JINRO STRAWBERRY SOJU
This is the latest addition to the Jinro Soju fruit series. It has a sweet and refreshing taste derived from the Korean strawberries. 13% ABV. Suggested retail is $6.99. AVAILABLE FROM Abacus Distributing.
SAMUEL ADAMS
The brewer has released the 3Oth anniversary edition of its Octoberfest and the new Kosmic Sour for fall. The Octoberfest is a traditional märzen style that uses a proprietary blend of four different malts to create a rich, smooth almost creamy beer. Notes of toffee. Kosmic Sour is a tart... Read More
FIFTY TREES HARD CIDER
Wachusett Brewing Company is launching this new line of hard ciders with two styles, both featuring local apples from farms in North Central Massachusetts. The Original is blended with a touch of European Bittersweets for a semi-dry character that features a flavorful apple taste with a crisp, clean finish. The... Read More
CALIFORNIA FIRST GROWTHS THE 2O15 VINTAGE
by SANDY BLOCK, MW Any attempt to delineate California “First Growths” is by nature subjective, but there are a finite number of Cabernet-based wines that by reputation, track record, and the price they command should be in the discussion. Trying to narrow it down is a pointless exercise. Each of... Read More
MONTECUCCO SANGIOVESE – BIG REDS FROM CUCKOO MOUNTAIN
by HARVEY FINKEL What’s on offer today? How about big, juicy, multifaceted, ageable reds that you may never have heard of, that are less costly than their neighbors, that are bidding to imminently materialize in the American market? Montecucco, in the northeastern corner of Tuscany’s Maremma, immediately south of more... Read More
ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH – THE NEW YORK SOUR
by PINK LADY As New Englanders don sweaters and light coats suiting up for crisp fall temperatures, many drinkers among us will pivot away from the gin & tonics and White Claw that captured our fancy as summer porch pounders, back towards brown spirits. Welcome back, whiskey! Ease your way... Read More
REMEMBERING MICHAEL BRODY
By Kirsten Amann The Massachusetts beverage industry lost one of our brightest innovators and boldest leaders in June with the passing of Michael Brody, Executive Vice President, Spirits for M.S. Walker. Michael was a 46-year veteran of the industry who spent his career shaping the company and culture at M.S.... Read More
A FRESH LOOK AT THE MANY STYLES OF PALE ALES
By Andy Crouch The journey of hops as mere preservative to dominant flavor and aromatic ingredient in beer has been a windy one. Once cast aside as purely offering unpleasant bitterness, American beer enthusiasts and brewers have embraced hops to all ends of the spectrum. Brewers now routinely work with... Read More
ALICANTE BOUSCHET
By Harvey Finkel Alicante Bouschet, a blue-collar, red-fleshed grape variety of waning popularity in southern France, has achieved elite status in southern Portugal’s Alentejo region. Officially named Alicante Henri Bouschet, this cross of Garnacha (Grenache) with Petit Bouschet was developed by the eponymous Henri Bouschet in the Hérault in 1855,... Read More
ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH – THE WHISKEY SMASH
By Pink Lady As summer started late in these parts, we predict that you should extend your summer-y cocktail sipping plans well into early October. The days may get shorter and your bar or store might be getting busier (hallelujah!) but there’s no telling if a September afternoon will be... Read More