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May 13: Day Three of American Craft Beer Week

It's hump day for American Craft Beer Week. Before you start thinking, "What, those beer snobs get a whole week?" let me lay something on you. Now, it's easy to take for granted America's 6,000 breweries, but I can remember when there were only a handful of massive beer factories cranking out very similar lagers, aside from a few mind-bending mutants like Lowenbrau Dark. The craft beer explosion is a true American Dream story. When you consider the amount of red tape and bureaucracy the pioneers of the movement had to hack through, then the hard fight of getting American's to grow their stunted palates, then the rapid growth of new breweries, many of them started on shoestring budgets: it's quite simply astonishing. Not only have we replaced all the breweries killed by Prohibition, we've handily surpassed that number. In this age of corporate consolidation and ever-growing mega-companies, the craft beer revolution is very nearly a miracle. Much more than most companies, they've been ba

COLTURE by Podere La Berta: farmhouse, sour beer and the cost of identity in Italian Craft Beer

There are breweries that talk about territory, and there are breweries that are territory. COLTURE by Podere La Berta Brewery, born from the agricultural and oenological backbone of Felsina one of Chianti Classico’s most rigorous estates, belongs to the second category. In a segment of Italian craft beer that increasingly risks flattening itself between hazy-session-IPA … Continue reading COLTURE by Podere La Berta: farmhouse, sour beer and the cost of identity in Italian Craft Beer

Garryana wood plays profound flavor role in Bardstown Bourbon Co. Cascadia Bourbon

This wood and barrel toast strategy drives powerful flavors and aromas. The nose is surprisingly vibrant for its 107 proof. The whiskeys' 9 to 10 year age range emboldens the nose considerably with bruleed sugar, warm brownies, charred oak and overripe apples.

UK 1000L Fully Automated Brewing System Turnkey Solution

To meet the UK client’s demand for efficient and intelligent brewing, we provided a turnkey solution for a 1000L fully automated brewing system, emphasizing full-process automation management. From crushing, mashing, and boiling to whirlpooling, fermentation, cooling, CIP cleaning, and keg filling, the entire system operates unattended with data visualization control, significantly improving production efficiency and […]

98-pt Lady May 2021 – ‘Sets a new benchmark for Cape Bordeaux blends’ (Christian Eedes)

Glenelly Lady May is the pinnacle of Stellenbosch Bordeaux-style blends. Their best-rated release yet, the 2021 is a wine of grace, finesse and persistent power, combining ‘succulence with structure at the highest level’ (Christian Eedes). ‘The wine is monumental in scale yet defined by clarity rather than weight,’ says Eedes. The 2021 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by […] The post 98-pt Lady May 2021 – ‘Sets a new benchmark for Cape Bordeaux blends’ (Christian Eedes) appeared first on Wine Cellar Plus .

Take Five

Commercially, the wine world’s problems continue. Young people are drinking less or not at all. Those who are drinking are largely not taking up drinking wine. It remains quite unfathomable that spirits remain roughly static, or even increasing, in the decline of alcohol consumption. If alcohol is bad (although only an excess really is) then […]

98-point Anysbos blends – ‘Among the country’s best’ (Christian Eedes)

Anysbos Disdit is one of South Africa’s best wines, and the 2024 is Johan and Sue Heyns’ greatest triumph yet. It was an excellent vintage for powerful, textured whites, and this 98-point Chenin-dominated blend – with Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne – seduces you with incredible balance. Their Tesame 2023 is ‘the business!’ enthuses Greg Sherwood MW. Boasting 98 points […] The post 98-point Anysbos blends – ‘Among the country’s best’ (Christian Eedes) appeared first on Wine Cellar Plus .

Produttori’s Barbaresco: ‘Spectacular. Lustrous. Mouth-watering’

Produttori’s Barbaresco has to be one of the best reds and ‘greatest values in Italian fine wine’. Their 2021 is mind blowing. The energy here is tangible. This medium-bodied, 100% Nebbiolo shows violets, roses, black cherry, raspberry and spice with a nice mineral kick on the nose. The sleek palate is sumptuous and full of […] The post Produttori’s Barbaresco: ‘Spectacular. Lustrous. Mouth-watering’ appeared first on Wine Cellar Plus .

Passing for normal

Hungarian brewery Mad Scientist makes one of its sporadic returns to these pages today, with the two most normal-looking things from the most recent tranche of releases. The question before us is: how do they fare at making beer-flavoured beer? What better test than a central European lager, though that should be the easy setting for a central European brewery. To assist, Mad Scientist has availed of the help of Radim Zvánovec, Budvar's global brand ambassador, who should know his way around the style at this stage. The result, worryingly, is called Bohemian Madness . It's properly golden and with a fine white head, although it's also quite hazy: definitely at the unfiltered end of this style. The aroma is sweet and a little syrupy, where I would have liked a fresh grassy bite also. I had noticed the can was a little squashy, and sure enough, the carbonation is very low here, with a cask-like fine sparkle rather than cleansing lager fizz. The flavour isn't too cleansing either, loading

Quinta de Soalheiro

Soalheiro is a renowned, family-run winery in Portugal’s Monção and Melgaço region, celebrated as the first producer of Alvarinho in Melgaço (planted in 1974). The first sparkling wine was produced in 1995. At that time, they were the first producer to make a 100% Alvarinho sparkling wine. Now this trend has spread to other parts of…

Why is moderation easy for some people, yet impossible for others? Dr. Charles Explains In Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol

Introduction What can your first experiences with alcohol tell you about the relationship you’ll have with it later in life? Are we fighting with our own biology when it comes to alcohol? Why is moderation impossible for some people? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Charles Knowles, author of Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Charles Knowles’ new book, Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol. […]

Beer 101- Everything You Need To Know About Australian Sparkling Ale

Celler Cal Pla: Tradition in Motion

In a region celebrated for its modern renaissance, this 245-year-old family estate reflects what Priorat has always been. The cobblestones beneath our feet are worn smooth by centuries of harvest traffic. On our left stands a stone building more than 300 years old; on our right, its younger sibling from 1850, built because the family […] The post Celler Cal Pla: Tradition in Motion appeared first on Advinetures.ca .

Intravino Cup Montalcino | Sono rimaste solo 16 cantine. Ora il gioco si fa duro

523 voti. Tantissimi! E se si considera che non esiste alcuna possibilità di voti doppi, si tratta di un successo. Siamo su numeri di partenza ancora più alti di quelli che fece registrare la Intravino Cup dedicata al Chianti Classico … continua »

Oaklore Old Fashioned Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

Oaklore Story Series: Old Fashioned Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey 49% ABV $90 Website We would like to thank Oaklore Distilling Co. for sending us a sample to review. What the Distillery Says Our Story Series continues with a four-grain bourbon of wheat, rye, corn, and barley, aged at least 6+ years from our North […] The post Oaklore Old Fashioned Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey first appeared on Whisk(e)y Apostle: Proselytizing the way of the malt .

First Drop Wines Moderno Barbera 2023

  Bright and touch lighter in the glass than some Barberas I've tasted of late, this release from First Drop Wines pushes its case for a cool evening with a hearty meal. Sourced from the Adelaide Hills, juicy red cherries, plums and energetic blackberries build a respectable fruit profile. Tilled earth, olive tapenade, and tree bark add savoury nuances with a fine mist of soft spices coating the palate. Red apple skin rushes late with crunchy red apple acidity on close. Tense tannins cling to a long finish and tease with a moreish factor. A most enjoyable take on this Piedmont delight. 92/100 Region:  Adelaide Hills  RRP:  $30 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X

Sorby Adams Gudilly Rosé 2026

  My first review from the 2026 vintage, this Gudilly Rosé from Sorby Adams is fun, energetic and a glass full of joy.  Made from a blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (66/34) sourced from the Riverland, a riot of watermelon, the white bit of the watermelon, rhubarb and red currants burst from the glass to appease the taste buds. Devilishly fragrant with dried red petals and strawberries hitting the zone, an unmissable lick of strawberries and cream is partnered by apricot kernel and red apple skin. Well priced and sure to bring a smile to your dial, there is a lot to like about this. 91/100 Region:  Riverland RRP:  $24 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X

Holiday Weekend Cocktails

As we head toward Memorial Day weekend 2026, we’re hoping for nice weather and dreaming of sipping cocktails on our patio. Here are a few things we’ll be sipping while we barbecue something delicious: Classic Smash Simple, delicious & easy to make in bulk! This one can be made with either our Bourbon or our […] Source

Cellar or Sip? A Simple Guide to Wine Aging

Focus on structure, balance, and proper storage to avoid common wine aging mistakes while building a varied collection. The post Cellar or Sip? A Simple Guide to Wine Aging appeared first on Brooks Wine .

Milroy’s of Soho: Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Tun 89…

Milroy's of Soho just released a new batch with four single malts and one single grain whisky. There are a couple of interesting things, starting with a 0 year old Clynelish (new make spirit indeed). There's also a very old teaspooned Speyside malt and a 43 year old North British. 

Beyond Zinfandel: Six Mediterranean Varieties to Explore in Lodi

Lodi’s tasting rooms reflect a region that has grown far beyond a single defining grape. Alongside its historic Zinfandel plantings, growers have spent decades working with Mediterranean and Iberian varieties that thrive in the same warm days and cool nights. Albariño from cuttings brought directly from Spain, Cinsaut from century-old vineyards, and Tempranillo that reflects its Old World origins all have a place here. With more than 130 grape varieties planted across the region, Zinfandel is only part of the story. These six varieties highlight the range of what Lodi is growing today. Klinker Brick Winery Albariño Albariño Native to the Atlantic-facing Rías Baixas region of Spain, Albariño has quietly become one of Lodi's signature whites . Lodi’s warm days and cool nights give the vines what they need to ripen fully while holding onto their hallmark acidity, and the region's deep sandy loams let the variety run with vigor.  Markus B

Rosebank and some maths

Rosebank 1979/1991 (58.5%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #25.3) Rosebank 34 yo 1991/2025 (53.1%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice Heritage Collection, First-Fill Bourbon Barrel)

Red Rooster Winery Reintroduces Its Iconic Rooster as Naramata Bench Estate Readies for 2026 Visitor Season

Red Rooster Winery is back on the Naramata Bench. After a period of closure, vineyard loss, and rebuilding, one of the region’s original and most recognizable wineries has reopened its […] The post Red Rooster Winery Reintroduces Its Iconic Rooster as Naramata Bench Estate Readies for 2026 Visitor Season appeared first on Sip Magazine .

Carmenere red wine variety

Carmenere is from Bordeaux but made its name in Chile. a few Australian winemakers are now using this variety.