May 2012
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WatchKeith Gehrke and the folks at Able Brewing Company are Kickstarting their new KONE Coffee Filter Brewing System that employs a new design of the KONE Filter. I’m not jumping in on the whole system, but I am grabbing the new filter.
April 2012
7 posts
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WatchI forgot that TOAST (The Oregon Artisan Spirit Tasting) is this weekend. KGW spent a little time with Lee Medoff from Bull Run Distillery. Lee’s a nice guy that’s willing to talk about distilling just about any time, and I believe The Danish Ambassador will attest to that.
I’m sure there will be plenty of things to taste at TOAST, but Extra Special KDB and I like Bull...
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The Standard Martini Bar →
I’m not sure when I’ll have a chance or a reason to be in Iowa…hell this looks like reason enough.
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American Distilling Institute's 2012 Artisan... →
Lots of things to explore on this list, and a few names that have graced my shelves over the past year.
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George Washington's New Whiskey →
George Washington’s New Whiskey is made from George’s original recipe in his original distillery. This is worth a trip back east since buying it in person is the only way you can get it (speculators aside).
March 2012
12 posts
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The Iced-Coffee Economy: Why the Cold Stuff Costs... →
An interesting rundown of the numbers behind cold brew coffee and iced coffees.
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This Week's Tasting Notes
I’ve spent most of the last week in Los Angeles with Extra Special KDB, and, though eating and drinking with abandon, took very few notes. Here’s a quick look at two things. I hope to have some time later this week or early next to talk about cocktails and wine pairings with dinner at Providence.
36th Vote Barreled Manhattan
The phrase, “pre-made Manhattans,” should give...
February 2012
18 posts
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“North America will have over 400 small distilleries by the end of 2015. Ten...”
– A great read from Michael J. Neff, From Behind the Bar: On Craft Distilleries.
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This Week's Tasting Notes
I usually don’t kick things off with cocktails (and sweet cocktails at that), but here we go.
Pisco Punch
I’ve been trying to dial in my recipe for Pisco Sours, and thought I’d change gears a little bit by ordering a Pisco Punch at Las Primas on North Williams (they seem to have no web site). The Pisco Punch (or this Pisco Punch) was just way too sweet, and I’m guessing...
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“Tests show Budweiser was twice as bitter in the 1970s as it is today.”
– Beer of the Future from this week’s Willamette Week talks about the rise and fall and rise of the Oregon hops industry.
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This Week's Tasting Notes
Stillwater Stateside Saison
By the time you read this, it will be too late. It will be gone from Barista with no known date on which it will return. It may never return. I had taken a break from my run on saisons when I stumbled across this, and there’s quite a bit going on with this beauty. It’s light and crisp, but with a funkiness. There are citrus notes (maybe grapefruit) and a...
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WatchIgnore the silliness of the video, and just concentrate on the fact that coffee and board games just got very cool in…well…VivaJava, a board game about coffee.
They’re already over their funding goal, but backing them now can secure you pre-order copies and some backer-only expansions as their funding milestones are unlocked.
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This Week's Tasting Notes
It’s been a while since I’ve posted tasting notes. I’ll not belabor that with any lamentations, but will just jump into what I’ve been drinking this week.
Templeton Rye
Three bottles of this rye from Iowa have been in my home for some time. I love rye, but never really got what people were seeing in this one. Someone gifted us a crystal decanter for Christmas so I poured...
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Old Homicide →
We have to wait until 2014 to get a taste of Old Homicide, but it looks like they have an unaged whiskey that might be available sooner.
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Whiskey of the World Dinner at Branch
February 23rd is my first Thursday night free since before Christmas, and I’m already thinking of booking this dinner (just before flying to LA for BITFest the next day). Here’s the menu and whiskey pairings:
Whiskey of the World Dinner at Branch
Presented by Chef Scott Shampine
With Master of Whiskey Breck Taylor
$65 per person
Black Bush
Bourbon Soaked Prunes with Foie Gras...
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WatchThe sun provides an interesting effect as The Danish Ambassador pours water into the Chemex maker.
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January 2012
6 posts
timgee3 asked: Which Oregon distillers are making a worthy Bourbon in your opinion? I normally drink Makers Mark and Knob Creek.
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WatchJust when I turn my full attention to Chemex, I find an espresso machine that makes me want to start pulling shots. These guys were searching for $20,000, but, at the time of this post, have managed to raise $240,000.
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This Week's Tasting Notes
I’ve been eating and drinking quite a bit lately, but I’ve not been very good about writing or taking many notes. That said, here’s what I’ve managed to scrabble together when it comes to my holiday drinking the last few weeks.
Mary Unbound
This is mostly an excuse to have delicious pickles in a glass, and The Flint Hills Foodie will admonish me when he sees this.1 Every...
December 2011
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WatchI’ve been thinking about egg nog quite a bit lately (after a 35 year, self-imposed ban). Here are a few cool inspirations as I look to making my first egg nog. WARNING: A duck egg might make its way into my nog.
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Where the Beer Takes You
Last evening’s dinner at Ned Ludd with beer pairings from Oakshire Brewery was a huge hit for me that fired on all cylinders. I believe Extra Special KDB fully agrees with me on that. This was more than a dinner where two guys say, “here’s what I’m cooking” and “okay, here’s the beer we have on hand.” This was two guys collaborating on every course...
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Oakshire Brewery at Ned Ludd
Tomorrow night, the folks from Oakshire Brewery are teaming up with the folks from Ned Ludd to produce the following menu of beer and food pairings (for $65):
Oakshire Amber Ale – nibbles and forebits
Skookumchuck Wild Ale -poached oyster, creamed greens, rye crouton
Ned’s Noggin Smokin’ Blonde/Bottoms Up Pilsner - two way turkey leg (smoked and braised), winter squash, reduced jus
Ill...
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A Look at Craft Coffee
Craft Coffee is a monthly coffee subscription where you receive coffees from a variety of roasters around the states. I’ve been looking at them since the late summer, and finally decided to take the plunge since I’m buying beans all the time anyway. I got my first batch a little over a week ago, and wanted to check in with some thoughts.
At $19.99 - $24.99 per month, Craft Coffee...
