Tag Archives: 2015

This Year In Drinking: A Recap

Our Stories / December 28, 2015 / No Comments.

In 2015, we saw record-breaking feats, groundbreaking spectacles, and back-breaking stunts. We saw donuts get licked, babies get born, balls get deflated, and people run (and stumble) for president. But maybe most importantly, we watched as alcohol continued to fill our lives with joy. 2015 was a badass year for drinking, and it looks like 2016 might be even better. Refresh your memory with our yearly recap, and set your sights on the future with our exciting predictions for next year.

In 2015…

Vodka and Whiskey Ruled the World
Vodka has always sat at the top of the pig pile when it comes to sales, distributing over 72 million cases in 2015. Whiskey was close behind, selling over 51 million cases this year. The top brands are quite predictable, with Absolut, Smirnoff, and Jack Daniels pulling in the big bucks.

Tequila Is on the Rise
Tequila is quickly gaining popularity, selling 15 million cases this year, which is up almost 30% since 2010. This is SUPER exciting, as drinkers (read: millenials) are starting to choose their alcohols based on taste, age, and origin, rather than convenience and/or price.

All Isn’t As It Seems with Gin
Don’t believe what you read when it comes to gin sales. Selling 10 million cases this year doesn’t sound impressive when compared to vodka and whiskey; however, gin is making a comeback ever so slightly. The classic cocktail, a gin&tonic, used to be reserved for grandparents and Europeans, but little by little, millennials are appropriating the drink. We can’t complain.

Beer
The biggest news in the industry happened behind close doors, with the merger of AB InBev and SABMiller. We haven’t really seen effects of this in the liquor store or at the local bar, and we’d like to keep it that way. Meanwhile, craft beer is still growing, with Yuengling and Boston Beer (Sam Adams) as the two largest craft brews.

In 2016…

Drinking Will Get More Colorful
Flavored spirits, most notably vodka, will step out from the shadows and gain some credibility. We’ve seen it begin with Deep Eddy’s, and are excited to see who will follow in their footsteps.

Quality over Quantity
Drinkers will pay more attention to the quality of their drinks. This began with the emergence of craft beer, continued with the whiskey renaissance, and will be perpetuated by who knows what. But in any case, we can’t wait.

Hometown Love
Get local or get out. That’s what we’ll be hearing in many industries this coming year, and the alcohol industry is no exception. While certain drinks come with origins, (Champagne, Tennessee Whiskey, Kentucky Bourbon), we might see this lose its importance as small breweries, wineries, and distilleries pop up anywhere and everywhere.

Gif

Man Cave: The 2015 Masters

Cocktails / April 10, 2015 / No Comments.

If you’re a big fan of golf, we’re betting you haven’t turned off the TV since Monday when the 79^th Masters Tournament started. Whether you’re tuning in to root for Tiger or just to hear the loud bird chirps emanate from Augusta’s course, we know one thing for sure: you’ll need a golf-themed drink (or two) in hand. We’ll start the recipes off simple with a classic:

Spiked Arnold Palmer (1 serving):

Iced tea
Lemonade
1 ½ oz. Bourbon or vodka

In a tall glass with ice, pour in your choice of alcohol followed by half iced tea and then the remaining half lemonade. Stir and enjoy.

Hole-In-One (1 serving):

¼ tsp. lemon juice
1 ¾ oz. scotch
¾ oz. vermouth

Combine all ingredients in an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Country Club Cooler (1 serving):

2 oz. dry vermouth
½ tsp. grenadine
3-4 oz. soda or sparkling water
1 twist lemon peel and/or orange peel (optional)

Pour the grenadine syrup and half of the soda water into a tall glass and stir. Add ice cubes and the vermouth. Top off with the remaining soda water and stir again. Finish by garnishing with one or both citrus peels.

Nineteenth Hole (1 serving):

1 ½ oz. gin
1 oz. dry vermouth
1 tsp. sweet vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
olives (optional)

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Shake well, for at least 20 seconds, and then decant mixture into a martini glass. Top with a couple olives and drink up.

Photo

Beer Madness 2015

Beer / March 16, 2015 / No Comments.

March Madness + Beer? Sounds like a winning combination to us. Thanks to The Washington Post all of our Beer Madness dreams are coming true. We’re voting and we suggest you do to. Their 2015 Beer Madness bracket includes 32 different beers from all over America. With the help of their panel of experts (and a blind taste test) they have selected beers and arranged them into four different categories:

Crisp
Hops
Malt
Fruit & Spice

Who will be the champion? Well, that’s up to us. Make sure to get your votes in and follow up so you’re favorite brews continue on.

Photo

2015’s Latest Launches (so far)

Beer / February 2, 2015 / 1 Comment.

Now that we’ve all made it through the first month of 2015 (hopefully without being buried alive in snow), it’s time to round up the latest and greatest alcohol launches of the year. We’re only a few weeks into 2015, but that doesn’t mean big brands are standing by. Companies haven’t spared a moment releasing new and noteworthy products, and we want to share with you our favorites (so far):

Svedka Vodka

New to the award-winning line are Svedka Grapefruit Jalapeno—pairing sweet and tart with hot and spicy—and Svedka 100 Proof. While the Grapefruit Jalapeno flavor provides a bright, citrus taste with an intense juicy finish, Svedka’s 100 Proof has a pure and smooth taste coupled with a clean, warming finish. Both bottles will be available nationwide by early March, complete with new, innovative packaging.

Jose Cuervo

In honor of celebrating 220 years of “turning ordinary nights into extraordinary ones” (we all know that’s true…), the tequila company released two limited edition Especial bottles. The gold and silver metallic bottles feature the brand’s new artwork, which intends to commemorate Jose Cuervo’s rich history as well as “the best of Mexico’s traditions.”

Skyy Vodka

Adding two new flavors to their infusions line, Skyy Vodka recently released Texas Grapefruit and Pacific Blueberry. Made with natural ingredients, both new flavors are intense and very fruit-forward, capturing the true essence of each ingredient. While Skyy Texas Grapefruit provides fresh-picked, robust flavors, Pacific Blueberry contains the taste and smell of ripe blueberry (naturally). Either way, both bottles are packed with flavor and great for cocktailing.

Blue Moon White IPA

After searching through 150 varieties of hops for this brew, Blue Moon Brewing Company will finally debut its Blue Moon White IPA nationally on April 1^st (this is not an April fools joke). With a rich golden color, hint of citrus and balanced bitterness, this crisp IPA is well worth the wait. Still, if you’re anxious to get your hands on the new brew, the company has been disclosing clues (as GPS coordinates) through their social sites that reveal secret locations in NYC, Chicago, LA, Austin and Nashville where beer lovers can enjoy a taste of the White IPA.

Have you already tried what alcohol 2015 has to offer? Let us know your favorite new launch!

Photo

Beer Releases

Beer / January 28, 2015 / No Comments.

We’re a month deep into 2015. You may have had a taste test of what the New Year will bring for you in terms of utility bills and daily routine, but we have some brewing news to turn your year upside down:

To start, Saint Arnold has released a series of beer centric bratwursts. Their Amber Ale and Santo brew can now find themselves on your plate with a complimentary bottle beside it.

Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur, GA has tapped into a never before field of creativity when it comes to beer with their new Theophan the Recluse beer. This brew is infused with Serrano peppers, cocoa nibs, vanilla bean, and cinnamon sticks to keep your taste buds on edge.

Surely not your typical cherry flavored tonic medicine, Woodchuck’s Cheeky Cherry has brought a new flavor to the world of hard apple cider.

Abita Brewing got inspiration over their morning cup of Joe for the Abita Macchiato. This creamy coffee brew is dense and aromatic with a blend of sweet malts.

And incase the Abita Macchiato is just too heavy for your swimsuit, Key Billy has release it’s Island Ale. This light amber ale, brewed with key lime juice is decorated with palm trees for a proper Florida get away.

Photo

2015 Preview

Beer / December 21, 2014 / No Comments.

We’ve told you what we loved about 2014 brands and trends, but aren’t you just dying to know what to expect in the New Year? Here are a few things to look forward to once you get through spending the holidays with your family.

Old Friends:

Expect a return of the Boilermaker to some bars. The classic beer and shot of whiskey combo is an acquired taste, but it gets the job done. Assuming the job is to get sufficiently drunk.

New Friends:

You’ll be making more than one double take as you browse the liquor store aisles. Brands are making their bottles more eye-catching and fun. You can’t judge a book by its cover, but we’d be lying if we said the same about liquor.

Hometown Heroes:

Craft brewing has been huge these past few years, and it’s not going away any time soon. Distilleries are in on the game now and pleasing the hipsters even more with organic ingredients. Plan to drink local in 2015.

Of All The Gin Bars In All The World:

Gin. Gin. Gin. Infused or in a new cocktail, it’s going to be EVERYWHERE. If you’ve never been a fan, it’s time to hop on the bandwagon.

There’s sure to be more surprises ahead of us, but one thing we can absolutely agree on is that next year is going to be ever drunker than the last.

Photo