In the last post, we covered digestivs. We listed a few famous ones, but we neglected Cynar. Cynar is a liqueur that happens to feature artichokes (Cynara scolymus), of all things.

Although most people associate fruits and grains with alcohol beverage production — well before vegetables — the use of vegetables is extremely common. Potatoes and beets are widely used to make spirits. I don’t see a lot of artichoke wines, or those made from potatoes or beets, but here is at least one vegetable wine.

[via bevlog]

• On deck–ESB for the St. Paddy’s Day Parade
• Primary1-empty
• Primary2-Double IPA
• Secondary1-Ryan’s Face Puncher IPA
• Secondary2-Chinook IPA

Cheers,

Matt

Continuing our education of the unenlightened about all things Dude-like, we’d like to drop a little piece of trivia on you: The Dude consumes 9 White Russians over the course of The Big Lebowski. We’re not going to admit to participating in any sort of drinking game where we drink when the Dude drinks, but if, theoretically, we were to play, that’s a lot of White Russians, man. Avoid the nasty cream, sugar and alcohol induced hangover with the delicious alternative of White Russian Lollipops ($10 for 4) from Lollyphile.

[via Outblush]

Ever wish you could take a Jägermeister shot machine with you camping, tailgating, and partying? Now you can, with the Jägermeister 6-Bottle Shot Cooler ($120). Available as a six-bottle value pack, the cooler has plenty of room for all six bottles, ice, and the requisite cans of Red Bull, and uses the same tech as the Jägermeister Tap Machine to deliver ice-cold shots straight from the external tap.

[via Uncrate]

It’s a brand of milky Russian Vodka called “Sexy Tina,” containing Irish Cream and weighs in at a hearty 35% alcohol, but what makes it so special is the breast-shaped bottle.

The breast shaped bottle was designed by a Russian designer, Pavel Gubin.

[via The Inquisitr]

[Yamazaki 12-Year Old Single Malt Whisky via Gear Patrol]

If I can get Jeremiah Weed to reply back to my email question regarding sugar content, I may give this a vodka a try. I ♥ iced tea. I sweeten mine with Splenda, not real sugar.

My friend Ryan says “judging by the bottle that is a nasty version.” Ryan likes Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

[via]

UPDATE [1:08 PM 5/27/2009]: I just got an email back from the Jeremiah Weed folks: “Thanks for your note. We use natural cane sugar and real fresh brewed tea. Hope that helps.”

UPDATE [8:55 PM 5/27/2008]: SWEET! They just emailed me back and they’re sending me a t-shirt! WOOT!

We grill out a lot at the BBBC. Mostly at G Dub’s house or Matiswann’s house. A clean grill is certainly a necessity. Who knows, this new marvel of a brush may come in handy when you are grilling out.

[Grill Daddy Pro Grill Brush at Uncrate]

HISTORY: “The blackberries we use in Samuel Adams® Blackberry Witbier are perfect for this brew. They deliver a subtle sweetness that balances the traditional citrus flavors from the witbier. The blackberries used in Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier are sourced from family farms, located at the foot of the Oregon Trail and Cascade Mountains in Western Oregon, where they have been growing some of the best blackberries in the world for centuries. By bringing the blackberries, orange and coriander together with an appealing malt character and a spiciness from the hops, we’ve brewed a flavorful beer with a smooth finish that’s both sweet and tart.”

I am not big fan of fruity beers as a whole. Yes, despite Oberon’s ‘either-it-is-or-it-isn’t’ mentality, I still like it but I prefer if you’d keep your orange slices for the fruit salad. Anyway, that being said, I did consider a fruit-infused Sam Adams selection and I have to admit: blackberry and a crisp German brew make fine bedfellows. Not to mention the fact that Sam Adams knows what they’re doing.

You really don’t even have to get your nose right in there to waft in the blackberry aroma. This beer smells like an orchard in a light breeze: clean, fruity, and even that hint of wheat on the back end. It’s a nice smell, especially for someone like me who had a mulberry tree in his yard as a teen. Quite the similar smell.

It’s color is a nice light amber almost Pilsner hue, but it’s no doubt a ‘white beer’ (witbier). A closer nose brings out even another faint fruitiness in citrus peel and our old friend coriander. There’s just something so nice and friendly about a German brew including coriander. Yum.

Swirl a bit, open that sucker up, and sip away. The fruit plays nicely on the tongue really complimenting the wheatiness and the slightly shy coriander. It’s a tad bitter, but that’s nearly buried under the honey-like smooth sweetness. It is a very tasty beer, regardless of the heaviness of the fruit. Blackberries make for a nice mouth feel. The hops kick in right at the end and follow up the tangy sweets with a nice spice that hangs out for a good while. This really has all the tastes covered. I think there might even be a savory element in here somewhere. I need another just to be sure. This beer would be super with pork or lamb.

RATING: * * * * 1/2
Though I’m still not a fruity beer fan per se, this one has nudged me further toward that side for sure.

[via]