Comment | June 11, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto | Photographs by Courtesy of Running Press, an imprint of Perseus Book Group
The sea change in craft beer production the world ’round has been a rising tide that shows no signs of draining out anytime soon. Last year saw the opening of 310 microbreweries and 99 brew pubs in the U.S. alone, according to the Brewers Association. Makes you thirsty just thinking about it, doesn’t it?
Comment | June 9, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto
At last month’s Manhattan Cocktail Classic, a cowboy-hat wearing Dave Pickerell, Master Distiller for Hillrock Estate Distillery, gave me a “C’mere, kid!” crook of the head, beckoning me to something secret seeming. He pulled from his tuxedo jacket’s breast pocket a small, glass bottle full of an amber-hued liquid and grinned.
1 comment | May 27, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto
With temps in the 80s and 90s, I’m finding myself unendingly thirsty for local grapes. Over some Long Island fluke I’d picked up at the Southold Fish Market on my way back to NYC, I popped a Macari 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, which was great with my butter-seared fish with its crazy, straight-back notes of zingy lime, grapefruit, and tart apples.
Comment | May 21, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto
It’s time for one of my all-time favorite wine events of the year, Brooklyn Uncorked – a sipping and swirling smorgasbord of Long Island’s fab vinified offerings. But this year in particular is pretty special because it marks a moment in Long Island wine country history – the 40th Anniversary. A glass raised to that.
Comment | May 16, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto
Last Friday night, I was in Louisville, KY finishing up a week-long distillery trek at an awesome craft spirits sampler at the Distilled Spirits Epicenter. One week to the day later, I’ll get to see Mr. Ralph Erenzo, distiller and partner at Tuthilltown Spirits, again and sip on his lovely small-batch bourbons and such at the kick-off Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala at the New York Public Library.
Comment | May 6, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto
It’s kind of appropriate that the Pod39 Hotel is housed in a former, landmarked Salvation Army building, because hanging out on its open-to-the-public rooftop cocktail lounge on a beautiful day (or night) is the kind of open-air rescue that a New Yorker needs every now and again.
Comment | May 5, 2013 | By Amy Zavatto | Photographs by Rebecca McAlpin
Chalk one up for the local team.
Comment | By Amy Zavatto | Photographs by Belathée Photography
Now in its fourth year, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is like a Davos for distillers and drink makers.