Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Aug 31

Your host is Manny of Stony Creek.

Stony Creek IPA (203) $8.99/6pb
This (203) India Pale Ale is a truly American IPA. Packed with Cascade hops from Oregon’s Yakima Valley, this beer has a thirst quenching citrus flavor and aroma, balanced with light crystal specialty malts to bring you a deep golden, 6.1% ABV. Our flagship IPA won’t leave your taste buds wanting for

Our staff artists...

You may or may not be able to tell that the friendly faces here at Harry's (namely the girls at the registers) are shackled by the ankle to their work stations.
Well, that may not be entirely true but we are pretty stern about keeping them up front to help work with our customers... No roaming around the store please. Many of our cashiers are college students and there can certainly be some down time throughout the day. They have many jobs to keep themselves busy that include keeping the front looking nice, stocking merchandise and waiting on customers among other daily tasks. Still there is time especially in the beginning of the week when there is not much happening.

Some of our longer term customers will remember the days when Betty Pollack (Harry's wife) used to do needlepoint in the slower hours. In fact there were many of her completed works hanging around the store at one time and we still have a few of them in back, She was really very talented in her own right.
Nowadays, you are more likely to see the people on the registers doing homework for a class or creating a sign for one of the stacks on the floor. Since we won't let them leave their work station and we don't want them to go stir crazy up there, Saul started assigning the sign making to them some years back. Over the years the signs have gone from simple "On Sale" signs to more elaborate and intricate ones. The bar has been raised by many of our cashiers throught the years and as we look around the store at any given time we are always happy with the fun stuff they create.

I thought it would be fun to take some pictures of some of the signs that are currently on display and show them off for the girls that are making them. There is one girl in particular (Annie) who was with us through the summer that did some really good stuff. They are all appreciated for their individual efforts and please keep in mind that all we supply them with is paper and some magic markers.

See what you think...

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Aug 25

Your host will be Jeanette Corvino of Metrowine.

Juana del Sol Torrontes 2011 $7.99
Made from the indigenous white grape of Argentina, Torrontes, this wine offers fresh aromas and flavors of citrus peel, wild herbs, flowers and honey. It is very bright on the palate with a clean, refreshing finish.



Aura Picpoul de Pinet 2011 $9.99
Grown on a family estate in Southern France, Aura is estate bottled. A refreshing and crisp white wine with mineral, pear and lime flavors. Honeydew and notes of tropical fruits on the finish. Winemaker's notes



La Rose Bourdieu Red Bordeaux 2010 $9.99
This organically farmed wine, grown on a mixture of clay and limestone, is a combination of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Brilliant dark red in color, this wine shows a complex bouquet of red fruit, black fruit and kirsch. On the palate it is spicy, with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry and ripe tannins.



La Bastide Vincent Gigondas 2009 $24.99
(75% grenache, 15% syrah and 10% mourvedre, all raised in concrete): Vivid ruby. Highly perfumed scents of cherry, potpourri and star anise, plus a hint of cracked pepper. Fresh and energetic on the palate, offering juicy red fruit and lavender flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. The floral quality carries through on the finish, which features soft tannins and persistent sweetness. International Wine Cellar, 90 pts

Renzo is showing the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp

On the tasting to night is Harry's own Renzo Kian and he is pouring Sierra Nevada's "Beer Camp". Their new release with 4 beers...

Sierra Nevada Oatmeal Stout (Beer Camp #45) – This big oatmeal stout is midnight black in color-with a big roasty, mocha-like aroma. It has a silky body from the use of rolled oats, and a round and lasting finish. Perfect as an after-dinner treat.

Sierra Nevada Imperial Red Ale (Beer Camp #65) – This Imperial Red Ale takes the intense hop profile found in a traditional double IPA and turns up the malt. It has big aromatic hop notes of grapefruit, peach and melon – balanced by a smooth and surprisingly robust malt body.

Sierra Nevada Imperial Pilsner (Beer Camp #43) – Packing a big hop-forward punch and bright crisp finish, this golden pilsner features a hearty dose of “sticky,” resinous Crystal and Pacifica dry hops, which balance the light-bodied yet complex malt backbone.

Sierra Nevada Floral IPA (Beer Camp #53) – This unique take on the traditional IPA style pairs the bold and intense aromas of whole-cone hop “flowers” with aromatic natural rose hips and petals for complex aromas and unexpected flavors.

$19.99 12pk btl

The Harbor Brewfest Sept. 22, 2012 12-5pm

Renzo has been working hard on the 2nd beer festival that we are sponsoring this summer. Anyone that was aboard The Island Belle a couple of months ago for "The Offshore Pour", Fairfield counties first ever beer festival, will tell you that it was a great time on a perfect day with lots of good food, fun, music and of course beer.
Most of the summer is in our rearview mirror and now we get into a different style of beer. Gone are the Summer lagers, and in come the Octoberfest and Pumpkin beers. For the upcoming season Renzo reaches back out to the beer world and has invited lots of producers of suds to show their stuff for what is sure to be a great festival.
The day will also feature music from "String Fingers", "Twiddle", and "Remember September". The food line up... Fire Engine Pizza Co., Super Duper Weenie, and Chrispohe's Crepe Truck will be there to fill your stomach and the cost is great too.

Tickets:
$35 general addimission
$10 is all for a designated driver
$50 Brewers special VIP
Your brewer's special ticket to the Harbor Brew Fest will get you an early access pass to the venue and special brewers choice, a day of beer tasting, rocking music on the ears, and access to CT's most popular food trucks, all for just $50.00 per person.

Harrys customers and blog readers are getting a special price for the day. Come to the store and see one of us to purchase your tickets and you'll save five bucks (while supplies last) $30.00 at Harry's only.

More info on the fest is here

Get your tickets now!

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Aug 18

Your host is Donna Hutchinson of Donna Hutchinson Selections. A long time friend to the store, Donna has come by to share her knowledge and passion for wine with our customers. In the picture with her is Tom Bauder who has been on me to change the time of our Saturday tasting to better suit his work schedule. It seems that most weeks he can't join in because of his responsibilities at work. This week however we were happy to see that he got some time off and came down to taste some wine with us. You picked a good week Tom, the wines are good and the host for the tasting is even better!

The Girls in the Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $16.99
This Cabernet is grown on the upper slopes of the Beckstoffer Amber Knolls Vineyard in the Red Hills of Lake County. After fermentation the wine is separated into distinct parcels and given a range of oak treatments from new French oak to none at all. This wine exhibits classic mountain characters of intensity and balance with a ripe cherry aroma. It’s a mid-weight wine that has mineral and classic cabernet varietal character. The tannins are moderate with good length.

The Girls in the Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $14.99
This has a pale, straw yellow color with aromas of grapefruit, lemon zest and apricot that jump out of glass. The palate has those same flavors with a bit of minerality and great acidity. This wine is crisp and clean.

Couly Dutheil Chinon Blanc 2010 $25.99
Beautiful pale yellow, crystal-like color sparkles in the glass. It has a clean and attractive aroma of citrus and mineral. The palate is richly fruited with persistent flavors of the Chenin Blanc grape.

Couly Dutheil Chinon Rosé 2011 $18.99
Made from the Cabernet Franc grape, this wine is a lovely, pale color. The nose is fresh and fruity with subtle floral notes. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry kiss the palate in this well balanced and easy to drink wine.

Southport Brewing Co. Launch

Join us Friday August 17th from 4:00pm-7:00pm for the Launch of Southport Brewing Co.

Talk about local... Southport Brewing Company or SBC to us locals is just about 1/2 a mile down the road from our store and we are happy to help them with their introduction to the craft beer market on the retail side.
their new beer became available in the market just this week, and in fact we recieved our first shipment this morning. So,as the ink finishes drying on all of the paperwork to get it licensed and distributed we'll be showcasing the new brew on our weekly tasting.

SBC's Owner/Brewmaster Mark DaSilva witllbe on hand to pour samples and talk about their first release and what we can look forward to from them in the future as they take their years of brewing experience from their popular restaurants and break into the retail market allowing everyone to take it home with them.


Connecticut Pale Ale 6pk bottle $8.99
is an out take of an American Pale Ale; 5.5% abv, 50 ibu's, 8 srm. It is made using four different malts, with Chinook and Cascade giving it a pronounced hoppiness.

English Beer Tasting 1:00pm-4:00pm in honor of the Olympic athletes

Harry's is hosting an impromtu beer tasting today, Sunday August 12th from 1:00pm-4:00pm.

In honor of all of the Olympic athletes and today's closing ceremonies we are raising a glass and toating all of the great athletes we have seen from around the world at the 2012 Olympics. The games have been great and the good ol' USA have done themselves proud winning the lions share of the medals available. The host nation for this years events was of course England and they also did very well. With most of the events detrmined Great Britain is currently 4th in the medal count behind the USA, China, and Russia. That is very good company and as the games come to a close today will hold their heads high in the knowledge that they have done as well and even better than expected by most.

Back to the tasting....

Joey, one of our resident beer specialists under Renzo is going to select a beers produced in England to taste and talk about today. Boddington and Youngs Chocolate stout will get things started and he may have a trick or two up his sleeve to make it fun.

If you are looking for a pint or two as you watch tonights closing ceremonies come by and taste the offerings this afternoon.

Cheers!

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Aug 11th 2012

Your host will be Chris Pomposello of Visco Wine.

Coste Mancini Pecorino 2010 $12.99
This wine is floral and spicy with lush stone fruit flavors and a light but round mouth feel. It is a full bodied wine with balanced acidity and a flash of minerality.

Dragani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2011 $4.99
Dense purple colour; rustic, earthy, black cherry nose with a floral note; easy drinking wine with red fruit flavours and a clean finish.

I Massi Chianti Classico 2009 $13.99
This wine is produced with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot grapes. After fermentation the wine is transferred to french oak barrels for 16 months. It has an elegant and intense ruby red color. The flavor is concentrated with fine tannin and a long lasting aftertaste.

Terre di Trinci Montefalco Sagrantino 2006 $17.99
A ruby red, intense colour, this wine is rich and persistent to the nose. It shows a play of small wild berries and light spice to the palate. Full and robust, it is deep and velvety in the mouth. For current drinking you should breathe this wine for a couple of hours before pouring, or it will easily age for another 5 to 10 years or more.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Aug 10

Your host will be Sean of Cisco Brewing Company. Pictured with Sean is Ken Dalling who heads up the summer concert series at the Sherman green and as fate would have it he has stopped by on the Friday before the concert that we are sponsoring.

Starting at 7 pm this Sunday "An Eagles Experience" (Eagles tribute band) will be playing some of the greatest hits from the bands glory days. We've sponsored them and we'll be passing out some bottled water to keep you refreshed so pack some snacks and stop down to enjoy the free concert.

As for tonight... The beers on the tasting are worth getting here however you need to do it today. We're fans of the Cisco line and Sean is a real good guy.

Cisco IPA $9.99/6pc
Finally an American-style IPA from us... This beautiful red-orange ale has a full malty body balanced by a fruity apricot/grapefruit nose. Mounds of dank Summit hops in the whirlpool and dry-hop additions provide a deliciously quenching finish to this East meets West-coast ale.


Cisco Summer $9.99/6pc
The lager is the lightest, most refreshing of our beers. It's a classic Bavarian style lager with a delicious bready malt palate and an assertive noble hop finish. It just makes your mouth beg for more...


Cisco Whale’s Tale $9.99/6pc
An amber English-style ale that has a nice balance between hops and malt. It's the most popular of our beers and the most versatile in terms of pairing with food or people.

The Dog days 2012, Bridging the gap

As summer begins to wind down and we look forward to the Autumn everyone in the Connecticut is feeling the heat. These past few weeks have been stifling, the oppresively hot and muggy weather tells us that we are indeed deeply entrenched in the "Dog days" of summer. That period of time each year that we slog through the days trying to find some way to stay cool. Here in Faifield, Southport and Westport the beaches are packed with people looking to get in the water for some relief. Pools have also gotten quite a bit of use this year.

Sad to say that the Rosè wine supply is drying up and our selection that peaked at 128 different selections this year (an all-time high for our store) has dwindled greatly and we are now somewhere around half that number, 60ish at last count. William reminds me that it is still quite an impressive selection, more than most stores at their peak, but still with this heat their bright and refreshing style is a wanted commodity and some of the best of the season are gone until next year.

As I was looking around the store with some of the others on staff this week it suddenly occured to us that there is another, overlooked beverage that we have not given any real credit to and the popularity and sales have really jumped this summer. Have you been turned on to the world of Ciders yet? We've been tasting and enjoying them quite a bit lately and we like them very much. More and more companies are producing them and they may be the perfect answer for both the dog days of summer and the bridge to and beyond Octoberfest!

Wait, before you brush it off and say not for me, consider this...

Cider is food friendly, light, dry, flavorful and refreshing. Lower in alcohol than wine, a terrific alternative to beer and there are actually quite a few to choose from in different styles and the are available year round.

On the shelf right now we have about a dozen to choose from and each is worth considering. Lets start with some of the tried and true... Magners is a name that most of us know. Then there are Strongbow and Woodchuck, you may be aware of their Amber and Granny Smith but it doesn't end at those, they also put out a summer version this year that has Blueberry in it. This onet was surprisingly good in my opinion. They also put out a Belgium white that is tasty, along with their Farmhouse selection and to top it off the 6 or 12 pack can is available for picnics and the parks and beaches where you aren't allowed to bring glass. Crispin has a 4 pack on the shelf and adds "Stagger Lee" to the mix. Of course the list would not be complete if we didn't mention the classic french offering from Normandy made by Ettiene Dupont. As we push forward into the fall some of these will offer their own versions of the Autumn/Pumpkin or spiced styles that have also gained in popularity.

If you are still not convinced I ask you to take a chance. It isn't very expensive and you may just get a nice surprise by finding one you like. Remember, just a few short years ago Rosè was given the brush off but through constant support from our staff, many of the nay sayers have been converted.

Cheers

Patrick

Pimms No1 tasting happening now

Fun and friendly Pricilla has come by to help us to celebrate the olympics (and England) with a Pimms Cup tasting. It's been running since 4pm with great success and will continue until 7pm so if your are in the area or have always wondered what "that stuff tastes like" stop in for a sample.

-Cheers

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Aug 4

Your host will be Paul Cullen of Martin Scott Wines.

Triennes Rosé 2011 $16.99
An aromatic nose of red fruits and candy is followed by a round, harmonious and seamless palate.


Flora Springs Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $19.99
Pale in color, this wine has aromas of pear and tropical fruit that give way to a rich and creamy honey on the palate. It is crisp and refreshing with a rich, clean mouth feel. The bright acidity and bouquet lead to refined minerality on the finish.


Carrel Altesse Rousette 2011 $14.99
The nose expresses notes of minerals, along with white and yellow fruits aromas. It is also fresh and crisp with delicate scents of white flower, wet stone minerality, citrus and especially white fruit. It expands nicely in the mid-palate with a gentle way of coating the entire palate with even more minerals and white-yellow stone fruit.


San Felice Chianti Classico 2009 $15.99
Aromas of dark cherry, raspberry and sweet violets.Medium-body, with soft round tannins.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Aug 3

Your host is Ashley of Woodchuck Cider.

 

Ginger                                    $11.99/6pb

Private Reserve Ginger combines a crisp apple flavor with the sharp taste of ginger and citrus undertones in this ultra-limited cider. Using Hawaiian organic ginger, we've crafted a zesty cider that pairs well with chicken, spicy stir fry, and fruit salad. Join the select few who'll get to relish in the results of this artisanal batch.

Belgian White            $9.99/6pb

A handcrafted treasure, the ultra-limited edition Private Reserve Belgian White, is crafted with a classic Belgian beer yeast. Cloudy, with a rich, golden hue, it presents a delicate aroma and taste, with coriander and orange notes. It pairs excellently with seafood fare, mixed greens or sharp cheeses. Join the select few who get an exclusive taste of the fruits of our labor.

Summer                      $9.99/6pb

The sounds of the lapping lake-shores, the mountain views, and memories of fresh picked blueberries, now in a convenient six-pack. Exhibiting a slight tartness, this cider begins with a full, robust flavor followed by a rich summertime taste.

Amber                                    $7.99/6pc        $15.99/12pc

The original Woodchuck. People liked it so much we made four more styles. The Amber is sweet (but not too sweet) with a nice golden color and crisp finish.*