Review - Love2Brew

I have been contemplating home brewing for almost 2 years now. It has been on my mind since I first stepped into bartending school. I immediately asked my school instructors, who merely said they serve beer but don't know anything about making it. It has been a slow start, since I have always felt overwhelmed and was not really sure where to start.

I was really excited when I found out about "Love2Brew" in North Brunswick, NJ. After researching the company I decided to sign up for one of their beginner Learn2Brew courses. I was surprised when I called and was told the classes are limited to 4 students. You are encouraged to ask questions and the classes offer personal attention.

I was given several hand-outs with clear instructions and we went through the brew process step-by-step. They were able to explain in a simplified manner and had all the equipment displayed so you could clearly see what they were referring to. After my class, I felt really confident about he home brewing process and was ready to make a purchase.

While money is a major concern for me, since I'm not working currently. The owner custom made a 1 gallon kit, to suit my specific needs. I purchased a blonde pale ale custom starter kit and also some strawberry flavoring. I was able to brew my first batch 3 days later, with complete confidence. The owner is also a beer enthusiast and is always available to answer any/all questions over the phone or by email.

I hope you will check out the store if you are considering home brewing too. Please follow the link below.
https://www.love2brew.com/

Website - Hard Cider News

I'm really glad I stumbled upon this website http://www.hardcidernews.com/ , which like the name says is everything you need to know about Hard Cider. Whether you are a fan of hard cider or looking to make hard cider there is something for you here.

I read about NY State Senator Charles E. Schumer, and his new CIDER Act, which will make cider production in NY more productive and attrative. The CIDER Act, Cider, Investment & Development through Excise Tax Reduction Act, will modernize the definition for hard apple and pear cider in the Internal Revenue Code to increase their allowed alcohol by volume from 7 percent to 8.5 percent, encompassing significantly more hard cider products and allowing them to be labeled and taxed like hard cider, rather than wine as it currently is.

There are articles on current brewers and new products. McKenzie’s Hard Cider has announced the release of a new cider style, Lazy Lemon, a gluten free lemonade cider. It has a burst of citrus without the acidic bite.

Lazy Lemon will be available in both package and draft beginning in April in select locations in NY, NH, ME, MA, OH, MI, FL, OK and VT. McKenzie’s Hard Cider is coming soon to CT, NJ, PA, TX and WI.

There was even a spotlight on a current kickstarter campaign to fund a new Hard Cider Public Taproom in Portland, Oregon.  Please follow this link for more information and to help fund this project.

Reverend Nat's Hard Cider Public Taproom

White House Home Brew

Many of you you are aware that President Obama has been home brewing in the White House. He is not the first president to home brew, however he is the first to brew in the White House. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were also home brewers.

Since I recently started home brewing myself. I thought it would be fun to try out his recipes.

Raven Drink Recipes

The Raven

Ingredients:

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz rum
• 1 oz blue curacao
• 1/2 oz Chambord

Preparation:

1. Pour the vodka, rum and blue curacao into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Slowly pour the Chambord over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top. 

 The Baltimore Bracer

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces brandy
• 1 1/2 ounces anisette
• 1 egg white

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

The Baltimore Bang

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounce bourbon whiskey
• 1 1/2 ounce apricot brandy
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

 

 

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a skewered orange slice and cherry flag.

49ers Drink Recipe

The Gold mine

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce Scotch whiskey
• 1/2 ounce Galliano liqueur
• 1/2 ounce sweet sherry
• 1 tsp egg white
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce lemonade
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the whiskey, liqueur, sherry, egg white, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
4. Top with lemonade.
5. Garnish with a skewered orange slice and cherry flag

The Frisco Sour

The Frisco Sour is very similar to the Whiskey Sour, it uses blended whiskey and  the Cognac-based Benedictine.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz blended whiskey
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz Benedictine
• lemon slice for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a sour glass.
4. Garnish with the lemon slice.

Print your own wine or beer labels

This is a really good idea for any themed party you are planning to have, why not  print your own labels? This is also a great idea for gift giving. Personalized bottles can be created from your home using these labels and a printer.

Follow this link to purchase

Avery Textured Print-To-The-Edge Arched Labels

Groupon Deal - Personalized Wine Labels purchase by midnight 2/5

This is a really great deal for personalized wine labels. They can be used for a wedding, bachelorette party, anniversary, birthday, or any celebration.

The deal is :

• $24 for 24 labels ($60 list price)
• $38 for 48 labels ($120 list price)
• $49 for 100 labels ($250 list price)

with free shipping to be purchased from PersonalWine.com

Follow this groupon link to purchase Groupon.

Purchase your groupon by midnight February 5, 2013 and use by April 6, 2013