Rogue Spruce Gin Double Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008 Rogue Spirits Spruce Gin is crafted with eleven botanicals, creating a complex, distinctive, yet utterly drinkable spirit. In addition to cucumber, angelica root, orange peel, coriander, lemon peel, ginger, orris root, grains of paradise, tangerine, and juniper berries, Rogue Spirits uses spruce to create a unique yet beautifully integrated gin.

Specialty Imports Spotlight on: Spike & Jerome’s Barley Ryne

This past winter the Terrapin crew hopped on over to Switzerland to work on a collaboration ale with famed Swiss brewers Brasserie des Franches Montagnes. Lead by Terrapin head brewer Spike Buckowski and BFM head brewer, Jérôme Rebetez, the creative team dreamed up a recipe for a 12% rye barleywine made with a grain bill of 20% rye and 80% malted barley. This unique barleywine then spent the spring and summer aging in rum barrels in Switzerland until its release to the US this fall. This is an extremely limited product, never to be seen of again, so be sure to check it out before it’s all gone! Now available in 330ml bottles!

Specialty Imports Spotlight on: Brasserie d'Achouffe N'ice Chouffe

The nights are getting colder and the holiday season is fast approaching.  In the beer world, this means the arrival of wonderful things…like your favorite gnome seasonal, N’ice Chouffe. This Belgian Dark Strong Ale is brewed with thyme and curacao orange and clocks in at 10%abv.  Big, bold, and heavily spiced with plenty of alcohol to keep you warm all throughout the holiday season. N’ice Chouffe is now available in 750ml bottles.
Check out these awesome scores:
Beer Advocate: A-
Ratebeer.com: 99 points!

Since 1982, Brasserie d'Achouffe has been enchanting the beer-drinking world with their deliciously crafted Belgian ales. Their signature trademark, the little elf with the red hat, is found on each bottle and stems from the myths and legends of the Ardennes forests where the brewery lives. The dream for the brewery began in the late 1970’s when two brother-in-laws, Pierre and Christian, wanted to make their own beer. A hobby turned quickly into a full-time job and the first batch of La Chouffe was born in August of 1982. Almost 30 years later, the brewery now has distribution in over 20 countries.

Look for these other Chouffe products in-stock now:
Biere de Soleil – limited release Belgian pale ale - on draft only!
La Chouffe Golden Ale
Houblon Chouffe Double IPA
Mc Chouffe Scotch Ale

Spotlight on: Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux

With the 30th Anniversary of Belgian beer importers, Vanberg & DeWulf, right around the corner, we figured we’d shine the spotlight on one of their fantastic winter seasonals, Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux. Arguably one of the world’s greatest producers of the farmhouse saison, Brasserie Dupont celebrates the end of each year with this seasonal rendition whose name translates into “With Best Wishes from Brasserie Dupont.”  Deep gold in color with a thick white head, Avec Les Bons Voeux showcases vibrant aromas of lemon, pepper, banana and clove. Full-bodied with a rich maltiness and a vivacious carbonation that screams Brasserie Dupont from the rooftops.  Fantastic with a wide variety of cuisines and cheeses especially a four or five-year old Gouda – a pairing that Vanberg & DeWulf founder Don Feinberg knocked our socks off with years ago!  Plus, with Thanksgiving only a few weeks away, we should surely mention that this beer is an excellent choice to serve alongside your turkey and all the trimmings! YUM!
Avec Les Bons Voeux is now available in 750ml bottles. Cheers!

And be sure to join in on the Coast to Coast Toast with Vanberg & DeWulf next Monday, November 15th at these participating NJ stores and restaurants!

Specialty Imports Spotlight on: Schneider Mein Nelson Sauvin

Schneider fans should be sure to check out the latest limited-release to hit the market. In the making of Mein Nelson Sauvin, Georg Schneider and head brewer Hans Peter Drexler add a dose of international flare to this Bavarian-style wheat beer with the addition of Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Almost wine-like in quality, Mein Nelson Sauvin has a vibrant fruity and floral aroma with a lingering bitter finish.  Fermented with a special blend of yeast strains both in the tank and in the bottle in the traditional Schneider style. This very-limited release was produced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ABT cafes, a small alliance of  independent cafes in Holland; a project that the Schneider brewery was honored to be a part of.
Available now in 16.9oz bottles for a very limited time!

 

 

Specialty Imports Spotlight on:
Picobrouwerij Alvinne Calvados Barrel-Aged Melchior and Calvados Barrel-Aged Bolleville

Two very special products just rolled in from Belgian brewer Alvinne – an Imperial Stout called Bolleville and their mustard ale Melchior – both aged in Calvados barrels for approximately six to ten months.  The barrels utilized in the production of both beers previously contained Cognac for ten years, followed by Calvados for eight, so you can imagine the complexity present in these products.  In addition, the base of the Bolleville, the Mano Negro Belgian Imperial Stout, has never before made it to the US, so consider this a truly rare experience.  The original Melchior version is an 11% abv heavily hopped ale brewed with mustard seeds.  Both extremely interesting products to begin with, now even more fascinating and worthy of a trip home in your shopping cart.

Alvinne is located in the western part of Belgium near De Dolle brewery.  They were established in 2003 and focus on very small quantity, yet very high quality esoteric Belgian brews.  

Both the Bolleville and Melchior are now available in 750ml bottles.

Specialty Beer Spotlight on: Almond 22 Pink IPA

A most unique interpretation on the India Pale Ale style! Not surprisingly, it's from Italy! Pink peppercorns and loads of Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe and Hallertau hops are used to create this incredibly complex IPA that's brimming with vibrant aromas of pink grapefruit and peaches. Herbaceous and bitter yet nicely balanced with the sweet malt. 

Almond 22 is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy, just east of Rome.  The 19th century building which houses their brewery was once used for the production of the country's famous sugared almonds, hence the name.  The brewery experiments with some really interesting ingredients including peat malt and chestnut honey and all of their products are unpasteurized, unfiltered and undergo refermentation in the bottle. Definitely a brewery worth checking out!

Pink IPA is now available in 375ml bottles.

Specialty Imports Spotlight on: 8 Wired Brewing Company

Only three years under his belt and Soren Eriksen has already been turning heads with his quality New Zealand brewed suds. Originally from Denmark, Soren traded his career as a sea urchin researcher down under to pursue his passion for homebrewing. Sounds like the beginning to many brewery success stories, right? Well it turns out that in addition to knowing more than the average guy about sea creatures AND hops, Soren is also a champion poker player. In fact, he managed to win the New Zealand Poker Championships twice, raising about 160,000 in capital for his brewery. He founded 8 Wired Brewing Company in 2008 and produces all of his brews at nearby Renaissance Brewing in Marlborough where he previously worked as a brewer. The name 8 Wired comes from a particular type of wire originally used for electric fencing but now used throughout New Zealand to fix just about anything.  Soren thought this “symbol of the kiwi ingenuity and their ability to fix any problem no matter how limited the resources” was an appropriate name for his upstart craft brewery. Sounds good to us!  

So here’s what we've got:
For a true kiwi experience, try his Hopwired IPA. It’s brewed with New Zealand-grown pale ale malt and 100% unique New Zealand hops including Nelson Sauvin for a real pop of grapefruit. In addition, his Brown Ale will get you back in the mood for this immensely ignored traditional style, appropriately named Rewired. Or go right to the grand finale with the iStout – a blacker than black 10% abv Imperial Stout that’s roasty, rich and bitter and already rated 99 points on Ratebeer.com.

Oh and did we forget to mention that 8 Wired was named ‘Best Brewery of Australia and NZ’ by Ratebeer.com? In addition, they were just picked as the 2011 New Zealand Champion Brewery by the Brewers Guild of NZ! Need any more reasons to give these brews a try?

Spirits Spotlight on: Kubler Absinthe

 

We just cranked our spirits portfolio up a few notches! Not only do we have absinthe, but we managed to score one of the most unique versions out there!

Kubler is the first authentic Swiss absinthe to be imported to the United States after nearly one-hundred years. It is produced in the birthplace of absinthe, the Val-de-Travers region of Switzerland, with history dating back to 1862. Before the ban was enforced by the Swiss government in 1910, Kubler was an award-winning absinthe at competitions throughout Europe. Kubler is made using 100% local ingredients and the recipe is the same today as it was a century ago. Now available in 750ml bottles…. so what are you waiting for?

Spirits Spotlight on: Tequila Ocho

 

If you’re a fan of high-quality tequilas, listen up as we have a brand new line to tell you about!

Tequila Ocho is a boutique line of single estate, single vintage tequilas.  Made using 100% blue agave harvested from several appellations in the Jalisco region, Ocho tequilas are aged at a bare minimum to highlight the product’s complexity and consistency.  All three of their tequilas – Plato, Reposado and Anejo - are very unique, terroir-driven products for true aficionados. 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Imports Spotlight on: Jenlain Ambree

 

This artisan farmhouse ale falls into the Biere de Garde category – a style created by the French and whose name literally means “beer which has been kept or lagered.”  The history of Biere de Garde is quite similar to that of the Belgian Saison: brewed in the springtime to be enjoyed by the field workers in heat of the summertime.  Although these versions can be quite similar at times, the French style is much richer and maltier but less spicy than its Belgian counterpart.  Brewed with French malted barley and hops grown in the Alsace region, Jelain Ambree displays a malty, autumnal bouquet with hints of caramel and dried fruit and would make an excellent pairing with a rich, buttery brie or gooey camembert.
Jelain Ambree is now available in 750ml bottles.

 

 

 

Spirits Spotlight on: Finger Lakes Distillery

Hunterdon is proud to announce a new brand to our micro-distilled spirits portfolio!
Finger Lakes Distilling Company was founded in 2009 by Brian McKenzie and Thomas Earl McKenzie in Burdett, New York. Their tasting room and distillery, complete with a 4,000 pound copper pot still from Germany, overlooks beautiful Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes wine region. Local raw ingredients are used whenever possible to produce their exceptional line of small-batch spirits that includes whiskey, gin, vodka, brandy, grappa and liqueurs. Their spirits and cocktail recipes have been mentioned in local and national publications including the New York Times, New York Magazine, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart Living and the Wall Street Journal. In addition to New Jersey, Finger Lakes products can currently be found in New York State, Chicago, and Pennsylvania.

Three new products from Finger Lakes Distilling Company are available now:

Glen Thunder Corn Whiskey	McKenzie Rye Whiskey	McKenzie Bourbon Whiskey

Cheers!

Specialty Beer Spotlight on: Liefmans Oud Bruin

If you’re a fan of Liefmans, you’ll be happy to hear that we just received a batch of their Oud Bruin in 30L keg format.  Similar to the other products in the Liefmans lineup, Oud Bruin is a blended Belgian ale that is fermented in open vessels and then aged.  Oud Bruin is aged 4-8 months and pours a deep brown hue with a thick frothy white head.  Both sweet and sour, this is a very complex yet drinkable ale with hints of caramelized brown sugar, raisins and sweet malt.  5%abv
Available now in 30L kegs!

Cheers!

 

 

Specialty Import Spotlight on: Anchorage Brewing Company Whiteout Wit

Fresh on the Jersey scene from the “Land of the Midnight Sun” is a brand new offering from the newbie brewery, Anchorage Brewing Company. Headed by Gabe Fletcher, formerly of Midnight Sun, the brewery’s focus will be on one-off barrel aged beers with a unique twist. Their mantra “Where brewing is an art and brettanomyces is king,” should give you a “funky” idea as to what to expect out of these guys.  

Whiteout Wit is a Belgian wit brewed with Sorachi hops, fresh lemon peel, coriander and peppercorns. After its first fermentation with Belgian yeast, it is then aged in French Chardonnay barrels with a dose of brettanomyces yeast and then completes a third fermentation in the bottle. After only a few months of its release, Whiteout is already knocking the socks off beer fans in those markets lucky enough to get it. Grab it while you can!

6% abv
Ratebeer 90 points Overall; 97 points Belgian Wit category
Available now in 750ml bottles!

Cheers!

Specialty Import Spotlight on: Wells Bombardier

The history of Wells Bombardier dates back to 1875 when Charles Wells returned from war and decided to open a brewery in his home of Bedford, England.  By the early 1900’s he owned over eighty pubs throughout the countryside and had several styles for Brits to choose from.  The trademark for their fine British ales was undoubtedly the high quality mineral water sourced directly from their very own well installed shortly after the turn of the century.  The Wells tradition continues to this day and we are pleased to offer you an assortment of their products including their Bombardier Ale! Available now in pint-size bottles and cans!

“Bombardier is an iconic real beer loaded with distinct English brilliance.  It's the epitome of impeccable taste and great character.  The rich, full-bodied nectar is a lingering reward - English, ever reliable and damned tasty!”
"A burnished copper color, it has a rich, tempting aroma of peppery hops and raisins, while the palate is dominated by more dark fruit, juicy malt and tangy hops." Roger Protz  - Editor, The Good Beer Guide

Beer Advocate: B+

 

Cheers!

Specialty Import Spotlight on: Dentergems Wit

 

If you’re a fan of Belgian-style Witbiers, we have something new for you to try! Dentergems Wit is an authentic Belgian Wit produced in Belgium by Brouwerij Het Anker, brewers of Gouden Carolus and Lucifer. Its history dates back to 1896, so it’s been around for quite some time now, although not available on a regular basis here in the states.  Dentergems boasts classic wit aromas of coriander and citrus and is true-to-style with its cloudy, hazy appearance.  Grab a few bottles of Dentergems and see why this style is so widely reproduced here in the states!

Available now in 750ml corked and caged bottles.

Cheers!

 

 

 

Spotlight on: 5L Mini Kegs

If you're looking for something fun to take to your next get together, we have a nice selection of 5L mini kegs from Germany in-stock at the warehouse. No party pump required for these babies. Just open the tap and serve.  Each of these mini kegs contain about 10 16oz servings.

Here's what we have:

Einbecker Pilsner
Classic German Pilsener with light citrus notes and a dry bitter finish.

Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock
Pale orange color with a honeyed toffeeish malt aroma. Refreshing and soft.

Reissdorf Koelsch
The perfect session beer. Soft on the palate with a crisp, dry finish.

Kulmbacher EKU Pilsner
Slightly maltier than your typical German Pilsener.

Kapuziner Weisse
Classic Bavarian Weisse beer with tons of citrus, spice and yeast.

Monchshof Schwarzbier
Brewed with dark roasted barley, this black Pils is nicely hopped and relatively light in body.

Cheers!

Esoteric Beer Spotlight on: Birra del Borgo Re Ale Extra

If you're a fan of hoppy brews and feel like taking your taste buds on a little Italian vacation this summer, grab a bottle of Re Ale Extra!  This 6.4%abv, 70IBU  Italian IPA is dry-hopped with Amarillo, Cascade and Styrian Golding hops.  Strong flavors of bitter grapefruit and pine resin up front are balanced out with sweet notes of caramel and honey from the malt.  Bottle-conditioned, unfiltered and unpasteurized and available now in 12.7oz bottles. Go ahead and give it a whirl!

Birra del Borgo was founded in 2005 and is located about sixty miles northwest of Rome.  In just a short six years, they have captured the international spotlight for their extraordinary hand-crafted beers. You may have heard about them in recent news as their founder and lead brewmaster, Leonardo di Vincenzo, has teamed up with Dogfish Head's Sam Calagione to create My Antonia - a collaborative Imperial Pilsner brewed originally at del Borgo, and then again at Dogfish Head.  In addition, Leonardo and Sam are part of the new rooftop beer garden, La Birreria, which is perched atop Eataly - the latest NYC foodie mecca devoted to Italian cuisine and specialty foods.

Salute!

Esoteric Beer Spotlight on: Thornbridge Raven Black IPA

Now available in 50L kegs for a limited time, Raven Black IPA from Thornbridge Hall Brewery in England.  Raven is brewed with chocolate and black malts and hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Sorachi Ace and Centennial.  "It pours black as night, has a beautiful intense aroma of pine and sweet roasted malt, citrus and blackcurrants. Flavors are a complex combination of bitter chocolate with pineapple and orange preceding a long bitter finish."  This is one immensely hopped British brew for all you hop heads out there!

Founded in 2005, Thornbridge is comprised of a unique collection of home-brewers, chefs and food scientists from Scotland, England, Italy and as far away as New Zealand.  While their work experiences and backgrounds may be vastly different, they all share a common passion for taking the brewing process to the next level.  Their approach is highly technical and experimental with up to eighteen types of malt and sixty styles of hops incorporated into their extraordinary ales.  Although Thornbridge has only been around for six years, they have already received several awards and medals and just last year, head brewer Stefano Cossi was named UK Brewer of the Year.  We are proud to offer you a sampling from their lineup and look forward to seeing where the road takes these guys!

For more on Thornbridge, check out their website.

Cheers!

Spirit Spotlight on: Rogue Pink Gin

Gin & Tonic season is upon us!  This year try jazzing up your favorite summer time cocktail a bit with Rogue's Pink Gin.  If you've never tried it before, one thing you'll notice right off the bat is that it's PINK!   The Rogue distillers took their award-winning Spruce Gin and aged it for six-months in Pinot Noir barrels from the Oregon wine country.  The barrels not only add color but also lend a whole myriad of new flavors to this unique microdistilled spirit. Give it a try and invite your wine-loving friends to do the same!

Cheers!

Cider Spotlight on: Julian Hard Cider

This week we are releasing a brand new product for all our cider fans out there. Julian Hard Cider hails from the old mining town of Julian, California, about an hour east of San Diego. This dry, English-style cider is based on a recipe introduced by English settlers to the American colonies in 1670.  Five styles of apples are used along with a bit of yeast to ferment the natural sugars - no concentrated apple juice or additives whatsoever!  Julian Hard Cider is a lightly carbonated and wonderfully crisp, clean cider that pairs beautifully with many different cuisines and makes for a delicious summertime appertif!
Available now in 22oz bottles!

Cheers!

Esoteric Beer Spotlight on:  Le Baladin Nora

If you've been hearing a lot about Italian beers lately, there's a reason. This country known for so long as one of the epicenters of Old World wine is now being revered for its production of high-end artisan beers. These experimental Italian brewers are stealing the spotlight from their grape-loving neighbors with eccentric ales and lagers made with specialty local ingredients such as chestnuts, ginger, thyme, hot chilies, coffee and absinthe leaves. From white ales and saisons to double bocks and barleywines, Italians are brewing it all and beer lovers around the world are taking note.

Le Baladin is one such experimental brewery located in a small village outside of Torino. The owner and brewmaster, Teo, created our featured beer of the week as a dedication to his wife Nora. Her Algerian background inspired his use for unmalted kamut- an Egyptian grain used in the production of beer in ancient times - as well as the unusual spices of myrrh, ginger and orange peel. Myrrh is a very fragrant dried tree resin that interestingly enough was used by ancient Egyptians to embalm mummies. Now that surely must have peaked your interest!

Here are some tasting notes:
“The nose is very complex with a warm lovely bouquet of rose and violet. Fruity aromas of bitter orange, mango, and lychees marry beautifully with the floral aromas. The beer is well balanced in the mouth with an interesting sensual spiced aftertaste and unexpected balsamic notes. Nora requires concentration in order for one to appreciate all of the flavors. However, it would also be perfect in a high-rate dinner with exotic and oriental food. This beer is like its brewer: eccentric and creative.” 

Nora was recently mentioned in a Wall Street Journal article on Italian beers! Click here to read the story.
Ratebeer.com - 90 points
Beer Advocate - A-
Nora is now available in 250ml and 750ml bottles.

To learn more about our extensive Italian portfolio, please visit our importer's website.

Cheers!

Esoteric Beer Spotlight on: Professor Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse

Since we're featuring Dogfish Head's Festina Peche, it would only be appropriate to throw the spotlight on a true German-style Berliner Weisse.  Professor Fritz Briem's "1809" is brewed in open fermenters and then bottle-conditioned with lactic acid cultures. This traditional version showcases a extreme tartness balanced by layers upon layers of fruitiness that will only improve after years of aging. The year 1809 is significant as this is when Napolean and his troops claimed Berliner Weisse to be the "Champagne of the North"  and because of its extreme tartness he requested sweet syrup to be served alongside.  For a "old" versus "new" taste test: pick up a few bottles of Festina Peche and the 1809 and have yourself a Berliner Weisse party!

Cheers!

Specialty Imports Spotlight on: McChouffe

Since 1982, Brasserie d'Achouffe has been enchanting the beer-drinking world with their deliciously crafted Belgian ales. Their signature trademark, the little elf with the red hat, is found on each bottle and stems from the myths and legends of the Ardennes forests where the brewery lives. The dream for the brewery began in the late 1970’s when two brother-in-laws, Pierre and Christian, wanted to make their own beer. A hobby turned quickly into a full-time job and the first batch of La Chouffe was born in August of 1982, followed by the McChouffe and Houblon Chouffe. Almost 30 years later, the brewery now has distribution in over 20 countries.

McChouffe, known as the “Scotch of the Ardennes," is classified as a Belgian Strong Dark Ale/Scotch Ale.Pouring a beautiful dark brown color with a dense frothy head, this belgian brew is rich, malty and sweet with hints of spice, caramel and dark fruits.  McChouffe is the perfect complement to grilledor roasted lamb and wild game and sweet desserts such as creme brulee. 
8.5% abv. Unfiltered and Bottle-conditioned.

Beer Advocate: B+
Ratebeer.com: 97 points

 

Cheers!

Esoteric Beer Spotlight on: Reissdorf Kölsch

You may have seen Kölsch on beer menus or on store shelves before and have wondered what exactly it is.  Kölsch is most simply a hybrid beer. It is fermented at a warm temperature with a top-fermenting ale yeast, but is then cold-conditioned or "lagered" for a number of weeks producing a style of beer that is crisp like a lager, but is complex and fruity like an ale. This unique beer is rich in history and is the namesake of the city of Cologne, Germany. It is believed that Kölsch has been brewed here since before the year 1300 although the term Kölsch was not coined until 1905 (it was previously  considered Wiess-style). The people of Cologne take their Kölsch very seriously and therefore have a federal law protecting its production. Nowhere else in Germany will you find it being brewed. At 5% abv Kölsch is a perfect session beer for the warm days ahead. The late great beer writer Michael Jackson described Reissdorf Kölsch as “light, soft and delicious ” with a “ minty, hop aroma, sweet vanilla-like malt flavors and a crisp, dry, cedary finish. A delicious Kölsch..." 

Reissdorf Kolsch is available in 4-packs (12-oz bottles), 16.9 oz bottles and 5L Cans. 50L Kegs are available by special order.

 

Cheers!

Esoteric Beer Spotlight on: Bockor Omer

From a village in the West Flanders region of Belgium, comes Bockor Omer, a strong pale ale with a firm malt backbone, pleasant hop bitterness and a warm, bready aroma.  Bockor Omer pours a beautiful bright golden color with a think white foamy head; its appearance as inviting as its aroma and flavor. Summer malted barley from the Loire region of France and 3 varieties of hops from Germany, Slovenia and the Czech Republic are used in producing this world-class specialty brew. Run by the Omer family, this brewery has roots going back as far as 1892. They are most well-known for their Belgian Pilsner, but have recently gained attention for the Bockor as well as their extensive line-up of lambics and Flemish sours. The Bockor Omer is the recipient of two recent gold medals: one from the 2010 World Beer Cup and another from the 2009 European Beer Star Awards.

The Bockor Omer is now available in 750ml cork & cage bottles.

 

Cheers!

Wine & Spirits Spotlight On: Brouwerij De Troch Lambrucha

It’s not every day you find a beverage as unique as this. The leading authorities on Belgian beer, importers Vanberg & DeWulf, worked with experts on Brettanomyces yeast to concoct this truly innovative brew. Lambrucha is a blend of hand-selected lambics that are a minimum of one year old with a specialty organic tea known as Kombucha. Lambic and Tea?  You’d be surprised and enlightened by how well the flavors in these centuries-old recipes complement each other. Lambrucha “shares the complexity and tartness of lambic along with the floral delicateness and refreshing, palate cleansing effervescence of Kombucha. At once, it makes the Kombucha more complex and interesting, and lambic more accessible. At 3.5% alcohol by volume, it is certainly closer to beer than tea – but we think it makes more sense to describe it as ‘two great yeast cultures, one great new drink’.”

Read up on the two components to this unique brew here:

“Kombucha has been enjoyed throughout Central Asia – the Urals and the Steppes for millenia.  The deliciously tart, effervescent tea is created by pitching a “mushroom” or “mother” into tea and letting the tea ferment (different varieties of tea can be used).  The “mushroom” contains a number of different yeast strains – including variants of Brettanomyces and Pediococcus.  Kombucha is renowned for its pro-biotic, health-giving benefits.”

“Lambic is the famous spontaneously fermented beer from the Senne River Valley in Belgium.  Lambic contains at last count 500 different wild yeasts (that inoculate the beer naturally during the brewing process) among them are (guess what) Brettanomyces and Pediococcus.  Lambic is a signature contribution to brewing science practiced for centuries in Belgium.”

Curious to try it? Lambrucha is now available in 750ml bottles. It was first launched in the US market in 2010.

Cheers!

Wine & Spirits Spotlight On: Rogue Spruce Gin

Since we’re heading into prime Gin & Tonic season, it’s the perfect time to make the switch from your ordinary ol’ bottle of gin to something much more interesting! Rogue’s Spruce Gin is made with fourteen, yes fourteen, ingredients including cucumber, angelica root, orange peel, coriander, lemon peel, ginger, orris root, grains of paradise, tangerine, juniper berries, champagne yeast, grain neutral spirit & free range coastal water! Phew! It goes without saying that this is not your basic gin. Not only does it make a superb Gin & Tonic, but its unique flavors provide endless opportunities for specialty cocktails. Try this one from the Rogue cocktail collection:

The Cucumber Cilantro Crusher – AKA the C3
Muddle 1 shot Spruce Gin, 4 thick slices of peeled cucumber, 4 cilantro leaves, 4 lime wedges and 1 oz simple syrup in a glass. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass with a salted rim and top with soda water.

*Since its debut in 2006, the Spruce Gin has won over a dozen medals at some of the most prestigious spirit competitions around the world. Do we have you convinced that you should try it yet?

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

Wine Spotlight: Toad Hollow Chardonnay

Lovers of crisp, unoaked Chardonnays, rejoice!  Toad Hollow’s 2009 “Francine’s Selection” Chardonnay is rich and full-bodied yet sparkling with acidity. This perfect everyday sipper is fermented in stainless steel tanks for nine months allowing for the real essence of the fruit to shine through.  The creamy characteristic in this chardonnay is a result of it resting on its “lees” for eight months and undergoing  100% maloactic fermentation.  Notes of mango, citrus, melon and green apple are plentiful  in this delightful California Chardonnay which is the seventeenth vintage for Toad Hollow!

Read up on the most recent review of Toad Hollow Chardonnay in Bloomberg Business week.

 

Esoteric Brews Feature: Liefman's Fruitesse

Just this past January we introduced three new products from Liefman's: the Fruitesse, Cuvee Brut and Goudenband. This reknown Belgian brewery has been around since 1679 and is well-known for their world-class blended beers that come beautifully packaged in paper-wrapped bottles. While the Cuvee Brut and Goudenband are part of the original line-up and are now made with just with slight variations, the Fruitesse is brand new to the scene. This Belgian ale ages for eighteen months on fresh cherries and is then blended with fresh cherry, bilberry, elderberry, strawberry and raspberry juices. The result is a refreshing slightly sparkling ale that is both sweet and tart and very complex for a 4.2% abv ale. This is not a lambic, but a whole new experience to unwrap and enjoy in a wine glass! We assure you it is mighty tasty!
Now Available in 750ml bottles.

 

 

Esoteric Brews Feature: Farnum Hill Extra-Dry Cider

Don’t just think of cider as a fall-seasonal beverage! Ciders are actually a terrific choice during the spring and summer months as they are wonderfully crisp, refreshing and delicious.If you haven’t tried any of Farnum Hill’s artisanal ciders from New Hampshire, we highly recommend you do so.These hand-crafted ciders have received accolades from prestigious publications such as the New York Times and Wine Enthusiast and are a staff-favorite here at Hunterdon!  
Here’s one to check out:

Farnum Hill Extra Dry Cider:  Pale gold, bubbly, radically dry. Richly aromatic, suggesting myriad fruits of the earth, and the earth itself, with a complex, palate-cleansing balance of fruit, astringency, and acid. Made, like Semi-Dry, from a range of late-harvest, difficult apple varieties. Alcohol content 7.5% by volume. 
The Extra Dry is extremely versatile and will work well with a variety of foods like spicy Indian or Thai cuisine, delicate seafood dishes or a even a hearty meat stew. 
Bon Appétit!

 

Esoteric Brews Feature: Mikkeller Koppi Coffee IPA

Our Danish buddy Mikkel Borg Bjergsø enjoys pushing the envelope when it comes to beer. Founded only 5 years ago, his tiny brewery of Mikkeller has already received an enormous amount of attention and praise from around the world. Ratebeer.com voted him #5 on their list of ‘Best Breweries in the World’ in his very first year! One of his latest creations, the Koppi Coffee IPA is the perfect solution for those hopheads that also enjoy a good coffee buzz! The Ethiopian coffee Guji Natural used in this brew is specially made for him by a Swedish coffee roaster named ‘Koppi’ hence the name. Beer Advocate gave this one a B!
Check out Mikkeller’s video here.

 

 

 

Esoteric Brews Feature: De Proef Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale

Get wild and funky with this Belgian ‘brett’ beauty!
“Fermented three times with two different yeasts, including a strain of brettanomyces - the "wild yeast" of lambic brewing. Pale golden color with an enormous rocky white head. Brett and spicy aromatic notes, with a malty-juicy note on the palate. Finishes with Brett and dry hop notes.”
Ratebeer.com: 94 points
Beer Advocate: A

De Proef’s award-winning Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale is one to savor with a few good friends!
Established in Belgium in 1996 by engineer and professor, Dirk Naudts, De Proef has an interesting portfolio to say the least. In addition to their core line-up, they’ve been brewing up some serious collaborative ales with their good friends/brewer celebrities from Allagash, Bell’s and Terrapin, to name a few. We highly recommend you give the Reinaert and some of the other De Proef ales a whirl!

Wine & Spirits Spotlight on: Toad Hollow Erik the Red

If you're a fan of red blends, you can't get much more blended than Toad Hollow's Erik the Red.  Made with a whopping eighteen varietals of grapes - from Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and even some Barbera - this is surely a wine for those fickle-minded folks!  And don't think that the season for red wines is almost over!  This full-bodied, robust red is a delicious accompaniment to winter comfort foods like a hearty beef stew but is also a fantastic choice with lamb chops, venison and steaks cooked outside on the grill. So grab a few bottles for now and save a few to enjoy later... al fresco!

Bon Appetit!

 

 

Spotlight on: Rogue Rums

We just got a replenishment of all three Rogue Rums (Hazelnut, Dark and White) so it's time to mix it up! Read up on Rogue's award-winning rums and try out one of these fabulous drink recipes!

 

Rogue's leading lady Sebbie Buhler just concocted this new recipe for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Gala in Washington, D.C. Teal is the color of the cause against Ovarian Cancer, so her cocktail is appropriately called the:

Teal Berry Tonic.
Mix 2 parts / jiggers of each:
Rogue Spirits White Rum
Rose's Cocktail Infusion: Blue Raspberry Mix
Pineapple Juice
Shake & pour over ice in a Tom Collins or a tulip glass, top off with Tonic water and mix with a swizzle stick.

 

 

The Agate Beach Bum
1 shot Dark Rum
1oz. Pineapple juice
1 Tbsp. Simple syrup
Club soda
Combine rum, juice and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a highball glass over ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a cherry and a pineapple wedge!

 

 

 

 

Fuzzy Nuts
1 shot Hazelnut Spice Rum
1/2 oz. Irish Cream
1/2 oz. Amaretto
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry!

 

 

 

 

Spotlight on: Wasmund’s Single Malt American Whiskey

If you happen to meet Rick Wasmund someday, you’ll be instantly intrigued by his story and within seconds you’ll find yourself sampling his unique hand-crafted single malt whiskey. And about thirty seconds later you’ll be placing a bottle in your shopping cart. Is it the outstanding whiskey or Rick’s charismatic nature that sold you? Well, from first-hand experience, we can tell you that it’s both. 

What makes his Single Malt American Whiskey stand out among the rest? For one, Rick is the only whiskey maker in the country who malts his own barley. Pretty impressive. Secondly, his distillery is the only one in the world that uses hand-harvested and hand-toasted apple and cherry wood to dry, smoke and flavor the malted barley. Furthermore, his whiskey is all pot-stilled in small batches, one barrel at a time and then matured for 14-18 months in bourbon barrels.  Rick then takes things to another level by infusing the ageing whiskey with toasted and charred fruitwood and oak wedges.  The depth of character achieved through this unique process rivals that of much more mature whiskeys and sets him apart from everyone else.
Ricks’ first batch of whiskey was bottled only 5 years ago in August 2006.  In 2009, the Beverage Testing Institute awarded his Single Malt Whiskey with 93 points and a gold medal. Jeffrey Karlovitch, publisher of Whisky Life & Spirits magazine, had this to say: "Wasmund's Single Malt has a unique taste profile that is different than any other single malt in the world." Not only does Rick make great whiskey but he’s also a truly genuine, warm-hearted person with a passion for living life to the fullest.

A terrific American-made whiskey crafted by a super nice guy. Do you need any other reasons to give Wasmund’s a try? The Copper Fox Distillery, home of Wasmund’s whiskey, is nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. For more info, please check out their website.

Check out these great articles about Rick and his whiskey business here and here.

Spotlight on: Twenty 2 Vodka











Looking for a new micro-distilled vodka? Check out all these reasons to give Twenty 2 a whirl:

Go ahead and give this American-made, world class vodka a try! Follow Twenty 2 on Facebook: Twenty2. And Twitter: @Twenty2Vodka
Cheers!

Spotlight on:  Bong Vodka

Never tried it?  Curious just a bit?  This pure grain vodka from Holland is capturing international attention and not just because of its eye-catching, unique packaging.  Produced from a family with 5 generations of distillation expertise, Bong Vodka is distilled six times for smoothness and filtered four times for purity using a 150 year-old recipe. The New York Times called it “A burst of innovation” and the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco voted it the “Best Clean Spirit” out of 700 contenders. 

Bong Vodka combines tradition and quality craftsmanship with an ultramodern artistic flair.  The distinctive bong bottles are all hand-crafted in Milan Italy, each one individually numbered and signed by the artist.  As a passionate supporter of the arts, Bong Spirits seeks out the industry’s most talented local artists and designers for all their packaging designs, ad campaigns and international promotional events, making them a truly unique brand! Another great reason to try this award-winning vodka! Check out their website for a glimpse at the artwork.
Cheers!

Spotlight on:  Rogue Single Malt Whiskey

Not only is Rogue an award-winning brewery, but since 2003 they’ve been capturing the spotlight for their innovative artisan spirits. They’ve been mentioned in a slew of spirits publications and have taken home awards from such prestigious competitions as the World Beverage Competition, the International Rum Festival and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Master distiller and professional chemist, John Couchot, uses his 150 gallon copper compound pot still to produce Rogue’s unique line-up which includes Spruce Gin, Hazelnut Spice Rum, Dark Rum, White Rum, Pink Vodka, Dead Guy Whiskey and the latest Oregon Single Malt Whiskey.

This month we are highlighting the Oregon Single Malt Whiskey - a product made with 100% GYO ‘Grow Your Own’ malt from Chatoe Rogue’s 257 acre farm. This is where Rogue gets their malt for the entire lineup of Chatoe beers. Back at the brewery, the barley is malted and roasted and a portion is hand-smoked using alder and maple chips. After distilling, the whiskey is placed in oak barrels where it ages underwater off the coast of Oregon for three months!

In its first year of production, the Oregon Single Malt Whiskey has won three big awards: a Gold medal at the American Distilling Institute and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Bronze Medal at the New York International Spirits Competition!

If you haven’t tried the Single Malt Whiskey or any of Rogue’s other spirits, be sure to pick some up next time you are looking for something a little more interesting! Cheers!

Spotlight On: Redstone Meadery ‘Nectar of the Hops’

Redstone Meadery founder, David Myers, knows what it takes to make good mead. His sweet, intoxicating honey beverages are made with an eclectic array of locally sourced honey, all natural ingredients and a tremendous amount of creativity. David packages his meads in beautiful cobalt blue bottles with swing-tops instead of traditional corks to avoid oxidation and promote a longer shelf life. His diverse line-up of meads includes several styles of ‘Mountain Honey Wines’ (12% still meads made in a more traditional style) and ‘Nectars’ (light and refreshing sparkling meads made with ingredients like apricots and black raspberries). Based out of Boulder, Colorado, Redstone Meads are now distributed in over 20 states nationwide.

The latest addition to his lineup, Nectar of the Hops, was just recognized by Draft Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Beers of the Year.”  This mead/beer hybrid is made by taking a carbonated mead made with Clover and Wildflower honey and dry-hopping it with 22 pounds of Amarillo and Centennial hops. The addition of hops creates much complexity and also lends beautiful citrus and floral characteristics to the mead. And since it is gluten free, it is a great choice for those who like hoppy flavors but cannot indulge in a beer. This is a medium-sweet 8% abv beverage that should be served cold. If you have never tried mead, we encourage you to give some a try. We currently have several styles of Redstone Meads in-stock:

Mountain Honey Wines:
Traditional Mountain Honey Wine - made predominately with Orange Blossom honey
Vanilla Bean & Cinnamon Sticks Honey Wine – made especially for the holiday season
Juniper Mountain Honey Wine – a staff favorite at Redstone!

Nectars:
Sunshine Nectar – made with the addition of apricots
Black Raspberry Nectar – Redstone’s first mead!
Nectar of the Hops – mead meets IPA!

Reserve Mead:
Boysenberry Reserve Mead – port-like and dense; only one batch made every year – great for cellaring

 

 

Fun fact: Legend has it that the word honeymoon is derived from an ancient tradition of sending a newly married couple off to seclusion for a month with much mead, to ensure their best chance to start a family quickly. Mead has been, and still is, considered the drink of love.

Cheers!