2013 brings a wide array of wine related feasts, but you’ve got to a love a wine dinner that features Frog’s Leap Winery, a special guest speaker, caviar and Twinkies, yep — Twinkies! (Well, a pastry chef’s approximation, anyway.) The Wigwam’s four-course wine dinner on January 25th is affordable and…
Beer: Victory at Sea Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Co. Style: Imperial Porter ABV: 10 percent Beers that are available year-round are all well and fine, but they’re not what I look for when perusing the shelves at my local bottle shop. I want the limited-release stuff — the beers brewers…
I’m a little sad that winter holiday merriment is coming to a close, but I’m secretly relieved. The constant revelry has taken its toll. I’m digging myself out from under a truckload of cookies. I’ve been breakfasting on leftover hors d’oeuvres for days. My housework backlog is a mile long…
You might think running and fine food and wine don’t mix. You think “runners” typically survive on power bars and coconut water, right? Well, apparently the owners of FnB, Charleen Badman and Pavle Milic, are both active (if you follow Milic on social media you know all about his running…
The Spot: BLT Steak, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, 480-905-7979, /www.bltscottsdale.com. See Also: – Ten Favorite Phoenix Happy Hours – Gruyere Popovers from BLT Steak The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily from 5 to 7 p.m…
Beer: Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana Ale Brewery: Rogue Ales Style: Fruit/Vegetable Beer ABV: 5.3 percent It’s apparent at this point that the Rogue/Voodoo Doughnut collaboration ales are going to be a love/hate deal. When the Pepto-pink bottles of Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Maple Bacon Ale first appeared on…
Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. When we Chow Bella folks were discussing our New…
One of the biggest drinking days of the year, New Year’s Eve, is fast upon us. To us bartenders, the 31st is derided as the biggest amateur night of the year. Lots of people partake in potent potables at quantities they aren’t used to drinking. The next morning, seemingly everyone…
Beer: Mayan Apocalypse Judgment DayBrewery: The Lost Abbey Style: Quadrupel ABV: 10.5 percent Screw you, Mayans. I was SO ready for the apocalypse. I stocked up on canned goods and toilet paper. I spent months mapping out the best path to take after the skies rained down fire and turned…
Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. It’s getting into the time of year to keep…
Feel like popping some bubbly? (Hot tub not included.) There’s no better excuse than New Year’s eve to enjoy bubbles, but keep in mind not all Champagnes are created equal. In fact, some white bubbles are not even technically Champagne, they’re sparkling wine. You don’t have to be a sophisticated…
Beer: He’Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co. Style: American Strong Ale ABV: 16 percent Hanukkah might be over, but sometimes eight crazy nights just aren’t enough. For those looking to squeeze in a few extra or get a buzz that’ll last as long as the original Hannukkah candles,…
The Spot: Brick, 455 North Third Street, Phoenix, 602-258-3665, www.brickphx.com. See Also: – Now Open: Brick Pizzeria – The Parlor: Happy Hour Report Card – Cocktail Lovers’ Anti-Gift Guide: What NOT To Get The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily with drink specials from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and…
Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. This time of year, festive gatherings can sneak up…
Feeling thrifty? Good, because this week we explore wines under $6-$7. You know, the ones no one really boasts about buying….but admit it, you do. These bottles cost less than an entire glass of wine a nice wine bar, so you pick one up at the grocer’s in hopes you’ll…
The Spot: Rose and Crown, 628 East Adams Street Phoenix, 602-256-0223, www.theroseandcrownaz.com. See Also: – Best English Pub – 2012: The Rose & Crown Pub – Casey Moore’s Oyster House: Happy Hour Report Card The Hours: Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday from 2 to 7 p.m…
Beer: Blood and Honey Brewery: Revolver Brewing Style: American Wheat Ale ABV: 7 percent See also: – Crispin Bird on a Wire – Chow Bella’s Gift Guide for the Beer Lover While our state’s brewers undoubtedly put out some great stuff, beer does not exist in an Arizona-shaped bubble. Across…
Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. There are some really cool stocking stuffers for aspiring…
Thinking of starting 2013 with a wine club membership for yourself or as a gift for a fellow wine lover? Afraid of commitment? Looking for special access to members only wines? Discounts? Today, we compare some online and local options, all of which have free membership. See also: – Shit…
The Spot: The Handlebar and Grill, 680 South Mill Avenue Tempe, 480-474-4888, www.handlebaraz.com. See Also: – Boulders on Broadway: Happy Hour Report Card – (More) Craft Beer on Mill Ave. at the Handlebar and Grill, Open to the Public Today The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily from 3 to…
Beer (cider): Crispin Bird on a Wire Brewery (cidery): Crispin Cider Co. Style: Apple Cider ABV: 6.9 percent The beer of the week this week isn’t a beer at all — it’s a cider. But it’s fermented, in part, with beer yeast. Does that count? I think it counts. Here…
Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. A simultaneous perk and hazard of the bar industry…
