Behind the Beer: Henderson Brewing is Checking Out Chicha
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the best part of being a booze blogger are the random events you get invited to check out. Nowhere was this more true than when I got an invite to check out the “Maker Break:…
Blu Giovello Prosecco is a Crowd Pleasing Bubbly
If my family’s reading this they’re probably thinking “Huh. He hasn’t written about OUR prosecco before?” Full disclosure — I thought I had. Blu Giovello Prosecco has been a staple in our household for the better part of a decade, from toasting to the warmer weather to…
Yamazaki Distillery Tour: A Behind the Scenes Look at Japan’s Premier Distillery
I am a sucker for a good distillery tour. I was like a kid in a candy shop when my partner and I went to Scotland and I had the opportunity to visit Talisker, and I fully intended on visiting a distillery while in Japan….
Province Brands Cannabis-Infused Beer is Here to Redefine Your Buzz
It’s not the first time I’ve written about non-alcoholic beer before. Hell, it’s not even the first time I’ve written about Toronto-based Province Brands and their cannabis beverages. But with Canadian legalization looming right around the corner (the current target is mid October), Province Brands…
Behind the Bar: Ray Zwicker Talks Booze and Beer at Boxcar Social
It’s not uncommon to receive a good whisky recommendation from a knowledgeable bartender. It is rare, however, to have that recommendation come from someone with the official title of “Whisky Director.” But if you’re at the Boxcar Social location on Temperance Street in Toronto, it’s…
Margaux du Chateau Margaux 2010: Another Face on My Alcohol Mount Rushmore
I’ve had a few alcohol milestones that I’m pretty proud of. It was a truly unique experience to drop hundreds on a single bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin beer. Most recently, I tasted the bourbon unicorn Pappy Van Winkle 23. And just last month, I…
Japanese Beer Culture and Its Neat Nuances
Travelling to Japan exposed me to a wonderful world of refreshing cultural differences. From the food, language and customs to the possibility of adequate public transit (take note, TTC). But there were plenty that seemed familiar too, and that included the Japanese love of drinking, notably…
Nikka Whisky from the Barrel Packs a Kick
I’m an absolute sucker for cask-strength whiskies as anyone who’s followed my blog has probably realized. There’s something about the rich bite of a strong whisky that gets my engines revving. So when I first encountered the demure, petite (at only 500ml) bottle of Nikka…
Date Dining and Wine: Antipasto and a Hike
After “I can’t be bothered to figure out how long,” I decided recently to make my triumphant return to the food and wine writing scene. I almost used the word “blogosphere” un-ironically but no matter how much I pretend being cool doesn’t matter, I couldn’t…
Alcohol-Free April: Raising Awareness for Alcoholism
Hey all, I’m posting this today so you know it’s not an April Fools joke. I’m taking all of April off booze. Not for any personal health reason, or because I’ve stopped enjoying a good drink, but because April is alcoholism awareness month. Alcohol addiction is…