Review - Jelly Belly "Draft Beer" Jelly Beans

I came across a can of Jelly Belly "Draft Beer" jelly beans while shopping at It'SUGAR. The beans came in a cute little beer can and was reasonably priced at $4.99. The company pulled from it's German ancestry and created a Hefeweizen-inspired ale flavor.

At first taste, the beer flavoring is not that strong. However, there is definitely a draft beer aftertaste. After trying a couple I thought these beans would be really good for mixing. Jelly Belly has offered the below recipes. You could also try an internet search for jelly belly draft beer recipes and it looks as though the blogs/forums offer a wide array of combinations. The common trend being two draft jelly beans in each recipe.

Run the Vineyards

A Good Day For a Run has put together this great race series through vineyards in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area. Early bird pricing is generally around $40 with prices increasing closer to race day. You can also save money by registering for a season pass. Upcoming races include:
September 7 - Grapes & Peaches 10k @ Monroeville Winery, Monroeville, NJ
September 21- Down the Shore 5k @ Cape May Winery, Cape May, NJ
October 5- Wines & Vines 5k @ Penn Woods Winery, Chadds Ford, NJ
October 19 - Fall Trails @ Hawk Haven Vineyards, Rio Grande, NJ
November 9 - Valenzano 5K @ Valenzano Winery, Shamong, NJ

For more information and to register visit
http://gooddayforarun.com/run-the-vineyards-201-dates/

Event - To Be or Not To Be

Shakespeare is know to have said "For a quart of ale is a meal for a King" and "I will make it felony to drink small." It doesn't surprise me then that some beer themed Shakespeare events have started popping up around NYC. Currently there are two to choose from.

First Drunken Shakespeare offers a Shakespeare play in a bar atmosphere where the performers are also drinking. This makes for a fun, lively atmosphere.
 http://www.drunkshakespeare.com/welcome/
Secondly ShakesBEER 2014 is a pub crawl between four bars, with performers reciting Shakespeare through out the crawl.
http://shakespeareexchange.org/content/shakesbeer-2014

Both sound equally fun, it's going to be a hard choice so why not do both?

Website - Wine Country Gift Baskets

This happens to be my favorite website to buy Christmas gifts from. They offer a wide selection of wine gift baskets along with gourmet food, teas, chocolates, and fruit baskets. I have never had a problem with my orders or delivery and most items ship for free when you choose 5 day shipping.

The Steeplechase Vineyard Gift Basket 

The Talaria Vineyards Sonoma Gift Basket

The Francis Coppola Diamond Gift Basket

One of the huge pluses of using this website is you can sign up to receive catalogs in the mail or you will receive them after you order, which each have a discount code on the back cover. I've seen the discount range from 5% to 25%.

Follow this link to check out their online store

http://www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com/

Event - Oktoberfest 10K

This looks like another fun event. On Saturday September 27, 2014 Super Hero Events will host a 10K to benefit Boonton Township P.B.A. Local 392. After the race there will be an Oktoberfest party with beer and bbq food which lasts until 5pm. There will also be a costume contest for best beer-themed costume and best German costume.

To register use this link.
http://www.superheroracing.com/oktoberfest-10k.html

Event - Great American Brewery Runs

If you are looking to help a charity, stay in shape and taste some great beers please consider a Great American Brewery Run.

Flying Fish 5k - September 6, 2014
Yards Brewing Co. 5,000 Yards Dash - TBD 2014
Sly Fox Foxtrot 5K - TBD 2015

Follow this link for more information
http://www.greatamericanbreweryruns.com/

Website - Naked Wines

Naked Wines is one of my favorite places to buy wine. This is a completely different concept in wine buying. Your monthly membership goes to funding independent vineyards around the world, in exchange for wholesale discounts on wine produced. Purchases must be made in 6 bottle lots. In my experience, having ordered twice, the price is reasonable for what you get.


For more information visit their website at http://us.nakedwines.com/