tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87136532326174507692011-07-31T05:20:55.571-04:00The Capitol Region Beer, Wine and Cocktail ReviewKevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.comBlogger281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-29627071692104082632009-11-18T14:02:00.003-05:002009-11-18T18:43:59.653-05:00

by Kevin M. Smith Here in the Old Line State Bo Lenck and Jim Wagner at DuClaw might be high gravity kings of Maryland, presiding over a brewery that produces at least five beers with double digit ABV. With a variety of barley wines and strong ales that average 15.8 percent ABV it might come as a surprise to some that only one of the Bel Air brewery's high gravity offerings qualifies as an

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-83752293948568764412009-11-13T20:27:00.000-05:002009-11-13T20:27:10.137-05:00

I'm in the process of relaunching this site. Grains-n-Grapes is going to be revived in the coming weeks as a supplement to my work for the Mid-Atlantic Brewing News. For those of you who haven't read my bio, I am the Maryland columnist for the MABN. The publication comes out once every two months, and, as such, becomes problematic in regards to reporting on events that are not announced during

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-16838781944883028242008-11-12T09:42:00.000-05:002008-11-12T09:43:26.478-05:00

This man has an interesting review of one:http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/nyc/519536655.htmlNSFW! Or children!

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-4775864431757387832008-11-11T13:19:00.003-05:002008-11-11T16:02:11.568-05:00

31DuClaw BrewingBelair, MDGrade: 9.25 According to the press release, Celebrate Halloween with the latest brew straight from Jim Wagner's cauldron: 31, our special Spiced Munich Dunkel. This German-style amber lager tricks you with its smooth, malty taste and moderate 5.1% abv, then treats your palate with a spicy finish of cinnamon and nutmeg. 31 goes on tap October 31st (

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-47548552505405256672008-09-28T19:43:00.003-04:002008-09-28T19:54:01.271-04:00

Finally! Something to write home about. This light, fruity wine from the oldest winemaking family in America has enough spice to make it so good with any spicy dish and of course alone. You can find it for under $10.

Brigittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02292974446787758571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-66582182700207125492008-09-10T09:32:00.002-04:002008-09-10T09:34:45.003-04:00

Sometimes, a full pour of beer doesn't measure up

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-33480701164067965932008-06-13T10:38:00.001-04:002008-06-13T10:41:11.383-04:00

Check out what corporate Austria has offered its soccer players in international competition to get the best play possible out of their national team...

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-55176756763326670662008-06-10T13:40:00.003-04:002008-06-10T13:57:39.954-04:00

Let's assume this was a Freudian slip...and as such, something that John McCain was thinking, but didn't really want to say (as is the way with many a slip of the tongue) -(CNN) – John McCain issued a promise Tuesday that may cause a bit of unrest with a broad swath of voters: He'll veto every single beer? In a slip of the tongue while railing against excessive earmarks at the National Small

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-40802267673918045732008-05-17T20:56:00.003-04:002008-05-17T21:14:17.266-04:00

There have only been three beers in my life that were SO bad, I was actually offended.One was Magic Hat #9. Tasted like hobo piss.Another was Purple Haze Wheat Beer. Undrinkable.Another was some Italian beer that I had at the Capital City Carnival. I was pretty damn drunk by the time I had this one, so I couldn't tell you exactly why I didn't like it, or even what it was called. But it was pretty

waltzingmathildanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-60719898797088175702008-05-04T21:10:00.002-04:002008-05-04T21:13:04.181-04:00

The Boston Herald calls it a Koala Bear...1 oz. dark Creme de Cacao 1 oz. banana liqueur 2 scoops vanilla ice creamBlend everything until smooth. Sprinkle nutmeg on top, if desired.

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-11768842127245811982008-04-13T19:26:00.002-04:002008-04-13T19:46:45.894-04:00

I understand that this post is supposed to concern libations related to the mid-Atlantic, but I am stuck in Charlotte and bored outta my mind so you will have to deal.On my first day in Charlotte, my boss and I stopped by a pizzeria and asked one of the locals at the bar what the best regional beer was. He smiled and proudly shouted "Budweiser!" I died a little on the inside.But fortunately, I

waltzingmathildanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-56929226151352439612008-04-08T13:54:00.001-04:002008-04-08T13:56:40.624-04:00

We have announced a cautious, voluntary product recall of some bottles of Samuel Adams. While there is no problem with our beer, we believe a small proportion of bottles from our outside glass supplier could contain some small bits of glass. The bottles we've identified as being possibly affected are from one glass plant of the five that we get our bottles from. The issue affects less

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-23192182061027903452008-04-01T20:14:00.005-04:002008-04-01T20:23:11.535-04:00

Some of the other contributors of this blog went ape-shit (no pun intended), when I told them about this beer. Personally, I never thought twice about it-if you like banana bread (which I do), why not banana bread beer? My only concern was that it would be too sweet.As it turns out, it is not sweet at all, and is actually one of the most enjoyable beers I have ever had. It is crisp and refreshing

waltzingmathildanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-27419797699356157982008-03-16T22:02:00.003-04:002008-03-16T22:18:19.935-04:00

...is my new best friend.It is not a spectacular drink...but it does meet some key requirements. For one, I had all of the ingredients on hand. That's always a good thing. Two, I was too frakkin' tired to care what I was putting in my mouth. That also aids the process.See, Husband, Two-Year-Old and I went do to Hampton to visit with Husband's father. We were to pick-up Sister-in-Law on the way on

waltzingmathildanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-83511877419008528822008-02-26T19:26:00.006-05:002008-02-26T19:34:30.155-05:00

I know, I know-this is supposed to be a blog about Mid-Atlantic libations, not Midwest ones.But I saw this on friggin' Unwrapped (admitted Food Network junkie here) and had to spread the news.There is a bar in the Hyatt Regency Chicago (on Wacker, not McCormick Place) that serves these:That margarita is bigger than her head! I wanna margarita bigger than my head! So my new Grail Quest is to seek

waltzingmathildanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-82917215623955796352008-01-29T11:33:00.000-05:002008-01-29T12:18:37.030-05:00

This week I have five pretty damn fine brews that I'm looking at. But first a quick note -Bacon is a wonderful thing. The best thing pigs have ever gifted us with. Vodka one the best things that Russia has given the world. The two together? I have my doubts.On to the Beer. Like last week - from best to worst...Three are Pennsylvania brewers, one brews in Massachusetts but is headquartered in

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-50973988147787546622008-01-28T21:40:00.000-05:002008-01-28T21:57:16.076-05:00

Appealing post title, eh? So in Men's Health, I came across a recipe for a Thanksgiving cocktail that sounded pretty darn yummy. It was a twist on a cranberry cocktail and consists of: 3/4 oz lemon juice1 heaping teaspoon whole berry cranberry sauce1.5 oz gin3/4 oz triple sec Shake with ice, pour into chilled 'tini glasses. Tonight we had it paired with an Autumn Cranberry Beef Stew and it was

waltzingmathildanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-65852134760397035682008-01-25T17:15:00.000-05:002008-01-25T18:20:30.701-05:00

Ok, so this wine is from Canada and not easy to come by, but if you're ever there, you shouldn't miss it. I first discovered it at a wine-tasting event in D.C. a couple years ago, but couldn't get a hold of a bottle until I visited Toronto last summer. Sweet but sophisticated (don't think Boone's), and intense. At $15 a bottle, it's well worth it. Just don't make the mistake of trying to

Brigittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02292974446787758571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-7728153610047682702008-01-24T11:03:00.000-05:002008-01-24T12:22:14.760-05:00

Okay, at first this sounds a bit nasty, but then imagine it in a bloody mary... and all becomes clear. I haven't tried it yet, but thought I would post it for the more imaginative people here (hello WaltzingMathilda)!Bacon Vodkamakes up to one pintFry up three strips of bacon.Add cooked bacon to a clean pint sized mason jar. Trim the ends of the bacon if they are too tall to fit in the jar. Or

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-82944146366323341092008-01-21T12:43:00.000-05:002008-01-21T14:57:03.835-05:00

In this week's installment of BR, I sampled five beers, four from mid-Atlantic states - one of which has Maryland ties. Along with those four mid-Atlantic beers is a West Coast brew that came to me on the recommendation of a home-brewer I know.Let's work our way through them, from best to worst, the worst this week being an innocuous beer that, while not bad, is nothing special...Stone IPAStone

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-85803916429496035642008-01-17T16:31:00.000-05:002008-01-19T12:09:03.405-05:00

Everybody has their favorite places for stocking up on beer, wine, and other liquefied fruits and grains.Living in Frederick County, MD, I have my local place where I will pick up a six for my weekend quick fix of beer or even a bottle of the fermented grape. Unfortunately, the local place, which will remain nameless, is a little over-priced - so I do pay a premium for being able to get my

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-3848423916043652022008-01-14T11:12:00.000-05:002008-01-14T12:32:37.285-05:00

During this weekend's football fest, I sampled four beers - some with distinctly different feels and flavors.I am running on a ten point rating system, rating the beers on bouquet, flavor, color, and carbonation. Each aspect is rated from one to ten, ten being the best, one the worst (ie: 1 could be poor taste, flat, over carbonated, poor aroma, etc.). Those numbers are added together and divided

Kevin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08172648739434861401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-2851287598543132352008-01-10T10:42:00.000-05:002008-01-10T10:45:47.314-05:00

For those who want the perfect wine to go with their meal, check out Wine That Loves, wine that's expertly designed for the foods you love.

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-87871227834276621012008-01-10T09:34:00.000-05:002008-01-10T10:46:38.692-05:00

This is one of those wines you take a sip of and realize instantly what a steal it was. Nice big flavor, on the dry side with tastes of spice and berries- maybe even a touch of pepper. I'd love to have paired this with a nice piece of dark chocolate, but it worked just as well with the cheeseburgers we had instead. Check out their web site.We got this in Williamsburg, at a wonderful place called

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-31578265698028234892008-01-09T14:54:00.000-05:002008-01-09T14:59:37.263-05:00

Check out this article from the New York Times:Forget about I.P.A.’s, strong, hoppy brews developed by the British centuries ago to withstand the ocean voyage to colonial India. Americans are now making double I.P.A.’s, Extreme I.P.A.’s, even Unearthly I.P.A.’s.

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-7211092358644833372008-01-08T10:13:00.000-05:002008-01-09T13:20:03.616-05:00

Not being one to pass up a deal, I picked this wine up because of the lovely label and the equally pleasing price ($8.99). Its appears to be made by the Our Daily Red people, who describe it as:Clockspring Vineyard in Amador gives us this unique Zin!!! One will find a wine that intersperses white pepper on the tongue with a medium weighted body-- a very adaptable wine that can be can be enjoyed

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-44641840259161210172008-01-03T09:43:00.000-05:002008-01-03T14:35:53.271-05:00

Or at least for those who like their encyclopedias straight and/or neat.Whiskipedia.org

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713653232617450769.post-24062124434786073882008-01-03T09:05:00.000-05:002008-01-03T14:37:51.922-05:00

For those of us who love a good glass of wine, but hate to spend a lot on one, the Wine Spectator grades that appear in our local booze emporium are the holy grail. A $10 bottle that rates a 90? A must have. But this article from the Miami Herald seems to indicate that those aren't always accurate. No safety in Wine Spectator numbers

Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829145736228573299noreply@blogger.com0