In My absence . . ..

I know I haven't been posting any articles and events lately. I've been too busy with school, I'm taking web design and web marketing classes. I will be  back in January with an even better site, with more features and pages.

For now if you are looking for beer/wine events please check out these links.
http://www.njbeerevents.com/
http://www.nycbeerevents.com/
http://beeradvocate.com/events/calendar/2012/11
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Those are my favorites. If you have any questions or would like me to write about your establishment or post an event please message me at i.love.drinkingisasport@gmail.com.

~Melodie

Event - Fluffy Fashions' Fall Preview Fashion Show - Thursday September 27, 2012

Fluffy Fashions will present their Fall Preview at the Rail House 1449 Restaurant in Rahway NJ. There is a cocktail hour from 6-7pm and the show starts at 7pm. For a $30 ticket you will receive a food sampling from the Rail House's fine menu and be privileged to preview one of a kind hand crocheted hats, shawls, dresses, skirts, and accessories.  You will also have the opportunity to meet the designer herself, Ms. Juanita Rochelle.

For more information and to purchase tickets please contact Juanita Rochelle at (908) 222-6147

The Rail House 1449 

1449 Irving Street

  

 Rahway, NJ 07065




The Fashion show will take place in the outdoor patio area, weather permitting. If the weather is acting up, the show will be moved indoors to the Rail House new building adjacent to the restaurant.

Event - Das Best Oktoberfest - October 20, 2012

On Saturday October 20, 2012 LA Venue in NYC will host Oktober Fest. There will be two sessions:

Session 1: Noon to 4pm (Last call at 3:45pm) 

Session 2: 5:30pm to 9:30pm (Last call at 9:15pm) 

Tickets at $76 in advance or $85 if purchase on-site. The price of the ticket includes unlimited sampling from over 200 International beers, wines and schnapps, a souvenir mug, admittance to beer garden area, and live music, including polka, accordion, klezmer and oompa bands. There will also be live dancing, schuhplattler dancers, traditional Bavarian entertainment and alpine horns. Food will also be available for purchase seperately.

la.venue  
608 West 28th Street

New York, NY 10001 

Event - Underground Bartenders Tell Tales and Pour Classics - August 23, 2012

I wasn't aware that the Strand Bookstore in NYC hosts drink events.  To my surprise they will be hosting an event in their rare books room on August 23, 2012. The event cost is the purchase of a $15 gift card to the store. Essentially you are getting the class for free and can use the gift card to buy books on mixing drinks. One tasting cocktail is included in the cost of the class.
In this class you’ll learn tricks and tips from some of the best underground bartenders in New York. The instructors have bartended at Elsa, Hotel Delmano, Ace Hotel, Milk & Honey, Marquee, Cabin Down Under, and Lovers of Today.



To purchase a gift card/ticket to the event follow this link
TICKETS



Strand Bookstore
Rare Book Room, 3rd floor
828 Broadway (12th Street)
 New York, NY 10003

Event - Rock Hops Craft Beer Festival August 11, 2012

On August 11, 2012 The Rocks Hops American Music & Craft Beer Tasting will take place at Mercer County Park, NJ. This is a music and "craft beer" festival. The headliners is Dark Star Orchestra; with supporting performances from Bernie Worrell Orchestra,Citizens Band Radio,Quimby Mountain Band, and Lucid.
For a list  of breweries follow this link http://rockhops.com/breweries . Beer will be sold by the cup, however there is also a VIP package available. For $65 the VIP Tasting package, includes a rare beer tasting in Connoisseur Pavilion (tasting open from 3:30PM - 6:00 PM).  Featuring an extensive variety of select, rare artisanally produced creations from America’s top breweries, with selections curated by John Holl, Author & Beer Judge: and John Kleinchester, Founder of Beertography.com.  

Regular tickets are $35 dollars and both tickets can be purchased following the link below.
http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/123075?utm_medium=bks


Living Social is also currently  offering Rock Hops tickets at a discount price of $17. This is a great price but won't be offered for much longer.
http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/517-mercer-middlesex-counties/deals/414330-all-day-rock-hops-pass

Rock Hops Craft Beer Festival
Mercer County Park
334 South Post Rd
West Windsor, NJ 08550

Event - Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival

Just a reminder that the "Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival" is this weekend July 26-July29. There are some amazing events like The Grand Market & Italian Village, a Cheese-Steak tasting party, Tacos and Tequila, Blind Wine Tasting, Spanish Wines, and more.

For information on session and to purchase tickets follow this link
http://www.harrahs.com/acfoodandwine/#page=events

Event - Cape May Craft Beer & Crab Festival August 11, 2012

 

On August 11, 2012 the Physick Estate Grounds will host the the First Annual "Cape May Craft Beer and Crab Festival." The festival will feature steamed crab, craft beer, a home brewing contest, a farmer's marked, rides, crafts, food vendors, and live music. Admission to the event is free and you pay for what you purchase. This is an all ages events and a perfect family outing.

For more information visit their facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/CapeMayCraftBeerCrabFestival

 Cape May Craft Beer and Crab Festival

1048 Washington St

Cape May, New Jersey 08204

Admission: FREE

Event - Brooklyn Waterfront Beer Festival June 16, 2012

The Hand Crafted Tasting Company will host the Brooklyn Waterfront Beer Festival at 5 North 11th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, June 16, 2012.

There will be two sessions:
Session 1
VIP/Connoisseurs Hour: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM 
General Admission: 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Musical guests include The Nepotist, They Suit & Tyree & Bigg Thurrsty, Isle of Rhodes
Session 2
VIP/Connoisseurs Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
General Admission: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Musical guests include The Nepotist, In Like Lions, Vinyette

Over 150 beers will be on-hand, with breweries showcasing their limited release and seasonal brews.
Use this link to purchase tickets. 

Connoisseur Package
Extra advance hour of tastings
Access to Connoisseurs Lounge & Waterfront Deck for entire session
Extra rare beer tastings in Connoisseur's Lounge
Souvenir tasting glass
Access to seminars
Complimentary Finger food provided by MexiBBQ
Advance: $125
At Door: $135

VIP Ticket
Extra advance hour of tastings
Souvenir tasting glass
Over 150 craft & specialty beer samplings
Access to seminars
Entertainment
Advance: $75
At Door: $85

General Admission Ticket
Unlimited beer tastings
Souvenir tasting glass
Over 150 craft & specialty beer samplings
Access to seminars
Entertainment
 Advance: $55
At Door: $65
For more information visit the official website www.bkbeerfest.com

Review- Champagne Lollipops

This is a great after dinner treat for party guests. It's a Champagne lollipop with gold flakes in it, very upscale and yummy. It is being sold by the British department store "Harvey Nicols" for 4.95 pounds.
Follow this link to purchase Champagne Lollipops.

Recipe - Sangria

• 1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
• 1 Lemon cut into wedges
• 1 Orange cut into wedges
• 1 Lime cut into wedges
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• Splash of orange juice or lemonade
• 2 Shots of gin or triple sec or brandy (optional)
• 1 Cup of raspberries or strawberries (may use thawed or frozen)
• 1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
• 4 Cups ginger ale

Preparation:

Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and pineapple then add sugar, orange juice and gin. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving.

Use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.

The great thing about sangria is it tastes great and different with many different fruits. I've made it with apples, peaches, and mango. Don't be afraid to try some new combinations and you can even add different fruit juices as substitutes for the OJ.

Feliez Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!! I hope you are all heading out to Mexican restaurants tonight to celebrate the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862,

My recommendations for today is to try  Bud Light's new Lime-A-Rita. It's the only ready-to-drink margarita with a refreshing twist of Bud Light Lime. Since Bud Light Lime is my favorite beer, I can't wait to try this. Available where Bud Light Lime is sold

Event - Garden State Beer Expo - June 2, 2012

Another NJ Beer event, The Garden State Beer Expo will take place on June 2, 2012 at the PNC Banks Art Center. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 the day of. There will be two sessions to choose from 12-3:30pm or 5:30-9pm. 


For more information visit the official website http://www.gardenstatebeerexpo.com

Event - Manhattan Cocktail Classic May 11-15, 2012

The 2012 Manhattan Cocktail Classic takes place from May 11-15th in various locations around New York City. The opening night Gala will once again take place at the spectacular main branch of The New York Public Library, this even will feature over twenty-five thousand cocktails.
The five-day Industry Invitational will take place at the Andaz 5th Avenue Hotel, which is comprised of lectures, panel discussions, technology demos, networking opportunities, exclusive tastings, cocktail competitions, hospitality suites, and more. The Industry Invitational is open by invitation only to hospitality industry professionals and media, and will run Saturday, May 12 through Tuesday, May 15 from approximately 11am until 7pm each day. The full calendar of events is available at this link Industy Invitational Calendar . If you are industry or press please register here Credentials. 

All other events and activities will take place at various and sundry bars, restaurants, museums, barbershops, theaters, galleries, and event spaces throughout the boroughs. For a listing of events and to buy tickets follow this link http://tickets.manhattancocktailclassic.com/

Event - TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival

On April 28th & 29th, 2012 Hunter Mountain Retort will host the "TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival." This is a craft beer festival, which will feature 50 breweries pouring over 200+ beers. Check out the beer list here http://www.tap-ny.com/beer_list_2012.html

This year's food sampling will feature Caribbean food. There will also be live music and awards giving for the best beer.

To read more about this event, visit the official website http://www.tap-ny.com/

Tickets are sold on-line only. 
Ticket Prices:
Advance Sale:

• Saturday: $64
• Sunday: $52
• Two-Day: $105
• Designated Driver (Sat. or Sun.): $20

Purchase Tickets Online

Prices above do not include NYS Sales Tax, which will be added at the time of purchase.

Event - Grand Opening "Wegmans Wine, Liquor & Beer"

On Saturday April 28, 2012 a new store will be opening in the Wegmans in Woodbridge, NJ. They will be hosting several tastings on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Saturday
10am-1pm Moet Chandon Brut Imperial Tasting
12pm-5pm Jose Cuervo Tequila Bottle Engraving
1pm-4pm Louis Jadot Wine Tasting & Pierre Henry Gagey (managing director) will be signing bottles
Sunday
12pm-3pm Goose Island Brewery Beer Tasting

Wegmans "Wine, Liquor & Beer"
15 Woodbridge Center Dr.
Woodbridge, NJ
(732) 596-3268

Event - Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival 2012

Caesars' and the Food Newark  will host the 6th Annual "Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival 2012" from Thursday July 26th-Sunday July 29th.

This years highlights include:

 Friday July 27th

New Jersey Says “Drink my Beer”

Time: 10:00pm - 12:00am

Price: $55

Location: Spa Deck

Unique open-air event featuring craft brewers throughout New Jersey introducing you to their libations.

Worship Wine

Time: 10:00pm - 1:00am

Price: $50

Location: Club Worship

Fusion of fine wines and fine art and Music.

Saturday July 28th

The Blind Leading the Blind: The Ultimate Mystery Wine Tasting

Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm

Price: $45

Location: Mia

Everyone feels smart and comfortable when you know what you are drinking. But what about when you don't know about a wine's identity.

Blues, Brews & BBQ

Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Price: $65

Location: Main Lot

Hand-crafted beer, BBQ from Special guest host & live music by Gary Clark Jr., Eric Gales and Patrick Droney.

Sunday July 29th

A Tasting of Bourbon and Scotch Whiskey boardwalk

Time: 6:00pm -

Price: $40

Location: Boardwalk

Tasting, The Excitement of brown Goods in the Marketplace, Can Scotch Ever Replace Vodka, How do you use these products in cocktails, history of these products (fun stories based on lore or actual facts).

Blushing Beyond White Zinfandel

Time: 8:00pm -

Price: $40

Location: Boardwalk

Beyond the prolific White Zinfandel there are a host of fantastic roses crafted from around the world.

Drew Estate Cigar & Whiskey Gala

Time: 10:00pm - 12:00am

Price: $90

Location: Spa Deck

Interactive cigar and whiskey sampling hosted by Jonathan Drew & Marvin Samel.

Wine Down 101: Fast Track to Wine Expertise:

Time: 10:00pm -

Price: $40

Location: Boardwalk

Join wine icon Michael Green as he leads you through a fast paced and fun introduction to the world of wine.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the official website
 http://www.harrahs.com/acfoodandwine/#page=about

Event - Big Brew Beer Festival - May 4 & 5 2012

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Big Brew Beer Festival in Somerset, NJ.
There will be 3 sessions
Friday     May 4   7-11pm (The Nerds)
Saturday May 5   12-4pm (The Tropical Storm Band)
Saturday May 5   6-10pm (Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes)
You must be 21+ to enter.
Tickets are $50 online or $60 at the gate.
Purchase tickets using this link https://tickets.bigbrewbeerfestival.com/

This event is being held at
The Garden State Expo Center
50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ 07883

You will be able to sample beer, tequila, and food. In addition to live music, mariachi, and ride the mechanical bull!
visit the official site for more information http://bigbrewbeerfestival.com/

Event - Garden State Brewfest

The Garden State Brewfest takes place on Saturday May 12th from 2:00PM - 6:00PM. It will be held at:
Mt Carmel Society Fairgrounds
56 River Road
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Tickets are :
$40 (after 4/1/2012)
5 Pack    $160 (1 free ticket)
Designated Drivers    $10
Entry is for 21+ and everyone must show ID.
Included in the ticket price is a 2oz. sampling glass to taste from.




Local brewers and local bands will be on hand. there will also be a home brewer competition. Follow this link for more information. http://www.njbeerfest.com/

Review - Barefoot Wine & Bubbly

Barefoot Wines is one of the best cheap wines out there. They offer white, red, moscato (sweet), and champagne/sparkling wine. Bottles start at $6.99 and can be found in most liquor stores. The wines are crispy and rich in flavor without an aftertaste. My favorites are the white Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, the red Sweet Red wine, and   Brut Cuvee, Extra Dry, and Pink Moscato Champagnes. There are a lot of great recipes on their website, follow this link http://www.barefootwine.com/recipes. 

The company's motto is “good things happen to those who do good.” They are involved in a number of charities including cleaning up the beach in California, where they are headquartered. Watch this video "One Beach" to find out more.

Competition - NJ Homebrew Showdown April 6

Entries are currently being collected for the Star Ledger's "NJ Homebrew Showdown." Submissions are due on April 6. They can be dropped off at:

1-The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger Plaza (Court Street at University Avenue), Newark.
2-North Jersey HomeBrew, 358 Lafayette Road (Route 15), Sparta; (973) 383-2739; njhomebrew.com
3-Oak Tree Wine & Spirits, 902 Oak Tree Road, South Plainfield; (908) 561-0051; oaktreebuyrite.com
4-Princeton Homebrew, 208 Sanhican Drive, Trenton; (609) 252-1800; solarhomebrew.com

Bottles can be 12 or 16 ounces, but not growlers.
The following information must be on a label or piece of paper attached to the bottle (the judges will not see the information; it will be covered during judging):
Name
Address
Home or cell number
E-mail
Style of beer
General ingredients

I'm not sure what the prize is, but I'm sure bragging rights will due.

visit this article online http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2012/03/jersey_homebrew_showdown.html

Bartending For a Cause

In addition of writing for this blog I am also a NJ state certified bartender. I have held my license since November 2010. I attended National Bartenders School in Woodbridge, NJ where I trained in a real bar environment. I attended classes for martinis, manhattans, Rob Roys, cream drinks, after dinner drinks, highball drinks, two liquor drinks, wines, champagne, coffees, frozen drinks, collins, sours, and shots. I learned bar set-up, clean-up/closing, customer service, and NJ State laws.
I have experience bartending at fundraisers, charitable events, fashion shows, parties, and beer festivals. I am available to bartend at your fundraiser/charitable event gratis. My resume and references are available upon request. Please email i.love.drinkingisasport@gmail.com for more information.

~Melodie
(NJ Beer Girl)

Event - Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival

The 7th Annual "Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival" will be held this weekend on March 30 &31. Over 80 local/national breweries will feature a variety of craft beers. Local favorites will be on hand, such as Cape May Brewing Co., Brooklyn Brewery, Carton Brewing, Cricket Hill, Shmaltz, Kane Brewing Co., and NJ Beer Co. This event is a must for any craft beer enthusiast or home brewer. You will be able to speak with representatives from the featured breweries. In addition there will also be culinary demonstrations, beer seminars, and vendors selling food/clothing.

There are three sessions:
Friday March 30: 7-11pm
Saturday March 31: 12-4pm
Saturday March 31: 6-10pm

This year features an expanded musical line up including:
Friday March 30 - Session 1
7:15pm Muscle Shoals Revival
8:00pmThe Apache Match
8:30pm Stellar Corpses
9:30pm Nicos Gun
10:15 pm Marky Ramone's Blitzkreig


Saturday March 31 - Session 2
12:15pm Who Dat
12:45pm Kyle Mc Gill
1:15pm Griz
1:45pm New Sweden
2:30pm Tsunami Rising
3:15pm Turf War

Saturday March 31 - Session 3
6:15pm Full Blown Cherry
7:00pm The Bailey Hounds
7:45pm Strawberry Jam
8:30pm Even the Slept
9:15pm Brick + Mortar

Tickets can be purchased online from ticketmaster for $50/per ticket.

More information can be found on the "Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival" website http://www.celebrationofthesuds.com/

The Atlantic City Convention Center
1 Miss America Way
Atlantic City NJ 08401

Please drink responsibly!! Saddle River Tours offers buses from various NJ locations, with a casino credit refund of a portion of your bus ticket.

Event - Funky Jewbelation Release

One of my favorite brewing companies Shmaltz Brewing Co. is releasing it's newest barrel aged beer " Funky Jewbelation" on Tuesday March 27. The party will be held from 7-9pm at:
Rattle and Hum

14 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016

Shmaltz Brewing Company has a variety of craft beers under HE'BREW beer and Coney Island Brewery. The Coney Island Brewing Company is located in Coney Island and is the world smallest brewery. You are welcome to visit them and take the tour.

Exhibit - "Beer Here" @ New York Historical Society

The New York Historical society will be hosting a new exhibit on brewing in New York. It will run from May 25, 2012 to September 2, 2012. The exhibit "Beer Here: Brewing New York's History" will examine the production/sale and social aspects of beer in NYC from the 17th century to the present.


This is perfect for any history buffs. This is a summary from their website:
Beer has been brewed in New York City and State since the days of its earliest European settlement, when it was a vital source of nourishment and tax revenues. Brewing continued locally and statewide throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and for much of the nineteenth century New York State was home to one of the country’s largest brewing industries. Early nineteenth-century development of New York State’s hop farming industry was vital to this growth, and from the 1840s through the 1880s the state was the largest producer of hops in the United States.

There will also be an opportunity to sample some beers, there is a small beer hall that will feature a selection of favorite New York City and State artisanal beers.

To read more about the exhibit check out the New York Historical Society Website.
www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/beer-here

Coulthard's Brewery built in 1792

New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024
Phone (212) 873-3400

Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday - 10 am-6 pm
Friday- 10am - 8pm
Sunday - 11 am-5 pm
Monday - CLOSED

Happy National Potato Chip Day - Potato Beer

March 14 is National Potato Chip Day. What better way to celebrate than trying some Potato Beer.

There are many recipes out there. Here is a sample of one. I am not a home brewer so I'm a little lost here. I'm hoping a home brewer can try this and let me know how it tastes.



If you are looking to purchase brewed beer try these links:
http://www.lazymagnolia.com/ourbeer.php
www.beeradvocate.com
Full Sail Sessions Lager


Spiced Sweet Potato Ale

Starting Gravity: 1.050 (9/7/09) Days @ 68º F
Final Gravity: 1.010 (9/23/09)
5.23% alcohol (by volume)
Apparent Attenuation: 79.31
Real Attenuation: 64.36

Mash (@152º 90 min)
11 lb Maris Otter
0.5 lb Crystal 40
0.5 lb Crystal 105
0.25 Special B Malt
0.25 Melanoidin Malt
4 lbs NC Sweet Potatoes (Baked for 90 minutes at 350 degrees, peeled and mashed)

Boil (60 minute boil)
0.25 Hallertauer Pellets (3.7 AA) (60 min)
0.20 EK Goldings Pellets (4.75 AA) (60 min)
0.33 Horizon Pellets (10.9 AA) (60 min)
0.25 Nugget Leaves (Homegrown) (12.0 AA) (60 min)

Spices at flame out:
1 Cinnamon Stick
1/8 tsp Nutmeg (ground)

1 tablet Whirlfloc (Boil – 15 min.)
½ tsp Brewer’s Choice Wyeast Nutrient Blend (Boil – 10 min.)

Primary (68º F)

Safale S-04 English Ale

Spices made in tea and added to Primary after fermentation:
1/2 tsp Allspice (ground)
1/8 tsp Ginger (ground)
1/8 tsp Nutmeg (ground)

Recipe - Bobby Flay's Spiked Milkshakes

Bobby's Flays book "Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries & Shakes" features many shakes and adult spiked shakes. In 2010 Bobby Flay opened a chain of restaurants know as Bobby's Burger Palace where you can try his shakes. If you feel like making them at home you can get the recipes from the book. Here are a sample of two spiked shakes recipes.



Vanilla Bean Burbon Milkshake

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 fresh vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (reserve pod for another use)
• 11 ounces premium vanilla ice cream (about 1 3/4 packed cups)
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) bourbon

  Combine the milk, bourbon, and vanilla bean seeds in the blender and blend until combined, about 5 seconds. Add the ice cream and blend until smooth, about 10 seconds.
  
  Mocha-Caramel-Kahlúa Milkshake

• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 3 tablespoons caramel sauce, plus more for garnish
• 11 ounces premium vanilla ice cream (about 1 3/4 packed cups)
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Kahlúa
• Freshly whipped cream
• Chocolate-covered espresso beans, for garnish (optional)

Combine the milk, espresso powder, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and Kahlúa in a blender and blend until combined, about 5 seconds. Add the ice cream and blend until smooth, about 10 seconds. Serve immediately, garnished with the whipped cream and chocolate-covered espresso beans and a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.

Follow this link to purchase the book from amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Bobby-Flays-Burgers-Fries-Shakes/dp/0307460630/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331062686&sr=8-1

Recipe - Spiked Shamrock Shake

Starting March 1, Mc Donald's has brought the Shamrock Shake back to most locations. This has always been one of my favorite shakes. It tastes great alone, or try spiking it.

"Island Shamrock Rum Shake"
1 Mc Donald's Shamrock Shake
2 ounces Captain Morgans Rum or Malibu Coconut Rum

You can add more or less rum depending on how strong you want your shake.

Enjoy!!