surprisingly easy to drink.

Double Bag comes in at 7.2% ABV and 39 IBUs, which give it enough body to stand up to food pairings like grilled meats while still being great all by itself. Big and malty up front with a nice alcoholic warmness in the back, Double Bag makes for an interesting and rewarding beer every time.

Long Trail Limbo Double IPA
Limbo IPA is a pretty special beer. Limbo is the first year-round seasonal to come out of Long Trail’s Farmhouse Pilot Brewery, and it’s quite the beer at that. This 7.6% ABV India Pale Ale is brewed with a mix of hops from Australia and the Pacific Northwest, giving the beer taste and aroma of pineapple, mango, citrus, and even some piney undertones.

Limbo carries a hefty 80 IBU rating, making it one of the most bitter beers that Long Trail has to offer, and that’s a very good thing. The bitterness plays with the citrus and pineapple character to make a beer that’s hard to put down.

Long Trail Blackberry Wheat
Along with their seasonal lineup, Long Trail has a solid selection of seasonal beers to keep things interesting for every season. While it may not seem like it now, spring and summer aren’t that far away, which is why we’re excited for their Blackberry Wheat ale.

This 4.2% ABV beer puts off a real pie-on-the-windowsill vibe that’s bright, refreshing, and all-around perfect for the warmer months to come.

South Carolina’s Nautical Oasis
By: Suzanne Ferrara

In the midst of one of the most stunning places in America lies a world-class oasis that would surely astonish the colonists who landed here in the 1600s.

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina– which sits at the very tip of South Carolina’s Mount Pleasant along the magnificent Charleston harbor– is surely a transformative escape. This seaside resort, which has earned the revered title as A Leading Hotel of the World, is surrounded by glistening waters, Sea Islands, magnificent beaches and historic Charleston. Adding to its intrigue, Fort Sumter (the site of the first fired shots in the American Civil War), and Patriots Point (where the U.S.S. Yorktown and the largest naval and maritime museum in state) are all conveniently located around this luxury getaway.

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina has also been voted the #1 Resort in Charleston by Conde Nast Traveler and has been rated one of the Best Hotels in the World by Fodor’s Travel. Personalized service and luxury amenities, including a private beach and a 30,000 square-foot waterfront pool sanctuary (with private cabanas) awaits your escape, as do four bars, and an award winning restaurant.

The Beach Club also offers several daily wellness activities like beach yoga and complimentary spa treatments. The Schwinn Bike-to-Beach ride to neighboring Sullivan’s Island Beach, Shem Creek or Old Village Mount Pleasant is a great way to explore the historic area and get a workout. (Tip: You can choose to ride alone or take part in a guided trip).

Need even more mental decompressing? The resort also offers mental tranquility activities like Mindful Movies where guests can watch nature’s wonders unfold before their eyes as they recline in their seats inside a surround-sound theater. (Sunset Tip: For one of the most amazing shows from Mother Nature, be sure to witness the stunning sunsets over the historic port city. Some of the best locations to view this are from the resort’s expansive marina docks which jet out into the harbor; the rooftop Bridge Bar which overlooks the entire Charleston skyline; your private balcony; or the Beach Club Tiki Bar).

(Wildlife Tip: Guests can easily view dolphins and numerous types of birds from the resort’s marina and private beach)! (Fun Fact: Charleston is known as “The Holy City” because it is home to 400 churches of all denominations, many of which date back to the 1670s. You will see a myriad of church steeples punching through the skyline, and one could argue that the best place to see this is from your private suite balcony and several other fantastic spots at the Beach Club Resort and Marina).

For the ultimate indulgence experience— one not to be missed—head to The Estuary Spa. The moment you walk into this refuge your cares will begin to instantly melt away as intoxicating aromas encircle the air along with an ambiance sure to soothe. Sumptuous, natural and organic products from the Naturopathica line are used in all services to extend this journey of relaxation. (Tip: The Nirvana Stress Relief and the Estuary Signature Swedish Massages are among the most popular services; be sure to add the Wild Lime Scalp and Hair Treatment to your experience. Spa manager Tiffany Plestis is second-to-none and lives to make sure every guest has the ultimate spa experience, a quality that also exudes from her team of professional therapists and technicians). While you will find it very hard to tear yourself away from this sanctuary, you will leave refreshed, relaxed, and rejuvenated.

While you may find it hard to ever leave the actual resort, you really must. Right next to the resort is the awe-inspiring and revered Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum which includes the massive USS YORKTOWN World War II Aircraft carrier. You can also take a boating excursion to one of the neighboring Sea Islands or Fort Sumter or join a fishing charter right from the resort’s marina. Oh did we mention, Charleston’s downtown historic district is just a half nautical mile across the harbor so hop aboard the Charleston Water Taxi which will take you there right from the resort. You can also opt to take the resort’s shuttle service which travels to and from downtown every two hours.

To say this is a hotspot for southern foodies is an understatement. The Charleston coastal area is known for its mouthwatering, quality cuisine. While you can hardly make a bad choice of restaurants here, one you will certainly fall in love with is the Charleston Harbor Fish House. This waterfront resort restaurant is very popular with locals and has been voted one of the “Top 25 Restaurants in Charleston” by Charleston Living Magazine. Many dishes include the freshest catches of the day and are made with local ingredients and they serve Breakfast, lunch and dinner.(Menu Tip: The Chilled Seafood Castle & Tower, Local She Crab Bisque and Smoked Fish Dip are mouthwatering starters. Great entrees are the Pan Roasted Wanchese Scallops, Charleston Shrimp & Grits and for lunch only the Mahi Tacos).

Every table in the Charleston Harbor Fish House has a great view of the harbor, Charleston skyline and the USS Yorktown and there’s a great rooftop bar called the Bridge Bar with panoramic views of historic Charleston. You won’t leave here empty handed if you spend some time inside the Harbor Marina Store, which is a nautical chic store chock-full eclectic locally made and designer items including resort wear, home décor and unique toys for the kids. Speaking of kids, the resort has fantastic kid’s programs and activities, including a Mariners Camp to keep the little ones busy while you relax.

You will get the best goodnight’s sleep in your resort room or suite. The Beach Club boasts rooms and suites with over-sized private balconies that have sweeping views of the Charleston skyline, Charleston Harbor and much more. Electric fireplaces, custom furniture are all laced in soothing coastal hues, add to this mini-sanctuary.

A getaway to the Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is a true indulgence of relaxation and exploration. The memories made at this nautical oasis will be unforgettable.

Victory Brewing Company

When I think about how long ago 1996 was, my gut reaction is to say about ten years or so, and it’s no sooner those words are out of my mouth that I realize that no, it’s more like TWENTY years ago, with a few more years added on for good measure. 1996 isn’t an arbitrary year I’ve chosen to make myself feel old, it’s the year that Victory Brewing Company was founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet in Downingtown, PA. In those twenty-ish years, Victory has grown into a powerhouse of craft beer and an outspoken supporter of the environment and the beer industry as a whole.

In their first year, Victory brewed 1,725 barrels of beer. In the 22 years since then, Victory has expanded production capacity, increased their distribution, and when Victory celebrated 20 years in the business, they were producing more than 140,000 barrels of beer annually. How’s that for impressive?

Today, Victory Brewing Co. brews 10 year-round beers, 15 seasonal and specialty beers thanks to 70 yeast strains utilized by the brewers. You’ll find Victory in 35 states plus DC and in a total of 9 countries including Australia, Japan, Italy, and of course the United States amongst others. While that’s quite the lineup of beers, when Ron and Bill first opened for business they brewed HopDevil, Festbier, and Brandywine Valley Lager.

Along with a love of beer, the people at Victory Brewing Co. love doing good for the world around them, too. In 2015 alone, Victory Brewing diverted 7 million pounds of waste from landfills thanks to reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste. That includes more than 3,000 tons of spent grain that went to local farm animals that year, too.

Finally, if you wonder why Victory beers have that extra something special that sets them apart from others, it may very well be the freshness of the hops. Unlike many other breweries, Victory Brewing Co. only uses whole flower hops in every beer they brew. Most breweries use pelletized hops to save money and time, but the folks at Victory believe that by using the whole flower hops their beers get a purer flavor and aroma, and in turn give you the best beer they can brew.

Beers
Speaking of beers, Victory has some pretty special beers available this year, and since that’s why you’re probably reading this, let’s get to it.

First up is one of the most popular beers Victory brews; a beer so special that it has its own cult-like following wherever Victory beers are found. Golden Monkey is a mythical concoction that starts as a Belgian-style tripel and adds some special hops to make this beer one that shouldn’t be…monkeyed…around with, thanks to its 9.5% ABV. Available in bottles, cans, and on draft, Golden Monkey is one beer that you will want more than one of.
Next up is the newest sibling to Golden Monkey, and that’s the tart and funky Sour Monkey. Sour Monkey is a 9.5% ABV version of the popular Golden Monkey is soured using a strain of Brettanomyces, giving it added flavors of lemon, tartness, and overall Brett funkiness. Sour beer is something of an acquired taste, though. When first trying a sour beer, it can be somewhat overpowering and not at all what you’re expecting but given a few tastes you’ll find depth of flavor and aroma that makes these beers a truly unique experience. Much like its sibling, Sour Monkey has grown in popularity and might just steal the spotlight from Golden Monkey.

Humulus Lupulus, also known as hops, are a magical plant that grow on a bine (not a vine, as some assume). This wonderful flowering plant borrowed part of its name from the Latin word for small wolf thanks to its ability to grow over many plants in the wild, gaining the nickname willow-wolf. It’s thanks to this play on words that we get Victory Brewing’s DirtWolf Double IPA. This 8.7% ABV beer uses Citra, Chinook, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops to give you a beer that has citrus, pine, resin, and tropical fruit with a full body and finish.

Thanks to its popularity and success, DirtWolf is now available in 16-oz cans as well as bottles and draft, making it not only impressive and highly drinkable, but also highly transportable and tailgate-able. Barring any run-ins with Little Red Riding Hood, this wolf is staying on the up-and-up, and is ready and waiting for you.

Back to the beer history lesson for a minute, because one beer that’s been around as long as the brewery is still one of the best beers coming out of Pennsylvania today. Hop Devil from Victory Brewing Co. was one of the first beers brewed by Victory, and thanks to the bold and spicy character that’s balanced out with a solid malt bill, it’s one that is still going strong today. Not only is Hop Devil one of Victory’s first beers, it’s also one of Pennsylvania’s first IPAs to be produced. Pretty cool, eh?

Hop Devil is an American IPA that comes in at 6.7% ABV and focuses on an aromatic kick on the nose that follows through with a full-bodied lasting finish that’s hard to beat. Expect to taste pine and citrus notes that play alongside extra-juicy hop character for a beer that’s balanced yet bold and perfect for strong, meaty dinners or some solid porch sitting.

While Oktoberfest might be closing out, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the countless examples of festbiers still available. Take for example Victory Brewing’s Festbier, which is their take on the Oktoberfest-style lager that is typically found in massive tankards and consumed under blue and white tents. Thankfully you don’t have to travel to Bavaria to try this shining example that comes in at 5.6% ABV and features German malts and hops for a smooth, full-bodied beer that’s an instant classic while never boring us. Festbier season is more than Oktoberfest, so get the most of this beer while you can.

As the leaves start to change and the weather takes a turn for the cold, our tastes seem to drift towards big, dark beers with massive flavor. Victory’s answer to this yearly shift is the impressive Storm King Imperial Stout.

Coming in at an impressive 9.1% ABV, Storm King uses whole flower American hops paired with three different imported 2-row malt varieties to give this beer huge hop presence with malty flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malt. In short, this is one intense beer that’s still impressively smooth to drink, regardless of the temperature outside.

Finally, as the calendar keeps flipping, we keep edging closer and closer to the holiday season, and while that often means traffic, shopping, and snow, it also means winter beer season, which I would call a fair and even trade. Winter Cheers is a 6.7% ABV wheat beer that uses Tettnang and Citra hops to make a hoppy wheat beer that’s ready to warm you up and give some winter cheer to spread, as long as you remember to keep a few of these back for yourself.

Out of this World
By: Suzanne Ferrara

If you haven’t witnessed the awe and majestic splendor of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, take a trip to northwest Arizona, and prepare to be totally enamored by Mother Nature’s magnificence. This is the closest you will get to walking on Saturn or Mars–if it were possible—but instead, you’ll do so on the planet Earth.

It’s quite a sight, as Antelope Canyon’s meandering and deep-carved walls are sculpted in hues of purple and orange that have been formed over thousands of years. (Fun Fact: The areas around the canyon– including Lake Powell– have been used as the backdrop in several movies including Planet of the Apes and most recently, Gravity). It’s truly an awe-striking view that you will never forget, and to say that you’ll feel far removed from the day-to-day world in which you live is an understatement. Add to this majestic scene is that Antelope Canyon is considered a sacred place to both the natives who roamed this land centuries ago and to their ancestors who still live here today.

There are two parts to this great slot like labyrinth canyon: the Upper Canyon (above ground) and the Lower Canyon (underground), the latter of which exudes more of the aforementioned unexpected variations of color. You cannot go into the national treasure without a Navajo guide because it is located on Navajo soil, and these guides drive you to the canyon in a 4×4 truck, right to the entrance. While the Antelope Canyon Navajo Guided Sightseers Tour takes about an hour-and-a-half, if you can spend the extra money and have a DSLR camera and tripod take the Professional Photographers’ Tour so you can spend more time in the Canyon, and without as many people. (Big Tip: If you are looking for reduced crowds, the best time to go is off-season which is spring and fall. While you will not see the famous light shafts in the Upper Canyon this time of year, the canyon walls have different colors and are still breathtaking).

The Upper Canyon is where you can witness the breathtaking beams of light shining down into the openings above. Witnessing this is like seeing something from a biblical movie because of the way the light beams down onto the ground. The best time to see this is midday during the months of June, July and August; however, this is also the most crowded time to witness this magic. Regardless of when you go, the view is still amazing and the Antelope Canyon Navajo Tour guides do a great job explaining the geology and mystery of the canyon. (Tip: You need a reservation to get into the canyon; but if you show up late, you cannot go on that particular tour and your ticket will not be refunded). (Tip: If you wear contacts, you may want to switch to your eyeglasses because of dust particles).

Less than ten miles west of Antelope Canyon in the small city of Page is the spectacular and often- photographed Colorado River’s Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend has chiseled towering walls which extend more than a thousand-feet high from the water’s surface, and it is indeed shaped like a horseshoe. (Fun Fact: The sandstone rock wall is made of hematite, platinum and garnet plus many other minerals). This breathtaking masterpiece is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and as you stand at the lookout point, you will awed by the view; plus, the lookout area is about three-quarters of a mile from the trailhead and is a fairly easy hike. (Fact: There are no railings from the lookout point, so stay away from the cliff edges, wear hiking shoes, and bring water).

You can also view this majestic wonder from a totally different vantage point, namely, aboard a boat or raft; many visitors say this is the way to go because of the calm water and captivating views. Colorado River Discovery Smoothwater Float Trips is a great option for everyone including families and kids as young as four-years-old. This 15-mile long jaunt aboard a motorized pontoon boat is a pleasurable ride, during which an experienced guide shares the history of the Canyon, its geology, and the explorations of John Wesley Powell. Another great option is to hop on a fixed-wing plane or chopper tour and be wowed by this natural marvel, all from a bird’s eye view.

After viewing one of the most spectacular sights on the meandering Colorado River, you will most likely have worked up an appetite. Head back into town of Page which, by the way, is the perfect place to make your home-base as you tour and vacation in this area. While on Page’s Main Street (which is Lake Powell Boulevard) don’t be surprised if you are hypnotized by the scent of barbeque coming from Big John’s Texas BBQ. That intoxicating aroma is coming from the meat that is slow smoked on oak and mesquite wood for hours, and it’s something you can smell from two blocks away.

There’s something comforting about enjoying this mouthwatering and award-winning Texas barbeque in Arizona. This cozy restaurant was converted from an old gas station and has great atmosphere, not to mention the American Flags hanging about. Big John, a Texas native, started serving his award-winning BBQ in these parts from a pop up tent and later invested in a custom built BBQ trailer. Big John got his start watching cooks at the world famous Louie Mueller’s TX BBQ, which was located across the street from his father’s furniture store in Taylor, Texas. (Menu Tip: Be sure to try the Big John’s Sampler Plate which includes brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, hot links, cowboy beans and potato salad. A second favorite is the Barbeque Sandwich and Rib plate that comes with sides).
You can enjoy your BBQ with a locally-made bottle of beer; they serve Grand Canyon’s Horseshoe Bend Pale Ale, American Pilsner, or Sunset Al. If you are not watching calories, finish off lunch or dinner with their delicious house-baked fruit cobbler with ice-cream or their Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer Float. There’s inside seating and outside family-style picnic table seating, the latter of which from where you can enjoy the sunny blue skies of Page. Plus, they serve buckets of peanuts for free, and you eat as many as you want and throw the shells on the ground.

Extend your Native American experience and, no doubt, your admiration for this unparalleled southwest territory by taking part in the dinner show at Sanderson’s Into the Grand. This family-owned restaurant is unlike any other, and offers dinner and a show that will leave you with an even a greater appreciation for the people and the natural marvels in and around Page. Live music, Native American dance performances, stories about the Navajo Nation, and tales of Grand Canyon river rafting adventures are just a few things that entertain guests.

The restaurant and its stage are housed in what was originally the Sanderson families’ boat warehouse which was converted into a rather unique scene itself: it’s also a museum with an exhibit dedicated to the history of the early Grand Canyon River Runners of the 1950s. (Fact: The Sandersons are among some of those river runners and are the founders of Sanderson River Adventures whose operation dates back to the 1950s). The walls inside the converted warehouse are draped with large murals depicting scenes of the Grand Canyon and rafting expeditions. Speaking of rafts, you will hear the incredible story of the journeys the Sanderson family made rafting down the Colorado River with descriptions of some of the most beautiful points on these trips; these verbal descriptions alone will make you want to raft the Colorado as soon as you exit the door. By the way, owner Hoss Sanderson exudes passion for this land and will make sure you have a good time. (Menu Tip: The salsa and chips are delicious and complimentary, and the Pork Carnitas and Beef Brisket are among favorite menu items. Be sure to try the beer sampler of four locally produced beers). (Fact: In September of 2018, The Arizona Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network awarded the owners and operators of Into the Grand, with the 2018 Success Awards).

Looking for a goodnights rest during your vacation? Page has all that you need. While there are several hotel chains strewn about the area, there’s one in particular at which you may want to take a second look and that’s the new Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell. This micro-hotel offers complimentary breakfast and has some rooms with views of the canyon and the Glen Canyon Dam. There’s an outside pool overlooking the canyon, and it’s only a few blocks from the nine-mile Rimview Trail which encircles Page and offers great views of the Canyon and Lake Powell.

To witness these natural marvels in northwest Arizona is an experience you won’t forget and one you will certainly want to share with family and friends. There are even more captivating treasures in and around the area which can’t all be covered in one article; so do your homework and head to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend for a trip of a lifetime. (Travel Tip: If you are trying to save money, take a direct flight from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas and make the five-hour drive to Antelope Canyon; however you opt for a connecting flight to the Page Municipal Airport).

The Flavors of Fall: Beers for Every Taste

Fight it as we might, summer is on its way out. Sure, we won’t let it go without a fair amount of kicking, screaming, and dragging out heels, but the inevitable change of seasons will soon be upon us. Thankfully though, with the change in seasons come a change in seasonal beers, too.

The bright, refreshing beers that call summer their home don’t leave us entirely, but they definitely make way for some bolder and more robust beers. Darker, stronger, and even spicier beers dominate the fall season and for good reason. The nights are starting to get cooler and the days shorter, meaning we all need a little something extra to make the transition into fall go a little more smoothly.

While autumnal beers seem to be known primarily as full of pumpkin and spice, that’s not all the beers of fall have to offer. You’ll find stouts, porters, brown ales, the quintessential pumpkin ales, Oktoberfest style beers, and even some pretty great IPAs and other beers you probably wouldn’t align with the fall.

We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up some of our favorite fall beers that run the gamut of flavors, alcohol content, color, and style. Check out our list of fall beers for every taste and find your new favorite beer for this autumn.

Victory Brewing Co. Storm King Stout – Cooler weather loves darker beer. It’s a fact. Bigger, darker beers are the perfect companion to longer nights and lower temps. Storm King Stout from Victory Brewing Co. knows this fact and is here to help. The 9.1% ABV American imperial stout uses whole flower hops and three different varieties of hops to give you a big, hearty beer that has notes of espresso, dark chocolate, alcohol warmness, as well as an impressive dose of bitterness.

Otter Creek Brewing Co. Oktoberfest – In the beer world, one of the most notable times of year has to be the Oktoberfest celebration held annually in Munich, Germany. While you may not be able to make it to the yearly mecca of beer, you can celebrate in your own way with the variety of Oktoberfest-style beers that are typically easy to drink and love. Otter Creek’s Oktoberfest is a 5.5% ABV lager that relies heavily on the traditional varieties while bringing that special something that Otter Creek gives every one of their beers.

Stone Brewing Xocoveza – Don’t worry, I’ll help you out with the pronunciation of this amazing mocha stout so you’re ready to ask for it the next time you’re out. Pronounced “zo-co-VA(long A)-za, this 8.1% ABV beer is making its triumphant return to shelves this season thanks to countless fans requesting its return, and for good reason. This beer is Stone’s take on Mexican hot chocolate that’s brewed with cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. If you missed this beer the last time it was available, make sure to catch it while you can, you won’t be disappointed.

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy – Mostly thanks to Oskar Blues, the canned beer revolution has been a wild success, with breweries large and small producing every beer imaginable to be placed in the shiny aluminum vessel that we know as the almighty beer can. One of the biggest canned beers around is the impressive and aptly named Ten Fidy from Oskar Blues. This 10.5% ABV beer is a massive, indomitable imperial stout with big flavors of chocolate, caramel, coffee, and boozy deliciousness. Grab a can when you see this beast in hiding, you’ll be glad you did.

Heavy Seas Beer TreasureFest – It’s not often that you think of pirate ships and Oktoberfest-style beers in the same light, but the beer world is a weird, beautiful place so here we are. The always-impressive Heavy Seas Beer brews their TreasureFest Oktoberfest-style lager to be an American spin on the classic German style by dry-hopping with American hops to give this unique 6% ABV lager extra bitterness that’s both impressive and fresh in a…sea…of Oktoberfest lagers.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company Fall Hornin’ – With a brilliant, deep copper hue and creamy beige-colored head, AVBC’s Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale has intense yet approachable aromas of caramelized malt and baking bread with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin and spices. The creamy mouthfeel and silky body solidify the sweet caramel flavors with just hint of hops that ends with a smooth, round finish. Coming in at 6% ABV, this beer is nearly perfectly rounded, balanced, and ready and waiting for you.

Bell’s Brewery Best Brown Ale – When it comes to fall beers it’s hard to find one that’s more universally loved that Bell’s Brewery Best Brown Ale. With hints of caramel and cocoa, this well-balanced 5.8% ABV beer has a deep malt body that’s balanced out nicely by the generous helping of American hops.

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery Pumpkin – America’s Original Pumpkin Ale was first brewed in 1985 by…you guessed it…Buffalo Bill’s Brewery. Made with real pumpkin, this 6% ABV beer has a golden amber color, and the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie. This brew is perfect for Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale is available from August through November so get this original while you can.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Punkin’ Ale – A full-bodied 7% ABV brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. Dogfish Head brews Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices. As the season cools, this is the perfect beer to warm up with. A real classic in the pumpkin beer world, this is one gourd-based beer that’s worth your time and taste.

Heavy Seas Beer Greater Pumpkin – In the worthiest of pumpkin patches and during the silence of the midnight hour, the Greater Pumpkin rises up and pours a rich deep and orange color. Heady aromas of bourbon, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove linger over the thick white head of this giant brew. Its love at first sip with this 10% ABV beer as the full malt body, dominated by British crystal malt, brown sugar and pumpkin all vying for a front row seat and all winning out. Bourbon barrel aging rounds out the flavors with notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon.

Lancaster Brewing Company Baked Pumpkin – Have your pie and drink it too! Bold flavor with a deep amber color, our big Baked Pumpkin Ale is sure to remind you of Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie. Coming in at 7.3% ABV, it’ll pack a little more punch than Grandma could hope to bake into her pie, that’s for sure.

Lancaster Brewing Company Oktoberfest – This impressive take on the classic fall lager uses seven different malts and three varieties of imported and domestic hops, as well as authentic Bavarian lager yeast. Light in copper color, this 5.5% ABV beer is full-bodied with a nice malt sweetness.

North Country Brewing Company Late Night Pumpkin – For the fall season, North Country brews their Late Night Pumpkin with a healthy dose of pumpkin, spice, and of course this is all done late at night, when the pumpkins taste their best. Coming in at 6.1% ABV with a gold color and a nice spiced character, Late Night Pumpkin is a canned beer you definitely need to try, and at 6.1% ABV, it’s just about as perfect of a pumpkin beer as you could hope for.

Bigger’n Dallas
By Suzanne Ferrara

When you arrive in the sprawling ‘Big D’, it’s hard not to think of the award-winning 1970s television show “Dallas’. Today, this major city is fast-paced, and still somewhat reflective of the old saying, ‘Everything’s Bigger in Texas’!! Its population exemplifies that, as the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in America! (Fun Fact: “Bigger’n Dallas” is a local expression people use to point out someone or something that should be noticed because of the way they look, act, etc.).

Be aware that you’ve entered Dallas Cowboy territory, where seemingly everyone who lives here is proudly a cheerleader (or at least a fervent fan) of one of the National Football League’s most popular franchises. It’s also the city where the iconic Texas State Fair is held every year. The Texas State Fair is one of the most beloved American events , one which celebrates everything Texan! This family-friendly tradition will be held this year from September 28th through October 21st, so this is indeed a great time to schedule a visit to Dallas. (Tip: Be sure not to miss the butter sculpture competition).
After taking in the view of Dallas from 561 feet in the air at Reunion Tower, if you are into American history, your next stop should be the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. This is where, according to the FBI, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. This intriguing museum not only depicts in depth the events of that ill-fated day (November 22nd, 1963) which shocked America, but gives an intimate look into the life, times, and legacy of President Kennedy.

Speaking of history, young and old are mesmerized at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science where you can literally stand next to a full scale T Rex. While the museum has nearly a dozen fascinating permanent exhibits– including the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall– you don’t want to miss the Ultimate Dinosaurs Traveling Exhibition. This experience, focusing on the massive prehistoric creatures that roamed the Earth, will leave you awestruck, and is also home of the first mounted skeletal dinosaur in the state of Texas.

This museum offers much more than one can write about including an intriguing Sports Hall, an Expanding Universe Hall and interactive technology and hands-on discovery that will bring you from the depths of the ocean to fascinating DNA discoveries. While here, don’t miss The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience which is the Museum’s cutting-edge theater. This state-of-the-art theater has 4K digital projection, RealD 3D capabilities, and immersive surround sound.

Kids five and under won’t want to miss the opportunity to use scoops, shovels, and rakes to discover replica fossils in the shaded outdoor dig area! Take the elevator down to the ground level into the Moody Family Children’s Museum, and get digging!

Admission Tip: While general admission is free for permanent exhibits, the best and most cost saving deal is to purchase the Total Experience Package. This offer includes the museum’s special exhibit, Ultimate Dinosaurs, and a 3-D film in The Hoglund Foundation Theater. Prices for this ultimate bundle vary (depending on whether the package is purchased for a child or adult) with prices ranging from $26 $38 for non-members). (Food Tip: The Café, which serves an American Fare and more, is operated by Wolfgang Puck and has daily scrumptious specials).

Now, remember: You are in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, so there’s much more to see and do in-and-around this amazing museum like the extraordinary Dallas Museum of Art and the adjacent Nasher Sculpture Center. The Nasher has both modern and contemporary sculptures, and is located on a 2.4-acre site. There are literally hundreds of sculptures primarily created by some of the 20th-century’s greatest artists.

Want more great places to explore? Visit Klyde Warren Park, the 5.2-acre downtown public park that rests over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. With five daily activities (and more), there’s always something to do in this beautiful green space; and if you are hungry there are food trucks on Friday that serve a wide variety of unique and artisan foods. Another fascinating find is the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum; this center has state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and uncovers issues and events of the former president’s administration. In addition, there are also 43,000 gifts given to the President and First Lady housed here plus a full-size replica of White House Oval Office.

(Big Tip: By purchasing a Dallas CityPASS, you can save money if you plan on visiting a handful of these attractions and much more).
Shopaholic? You’ve come to the right place! Just as Dallas is big, so is the shopping. From prominent department stores, outlet malls, mammoth malls to wide-ranging flea markets, Dallas has it all! While the beloved Dallas Galleria won’t let you down, another great place that’s known throughout the state (and the nation) for great shopping is the 2,000,000 square-foot NorthPark Center. NorthPark Center has more than 235 retailers, dozens of great eateries, plus a 16-screen AMC Theater and has been ranked among the top five shopping destinations in America. Many believe the iconic department stores and the designer boutiques, though, are reason alone to visit this mega mall. (Parking Tip: Valet parking is available at the NorthPark Center. This shopping mecca has a ticketless valet system, so there’s no need to worry about a valet ticket. Just drop off your car at one of seven valet locations and guess what? No matter where you drop off your car, you can pick it up at any valet location. Also, with the purchase of a meal, several NorthPark Center restaurants will validate your valet bill with a simple text to your phone).

Hungry? Yes, there are a plethora of great eateries at NorthPark Center; however, there are several local favorite eateries that are not to missed while visiting Dallas. When you’re not counting calories, you must sink your teeth into the famous and original Snuffer’s Cheddar Fries. Snuffer’s Restaurant and Bar has been serving up world-famous cheddar fries & legendary burgers since 1978; the original cheddar fries are made with hand-cut Idaho Potatoes and topped with fresh-aged Wisconsin cheddar cheese. Many will tell you these are the best fries they’ve ever tasted.

Another great longtime hotspot for inexpensive (but delicious) tacos is Taqueria El Si Hay. This taco shack is considered one of the best in Dallas, and is where devoted customers either pick up their tacos to go or eat them right away in the car (or in the parking lot).

As mentioned earlier, you can get a feast for the eyes — as well as for your stomach— at the award-winning Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty restaurant amid the Dallas skyline inside Reunion Tower. Five Sixty serves mouthwatering Asian-inspired cuisine and, courtesy of a contemporary and dramatic revolving dining room, has an amazing Raw Bar all with 360-degree views of the city. (Big Tip: Make your reservation in time for sunset over the city; also, this restaurant is open until midnight so a drink over the skyline is a beautiful experience as well). (Tip: Valet is available and the base of the tower and the dress code is business casual with collared for men). (Menu Tip: The restaurant periodically offers a five-course tasting menu featuring its signature dishes at a great price, so check the website or call in advance to schedule this awesome dining experience ).

Last, but most certainly not least, a few other great local favorites is the Steel Restaurant, a laid back restaurant and lounge with an unmatchable sushi selection, and also serves IndoChine, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. Another great option is the Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, a new American restaurant in a contemporary industrial-style atmosphere. The brunches here are second to none, and be sure to order a tasty libation from the fabulous whiskey cocktail menu. Need another option? How about the energetic and modern OCEAN PRIME for great prime cut steaks and fresh seafood. Located in uptown Dallas’ Rosewood Court, OCEAN PRIME was listed among the “Top 20 Steakhouses” in D magazine.
After exploring the Dallas, you will need a Texas-sized goodnight’s rest!

If it’s good enough for the Queen of England, several U-S Presidents, and the ‘who’s who’ in the celebrity world, it should be good enough for you and yours. Downtown Dallas’ historic and iconic The Adolphus Hotel opened in 1912 and has recently undergone a multi-million dollar makeover. Here you will find crystal chandeliers, velvet furniture, dark wood paneling flanking the walls, and an elegant marble staircase amid its large chic lobby. (Fact: For several years the Adolphus was the tallest building in Texas). (Fact: The Adolphus is located in the city’s Main Street District and is an Autograph Collection hotel).
Perhaps one of the biggest gems and a longtime favorite at this hotel is The French Room, one of the finest restaurants in Dallas where traditions are made and special days are celebrated. The highly-esteemed French Room has grand European architecture with gilded Louis XVI-style chairs and Italian Murano Glass chandeliers. The award-winning cuisine is second-to-none and is sure to please even the most discerning of palates. (Tip: The sumptuous seven-course tasting menu is a perfect way to treat your taste buds to the prized creations of this iconic restaurant.

You can also add perfect wine pairings with this tasting tour). Be sure to notice the beautiful eclectic contemporary art work at the French Room Salon where you can sip your favorite libation. For another special experience, make a reservation at Tea at the Adolphus where you are sure to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon.

For a complete change-of-pace off this gorgeous hotel’s lobby, grab a bite at the hip City Hall Bistro where the mouthwatering Brick Oven Jidori Chicken is a very popular dish. (This Jidori Chicken has toasted sesame, lemon rice, mango pickle with Zhug sauce). (Fun Fact: To help get you revved up for your day, morning servers wear black T-shirts with the slogan ‘You Can’t Fight City Hall’). While at the hotel, grab a delicious cup of java at the Otto Coffee and Fine Foods.

Be sure to carve out time to relax and enjoy both the hotel’s new rooftop pool and Spa Adolphus. Your journey to total bliss begins in the Spa Adolphus’ relaxation room which has a soothing patio overlooking Dallas. (Tip: One of the most popular massages is the 90-minute Spa Adolphus Signature Massage where French Lavender Massage oil is used with relaxation and deep-tissue techniques).

The Adolphus has one-and-two-bedroom luxury suites, and you can request either a garden terrace or a skylight suite, the latter of which has dramatic views of downtown Dallas. (Tip: There’s free shuttle service to attractions within a three-mile radius).

Need more lodging options? As mentioned above, if you want to sleep next to the iconic landmark Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas,then the Hyatt Regency Dallas is a good option. This hotel has everything you need and is popular with conventions, and is within walking distance of many attractions including Dealey Plaza and the historic West End. You can reserve a room or suite overlooking downtown Dallas or the Trinity River Greenbelt.

Make no mistake about it; one trip to Dallas is not enough to cover all that this mega, bold city has to offer. They do things in a big way here and that alone will make for a memorable experience only to be had in Dallas territory.

Platform Beer Company

It shouldn’t be a surprise for anyone living and drinking in the Steel City (AKA the City of Champyinz) that blue-collar communities tend to make the best beer. Much like our beloved Pittsburgh, other former factory and mill towns have embraced change and today are known for much more than blue collar action.

Take Cleveland for example. This hard-working town has been quietly growing its beer industry by way of countless amazing small craft breweries like Platform Beer Company. Started in 2014 by friends Justin Carson and Paul Brenner, these two took their industry experience and love for great beer and turned it into a thriving, quality brewery that’s seen nothing but growth since opening day. Justin got into the beer industry thanks to his draft line servicing business, and Paul came via his homebrew supply store. Together with head brewer Garret Conley, this beer-loving team is embracing canned beer and making Ohio a destination for beer fans near and far.

Thankfully, we don’t have to travel to their locations in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati to try their brews, thanks to Vecenie Distributing Platform Beer Co. is now available in and around the Pittsburgh area. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer in cans and on draft.

Beers
Platform Beer Co. likes to keep beers in the low to medium end of alcohol content, so you can enjoy a few and still function the next day. A great example of a just-right ABV is the Speed Merchant White IPA. This 6.6% ABV beer pours a bright yellow color with floral, hop-forward aroma up front followed by a bready, toasty body. Bitterness is definitely present, but is balanced very well against the wheat and barley backbone. The finish is a complex yet refreshing experience with toast, honey, marmalade, and a light toffee character thanks to the malt bill and the Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe, Comet, and Citra hops that make up the hop bill.

Speaking of refreshing beers, Platform’s Hyper Retro Lemon Ginger Saison, which comes in at a very sessionable 4.3% ABV, features bready malt character up front with bright lemony citrus zest and ginger in the middle and on the finish. The ginger is present without being overpowering, and the lemon zest helps make this beer very crushable and infinitely refreshing.

Heading back into the world of IPAs again, the next beer up is the Seeing Sounds Hazy IPA. Coming in at 6.2% ABV, this beer is light on bitterness while not sacrificing any bright hop flavor. On the nose of this beer you’ll get clementine and pineapple aromas that are backed up by a light, mellow body with a clean, dry finish that has hints of orange and grapefruit. Hazy IPAs are the current big, popular thing right now, and with beers like Seeing Sounds, you’ll see why.

Another IPA that has to be tried to be believed is a very special, limited edition American session IPA by the name of The Project Series: Callista. Callista is a 4.9% ABV American IPA that’s the 3rd installment in Platform’s Project Series lineup of beers. This beer features Hallertau Callista hops to give you a big hop bite without unnecessary bitterness. Expect to get orange zest up front and loads of hop flavor and aroma on the back of this special, limited brew.

If bitter beers aren’t your thing, then the Rosellini Peach Rose Apple Ale is probably right up your alley. This cider-esque brew is laoded with fresh peach and apricot flavor and aroma, with some apple in the background and no bitterness to be found. Coming in at 5% ABV, this ruby-red concoction is refreshing, tart, and semi-sweet on the finish…exactly what the dog days of summer call for.

Wrapping up this initial lineup of beers is the Kettle Series Rotating Sour from Platform. These beers change fairly frequently, but thanks to their Phunkenship sour beer facility, there’s no shortage of ways for Platform to make sour beers exactly how we like them. Starting things off in the Pittsburgh area is the Orange Blossom Gose, a crisp, sour, salty ale that comes in at 4.2% ABV. While tart and sour, this beer features bright floaral notes and thanks to its orange zest and noble hop recipe, is surprisingly refreshing and perfect for summer.

Hopefully you’re as excited for Platform Beer Co. to make their way to Pittsburgh as I am, and if you’re anything like me you’ll be lining up to get your hands on the first cans of Platform beer to hit the streets.

Glutenberg Brewery

Gluten is my best friend. From bread to beer to seitan, if it has gluten in it, I’ll probably love it. While I may revel in all things glutinous there are some brave men and women out there that due to intolerance or disease simply can’t partake in the joy that is gluten and are forced to live a life without never-ending pasta bowls or cheesy bread.

Until very recently those afflicted with celiac disease or gluten intolerance have been forced to live a life without some of their most beloved food and drink, with the most notable exclusion being beer. Made primarily from barley, beer may not have an abundance of gluten in the finished product, but it’s more than enough for those suffering from celiac disease to be forced to abstain.

Thankfully the days of swearing off beer due to gluten are a thing of the past. Today there are a number of breweries and beers focusing on those not gifted with the ability to have gluten, helping them to life full, happy beer-inclusive lives. The most recent addition to this list in the Pittsburgh area comes to us via Canada and the Glutenberg Brewery.

The Founding of Glutenberg
The goal of Glutenberg Brewery is a simple one, to brew delicious beers that are on-par with other craft beers in the market, but to do so with zero gluten. More than a marketing trend, the brewery grew out of co-owner Julien Niquet’s own experience with celiac disease. Along with his long-time friend David Cayer, the pair founded Glutenberg in 2010 not only to help Julien to have the beer he was craving, but to help others like him to be able to enjoy beer like the rest of us.

Along with Julien and David, head brewer Gabriel Charbonneau make up the core team and after more than a year of research and development they released their first (and current flagship) beer, Glutenberg Blonde, into the market in Québec.

Fast-forward to today and Glutenberg offers a variety of gluten-free beers and distributes their beer in seven countries including Canada and the United States, which receives 50% of their total production.

Glutenberg Brewery features more than twenty seasonal beers and five year-round beers. They employ four full-time brewers that utilize the brewery’s sixteen fermentation and conditioning tanks to give gluten-free beer lovers around the world the best beer possible.

Gluten-Free Brewing
So how does one brew a gluten-free beer? When talking about beer on its most basic level, there are four primary ingredients: water, barley, hops, and yeast. As you may have guessed, the gluten in a typical beer comes from the barley, which is the grain the beer is brewed with. To create a truly gluten-free beer, the barley must be replaced entirely with a grain that doesn’t have gluten in it. This may seem easy, but without getting into the science behind brewing and the need for certain enzymes found in barley, you’ll just have to believe me that it’s not easy to do. It’s even harder to brew a gluten-free beer that actually tastes good, too!

Glutenberg uses millet, buckwheat, corn, quinoa, and amaranth to brew their beers. These grains may seem exotic, but they give Glutenberg the ability to brew 100% gluten-free beers that lack nothing in taste when compared to their gluten-full counterparts.

There’s no magical gluten removal process or secret sauce that makes these beers gluten-free, just hard work, quality ingredients, and a specialized brewing process that meets the needs of the grains being used. In the end we have a lineup of beers that look great, taste great, and help those required to stave off gluten to enjoy great beer.

The Beers
While that’s all nice and fine, it’s the finished product that has the final say on how good the brewery, ingredients, and process truly are, and the beers from Glutenberg truly speak for themselves. Since we haven’t perfected the inclusion of beer samples with every magazine just yet (trust me, I’m trying!) I’ll have to speak for these beers until you’re able to find them in the wild and try them for yourselves.

Even if you’re of the gluten-enabled masses the beers from Glutenberg are work a try, as there’s truly nothing lacking from them other than the gluten that I’m sure you won’t miss. Take it from me, a pro-gluten fanatic that now likes gluten-free beer.

While Glutenberg features more than 25 different beers offered around the world, Pittsburgh will be starting off with their 4 most popular brews to get us started with a life less gluten-y. Each of these beers are available in 16oz cans and on draft.

Blonde
The first beer released by Glutenberg and their current flagship beer, their Blonde ale comes in at 4.5% ABV and 15 IBUs with a light, lemony character with floral, herbal notes. Think pepper, pears, and fennel with some lemon peel on the finish. Their Blonde ale is brewed with millet, corn, and demerara sugar as the fermentable base.

IPA
Glutenberg Brewery IPA is 6% ABV, 76 IBU, and a shining example of what a great IPA should be. There is a severe lack of quality gluten-free IPAs in the craft beer market, which is why Glutenberg put so much thought and care into making theirs. While this beer may have zero PPM gluten content, it’s full of citrus aroma, fresh hop flavor, and a sharp kick of bitterness. Expect to find lemon and floral notes on the nose with apricot and bitterness on the middle and finish. Glutenberg IPA is brewed with millet, buckwheat, corn, black rice, and corn maltodextrin.

White
Showing their French-Canadian roots, Glutenberg’s White Ale is better known as Blanche, and no, that’s not a reference to my favorite Golden Girl, but rather the fancy way to say white in French. Blanche is a 5% ABV, 13 IBU beer that has everything you’d expect from a true Belgian White. While traditional versions of this beer feature wheat, the Glutenberg iteration utilizes buckwheat, millet, amaranth, and quinoa, making it one of the most complex beers brewed by the guys in Canada. Along with these ingredients you’ll find more traditional ones like coriander and orange peel, too. The quinoa and amaranth give this beer a notably “grainy” character that helps mimic the mouthfeel of a true Belgian White that’s brewed with wheat.

Red
Referencing their French-speaking roots yet again is the last of the initial launch beers for our area from Glutenberg with their Rousse, or Red for those of us less French-enabled. Rousse comes in at 5% ABV and 24 IBUs, and while it may have no gluten in it, it does come with a World Beer Cup win as well as four Canadian Brewing Awards.

Glutenberg’s take on the classic red ale starts with aromas of roasted nuts, coffee, and caramel and follows up with tastes of toasted bread, coffee, and chestnuts. To achieve such a consistent and remarkable beer without gluten in it, the guys at Glutenberg use buckwheat, millet, candi syrup, and quinoa in this beer alongside molasses and chestnuts to round this beer out and make a truly outstanding gluten-free red ale.

Variety 4-pack
For those of us that can’t decide, Glutenberg also has a variety 4-pack featuring one of each beer so you can get a well-rounded dose of gluten-free beer and see that while there’s no flavor or aroma missing, the gluten most definitely is.

Another NFL Treasure:
Green Bay’s Packer Passion

By: Suzanne Ferrara

We all know that Pittsburgh is, among other things, one of the National Football League’s iconic cities. We love our Steelers, we love our treasured history. However, the true fans of professional football in the Steel City realize there are indeed other American cities worth a visit, (not quite like the love we have for our beloved Steelers) to truly enhance their love and appreciation for the sport. Which leads us to……

Green Bay.
It’s a city whose notoriety, at least to most who live outside of the state of Wisconsin, is rooted in the existence of a professional football team. And it’s an absolutely unique situation because the NFL’s Green Bay Packers are actually owned by the city of Green Bay, and evidence of the love affair between city and team can be seen at nearly every corner.

Historic Lambeau Field is THE place to start the conversation, and your trip to Green Bay. Named after Packer founder and coach Curley Lambeau, the field has been home to the Packers since 1957. Tours take you throughout the 81,435 seat stadium, and at every corner there are tributes to football legends like Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr and Brett Favre. With just one step, you will get an immediate sense of football history.

Lambeau Field, however, is about more than just a Sunday visit. The Packer Hall of Fame is located inside the stadium, and with championship trophies, mementos and video clips, is a first-class tribute to the glory of the Green and Gold, and a visit here will certainly fill all ages with inspiration. The Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, founded in 1966 by a local restaurateur and Packers fan, William L. Brault, is where you will walk into 15-thousand square feet of Packers legends, plus history of other teams, as well travel through interactive displays and fascinating artifacts. You can also hear Packers legends describe historic games from their point-of-view. Perhaps the most interesting exhibit is the replica of Vince Lombardi’s office. Oh, and yes, the 13 world championship trophies are on display, four of which are Lombardi trophies. (Fact: The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame was the first to honor a professional American football team).

That visit will surely fire you up, and it’s fitting that the exit then leads you to the 21,000 square-foot Packer Pro Shop where you’ll find jerseys, t-shirts, unique gifts, and ‘yes’, cheeseheads for all ages. And for a bite to eat with a Lambeau view? Stop for parmesan-breaded cheese curds at the 1919 Kitchen & Tap.

For Packer fans who want that something ‘extra’, the Packers Heritage Trail Trolley Tour is a must. For roughly 90 minutes, you’ll travel the heart of the city and visit over 22 sites that were significant in the formation and culture of the team, including City Stadium (the Packers’ home before Lambeau Field) and the birthplace of Curley Lambeau himself.

Want a break from football or maybe something more romantic? Head downtown to the gorgeous and historic Meyer Theatre, which was constructed in 1929. This lavish theater, which drips in both Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture styles, will certainly take your breath away even as you enjoy a fantastic performance. In addition to professional live musicals and plays, the theatre also presents events such as film festivals and unique touring shows. (Fact: The Meyer Theatre was originally the FOX Theatre where stars such as Roy Rogers, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong graced the stage).

Green Bay and the Greater Green Bay area have a plethora of unique and legendary breweries and wineries. In fact there are some connected to the stadium (and a few beyond the shadows of Lambeau), and you can easily spend a few days just brewery-and-winery-hopping. It’s at these outlets that you can both wet your whistle (with some of the best tasting local beers and wines) and indulge in some of the most mouth-watering cuisine and food pairings.

Got a thirst for a craft brew from Wisconsin? The award-winning Badger State Brewing Company is located within the Lambeau Field Stadium District, and guests can enjoy libations like the On Wisconsin! Red Ale in the 100% wind-powered facility. Meanwhile, a railroad depot from the late 1800s became the home of the Titletown Brewing Company in 1996, and today it’s the home of fantastic beers (oh, my, the Johnny ‘Blood’ Red ale!!) and amazing pizzas, fish and the crowd-favorite, pasta carbonara.

The newest addition to the Green Bay’s amazing brewing scene is COPPER STATE Brewing Company, which has the same owners as Appleton’s Copper Rock Coffee (a local favorite of coffee drinkers). The new brewery is housed in the former Hinterland Brewery in downtown Green Bay and offers a wide array of tours of the beloved brewery including a fun Clue-ery Brewery Scavenger Hunt Tour. COPPER STATE serves a variety of delicious craft beers along with gastropub favorites, and, of course, fresh-roasted Copper Rock Coffees. (Tip: Be sure to try their Flight Night special and mini-brew dinner pairings).

There are so many wineries to visit as well, and be sure to add Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery to your list. Parallel 44, which was established more than a decade ago, is about forty miles outside of Green Bay in the city of Kewaunee on the shore of Lake Michigan. All of their wines are produced from their Wisconsin vineyard from “Cool Climate Grapes”. (Fun Fact: The winery sits on the 44-degree earth-circling North Latitude and is known as the location of some of the world’s finest grape-growing and wine-making).

After all the sight- seeing, you will need great lodging! Make a bee-line straight to the LODGE KOHLER, a luxury, four-diamond hotel which offers a stunning indoor pool and spa, plus a restaurant and roof-top bar. This upscale hotel is only 100-yards from the historic Lambeau Field in the heart of Titletown plaza. (Tip: If you can, reserve one of only six Terrace Suites—300-square feet of this one-thousand square foot suite is outdoor space with a fire pit and grill area. Another great choice is to reserve one of the Lambeau Corner Suites, which are located on the second, third, and fourth floors; these are very spacious, with over one-thousand square feet of space. Whatever you do, be sure to request a suite or standard room that faces the stadium). For ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, a visit at the KOHLER Waters SPA is a must. They offer a plethora of spa services that are both innovating and soothing. (Tip: The state-of-the-art Hydromassage Pool is a ‘must’; experience).

If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket to a Green Bay game (all home games have been sell-outs since 1965), and you want lodging that will get you in the proper mood, I strongly suggest “Under the Lights of Lambeau”, a fully-furnished rental property that sleeps 8-10 fans and is right across the street from the field. It’s intricately decorated with the Packer fan in mind. Another place to keep in mind is the historic Union Hotel in nearby De Pere, known for its beautiful art deco bar area and delicious aged Angus steaks.

Need more great lodging options? The halls of higher learning beckon at St. Norbert College, a top-ranked liberal arts Catholic college located in De Pere, along the beautiful Fox River. Founded in 1898, St. Norbert is consistently rated by the Princeton Review as one of the top colleges in the Midwest. Visitors can stay in one of 46 spacious suites at the college-run Kress Inn. And yes, there’s a Packer connection: the team has stayed at St. Norbert for training camp since 1958.

There’s one other item that exemplifies that passion Green Bay residents have for their team: Although the population of Green Bay is 103,000, the waiting list for season tickets to Packer games…. is 116,000.

Like the passion we have for our Steelers, that, my friends, is another sign of true, football love… of the green and gold variety.

The Venice of America: Fort Lauderdale
By: Suzanne Ferrara

Not only is Fort Lauderdale known as the ‘Venice of America’; it’s also referred to as the ‘Yachting Capitol of the World’. There are over 165 miles of waterways including finger-chains of canals within this 38-square mile port city. Bordered by 23-miles of sandy beaches along Florida’s Gold Coast and its tropical setting, this city is a true feast for the eyes and all of the senses. (Fact: Fort Lauderdale is known for its certified beaches that uphold high standards of sand cleanliness and water quality. The city has maintained the ‘Blue Wave Beaches’ title by the Clean Beaches Council in Washington, D.C. since 1999).

In addition to sinking your toes into the sand at one of the public or private resort beaches, the next best thing to do, in order to really get a feel for Fort Lauderdale, is to board a water taxi. Aboard these floating taxis, you will glide through the myriad of water channels skirted by an abundance of gorgeous yachts. You can hop on and off the taxis as you please, and stop at restaurants, hotels and shops; it’s also a great way to learn about the area’s rich history and waterways, and to see the plethora of luxury homes with massive waterfront footing at which residents can park mega yachts. (Tip: All-day passes are available as well as sunset cruises offering food and libations).

While hopping aboard a water taxi is the best way to really see Fort Lauderdale, here’s another option: become the captain of your own ship. If you don’t own a boat, no worries; you can rent a 21-footer (and not break the bank), or perhaps kick it up a notch and lease a gorgeous cruiser yacht.

There are a myriad of marinas with available boat rentals and jet skis, plus you can rent a kayak from these marinas and paddle through the channels to the Atlantic. Believe it or not, the Atlantic Ocean here is often as smooth as glass. (Note: There are kayaks, Yolo boards and more available on the beaches).
There are several different beaches to visit; in fact, beach hopping along Ocean Boulevard is a great idea to see what Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Gold Coast has to offer. (Tip: The beaches in Fort Lauderdale are family-friendly and very clean). The iconic Hollywood Beach is famous for its 2.2 mile-long boardwalk which stretches along the beach front, and many would argue that this is the best beach in Fort Lauderdale. Further north, towards the tip of Fort Lauderdale’s coast, is Deerfield Beach (which was the site for 2017’s Baywatch movie). Warning: you may find it hard to decide which beach is your favorite!
Even if you are staying at a posh hotel or resort with a private beach, the gorgeous public beaches are something to see, and many offer beach services including umbrella and chair rentals; there are also clean public restrooms and running faucets to rinse off the sand. Complementing this beach visit, perhaps to give you a respite from the san and sun, is this: right across the street from these beaches are numerous restaurants and shops.

Perhaps one of the most exciting strips which runs perpendicular to Ocean Beach Boulevard is the charming Las Olas Boulevard. Here you will find restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and one-of-a-kind shops and galleries. Suggestion? Make a bee-line straight for Louis Bossi’s Ristorante Bar and Pizzeria. Not only does this bustling eatery exude great atmosphere, but their freshly-made, authentic, mouthwatering dishes are hard to beat and won’t disappoint, thanks to the ever-passionate Executive Chef Louie Bossie and Chef Ben Lichorobiec (the latter of whom started as a grill cook).

Bossi’s great atmosphere spills out to the street through its grand French doors where you can sit outside and people-watch while you dine and/or have a refreshing cocktail. You may also want to grab a table outside in the gorgeous delightful piazza, which is yet another sight to behold. (Tip: Louis Bossi’s is full of professional career waiters, and Carlos is one of those great examples. Be sure to meet the friendly and spirited restaurant manager Emilia Berrios, who will not only give you great menu recommendations, but will also give you a tour chock-full of information about this award-winning eatery. The friendly and caring staff here is evident and is second-to-none).

So what to order? The menu at Louis Bossi’s is extensive, and has enough tasty options that you will have a hard time choosing your appetizer and main dish. A ‘must’ is to start with an out-of-this world charcuterie board; these boards are unlike any other, and include salami, prosciutto, and formaggio made and or cured in-house. (Tip: You cannot go wrong with the following selections for your make your own charcuterie board: The Finocchionas, Tartufo, Barrata with the homemade artisan bread sticks, enhanced with almonds, truffle honey, dried fruits, olives and giardiniera- each is a ‘must’). While the fresh savory soups and Neapolitan pies are also highly recommended, the homemade pasta dishes like the Rigatoni, Linguine Nero and their hand selected Bistecca (aged 18 days) are sure to please your palate. (Fact: All of their pastries, breads and cookies are made in-house daily). (Tip: Booths #21, #22 & #23 are great for those who want to be in the center of all the action, and outside lounge tables #102, #105, and #105 are great for date nights and people watching along Las Olas Boulevard. In the back courtyard, #221 (the Gazebo table) is sought after for wedding proposals and for very romantic evenings.

While there are few reasons to tear yourself away from the heart of Fort Lauderdale, 15 miles north in South Corals you will find a not-to-be-missed authentic experience that won’t require you to travel overseas. Whether it’s for a romantic evening or an evening of fun for the whole family, make a reservation to experience the iconic and legendary Mai Kai Restaurant and Lounge which puts on a show like no other place in America!

To begin with, well… there are no words that could do this tropical mecca justice; you simply have to see it for yourself. Once you arrive, you will know you have entered another world as the sprawling Mai Kai is a recreation of the South Pacific and is dripping in island décor and tiki atmosphere. Tiki torches, a thatch roof, artifact displays, tropical gardens and giant tiki sculptures greet visitors at this island oasis; plus, all the floor managers walk around in white suits just like the one Ricardo Montalban (who played ‘Mr. Roarke’) wore on Fantasy Island.

The Mai Kai is home of an award-winning, extensive Polynesian show, which includes a luau and the exciting Somoan Fire Knife Dance. Since the late 1950s, skilled dancers have been taking guests through a historical and authentic journey of different cultural customs of the South Pacific islands and Hawaii. (Fact: Second and third generation professional dancers and employees work here, thus adding to the joyful experience). The award-winning dinner show also includes a delicious three-course meal and your choice of 50 exotic tropical cocktails, some served in a huge pineapple, coconut or tiki! (Big Tip: There are two tables at the very front of the raised section which butt against the railing and face the stage; these are among the best tables in the house for viewing the show with more than two people. There are also two small tables on the ground floor that face the stage along the aisle; those seat only two people and are excellent choices for date nights).

There are several thematic dining rooms with real artifacts from the French Polynesian Islands and you can dine in these for lunch, dinner or during the show. (Tip: If you are not here for the show, request the Samoan Room so you can sit by the genuine shrunken head; if not, request a curved booth facing the beautiful outside gardens).

Popular dishes with the locals are the Roast Duck Mai-Kai and the Peking Duck, which is one of their specialties but has limited availability. (If you are planning to order the mouthwatering Peking Duck, you will need to order it at least an hour before you arrive, if not the day before). (Big Tip: If you are taking part in the dinner show, be sure to arrive at least an hour early to stroll through the rooms and see all the photographs, artifacts, and to walk through tropical Mai Kai gardens, which are riddled with both small and giant tikis and a massive waterfall. Also, be sure to walk into the Molokai Lounge, a replicated sunken ship which is actually a bar; this, too, will amaze you)!

Even the ladies restroom here has won an award for its authentic Polynesian beauty, so be sure to powder your nose and admire the intricate carvings around the vintage mirrors.

There are truly so many great culinary choices in Fort Lauderdale, and another fantastic option is the Grill 66 and Bar which is located on the iconic Pier 66 marina. This upscale– yet comfortable– restaurant offers gorgeous waterway views, free valet, and 400-feet of docking for your boat or yacht. Among the popular dishes are the succulent choice steaks and seafood creation, and it’s highly recommended you finish off your meal with the made in-house Carrot Cake!
While here, be sure to meet Pier Sixty-Six Hotel and Marina’s Louis Sanchez, who will take you around in a golf cart to see the property, then drop you off (and pick you up) at the restaurant. Sanchez exudes the true hospitality and genuine friendliness of the people who live here, and he has numerous tips and advice on the area. While we are mentioning great people, hotel concierge Leo D’Aleo will bring you up in the legendary revolving tower known as the Pier Top Ballroom, which is an architectural wonder and offers the best 360-degree views of downtown Fort Lauderdale, its finger-channel waterways and the Atlantic Ocean. (Tip: An amazing brunch with this breathtaking panoramic view is held here once a month, so check their website for dates).

I promise with all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer, you will need a good night’s rest. There are so many hotels, mega-resorts, and quaint inns in-and-around the Gold Coast, and it will be hard to choose the one you like as your home away from home. A unique option is to stay at luxury Lago Mar Resort and Club which has an Old Florida feel. This resort is not only quiet, family-friendly, and family-owned (a rarity), but it also has its own private beachfront for guests; in fact, you can watch the cruise ships from your cabana or beach chair.

In addition to its clear turquoise waters, you will likely find beautiful pieces of coral and shells scattered throughout the coastline; be sure to pick up one of these pieces of Mother Nature and take it home to remember this beautiful beach. This resort has a handful of pools–including a ‘quiet pool’– and all are surrounded by tropical plants, flowers and palm trees scattered throughout the property. Be sure to sit in one of a handful of hammocks under a palm tree, and let the ocean breeze melt your cares away; there are also outdoor games, mini-golf and babysitting services available. (Tip: Be sure to make a friend of Michael in concierge; not only is he genuinely friendly and helpful, but he also knows the area and has great recommendations that you can count on)!
There are several dining venues including the Acquario Restaurant which serves modern American cuisine, and has floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy great views of the pools and stunning beach. (Tip: Be sure to order the mouthwatering Bone-In Pork Chop, Sea Scallops, Voodoo Rock , and Lobster and Avocado Salad. They also offer a three-course dinner menu for $38). Whatever you do, don’t miss the sprawling breakfast brunch with more than a dozen options in the main dining room. (Tip: The waiters here are all very friendly—especially Joan– and make you feel at home). There’s even a soda shop with an old-fashioned countertop where you can order breakfast, lunch, and mouthwatering ice cream creations; Fran from Brooklyn serves everything here with a smile. You can also order cocktails and lunch at the pool, the beach or at the convenient outdoor eating venues.

Whatever you do, do not miss receiving the royal treatment at The Spa at Lago Mar. Allessandra Newsom is the director of this spa, and her immeasurable professionalism and eagerness will make sure your every want is taken care of. You will walk out of this gorgeous spa both relaxed and rejuvenated. (Spa Tips: The two most popular massages are the Signature Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, given by Lisa, and the Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage, administered by Marge. The number one facial experience is the Luminous ‘C ‘ and ‘Sea’.

There are truly so many special things to experience in Fort Lauderdale and Greater Fort Lauderdale, and you’ll quickly realize that one visit is not enough. As soon as you leave, you will be planning your return trip; with direct and inexpensive flights from so many cities, this one-of-a-kind experience is convenient at any time of year. From its people, innumerable offerings, and cuisine, you will always remember this unmatched, priceless area on the Gold Coast.

The Beers of Summer

Summer. Just the thought of the word brings back thoughts of warm weather, vacations, and kicking back on the porch with a few beers. Good beer is a crucial part to summer, so picking the right one is as important as choosing the best beach to visit on vacation.

As the wise sage and eminent musician Don Henley put it, I can tell you that my love for beer will still be strong even after the beers of summer have gone, but thankfully these beers are just arriving.

From shandys to pale ales to wheat beers and beyond…summer beers are all about refreshing you and beating the heat. There’s a special bond that exists between warm weather and cold beer. While beer is pretty great all year; there’s just something about a hot day that makes a beer taste better than normal.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Dragons & YumYums – If there’s one thing the folks at Dogfish Head know, it’s how to pair music and beer up in a way that is never gimmicky or forced. Their most recent entry into their beer and music lineup comes by way of the weird and wonderful band The Flaming Lips. Together with the brewers at Dogfish Head, the band came up with a beer that fits their personality while fitting perfectly into DFH’s unique beer lineup. Dragons & YumYums is a 6.5% ABV “Lip-smacking” tart pale ale that’s brewed with dragonfruit, yumberry, passionfruit, pear juice, and black carrot. All ingredients you’d expect to find in a beer from Dogfish Head, and lineup just eclectic enough to do the Flaming Lips justice.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Briney Melon – Back in the early 16th century, the people of Golsar, Germany created a beer that was brewed with salt water and spiced with coriander and hops. Allowed to ferment with lactic bacteria, this tart beverage was a loved by the masses. As with all things, history has a way of repeating itself and Anderson Valley is here to help with their Melon Gose (prounouced go-zuh). This 4.2% ABV beer is light yet tart with a slightly salty taste. Perfect for warmer months, this beer is only around during the summer so make sure to try it before it’s history again.

G&T Gose – When it comes to classic cocktails, it’s hard to beat a gin and tonic. Simple, straightforward, and full of bright botanical flavors, it’s a real go-to drink. The brewers at Anderson Valley Brewing Company felt the same way, which is why they decided to translate this classic drink into beer form. Using a tart sour Gose beer as the base for the concoction, you’ll also find lemon peel, juniper, lemongrass, and grains of paradise along for the trip to give this bright, tart beer a truly refreshing edge that’s perfect for warmer months. Like many Gose-style beers, G&T Gose comes in at 4.2% ABV.

Summer Solstice – Unlike winter and fall beers, summer beers fall into quite a few categories and run the gamut of flavors. Take for example Anderson Valley’s Summer Solstice. This beer is slightly sweet with a malty backbone and a clean finish. Summer Solstice is considered a session beer, coming in at 5% ABV, making it perfect for having a few beers while barbequing or cutting the grass. Bravo hops give this beer a slight hop flavor and the light spice addition gives the beer a hint of caramel and spice, making it a “cream soda for adults” without being too sweet.

Bell’s Brewery
Oberon – Few things taste more like summer than a cold can of Bell’s Oberon. This 5.8% ABV wheat beer features a spicy hop character with mild fruity aromas. The malt gives this beer a smooth mouthfeel and pleasant lightness that makes it nearly perfect for the warm summer months. Oberon is available in 12-oz cans as well as the 16-oz pint cans, giving you the exact right amount of beer to make the porch-sitting months hopefully last forever.

Heavy Seas Beer
Smooth Sail – Wheat ales seem to make the best summer beers, but sometimes they can get a little bit overused and, dare I say, boring. The folks at Heavy Seas Beer agree on both counts, which is how their Smooth Sail Summer Ale was born. This 4.5% ABV wheat ale is brewed with lemon and orange peel, giving the finish on this beer a great citrus kick. Since cans are the best beer vessel for the summer, this beer will only be available in cans and on draft. So, grab a can, kick back, and enjoy the tastes of summer without worrying about broken bottles or boring beers.

North Country Brewing Company
Bucco Blonde – Blonde ales are typically light and refreshing, making them a perfect match for warm weather, and North Country Brewing’s Bucco Blonde just that. This 4.9% blonde ale has a great malty body with just a hint of bitterness to balance things out. Best of all, this beer is brewed specifically for our very own Pittsburgh Pirates, and more specifically for Bucco’s pitching coach Ray Searage, also known as Uncle Ray. To sweeten the deal even more, proceeds from Bucco Blonde go to benefit the Make a Wish foundation.

Victory Brewing Company
Summer Love – Returning this summer again in a can, Victory’s seasonal Summer Love comes to us in the go-anywhere 12-oz can. While there are many reasons to love summer, Summer Love is possibly the best. This golden ale comes in at 5.2% ABV and features tastes of fresh, clean German malts with earthy, spicy noble European hops, and finishes up with a slight lemon aftertaste thanks to some whole flower American hops used in the brewing process.

Troegs Brewing Company
Crimson Pistil – What do you think of when you think of summer? Pools, grass cutting, and the beach are all good candidates, but one thing that’s probably present in every image is bright, colorful flowers. Summer is when the beautiful hibiscus flower blows, and Troegs Brewing decided to take full advantage of it this year for their new Crimson Pistil Hibiscus IPA. This 6.2% ABV beer features a mix of berry-like tanginess, tropical hop notes, and a hearty dose of bitterness to give you your new favorite summertime beer.

Erie Brewing Company
Soleil Shandy – Shandys are perfect for the summer. They’re light, refreshing, and exactly what you need for a day spent in the sun. Erie Brewing’s Soleil Summer Shandy is a great example of what a shandy should be. The beer comes in at 3.5% ABV and features bright raspberry and lemon flavors with a backbone that’s all beer. Unlike flavored beers, shandys are a blend of fruit juice and lager, done so that you can enjoy beer in the warmer weather without having to resort to anything less flavorful.

Oskar Blues Brewery
Fugli IPA – Not all IPAs are meant to be high in alcohol and super bitter, far from it. Take for example Fugli from Oskar Blues Brewing. Along with the bright hop flavors you’d expect from an IPA you’ll find hints of blueberry, tangerine, and citrus thanks to the Yuzu, Ugli fruit, and Mosaic hops. Best of all, Fugli comes in at 5.8% ABV so you’re not overdoing it when the days get long, and the nights get warm.

Otter Creek Brewing Co.
Orange Dream Cream Ale – There was a time when cream ales ruled the beer world. They were low in bitterness, easy to drink, and cheap to make. As with many things, everything old is new again, and with that is a resurgence of the beloved cream ale. Returning for 2018 is Otter Creek Brewing’s take on the cream ale, their 5.25% ABV Orange Dream that features flavors of orange peel, citrus, and malty goodness. Inspired by the orange-flavored ice cream that we’ve all loved at one time or another, this beer is meant for the hot summer months and like most beers in this list, is avaialbe in a can so it can go where you go, too.

Saugatuck Brewing Company
Blueberry Lemonade Shandy – Lemonade stands are all nice and fine, but if more of them upgraded from lemonade mix to Blueberry Lemonade Shandy from Saugatuck Brewing Company, they’d probably make a little more money. This 5% ABV shandy has the bright lemon flavor you’d expect in a solid shandy with the added tartness of blueberries to give it a truly unique flavor profile that’s just perfect for summer.

Irish Beer All Year with O’Hara’s Brewery

With the number of breweries opening around us every day, it’s easy to believe that the craft beer movement is unique to the United States, but while we definitely have the most growth and expansion happening, other countries have been, and continue to have success in brewing great beer with quality ingredients. Take for example the family-owned Irish brewery O’Hara’s, also known as Carlow Brewing Company.

Based in County Carlow, Ireland, O’Hara’s mixes traditional Irish brewing practices with inspired craft beer creations to give us a brewery that’s both old and new, traditional and innovative. Founded in 1996, O’Hara’s took two years to completely restore the 19th century “Goods Store” they chose to be their brewpub as well as collect the required licenses, materials, and of course brewing equipment, officially launching their first beer in 1998.

The first beers produced by the fledgling brewery were their current year-round offerings of Irish Red and Curim Gold Celtic Wheat. The next year, O’Hara’s launched their current best-seller in the form of their ubiquitous Irish Stout. From there the brewery continued to brew traditional Irish beers like their Irish Red and Pale Ale while adding in seasonal beers and brews with higher hop content to meet the growing trend of hop-forward beers.

This lead O’Hara’s to start their craft-focused lineup of beers centered around the IPA style including their 51st State IPA, Freebird White IPA, HopSession IPA, and Notorious Red IPA. This also spawned their Hop Adventure series of beers as a seasonal offering, with each unique beer focused on one specific type of hop.

The brewery expanded their production capacity in 2005 and moved to an even larger brewery just a few years later in 2009. In 2011 the brewery added a significantly expanded kegging system to better distribute their award-winning beers.

Much like some of their American brewing brethren, O’Hara’s received a license to distill in 2012, adding even more history and innovation to their lineup.

Today O’Hara’s Irish lineup of beers are available thanks to distributors that understand that a craft beer doesn’t have to be American to be great. With the help of Vecenie’s Distributing in Millvale we’re able to enjoy these fine Irish beers not only for the now passed St. Paddy’s Day, but all year long.

Beer Lineup
While not all of O’Hara’s Irish Ales are available this side of the pond, knowing their lineup and what they have to offer is never a bad thing. One beer that’s always available to us is their tried and true O’Hara’s Irish Stout. This nitrogenated flagship beer comes in at 4.3% ABV and is uniquely Irish while staying true to the taste one would expect with a modern craft beer. First brewed in 1999, Irish Stout features a robust flavor that’s accentuated by complex coffee and licorice notes in both the aroma and flavor. The combination of traditional hops with modern Fuggle hops give this beer a slightly more hop-forward flavor while not stepping outside of the flavor profile one would expect with an Irish Stout.

O’Hara’s Irish Stout uses no less than five varieties of wheat and malt to craft the flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel of this award-winning beer. This, paired with a secret recipe of hop varieties and additions leaves you with a beer that’s traditional enough to evoke memories while exciting enough to warrant a spot on your favorite beer list all year long.

One of the two original beers brewed more than seventeen years ago, O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale is a malty, complex example of a traditional Irish Red Ale that stands out from a category that can sometimes be less than impressive. This 4.3% ABV beer features a low bitterness level that allows the bready maltiness to show through beautifully. While often overused, O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale is the definition of smooth and balanced, allowing the beer to be somewhat sweet and bready while staying far away from being cloying or sugary.

Originally known as Moling’s Red Ale when first brewed, this is one beer that has stood the test of time and will be around for years to come.

While Ireland isn’t typically known for pale ales, O’Hara’s Irish Pale Ale will leave you wondering just why that is. This 5.2% ABV beer follows suit with traditional European IPAs while adding a generous amount of dry hopping that is more in-line with American pale ales. Best described as refreshing and zesty, the bitterness in this IPA (Irish Pale Ale) is balanced yet bright enough to bring out the fruit and floral notes hiding just below the surface.

With the success of their Irish Stout, O’Hara’s brought on another Irish style stout with their Leann Folláin. Gaelic for “wholesome stout,” this intense beer is a full-bodied Irish stout that features flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, and balanced bitterness.

With a balance between sweetness and bitterness, you get a bite of hop bitterness on the finish after a pleasant flavor of chocolate and vanilla. Think of the 6% ABV Leann Folláin as the big brother to O’Hara’s Irish Stout.

Sticking with the traditional names for beers, O’Hara’s Curim Gold Celtic Wheat is named for the old Celtic word for beer, “Curmi/Cuirim.” Diverging from the traditional wheat beer style, Curim features a higher hop rate than typical wheat ales, which means the result is a beer with a slightly tart finish that helps to balance the fruity ester flavors of peach, banana and plum.

Curim Gold comes in at 4.3% ABV and thanks to its higher alpha-acid content hops, gives you a wheat beer that has more than meets the eye.

Look for O’Hara’s Irish Ales on draft and in bottles both at your favorite craft beer bars as well as your local distributor or bottle shop. With so many different breweries in the world, it can be tough to know which ones are truly independent and family-owned and which ones are not. Thankfully O’Hara’s Irish Brewery has been independent and family-owned since opening more than 17 years ago, and continues that tradition today.

Travel Like a Local

Insider Tips from Ambassadors Around the World
At TravelBird, we inspire curious people to explore the world and discover something new. We use local insight and insider tips so that our travelers experience the very best of a destination. Our latest travel insight comes from some very special local experts. We contacted ambassadors from all over the world and asked them to share their unique cultural knowledge and destination highlights with us. As representatives of their native country around the globe, we were curious to hear what they offered up and eager to share their recommendations with our travelers.
We asked ambassadors two very simple but revealing questions. If a traveler only has 48 hours in their country, what should they see, do and eat? And, are there any misconceptions or incorrect clichés about their country?

Mr. Giorgio Novello – Italy
If a person is visiting Italy for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“I would of course recommend Venice, Florence and Rome, which are by the way connected by an excellent network of high speed trains. Since I want to suggest something original I would recommend three areas located very closely to Venice, Florence and Rome respectively: Near Venice: inland waterways navigation on the Brenta through Padua and to the Euganean hills. All in all, some seventy kilometers navigation by boat in an idyllic countryside landscape first along the banks of the river Brenta and their Venetian countryside villas (including one by Palladio, which is now of the UNESCO world heritage list) then through Padova/Padua, home to the third oldest University in Europe and the first to award a degree to a woman in 1678; and finally to the foot of the Euganean hills and the Medieval city of Monselice.

Not far from Florence: the Literary Landscape Giosué Carducci in Castagneto Carducci. Literary landscapes are cultural itineraries in the places where important Italian writers and poets lived or set their masterpieces. In a Literary Landscape you can for instance visit the house of birth of an author or the school he/she attended, the rooms in which he/she composed their works; attend readings from their works; participate in events such as concerts and theater performances, enjoy traditional food in listed restaurants…The Literary Landscape Giosue’ Carducci is important because it is devoted to the Nobel Prize Winner in 1906 who also established the Dante Alighieri Society which today is in charge of the Literary Landscapes all over Italy.

Near Rome: the small village of Tolfa, on top of a hill, some 45 minutes from Rome, which has hosted for the last 20 years a prestigious Norwegian-Italian cultural Institute and has become a magnet of cultural, literary and scientific exchanges between Southern and Northern Europe. Worth seeing is also its archaeological museum with Etruscan findings.”
Is there a common cliche about people in Italy which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“A common cliché about Italy is that my country is very strong in soft skills (including fashion, design, cuisine, art) and weak in hard skills (engineering, scientific research, aerospace). The fact is that Italy is also a leading country in advanced technology, science, nanotechnologies, pharmaceuticals, energy, aerospace. For instance, machine tools and mechanical engineering are the most important component of our export and we are today the 5th largest manufacturer in the world after the United States, China, Japan and Germany.”

Mr. Tomislav Bošnjak – Croatia
If a person is visiting Croatia for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“Two days in Croatia, notwithstanding the seasons, would probably be best spent by visiting first Dubrovnik, walking around the city walls, drinking malvasija wine and eating a traditional fish grill with silver beet and potatoes, and finishing off with a rožata. Then travel to Plitvice, walk around the waterfalls, drink šljivovica (plum brandy) and eat a meal of cured and smoked meat with sauer kraut and potatoes, before having lička pita for desert. Then travel to Zagreb, visit the Cathedral, the Gornji grad (Upper City) with St Mark’s Church, the Jelačić Square and the City Market, have štrukli and Zagrebački schnitzel, wash it down with local beer or a local dry wine mixed (half – half) with Jamnica sparkling mineral water which is locally known as a ‘gemišt’.”
Is there a common cliche about people in Croatia which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Croats are sometimes described as being reserved and insular by those who do not know them. 18 million annual visitors to Croatia are finding for themselves a completely different story.”

Mr. Matthijs van Bonzel – Netherlands

If a person is visiting Netherlands for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“If you’re in the Netherlands for only 48 hours, I recommend that you spend some time in our capital, Amsterdam, and soak up the history and culture of this beautiful city. Rent a bike and cycle along the canals or take a boating trip. Pay a visit to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House and visit a pleasant terrace café afterwards.

If you manage to do that all in 24 hours, I recommend you spend the last 24h somewhere outside of Amsterdam. Take a short train trip to The Hague and Rotterdam, for example. Visit the Dutch Parliament and the Mauritshuis in The Hague or explore modern Rotterdam and visit the biggest port of Europe. The Netherlands offers something to everyone.

What to eat Go Dutch and try ‘poffertjes’, a ‘kroket’ or ‘frikandel’. If you’d rather eat something more elaborate, you could opt for a ‘rijsttafel’, the dishes served are actually Indonesian, but its origins were colonial. The Dutch introduced the rijsttafel during their presence in Indonesia, hence the Dutch name. Of course you should also take some ‘stroopwafels’ back home.”
Is there a common cliche about people in Netherlands which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Don’t worry, we don’t all smoke weed!”

Mr. Jorge-Castro Valle – Mexico
If a person is visiting Mexico for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“Definitely visit Mexico City, as it is the capital of the country, it offers many things so it is a nice city for a short stay. Travellers should visit the historic center of the city as it’s a must-see. They should also visit the Zócalo, the cathedral, the murals in the National Palace, as well as walk along Madero Street, Bellas Artes and the Alameda. To know a little bit more about the history of Mexico, it would be nice to visit the Museum of Anthropology and History. The pure architecture of the museum is worth the visit. And if people are interested in contemporary art, the Tamayo Museum offers, besides the work of Mexican artists, a very good selection of temporary exhibitions.

Travelers should also make a visit to Coyoacán, which is a colony that still keeps much of it past and whose center is a place of recreation for families. In addition, there is the house of Frida Kahlo, and the Anahuacalli Museum of Diego Rivera. If there is time, it’s nice to visit the Teotihuacán pyramids.

And for eating, I would recommend everything! From tacos de pastor, suadero or campechanos on the street, to the contemporary cuisine of fine Mexican dining. Travelers should not miss the opportunity to visit the markets, such as Mercado de San Juan or Mercado de Medellín.

In a country like Mexico, food plays a fundamental role. Much of the social interaction happens through food, so the best way to start to know the country is by the stomach.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Mexico which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“There are some clichés about México and the Mexican citizens, but part of it is because of missing of information, or some clichés are about the old Mexico. One of the best examples of it could be the Mexican sleeping under a cactus with a tequila bottle.”

Mr.Nagy Zoltán – Hungary
If a person is visiting Hungary for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“Walk on the Margaret-bridge, and on the banks of the Danube in Budapest, visit the Parliament, take a ride on a boat, and visit the Castle. Other notable cities to visit include Szentendre (25 km North of Budapest), Visegrád, the Danube bend, and Tihany (Lake Balaton). Try one of the Thermal baths in Budapest (Gellért, Rudas or Lukács). Those visiting should eat Hungarian Gulash, Fish soup, Wiener Schnitzel, lecsó, stuffed cabbage, and the cakes: Dobos cake, Somlói galuska.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Hungary which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
Some misconceptions include -“Hungarians do not speak languages: in fact, the young people speak English, and in Budapest, in most of the shops and services English is spoken. Hungarians are xenophobic: Hungarians (mainly in the smaller cities) love foreigners, the hospitability of Hungarians is famous (they ask you if they can help, if you are seemingly lost, they share their food with you, and offer you pálinka (strong short drink) until you can drink. Antisemitism: we have several working synagogues in Budapest, the Central Synagogue is the largest in Europe. The Jewish district is the most vivid part of the capital with restaurants, shops, Jewish community houses, pubs.”

Mr. Román Macaya – Costa Rica
If a person is visiting Costa Rica for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“Experience Costa Rica’s strikingly diverse terrain with lush forests, wildlife reserves, and tropical beaches which offer something for every traveler. Beach-lovers should stay along the Pacific Coast and head to Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula’s. Nature-seekers should stay in the Northern Plains or along the Caribbean coast and visit Puerto Viejo, before going to Monteverde Cloud forest and hike Arenal Volcano. If they are interested in going to San José, the capital, they can visit the National Theater, the Cathedral, Barrio Amón (one of the oldest neighborhoods in the country), the National Park, the Jade and Gold Museums, and the National Zoo. The typical Costa Rican lunch consists of rice, beans, chicken or meat, mature bananas and fruits that are produced throughout the year.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Costa Rica which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Untrue cliché: Travelers come to enjoy Costa Rica´s natural wonders during their vacations, and may leave believing that all Costa Ricans live a similar ‘vacation lifestyle’ year round. However, the work ethic of Costa Ricans is very strong, with many Costa Ricans working in high value services and high-tech manufacturing. Many people, even those who have visited Costa Rica, have the idea that Costa Rica’s economy is primarily agricultural, when in fact our main exports are high value services and medical devices.”

Ms. Elizabeth Ellison-Kramer – Austria
If a person is visiting Austria for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“As I was born in Vienna, I would recommend the capital of Austria. Go to Schönbrunn castle, the former imperial summer residence, which was built during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, and is definitely worth visiting and among the most popular sights. I would also recommend visiting Salzburg and the small town of Oberndorf, near Salzburg. In Oberndorf stands the chapel where the song ‘Silent night’ was first performed in 1818 on Christmas Eve and was declared a cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Vienna for example is famous for its coffee house culture offering a wide selection of different coffees as well as sweet treats (Sachertorte, Linzer Torte, and Kaiserschmarrn). For those who like meat dishes, Wiener Schnitzel is a must.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Austria which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Stereotypes about Austria are full of folklore picturing Austrians wearing Dirndl and Lederhose, skiing a lot and loving Sound of Music. I believe that Sound of Music is actually more popular outside of Austria. However, it is true, that especially in the West, many Austrians are fond of skiing. Austria is not only famous for its historic sites but also known for modern and environment friendly architecture.”

Mr. Aníbal de Castro – Dominican Republic
If a person is visiting Dominican Republic for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“The Dominican Republic has a great diversity of beaches, with golden sands in the north, white sand beaches in the east and black sand or rocks in the south. This variation allows people to enjoy a very diverse experience within the Caribbean.

I would suggest setting off on a Saturday on a catamaran excursion to Saona Island: swimming in its clear waters and walking on its white sand will be an unforgettable experience. Another option is to go to Palmar de Ocoa bay, where visitors can enjoy spectacular views and a gentle breeze, and afterwards visit Ocoa Bay, where you can taste the wine selection of the most important vineyard in the country. Sunday is the best day to tour the streets of the first city of the Americas by bicycle, exploring the cultural offering, local design shops, and cafes. Visitors can take advantage of a wide selection of local gastronomy in the Colonial Zone. To top it off, I would recommend ending the day by dancing Son and Merengue to the notes of the Bonyé group in front of the colonial ruins of the San Francisco Monastery.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Dominican Republic which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“The relaxed mood of Dominican people should not be confused with a lack of appetite for work. Quite the opposite, Dominicans are tenacious and entrepreneurial and work from sunrise to sunset with a good disposition and positive attitude.”

Mr. Jørn Eugene Gjelstad – Norway
If a person is visiting Norway for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
Visit -“Oslo (Opera House, Munch museum, Vigeland park, Fram museum). There are not many better places for a drink along the fjord than the Opera house. The architecture is stunning and it is so much fun for kids to run on the roof. The nearby Sørenga offers swimming in an urban oasis, and you should not miss the Astrup Fearnley museum. Then take the train to Bergen and have a walk from the charming fishing wharf up to Fløyen. It takes you through a historical and very beautiful residential area, gives you a good scenic experience and finally an amazing view over Bergen, the fjord and the mountains. If you prefer, you can take the cable car up, and walk down. It is just as good. Enjoying nature and the outdoors is considered a national pastime in Norway, and this is reflected in our attitude towards the preservation and use of the nature. VisitNorway.com lists eco-friendly hotels and destinations. You can’t visit Norway without eating seafood such as salmon, shrimps, muscles in classic or more modern culinary versions. Try also geitost, the sweet goat cheese that all Norwegians use on their ‘matpakke’ their home made sandwich which they take to school or to work.”

Is there a common cliché about people in Norway which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Norwegian are ‘cold’ people. This is far from true. They have a different mentality compared to more southern countries, yes, they might not talk on the bus or speak to strangers, but cold no. When you make a Norwegian friend you have a friend forever!”

Mr. Fernando Bucheli – Ecuador
If a person is visiting Ecuador for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
Travellers -“should visit the Old Town of Quito, and after go to the ‘Mitad del Mundo’ monument. The next day you should go to Mindo Valley which is a subtropical forest, two hours away from the capital. In terms of food, for breakfast it would be nice to eat coffee with ‘bolones verdes’. For lunch, I recommend shrimp ceviche, ‘locro’ (potato soup), ‘seco de gallina’, fruit ice-cream, and pancakes with chocolate, as it is made with the best cacao of the world. Finally for dinner, it is really nice to eat chicken soup.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Ecuador which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“The straw hat is confused with the so-called Panama hat, which is originally from Ecuador not from Panama.”

Mrs. Ritva Koukku-Ronde – Finland
If a person is visiting Finland for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“For 48 hours we recommend staying in the Helsinki region, visiting the city center, exploring Jugend architecture in the old town and modern, sustainable building style in Jätkäsaari or Kalasatama. We also recommend the islands around the city (Suomenlinna, a Unesco World Heritage site), the old town of Porvoo with beautiful wooden houses and the Nuuksio national park in Espoo. Depending on the season some of the outdoor activities can also be changed into museum visits.

For sightseeing in Helsinki, go to the Helsinki Cathedral, Temppeliaukio Church, Ateneum Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki Market Hall, Tori Korttelit – Design District, Public sauna complexes Löyly and Allas Sea Pool. A new exciting thing for 2018 is the opening of Amos Rex, a new arts museum in the heart of Helsinki.

When in Finland you should definitely try the pure tastes of local nature, like freshwater fish and reindeer as well as berries and mushrooms. Wild and local food tastes intensive and is pure and clean. The traditional Finnish rye-bread is also a must-try.”
Is there a common cliché about people in Finland which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“A cliché is that Finnish people are very shy and introvert. We might be a little shy but people who travel to Finland normally say that Finnish people are friendly, hospitable and heartfelt. When Finns meet new people for the first time, they tend to take the role of the observer and want to be polite and give the guest first some own space.”

Ms. Susan Bincoletto – Canada
If a person is visiting Canada for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“Everyone knows that Canada is a large country, but often time’s visitors don’t realize just how large it is. For comparison, the land mass of Switzerland would fit into Canada over 240 times! Therefore, my recommendation would be to focus on a region or one of Canada’s big cities. As I was born in Montreal, Quebec, it is my top recommendation for an amazing 48 hours in Canada. Montreal is a truly bilingual city where you are likely to hear individuals switch back and forth from English to French within one conversation. Visitors can enjoy a mosaic of cultures set against the backdrop of one of Canada’s oldest cities. I recommend that visitors take in the charming cobblestone streets of the city’s old district to see how the city first began to develop and check out the Notre-Dame Basilica with its incredible stained glass art. A walk to Mount Royal Park to take in the view and a couple of selfies is also a must. Once you have your history fix, treat yourself to some retail therapy by exploring the shops along Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of the longest shopping streets in Canada, where you will find cool shoes at Little Burgundy, Montreal-designed vegan leather goods at Matt & Nat, and great fashion at Simons. Come the evening, no visit to Montreal would be complete without a night out at a hockey game. Enjoy the passion of the fans of the Montreal Canadiens (or The Habs as they are more commonly known). The Habs have the honor of being the longest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world and some of the most loyal fans around.

As for food, there is much fun to be had in Montreal. You cannot miss a smoked-meat sandwich at world-famous Schwartz’s deli and make sure you take the time to find out why Montreal-style bagels are so beloved by grabbing a bag from St-Viateur to take home for enjoyment later. Finally, dive in to a classic French-Canadian treat like poutine, the traditional recipe is simply French fries covered with cheese curds and gravy, but there is a whole assortment of exciting ways to enjoy this comfort food.”

Is there a common cliché about people in Canada which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Honestly, a lot of the clichés are quite accurate: Canadians are friendly, tolerant, and, sorry, but we do apologize a lot. A less accurate cliché is the idea that Canadians are a rural people. Of course as the world’s second largest country, we have a huge amount of land and space for our population of 36 million. However, 81% of Canadians actually live in urban centers and these urban centers are overwhelmingly multicultural; in fact Toronto is recognized as the world’s most multicultural city. As a result, we have vibrant and innovative creative industries, performers and artists and we are lucky to enjoy a remarkable array of culinary experiences. While we have become an urban people, Canadians enjoy our natural endowments during their free time and are thankful to those who cultivate and protect these areas.”

Ms. Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek – Philippines
If a person is visiting Philippines for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
Travelers -“should visit the islands! A good way to do this is to go through Cebu in order to avoid the gridlock of Manila’s roads. Cebu itself offers a range of attractions, including lovely beaches. You shouldn’t miss the local ‘lechon’ (succulent roast pig) or the ‘sutokil’ (fish prepared three ways: grilled, as a soup, and something similar to ceviche). Bohol is also just a two-hour ferry ride away and offers more white strands, the Chocolate Hills, and the beautiful Loboc River, among others. It also has a lot of old churches, which unfortunately suffered damage in an earthquake a few years ago but are now being restored.”
Is there a common cloche about people in Philippines which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“Filipinos are famously lighthearted and good-humored, so some people underestimate how serious and deeply committed they can be when entrusted with responsibility or engaged in serious discussion.”

Ms. Nicole Roberton – New Zealand
If a person is visiting New Zealand for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“New Zealand may be a small country but it is jam-packed with jaw-dropping natural scenery, vibrant modern cities, picturesque cycling and walking trails, dynamic arts and culture, adventure activities, and film locations. I promise you won’t regret extending your stay, especially as doing so will give you more opportunities to sample some of New Zealand’s world-famous beef, lamb and oysters, washed down with award-winning pinot noirs and sauvignon blancs.”
Is there a common cliché about people in New Zealand which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“It’s not a cliché, but it’s amazing how many European people tell me that as children, they assumed everyone in New Zealand had to somehow walk upside down. It’s also interesting that, despite the fact that the world is round, when people produce flat maps, New Zealand always ends up in the bottom left hand corner, looking like we are at the end of the earth. To counter this, we have some excellent alternate maps, like The Upside Down World Map… Location is in the eye of the beholder!”

Mr. Luis F Carranza – Guatemala
If a person is visiting Guatemala for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
“Definitely, tourists have to visit ‘Old Guatemala’ only 40km away from the main city, as it is a colonial city recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. In Antigua Guatemala there are some of the best restaurants. I would recommend eating a ‘Parrillada Chapina’, roast, black beans, rice and guacamole. There are more elaborated dishes such as ‘Ka’ik’, which is a thick soup made with turkey and unique spices from Guatemala. And from Antiguan, the tourist can visit the Atitlán Lake, where you can value the Mayan culture, and also in this area it is possible to climb some active volcanos, which are really next to the capital, such as ‘Pacaya’ or ‘Volcán de Fuego’.”

Is there a common cliché about people in Guatemala which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?
“I think there are lot of clichés, but the most common one is that people think Guatemala is a tropical country. It actually has many microclimates, so there are really high and low temperatures in the country. If you are next to the sea there is going to be a really warm weather, but if you are in the Western Highlands, the temperature can get below zero between December and February.”
Methodology:

Ambassadors in 53 countries were contacted between September 2017 and January 2018, of which over 100 answers were received. The decision was made to only showcase answers from ambassadors (i.e. not press officers or representatives of the embassy). This categorization process concluded with a total of 55 answers, from 36 different nationalities, based in 22 different countries.
The ambassadors were asked two questions about their country of origin. For example, the Italian ambassador based in Norway answered the questions about Italy.

The two questions were as follows:

• If a person is visiting your country for 48 hours, where should they go? What should they see? What should they eat?
• Is there a common cliché about people in your country which you believe is misrepresentative or untrue?

Therefore, based on the above example, the Canadian ambassador based in Switzerland would then reply with recommendations on what Canadian food to eat and any incorrect clichés about Canada.

Ellicottville Brewing Company

Born out of the heart of ski country in New York State, Ellicottville Brewing Company has been making their take on old world-style beers for more than 20 years and counting. Founded in 1995 by Peter Kreinheder, Ellicottville Brewing Co., or EBC as it’s known to those of us into the whole brevity thing, started with the idea that ski country needed some better beer than what was currently available, which in 1995 wasn’t much at all.

Ellicottville Brewing’s first location was in, you guessed it, the Village of Ellicottville, NY. Since the founding of the brewery in 1995, two more locations in Fredonia and Bemus Point, NY have opened to help spread the good word of craft beer and amazing food. In 2013 the original brewpub was expanded into an 8,000 sq. ft. facility featuring a restaurant, brew house, and German beer garden. Standing by their slogan of “Brewed to Entertain,” EBC has continually made outstanding beers that never fail to please. With a focus on fresh ingredients and a want to follow the idea of “Farm to Pint,” EBC is still going strong 23 years later with no signs of slowing down. Best of all, thanks to Vecenie Distributing we’re finally able to get EBC beers here in the City of Champions.

Beers
Like most craft breweries, Ellicottville Brewing Co. has both year-round and seasonal brews so we can have our favorite beers all year, and enjoy some extra special beers tied to each season. As an added bonus, EBC launched their Imperial Series in 2015, under which they have been able to release some very unique beers with a little higher gravity than your typical beer has to offer.

EBC focuses on old world-style beers with a modern twist, which means that while they mostly start with tried and true styles of beer, these common brews are spiced up with something extra special. Whether it’s adding fruit to a hefeweizen or peanut butter to a porter, EBC mixes the old and the new to make truly unique craft beers.

Everyday Series

Blueberry Wheat Ale – Refreshing at any time of the year, EBC’s Blueberry Wheat Ale comes in at a sessionable 4.8% ABV, featuring fresh blueberries, Canadian 2-row barley, white wheat, and noble German hops to give you a beer that’s light, crisp, and always fresh. On the nose you’ll get a fresh blueberry aroma that’s followed by a light malty body and a bright blueberry taste. The finish is slightly dry with a light, lingering blueberry flavor.

Keepin’ It Peel – Brewed in the style of American IPA, Keepin’ It Peel comes in at 5% ABV and features flavors of grapefruit and lime peel, giving this already citrus-forward beer a bright, fresh flavor and aroma that’s not overpowered by a higher ABV as with other American IPAs.

Stainless Steel IPA – Another take on the American IPA style, Stainless Steel IPA refers to the tanks in which most beers are brewed and fermented. Stainless Steel comes in at 7% ABV and 77 IBU and features juicy, flowery aromas backed up by a brilliant, complex flavor profile including citrus rind, light floral notes, and a hop-forward bitterness.

Seasonal Series

Ski Bum Hoppy Ale – Jumping over to the seasonal side of EBC, their Ski Bum Winter Ale may be on its way out as we get into Spring, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get ready for next year. Ski Bum is a crisp, hop-forward winter ale that pours a beautiful auburn color that features a 6% ABV, hoppiness thanks to Centennial hops, and a little holiday spice to make this beer bright and flavorful for those cold winter months.

Blood Orange Hefeweizen – Ellicottville Brewing takes the standard hefeweizen style of beer and adds the bright, refreshing character of Napa Valley blood oranges. With a slight bitterness, this sessionable 4.6% ABV beer has a clear blood orange flavor with a somewhat dry, earthy finish.

Mow Monster Ultra Pale Ale – Starting with Belgian Cara malts and an array of fresh American hops, EBC’s seasonal American pale ale is brewed for warm weather to be lighter-bodied while keeping tons of flavor and just enough bitterness to stay refreshing from start to finish, and at 5% ABV, this is one beer you can have a few of and not worry about your mowing.

Just Peachy Fruit Ale – Brewed in the shandy/radler style of beers, EBC’s Just Peachy is a sumer seasonal that uses barley and wheat paired with sweet Georgia peaches and black tea to give you a 4.2% ABV beer that’s light, refreshing, and ready for the hottest days you can throw at it.

Fall Festival Lager – Changing pace from the typical lineup of ales from EBC, their Märzen Fall Festival Lager uses fresh German Hallatauer hops and Munich malts to make a truly unique yet traditional 5.6% ABV beer to celebrate the yearly Oktoberfest season.

Mosaic Sunrise IPA – Brewed using all Mosaic hops, Mosaic Sunrise is a 6% ABV beer that comes loaded with layers of tropical fruit and big, bright aromas all neatly packaged in a hop-forward American IPA. Ringing in at 80 IBUs, this beer isn’t for the faint of heart, yet it is approachable enough for those just starting to worship at the chapel of the almighty hop, too.

Imperial Series

Chocolate Cherry Bomb – True to the series name, Chocolate Cherry Bomb is a big 8.2% ABV American imperial stout featuring English hops, chocolate malt, and Oregon sweet cherries. The result is a beer that is just about perfect for that very special day in February with someone extra special.

½ Baked Peanut Butter Porter – EBC starts with an American-style porter and ups the ABV to 7% while adding roasted peanuts to give this beer a real roasty peanut butter character that’s backed up by the American oats, British malts, and Canadian Barley. ½ Baked pours a near-perfect black with a creamy tan head and a silky-smooth mouthfeel.

Fistful of Peel Imperial Citrus IPA – Brewed in the American Imperial IPA style, Fistful of Peel comes in at 8% ABV and 82 IBU and features zesty orange, tart grapefruit, and bright lime peel all alongside the Centennial and Citra hops to give you loads of citrus goodness while keeping the fruitiness in check thanks to the hop-forward character found from start to finish in the big, bold beer.

Raspberry Beret Sour Ale – Now that you have Prince stuck in your head on repeat (you’re welcome), EBC’s take on the sour style of beers comes your way at 7% ABV and is specifically a kettle-soured raspberry blonde ale. That means you’re in for bright, tart flavors with a crisp sourness that has a somewhat malty, bready base. In short, this is one heck of a solid sour beer that’s still approachable.

Caramel Apple Cuvee – Some beers need a little time “in wood” to get the perfect flavor profile, and EBC’s Caramel Apple Cuvee is just such a beer. This 8.5% ABV strong blonde ale is aged in American Oak and is brewed with caramel, green apples, citrus, and vanilla. Together, these flavors meld into one truly amazing beer that finishes dry with a very prominent oak essence.

Swept Away by Grand Isle
By Suzanne Ferrara

When you’ve got some of the best fishing, softest beaches, and hypnotizing surf right off the coast of Louisiana, who needs anywhere else?
Adding to its allure, Grand Isle oozes a presence unlike any place on earth, and is chock full of mystery, history and beauty. While this seven-mile barrier island may have been pummeled by hurricane after hurricane for more than a century, the squalls have never broken its spirit. Once you set foot on this island, you’ll feel as if you’ve discovered a world onto itself.

Fishing reigns on Grand Isle, and has ever since the Native Americans and perhaps the legendary Jean Lafitte used these waters. That’s not surprising since both inland and offshore waters hold a bounty of fish, shrimp and crabs. (Fun Fact: There are 280 species of fish and four seasons of fishing in and off of Grand Isle). Grand Isle has numerous fishing rodeos– for all ages— in the summer and fall, and the iconic Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, which began back in 1928, takes place the last weekend of July. (Fun Fact: the Tarpon is the oldest tournament in the United States and is one of the largest fishing rodeos in south Louisiana).

Grand isle has certainly changed, as more people have discovered the unmatched treasure and millions of dollars have been spent to restore the coastline and marshes in and around the island. Where there was once a plethora of small fishing camps with no air conditioning, there are now gated communities with million dollar ‘camps’; ut perhaps the biggest jewel here is the authenticity of the real generational locals who have thrived off these waters and on the island for decades.

Although it’s only seven miles, a one-day visit is too short to completely experience the island. Don’t fish? That’s o.k. You can certainly experience Grand Isle without hooking a line, as the islanders make it easy and enjoyable for non-anglers as well.

If you don’t own a boat, no problem; just cast off the fishing pier at beginning of the island, surf fish off the beach or just drop a line from the side of the road. You can also come with only your sunscreen and an ice chest, and let one of several great fishing charters provide all the rods, reels, lures and live bait you need. Oh, and did I mention, your catch will be cleaned, filleted, and bagged for you to take home? It’s true; your catch will be quickly ready for either the grill or the freezer!

It’s hard to choose from the plethora of charters offered here because there are so many great boat captains who are not only passionate, but have also have the skill to know where to cast a line. One option is Spots and Specks Charters which offers inshore and coastal fishing courtesy Captain Eddie Berthelot, who grew up in nearby Golden Meadow. H & M Fishing Charters, with husband and wife Captains Jules and Pat Bellanger, offer excellent inland and coastal fishing as well.

If you want a fun offshore excursion, board the Nauti or Knot Charters where Captains Dennis and Amanda will ensure a trip to remember.

Need more fun and adventure? The ever-growing kayak charters are also available, and Ann Smith of Calmwater Charters will bring anglers to Grand Isle’s scenic marsh to find schools of fish. Plus, when speckled trout move off the beaches, Smith, who is also a wade fishing guide and instructor, can take you wade fishing as well.

Did you Know? Grand Isle is a bird lover’s paradise with thousands of migratory birds returning to this island each year. The island offers a perfect habitat for a variety of species who make their temporary homes in the marshes on the back of the island, the beach and the island’s Oak Hackberry Forest. There are at least 100 varieties of birds you may spot at any given time, ranging from the Brown Pelican to the blue heron to the warbler and, once in a while, the pink roseate spoonbill. (Fun Fact: Sometimes a strong thunderstorm will cause thousands of weary migratory birds, in the process of making their 500-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico, to fall to safety into the branches of Grand Isle’s trees. This “fall-out” is truly a sight to behold)!
Once you’ve had a day of fishing and birding, you’ll be ready to relax and have a great dinner. One of the newer eateries on the island is the Hurricane Hole, a fine dining Italian-inspired restaurant, located in the heart of The Hurricane Hole Marina. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets at this marina, is the Old Blue Chair Bar, which is located behind the restaurant in the heart of the marina; it’s here where you watch one of the best sunset on Grand Isle.
Speaking of watching sunsets, another great place is the Sand Dollar Marina which has a tiki bar and features popular libations like The Marina Rita, Bloody Mary or White Russian. (Tip: ask for Brittany Allemande who will not only create some of the aforementioned cocktails, but is also the manager. She is a wealth of information on all things Grand Isle, and has been coming here since she was a baby to visit her grandmother). The Sand Dollar is the perfect place to sit back, eat (great burgers and shrimp po-boys at the deli) and watch the boats coming in with their catches, and you may even spot a few dolphins.
Want more options? Starfish Seafood is a quaint and cozy restaurant with great seafood platters and overstuffed shrimp po’boys; or head to Yum’s Restaurant for delicious oyster po’boys and mouthwatering specials. (Tip: Be sure to meet Leoda Bladsacker, who not only runs Yum’s, but will also give visitors a tour of the island if they ask her). Oh, and if you are looking for terrific fried or grilled shrimp, stop by Jo-Bobs Gas and Grill.

While we’re talking about seafood, Grand Isle is known for selling fresh seafood for you to take home to boil. A popular spot to pick up live shrimp, crabs and crawfish is Camardelle’s Seafood which sells boiled, ready-to-eat items as well.

Looking for entertainment? While many of the bars have some sort of live music on the weekends, a hot spot for nightlife is Artie’s (Big Daddy’s) Sports Bar which features live bands throughout the summer. This place touts itself as having the largest “topless” deck in the state which, by the way, overlooks the Gulf. (Tip: Be sure to order Artie’s Fried Chicken).

Where you choose to stay on Grand Isle depends on your preferences. There are beachfront and bayside camps (with or without boat docks), plus beach houses, condos, fishing cabins and a campground to pitch a tent.

If you are looking to take in the hypnotic surf and gorgeous views of the Gulf, make Shawnuff South your headquarters. This large and updated beach house has a bathroom in every bedroom, and it’s located on the third-to-last section of the island which has a much wider beach from which you can view the water. There’s also the historic Presidential Palace, which sits midway on the island with a great beach, and across the street is Castaways bar where you can grab a cocktail and then head out for a stroll on the beach. (Tip: Call Britani at Remax Coastal Reality who will be sure to place you in the perfect accommodations suitable for you. Britani knows the island very well and has visited Grand Isle for years).

If you are looking for paradise on the bay side, then make the Tipsy Tuna your temporary waterfront home. This property has a long pier which is lit up a night and is perfect for fishing. The porch and deck is great for watching the sunset, too.

If you want something more extravagant (one that is basically a marina unto itself), rent Spectacular, which is located at the end of the street, and is secluded and surrounded by water. Spectacular has a private boat launch and a safe harbor to protect your boat when water gets rough. There’s also a large entertainment area underneath the camp with swings, a picnic table, barbeque pit, a set-up for boiling seafood, a little cabana and a fish cleaning station. Its large wrap-around porch offers great water views for all of your guests (Spectacular accommodates up to 28 people)!

For more information go to:
http://www.townofgrandisle.com/visitors
http://www.townofgrandisle.com/fishing
https://grandislerentalcamps.com

Weyerbacher Brewing Company

When it comes to craft beer today, the need to stand out from the pack is more important than ever before. Back in 1995 when Dan and Sue Weirback opened the doors to their new brewery however, there wasn’t that much of a crowd to stand out from. With a total of 858 breweries in the United States when the Weirbacks started selling beer, it was a much different world than today’s world of more than 5,000 breweries.

That doesn’t mean the beer coming out of their livery stable in Easton, PA wasn’t impressive. As with most early craft breweries, Weyerbacher started by making more mainstream styles like ESB and Pale Ale. Even though there wasn’t nearly the number of breweries there are today, the need to stand out from the crowd was still important. Dan and Sue found their way to stand out thanks to their first big beer, Raspberry Imperial Stout. This hefty beer definitely got attention, so much so that the following year the pair brewed their Blithering Idiot Barleywine along with their first foray into the world of Belgian style beers.

With the success of these big, flavorful brews the future of Weyerbacher took shape and they haven’t looked back since.

Much like the beer they brew, the Weyerbacher name has quite a bit of history attached to it as well. The brewery name actually comes from the original spelling of the Weirback family name as it was spelled by the first immigrants in their family that came to America from Germany almost 200 years ago. Oh, and in case you need a little help with the name, it’s pronounced Wey•er•bach•er.
The Beers
While Weyerbacher may have made their mark with big beers, it’s not the only beers they brew. With a mix between big and little beers, Weyerbacher’s lineup really does have something for everyone.

Year-Round Beers
Blithering Idiot – One of the first beers Dan ever brewed, Blithering Idiot comes in at 11.1% ABV and just as much flavor. This big barleywine style ale is a deep copper color that features notes of date and fig. Blithering Idiot is brewed with hearty British beers in mind to give you a big beer that’s focused less on bitterness and more on well-rounded flavor.

Last Chance IPA – What’s better than a great IPA? A great IPA that does some good for the world, too. Weyerbacher’s Last Chance IPA is a 5.9% ABV ale with tons of Centennial, Cascade, Citra, and Mosiac hops that give the beer citrus aromas with tangerine and grapefruit flavors. Last Chance IPA goes a step further than most beers by giving a portion of the proceeds for the beer to local animal rescues to help these animal’s last chance at a happy life to be the best it can be.

Merry Monks – Another one of the earlier beers brewed by Weyerbacher, Merry Monks is a big 9.3% ABV Belgian-style tripel with a surprisingly complex flavor profile with all the notes of spice, banana, and pear you’d expect with a dry finish and overall medium body. In short, a really great example of a Belgian-style tripel.

Mellow Monks – For those of us looking to have more than one beer in a sitting, Weyerbacher brews their Mellow Monks, a 4.5% ABV Belgian-style golden ale that’s reminiscent of Merry Monks, just a little more mellow.

Speaking of the Monks, be on the lookout for Funky Monks, too. A funky take on the Belgian style beer, this is one that’ll be hard to find but well worth the search! This special release hit shelves in January and will be around until it’s all gone.

Sexy MotherPucker – A newer beer from Weyerbacher, Sexy MotherPucker is a homage to the classic blending of iced tea and lemonade with a definite beer twist. This 7.5% ABV sour ale has bright citrus notes along with a sour, tangy body and a nice dry finish. Not one to fall short on any side, this beer also features a late addition of Citra hops for some extra citrus flavor and aroma without too much added bitterness.

Tiny – Just like the biggest kid on the block with the same nickname, Tiny is one of the biggest beers offered by Weyerbacher, coming in at 11.8% ABV. This big little beer is a Belgian inspired imperial stout that features huge notes of chocolate and roasted malt that go along harmoniously with traditional Belgian beer flavors thanks to the Abbey yeast strain used in the fermentation process. Surprisingly smooth, Tiny lacks the astringency often found in stouts of its caliber.

Seasonal Beers
The best things in life are often limited, and for good reason. It’s the limited nature of things like seasonal beers that help to make them as interesting as they are. Weyerbacher loves seasonal beers, brewing at least one for every time of the year so there’s always something to look forward to.

Wingman – Just like that friend that’s there for you when you need him or her, Weyerbacher’s Wingman is ready to step in and help out when you’ve had enough big beers for the day. This 4.5% ABV pale ale is most definitely hop-forward in aroma and flavor thanks to the unique hop profile of Calypso, Ekuanot, and Denali hops. Available in cans right now, this is one pale ale that never pales to comparison. Available starting in January until it’s gone.

Insanity – If big beers are your thing, then Insanity is perfect for you! Clocking in at 11.1% ABV< Insanity is everyone’s favorite Blithering Idiot Barleywine that’s aged in whiskey barrels. This time spent in wood gives the barleywine definite notes of vanilla, oak, and warm whiskey for a much fuller flavor than you could have thought possible. You can find Insanity starting in March. Sunday morning Stout – A personal favorite of mine, Sunday Morning Stout puts Weyerbacher’s other big beers to shame by coming in at a hearty 12.7% ABV. This American Imperial Stout is aged in bourbon barrels to help it get a full flavor profile that is second to none in my humble opinion. In it you’ll find aromas of roasted coffee and bourbon as well as flavors of chocolate, roasted malt, vanilla, and even caramel. While probably not the best beverage for an early Sunday morning, it’s just about perfect for a late Saturday night. Sunday Morning Stout is available starting in February.

Glutenberg Brewery

Gluten is my best friend. From bread to beer to seitan, if it has gluten in it, I’ll probably love it. While I may revel in all things glutinous there are some brave men and women out there that due to intolerance or disease simply can’t partake in the joy that is gluten and are forced to live a life without never-ending pasta bowls or cheesy bread.

Until very recently those afflicted with celiac disease or gluten intolerance have been forced to live a life without some of their most beloved food and drink, with the most notable exclusion being beer. Made primarily from barley, beer may not have an abundance of gluten in the finished product, but it’s more than enough for those suffering from celiac disease to be forced to abstain.

Thankfully the days of swearing off beer due to gluten are a thing of the past. Today there are a number of breweries and beers focusing on those not gifted with the ability to have gluten, helping them to life full, happy beer-inclusive lives. The most recent addition to this list in the Pittsburgh area comes to us via Canada and the Glutenberg Brewery.

The Founding of Glutenberg
The goal of Glutenberg Brewery is a simple one, to brew delicious beers that are on-par with other craft beers in the market, but to do so with zero gluten. More than a marketing trend, the brewery grew out of co-owner Julien Niquet’s own experience with celiac disease. Along with his long-time friend David Cayer, the pair founded Glutenberg in 2010 not only to help Julien to have the beer he was craving, but to help others like him to be able to enjoy beer like the rest of us.

Along with Julien and David, head brewer Gabriel Charbonneau make up the core team and after more than a year of research and development they released their first (and current flagship) beer, Glutenberg Blonde, into the market in Québec.

Fast-forward to today and Glutenberg offers a variety of gluten-free beers and distributes their beer in seven countries including Canada and the United States, which receives 50% of their total production.

Glutenberg Brewery features more than twenty seasonal beers and five year-round beers. They employ four full-time brewers that utilize the brewery’s sixteen fermentation and conditioning tanks to give gluten-free beer lovers around the world the best beer possible.

Gluten-Free Brewing
So how does one brew a gluten-free beer? When talking about beer on its most basic level, there are four primary ingredients: water, barley, hops, and yeast. As you may have guessed, the gluten in a typical beer comes from the barley, which is the grain the beer is brewed with. To create a truly gluten-free beer, the barley must be replaced entirely with a grain that doesn’t have gluten in it. This may seem easy, but without getting into the science behind brewing and the need for certain enzymes found in barley, you’ll just have to believe me that it’s not easy to do. It’s even harder to brew a gluten-free beer that actually tastes good, too!

Glutenberg uses millet, buckwheat, corn, quinoa, and amaranth to brew their beers. These grains may seem exotic, but they give Glutenberg the ability to brew 100% gluten-free beers that lack nothing in taste when compared to their gluten-full counterparts.

There’s no magical gluten removal process or secret sauce that makes these beers gluten-free, just hard work, quality ingredients, and a specialized brewing process that meets the needs of the grains being used. In the end we have a lineup of beers that look great, taste great, and help those required to stave off gluten to enjoy great beer.

The Beers
While that’s all nice and fine, it’s the finished product that has the final say on how good the brewery, ingredients, and process truly are, and the beers from Glutenberg truly speak for themselves. Since we haven’t perfected the inclusion of beer samples with every magazine just yet (trust me, I’m trying!) I’ll have to speak for these beers until you’re able to find them in the wild and try them for yourselves.

Even if you’re of the gluten-enabled masses the beers from Glutenberg are work a try, as there’s truly nothing lacking from them other than the gluten that I’m sure you won’t miss. Take it from me, a pro-gluten fanatic that now likes gluten-free beer.

While Glutenberg features more than 25 different beers offered around the world, Pittsburgh will be starting off with their 4 most popular brews to get us started with a life less gluten-y. Each of these beers are available in 16oz cans and on draft.

Blonde
The first beer released by Glutenberg and their current flagship beer, their Blonde ale comes in at 4.5% ABV and 15 IBUs with a light, lemony character with floral, herbal notes. Think pepper, pears, and fennel with some lemon peel on the finish. Their Blonde ale is brewed with millet, corn, and demerara sugar as the fermentable base.

IPA
Glutenberg Brewery IPA is 6% ABV, 76 IBU, and a shining example of what a great IPA should be. There is a severe lack of quality gluten-free IPAs in the craft beer market, which is why Glutenberg put so much thought and care into making theirs. While this beer may have zero PPM gluten content, it’s full of citrus aroma, fresh hop flavor, and a sharp kick of bitterness. Expect to find lemon and floral notes on the nose with apricot and bitterness on the middle and finish. Glutenberg IPA is brewed with millet, buckwheat, corn, black rice, and corn maltodextrin.

White
Showing their French-Canadian roots, Glutenberg’s White Ale is better known as Blanche, and no, that’s not a reference to my favorite Golden Girl, but rather the fancy way to say white in French. Blanche is a 5% ABV, 13 IBU beer that has everything you’d expect from a true Belgian White. While traditional versions of this beer feature wheat, the Glutenberg iteration utilizes buckwheat, millet, amaranth, and quinoa, making it one of the most complex beers brewed by the guys in Canada. Along with these ingredients you’ll find more traditional ones like coriander and orange peel, too. The quinoa and amaranth give this beer a notably “grainy” character that helps mimic the mouthfeel of a true Belgian White that’s brewed with wheat.

Red
Referencing their French-speaking roots yet again is the last of the initial launch beers for our area from Glutenberg with their Rousse, or Red for those of us less French-enabled. Rousse comes in at 5% ABV and 24 IBUs, and while it may have no gluten in it, it does come with a World Beer Cup win as well as four Canadian Brewing Awards.

Glutenberg’s take on the classic red ale starts with aromas of roasted nuts, coffee, and caramel and follows up with tastes of toasted bread, coffee, and chestnuts. To achieve such a consistent and remarkable beer without gluten in it, the guys at Glutenberg use buckwheat, millet, candi syrup, and quinoa in this beer alongside molasses and chestnuts to round this beer out and make a truly outstanding gluten-free red ale.

Variety 4-pack
For those of us that can’t decide, Glutenberg also has a variety 4-pack featuring one of each beer so you can get a well-rounded dose of gluten-free beer and see that while there’s no flavor or aroma missing, the gluten most definitely is.

Thanksgiving, California Style
By Agent Suzanne Ferrara

If the present day southern California coast had been the place onto which the Pilgrims first stepped foot in 1621, you can bet Thanksgiving Day would have been very different. The mild climate, the harvest and the indigenous peoples would have added amazingly unique touches to a Thanksgiving that…might have been. While this scenario would have been nearly impossible, what is a fact is that Americans who live in this region have celebrated Thanksgiving since 1850 when The Golden State became our country’s 31st state.

Southern California may have never seen the Mayflower, but Dana Point was the port for Boston-owned tall ships carrying goods to the Pacific shore in the early 1800s. Today visitors can board the historic replica Pilgrim, a stunning sailing brig which skirted the California coast and Dana Point during this hide trade.

For an unforgettable Thanksgiving, head to the California coast, specifically Dana Point and make California Dreamin’ a reality—it will be a trip of a lifetime with unparalleled experiences in a stunning backdrop, that’s for sure! Dana Point is a beach town known for its stunning cliffs skirting the coastline and for its whale watching and surfing. Before delving into those unforgettable discoveries, make sure you have plans for a Cali Thanksgiving feast.
There’s nothing like eating turkey, all the delicious fixings and fresh coastal seafood with the gorgeous Pacific Ocean in full-view. Adding to this inviting scene are the mild temperatures of November and southern California’s sunshine.

For an extraordinary experience that features both unforgettable ocean settings and unsurpassed cuisine, make a reservation at Raya, located at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point. There isn’t a bad seat at Raya; but while this split-level restaurant offers stunning views from just about any spot, try to reserve a window table with an unobstructed view of the Pacific.

Offerings in Raya’s three-course Thanksgiving menu include Adobo Free-Range Turkey and Prime Rib. (Tip: Before enjoying your Thanksgiving Feast, sip a refreshing hand-crafted cocktail outside at 180blu, which is perched 150-feet above the beach. The panoramic views of the Pacific are incredible).
There’s a philanthropic side to Raya as well: This triple-A five-diamond resort also offers a Thanks-For-Giving Buffet, which features a sea of culinary options, and is held in a luxurious ballroom. (Tip: Guests are encouraged to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items that will then be donated to Orange County Rescue Mission).

While at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel during Thanksgiving, be sure to notice the amazing gingerbread extravaganza being constructed by the resort’s skilled pastry team. This year’s massive confectionary display highlights climate change, sustainability and clean energy through a representation of the California landscape, and reflects how the resort supports and helps protects the environment. The pastry team is expected to spend more than 500 hours creating this unforgettable show of gingerbread artistry.

Speaking of the environment, Dana Point is known as a hotspot for whale and dolphin watching. A boat trip aboard one of the many whale watching cruises is a must and a great experience to add to this memorable California Thanksgiving.

For a one-of-a-kind experience, board the ‘Dana Wharf Whale Watch’. Coasting alongside these whales is a sight to behold, especially when the world’s largest mammals spout vapors from their blowholes. You will also see pods of dolphins on this trip!

Need more adventure? Make a bee-line to the Ocean Institute where, among many fascinating things, you can board the tall ship Pilgrim. Aboard this breathtaking ship you can travel back in time with period costumed docents who will show you the ship, sing sea chanteys and tell stories of nautical lore. You can even help them raise the sail or sit back and relax and enjoy the sea air while strolling the decks.

You can also tour the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point, a replicated 1770s privateer schooner used during the American Revolution, and this holiday season’s visiting vessel, Hawaiian Chieftain. (Tip: Be sure to sign up for one of the Institute’s Tall Ship Sails).

Want more sailing? You can also join Ocean Institute scientists on a whale watching cruise, and/or take the Sea Explorer voyage during which scientists will teach you fascinating facts about the ocean animals and much more.

The Ocean Institute is also where you can experience the captivating Headlands & Beyond exhibit. This exhibit offers hands-on exploration of the ocean’s underwater world, plus interactive programs featuring California’s fascinating maritime history.

After taking in all the sights, you will need—and definitely have— a great night’s sleep at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel. It’s not just the goose-down comforters and pillows, and luxurious 400-count Egyptian cotton sheets that will leave you immeasurably relaxed, but also the ocean air and unparalleled views (offered in most rooms) of the hypnotic surf. (Tip: First floor ocean view rooms have an outdoor firepit).

Need more relaxation? You won’t come out of the Ritz Carlton Spa the same person you were when you walked in. All of your cares will certainly melt away in this award-winning spa which offers ocean-inspired services that incorporate sea salt, algae, minerals and water to enhance your relaxation and rejuvenation. (Tip: One of the most popular massages is the PACIFIC WAVE, a beach-inspired treatment that uses the ocean rhythm movements found in Ashiatsu barefoot massage techniques. These will ease muscular tension and leave you in a state of bliss).

Need even more relaxation and rejuvenation? This resort offers ocean-front wellness classes, including yoga and Pilates. There are also two outdoor ocean-view pools and whirlpools, and be sure to relax in an Adirondack chair on one of the luxurious lawns overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

After experiencing The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel resort– which is ranked among the world’s premier travel destinations — you will want to return again and again, and, like many, create Thanksgiving memories for generations to come.

For more information go to: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/laguna-niguel/, https://www.ocean-institute.org/, and https://www.visitcalifornia.com/in/attraction/dana-point

“Give ‘Your’ Regards to Broadway!”
By Agent Suzanne Ferrara

Seeing Broadway shows in New York City is magical in and of itself, but having a complete quintessential Broadway experience is even more captivating! Broadway aficionados know the complete show experience includes legendary pre-and-post theatre dining and cocktails, plus those iconic accommodations all in mid-town Manhattan in the heart of the theatre district. When you attend a Broadway show, it is a timeless experience and one that dates back to the opening of the first New York City theater in 1750.

There are 41 Broadway theatres showing everything from the most recent arrivals to the box office hits, and to some of the longest-running productions. There are literally dozens of musicals and plays from which to choose, and there is sure to be something that will suit your taste. Rest assured: You will be swept away by the profound talent of Broadway’s high-profile stage actors and world-class sets, the combination of which will give you a respite from the daily grind. (Fun Fact: According to The Broadway League, total Broadway attendance was 13.27 million in 2016–2017).

To ensure a smooth experience, it is best to purchase your Broadway tickets in advance, either online through the actual theatre or through a reputable ticket seller. While you can walk up to the theatre box office right before a show to purchase tickets, there’s no guarantee that particular show will have seats for sale. Upon availability and for select shows, you can also purchase discounted same-day tickets at the TKTS booths throughout the city and in Duffy Square, in Times Square.

Another great option is to purchase tickets in advance through Broadway Inbound, which sells tickets for Broadway, Off-Broadway and for Lincoln Center performances. Broadway Inbound offers deals on tickets for groups of six and more; it can be friends, families or organizations. This group ticket supplier is tied to the long-standing The Shubert Organization, which has been around for more than a century and adds to Broadway Inbound’s trusted reputation. (Fact: The Shubert Organization is the oldest professional theatre company in the United States). Broadway Inbound can also help you and your group plan the perfect Broadway experience.

No Broadway experience is complete without visiting the iconic and legendary Sardi’s Restaurant. An American institution, Sardi’s is a must for pre-or-post theatre dining and cocktails, and has been for nearly a century! The likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Carol Burnett, Bruce Willis and Bette Midler have dined at Sardi’s, and it’s not unusual to see celebrities—as they have since 1927– sitting at their favorite tables.

Be sure to request a table with Johnny Felidi, a long-time waiter and a former Off-Broadway actor who is a charismatic fixture! Johnny is a walking encyclopedia chowk-full of Sardi’s history and will show you Al Pacino and Shirley MacLaine’s favorite tables (corner tables in opposite sides of the room) which you, too, can reserve. (Tip: Veteran patrons request table #4, and celebrities tend to dine here on Wednesdays and after shows on Thursdays).

Millions have come through Sardi’s doors just see the walls draped with Alex Gard’s (a Russian refugee) caricatures of numerous show business legends hundreds of the famous in show business from 1927 to today’s work which has been illustrated by Richard Baratz for the past 29 years. (Fun Fact: In the 1920s, Gard struck a deal with owner Vincent Sardi, Sr., that for every caricature he drew, he would get one free meal a day. That deal stuck until Gard’s death).
You can tempt your taste buds with the same historic dishes enjoyed by its most famous patrons, dishes that include its famous Cannelloni au Gratin (a family recipe of “Jenny” Pallera, ‘the wife of Vincent Sardi, Sr.). In addition, Sardi’s version of an antipasto is a must, as is the Orange Teriyaki Glazed Broiled Salmon (Warning: You will have a hard time leaving this place because of its welcoming and fun atmosphere, plus its mouthwatering continental cuisine)! Be sure to finish off your pre-and-post Broadway meal with Sardi’s famous creamy New York Cheesecake and its Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee!

There are eight performances a week on Broadway, giving you several opportunities to see shows and to dine. In terms of the latter, another quintessential New York theatre dining option is the Rock Center Café which overlooks the Rockefeller Center’s magical ice-skating rink and the stunning bronze gilded Titan Prometheus statue. (Tip: The best time to dine here is at night when the ice skating rink and the Prometheus are lit up).

The employees at the Rock Center Café’ are second-to-none, and many have been working here for several decades because they love it! Mike Berman, the general manager, joins his staff by serving dishes to patrons, and will even tend bar and concoct a refreshing, classic New York Sour. (Fun Fact: The assortment of fresh-baked bread offered here, including the Cranberry Loaf, comes from the beloved Amy’s Bread down the street). Some of the most popular dishes here include the Crispy Calamari, the Burrata, the Rigatoni Amatriciana, the Skirt Steak, the RCC Chef’s Burger, and the Shrimp Chop-Chop Salad, which has been on the menu for 15 years! (Big tip: Be sure to request tables #305, #306(which seats two) or table #308 (which seats up to six) for the best view of the rink and for ‘people watching’ in the house). Be sure to finish off your meal with the New York Cheesecake and the Honeycrisp Apple Crostata!

When you walk through the antique revolving doors of the legendary Russian Tea Room, you will feel as though you’ve stepped into another world. This iconic restaurant was founded by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1927. You can easily be swept away by the main dining room’s scheme; it’s draped in lavish modernist Russian-style décor with bold colors of rich red, gleaming gold and deep green. The Russian Tea Room has hosted New York’s elite with its continental fine dining, including High Tea, and the finest vodka and caviar selections. High Tea, by the way, includes two courses and is served with cherry preserves, clove honey and cinnamon which you can put inside your tea or to accompany baked delicacies. Other popular menu options are the traditional Tea Room Red Borscht, Chicken Kiev, and Boeuf à la Stroganoff.

You can reserve the plush booth on the left, from which Dustin Hoffman sat and ordered a double vodka in the movie Tootsie, or sit at booth #2, where Woody Allen found inspiration for the movie Manhattan; most recently, Gossip Girl was filmed here. (Fun Fact: Madonna was a coat check girl before she became famous).

Be sure to ask Igor, a longtime floor manager, to show you the Hearth Room on the fourth floor, which has a glass enclosed active diorama of the Kremlin. On the second floor is the Bear Lounge, which has the stunning Fabergé-inspired Venetian glass eggs hanging from a tree and a 15-foot tall revolving glass bear aquarium. On the 3rd floor is the Bear Ballroom where you will find massive imperial bronze chandeliers decked with frisky brass bears.

After all the excitement of Broadway and dining, you will be ready for a good night’s sleep. Head to the Lotte New York Palace, formerly the Helmsley Palace, on Madison Avenue. This luxury hotel has unparalleled and breathtaking views of the massive St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center. The skyline view of the iconic historical cathedral structure is reason enough to reserve a room during your stay. Simply put: There are no words to give this heavenly view justice. (Tip: Reserve a Premier Skyline high floor view room that overlooks the Cathedral). (Fact: The Palace received the 2017 World’s Best Awards and was listed among the Top 10 Hotels in New York City by Travel & Leisure).

Additionally, there are also no words to describe the genuine and helpful bellmen, all of whom offer warm New York hospitality, and who will make sure you feel as though this historic hotel is your home away from home. (Tip: Paul and Michael at the front desk will also make sure your every need is met). Be sure to enjoy a mouthwatering breakfast at the VILLARD, formerly the landmarked historic residence known as the Villard House. (Tip: Sit in VILLARD’s enchanting and stunning Gold Room). The Lotte New York Palace also boasts a full-service spa and fitness center that overlooks the same breathtaking views. (Tip: Need some R and R? Robin and Camille are among the most-requested massage therapists).

If you can carve out some time, purchase a CityPASS for a more quintessential New York experience . This pass allows you to visit several landmarks including The Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, and the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island.

Once you’ve immersed yourself in the full Broadway experience, you will have discovered this timeless magical gift of American theatre can only be encountered in the world’s greatest city!

Wilmington, NC…… A Great Holiday or Anytime Getaway!

There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to immerse yourself into holiday festivities. From taking in classics like the Nutcracker and It’s a Wonderful Life to shopping in decorated markets, and seeing homes decked out in their holiday best, it’s impossible to not feel the season. While you can certainly do some of these activities right in your hometown, a getaway to Wilmington, N.C., and its Island Beaches is a great excuse to get out of your holiday comfort zone and enjoy this year’s holidays, coastal-style.

Holiday Markets

Those seeking artistic pieces for the art lover on their gift list should check out Art for the Masses on Nov. 18. The community tradition sells 100 artist’s unique pieces for $250 or less. If you’re someone that loves the beach and the holidays (and who doesn’t?), then a trip to the Kure Beach Holiday Market is a must. Stop by the oceanfront market on Nov. 18 or 25 to shop handcrafted items that will make the perfect thoughtful gift for your loved ones. Continue your holiday shopping at the Cape Fear Academy’s annual Holiday Market Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. In addition to the market – which offers items ranging from clothing and accessories to home décor and gourmet foods – there will be a Sip & Shop Preview Party on Thursday and a Holiday Mingle on Friday (age 21+ only). If the people on your list are a bit more eclectic in their tastes, the Holiday Flea at BAC might be just what St. Nick ordered. Billed as the “ultimate vintage flea,” this three-day event (Dec. 1-3) has a variety of vintage, retro, antique and upcycled treasures, along with local food trucks, a coffee shop and bar to keep you fueled while you shop. Holiday Flea takes place in the middle of Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District at its namesake Brooklyn Arts Center, which dates back to 1888. For another shopping experience in a unique setting, visit the Arts, Crafts & Gift Show at Poplar Grove Plantation Dec. 9-10. One of the last remaining plantations in North Carolina will come alive with more than 100 holiday vendors. Plus, kids can visit Santa’s Workshop or visit with Poplar Grove’s farm animal residents.

Holiday Flotillas Parades

To shake up your holiday experience and celebrate a non-traditional Thanksgiving, come out to the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach on Nov. 24-25. Voted a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, this weekend-long celebration culminates with a lighted boat parade and fireworks along the Intracoastal Waterway unlike any other holiday parade you’ve experienced. If your Thanksgiving plans don’t allow for a getaway, enjoy the Christmas Flotilla at Carolina Beach on Dec. 2.

Holiday Tours & National Register Historic District

For a different kind of holiday home tour, venture to the Cape Fear Festival of Trees at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Guests can wander through a winter wonderland of holiday elegance, that’s also home to some of the most unique underwater animals, from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31. Take in the sparkling sights and festive sounds of the season at Enchanted Airlie on Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2, 8-10 and 13-22. The garden holiday celebration takes guests through a spectacular array of over one million lights and holiday displays while strolling through picturesque Airlie Gardens. You can even find the jolly man himself, Santa Claus.

Spanning 230-plus blocks, Wilmington’s National Register Historic District is one of the largest in the country. Explore some of these private homes, churches and historical sites during the Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour on Dec. 2-3, a tradition since 1973. Get a closer look at Bellamy Mansion during the Jingle Belles Holiday Tea on Dec. 3-4. This formal tea takes place in the parlors of this historic home and includes food, tea, champagne and live entertainment. Then, the Burgwin-Wright House, Bellamy Mansion and St. James Episcopal Church will treat visitors to an old-fashioned Christmas with an evening filled with music, dancing and costumes during A Christmas Stroll Through the Past on Dec. 9. Poplar Grove Planation will also offer Candlelight Tours Friday and Saturday evenings during the first three weekends in December. Eight rooms – including the morning room, bridal suite and always-popular children’s room – in the Manor House will be decorated by theme and color. Other activities include a bonfire for roasting marshmallows, a letter writing station for wishes to the North Pole, the Grinch’s Toy Junk Shop and outdoor screenings of holiday favorites like The Polar Express.

Holiday Arts

The spirit of the season will come alive when Mannheim Steamroller comes to The Wilson Center on Nov. 21. Thalian Hall, one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in the country, will be the festive setting for several holiday experiences you won’t find at home. The New York City Ballet for Young Audiences will present the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, for three shows on Dec. 1-2. In the mood for a laugh? The tale of a boy and his famed Christmas present comes to life in A Christmas Story: The Musical on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 8-17. For one show only on Dec. 14, attendees can enjoy a unique blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals and stunning step dancing, with an Irish twist, during Cherish The Ladies: Celtic Christmas. Finally, it doesn’t get much more iconic during the holidays than It’s A Wonderful Life. On Dec. 21, this Christmas classic will be shown as it was meant to be seen: on the big screen.

For more information about Wilmington Holiday Festivities and all that Wilmington and the surrounding beaches has to offer visit: https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/things-to-do

Each year as the weather cools down and the leaves begin to change, the yearly battle of the gourds inevitably begins. Sadly, this skirmish doesn’t involve punkin’ chunkin’, but it does involve fans of beer near and far. Lovers of the fall-centric squash embrace it in everything from beer to coffee to shampoo while their sworn enemies think the only good pumpkin is one smashed in the street.

Wherever you fall on this squash scale, pumpkin beers are a sure sign that the seasons are changing and shorter days and cooler nights are in our very near future. The use of pumpkins in beer is far from a recent occurrence, and its presence in beer recipes can be traced back to the early settlers of our United States.

While there’s far more pumpkin pie spice found in pumpkin beers today, there’s still a healthy dose of gourd in most of the better pumpkin beers around today, making them a unique drinking experience that’s typically only around for a few short months.

Whether you’re a lover of all things pumpkin or you’re new to the gourd game and you want to see what all the fuss is about, finding the right pumpkin beer can be tough to say the least. Yours truly has done the legwork and with the help of the fine folks at Vecenie Distributing, I’ve put together a list of must-try pumpkin beers to fill your fall with all things pumpkin. Check out the list below and don’t listen to the haters…pumpkin beers are not only craft beer, they’re a great way to celebrate and enjoy the changing of seasons before it gets too cold to think about it.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company – Fall Hornin’: With a brilliant, deep copper hue and creamy beige-colored head, our Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale has inviting aromas of caramelized malt and baking bread with highlights of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin and seasonal spices. The pleasantly creamy mouthfeel and silky body embrace the sweet caramel flavors and tang of spices with just hint of hops that ends with a smooth, round finish. 6% ABV

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery – Pumpkin: America’s Original Pumpkin Ale was first brewed in 1985. Made with real pumpkin, it has a golden amber color, and the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie. This brew is perfect for Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin Ale is available from August through November. 6% ABV

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Punkin’ Ale: A full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. Dogfish Head brews Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices. As the season cools, this is the perfect beer to warm up with. 7% ABV

Erie Brewing Company – Johnny Rails Pumpkin: A blonde based ale gives this pumpkin beer a lighter, meltier flavor to start with. It is a fruit beer with delicious flavor, a great nose, and the perfect poise of pumpkin and spice. This flavorful brew is sure to get you in the fall spirit. 6.5% ABV

Heavy Seas Beer – Greater Pumpkin: In the most-worthy of pumpkin patches and during the silence of the midnight hour, the Greater Pumpkin rises up and pours a rich deep and orange color. Heady aromas of bourbon, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove linger over the thick white head of this giant brew. Its love at first sip as the full malt body, dominated by British crystal malt, brown sugar and pumpkin, slowly washes over your tongue. Bourbon barrel aging rounds out the flavors with notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon. 10% ABV

Lancaster Brewing Company – Baked Pumpkin: Have your pie and drink it too! Bold flavor with a deep amber color, our big Baked Pumpkin Ale is sure to remind you of Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie. 7.3% ABV

North Country Brewing Company – Late Night Pumpkin: For the fall season, North Country brews their Late Night Pumpkin with a healthy dose of pumpkin, spice, and of course this is all done late at night, when the pumpkins taste their best. Coming in at 6.1% ABV with a gold color and a nice spiced character, Late Night Pumpkin is a canned beer you definitely need to try. Oh, and if you can find the barrel-aged version, don’t pass it up! 6.1% ABV

Smuttynose Brewing Company – Pumpkin Ale: This beer is a homage to the craft and heritage of America’s brewers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins in beer date back to early colonial times, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.” in that spirit, Smuttynose brews this ale with the addition of pumpkin to the mash, along with traditional spices to create a delicious American original. 6.35% ABV

Weyerbacher Brewing Company – Imperial Pumpkin: This high gravity pumpkin ale is the mother of all pumpkin ales. It is heartier, spicier, and more “caramelly” and “pumpkiny” than its faint brethren! Weyerbacher added lots of pumpkin along with cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of cardamom and clove giving this beer a spicy, full-bodied flavor. This truly is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale. 8% ABV

Tröegs Independent Brewery – Master of Pumpkins: Pulling the strings of great beer and smashing some pumpkins in the process is a pretty amazing beer from The Tröegs brothers out of Hershey, PA. Master of Pumpkin is brewed with native Pennsylvania neck pumpkins that’re harvested just a few miles away from the brewery, and is combined with traditional pie spices that’s so good it’s almost blinding. 7.5% ABV

As you can see, there’s a lot more to pumpkin beers than meets the eye. From big and spicy to reasonable with a hint of spice…there’s a pumpkin beer for everyone to try this fall season. Don’t pass up your chance to try some of them today.

Antebellum Return
By Suzanne Ferrara

With the allure of the Hollywood epic, coupled with the historical worldliness of a fairytale, there’s no chance Oak Alley would leave a visitor with anything but awe. The near 200-year-old homestead is unparalleled to any place in America and is a captivating vortex of wonder and beauty. You will certainly be swept away by the larger than life presence which oozes from this cinematic scene (also a National Historic Landmark) in Vacherie, La.
Its antebellum charm exudes from every corner of the Greek Revival estate, and you can all but see the swaying hoop skirts dashing across the gallery and distinguished noblemen of the day entering the mansion.

Once standing in front of one of the most photographed and storied southern plantations under its infamous long alley of 300-year-old live oaks whose canopy of branches seem to be holding hands, you too, will be taken by the soulful and perhaps surreal site.
It’s no wonder people from around the world ardently await the moment they can stand in her presence and admire her exquisiteness and soak in her deep dramatic history.

A visit here will unveil what the “Golden Age” of sugar plantations was really all about, from the slaves upon whose backs the plantation was built to the sugar cane they cultivated for Jacques T. Roman’s family’s colossal empire. The Roman’s history and influence which stretches from Opelousas, Louisiana, to New Orleans and Gulfport, Mississippi played a pivotal role in not only the family’s fortune but the economy of this southern region.
To begin unveiling this enthralling history a tour of the “Big House” itself is a perfect introduction to much more that awaits your exploration on the grounds of Oak Alley. Here you will learn about the families who resided at Oak Alley and view several artifacts belonging to the owners. (Fact: All oratorized details given in the tour are based solely on historical facts). The lavish lifestyle of the Roman family and the substantial spending of Celina Roman, Jacques Roman’s wife, is also uncovered during the tour.

In a complete paradox, the plantation’s slave exhibit entitled: “Slavery at Oak Alley” offers an intimate look at the slaves whose hands made the Roman family flourish and allowed for their extravagant existence. Here you will not only learn about one of the darkest periods in America, but you will learn about Antoine, an enslaved gardener and expert grafter of pecan trees, and Zephyr, a freed slave, among others who have fascinating stories of their own. The cottages also hold artifacts including tools and devices used by the enslaved and those used to keep them in bondage, like shackles. (Tip: Every Friday, a historical interpreter is present at the cottages and offers even more information about the lives and legacies of the slaves).

Oak alley also boasts a Sugarcane Theater with a film on the crop that is responsible for the Roman’s empire and the south’s “Golden Age”. The documentary also explores the complete process of cultivating sugar cane from the 1800s to today. There is also a Sugar Cane Exhibit which includes an 1800s-era plow and sugar barrel, a sugar kettle and skimmer. (Fact: Descendants of the Stewart family, the longest inhabitants of Oak Alley still live and work at the plantation).

You will need several hours to take in all the history and beauty of the 25-acre estate or better yet, stay overnight in one of Oak Alley’s historic or newly built cottages of which further details and tips are given further below.

Be sure to grab a refreshing signature plantation cocktail while enjoying the grounds. You can wet your whistle at Oak Alley’s Spirits Bar with their famous Mint Julep or if you want a different twist on this traditional southern concoction try the tasty Lemon Julep or Frozen Blackberry Mint Julep. (Tip: you can enjoy your drink of choice while touring the plantation).

Hungry? Oak Alley Restaurant offers scrumptious southern Cajun/creole house made dishes sure to please everyone. The Chicken, Smoked Sausage, and Andouille Gumbo as well as the Vacherie burger with its special Creolaise Sauce (creole mustard, mayonnaise and seasonings) are sure crowd pleasers. (Tip: regulars ask for extra sauce to dip their French fries). The Seafood Au Gratin, Red Beans & Rice with Smoked Sausage, and a Cajun Medley which features a cup of gumbo, crawfish étouffee, and red beans and rice are also popular dishes.

(Tip: A favorite among many plantation employees is the Open Faced, Sloppy, Roast Beef & Gravy Po-Boy.) The combination of the roast beef marinated in a special House Herb Vinaigrette dressing and the succulent gravy makes this sandwich a winner; this is certainly a ‘wet’ sandwich which will force you to eat this southern delicacy with a fork and knife! No matter what you order, take care to wash it down with a tall glass of their homemade Sweet Mint Iced Tea. While at the restaurant, be sure to meet Mrs. Rheba, a fixture at Oak Alley who is quick on her feet as she waits tables even as she boasts true-Southern hospitality and charm.

Be sure to save lots of room for dessert, especially for the Pecan Praline Cheesecake topped with a dark rum sauce. If that doesn’t work, try the mouthwatering Buttermilk Pie or Oak Alley Plantation’s Famous Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce, made with real French bread. (Tip: They can wrap up a whole pie for you to enjoy when you return home).

After getting your fill of delicious Southern food and the plethora of history and exhibits offered at Oak Alley Plantation, visit neighboring St Joseph’s Plantation, a working sugar cane planation located right next door to Oak Alley. St. Joseph Plantation houses several pieces of original furniture, tools, and dishes among other artifacts. Ready for still more? Just a five-minute drive away lies Laura Plantation which is steeped in creole history, and has 12 buildings on the national historic registry.

Of course, one of the biggest natural draws to Oak Alley is the mighty Mississippi which put the iconic planation and other river road plantations on the map. In front of Oak Alley, you can pull your car right up to the levee and sit on one of the benches to watch the lazy river and the riverboats and barges traverse through this iconic waterway. However, for the best seat in the house, be sure to sit on the bench which sits dead center above the legendary row of Oak Alley trees. The view of the plantation from this vantage point is a sight to behold, and you can turn around and look at the majestic river, too.
Looking for activity? Before you arrive, call Baton Rouge Bicycle Rentals, and Gaston Gravois will deliver bikes to you with helmets and locks for your enjoyment. Take your two wheels atop the levee on the 3.1-miles of paved asphalt also used for walking and running. The trail runs right across the front of Oak Alley, St. Joseph and Laura Plantations which allows you to planation hop on your bike (or just explore the area with the breathtaking Mississippi skirting alongside your ride).

After a day of being swept away by antebellum charm and a history, be sure to have one of the best sleeps of your life courtesy of the AAA-approved, three diamond accredited Oak Alley Cottages. You can stay in either one of the century-old cottages or a newer deluxe cottage, all of which have kitchens. With all the amenities, you could want, plus a Tempur-Pedic mattress, you are sure to have a restful stay. (Tip: Cottage #6 is an historic suite with two bedrooms and a back porch with a large oak tree. Room #’s 7, 8 and 9 are the newer cottages with king-size beds.) Dinner is served in your room only, and you can choose from their menu before you check into the cottages. (Fun Fact: overnight guests use the flashlights supplied in each cottage to walk around the grounds at night under the oaks. Be sure to turn off your flashlights to completely enjoy the enchanted star-studded night sky).

Another option is to head three and a half miles from Oak Alley to B & C Seafood Market & Cajun Restaurant in Vacherie. The Cajun Sampler with catfish, crawfish kickers, alligator, boudin balls, and hushpuppies is a popular appetizer with regular patrons; you can also indulge in mouthwatering seafood platters, soft shell crabs, fried alligator and frog legs. Another great choice is DJ’s Grill where Chef Brandon Naquin creates delectable dishes for the lengthy menu, which includes gourmet pizzas, choice steaks, seafood, Italian dishes and, of course, Cajun specialties. (Tip: Although reservations are not required, they are strongly suggested, especially on weekends).

Back at your home base of the beautiful Oak Alley, comes a full southern breakfast each morning, the price of which is included with an overnight stay. There are several items from which to choose including plantation-sized omelets, bacon, beignets and delicious Community Coffee’s gourmet “Gold Cup” coffee. (Tip: For an additional fee, be sure to reserve the “Do Not Disturb” package which includes wine or house-made Mint Juleps, plus a fruit and cheese tray and chocolate covered strawberries. This package also includes breakfast brought to your room).

While Louisiana is riddled with plantations, especially along the mighty Mississippi River, the grand dame of them all–the largest plantation in the entire South– is Nottoway Plantation and Resort. This sprawling, majestic “White Castle” and its 15 acres of stunning landscape, cottages, and resort facilities is only 60 miles upriver from Oak Alley in White Castle, Louisiana. Nottoway (also a National Historic Landmark) is a premier historical resort with AAA-Four Diamond Award luxury accommodations and amenities.
A visit to Nottoway’s 1850s sugarcane plantation certainly leaves one awed by its captivating grandeur and glory. When you lay your eyes on the massive 53,000-foot Greek Revival and Italianate-styled mansion, and then walk through this picturesque setting, it’s almost surreal and, like many visitors, you may feel as though you were dropped right into the cinematic scene of the antebellum era. (Fun Fact: The mansion itself has 64 rooms with a total of 365 doors and windows which its 1850s owner, John Hampden Randolph, wanted to represent the 365 days of the year).

If you can, spend two nights at Nottoway because it will be hard to leave after just one day! Before delving into its captivating history, a great option is to spend the first day by basking in its hypnotic atmosphere and enjoying amenities that will surely please and whisk you away.

After checking into your luxurious one-of-a-kind accommodations, indulge with a refreshing quintessential Louisiana cocktail from The Mansion Bar and Lounge (or perhaps a frozen lemonade) and stroll the lush grounds dotted with magnificent 200-year old oak trees and beautiful gardens lush with native plants and flowers. (Tip: When making your reservations, request that a bottle of chilled champagne be waiting in your room).

Need more ideas before diving into the fascinating history tours and museum experience? Take a dip in the gorgeous pool, soak in the hot tub, or grab one of several complimentary bikes and explore the area which is surrounded by sugarcane fields and the Mississippi River; guests can peddle atop the levee which skirts the Mississippi and is only 200 yards feet from the front of Nottoway! (Fact: Some of the sugarcane fields surrounding Nottoway are original to the plantation, and that very sugar is used in many of the desserts served here. Nottoway Plantation included 6,200 acres in 1860).

There are 40 different elegantly appointed accommodations at Nottoway with lodging options ranging from cottages, grand suites inside the plantation, and honeymoon suites, one of which has its own private pool! You can sleep like the Randoph family did in the 1800s in their very rooms inside mansion; these rooms are full of antique furniture and decor from the era and some even contain original furnishings. (Tip: You can see the Mississippi River and boats passing by from the grand windows inside the Cornelia Randolph Room which is located on the third floor. Every other Saturday, the American Queen Steamboat is docked on the banks of the river right in front of Nottoway; it’s truly a sight to behold).

The cottage accommodations resemble plantation-era structures on the outside, but inside, there are modern, plush rooms with covered porches and oversized rocking chairs. (Tip: Guests of Nottoway are free to roam about the mansion, (traditionally only done with a tour guide), throughout the evening and at night, and if you get a chance, ask Bob (who works plantation security at night) if there are any ghosts at Nottoway. (Tip: Be sure to sit in an oversized rocking chair and enjoy the riverfront breeze on the mansion’s massive third floor balcony that overlooks the river. This is a special great experience at night as well). By the way, all rooms have flat-screen TVs with cable and high-speed wireless internet.

Your stay also includes access to the fitness center, tennis courts and a scrumptious full plantation breakfast at the Mansion Restaurant, and you can either order breakfast from the menu or opt for the buffet which includes several house-made options. (Tip: Be sure to meet Arlene, a fixture who has been working at Nottoway for nearly 20 years, and serves breakfast and lunch).

Whether eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, request a table or make a reservation for a window- view table so that, while dining, you can enjoy the view of the breathtaking grounds. (At night, the magnificent 200-year old oaks and the surrounding cottages are lit up and provide a stunning view).

The men behind Nottoway’s mouthwatering cuisine are Executive Chef Michael Loupe and Sous Chef Brandon Geske, the latter of which started cooking at home when he was just eight years old and has learn the trade under Chef Loupe’s wing. Geske will quickly tell patrons, “My success is all due to him (Loupe); he is like a father to me.” (Dinner Menu Tip: The Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Brandon’s Sugar Cane chicken (made with raw cane sugar from Nottoway’s sugarcane fields) are sure-to-please appetizers. Tempt your taste buds with the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, and entrees Roasted Duck 31, Shrimp and Crab Tagliatelle Pasta and Prime Rib are musts!

There are two types of historic tours offered at Nottoway: one a self-guided audio version, the other with a guide dressed in period clothing. Nottoway suggests taking both tours to get the best of both worlds since each provides a different experience. The self-guided tour is great because, with a touch of a button, you can hear interesting facts and details about Nottoway at your own pace, and stop-and-go as you please. (Fun Fact: The audio recording is of an actor portraying John Randolph, but using Randolph’s own descriptions of Nottoway). (Tip: After your tour, visit Le’ Café’ and pick up a ‘Meal-To-Go’, which is a sampling of traditional Louisiana food, and then picnic under the grand oaks).

Do not miss Nottoway’s museum, theater and historical cemetery on the grounds. Artifacts belonging to the Randolphs, and from the era as well, are displayed in the museum, and there’s an excellent video that gives the history of Nottoway and plantation life of this bygone era. (Tip: Block out an hour to experience and read all that is offered in the museum and theater).

Want some fun? Take part in one of Nottoway’s Murder Mystery Dinners which includes hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wine and an exquisite four-course dinner. Actors and actresses, with some portraying Nottoway’s original owners John and Emily Randolph, are dressed in stunningly-detailed 1850s -period clothing and perform a fascinating mystery story set in 1859. This Mystery Dinner is both fun and thrilling, and guests are invited to participate.

There is no doubt that a trip to the antebellum South along the Great Mississippi River Road, will take hold of your soul and sweep you off your feet with all the grandeur and captivating history of a bygone era. As you leave these historical wonders behind, you will not only take home a storied history unlike any other, but a filmic scene as well, one that will be forever etched in your mind.

For more information go to: http://www.oakalleyplantation.com and http://www.nottoway.com

California Riviera Meets Disneyland
By Suzanne Ferrara

The breath-taking and famous Laguna Beach, also known as the “California Riviera,” has been painted and photographed for more than a century. Laguna’s hypnotic coves, towering palm trees, sandy beaches, and dramatic rocky crags are sights to behold. The curve of the coastline and the hilly terrain gives Laguna characteristics similar to the famed beach of Waikiki of yesterday but without the cluttered buildings.

This award-winning seaside destination is also known as the “Arts Colony” and rightfully so; there are more than 100 galleries in the community where famous painters like Norman St. Claire and Edgar Payne used brushes to transport this majestic scenery to the rest of the world. Many would agree, that no painting or photograph can do justice, to witnessing this captivating southern California coastal destination in person.

Laguna Beach has a handful of luxury resorts, but if you want to experience Laguna on an intimate level, head straight to the Inn at Laguna Beach. Here you will grasp the local vibe of this intimate beach community, and the Inn’s cozy, comfortable and charming atmosphere only adds to its essence. This quaint hotel is only five stories high and has 70 rooms adding to its cozy allure. The inn sits on the town’s most celebrated Main Beach, which is a curved sandy beach and rocky coves with tide pools or on either end of the of the beach. (One of those gorgeous rocky outcrops is just steps away from the inn).

The inn’s central location is not only perfect for experiencing the genuine pulse of Laguna, it stands in the area known as “The Village”, which is full of privately-owned restaurants and shops. (Fact: There are no strip malls or franchises in this area). The Inn is within walking distance of most attractions and restaurants, and there’s a FREE trolley service which runs along the Pacific Coast Highway every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Guest can hop aboard the trolley in front of the Laguna Beach Art Museum next to the Inn.

The Inn at Laguna Beach offers unparalleled views of this one-of-a-kind coastline and the glistening, cobalt Pacific Ocean. Once you put your feet on the sand, you will feel like you’ve been dropped into a movie set. On the South and North end of the pristine sandy Main Beach are the aforementioned rock crags of all sizes jetting out into the ocean. (Tip: The Inn offers complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and towels. They also have complimentary frisbees, buckets, shovels, and basketballs. It should be noted that all of the concierge employees are eager to make your stay special).

Laguna’s coves are full of opportunities for discovering sea life! When there is a low tide you can see starfish, hermit crabs, and kelp, among other sea species and plants inside the rock formed tide pools. The rocky formations are great for jumping and walking from rock to rock, all the while discovering new vantage points amid this wild, unique beach terrain. (Tip: Be sure to ask the concierge for one of their easy to read maps which illustrates all of the beaches, restaurants, and parks among other places for your discovery).

You can choose to swim in the ocean or take a dip the Inn’s heated pool on the third floor, and here too, is a great view of the coast. (Tip: The two most sought-after suites at the Inn are on the top floor of the Inn. The Laguna Vista Suite has a wraparound balcony offering great panoramic views of the coastline. The Sunset Vista Suite is the second most popular suite and offers a view of the coast as well). The Inn is undeniably romantic, but it’s also kid and pet-friendly!

Among the Inn’s complimentary amenities is a wine hour at the Inn’s Rooftop Bar, milk and fresh house-made cookies to end your day, and to start your day, Starbucks coffee and an assortment of Tazo brand teas. The Inn at Laguna Beach’s concierge is second to none and pays close attention to fulfilling their guests needs. Have concierge set up a plethora of activities including surfing lessons, scuba diving, and snorkeling during your stay.

Need more activity? Laguna has several beautiful hiking trails along the coastal hilly terrain one of the best trails is literally connected to the Inn at Laguna Beach. You can step outside the Inn and immediately onto the two-mile-long Heisler Park walking trail which sits atop a cliff and skirts two of Laguna’s beaches. (Fact: Laguna has several beaches all with different characteristics and named after streets of the town).

For a one-of-a-kind experience, make a 15-minute drive up the coast and board the “Dana Wharf Whale Watch” cruise at Dana Point. Coasting alongside these whales is a site to behold, especially when they spout out vapors from their blowholes. You will also see pods of dolphins on this trip!

After whale-watching at Dana Point, satisfy your appetite with delectable cuisine at Raya, located inside the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. The panoramic glass-enclosed oceanfront view atop a 150-foot cliff is hypnotic! (Tip: While the stunning coastline can be seen from anywhere in the restaurant, request a window table). Another great option with magnificent views is Splashes, a beach-front restaurant, where you can watch the gorgeous sunsets while enjoying coastal-American inspired dishes. Splashes is located inside the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach.

Want more dining choices? At Three Seventy Common, in downtown Laguna, Chef Ryan (Orange County native) creates mouthwatering dishes with international influences using locally sourced meats and produce. (Tip: Among the small plates, the broccolini with a fried egg is a must. The bone marrow, short rib, pork loin with BBQ mac n’ cheese, and the wild salmon are revered by the locals). Three Seventy Common is also known for its refreshing libations concocted to complement the menu. (Tip: Be sure to try the Chupacabra, made with tequila, lime, cilantro, cucumber, and agave). Save room for the bourbon bread pudding or seasonal berry shortcake.

It is hard to believe, but only 25 miles from Laguna Beach is Disneyland. Disneyland, the place where all the nostalgic magic began, has it all, with many new and classic rides and roaming characters you won’t find in Walt Disney World. Don’t miss Disneyland’s Fantasmic spectacular pyrotechnic and fireworks show; a full-scale eerie pirate ship sails in front of park-goers with dozens of characters on board, highlighted by an impressive Captain Jack Sparrow and stunt performers executing duels and falls. Adding to the magic, Disney California Adventure is just steps from Disneyland and showcases many rides (like Radiator Springs Raceway) and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Still need to get out? Just 15 miles from Disneyland is a shopping experience of a lifetime: South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, which is California’s largest shopping center and features over 250 retailers. Costa Mesa also has live Broadway shows and stunning musical performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Costa Mesa Marriot is in the middle of all the action. By the way, the Marriot provides shuttle service to Disneyland.

Undoubtedly, this part of southern California offers a Swiss army knife of vacations – cinematic beaches, magical kingdoms, and fine culinary artistry – all within a 30-mile radius. Mark my word, you will never forget this enchanting experience!

For more information go to: http://www.visitlagunabeach.com/, http://anaheimoc.org/and https://www.travelcostamesa.com/

Bell’s Brewery
Ringing in More than 30 Years of Brewing

Craft Brewing today is all about what’s new. The newest brewery on the block seems to get all the attention, and while we can’t blame anyone for needing to check out the new kid on the block, it’s the pioneers of craft beer that are proving the staying power of brewing great beer. For Bell’s Brewery that means more than 30 years of making beer that isn’t like everything else on the market, and that’s a very good thing.

To see where it all started for Bell’s, we need to take a trip down brewery lane all the way back to the late 1970’s. Here we find Larry Bell homebrewing when there wasn’t a supply store in every town or an Internet to order supplies from. To rectify this problem, Larry opened his own homebrew supply store and named it Kalamazoo Brewing Co.

Fast-forward to 1985 and Larry stepped up from homebrewing and in September of this year he sold his first commercial beer. In 1986 the total commercial production was 135 barrels of beer, and while this is small compared to today’s numbers, it was a very big deal at the time.

The 1990s were a big decade for Bell’s, as 1990 saw the first Bell’s Brewery beer sold outside of the state of Michigan. 1993 marked the opening of the Eccentric Café, which was the first on-site brewery pub in Michigan. The brewery continued to grow, which quickly made the craft brewery need a new, larger brewery to continue to grow.

In response to their continual growth, Bell’s opened their new Comstock Brewery in 2003. Constant growth and construction followed their success, and in 2012 the expansion to a new, American-made 200-barrel brewhouse was finished and open for business at the Comstock Brewery.

Seeing the trend in canned beers, Bell’s added a canning line in 2014, and since then more of their most-loved beers have seen the inside of these aluminum vessels, including Hopslam, Oberon, Smitten, Winter White, and Best Brown Ale.

September of 2015 marked the 30th anniversary of Bell’s Brewery, cementing them as a pillar of the craft brewing community. In 2017 Bell’s co-owner Laura Bell was promoted to CEO of the brewery. As the daughter of Bell’s Founder Larry, Laura grew up with the brewery, being 2 months old when the company was founded. Her father Larry continues to be Bell’s President and is still very active in the planning and oversight of projects at the brewery.

Bell’s Brewery is currently the 7th largest craft brewery in the United States with annual production in 2016 topping out at a little more than 420,000 barrels of beer.

Brewery history is all nice and fine, but the beer is really where it’s at, and that’s one thing that is always ringing true at Bell’s. With year-round and seasonal lineups that resonate with craft beer fans near and far, Bell’s is leading the way after more than 30 years of brewing.

The Beers

Bell’s Brewery is known as much for their seasonal beers as they are for their year-round beers, which is hard to do for a brewery that’s been around as long as Bell’s has. Looking at their year-round lineup, it’s hard to list anything but Two Hearted Ale first. This American IPA is brewed with 100% Centennial hops, which give the beer huge hop aroma and taste, with grapefruit upfront and a nice malt backbone throughout. Two Hearted comes in at 7% ABV in cans, bottles, and on draft. If you only try one beer from Bell’s, this should be it.

On the other side of the lineup is the year-round Oarsman Ale, a 4% ABV tart wheat ale that’s bright, refreshing, and lightly hopped as to add to the overall experience and not dominate the beer. While Oarsman is perfect in the warm weather, it’s really a great beer any time of the year, which is why you should be thankful it’s available all year.

A newer beer from Bell’s is their Oatsmobile Ale. This year-round American Pale Ale comes in at a sessionable 4.3% ABV and features a hefty hop lineup including Mosaic, Ekuanot, and Glacier hops. These, along with the oats used in the brewing process, give Oatsmobile a blend of peach, mango, and tropical aromas while keeping bitterness in check.

Looking at Bell’s seasonal offerings things get even better. By and far one of the best summer beers around is their Oberon American Wheat Ale. This 5.8% ABV wheat ale is brewed with Bell’s signature house ale yeast, which helps to give the beer its hop character and mild fruity aroma. Brewed with only 4 ingredients, Oberon is clean, simple, and incredibly crushable. With summer winding down, this is one beer you want to make sure you do not miss, especially since it’s available this year in the 5-liter mini keg.

Summer isn’t the only time for seasonal beers, and a shining example of this is Bell’s Best Brown Ale. What starts as a typical brown ale is kicked up a notch thanks to the generous use of American hops that perfectly offset the caramel and cocoa nuances hiding in each sip. Clocking in at 5.8% ABV, this fall seasonal beer is lower in alcohol than the big heavy stouts found in the fall, and is just dark enough to help us transition from the brighter flavors we expect from spring and summer beers. In short, it’s the perfect balance of flavor and body with just enough alcohol to make it stand out from the crowd.

While we wish summer could last all year, the arrival of August means we’re seeing fall creep around the corner, and even though that means chillier weather, it also means some great seasonal releases from Bell’s including:

• Special Double Cream Stout
• Oktoberfest Beer
• Expedition Stout
• Third Coast Old Ale

With the focus on independent craft beer, it’s great to see a company like Bell’s that keeps a focus on family and community while making consistently great beer. Bell’s employs more than 400 employees, and thanks to the father-daughter combination of Larry and Laura Bell, continues to be a family-run business making some of the best beer around.

Lake Austin’s Restorative Oasis
By Suzanne Ferrara

Mark my words, you will NOT want to leave this sanctuary, and will long for your return even while you’re still there. The moment you step foot on the Lake Austin Spa Resort, your cares of the day instantly melt away as you are absorbed into a world of tranquility and wellness.

This wellness resort in Austin, Texas is truly a piece of heaven on earth and awakens all of the senses. No stone is left unturned at this world-class, full-service paradise, and guess what? Almost everyone walks around the property in their robes and sandals (provided by the resort), the latter of which you can take home as a gift; however, the real gift is the restorative you that will walk out of its doors.

“It’s hard to capture how special it is. Where else can you go with these surroundings and all that is offered here?” says first-time visitor Kacee Geoffrey, a California resident who is experiencing this restorative oasis with her mother, Lisa Hale. And Mom concurs. “I’ve been to several stunning places in the world, and never have been to a place like this,” agrees Hale. “I’ve been transfixed just walking through all of the gardens, and I can go to breakfast and dinner in my robe…and it’s expected!”

It is certainly not surprising that, for the past decade, this wellness resort has been ranked among the top 10 by Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. The all-inclusive experience includes gourmet garden-to-table, award-winning meals and snacks, and refreshing drinks to quench your thirst. Executive Chef Stephane Beaucamp makes certain you are never hungry, and that rings true with the four-course dinners and multi-course lunches and breakfasts offered daily. (Fun Fact: Chef Beaucamp, a France native, has cooked for Nicole Kidman and Elton John). (Tip: There are no limits as to how many scrumptious healthy starters, soups, entrees or desserts you can enjoy during the three daily meals; however, the resort promotes moderation, not deprivation, as a key to healthy eating). There are also gourmet snacks and drinks available to guests throughout the day, and a stellar wine and champagne list can be found at both restaurants.

Resort dining is enjoyed in the property’s dining room with its picturesque views of the Lake Austin, or at the Aster Café. (Tip: Be sure to eat at both during your stay). They’ve thought of everything here; there’s even a large ‘Friendship Table’ with open seating at the Aster Café’ for those wanting to meet some new friends. You can also opt for room service or, upon request, they’ll set up a private table for two outside overlooking the glistening lake, or inside the picturesque library.

This is truly a cinematic postcard perfect scene, and you can’t help but keep your eyes on the hypnotically clear blue-green waters of lake with its backdrop of lush foraged green hillside skirting the banks. There’s a breathtaking view from practically every vantage point on this 19-acre lake shore property; at every turn, there are unexpected eye-pleasing surprises, from flowered canopy-covered walkways to a butterfly preserve, all of which add to this transformative experience. The globally- recognized healing garden oozes a plethora of both one-of-a-kind and traditional herbs, vegetables and flowers. This ‘secret garden’ plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of guests, all thanks to master-gardener extraordinaire Trisha Shirey (and we will cover the garden in a later article).

There are also therapeutic aquatic gardens and water features strewn throughout the grounds for an added sense of relaxation. “People come here for the healing properties of water, and wellness touches everything here; and you can literally go to dinner in your bathrobe, and no luxury hotel can offer that,” says Janice Clapoff, Lake Austin Spa Resort’s Managing Director. “Don’t rush this experience even when it comes to all the courses at dinner; it’s about taking your time and mindfulness.” And you can take part in this wellness sanctuary if you are at least 14 years of age. (Tip: If you get a chance, be sure to meet Clapoff who is not only chock-full of information and tips, but is also a consummate example of living the lifestyle inspired by this wellness resort).
Also included in your all-inclusive stay are a plethora of classes and activities– nearly two dozen offered daily—and it’s completely up to you as to how many you attend. In addition to varied levels of fitness offerings, there are many programs reflective of the healing power of water through yoga, meditation and aquatics. (Tip: Lake Austin Spa Resort offers Ripple Effects: The Wellness of Water program which is based on scientific evidence which suggests how water can heal the mind and body, and thus make you happier and healthier). The daily schedule runs the gamut from hiking the bluffs or canyon to meditating through creating art programs. Want to cook? There are nutritional cooking classes with guest chefs, plus classes with book authors and lecturers from all over the world; you can also request a personalized class and experience a la carte.

Since water is the focal point of health and well-being at this destination spa, it’s only apropos that there are open dock hours along Lake Austin where an attendant will help you get in and out of the water with hydro bikes, the new Hobi pedal boards, kayaks, or boats. Have a need for speed? Sign up for skiing or wake boarding. There are also three different pools: the barn pool which is an Olympic-size lap pool that’s covered and heated; a main pool overlooking Lake Austin; and the Palm Pool with cabanas. There’s also a full-service state-of-the-art fitness center that has an inspirational view of the lake.
When relaxing, it will be hard to choose where you want to enjoy a brief or long respite. The resort’s Living Room, Lake Room, library and the Blue Room will certainly add to your well-being and peaceful state, and the décor here is second to none. (Tip: Be sure to grab a refreshing drink and relax on one of the hammocks on the lake).

The team at this wellness resort is second-to-none, and friendly staff members will make sure your every whim is met. Adding to this blissful haven are the endless details and touches that will make your experience one of great ease and truly unforgettable, from soothing music playing softly at the barn pool to mouthwatering homemade healthy snacks (including frozen yogurt and sherbets with ingredients straight from the garden), or to the bottles of sunscreen available throughout the property.

You will certainly get a good night’s rest at the Lake Austin Spa Resort. There are 40 rooms, which are more like cottages; each has a front porch with a table and chairs from which you can look at the lake or the award-winning garden. Most of these rooms, decorated in soft hues for tranquility, also have a private back patio with a water feature, and It’s so private you can take a shower with the bay windows completely open. (Tip: Rooms #39 and #40 are choice rooms; both have great views of Lake Austin and are the quietest on the property). Yes, there are luxury bath accessories which are also sold in their gift shops, which by the way, are chock-full of great items including clothing, books and jewelry.

A stay here is not complete without a visit to the world-class and award winning Lake House Spa, which uses unsurpassed ‘ancient and modern therapeutic techniques’. There are more than 100 spa treatments, each of which will surely melt your stress away, and the pampering and service you’ll receive in this 25,000-square foot spa is second to none. The treatment offerings are all aimed at rejuvenation, healing and balance and, believe me, you will not leave the same person you were when you walked into this spa. (Menu Tip: The Lavender Dreams and the Weekend Warrior are among the most popular body treatment massages). (Tip: The spa is open at night, so you can receive a single or couples’ massage inside or at one of the outdoor treatment areas and then walk back to your room under the stars all renewed and relaxed).

(Big Tip: The best way to arrive at this transforming oasis is via the resort’s private boat taxi that can pick you up near the airport and whisk you to the Lake Austin Spa Resort so that your rejuvenating experience begins even earlier). While you are only 20 minutes from downtown Austin, no one who comes here ever wants to leave for any reason. Once you visit, you, too, will know why.
For more information go to: https://www.lakeaustin.com/

The Clement Hotel – Six Star Luxury Hotel!!

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, The Clement Hotel is an all-inclusive, boutique luxury hotel that is truly an exceptional property like no other: it’s honestly a hotel on steroids! We have travelled around the globe, and this property is so outstanding, we will never forget our stay.

It starts when you say, “Go!” From the minute you make your reservation, the Clement staff emails you a questionnaire, the answers to which will allow them to get to know your personal wants, needs and preferences; these responses will then be used to prepare an unforgettable experience where ‘you’ are the central figure.

Since this is an all-inclusive property, Clement staff wanted to know what snacks, drinks and liquor we liked so they could stock our mini-bar. Well, we were assuming that it would be stocked with single-serve bottles of wine and spirits, but, oh, no– not at this hotel! The Clement fully stocked our bar with regular-size bottles of all that we had checked off on our list, and accompanied those selections—champagne, wine and spirits– with the correct crystal glasses. They even had a bottle of champagne chilling in ice! (We are still talking about it as we had checked off quite a bit on the questionnaire thinking, “Oh, they might not have this or that, so let’s order everything: champagnes, wine, whiskey, brandy, vodka and rum.” Again, our entire credenza was lined with a fully-stocked bar). Plus, there was a stack of monogrammed, personalized stationary tied with a beautiful silk bow along with a personal hand written note welcoming us from the owner, Mr. Clement Chen, III. Unbelievable!

Each air-conditioned room at The Clement is equipped with a 65-inch IPTV, a Nespresso coffee machine and an in-room refrigerator. The window coverings are remote-controlled, and the bed and bedding were made for total luxury and comfort. I never slept so well in my life. Their spacious bathrooms, with heated stone floors, guest robes, slippers and free toiletries and a fresh flowering orchid. The bathrooms are equipped with a Toto Washlet, and…OMG…it’s the most incredible toilet seat and toilet in the world. It’s padded, heated, softly lit, and comes with a remote that allows you to control and personalize the heated water spray and jet settings that are designed to keep you fresh and clean after every bathroom use.

No detail is ever overlooked at The Clement Hotel, Palo Alto’s newest and most inspiring urban retreat. At the Clement, you are assigned your own personal concierge who is there to see that your every wish is their command. It was incredible, in no small part because the entire staffs is impeccably trained and are experts at what they do; they love their jobs, and it shines through with their attitudes and willingness to go above and beyond your wildest expectations. They are always there to fulfill your every desire in a non-intrusive, but extremely caring manner.

At the Clement, you will experience all-inclusive luxury, including breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared in its open kitchen with your own personal chef presiding. You have your choice of eating in the dining room, the outdoor dining terrace, the privacy of your own suite, or in a cabana on the Clement’s private roof-top pool deck overlooking the picturesque Stanford University campus. There’s also a fully-stocked guest pantry which, yes, has just about everything you could possibly think of, and it’s open 24 hours a day. This all-inclusive luxury – is exclusively created for you!

Dining at the Clement takes dining to a whole new level. The chef prepares a daily menu of specials along with the regular menu; however, you can request anything, and the chef will make it right in front of you. We loved the ‘open kitchen’ concept where you get to watch and even talk to the Chef as he prepares your personal meals, and there’s a wide range of endless, top-notch cocktails, and high-end wines and spirits to accompany your food. It’s all part of their inclusive ‘your wish is their command’ concept, and the service and foods are definitely six stars.

We truly enjoyed the Clement Hotel’s rooftop heated pool with its gorgeous panoramic views of Palo Alto and the Stanford University campus. The pool has a whirlpool and cabanas, and there’s a host of amenities like beach towels, sunglasses, tanning lotion, a fire pit and heaters (in case the night is a chilly one). We had lunch and drinks by the pool, and our every need was taken care of by staff members who were out of sight, but definitely there and ready to quickly respond.
For convenience, there is a 24-hour front desk at the property; plus, concierge services and personal assistants are available, along with a rooftop terrace, business center, fitness center and spa services. On-site valet parking is complimentary along with all of the following all-inclusive amenities: concierge and personal assistants; rooftop pool and cabanas; private boardroom; in-room refrigerator; breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, plus beer, wine and cocktails; in-room dining; a 24-hour, fully-stocked guest pantry; gratuities; twice-daily housekeeping services; overnight shoe shine services; and high-speed internet.

The nearest airports are the San Jose International Airport (which is 14 miles from The Clement Hotel) and the San Francisco International Airport (approximately 25 minutes away).

Let The Clement Hotel take care of your every need and fulfill your every wish! This property is so incredible, you have to experience it to believe it! Thank you, Mr. Chen, for creating such an incredible experience! We can’t wait to come back!!

The Clement Hotel 711 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301
phone 650.322 .7111
website: TheClementPaloAlto.com
email info@theclementpaloalto.com

A Summer of Stone with Stone Brewing Company

Gargoyles are known to stave off evil spirits and generally promote good fortune wherever they are employed, and at Stone Brewing they take this idea seriously. Looking at Stone’s logo or any of their beers and you’ll find their figurehead gargoyle front and center, helping to ward off any evil spirits looking to do your beer harm. Gargoyles aside, it’s what is inside the bottle that has made Stone Brewing a powerhouse of craft beer for more than 20 years and counting.

Stone Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 by Greg Koch (pronounced “cook”) and Steve Wagner in San Marcos, CA. The first keg of beer ever produced by the brewery was their Stone Pale Ale, and while not in production today, it was the beer that launched an empire, so to speak. In their first year of brewing, Stone Brewing produced 400 barrels of beer, which was easily surpassed by the 2,100 barrels brewed in 1997. This tremendous growth has continued throughout Stone’s history up to today.

Fast forward to 2016 and Stone Brewing produced 350,000 barrels in a single year. This steady growth should stand to show how consistently great Stone’s beers have been and continue to be. Today Stone Brewing Co. brews out of their Escondido, CA brewery, which they’ve been in since 2005 as well as their newly opened brewery in Richmond, Virginia. For those with more European interests, Stone also opened their Berlin brewery in a former gasworks facility originally built in 1901.

To celebrate the opening of the new Berlin brewery, Stone is releasing a line of collaboration beers brewed in Berlin and imported into the US. Found in large magnum bottles, these unique beers are definitely not single serve, and as with the ideals of craft beer, are meant to be enjoyed with friends.

With breweries on both coasts of the US and in Germany, getting fresh Stone Brewing beer has never been easier.
The Beers
While Stone Brewing makes some seriously amazing year round beers, their seasonal program is really where it’s at. By keeping things fresh and changing up the big unique beers throughout the year, Stone Brewing helps to give us a taste of something different while continuing to come out with new and interesting beers on a regular basis, especially those special Berlin-brewed beers we’re dying to get our hands on.

Stone Tangerine Express IPA
Hops are amazing. Not only do they impart bitterness into the beer they’re brewed with, but they also add a host of other flavors ranging from pine to pineapple to citrus and beyond. All that flavor hiding in the small flowers of our favorite bine.

An excellent example of this is Stone Brewing’s Tangerine Express IPA. This beer is brewed with Citra, Centennial, Sterling, Azacca, and Mosaic hops to give it a fresh, citrus body that’s then accentuated by the addition of tangerine and pineapple puree.

Coming in at 6.7% ABV and 75 IBUs, Tangerine Express is a refreshing take on the classic West Coast IPA style that’s thankfully going to be around in 22oz bottles and draft year round.

Stone Ghost Hammer IPA
A fermenting beer never slumbers, or so says the folks at Stone Brewing and for good reason. The night shift at any brewery will tell you that when things quiet down and the night gets dark, those otherwise innocuous tanks and pipes take on a life of their own. Knocking, banging, and making all other sorts of ghostly noises while brave brewers and brewery staff do their best to assure themselves they ain’t afraid of no ghost.

With this in mind, Stone is releasing a new seasonal beer named Ghost Hammer IPA. This 6.7% ABV beer is being released in cans and features Loral and Magnum hops to give it a refreshing, bitter flavor that’s perfect for summer days and nights when you need a little liquid courage scaring off some ghosts of your own.

Stone Mocha IPA
Now I know what you’re thinking, hops…coffee…chocolate…really? Sure, on the surface these tastes may not initially seem like they go together but once you try this seasonal warm-weather beer, you’ll be convinced that coffee and mocha in your IPA is the best idea since beer and grass cutting.

There’s something to be said about sticking to the traditional styles, and something else entirely to cross the unspoken boundaries and mix the ideals of an IPA and a stout to make an amalgamation of styles that somehow works perfectly. Brewed using cold brew coffee, this beer gives you all the coffee flavor you love without added bitterness.

While Stone’s Mocha IPA is at its core a respectable double IPA, there are notes of coffee, milky sweetness from milk sugar, and a latte-like character that flows alongside the citrusy, juicy hops and the refreshing bitter finish. This seasonal beer comes in at 9% ABV.

Stone RuinTen
Originally brewed in 2012 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one of the most intense, hop-forward beers in the Stone Brewing portfolio, Stone RuinTen continues to celebrate everything that makes Stone Ruination amazing while doing so much more.

Stone RuinTen is a triple IPA coming in at a staggering 10.8% ABV and 110 IBUs. Described by Stone Brewing as “A stage dive into a mosh pit of hops,” RuinTen is an over-the-top IPA that utilizes five pounds of hops in each barrel of beer to give it exceptional bitterness as well as a substantial flavor profiles that really has to be tasted to be believed.

So how do you make a beer this good even better? It may be hard but the brewers at Stone found a way. By adding orange peel and vanilla bean to the mix, we’re left with a beer that’s just as big and bitter as the original with some extra flavor added into the mix.

Stone RuinTen is available seasonally, stays fresh for only 90 days, and can be found in 22oz bottles and on draft.

Stone Farking Wheaton WootStout
What do you get when you cross a group of beer-loving nerds with a brewery that’s not afraid to do something a little weird and wild? Well, if you’re Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis, and Stone Brewing founder Greg Koch you join forces and brew an outstanding beer and share it with the world.

With a name that’s more than a mouthful, Stone Farking Wheaton WootStout was originally released in 2013 as one of beer’s nerdiest collaborations. Fitting with Stone Brewing’s want for being different, this brew is a summer seasonal beer.

WootStout is available in 22oz bottles and on draft, and as you can imagine is one of the more rare seasonal beers in Stone Brewing’s portfolio, so keep your eyes peeled for some, and when it comes to buying some for yourself, do as Wil’s TV boss says, and “make it so.”

Stone Enjoy BY 7/4/17
Stone Brewing is dedicated to fresh beer. Some breweries say they love fresh beer, but few are so dedicated as to not only print the expiration date on the bottle, but to actually make it part of the beer’s name.

Stone Enjoy By is an insanely fresh double IPA that has a staggeringly low 37-day shelf life. This dedication to freshness can’t be achieved alone, it takes support from amazing local distributors like Vecenie Distributing to make sure the beer gets into our hands as quickly as possible, and to make sure only the freshest beers are in the wild.

Stone Enjoy By 7/4/17 is available in 22oz bottles, on draft, and for the first time ever, in 12-oz cans. Check out the patriotic-themed cans and bottles today and toast to freedom the best way possible.

Stone Berlin Groundbreaking Collaborations
With the opening of Stone Brewing’s, well, groundbreaking, new brewery in Germany, the company felt the need to release a line of collaboration beers brewed at the new facility to celebrate. Released in large magnum bottles, these beers are in short supply and while they may cost you a few bucks thanks to their epic size, the beer inside is definitely worth it. Just make sure to get a few friends to help you enjoy them.

The first of these special beers to hit our shores was an imperial coconut porter with Maui Brewing called Aloha! Berlin that featured hand-toasted coconut, Maui coffee and hazelnuts.

Next up for Stone Berlin was a collaboration with Victory Brewing and Dogfish Head Brewing called Royale Imperial Saison Du Buff. Released in February of this year, this imperial farmhouse style ale comes in at 10% ABV and features parsley, sage, rosemary, and lemon thyme.

Release number three was Stone’s collaboration with Brewdog Brewing Co. called Super Bashah. This blank Belgian-style double IPA features chocolate malt and Belgian yeast with an ABV of 9.7%.

The last of the initial launch beers from Berlin is a collaboration between Stone Brewing and The Lost Abbey called Sticks N’ Stones. This dark imperial lager comes in at 8.3% ABV and is brewed with Belgian yeast and aged with wood chips in granite barrels.

That’s not all though. There are a total of 14 collaborations headed our way from Berlin. Keep your eyes open for more big bottles to hit our shelves as these are released into the wild.

Of course Stone still offers their lineup of year-round and seasonal offerings, all of which are currently available with these amazing special beers listed above. So kick back, relax, and make this the summer of Stone.

You’ll Want to Kiss Kissimmee
By Agent Suzanne Ferrara

If you haven’t been to a Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., you are missing out on a most impressive and thrilling experience.

Your step back in time to medieval Spain begins the moment you walk across the castle’s drawbridge. Inside the replicated 11th century fortress is a huge arena in which the tournament and royal feast takes place. Your role is that of a special guest of the King of the Realm, who invited you to his royal banquet. Once the action-packed festivities begin, you can’t help but be a part of this one-of-a-kind experience and its spirited atmosphere.

You will witness all the pomp and circumstance and pageantry that goes with a medieval tournament. Six highly-skilled knights engage in a heated competition for Princess Catalina’s hand, and the tournament includes jousting, hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting.

The knights, who are costumed interpreters, take their roles and aptitudes seriously; they not only go through extensive training, but have astonishing physical strength and have proficient steed skills as well. (Fact: Stallions and Pure Spanish horses, including the revered Andalusian, that are used for the production, live on the grounds and many of the knights are their actual caretakers). The horses are trained by a master mount trainer, and after they retire from performing, are treated like royalty for the remainder of their lives at the Medieval Times’ Chapel Creek Ranch).
The dignified sport of falconry is also part of the show. The majestic and powerful bird of prey soars above the audience, all the while following the direction of the expert Royal Falconer. Throughout the show, it will be hard to take your eyes off all of the action-packed talent, even while you are being served a feast fit for a king.

Did I say ‘feast’? Guests are served a scrumptious four-course dinner on pewter plates and bowls. Everyone eats Middle Ages-style, without utensils! What’s on the menu? Tomato Bisque Soup, Castle Bread, BBQ Spare Ribs, Roasted Chicken, Herb-Roasted Potatoes, and a Pastry of the Castle (an apple turnover). (Tip: Non-alcoholic beverages are included with your admission ticket, and there’s a cash bar for alcohol. Before the show, grab a refreshing libation in the main hall, then stroll around the castle and the medieval village).

Speaking of… the Medieval Village is comprised of eight cottages that feature coppersmiths, weavers and potters of the era. Be sure not to miss the Hall of Arms which is chock-full of medieval artifacts. There’s also a dungeon, full of centuries-old relics and instruments; this exhibit, however, may be too intense for some children. (Tip: Doors open 75 minutes before the show which is the best time to arrive and take in all the sites). (Seating Tips: The King’s Royalty Package includes VIP seating, a framed group photo with the king and princess, a knight’s cheering banner and a behind the scenes DVD. There’s first-come, first-serve seating for all regular admission tickets, so arrive early).

Wondering which knight wins the princess’ hand? After their epic battles, one of the King’s brave knights is named ‘Champion Knight’, and it could be the one you were rooting for during the night!

From knights on horses to a display of thundering horse power—we’re talking high performance engines at the Old Town, Kissimmee’s Muscle Car Show and Cruise each and every Friday night. American-made Muscle Cars (cars with a V-8 engine) from 1964- on and American classics right up until 1988 rev their engines and parade down Main Street, but that’s not all; every Saturday night, Old Town plays host to one of America’s longest-running weekly car show and cruise. The Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise invites all 1979-and-older street and hot rods, and antique classics to show off their stuff down Main Street, too. For car enthusiasts, it is definitely a dream come true, and perhaps, just a little bit of motorized heaven!!
But there’s a lot more to Old Town than just a display of engines, that’s for sure; this recreated turn-of-the-century Florida town has been a destination for family-friendly fun for over three decades. This walking district, which boasts historical architecture, has something for everyone, and offers a plethora of attractions, entertainment, shops and restaurants! It’s the perfect opportunity to get in your steps and, at the same time, take in the culture and sights of an amazing community!

Need more excitement? Board an airboat in Kissimmee and tour the stunning headwaters to the Florida Everglades; for example, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, which the Long family began back in 1994, offers a variety of thrilling tours. (Tip: The sunset tour is a must if you want to be awestruck by the sun setting over the lake, but if wildlife is something in which you are interested, take the half-hour or full-hour tours during the morning). In addition to soaring across the swamps at speeds of 45 miles per hour, riders will come across the Florida alligator, exotic birds and much more. (Tip: The best time to see alligators is on summer days before 10:00 a.m.).

Did you know? Kissimmee is known for being the ‘Vacation Home Capital of the World’, which means there are thousands of unique houses which you can use as your home base during your vacation. Want a pool? A hot tub? An entertainment room? These homes have every amenity you could desire, from pools to movie theaters, and a number of these vacation rentals come with a beautiful lakefront setting.

Oh, and did I mention that Kissimmee is just fifteen minutes away from Orlando’s Walt Disney World and Universal Studios? Just checking. Those spots seem to bring in a visitor or two as well.

For more information go to:

http://www.medievaltimes.com
http://www.experiencekissimmee.com
https://myoldtownusa.com/
http://bcairboats.com/our-story/
http://www.experiencekissimmee.com/places-to-stay/vacation-home-rentals/

Travel ………Havana, Cuba… Exploring Opportunities

Mark Lucero, CEO of Vodka Brands Corp recently travelled to Havana with top Pennsylvania LCB officials, who went to Cuba to explore the possibility of exporting and distributing Havana Rum in Pennsylvania. Mark Lucero, Vodka Brands Corp met with top officials in Cuba and had discussions on the possibilities of importing and distributing Blue Diamond Vodka in Cuba. The meetings went extremely well and both the PLCB and Vodka Brands are extremely optimistic that Havana Rum will be imported to PA and Blue Diamond Vodka and Diamond Girl Brand will be ultimately exported and distributed in Cuba.

Vodka Brands Corp currently has three vodka labels, White Diamond a mid-priced, very smooth premium vodka, Blue Diamond a higher end ultra-smooth vodka and soon to be introduced Diamond Girl Specialty Brand Vodka their newest addition to their vodka brands. Vodka Brands Corp currently trades under the stock market symbol VDKB.

Cuba is a Caribbean island nation under communist rule. It has sugar-white beaches and is dotted with tobacco fields, which play a part in the production of the country’s legendary cigars, the Monte Cristo. The capital, Havana, is lined with pastel houses, 1950s-era cars and Spanish-colonial architecture in the 16th-century core, Old Havana. Salsa music plays in the dance clubs and cabaret shows are performed at the famed Tropicana.

Mark was extremely impressed by the pre-1959 cars which are mostly being used as taxis. These colorful well maintained classic cars are truly reminiscent of the 50’s.

Even though travel to Cuba for Americans is restricted, that doesn’t make it impossible to visit. For many years some intrepid Americans were traveling to Cuba anyway. Initially there were three ways to accomplish this.

Special License: You could register for a special license with the US Government if the reason for your travel fit a certain category. These include family visits, professional reasons, journalism, religious or cultural programs, and humanitarian projects.

People To People Tours: Organized tours that involve some sort of educational experience with local Cuban people. It’s never been defined officially, but basically your trip can’t just involve sitting on the beach. Travelers would talk with a school, volunteer for a community project, or collaborate with artists. A kind of legal loophole that tour companies use to sell tours in Cuba.

Foreign Gateway Cities: The other option was to travel to Cuba “illegally” through a foreign gateway city. This means flying yourself to Canada or Mexico first, then traveling to Cuba on your own from one of those countries. Because for the rest of the world, Cuba has been a popular travel destination for many years. It’s only us Americans who haven’t been able to visit Cuba!

New US Rules: As of January 16th, 2015 Americans no longer need to apply for specific licenses if they fit one of the 12 special categories.

• Family visits
• Official business or the US government, foreign government and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research
• Educational activities
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions and exhibitions
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation or transmission of information or informational materials
• Certain export transactions

What does this mean? It simplifies the process for Americans that meet those special requirements to visit Cuba. But it also creates a grey-area. If you no longer have to pre-apply for a license, can you say your trip is for journalism when it’s really not? Will anyone even check to make sure you actually match one of the 12 categories? If you don’t fit one of the categories, will anyone enforce the rules when you return to the United States? From our experience & listening to other travelers, the answer is no.

While it’s still technically illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba for tourism only, it seems in practice, no one really enforces these travel restrictions anymore since more and more airlines are offering flights from the US to Cuba.

Panhandle Bliss

By Suzanne Ferrara

What was once a sleepy fishing village, with miles of deserted sand dunes on land and some of the best catch available in the waters, has come a long way. Today Destin, Florida is one of the top beach destinations in the world, and is famous for its beautiful clear turquoise waters, sugar-white sand beaches and yes, for fishing.   Once you defrost in this heavenly beach playground, you’ll know why it ranks so high. While you really can’t go wrong when choosing a place to stay on this beach, there are some places that are worth mentioning, including one-of-a-kind experiences that everyone can enjoy!

It’s a refuge which oozes an unmatched setting. Bordering the pristine beach of the Emerald Coast and the breathtaking Henderson Beach State Park Preserve is an oasis unlike any other, The Henderson Beach Resort. This Salamander Beach and Spa Resort in Destin is the newest and one of the most luxurious beach destinations offered between New Orleans and Sarasota Florida. Not all resorts are created equal, a statement that certainly rings true at this irresistible retreat; it’s no wonder, because The Henderson was spawned from the adjacent, award-winning Henderson Park Inn.

This massive replica of a seaside inn is chockfull of enticing amenities and will wow you with its beautiful architectural design. From the wall of windows, to the cedar-exposed beams and tresses, to hundreds of pieces of stunning artwork adorning every corner, you will surely be inspired by this haven.

This quintessential American beach resort has a plethora of special touches like the sunset salutation bell which reminds guests to witness the amazing sight of a Destin sunset. (Tip: Watch the sunset from the rooftop terrace).   While taking in the views, sip complimentary beverages like ice tea, morning coffee and hot teas available in the lobby. Be sure to enjoy the sprawling veranda overlooking the state park and adjoining gulf coast. Right off this gallery is the octagon-shaped Horizons Bar with huge bay windows and a striking Italian marble fireplace. Here you can enjoy house-made snacks, precision mouthwatering cocktails and craft beers.

The balcony of your accommodations can give a vantage point that will instantly melt your cares away. (Tip: Request either the third or fourth floor corner rooms/suites which offer unparalleled views of both the stunning gulf and the unspoiled maritime forest preserve). You can also enjoy Mother Nature’s wonders up close on two wheels; the resort offers complimentary bikes and passes to the state park. (Tip: The resort offers free shuttle service).

After wetting your whistle, head to the Primrose Restaurant which boasts an open-air kitchen and unbeatable sushi bar, courtesy of Chef Hieu and his culinary masterpieces. The cuisine and service here are superb, and the dock-to-table dishes scrumptious. (Must try: the Chef’s Featured Catch of the Day and the Henderson Roll). Be sure to meet chefs Zachary Garza and Chase Gilley, both of whom pour their hearts into every delectable dish. Another dining option is the Beach Walk Restaurant which has sweeping views of the gulf at the resort’s Henderson Park Inn. (Must try: Smoked Tomato Soup with crab and Pepper-Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna).

After a good night’s rest, you’ll be ready to enjoy the zero-entry adults-only pool and cabanas, or take a relaxing float down the lazy river with the kids. For more sun action, take a stroll on the beach and enjoy complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas and free lemonade. Want to get active? The Henderson Beach Resort also offers various water sports and a state of the art fitness center and, for younger guests, a Kids Club.

A stay at The Henderson Beach Resort is not complete without experiencing the world class luxury Salamander Spa. You will not want to leave this tranquil paradise which exudes a healing atmosphere.   A visit here begins with a one-of-a-kind ‘singing bowl’ welcome ritual. Complimentary offerings include wholesome snacks, chocolate-covered berries, and a variety of teas to be relished in their inviting relaxation lounge.   This full-service spa boasts several water features and a lengthy list of services that will surely disconnect you from the cares of the day. (Tip: Two popular services are the Essential Balancing Facial and the Well-Being Swedish Massage).

Now, if you love everything about the beach, this is one thing you don’t want to miss and it’s for all ages: sandcastle lessons. In fact, you can build your dream sandcastle right on the sugar-white sand in front your beach resort.

Beach Sand Sculptures make ‘house calls’ all along the coast on both public and private beaches. Its sand castle experts haul out all the supplies and tools you will need to make your castle (which naturally makes this special activity very convenient), and all you’ve got to do is show up.

It’s a great way to bond with your family, friends or with the love of your life; a truly magical experience. You will learn all the secrets of how to build sand castles, and you’ll be able to take these tips to every beach you visit!   At the end, their experts will snap a picture of you and your family, proudly standing right in front of your sand castles. (Tip: This photo will make for a great Christmas Card)!

Speaking of conveniences, a really neat and refreshing lodging option is staying at the Jade East Towers in Destin. There’s just something about a smaller property that sets the mood for a totally intimate beach experience, not to mention having that wonderful property next to the emerald waters. If want your accommodations to be as close to the water as possible, the Jade East Towers are only 30 steps from the beach! Yes, Jade East has all the amenities you need including a Gulf-front pool, beach service, grills and a lighted tennis court, and the accommodations offer a number of things money can’t buy! For example: In addition to condos with sweeping balcony views of the Gulf, you can also receive a sensory experience, namely, the hypnotic sounds of the ebb and flow of the ocean. (Tip: Unit #0720 is a great option for this sensory experience, and the unit also has little inspiring touches like a desk planted within a floor to ceiling bay-window overlooking the hypnotic gulf or for a more dramatically experience on the higher-level floors reserve #1540 or #1040).

Jade East Towers is one of several diverse Newman-Daily Resort Properties ranging from beach homes, condos to villas and cottages. All Newman-Dailey vacation rentals have special offers to enhance your vacation stay – a “Be Free Bundle” gift card to use toward area activities from the Big Kahuna’s Waterpark, snorkel excursion, a sunset dolphin cruise and much, much more. Go to:

One of those hotspots included on the Newman-Dailey ‘Be Free Bundle’ that will surely put a smile on your face is the Track Family Recreation Center. There aren’t many places in America where you can ride a go-kart on a three-story spiraling wooden track, so be sure to take a spin on the Wild Woody; plus, there are also four other tracks including the ‘Slick Track’ and a great family track with an overpass simply known as ‘The Track’. For the little-ones. The Kiddie and Rookie Karts tracks are a great option, and The Track also offers mini-golf where you will discover jungle animals, right next to a great arcade and bumper cars. Feeling adventurous? The Track has bungee jumping and a Skyflier in which you glide in the air and get a feel for skydiving.

Hungry? You cannot beat the fresh seafood in Destin! Steeped in history and overlooking the marina Dewey Destin’s Restaurant. The Destin family and the community of Destin, Florida have been intertwined since Dewey’s great, great grand-father Leonard Destin founded; the town in 1835. (Tip: sit on the back porch overlooking the beautiful harbor and be sure to order the Jack Scallops appetizer and any fresh fish dish).

Another great option is the newly-owned Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer. Chef Tommy Lamasters, a local boy, worked his way up the ranks in the restaurant industry and pours his heart into every dish he prepares. Fresh steamed and boiled seafood is a must, as well as locally caught fish. (Tip: Be sure to order the Build Your Own Boil and any Fresh Fish from the Gulf dish).

For breakfast, head to the apply named The Pancakery where you will find the mouthwatering Blueberry Hill, Destinite, and Chocolatier pancakes, to name a few. They also serve scrumptious freshly made omelets and crepes.

For more information on accommodations visit: HendersonBeachResort.com., jadeeastcondos.com and DestinVacation.com.

For information on the aforementioned activities and special offers visit: beachsandsculptures.com, destintrack.com, and destinvacation.com/gift-card)

Craft Beer for a New Year

We’re one month into 2017 and the craft beer calendar is already shaping up to be a real winner. From returning favorites to new and interesting one-off beers…February is definitely here to help you recover from our collective post-election hangovers.

Anderson Valley Brewing Co.

Briney Melon Gose – You may not be familiar with the gose beer style (pronounced go-sah), but you should be. These beers are slightly salty with a tart character that’s akin to sour beers, but more tart than sour. The folks over at Anderson Valley Brewing Company have brewed a few varieties of this classic beer style, including this brand-new iteration that’s bound to please.

The classic gose style is paired with subtle watermelon aroma and flavor to give this beer a perfect harmony between acidity and fruity sweetness. The finish is nice and dry, giving you a beer that’s both tart and sweet without any lingering sweetness on the finish. As with others in the style, this new gose will come in at a sessionable 4.2% ABV and is available in bottles, cans, and on draft.

Ee Tah! IPA – Adding to Anderson Valley’s strong pale ale portfolio is their Ee Tah! IPA. Golden yellow in color, this India pale ale features aromas of tropical fruit, passion fruit, and just a hint of citrus. The impressive hop profile comes via Chinook, Citra, and Amarillo hops while pale, pilsner, and midnight wheat malts give the beer a nice balance. Coming in at 7.5% ABV, this is one beer that’ll pair with your favorite grilled meats and spicy dishes.

Bell’s Brewery

Hopslam – When it comes to IPAs, this one may very well be king. Bell’s Brewing uses six different varietals of hops to craft the huge citrus and floral flavor that’s packed into this beer, giving it a complex and very bitter taste and aroma. Weighing in at a hefty 10% ABV, Hopslam is a beer for true lovers of the hop.

Hopslam is a true imperial IPA, with a huge flavor and enough alcohol to give the beer a slight warmth on the finish. As you might have guessed, Cupid’s worked overtime on this one, making just about everyone love Hopslam, so while it may take a little work to find this beer, the work is definitely worth the reward. Hopslam this year is available in 12oz cans, and on draft.

Smitten – Smitten isn’t a word that’s used too often anymore, but I argue that it should be. A perfect use of this word is for the golden rye ale brewed by Bell’s Brewing. Their idea of Smitten starts with rye to impart a spiciness and body to the beer that give the beer an almost magical presence.

On the nose, you’ll notice peppery rye spiciness along with a noticeable bready aroma. The taste has rye up front with a nice citrusy hop character following it up. All of this sits nicely on a malt backbone that’s all about bready malt. The rye imparts a creamy mouthfeel that finishes the beer up perfectly.

Bell’s Smitten Golden Rye Ale clocks in at 6% ABV and is available during the spring and early summer. Smitten is a great example of an interesting take on the traditional American Pale Ale with a nice rye malt twist. Smitten Golden Rye Ale pairs very well with strong cheeses, salty snacks, and savory meats. Smitten is available is 12oz bottles, 16oz cans, and on draft.

Dogfish Head Brewery

Flesh and Blood – While 60 and 90 Minute may be IPAs from Dogfish Head we’ve grown to love, Flesh & Blood IPA is the up-and-comer that’s won over a lot of hearts. Originally released in 2016, this IPA features a hearty dose of real citrus including lemon flesh and orange juice as well as orange and lemon peel.

Flesh & Blood balances the American IPA style with zesty fruitiness to give it the bitterness that hopheads love and the drinkability that those less hop-inclined need. Coming in at 7.6% ABV and 45 IBUs, Flesh & Blood IPA is just about perfect, especially now that it’s available year-round, and it’s even available in cans!

Erie Brewing Co.

Ol’ Red Cease & Desist – Ol’ Red is a big 10.1% ABV wee heavy Scotch ale that features a strong caramel malt flavor that finishes with a smooth, alcohol warming sensation. This hefty beer is a deep red color with a light foamy head. Aromas include dark fruit, malt, and a touch of caramel.

Ol’ Red pairs well with Fruity, mild, or buttery cheeses as well as smoked and roasted meats, sausages, and even crème brulee and shortbread cookies.

Heavy Seas Beer

TropiCannon – Citrus and IPAs go together like, well, citrus and IPA! This seasonal offering from Heavy Seas Beer clocks in at 45 IBU and 7.25% ABV, and features huge citrus aroma and flavor that’s backed up by a balanced hop profile.

TropiCannon starts its life similar to Loose Cannon, and while they share the same ABV, the beer cousins couldn’t be more different. On the citrus side you’ll find blood orange, grapefruit, mango, and lemon in both the aroma and flavor while the hop side you’ll get some piney hop flavor along with even more citrus thanks to the Amarillo and Simcoe hops.

North Country Brewing Co.

Liquid Love – One of the tenants of a good Valentine’s Day is chocolate. A close second to this would be, in my book, alcohol, so why not combine the two into a stout that is part chocolate, part beer, and all amazing?

North Country Brewing out of Slippery Rock, PA brews their Liquid Love Stout to be the perfect balance of chocolate and dark stout not only for those of us celebrating Valentine’s Day, but for anyone else looking for a great dark beer with overtones of dark chocolate. When it comes to chocolate stouts, a little goes a long way, which is why this beer is so great. The beer is well balanced with enough bitterness paired with the toasted malt to support the chocolate and make this 6.5% ABV beer extremely drinkable and infinitely enjoyable, but make sure to find it on draft, as it’s the only way you’ll find it this year.

Thanks Daaaaan – Brewed with legendary sportscaster Dan Potash, Thanks Daaaaan Belgian Wheat is a light, refreshing Belgian wheat beer that comes in at 5.5% ABV and like most wheat beers, is a hazy golden color with a frothy white head.

Oskar Blues Brewing Co.

Deviant Dales – This imperial IPA comes in at 85 IBUs and 8% ABV, and features aromas of citrus, grapefruit rind, and piney resin. Deviant Dale’s pours a deep copper color with an off-white foamy head.

As for flavor, Deviant Dale’s packs in more of that citrus and pine and follows it up with a malt backbone that finishes slightly dry.

Otter Creek Brewing Co.

Kind Ryed – When it comes to IPAs, a growing trend is the use of rye in the recipe to give the beer an added bit of spiciness and body. Otter Creek Brewing does just that with their Kind Ryed IPA, giving it a strong rye malt backbone to support the 60 IBU and 6.5% ABV the beer features.

By using a combination of Apollo, Simcoe, Chinook, and Centennial hops, the brewers at Otter Creek give this beer a clean, refreshing taste that has just enough rye to make it one of the more unique IPAs around.

Saugatuck Brewing Co.

The Reverent Monk – Belgian monks have been brewing beer for hundreds of years, giving them a history of quality that’s simply amazing. While the monks brewed their beer for help with nutrition while on fasts as well as to sell to travelers, Saugatuck Brewing brews their Reverent Monk Belgian Tripel purely for our enjoyment.

Coming in at 10% ABV, Reverent Monk features complex flavors of clove, banana, and spicy esters to give the beer a depth of character that’s hard to find outside of the Belgian borders.

Stone Brewing

Ripper – The different varieties of pale ales are often overshadowed by the bigger, hoppier India Pale Ales. While some may say these styles are starting to merge, there’s still more than enough room for the base pale ale in our beer world.

Take for example Ripper, a 5.7% ABV pale ale. This beer features tropical and floral aroma and flavors in a bright, golden body. Technically considered a West Coast pale ale, this is the perfect beer for long days at the beach or warm evenings on your porch, both of which we’re hoping to see very soon.

Jindia Pale Ale – Always ones to experiment with the IPA style, Stone Brewing is releasing a one-off IPA that’s sure to impress. Their Jindia Pale Ale comes in at 8.7% ABV and features balanced levels of ginger, juniper, and citrus to give this beer a very gin-like quality that makes it bright and refreshing. This, paired with the beer’s intense hop flavor make for a brew you won’t soon forget.

Straub Brewing

Groundhog Altbier – Whether that seer of seers and prognosticator of prognosticators predicts more winter or an early spring for us, one thing we can be certain of is Straub’s Groundhog Altbier and its ability to get us through however many cold nights we have left.

Coming in at 6.9% ABV, this end of winter beer pours a bright copper color with a toasty, caramel flavor and aroma.

Tröegs Independent Brewing

Nugget Nectar – Here’s a beer you could really make your main squeeze. Nugget Nectar is Tröegs Brewing’s ode to the hop. Tröegs uses ultra-fresh hops to give this beer huge aroma and flavor that’s hard to beat. Coming in at 7.5% ABV and a hefty 93 IBUs, this beer is technically considered an imperial amber ale, even though it’s stiff competition for any IPA out there.

Nugget Nectar just saw its 2017 release in January to a thirsty throng of beer lovers, and if you want to get your hands on this lovely, you better do it soon or else be without the one you love for another year. And trust me, this isn’t one you want to have a long-distance relationship with. Nugget Nectar will be available in 12oz bottles, cans, and on draft.

Victory Brewing Co.

Sour Monkey – Sour beer is something of an acquired taste. When first trying a sour beer, it can be somewhat overpowering and not at all what you’re expecting. Given a few tastes however, you’ll find depth of flavor and aroma that makes these beers a truly unique experience.

Sour Monkey is a 9.5% ABV version of the popular Golden Monkey is soured using a strain of Brettanomyces, giving it added flavors of lemon, tartness, and overall Brett funkiness.

21^st Birthday IPA – Ah, the joy of the 21^st birthday. Being able to go out to the bar and legally buy the drinks you’ve longed to have. It’s an event most of us remember (for the most part, that is) as being a fun, special day.

Victory Brewing is turning 21 this year, which means it’s time for them to celebrate by having themselves a beer. This year Victory chose to brew a special IPA that features aggressive kettle and dry hopping with fresh-harvested hops, giving this 6.1% ABV beer some real character.

The New Look of Dogfish Head

There’s a saying that goes “it’s what’s on the inside that matters,” and while that’s definitely true for beer, it never hurts to look good, too. It may hurt to admit, but a beer’s packaging has to look as good as the beer inside tastes for it to be truly successful. With hundreds of craft breweries making thousands of different beers, it’s that first impression that helps make a beer love at first sip.

Sam Calagione founded Dogfish Head Craft Brewery with the need to make beers that were different from the rest of the crowd. His goal was to brew beers that used culinary ingredients in a way that made as much sense as hops and malt all the while making beers that were off-centered while staying true to the roots of brewing history.

Not one to go with the flow, the design of Dogfish Head’s lineup of beers hasn’t changed much since the brewery’s inception and for good reason. Calagione and crew loved simple, descriptive designs that let the beer speak for itself. Years later, the “shark and shield” that marks every bottle, case, keg, and glass from Dogfish Head and has become one of the most notable examples of design in the craft beer world.

It’s hard to change a design that everyone knows while assuring your loyal fans that the beer inside is the same amazing ale that they’ve come to love. Sticking with the tried and true design is fine when you’re producing a handful of beers, but when you’re talking about a brewery like Dogfish Head that has more than 30 beers available in 2016 alone, having a design that signifies it as a Dogfish Head beer while showing the difference between those beers can be quite complex, especially with the constant addition of new beers.

The designs that worked for Dogfish Head early on weren’t so easy to adapt to their growing lineup of beers in a meaningful and recognizable manner. It was time for a change.

This change comes in the way of a complete redesign of the core beers that Dogfish Head offers, with more redesigns to come soon.

The New Design
The key to any product redesign is to make it a big enough change that it’s useful while keeping it familiar enough as to not confuse the people that love your beer. With this in mind the shark and shield are hanging around for the redesign as well as that unique Dogfish Head font that’s adorned every bottle of their beer for the majority of the brewery’s existence.

Beyond this, the new design showcases the ingredients that make the beer special while showing you everything you’d want to know about the beer you’re drinking including ingredients, size, ABV, and of course the beer name and style. No hunting for facts or spinning a bottle to read everything. It’s all right there for you to read.

The six-pack carriers even put the key ingredients for the beer illustrated over the carrier handle so you literally have a handful of hops or other ingredients as you take your beer home. In short, it’s a perfect mix of new and old that gives Dogfish Head’s beer lineup a look that’s similar to each other while being just different enough to stand out.

The Beers
Dogfish Head is kicking the new design off with seven of their current beers, with more to follow. The beers getting the first crack at a redesign are:
• 60 Minute IPA
• 90 Minute IPA
• Flesh & Blood IPA
• Indian Brown Dark IPA
• Midas Touch Ancient Ale
• Namaste White Belgian-Style Witbier
• SeaQuench Ale Session Sour

60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head’s flagship beer is by and far their 60 Minute IPA. This well-balanced IPA is continually hopped IPA features citrusy hop character while keeping the bitterness in check with a malt bill that helps to round this beer out to make it the complete package.

60 Minute is named for the length of the boil and the length of the corresponding continuous hop addition. 60 Minute is golden amber in color with a piney, citrus hop-forward aroma, a hoppy, malty balanced taste, and a crisp medium mouthfeel that leaves a slight bitterness behind. 60 Minute comes in at 6% ABV and 60 IBU.

90 Minute IPA
The first beer to be continually hopped by Dogfish Head’s founder Sam Calagione, 90 Minute IPA is the big kind on the block when it comes to year-round IPA’s from Dogfish Head, and rightfully so.

90 Minute sits at 9% ABV and 90 IBUs, and while this may seem a little imposing, this beer has a strong malt backbone that helps to even things out in the way of flavor and aroma. Instead of being overpowering, 90 Minute features the pine and citrus aroma and flavor that’s found in its little brother, just with a little more prominence. 90 Minute is fuller bodied with a slightly more robust mouthfeel than 60 Minute, but in a way that keeps the drinkability of this beer high while making sure you respect the 9% ABV.

Flesh & Blood IPA
While 60 and 90 Minute may be the seniors of this lineup, Flesh & Blood IPA is the freshman on campus. Originally released in 2016, this IPA features a hearty dose of real citrus including lemon flesh and orange juice as well as orange and lemon peel.

Flesh & Blood balances the American IPA style with zesty fruitiness to give it the bitterness that hopheads love and the drinkability that those less hop-inclined need. Coming in at 7.6% ABV and 45 IBUs, Flesh & Blood IPA is just about perfect, even if it’s only available in the summer months.

Indian Brown Dark IPA
What do you get when you cross an IPA with a brown ale? Well, if you’re Dogfish Head you get Indian Brown Dark IPA. Somehow Indian Brown balances the two seemingly opposing styles of beer into one amazing beer. The malty toastiness of the brown ale balances out the mild hop bitterness, leaving you with caramel and brown sugar notes that finishes dry.

Indian Brown Ale comes in at 7.2% ABV and 50 IBUs, and is available year-round. While you can get this beer throughout the year, fall seems to be the perfect time of the year to either revisit this beer, or to discover it for the first time.

Midas Touch Ancient Ale
Beer has been around for literally thousands of years, making it one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world. That means there’s a vast history of beer spread throughout the ages. In an attempt to explore this rich history while respecting the brewers that have come before them, Dogfish Head worked with the University of Pennsylvania to determine the ingredients used to brew a beer that was brewed 2,700 years ago via traces found in a drinking vessel in none other than King Midas’ tomb.

Midas Touch is sweet yet somehow dry and is brewed using barley, honey, white muscat grapes, and saffron to give this beer a unique mead-like character while still remaining a beer through and through. Midas Touch is 9% ABV and a meager 12 IBUs, meaning it’s big, slightly boozy, and sweet up front with a crisp, clean finish.

Namaste White Belgian-Style Witbier
When it comes to Belgian-style witbiers, finding one that’s truly unique can be hard to do. Borrowing a word commonly used by our yoga-practicing friends, Namaste means “the spirit in me acknowledges the spirit in you,” which is Dogfish Head’s way of thanking all their fans that’ve turned their fellow beer-loving souls onto the off-centered brewery.

Namaste White is 4.8% ABV and comes in at 20 IBUs. This straw-yellow ale features aromas of citrus and cloves with just a hint of coriander in the background. This is carried through to the taste, with sweet malt notes added in as well as a slightly spicy finish. Exceedingly refreshing, Namaste White is crisp and perfect for chilly days as much as for hot ones, and thankfully it is available year round.

SeaQuench Ale Session Sour
Finishing up our list of newly designed beers is another member of the freshman class, and it’s one of the more unique beers on the list, too. SeaQuench Ale is a session sour beer that’s brewed with lime peel, black limes, and sea salt to give you a tart, citrusy merger of three different German styles of beer.

SeaQuench Ale starts its life as a straightforward Kölsch with lots of wheat and Munich malt. From here a salty Gose (pronounced go-sa) is brewed with the black limes, coriander, and sea salt. Finally, the last beer is a tart Berliner weisse brewed with lime juice and lime peel. These three beers are combined, and just like Voltron, they become more than the sum of their parts once combined. SeaQuench Ale kicks off a partnership between Dogfish head and the National Aquarium located in Baltimore, Maryland, and their logo can be found on the SeaQuench Ale label.

SeaQuench Ale is 4.9% ABV and 10 IBUs. Expect a tart, slightly sour character that’s light, refreshing, and all-around great. SeaQuench Ale is available in August and September each year.

Look out for the new labels for your favorite Dogfish Head beers and enjoy the beer you love with a fresh, new design.

Fall Beers for Every Taste

While we hate to see summer make its yearly exit, it means that fall is on its way and with it comes the amazing variety of fall beers. As the leaves start to change as it seems do our tastes in beers. The bright, refreshing beers that call summer their home don’t leave us entirely, but they definitely make way for some bolder and more robust beers. Darker, stronger, and even spicier beers dominate the fall season and for good reason. The nights are starting to get cooler and the days shorter, meaning we all need a little something extra to make the transition into fall go a little more smoothly.

While autumnal beers seem to be known primarily as full of pumpkin and spice, that’s not all the beers of fall have to offer. You’ll find stouts, porters, brown ales, the quintessential pumpkin ales, Oktoberfest style beers, and even some pretty great IPAs and other beers you probably wouldn’t align with the fall.

We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up some of our favorite fall beers that run the gamut of flavors, alcohol content, color, and style. Check out our list of fall beers for every taste and find your new favorite beer for this autumn.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company – Fall Hornin’: With a brilliant, deep copper hue and creamy beige-colored head, our Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale has inviting aromas of caramelized malt and baking bread with highlights of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin and seasonal spices. The pleasantly creamy mouthfeel and silky body embrace the sweet caramel flavors and tang of spices with just hint of hops that ends with a smooth, round finish. 6% ABV

Bell’s Brewery – Best Brown Ale: When it comes to fall beers it’s hard to find one that’s more universally loved that Bell’s Brewery Best Brown Ale. With hints of caramel and cocoa, this well-balanced beer has a deep malt body that’s balanced out nicely by the generous use of American hops. 5.8% ABV

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery – Pumpkin: America’s Original Pumpkin Ale was first brewed in 1985. Made with real pumpkin, it has a golden amber color, and the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie. This brew is perfect for Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin Ale is available from August through November. 6% ABV

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Punkin’ Ale: A full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. Dogfish Head brews Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices. As the season cools, this is the perfect beer to warm up with. 7% ABV

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Seaquenchale: A beer doesn’t have to be dark and spicy to be a fall beer, and this is shown best with the newest beer in Dogfish Head’s seasonal lineup: Seaquenchale. This beer is classified as a sour session ale that features lime juice, lime peel, salt, black limes, and coriander. A closer look at Seaquenchale will show a mix between a Kolsch, Berliner Weisse, and a Gose that is perfectly mated to give a refreshing sour taste that’s not overly sour while being exactly what we need to send summer off in style. 4.9% ABV

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Red and White: Originally released in 2006, Dogfish Head’s Red and White is a big Belgian-style witbier that’s brewed with coriander and orange peel, then fermented with pinot noir grape juice. Think of Red and White as a refreshing mix of the ideas behind both beer and wine while staying safely on the side of beer. 10% ABV

East End Brewing Company – Big Hop Harvest: There’s fresh, then there’s Big Hop Harvest fresh. This IPA starts its life just like any other batch of East End Brewing’s Big Hop IPA and gets so much better from there. Big Hop Harvest gets more malt, more hops, and more ABV. Hops are driven from the farm they’re grown on and added to the beer the same day they’re picked, making Big Hop Harvest just about the freshest beer you’ll get all year.

Erie Brewing Company – Johnny Rails Pumpkin: A blonde based ale. It is a fruit beer with delicious flavor, a great nose, and the perfect poise of pumpkin and spice. This flavorful brew is sure to get you in the fall spirit. 6.5% ABV

Hacker-Pschorr Brewery – Oktoberfest: When you’re having an Oktoberfest-style beer, you might as well make it a true Oktoberfest brew, which Hacker-Pschorr’s version definitely is. This beer is brewed in Munich for the annual Oktoberfest celebration and features a malt body that’s complimented by a slight hoppy note in the finish. 5.8% ABV

Heavy Seas Beer – Greater Pumpkin: In the most worthy of pumpkin patches and during the silence of the midnight hour, the Greater Pumpkin rises up and pours a rich deep and orange color. Heady aromas of bourbon, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove linger over the thick white head of this giant brew. Its love at first sip as the full malt body, dominated by British crystal malt, brown sugar and pumpkin, slowly washes over your tongue. Bourbon barrel aging rounds out the flavors with notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon. 10% ABV

Lancaster Brewing Company – Baked Pumpkin: Have your pie and drink it too! Bold flavor with a deep amber color, our big Baked Pumpkin Ale is sure to remind you of Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie. 7.3% ABV

Lancaster Brewing Company – Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest uses seven different malts and three varieties of imported and domestic hops, as well as authentic Bavarian lager yeast. Light in copper color, this beer is full-bodied with a nice malt sweetness. 5.5% ABV

North Country Brewing Company – Late Night Pumpkin: For the fall season, North Country brews their Late Night Pumpkin with a healthy dose of pumpkin, spice, and of course this is all done late at night, when the pumpkins taste their best. Coming in at 6.1% ABV with a gold color and a nice spiced character, Late Night Pumpkin is a canned beer you definitely need to try. 6.1% ABV

Otter Creek Brewing Company – Overgrown Ale: Dripping with dank, American hop flavors and aromas, Overgrown is balanced by a subtle, sweet malt backbone that takes a back seat to the bountiful hop additions. A celebration of the hop-growing season, this one will tangle up your taste buds. 5.5% ABV

Smuttynose Brewing Company – Pumpkin Ale: This beer is a homage to the craft and heritage of America’s brewers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins in beer date back to early colonial times, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.” in that spirit, Smuttynose brews this ale with the addition of pumpkin to the mash, along with traditional spices to create a delicious American original. 6.35% ABV

Spring House Brewing Company – Braaaiins Pumpkin: Available this year for the first time in cans, the “pumpkin ale for Zombies” is brewed with generous amounts of pumpkin added right to the mash, giving the beer a subtle pumpkin flavor that’s accentuated by traditional autumn spices that has a bold malt body and a nice, crisp finish. 8.5% ABV

Stoudt’s Brewery – Oktoberfest: This medium-bodied amber beer elegantly combines a touch of malty sweetness with a pleasingly subtle aromatic hop character. 5% ABV

Tröegs Independent Brewery – Hop Knife: Hop Knife Harvest Ale recognizes the meticulous, time-honored tradition of hand-harvesting hops at the peak of maturity. Troegs HopCyclone process creates an inward spiral of hop dispersal during fermentation, releasing a bounty of citrus, resin and tropical aromas. 6.2% ABV

Tröegs Independent Brewery – Master of Pumpkins: Pulling the strings of great beer and smashing some pumpkins in the process is a pretty amazing beer from The Troegs brothers out of Hershey, PA. Master of Pumpkin is brewed with native Pennsylvania neck pumpkins that’re harvested just a few miles away from the brewery, and is combined with traditional pie spices that’s so good it’s almost blinding. 7.5% ABV

Victory Brewing Company – Festbier: Highly aromatic and full-bodied, this novel pale ale delivers a fresh hop flavor like no other. Its secret? Fresh hops piled into the boiling kettle just hours after their harvest. With many more of their essential oils intact, these ‘wet’ hops add glorious middle notes of juicy, fruit and tea-like bite to play off of its lightly toasted malt character deliciously. 5.8% ABV

Victory Brewing Company – Moonglow: Weizenbocks are an amazing style of beer. Originating in Germany, these beers use German hops and wheat beer yeast. This gives Moonglow distinct flavors of clove, vanilla, and honey along with a light hop character. Much like our favorite doctor’s box, this beer is definitely bigger on the inside. 8.7% ABV

Weyerbacher Brewing Company – Mellow Monks: Belgian-style beers have a surprisingly complex character that’s hard to beat. Reminiscent of Weyerbacher’s Merry Monks beer, this mellow sibling is much more sessionable and features notes of apple, pear, and banana. 4.5% ABV

Weyerbacher Brewing Company – Imperial Pumpkin: This high gravity pumpkin ale is the mother of all pumpkin ales. It is heartier, spicier, and more “caramelly” and “pumpkiny” than its faint brethren! Anderson Valley added lots of pumpkin along with cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of cardamom and clove giving this beer a spicy, full-bodied flavor. This truly is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale. 8% ABV

Weyerbacher Brewing Company – Sunday Morning Stout: Sometimes you want a light golden ale or a bright, hoppy pale ale, but it’s hard to argue that sometimes a big, strong stout is exactly what you need, and Weyerbacher is happy to help. Weyerbacher’s Sunday Morning Stout features aromas of roasted coffee and bourbon that pair perfectly with flavors of chocolate, roasted malt, vanilla, and caramel, and at 11.3% ABV, it’ll make your Sunday morning pretty great. 11.3% ABV

Each of these beers can be found in and around the Pittsburgh area by Vecenie Distributing

“Rockin” Little Rock
By Suzanne Ferrara

Little Rock is far from little, and no one knows that more than the locals who will repeatedly tell you it’s a “big-little city”. Little Rock may have gotten its name from French explorers who identified the area by a small rock formation they called “La Petite Roche” on the Arkansas River in 1799, but those early settlers would not recognize the land they discovered so long ago. This city, a mini-metropolis, has developed by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years, and offers visitors more than ever before.

One thing is for sure, Little Rock is chockfull of political lure; it’s a city from where governmental deals and national historical events have rocked the nation. Add to its lengthy repertoires a myriad of award-winning restaurants, entertainment venues, museums and outdoor adventure, and you’ve got a prime vacation destination.

Once you arrive, make a bee-line straight to the historic luxury Capitol Hotel, which opened in 1873, and is ironically known as the “Front Porch of Little Rock.” Attention to detail is an understatement in this refined oasis which has a quiet grace about it. The Capitol Hotel’s grand staircase is said to be a “sweet spot” for political hopefuls announcing their candidacies. (Tip: The Capitol Hotel’s Chuck Magill and Stefan Piraux, the chief concierge, exude Little Rock hospitality and are full of knowledge about both the hotel and the city).

With its marble columns, grand hallways, towering ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, you can’t help but feel the history in the Capitol Hotel. The elevator is so large that, according to legend, it was constructed to easily accommodate President Grant and his horse. By the way, the historic State Capitol, the oldest state capitol building west of the Mississippi River and the location of President Clinton’s election night celebration in 1992, is just down the block.

Before you head out to explore the highlights of Little Rock, make a stop at the hotel’s Capitol Bar and Grill, a place where political deals have been struck for more than a century. Here you can sip a legendary cocktail and tempt your taste buds with award-winning provincial comfort dishes. (Recommended: The Best Spiced Pecans and Pimento Cheese appetizers, followed by the one of the best hamburgers in Little Rock, and finished off with some amazing house-made banana pudding). The cocktail menu, meanwhile, is full of historical libations like The Seersucker and hand-crafted cocktails with a new twist like the Crop Duster.

Who needs the White House? The Clinton Presidential Center, which is the presidential library of Bill Clinton, showcases fascinating artifacts from his presidency including full-scale replicas of the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Here you can find out how it feels to sit in the Commander in Chief’s chair (be sure to take a photo).

There are 79,000 artifacts, 80 million documents, and Bill Clinton’s
Presidential limousine is on display. There’s even a heart-warming letter from Mother Teresa (canonized a saint September 4th) addressed to the first lady. An array of awe-inspiring and one-of-a-kind gifts given to President Clinton are on display; however, for those objects not on exhibit, museum visitors can get a sneak peek inside the vaults to see more phenomenal possessions.

President Clinton’s story unfolds before your eyes from his campaigns to his inaugurations to his notable policy-making, and it’s all revealed through a myriad of items, photographs and videos that are sure to capture your attention. While the exhibit really brings to life President Clinton’s presidency, it also intimately shows visitors a real example of how the US President lives while leading the country.

Who needs to go to the Olympic Games? You can see some of the most inspiring artifacts used in the Olympics up close and personal at the Clinton Presidential Center. The temporary exhibit called, American Champions: The Quest for Olympic Glory, includes memorabilia featuring dozens of American Olympic athletes including a U.S. Olympic Hockey Team hockey stick and puck used to win the Silver medal (also on display) in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. You can also experience what it feels like to sit inside the 4-man bobsled piloted by Steven Holcom at the 2010 Games in Vancouver; this bobsled is a replica of the Night Train which was used to win the first gold medal for an American bobsledding team since 1948.

The Quest for Olympic Glory also includes artifacts dating back nearly three-quarters of a century. The Silver medal and Team USA sweater and track jersey worn by Clyde Scott in the 1948 Olympic Games in London, Peggy Fleming’s figure skating costume from the 1968 Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France, and the 1936 Western Union Telegram to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the selection of Jesse Owens as the head of the American Olympic ‘welcome home parade’ are also part of the exhibit. This display showing the strength of the human spirit through the Olympics is sure to inspire everyone. You can easily spend an entire day at the Clinton Center, so be sure to carve out a lot of time to enjoy this unmatched experience, highlighted by both permanent and temporary exhibits.

While at the Clinton Center, be sure to check out the 30-acre Clinton Presidential Park surrounding the museum on the riverfront. The site was once part of the rundowned warehouse district and has been revitalized with pathways and gardens thanks to President Clinton’s vision. Be sure to cross the historic 1899 Rock Island Railroad Bridge, which was converted into a pedestrian bridge crossing and offers scenic views of the historic Arkansas River.

Little Rock has come a long way since the days of European settlers who tried to limit Quapaw Indians’ alcohol consumption and the era of destroying whiskey distilleries. In fact, just a few blocks away from the Clinton Presidential Park, the whiskey is overflowing. Here lies the Rock Town Distillery, Arkansas’ first legal distillery since prohibition! In fact, in a complete paradox, while half of Arkansas’ 75 counties are dry, Little Rock is pouring out its spirits and promoting its locally produced libations with a tasting tour.

Rock Town, which was named one of the ten best Southern Distillery Tours by USA Today, is one of several stops on Greater Little Rock’s Locally Labeled Spirits Passport Tour. This artisan craft distillery is where you will find the coveted award-winning 2015 American Micro Whiskey of the Year, awarded in the revered Jim Murry’s Whiskey Bible.

Arkansas native Phil Brandon is the founder of Rock Town, and he offers award-winning distillery tours seven days a week, and by tour’s end, you’ll taste all of Rock Town’s award winning spirits. Phil will take you through the whole process of making spirits from grain to glass, and uncovers the genesis of bourbon, vodka and gin. But the Locally Labeled spirit tour extends beyond the Rock Town Distillery stop; it includes nearly a dozen homegrown craft breweries and wineries all of which feature beverages that are sure to please.

One of the most fascinating and unusual stops in Little Rock is the ESSE Purse Museum, the only purse museum in America and one of only three in the world. This private museum takes an intimate look at the evolution of purses and its personal contents from American women for more than a century. Viewing the development of handbag styles and the intimate items women carried in their purses during each extraordinary decade gives one a true testament and perspective of how different eras affected women’s lives. This is a ‘don’t miss’, one-of-a-kind experience, and it’s all in Little Rock!

The ESSE purse museum unveils how purses evolved from an accessory primarily designed to hold ladies’ coins to an essential carrier of necessary contents reflective of a woman’s core. The ESSE purse museum also reveals how purses became a fashion statement, showpieces to costly labeled designer bags. The myriad of styles, kaleidoscope of colors and materials on stage are truly an eye-full.

While the museum is a 20th century gallery, for a contemporary exhibit of the purses various women carry today and their contents the ESSE Purse Project blog continues this intriguing show online. The project encourages women to send in photos of their handbags, their contents, their age and occupations, and to share it all with the world via the internet.

While you can’t buy a purse from the museum exhibit, you can purchase a handbag at the museum’s store. You can choose from their collection of vintage handbags to handmade originals made of leathers, canvass and metals.

For a moving historical experience, about a mile away from the ESSE Purse Museum, you can walk up the same steps as the “Little Rock Nine” did at Central High School in 1957. The national historic landmark and proposed world heritage site also has an extensive visitor center across the street which offers interactive exhibits and details on the Little Rock Nine’s place in civil rights history. (Time tip: You will need a couple hours to really enjoy the depths of the visitor center’s exhibit.)

In case you didn’t know, Little Rock is a secret foodie town with a plethora of award-winning tasty dining options. In addition to the Capitol Hotel’s Capitol Bar and Grill, be sure to enjoy the array of culinary offerings in Little Rock’s South Main District. This must-experience of an up-and -coming neighborhood boasts unmatched restaurants and shops that make sustainability and locally-sourced products a top priority.

A visit to Little Rock is incomplete without a visit to The Root Café, a local favorite which uses local meats, eggs, bread, produce, cheese and nuts. The Root has an award-winning breakfast and lunch and its homey atmosphere exudes character with antiques and collectables. Nearly every Saturday morning you will find Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, who like the plethora of locals, enjoys the quality savory dishes.

Another award-winning must visit (and a popular spot for local food critics) is the South on Main which is both a restaurant and entertainment venue. Chef Matthew Bell serves innovative dishes with a southern flare which reign at South on Main. In addition to creating savory, unforgettable dishes, Chef Bell strives to make sure all employees are like family, and this relationship is evident by the up-beat team spirit displayed at one of Little Rock’s most popular restaurants. Grab a table and enjoy a delectable dinner as you enjoy some culturally-rich entertainment born from content associated the Oxford American magazine. Trotters with Creamed Greens, Pumpkin Seeds & South on Main Grape Jelly, and Pork Ribs with Twice Baked Potato serve as memorable starters and main dishes.

Anytime is the perfect time to step back in time at the Loblolly Creamery also located in the South Main District. Once you open its street-cornered door, you instantly realize you are in a special place. Grab a seat at the marble counter of this neighborhood soda fountain and ice cream bar located inside The Green Corner Store & Soda Fountain. There’s nothing like the mouthwatering taste of a freshly churned scoop of ice cream and baked goods made with farm-fresh dairy products and local quality ingredients. Loblolly Creamery serves a plethora of unique, mouthwatering flavored homemade ice creams with flavors like Lemon Berry Ice Box Pie and Little Rock-y Road, and refreshing soda fountain phosphate sodas, like the old fashioned concoctions created in the late 1800’s, are also served. Need a gift? The Green Corner Store and Soda Fountain has several specialty and locally made items. You will find it hard to turn yourself away from this place which oozes old time atmosphere.

Rest assured, you won’t see all that Little Rock has to offer in one visit;
For more information go to: www.littlerock.com