It’s always happy hour somewhere – why not strive to make it your happiest hour?

There’s a world filled with delightful beverages to make your day brighter – why not discover something brand new, or dive deeper into your catalog of favorites?  Here are sarahjanestyle, we celebrate distinctive craft beers, delightful wines, innovative cocktails and all the places they are crafted and served.

Join us on our journey as we feature familiar favorites and discover bold new flavors.

Beer – meet the Family!!

Craft beer is truly a wild and wonderful world of its own, with numerous distinct beer families and endless style and flavor combinations.  Brewers are true scientists, tastemakers and flavor pioneers, experimenting with endless strains of grain, natural flavor combinations and tweaks on the brewing process to constantly create bold new flavors to delight the palate.  Many breweries’ tap rooms reflect the seasonal harvest and often offer a variety of strengths and styles.  As craft beer makes its way into wider distribution, beer menus now often resemble teh massive wine lists of days gone by – and it’s often beneficial to talk to your server or bartender about which beers will pair best with the food on your plate.

And of course, craft beers are definitely delightful to simply enjoy on their own – from a bright and hoppy Indian Pale Ale, to a deep rich stout, to a rainbow of sours, there really is something fro everyone.  Let’s explore some of the larger beer families:

Pale Ales

Ever approachable Pale Ales are the oldest styles of beer.  But do not let the name mislead you – not all pale ales are light in color – there are many styles available ranging from blonde to amber – but the tie that binds them is the gentle balance between malt and hop aroma and flavor.

• Profile: Golden to Copper color featuring light malt flavors and a slightly bitter (hoppy) aftertaste. Easy to drink with a low alcohol content.
• Food Pairings: Spicy foods, savory dishes

Brown Ales

Mellow but flavorful brown ales often feature nutty, caramel, chocolate or even citrus notes – but each brown ale’s unique flavor profile will reflect where it is brewed.  American Brown ales tend to be more hoppy, whereas English brown ales are dry and nutty

• Profile: Nutty, chocolatey, fruity and flavorful – brown ales are medium strength beers that can range from malty to hoppy depending on where they are brewed.
• Food Pairings: Barbeque, Red Meats, Nutty Cheeses

India Pale Ales

The hoppiest beer style for all, the  IPA has developed a cult following by fans of bitter, citrusy, herbal notes.  Even Breweries who never planned to brew this style have embraced it to appease their clients.  IPAs are emerging in a an exponential array of styes and varieties and continue to woo their fans.

• Profile: HOPS!!  Flavor packs a punch with bitter, citrusy, fruity, floral and earthy notes.  Higher alcohol content
• Food Pairings: Meat, Fish and Poultry + Fried Foods

Pilsners

Hailing from Pilsen, Czech Republic, Pilsners have a rich world history as they traveled throughout Europe and then to America.  These slightly spicy, malty beers embrace a refreshing bitterness making them the perfect beverage for a hot day.

• Profile: Spicy, floral, softly malty flavor with dry, slight bitterness.  Popular during the summertime for its light, easy to dink nature and low alcohol content.
• Food Pairings: Pork, Poultry, seafood and Soft Cheeses

Porters

Born in London during the 18th Century, Porters are roasted ales known for their ruby brown to midnight black color.  Similar to stouts, porters offer stong chocolate, coffee and toffee notes, but they have a crisper taste.  Porters can be fruity or dry in flavor, which is a reflection of the variety of roasted malt used in the brewing process.

• Profile: Deep dark color, roasty toasty notes of chocolate, coffee and carmel with a crisp finish, making porters a favorite winter style that can be enjoyed all year round.
• Food Pairings: barbeque, Smoked Foods, Desserts

Sours

Perhaps one of the most controversial families – sour ales inspire both passionate love and hate.  This ancient style of beer is Brewed with an eclectic mix of wild yeast and bacteria that create high levels of acidity,  much like a sourdough bread,  Sour ales showcase a tart, sour taste that is vastly different than the hoppy bitterness found in other ales.  Brewers have embraced the playground with the wild ales, experimenting with the additions of tropical fruits and spices to create a wide range of flavors that still embrace the sweet and sour profile.

• Profile: Tart, tangy ales that present themselves in a rainbow of colors and flavors depending on the fruits and spices each brewer incorporates into the recipe. 
• Food Pairings:  Seafood, Vegetables, Salads, Fruit Tarts

Stouts

Although the term “stout” conjures the image of a strong beer, however, this is not necessarily the case.  In fact, the most popular stout in the world,Guinness, has only an ABV of 4.2 percent.  Stouts are creamy, dark roasted ales that contain notes of cocoa, espresso, spices and molasses, reminiscent of a rich dark cup of coffee or your favorite aged bourbon.  Although similar in flavor profiles, Stouts tend to be made with roasted barley and are often a little heavier than porters.  This aligns with the names of two beers.  Porters are believed to be named in honor of the transportation workers in Central London, and the strongest porter was often called the “stout”

• Profile: Dark roasty toasty slightly bitter ales with a creamy head.  Stouts have a smooth, malty drinkable profile, with very little hop bitterness.
• Food Pairings: Grilled meats, Shellfish, Desserts

Wheat Beers

Brewed from a high percentage of wheat to barley malt, wheat beers are smooth, hazy, and easy to drink.  The Dutch wheat beers often incorporate coriander and orange peel, are often made with raw unfiltered wheat. 

• Profile: Light, easy to drink beer with very little hop bitterness.  Many incorporate citrus and tangy flavors making them a refreshing choice on a warm summer day.
• Food Pairings: Seafood, Vegetables, Salads, Fruit Tarts

What about the Lagers???

Truth be told, beer can actually be categorized into three categories: Lagers, Ales and Hybrids – and the main difference lies in the fermentation process.   Ales are fermented at warmer temperatures with top-fermenting yeast, whereas Lagers are fermented at lower temperatures for longer times, using bottom-fermenting yeast.

Pilsners

Pilsners are among the hoppiest of Lagers, known for their light golden color and dry, bitter taste.  Pilsners  feature a light crisp finish, making them a warm weather favorite.

Wine

Welcome to the wonderful world of wine!  The fermented juice of the grape is a delightful drink the sip year round, a dining companion that can coax complex flavors of finished dishes we eat, the perfect ingredient in others, and the perfect  holiday or housewarming gift.  Although all wine starts out as either and black or white wine grape, there are thousands of varieties of grapes that produce specific varieties of wine, and even more kinds of wine made from those grapes.  Wine can range wildly in color, taste, and price – and it can often be a daunting task choosing one off a menu or store shelf.  But fear not!  Let’s take a little stroll through the vineyard and get to know the basic varieties of wine. From bold and robust reds to crisp and refreshing whites and even the celebratory sparkle of bubbles, there really is something for everyone and every occasion.  And although a solid background in wine knowledge can help guide your choices, the world of wine is so broad and fun to explore, there is always space to try something different and discover a new favorite.

Although there are many different ways to classify wines, we will break them down into five main categories – red wine, white wine, rose, sparkling wine, and dessert wine.

Red Wine

The complex and charismatic charmer of the wine world, red wine is renowned for its diverse array of flavors and aromas. Notes of dark fruits like blackberry and cherry, along with hints of spices, earth, and sometimes even a touch of leather or tobacco are often associated with red wine. But the world of red wine is an expansive web of flavors ranging from sweet to dry, fruit and herbal.  The taste profile of red wine is influenced by the grape variety, terroir, and winemaking techniques  Red wine typically has a moderate to high level of tannins, which contribute to its structure and mouthfeel, creating a sense of astringency.

Red wine is created through fermentation of dark-colored grape varieties with their skins, which impart both color and tannins to the wine. After fermentation, the wine is often aged in oak barrels, adding further complexity and nuances to the final product. The winemaking process and the grape varieties used also influence red wine’s deep, alluring color, which can range from ruby red to deep purple.The aging process allows the wine to develop, mellow, and integrate its flavors, creating a harmonious and well-balanced beverage enjoyed by wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Red Wines to Know:

Red Wine	Sweetness	Flavor	Body	Origin Country
Burgundy	Dry	Blackberry, Black Cherry, Peaches	Full-Bodied
Cabernet Franc	Dry	Earth, Roasted Peppers, Plum	Medium-Bodied
Cabernet Sauvignon	Semi-Sweet	Black Current, Blueberries, Oak, Raspberries	Full-Bodied
Chianti	Dry	Cherry, Dried Herbs, Earth, Smoke	Medium to Full-Bodied
Malbec	Semi-Sweet	Dark Fruits, Dark Chocolate, Leather	Full-Bodied
Merlot	Semi-Sweet	Chocolate, Earth, Ripe Fruit, Vanilla	Medium-Bodied
Pinot Noir	Semi-Sweet	Cherry, Raspberry, Spices, Strawberry	Medium-Bodied
Port	Sweet	Blackberry, Grape, Pepper, Spice, Wood	Full-Bodied
Rioja	Semi-Sweet	Cherry, Dill, Leather, Plum, Vanilla	Full-Bodied	Spain
Sangiovese	Dry	Cherry, Fruits, Spices, Tobacco	Light to Medium-Bodied	Italy, Washington, California
Syrah / Shiraz	Semi-Sweet	Pepper, Spices. Sweet Red Fruit	Medium to Full-Bodied
Zinfandel / Primotivo	Semi-Sweet	Berries, Fruit Jam, Earth, Spices, and Smoke	Medium to Full-Bodied	California, Italy, South Australia

White Wine

White Wine is often the gateway glass to the wine world.  Like reds, white wines run the gamut from dry, crisp and refreshing to sweet sugary delights.  The flavor spectrum of white wine features citrusy notes of lemon and lime plus green apple, pear, and sometimes tropical fruitsall often enhanced by floral undertones.  Dry white wines like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, are fruit forward, light bodied and acidic. Rieslings are dry, fruity and acidic, but also embrace a bouquet of floral flavors.  Chardonnay, the most popular white wine in the world, partly because these neutral-flavored grapes can grow anywhere in the world, can take on a wide variety of characteristics, and yield a less-acidic, sip-able wine that can still embody the fruit and floral notes, but can also wrap in toasty oak. 

White wine is made from green-skinned grapes that are gently crushed and then the skins are removed from the juice prior to fermentation to avoid any extra colors.  Since the grape skins are removed during the wine-making process, white wines do not have the tannins found in red wine, so winemakers pay close attention to acid structure and aroma.  The properties of white wine, including its light body and higher acidity, make it a versatile companion to a myriad of cuisines, from delicate seafood dishes to creamy pastas.  Many white wines are fermented in stainless Steel to preserve the wine’s freshness and flavor. With the exception to some Chardonnays that are aged in white oak barrels to develop and hint of vanilla and spice.

Rosé Wine

Rosé wine, with its enchanting hue that ranges from pale pink to deep magenta, is brunch essential and a summertime sensation.  Rosé wine strikes the  harmonious balance between the crispness of white wine and the fruitiness of red wine. The flavor profile is diverse, ranging from notes of strawberries, watermelon, and citrus to subtle herbal undertones.  Like red and white wine, rosé wine ranges from dry to sweet, and its properties range dramatically  depending on the grape varieties used and the winemaking techniques applied.  However, although rosé wine mirrors some of the flavors found in its red-wine namesakes, it does not contain the tannin levels in red wine.

Most rosé wine is made from red grapes – and it is a delicate and precise process.  After harvesting, the grapes are gently crushed, and the juice is allowed to interact with the grape skins for a specific duration. The winemaker carefully monitors this process to achieve the desired color and flavor profile. Once the ideal hue is attained, the juice is separated from the skins, and fermentation continues.  The result is a wine that encapsulates the essence of summer, ready to be savored and shared.

Rose Wines to Know:

Rose Wine	Sweetness	Flavor	Body	Origin Country
Cabernet Sauvignon	Semi-Dry	Cherry, Plum, Smoke	Light-Bodied
Grenache	Dry	Grapefruit, Watermelon, Herbs	Light-Bodied
Montepulciano	Semi-Sweet	Dried Fruit, Roses, Spices	Light-Bodied
Pink Muscato	Sweet	Stone Fruit and Berry	Light-Bodied
Pinot Noir	Dry	Melon, Peppercorn. Strawberry	Light-Bodied
Sangiovese	Dry or Semi-Sweet	Allspice, Clove, Red Fruits	Light-Bodied
Sparkling Rose	Semi-Sweet	Dried Fruit, Roses, Spices	Light-Bodied
Syrah	Semi-Dry	Cherry, Plum, Smoke	Light-Bodied
Tavel	Dry	Grapefruit, Watermelon, Herbs	Light-Bodied
Tempranillo	Dry	Melon, Peppercorn. Strawberry	Light-Bodied
White Merlot	Sweet	Melon, Rasberry. Strawberry	Light-Bodied
White Zinfandel	Sweet	Lemon, Orange, Pear, Flowers	Light-Bodied

Sparkling Wine

Bubbles make everything better!  The essential beverage at every celebration, and the constant brunch beverage bestie – sparkling wines make every gathering a bit more festive.  Sparkling wine can be made from any grape, and although white sparkling wines are the most popular, there are many delicious rosé and red varieties out there.  In addition to the effervescent bubbles, sparkling wines often deliver a crisp and refreshing flavor featuring notes of green apple, citrus, and a hint of yeast. 

Sparkling wine varies in style and anime based on where it is created and the methods used.  The Epitome of sparkling wine, Champagne is only produced int the Champagne region fo France.  It is made using the traditional method, in which it undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, resulting in fine signature bubbles. Champagne is further classified into styles such as Non-Vintage (NV), Vintage, Blanc de Blancs (made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes), and Blanc de Noirs (made from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier).

Hailing from the Veneto region in Italy, Prosecco is crafted using the Charmat method, where the secondary fermentation occurs in large stainless steel tanks. Known for its light and fruity profile, Prosecco tends to be more affordable than Champagne, making it a popular choice for casual celebrations.

Originating from Spain, Cava is another sparkling wine produced using the traditional method. It is typically made from indigenous grape varieties such as Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo. Cava often exhibits a dry and crisp profile, with citrus and almond notes. It offers a great alternative to Champagne at a more budget-friendly price point.          

With a strong growing reputation, California Sparkling Wines  offer a range of bubbly offerings. Often made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, these wines can vary from crisp and citrusy to rich and toasty. Many California sparkling wines are crafted using the traditional method.

And finally, Sparkling Rosé emphasizes red grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir or Grenache. Sparkling Rosé can range from dry to sweet, offering a spectrum of flavors from strawberry and raspberry to more complex notes.

Each type of sparkling wine brings its own charm to the table, providing a delightful array of options for any palate or occasion.

Sparkling Wine Varieties to Know:

Varieties	Sweetness	France	Spain	Italy	All Other Countries
Brut Nature	Dry	Champagne	Cava		Sparkling Wine
Extra Brut	Dry	Champagne	Cava		Sparkling Wine
Brut	Dry	Champagne	Cava	Prosecco	Sparkling Wine
Extra Dry	Fruity	Champagne	Cava	Prosecco	Sparkling Wine
Dry	Off-Dry	Champagne	Cava	Prosecco	Sparkling Wine
Demi-Sec	Sweet	Champagne	Cava		Sparkling Wine
Deux	Sweet	Champagne	Cava		Sparkling Wine

Spirits

There’s nothing spooky about the spirits found behind the bar, but they certainly can bring a great amount of cheer to any situation.  Alcoholic spirits all begin with some form of sugar being fermented and then brewed into ethanol.  This fermented creation is then distilled, where water is separated out, creating a higher alcohol concentration.  This second step gives spirits a much higher alcohol concentration (ABV, or Alcohol By Volume) than beer and wine, which is noted by the percentage or “proof” on the bottle.  The terms alcoholic terms spirits and liquor can be used interchangeably.

There are a handful of spirits – each with their own personalities – from the smoky depths of Scotch Whiskey the herbaceous notes of Gin, to the complex kick of Tequila, each with their own pure spirit families and offshoots with flavorful additions.  Almost any of them can be enjoyed on their own, and of course all of our spirits can be incorporated into and endless list of cool and colorful cocktails.

Let’s kick off our intro to the spirits world by meeting the six primary spirits, and some of their best know family members

Whiskey

Spirit Story:

Originally created in Italy for medicinal purposes, whiskey has spread its wings around the world and spawned numerous subfamilies with their own unique personalities.  All whiskeys start as a grain mash, which could include a mix of barley, corn, rye, and wheat, which is then distilled and aged in wooden casks before bottling.  With the wooden casks, whiskey develops its amber color and distinct flavor profile.  There are many types of whiskey, all which vary widely in color and flavor based on their country of origin, grain mix, and aging process.  Single Malt Whiskey is produced from a single grain in a single distillery, whereas Blended Whiskey is made from a mixture of different whiskeys, and there is not limit to how many different distilleries are involved.  Bourbon must be made in America with a specific percentage of corn and aged in newly charred white oak barrels, and Tennessee Whiskey is bourbon that must be filtered through sugar maple charcoal prior to barrel aging and be made in, well, Tennessee. Rye Whiskey must have at least 51% rye in its mash, and if it is made in the USA, also be stored in newly charred white oak barrels.  Irish Whiskey must be made from a mash of barley, cereal grain and malt, and distilled, aged and bottled in Ireland.  Scotch Whiskey must be distilled, aged, and bottled in Scotland, and both Irish Whiskey and Scotch whiskey must be barrel aged for at least three years.  Canadian Whiskey must be distilled, aged and bottled in Canada, and aged in barrels no larger than 700 liters, and although it does not need to be distilled or aged there, Japanese Whiskey must be bottled in Japan.   And finally, we cannot discuss Whiskey without mentioning Moonshine, whiskey that is distilled but never barrel aged, also known as the “white dog” – it’s got a bite!

Flavor:

• Bourbon – Vanilla, Caramel, Oak
• Tennessee Whiskey – A lighter version of Bourbon – Caramel, Vanilla, Oak
• Rye Whiskey – Spicy, Dry, Black Pepper and Clove
• Irish Whiskey – light, fruity, cereal grain notes, plus Caramel and Oak
• Scotch Whiskey – Malty, smokey, fruity and vanilla
• Canadian Whiskey – Varies widely due to different additions – can be spicy like rye, or sweeter with warm vanilla notes
• Japanese Whiskey – Dry, Smokey, Campfire

Best ways to enjoy:

• Neat – the most traditional way, sip and savor from a glass with ice
• Whiskey Sour – Whiskey + Lemon Juice + Sugar +Egg White (optional) – Shaken and served on the rocks – Garnished with an Orange Wheel and Maraschino Cherry
•  Manhattan – Whiskey + Sweet Vermouth + Angostura Bitters – Shaken and served straight up with a Brandied Cherry or Lemon Twist

Bourbon

Spirit Story:

Bourbon is whiskey that is only made in America.  All bourbon is whiskey, but not all Whiskey is Bourbon.  In addition to the stipulation that it is made in the USA, there are a few other qualifications that differentiate bourbon from Whiskey.  Bourbon must be created from a mash of over 51% corn, giving it a sweeter flavor than other whiskeys. The corn mash can be mixed with other grains such as wheat, barely, or rye but no other additives of colorings.  Bourbon is distilled to a maximum of 125 proof, then aged in a newly charred white oak barrel for a minimum of two years.  The aged bourbon will develop a smooth, rich flavor with notes of caramel, oak and vanilla.  The longer the bourbon ages in the barrel, the deeper the color and smoother flavor will develop. 

Flavor:

• Caramel, Oak and Vanilla

Best ways to enjoy:

• Neat – the most traditional way, sip and savor from a glass with ice
• Old Fashioned – Bourbon + Simple Syrup + Angostura Bitters – Served over an ice rock – Garnished with Orange Peel (Flaming if you’re fancy!) and Premium Maraschino Cherry
• Mint Julep – Bourbon + Muddled Mint, Sugar and Water – Served over shaved ice – Garnished with fresh Mint, Lemon and a Cherry

Gin

Spirit Story:

Tastes like a Christmas tree, but loved year round by cocktail enthusiasts.  Gin started it’s heyday in the 50’s and 60’s as the base of many popular cocktails, and most notably, the Dry Martini.  Vodka then came in and took some of Gin’s market space, but this versatile botanical spirit preserved and thrived once again.  In the 1980’s the world was introduced to the new blue Bomdaby sapphire, and Gin Stepped back into the spotlight, and has been on the rise ever since.

Gin begins as a neutral spirit made from barley or wheat, that is then flavored with juniper and botanicals.  Gin cannot be ever classified as Gin if it is not juniper berry forward.  Gin can be created in three main ways.  Column distilling, in which the botanicals are suspended above the liquid, allows the vapors to infuse into the liquid below.  This process creates smooth crisp gin in large batches.  Pot Distilling makes time for the original liquor distilled in a pot still to mingle and distill once more with juniper berries and botanicals, creating a smooth, well-rounded gin.  And finally, there is the OG classic, the compound method, where you combine the neutral spirit with the juniper and botanicals and let them steep for two weeks and then strain and  release the wild gin.

Flavor:

• Piney with a gentle sweetness

Best ways to enjoy:

• Gin and Tonic – Gin + Tonic – Served over Ice – Garnished with a Lime Wheel
• Gin Martini – Gin + Dry Vermouth – Shaken with ice – Served straight up with Olive or Lemon Twist
• Negroni – Gin + Campari + Vermouth – Stirred with ice- Pour over the rocks – Garnished with Orange Peel

Rum

Spirit Story:

A harmonious blend for sweetness and warmth, rum offers a diverse and flavor profile featuring notes of caramel, toffee and molasses.  Rum is one of the earliest known spirits thanks to its simple production method.  Rum got its big start in the Caribbean, where sugarcane flourished in the ideal island climate.  The process for making rum begins with the extraction of sugarcane molasses (or in some countries, sugarcane juice), which is then fermented with yeast to produce alcohol, and this is distilled to concentrate the alcohol content.  The rum can then be aged in stainless steel or wood barrels, where it can pick up different flavors from the wood. 

Rum is produced in over 80 countries around the world, and can vary greatly in alcohol content and flavor complexity. Light Rum is aged a year or more and them filtered to remove any coloring.  It has a light flavor, and is often found in a variety of cocktail recipes.  Gold Rum is aged for a few years in wood barrels, and features mellow flavirs of vanilla, almond, citrus, caramel or coconut.  This amber colored rum is also used in cocktails by those desiring a stronger flavor.  Dark Rum ages a bit longer in wood barrels, boasts a deeper flavor profile, and can be enjoyed on it’s own.  Although it is darkest in color, Black Rum has a light to medium body.  This rum is made from dark, sweet molasses and often aged in charred wood barrels, giving it a rich, toasted caramel flavor.  Black rum is a fun substitute in many whiskey cocktails, including an Old Fashioned.  Finally, flavor goes wild in the land of Spiced Rum.  Natural ingredients such as allspice, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla are often infused into the base rum to create a spicy flavor profile,  Other rums embrace a rainbow of fruit flavors, and are infused with tropical fuit extracts, including coconut, mango, pineapple, citrus, cherry or mint.  Spiced and Flavored rums are often paired with soda or fruit juices that complement their flavor profile.

Flavor:

• clean, sweet, spicy and sometime tropical

Best ways to enjoy:

• Light, Amber, Spiced and Flavored Rums are well suited to cocktails, where Dark and Black Rums are best sipped over ice.
• Classic Daquiri – Light rum + Lime + Simple Syrup – Shaken with ice – Served straight up
• Mojito – Light rum + Simple Syrup + Lime + Mint + Soda Water – Muddled and served over ice’
• Cuba Libre – Aged rum + Cola + Lime – Served over ice
• Mai Tai – Aged Rum + Orange Liqueur + Lime + Orgeat Syrup – Served over a big ice rock

Tequila

Spirit Story: 

Tequila began its tasty journey to the world’s tastebuds in the sunny fields of Jalisco, Mexico where the indigenous people harvested and fermented agave.  Spanish Conquistadors introduced the distillation process to transform the fermented juice into a more potent spirit.   Tequila production follows the original pattern today.  The agave plant, ideally the blue agave variety, are harvest and stripped down to the core.  This heart of the agave plant, called the pina, are slow cooked to convert their starches into fermentable sugar.  The roasted hearts are then crushed to extract the sweet sugary agave juice is combined with yeast and fermented to create a low alcohol liquid called “Mosto.’”  The Mosto is distilled two times to concentrate the flavor and remove impurities.  Some tequilas go straight into the bottle, while others continue their journey to flavortown by aging in wooden barrels.

There are 3 types of tequila – all with their own unique flavor profiles.  Blanco tequila, also known as Silver tequila,  is unaged, and retains the pure, natural flavors of agave.  These tequilas have a crisp fresh flavor with herbaceous notes, citrus and pepper, and a pronounced agave sweetness.  Reposado is aged in wooden barrels for at least two months but less than a year.   This aging process gives the tequila a pale straw color and it’s flavor is a more complex balance between the sweetness of agave and the influence of the barrel that can include flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak.  Añejo is aged in oak barrels for one to three years – giving it a deep amber color and complex flavor profile.  This aging process produces a smoother spirit with notes of butterscotch, chocolate, or dried fruit.

Flavor:

• Semi-earthy, and slightly sweet.  Aged Tequilas take on more caramel and oak flavors

Best ways to enjoy:

• Classic Margarita – Tequila + Cointreau + lime juice – Served over the rocks in a glass with a salted rim
• Paloma – Tequila + grapefruit + lime + simple syrup + soda water – Served on the rocks
• Ranch Water – Tequila + lime juice + Topo Chico

Vodka

Spirit Story:

With a name that originates from the Russian word for water, “Voda,” it is not surprising that vodka is a clear, neutral-flavored spirit that can be used in a wider variety of cocktails.  Vodka was originally called “bread wine” as the Russians experimented with fermenting grains, and the spirit rose to great popularity during the Russian Revolution, when the Russians took it with the to other parts of Northern Europe, including France, Poland and other regions of what is affectionately called the “Vodka Belt” today. 

Vodka can be made from a wide variety of base ingredients, ranging from grains such as rice, rye, or wheat, to vegetables and fruit like corn, potatoes, grapes, or apples.  The base ingredient will have an impact on the final flavor of the spirit.  The raw ingredients are mashed or crushed to extract the sugars which are then combined with yeast for fermentation.  The low alcohol liquid created is called a wash or mash – and this wash is distilled to increase it’s alcohol content.  Most vodkas go through “rectification” – or multiple distillations to create a cleaner, smoother spirit.  Classic vodka has little flavor, but many flavored vodkas have emerged – either infused with natural ingredients, or lab produced steeping ingredients have produced an endless array of flavored vodkas – including everything from black pepper, to vanilla,to fruit- forward and herbal and floral varieties.

Flavor:

• Neutral with little to no flavor

Best ways to enjoy:

• Vodka Martini – Vodka + trace of Vermouth – Shaken or stirred – served straight up or on the rocks and garnished with an olive
• Moscow Mule: Vodka + lime juice + ginger beer – Served over ice in a copper mug garnished with Mint and Lime
• Bloody Mary – Vodka + tomato juice + lemon juice + Worcestershire sauce + Tabasco sauce + celery salt + black pepper – Served over ice in a tajin-rimmed glass garnished with everything from celery and lime to shrimp and bacon

Happy Hour is only the beginning!

There is a whole wide world of beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, mocktails, juices, kombuchas and places to enjoy them to explore!  We will dive deep into the local craft beer scene here in Austin Texas and Beyond.  We will compare wines from Texas Hill Country to California Wine Country to the northern Coast.  And there is no limit to the cocktails we are ready to explore.  We will dive deep into the differences between Tequila and Mezcal, enlighten ourselves in the world of liqueurs, and seek out the most effective digestifs.  And then of course we will visit the glorious world of mixology, and learn how our favorite liquors can be transformed into awe-inspiring cocktails.  And of course happy hour doesn’t require a drop of alcohol – the world is now filled with delightful juices, mocktails and an endless array of legal vices to keep everyone happy and satisfied.  Thanks for joining us!  We look forward to enjoying this delightful and delicious journey with you! 

 Cheers!