Three Philosophers

If you haven't tried this beer, I HIGHLY recommend it. I have been obsessed with this beer lately, and can't stop drinking it. Er, maybe that's a problem?

I first heard of this beer at work, and ever since have seen it (thankfully) just about everywhere- from restaurants in DC to my local grocery store. Ommegang Brewery is located in upstate New York, where it seems like many a great alcohol is being produced. From what I've learned in some basic internet research, the Belgian-style based brews are the Brewery's specialty, and just based on their website alone, they seem to infuse so much care and attention to each batch that is produced.

Back to the star of this blog post- the drink is so rich, so complex, so luscious. Chocolaty, Cherry infused, malty and smooth, I can picture it served both extra cold or, as I prefer, closer to room temperature, and perfect with cheeses, red meats, and by itself as a digestif. I don't know if my Cali homies will have the pleasure of finding this beer around, and I'm not for the cross-country transportation (and the fossil fuel consumption that it requires) of foodstuff, but for Three Philosophers I might make an exception. It's just that damn good.

Tuthilltown Distillery/Hudson Valley Whiskey

The torrential downpour Saturday night left some of the clearest, bluest skies I've yet to see in New York on Sunday morning.

What better day to take a trip upstate to see Fall foliage and, while we're at it, have a whiskey tour/tasting?

(View of the city from the Wburg bridge)

Tuthilltown (pronounced "Tuttle-town") Distilleries is about 90 miles out and up from New York City, with the nearest "big" town being New Paltz. It has some of the most gorgeous mountain ranges and is particularly known for their outdoor activities, most especially as a climbing mecca with some of the best climbers coming in from all over New York.

The Distillery, occupying a much smaller plot of land than expected (think small farm operation), was founded a mere six years ago by an entrepreneurial climber (Ralph) as more of an enthusiastic business idea rather than any sort of passed-down brewer's secret craft. What struck me the most was their dedication and particularity about their product, as well as their enthusiasm for the industry as a whole. Tuthilltown became the first whiskey distillers in the state of New York to produce in-house since prohibition. Respectably, they are also vehement in their efforts and largely responsible for passing bills allowing distilleries to have tasting rooms and sell on-location, as well as pushing for the DEA to recognize their industry as farms, rather than industrial plants.

My favorite part of Tuthilltown was seeing the bottling process. Although their production has doubled in the last two years (they aim to one day produce 30,000 gallons of whiskey a year), the distillery still makes it a point to hand-craft their product from start to finish. They purchase their grain and corn from a neighboring farm, make the whiskey in-house in old-fashioned looking distilling machines, store the moonshine in varying sizes of oak barrels depending on the batch, bottle each individual bottle by hand (including the wax seal, the label, and an individual HAND-WRITTEN number for each bottle that goes out) and distribute from the distillery.

Check out their 4-Grain Whiskey. It's by newest love.

Kombucha Kegger

Are you on the kombucha train? As much as I hate to take part in anything that's a "what's hot" item, I am pretty into this. Not so much into the over-marketed $5 bottles of Kombucha that they sell at whole foods/at every deli in Brooklyn, but whatever, it's good stuff.

Now there's a local brewer of the fizzy fermented drink. There's a big party on Saturday at my local beer shoppe, Brouwerij Lane, to celebrate the very first keg of Kombucha. BYOG- bring your own Growlers! Amazing! As the flier notes, go in between 6-10pm and yell "Drink the Revolution!" and you'll get a free glass.

I'm there.

Brouwerij Lane

78 Greenpoint Avenue

Brooklyn 11222

Kombucha Kegger, 6-10pm

Sabado Gigante

I've been meaning to write about Saturday for the entire week, but just kept putting it off. I just meant to brag about what a deliciously funtastic day I had.

After brunch with Tanya and her family, I strolled around the West Village for hours, listening to an Etta James station programmed into my Pandora Mobile. It was the first time I've let myself wander, get lost, and end up walking around in circles, since I first arrived in New York. I bought my first peach of the season at the Abingdon Sq. farmers market (and oh what a fine peach it was), walked by the cheesy 14th St. street fair, stepped into the WVil Branch of the NY Public Library and read some books on calligraphy (nerdalert), checked out the public pool, and walked by Little Owl no less than five times (I don't think I'm exaggerating).

Finally I was able to cajole a friend into hanging out with me, and we decided to go for 3pm Saturday afternoon drinks at Cabrito. For anyone who is thinking of getting drinks on a fine weekend afternoon, I highly recommend it. The place was empty, the bartenders were friendly (from California, so duh), it was temperate (VERY important in NY summers), and the drinks were tasty. I would also recommend with going with a cool friend like I did, but that's up to you.

Cabrito

Mexican fare

50 Carmine Street

NY NY 10014

Image via Eater

Wants and Needs, mostly Wants.

Big Sigh. My 'I Must Get This List' is growing. Here is my newest addition, which is going to the top of the list, a home carbonating appliance. The Sodastream Penguin. A few pumps and voila!, you have soda water without the waste of plastic bottles.

I will settle for their less-fancy model, the Sodastream Pure Jet, which for the economical price of $89.99 gives me all the bubbly pleasure I can ask for!!! Goal is two have this in my home within the next couple of months...