Top Lagers of the World: Highlights from the Great International Beer, Cider, Mead & Sake Competition
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The recent 26th annual Great International Beer, Cider, Mead & Sake Competition unveiled the best lagers of 2024, as judged by a panel of experts in Norwalk, Connecticut. On November 9, judges evaluated 303 entries, awarding top spots across multiple categories, which included six types of lagers as well as pilsners.
This competition is notable for its wide reach, drawing submissions from both local New England breweries and those from around the world. This year’s winners showcased diversity, featuring a lager from Spain, two from Vermont, two from Connecticut, and one from Wisconsin.
While it’s important to note that many exceptional beers might not enter competitions, the praised lagers tend to stand out for their quality. I’ve had the pleasure of tasting two award-winning Connecticut lagers and can confirm their exceptional flavor.
Lagers are experiencing a surge in popularity within the craft beer market. Christopher Sanzeni, head brewer and co-founder of Broken Symmetry in Bethel, Connecticut, shared that lagers have become the second best-selling style at his brewery. Among the winners this year is his dark lager, Midnight.
Here’s a summary of the top lagers from this year’s competition:
Best Helles Lager
Pirate’s Cove Helles, McFleshman’s Brewing, Appleton, WI
This light lager, celebrating a bar that once existed on the brewery’s grounds, is grainy and sweet, appealing to both casual drinkers and adventurous spirits.
Best Lager: Continental Dortmunder
Walkin’ The Dog, NewSylum Brewing, Newtown, CT
This German-style pilsner, crafted using Hersbrucker hops, is crisp with a solid malt backbone, making it a neighborhood favorite ideal for dog walkers.
Best Premium Lager
Estrella Damm, S.A. Damm, Barcelona, Spain
Brewed since 1876, this lager is lighter than many central European varieties, designed to complement the Mediterranean climate.
Best Vienna Lager
Vienna, Von Trapp Brewing, Stowe, VT
Known for their exemplary lagers, Von Trapp Brewing offers an Austrian-style amber lager rich in malt flavors, complemented by floral hop notes.
Best Amber/Dark Lager
Trösten, Von Trapp Brewing, Stowe, VT
With a name meaning "comforting," this lager features smoked malts, perfect for cold winter evenings in Vermont.
Best Schwarzbier
Midnight, Broken Symmetry Brewing, Bethel, CT
Despite its stout-like appearance, this midnight lager has a lighter body and offers a crisp, refreshing taste comparable to iced coffee without the cream or sugar.
For more insights on beer rankings, check out other articles from Forbes on the world’s best pilsner and the best IPAs.
Chilling Revelations Surround Laos Methanol Poisoning: The Vodka Linked to Six Tragic Deaths
New details have surfaced regarding a tragic mass poisoning incident in Laos that has claimed the lives of six tourists, including British lawyer Simon White, aged 28. The situation has raised serious concerns about the safety of alcoholic beverages in the region, specifically after it was suspected that methanol may have been mixed with vodka consumed at a hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking destination.
Methanol, a toxic substance sometimes converted into illicit alcoholic drinks, is believed to have been involved in this case as victims allegedly ingested the dangerous cocktail. In Vang Vieng, Tiger Vodka is readily available for as little as 36p (1000 Kip) in retail stores, with reports suggesting that bars might purchase even cheaper, locally produced spirits that are blended and distilled in Laos.
The findings have provoked critical questions about why hostel and bar staff would resort to using methanol. Currently, there remain 11 additional foreign nationals hospitalized in serious condition due to similar poisoning cases. Among the deceased were Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, alongside American James Louis Hutson, and Danish students Anne-Sofie Orkid Coyman and Freja Vennervald Sorensen.
Local sources speculate that the incident may be attributed to a production error within a government-operated facility, as the Laotian government holds an 90% stake in the alcohol industry. In response to the unfolding tragedy, police in Laos have detained the hostel manager and owner for questioning.
The Laotian government expressed profound sadness over the deaths and is conducting investigations to identify the causes of the incident and bring those responsible to justice. Simon White’s family issued a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of their beloved son and extending their sympathies to the other affected families.
Although no charges have been filed yet, authorities have detained several individuals as a precaution while investigations continue. The Nana Backpacker Hostel involved remains operational but is not accepting new guests during this inquiry. Meanwhile, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is providing consular support to those impacted by the tragedy.
End of an Era: Popular Detroit Beer Bar to Close by Year’s End 2024
A well-known beer establishment in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, 8 Degrees Plato, has announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of 2024. Located on Cass Avenue near Peterboro, this popular bar and store have been serving the community for nearly a decade.
Owners Tim and Brigid shared their decision through a heartfelt Facebook post, revealing that after much deliberation, they have chosen to retire from the beer business. They expressed gratitude for the experiences gained over the last nine years in Detroit, noting the store’s important role as a destination for beer aficionados and fans attending events at nearby Little Caesars Arena.
In their message, they mentioned a purchase agreement to sell the store that fell through, leading them to realign their focus with other personal goals. Although they will cease operations on December 31, 2024, they plan to maintain regular business hours leading up to the closure and will keep customers updated via social media regarding any changes.
8 Degrees Plato has garnered a reputation for its unique beer selection, offering a variety of local and international options. The venue previously had another location in Ferndale, which closed a few years back, and its impending closure marks a significant change in the local beverage landscape.
Cachaça vs. Rum: Understanding the Key Differences
Cachaça and rum are two distinct spirits that often confuse consumers due to their similarities. Both are derived from sugar sources, but their production processes and cultural significances set them apart.
Cachaça, Brazil’s national liquor, is made from fresh sugarcane juice, giving it a unique flavor profile that is sweet and raw compared to rum, which is typically produced from molasses or various sugarcane derivatives. The first recorded sugarcane mill in Brazil dates back to 1516, leading to the creation of cachaça from the distillation of fermented sugarcane juice. While it can be bottled immediately or aged in wooden barrels, the aging process allows for a variety of flavors, influenced by the diverse woods used.
Rum, on the other hand, boasts a range of production methods that can drastically alter its taste. It can be distilled from sugarcane juice, similar to cachaça (known as rhum agricole), but is more commonly made from byproducts like molasses. This variability results in a wide variety of styles, flavors, and colors, from light to dark, sweet to rich and complex.
While some might argue that cachaça falls under the rum category, this oversimplification overlooks the spirit’s rich history and its pivotal role in Brazilian culture. For those eager to explore these differences, tasting both spirits reveals the unique qualities that each brings to the table, whether in cocktails or enjoyed neat.
For further reading, check out the original article on Chowhound.
The Ultimate Guide to Investing in the UK’s Sovereign Wine Fund
Fresh off winning a Freedom of Information request, FT Alphaville is diving into the contents of the UK Government Hospitality Wine Cellar (GHWC). This cellar, which has operated for over a century in Lancaster House, is supposed to be self-funded through wine sales.
The GHWC is overseen by the Government Wine Committee (GWC), composed of a former diplomat and several Masters of Wine (MWs). Our journey started when we queried the FCDO for details on the stock, but initial attempts were met with redactions and rejections. Eventually, thanks to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), we gained access to not only the wine quantities but also the GWC’s terms of reference.
What did we uncover? As of the most recent count, the GHWC houses approximately 32,259 bottles of wine and spirits. Among these, the most frequently stocked is Chapel Down Bacchus, an English white wine favored for events. In terms of value, the highest auction-priced wine is Château Latour Grand Vin 1961, with 107 bottles valued at around £3,500 each.
Moreover, the cellar’s total estimated value sits at approximately £3.8 million, though this figure may be optimistic. While we’ve arrived at various calculations based on community and auction prices, certain bottles remain elusive in terms of pricing. Notably, around 15,356 of the bottles are considered past their prime for consumption.
This investigation highlights the importance of transparency in government holdings. Despite our findings, there remain questions about the FCDO’s continued transparency regarding the cellar’s contents. As this story unfolds, we’ll keep you updated on further developments in the realm of governmental wine collections.
23 Must-Try Thanksgiving Cocktails for Your Holiday Celebration
Thanksgiving is a celebration filled with delicious food, but the drinks can elevate the experience even further. While turkey and sides are essential, serving festive cocktails can make the holiday meal even more special. Whether you’re an experienced mixologist or a novice, there’s a cocktail to suit every taste and skill level—ranging from simple mixers to intricate creations.
Thanksgiving Cocktails to Try
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French Fall 75
- Ingredients: Gray Whale Gin, fresh lemon juice, apple cider, honey syrup, and Prosecco.
- Method: Shake all ingredients except Prosecco with ice, strain, and top with Prosecco.
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Sparkling Holiday Punch
- Ingredients: Empress 1908 Gin, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Prosecco.
- Method: Combine ingredients in a pitcher. Serve chilled and top with Prosecco.
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Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
- Ingredients: Ketel One Vodka, coffee liqueur, pumpkin allspice syrup, and coffee concentrate.
- Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with pumpkin spice.
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Autumn Appletini
- Ingredients: Ketel One Vodka, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, and apple cider.
- Method: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain, and garnish with an apple slice.
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Hard Apple Toddy
- Ingredients: Dulce Vida Organic Reposado Tequila, hot apple cider, fresh lime juice, and agave.
- Method: Combine ingredients in a mug and stir. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
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Mezcal Amarás Bitter Love
- Ingredients: Mezcal Amarás, basil honey, passion fruit, lemon juice, and orange bitters.
- Method: Mix ingredients, shake with ice, and serve over ice topped with tonic.
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Dos Maderes Hot Buttered Rum
- Ingredients: Dos Maderas Rum, butter, demerara sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Method: Combine ingredients in a heated glass, add boiling water, and garnish.
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Aviation Gin Espresso Martini
- Ingredients: Aviation American Gin, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup.
- Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
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Proper Apple Pie Martini
- Ingredients: Proper Irish Apple Whiskey, Irish cream liqueur, and cinnamon.
- Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
For those who prefer convenience, consider serving pre-made cocktails like the Cutwater Spirits Fireside Variety Pack, which offers flavors perfect for the holiday season. Brands like the Cocktail Collection and Betty Booze also provide ready-to-serve options that can add festive flair without the hassle of mixing drinks.
Elevate your Thanksgiving feast with these cocktail recipes and help your guests enjoy a spirited celebration!
Top 15 Vodka Brands That Deliver the Best Bang for Your Buck, According to Experts
Vodka is a versatile spirit, perfect for numerous cocktails, but the quality varies significantly across brands. Some lower-end vodkas can be more akin to "lighter fluid" than premium spirits. To help novice drinkers select the best value vodkas, industry experts were consulted for their recommendations.
Top Value Vodka Picks
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Tito’s is a favorite among many experts, recommended for its clarity and smoothness, retailing at around $17 for a 750ml bottle. Its slightly sweet flavor makes it suitable for any cocktail, leading many from various bars and restaurants to choose it as a staple.
Blue Ice Vodka
Blue Ice is a smooth potato vodka from Idaho, combining slightly tart and sweet notes. Priced around $20 for a 750ml bottle, it stands out both in cocktails and when served neat.
Oka Vodka
Oka offers a unique blend of old-world tradition and modern taste with its rice-based distillation process, giving it floral and citrus notes. This higher-proof vodka retails for $25 to $30 for a 900ml bottle, making it an excellent choice for sophisticated cocktails.
Stolichnaya (Stoli)
Stoli is seen as the quintessential vodka, providing a mild yet familiar flavor that mixes well with many ingredients. An affordable option at around $15 for a 750ml bottle, it’s a solid choice for any home bar.
Weber Ranch Vodka
This vodka is distinct due to its agave base, reminiscent of tequila, offering unique flavors that make it stand out. Priced at about $30 for a 750ml bottle, it’s perfect for sipping or in cocktails.
Smirnoff
As a long-standing staple, Smirnoff offers a smooth and easy-drinking experience for a very reasonable price, usually around $15 for a 1-liter bottle. Its wide availability makes it a go-to for many vodka drinkers.
Haku Vodka
Distilled from white rice and filtered through bamboo, Haku is praised for its rich taste, making it suitable for cocktails or on the rocks. Available for about $30 for a 750ml bottle, it’s well-regarded in the industry.
Notable Mentions
- Pinnacle Vodka is recognized for its affordability and variety, often found at around $20 for a larger, 1.75-liter bottle.
- Helix7 Vodka brings a unique blend of Icelandic water and French wheat, known for its clean and creamy taste, retailing around $20 for a 750ml bottle.
- Grey Goose and Belvedere both offer higher-end qualities, cited for their flavor depth, around $20 to $24, but may be considered a bit pricier.
In conclusion, while vodka options abound, these selections represent well-regarded choices among professionals for their flavor, quality, and affordability, making them worthy additions to any home bar.
Fireball Whiskey Unveils ‘Drinkable’ Stocking: Your 35-Shot Holiday Stress Relief Solution
Fireball Whiskey has introduced a unique holiday stocking designed to "relieve" festive stress, filled with 35 shots of the brand’s signature cinnamon-flavored whiskey. This creative product was launched in response to a survey revealing that a significant portion of Gen Zers (62%) and Millennials (59%) admit that holiday gatherings leave them wishing they could “slap a relative” to cope with stress.
Danny Suich, the Global Brand Director for Fireball, emphasized the brand’s mission to meet unrecognized needs during the sometimes hectic holiday season. The infamous stocking not only comes with the whiskey, but it also encourages patrons to "slap" it for therapeutic relief, further solidifying the lighthearted, cheeky nature of the promotion.
To enhance the stocking’s appeal, Fireball consulted with John Davis, a professional “power-slapper," who humorously noted he has been “training for this my whole life.” He recommended an optimal form for the slap, advising people to “take a knee” in front of the stocking for the best effect.
In addition, the promotion features digital ads with social media influencer Hannah Stocking, who provides a cheerful rundown of the stocking’s uses—“Hang it! Slap it! And pour it!”—while dressed in festive attire.
Fireball’s inventive holiday stocking follows other unconventional product launches, such as “Crierball”—a whiskey made from the tears of losing football fans collected at major games, set to be available during the 2025-2026 football season.
The Fireball Whiskey stocking is currently available for $24.99 in select U.S. retailers, bringing a spirited twist to holiday cheer.
From Insult to Appellation: The Surprising Story of Sparkling Wine in Piedmont, Italy
The Piedmont region in northwestern Italy is celebrated for its exceptional wines, particularly dry reds like Barolo and Barbaresco, and the sweet sparkling wine, Moscato. However, it has a rich but often overlooked history of producing sparkling dry wines.
In the early 1600s, a jeweler-turned-winemaker named Giovanni Battista Croce pioneered a sparkling wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, praised for its unique characteristics. Notably, Thomas Jefferson, prior to his presidency, found the sparkling quality of Piedmont’s Nebbiolo impressive when he visited Turin in 1787. He likened it to a hybrid of Madeira, Bordeaux, and Champagne. Additionally, the esteemed author Stendhal acknowledged Asti’s sparkling wine in his 1838 novel.
By the early 1900s, Piedmont’s sparkling wines were showcased at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, indicating a growing recognition. In the 1930s, Asti Spumante gained prominence both in Italy and abroad, eventually featuring in royal weddings, such as that of Umberto of Savoy in 1930.
Today, the Alta Langa designation represents a high-quality appellation of sparkling white and rosé wines from southern Piedmont, crafted using the classical two-fermentation method. These wines, made primarily from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown at least 250 meters above sea level, must adhere to strict DOCG regulations. This includes a minimum vineyard density and a maximum yield, alongside a mandatory aging period on lees of 30 months.
The establishment of the Alta Langa appellation stems from a phone call on January 18, 1990, where winery owner Ottavio Riccadonna and oenologist Ugo Conti expressed their determination to challenge the perceived exclusion of Piedmont wines from the classical method of sparkling wine production. In subsequent meetings, they rallied support from seven key producers, forming a coalition dedicated to promoting this forgotten tradition, leading to the establishment of the Alta Langa consortium and its eventual recognition in 2002.
The formation of Alta Langa DOCG significantly transformed the Piedmont wine landscape. Many local producers take pride in its success, highlighting its quality during tastings and food pairings.
The sparkling wines from Alta Langa showcase a vibrant and harmonious quality, often presenting tropical fruit aromas like guava and pineapple, alongside complex flavors that evoke a satisfying richness, perfect for culinary pairings. Alta Langa continues to be a symbol of elegance and tradition, inviting enthusiasts to explore its depths alongside the celebrated reds and sweet Moscato of the region.
For more comprehensive tasting notes and evaluations, visit my Vino Voices website.
Whiskey Wars: How Bourbon and Scotch Could Shape Trump’s Trade Negotiations with Britain
Donald Trump is preparing to engage in a potential new trade conflict with the United Kingdom, focusing on tariffs during upcoming negotiations set to start soon after his inauguration in January. Industry insiders express concern that tariffs could be imposed on wines and spirits, with new charges expected in the next 18 months. This follows a history of tariff disputes between the two nations, including a previous 25% tax on whisky and other spirits imposed in 2019, which was later suspended for five years.
The reinstatement of these tariffs could significantly impact the UK’s Scotch whisky market and increase prices for American liquors in British pubs. For example, a Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola could see price hikes of over 20%. Miles Beale, CEO of the UK’s Wine and Spirits Trade Association, voiced fears that the US might target their market again, urging the UK government to act promptly to advocate for the elimination of these tariffs.
The former president has suggested that he might use these tariffs as a negotiation tactic, indicating they could serve a dual purpose of raising revenue and addressing trade deficits. He has also selected Howard Lutnick, a Wall Street executive, as his Commerce Secretary, a position that would place him in charge of tariffs.
The prior tariff regime caused the Scotch industry to suffer a loss of £600 million in exports to the US. In 2021, Scottish businesses managed £978 million worth of whisky sales in the US market. The Scotch Whisky Association has called for zero-tariff arrangements to continue, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust trade relationships.
Britain’s Department of Business and Trade has highlighted its hopes to ensure key industries, including financial services and pharmaceuticals, remain tariff-free, with comprehensive strategies in place to negotiate terms favoring the UK in the trade discussions.
The potential trade challenges coincide with Trump’s intent to use trade policies as diplomatic tools, suggesting a need for close monitoring and strategic planning as both nations navigate these complex negotiations.