26 July 2022 Bhramari Brewing Company Opening in Charlotte

Bhramari Brewing Company Opening in Charlotte

July 26, 2022 By

I was recently invited to attend the pre/soft opening of the Charlotte outpost of Asheville’s cult brewery Bhramari Brewing Company and loved the transformation of the space from what was previously home to Salty Parrot Brewery.

Sampling a Couple Brews

Unlike its sister to the west, the Bhramari Charlotte location won’t feature a kitchen or a full cocktails menu. Instead, it’ll rely on local food trucks for food and focus on the 16 beers on tap, ciders, wine and seltzers, including fan favorite “Bhong Water”.

The space has a fun, kitschy vibe with ample seating, indoors and outdoors, and oversized windows bringing in a lot of natural light.

New Bar Looking Spectacular
Loved the Merchandise
Ample Outdoor Space

While the brewery is currently in soft opening mode, the official opening will be August 13 and the brewery will be opened from 3pm – 10pm Monday – Thursday and 12pm – 12am Friday – Saturday and 12pm – 10pm Sunday.

Cheers to another fun brewery with a solid beer lineup in the Queen City.

Veronique

Filed Under: Beer Reviews, Brewery News, Other Neat Things Tagged With: , , ,
11 January 2019 Allagash Brewing Dinner at Villalobos January 30

Allagash Brewing Dinner at Villalobos January 30

January 11, 2019 By

Amanti Vino (www.amantivino.com) will host a very cool Allagash Brewing Company (www.allagash.com) beer dinner at Villalobos in Montclair on Wednesday, January 30th @ 7pm.

Jared Ruocco of Allagash Brewing Company will be on-hand for an epic four-course, family style dinner prepared by Chef Adam Rose (owner and head chef at Villalobos).

Highlighted by a mouthwatering Berkshire Pork Shoulder “Carnitas” with all the taco ‘fixins’, the menu will be paired with the iconic Allagash favs as well as Amanti-Vino-Exclusive releases! That’s right—beers previously only available at the Allagash taproom in Portland, Maine will be in the house and available to order for dinner-attendees only!

Allagash Brewing Company comes to us from beautiful Portland, Maine. It’s become infamous on the American Craft Beer scene for its meticulous execution of Old World Belgian styles. Jared Ruocco joins us to show how their unwavering focus on these highly complex styles makes for an undeniably tasty and balanced brew to pair with the subtle nuances of Chef Adam’s menu.

Upon Arrival: 
Allagash Saison 

First Course: 
Sikil Pak w/ vegetables and Mayan pumpkin seed dip
Warm Octopus Al Pastor w/winter citrus, fennel, parsley root puree, olives)
Roasted beets w/ grilled avocado, bleu cheese, almonds, and mint
Paired with: Brett IPA & Hive 56

Mid-Course: 
Steamed Mussels in Allagash beer broth w/ chorizo, roasted tomatoes, green chiles, and lightly toasted bread
Paired with: Allagash White

Main Course:
Berkshire Pork Shoulder “Carnitas”; bone-in roasted with sour oranges and herbs served with traditional sides and tortillas
Paired with: Allagash Tripel & Black

Dessert: 
Roasted Apple Churros with warm salted mezcal caramel crème dipping sauce
Paired with: Curieux & Pictavia

There’s a strict 48 hour cancellation policy for this pairing dinner!

The details:
What: Berkshire Pork “Carnitas” & Allagash Brewing Co. @ Villalobos
When: Wednesday, January 30th @ 7PM 
Where: Villalobos (6 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042)
Cost:  Approximately $65 per person ($45 for food and $20 for beer)

To reserve for this very exclusive dinner, email Amanti Vino or call: (973) 267-9463. 

Filed Under: Beer Reviews, Food & Wine Events Tagged With: ,
17 October 2018 Demistifying Beer Drinking

Demistifying Beer Drinking

October 17, 2018 By

I’ve become quite fond of beer drinking now that the craft beer movement has evolved and there are so many interesting brews around, especially locally.

I’m always eager to add to my knowledge of beer and so when I saw this infographics by the fine folks at Michigan State University’s The Big Green, I thought I’d share it. It contains great info on beer types, glassware and tasting recommendations. 

What types of beer are you most interested in?

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Beer Reviews Tagged With: , ,
9 January 2018 The Lost Abbey Deliverance Beer Tasting Notes

The Lost Abbey Deliverance Beer Tasting Notes

January 9, 2018 By

The Lost Abbey DeliveranceThe Lost Abbey Deliverance beer is a blend of bourbon barrel-aged Serpent’s Stout and brandy barrel-aged Angels Share.

Appearance: Nearly black with small dark tan head.

Smell: Boozy bourbon and dark fruit aromas with vanilla and licorice notes.

Taste: Chocolate-covered cherries, oak, bourbon.

Mouthfeel: Thick, mouth-coating texture.

Overall: Bourbon and brandy marry beautifully yet this sipper isn’t overly boozy a beer. Bittersweet medium finish that had me wanting more. I love these dark, broody beers and hope I can find this gem of a beer again locally.

Brewed by: Port Brewing Company / The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA, USA

Style: American Strong Ale

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 13.5%

Format(s): corked 12.5 ounce bottle

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Beer Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
22 September 2017 Victory V Twelve Liquid Luxury

Victory V Twelve Liquid Luxury

September 22, 2017 By

Had this bargain beer ($8~) at a party recently and really enjoyed it.

Appearance: Dark honey with small head.

Smell: Dried fruit, caramel with yeasty notes.

Taste: Malty, brown sugar, ripe fruit and a little hoppy on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Little jammy and mouth-coating.

Overall: Solid brew that’s true to the style and pretty boozy.

Brewed by: Victory Brewing Company, Pennsylvania, USA

Style: Quadrupel. Belgian Strong Ale

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 12.0%

Format(s): corked 750ml bottles

Ideal Glass: Chalice, goblet

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Beer Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
15 September 2017 Brooklyn Brewery Hand & Seal

Brooklyn Brewery Hand & Seal

September 15, 2017 By

Wow just wow with this baby. This was a very limited release by Brooklyn Brewery that I feel privileged to have tasted.

Appearance: Medium copper in the glass with a head that’s almost non-existent.

Smell: Nice sweet mocha aromas on this bourbon barrel-aged barleywine ale.

Taste: Caramel and mocha flavors with some vanilla on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Just a mellow, round and smooth brew.

Overall: Brooklyn Brewery calls it “one of the richest, tastiest beers to ever emerge from our brewery”. If you can locate this beer – buy it…but it’s doubtful. Great for pairing with a charcuterie plate and with grilled sausages.

Brewed by: Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY

Style: Barleywine-style Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 13.3%

Format(s): 750ml cork-finished bottle

Ideal Glass: Chalice, sniffer

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Beer Reviews Tagged With: ,
22 July 2017 Brooklyn Brewery Kiwi’s Playhouse

Brooklyn Brewery Kiwi’s Playhouse

July 22, 2017 By

We’ve had this tasty sour by Brooklyn Brewery before and it’s just great. Kettle sour aged in a mix of oak barrels and red wine barrels with fresh kiwis.

It’s a sour without being so tart it’s overwhelming on the palate. Nice tropical fruit flavor on a strong ale. Brooklyn Brewery makes this in a limited amount, so will likely be tought to find.

Perfect at a summer barbecue or served as an aperitif with some finger foods.

Brewed by: Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY

Style: Sour / Wild Ale

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7.5%

Color in the Glass: Medium yellow

Format(s): 750ml bottles

Ideal Glass: Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Beer Reviews Tagged With: , ,
11 July 2017 Revival Brewing Company Pinky Swear

Revival Brewing Company Pinky Swear

July 11, 2017 By

We lunched at Brutopia in Cranston, RI on the way to Providence because we knew it pours Revival Brewing Company beers. Our favorite of the lineup was the Pinky Swear sour.

Pinky Swear is a Berliner Weisse-style beer with big sour and tangy flavors. It’s made using 300 pounds of blueberries and raspberries.

Brewed by: Revival Brewing Company, Providence, RI

Style: Berliner Weissbier

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 3.7%

International Bitterness Units (IBU): 12

Color in the Glass: Bright dark pink with very little head (at least on tap).

Format(s): Tallboy cans, on-tap

Ideal Glass: Goblet or Chalice

Cheers,

Veronique

 

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9 April 2017 Barrel Aged Old Rasputin XIX

Barrel Aged Old Rasputin XIX

April 9, 2017 By

Wow just wow with this big boy. The bourbon flavors aren’t over-powering, which I find happens a lot in these types of brews. Rich caramel and chocolate flavors with a hint of vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Dry, lightly smoky finish. One of the best Imperials I’ve tasted.

Brewed by: North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg, CA

Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 11.2%

International Bitterness Units (IBU): 38

Color in the Glass: Darkest shade of chocolate with an inch of fizzy tan head.

Format(s): Bottle, on-tap

Ideal Glass: Snifter

Cheers,

Veronique

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31 January 2017 The Alchemist Focal Banger

The Alchemist Focal Banger

January 31, 2017 By

Focal BangerI attended a charity dinner last night where I was fortunate enough to taste the fabulous Focal Banger by the popular Vermont brewery, The Alchemist. The brewery doesn’t sell outside its immediate market so it was a treat to be able to taste it in my home state of New Jersey.

Hazy and medium golden in the glass, this American IPA offers aromas of spruce and citrus. Very hoppy with bitter aftertaste in the best possible was. Herbal, citrus and floral taste with a medium, crisp body.

Brewed by: The Alchemist, Stowe, VT

Style: American IPA

Alcohol by Volume: 7%

Color in the Glass: Hazy medium golden

Format(s): Can, on-tap

Ideal Glass: Shaker or tulip

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