Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Apr 5

Your host is Nick Brown from The Cambridge House.

Big Hoppy DIPA                   $5.29/22oz

This hugely malty American Strong Ale brings together caramelized and toasted cereals in a round and oily mouthfeel where earthy and resinous hop leave their pleasant trail of bitterness.

Stout                                       $5.29/22oz

The taste is very good. It has a creamy chocolate taste, but not overly sweet. Nice balance. This goes down very well.

Kolsch                                     $4.29/22oz

German Style Light Ale. Smooth, easy drinking with subtle noble hop character.

Connecticut's craft beer movement is getting serious

The craft brewing industry is experiencing a boom right now, and Connecticut is right on board.  More and more people are looking to try new and different kinds of beer than ever before, and Connecticut is looking to supply what the people are demanding.  Over the past few years, Connecticut has seen an explosion of new breweries all over the state.  Connecticut is currently #33 on the breweries-per-capita list in the country (Vermont is #1, Maine #5, New Hampshire #11, Massachusetts #22), but you can expect to see Connecticut start to climb that list fast. 

In the past two years alone we have seen the emergence of breweries like Half Full, Charter Oak, and Back East join the list of Connecticut breweries with veteran breweries such as New England Brewing Co. and The Thomas Hooker Brewery, as well as the addition of the largest brewing facility and company in the state, Stratford’s own Two Roads.  In 2012, Connecticut also saw the formation of the Connecticut Brewers Guild headed by the president of The Thomas Hooker Brewery, Curt Cameron.  The guild, as well as websites like www.ctbeertrail.net were formed and aim to attract tourism and set up events for Connecticut breweries, as well as a source of news and information about the breweries.

Connecticut microbreweries are popping up fast all over the state, and with even more being planned currently.  With four breweries opening in 2012 alone, Connecticut is making great strides in the craft brewing industry, and starting to make a name for itself.  With craft brewery interest on the rise in the state and the rate of new breweries popping up, it is only a matter of time before Connecticut starts catching up with Vermont and Maine.  It is an exciting era for beer in Connecticut, and if 2012 showed us anything it’s that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

-Mike

Sources:

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=25639

http://articles.courant.com/2012-06-25/business/hc-craft-beer-guild-20120625_1_craft-brewers-market-craft-beer-olde-burnside-brewing

http://hartfordmag.com/article-590-somethings-brewing.html?current_page=1

WINE DINNER: Spanish Wine Dinner Thu, April 4th 2013 7pm-10pm

Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market,

Paella Restaurant, Worldwide Wines,

and Palm Bay International Present:

Spanish Wine Dinner

With Guest Host Maria Stevens, Brand Ambassador

Thursday, April 4, 7PM

$75 all-inclusive

 Tapas and Paella at the bar

Serra de Estrella Albarino 2011

Condesa de Leganza Crianza 2009

Diver Sea Scallops with squid ink risotto, finished with Romesco sauce

Portia Ribera Del Duero Crianza 2009

Beef Carpaccio with baby arugula salad, Idiazabal cheese, finished with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and capers

Faustino Rioja Reserva 2005

Stuffed free range quail (old chef Jaime Recipe) –

Shrimps, sweet breads and mushrooms, finished with Pedro Jimenez sherry sauce

Faustino Gran Reserva 2000

Galician Style rice pudding terrine with passion fruit sauce

Fonseca Moscatel de Setubal “Jose Maria” 2003

For reservations please contact: 

Paella Restaurant

44 Main St, Norwalk
Phone:  (203) 831-8636

paellarest@conversent.net

lapaellatapaswinebarrestaurant.com

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Mar 30

Your host will be Marian Cherrone of Slocum and Sons.
As you run around getting all of your last minute Easter preparations in order, take a few minutes to enjoy what looks like it is going to be a beautiful spring day. It has been a long time coming this year but as if on cue, mother nature has given us a terrific setting as we lead in to our Easter weekend.
It should stay sunny through the day and the temperature looks like it could reach in to the 50's, maybe even push at 60. Lets hope the rain that they say might come tomorrow holds off and the whole weekend is nice. The truth is that we live in New England and the chances are high that we will give the budding Dafodils and Tulips a drink but we can hope.
We always look forward to a busy Easter weekend and if yesterday was any clue, we should see lots of you today. If you have already got everything done early, congratulations. You might still consider taking a run by and tasting through the line up today because it is a good one. The little Super tuscan has got me especially interested and the Rosè is helping us to welcome this wonderful weather.

Marco  Felluga Pinot Grigio 2011            $17.99

Shades of copper tones to the eye. It has an intense and immediate bouquet with pronounced hints of acacia flowers, grass, and apple. In the mouth it is elegantly fruity and becomes full bodied, well-structured and has a remarkably long finish.  Winemaker’s Notes

Marco Felluga Molamatta 2011               $24.99

Golden yellow in color, this wine has an elegant bouquet of exotic fruits.  As the wine evolves, it develops a hint of sweetness, reminiscent of vanilla. The wine is fresh and round with a warm, prolonged finish.   A blend of Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Pinot Bianco.  Winemaker’s Notes

Biondi Santi Braccale 2010                       $14.99

The color is an intense ruby red with purple reflections. On the nose, aromas of red fruit, spices and flowers are detected. On the palate great roundness of the Merlot meets the delicacy of the Sangiovese and gives persistence and extraordinary tannin.

Terres de St Louis Rose 2012                  $10.99

This is a dry, sophisticated wine, remarkable in character and agreeable freshness. A beautiful pink robe; delicate, fresh fruit; well balanced; fruity, smooth, and supple, with the aromas of flowers and dried apricot.  A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Mar 29

Your host is Sean O'Neil of Cisco Brewing Company

Whales 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.

Sankaty Light            $10.99/6pb

Ed. Note: Although this beer was originally an American Golden Ale, after a short period of time the brewer changed the yeast strain, and it is now a lager. This 126 calorie lager with wonderful balance and strong hop finish is unlike most light beers. Reminiscent of an IPA but smooth and easy to drink.
It is named after the famous lighthouse that has stood on a bluff on the south eastern side of Nantucket Island since 1849. Perched precariously 88 feet above the raging Atlantic Ocean, Sankaty Head Light is in danger of falling prey to beach erosion. The lighthouse is the most powerful in New England.

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.

Lady of the Woods    $16.99/750ml

Bright straw with white lace. Tropical fruit, oak, Chardonnay. Slight tang finishes dry and refreshing.

Did you see our Easter ad? Great Sale!

Lots of items on sale as we move in to the Easter Weekend.

No you won't need a microscope, just click on the picture for the larger version. Some people may need to click it a second time to view it properly.

This is our first try with this format so give us some feedback and let us know that it was helpful or that it didn't work as well as we had hoped.

Thanks,

Harry's

A star is in our midst

A natural on the red carpet.

She is a star and many of her adoring fans have come to see her....

No autographs please

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Mar 22

Your host will be Bill of Redhook Brewing Company.   

MIX PACK               $12.99

ESB   

Redhook ESB is modeled after the premium Extra Special Bitters found in English pubs. Brewed since 1987, this full-bodied amber ale is Redhook’s signature brew with its toasted malt flavor and pleasant finishing sweetness. Its eminently drinkable style has established Redhook ESB as a benchmark brew in the amber ale category. 

IPA

A lighter, drier ale with a warm, brassy color and herbal aroma.

Pilsner

Redhook Pilsner is brewed in a traditional Czech style and is the first pilsner Redhook Ale Brewery has ever released. Red Hook Pilsner offers a very soft palate and malt flavors that are offset by a medium dose of distinct Czech hops to bring out its authentic flavors.

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Mar 23

Your host is Sue Leach from Recanati wines. With Sue today is Michael Nishball who agreed to let us take his picture for our fine blog. Lots of Kosher for Passover wines to choose from here at you "Kosher wine Headquarters".

WINES OF RECANATI

Yasmin White 2011               $10.99

Yasmin White is a delicate straw gold color. The wine has aromas of dried fruit and herbs. The taste is light and refreshing, with flavors of tropical fruits, anise and pear. A delightful reception wine, and a perfect match with passed hors d'oeuvres and fish dishes.

Yasmin Red 2011                  $10.99

Yasmin Red is a blend of grapes grown in the winery's vineyards in the Galilee and the Ella Valley. This wine has an appealing ruby red color and a bouquet that is lively, youthful, and with fruit-filled fragrance. Yasmin Red is supple and medium-bodied, with an abundance of ripe red berry fruit and can be enjoyed while still young.

Yasmin Chardonnay 2011               $15.99

Delicate aromas of tropical fruit with subtle nuances of caramel and hazelnut.  Full-bodied and harmonious, concluding in a long, smooth finish.

Yasmin Cabernet  Sauvignon 2011 $15.99 

Delicate smoky aroma with hints of spice.  Medium-bodied, with flavors of blackberries, plums and herbs.

When will winter end??

This is the question on everyone's lips these days. Saul had been in Florida these past few weeks and made it back just in time for our last snowfall. No not yesterday's flurries (can't really count that can we?), the one we had Monday into Tuesday where we had some accumulation. When we talked on Wednesday he was telling me that the weather in Florida was chilly...he didn't even get to go swimming very much (poor guy). Barely got over 70 degrees he told me. He sort of smiled when he decided that it wasn't so bad after all, at least in comparison to what is happening in CT.
Wasn't Punxsutawney Phil predicting an early spring?... what happened there? This is why the weather in the northeast has the reputation that it does. I looked up this same week's weather from last year and it was in the 70's here in our state. Now I'm sitting in a cold office thinking about the crocus that are popping up around town and the daffodils that look like the are getting ready to bloom, while old man winter keeps his grip on our state.

I usually don't really start thinking spring until the first week in April.  It always seems like we get that one more dusting of snow or a cold snap as winter finally fades into the rearview mirror. This year, however, Easter is early and Passover is just a few days away. These are such harbingers of spring that all of our minds are pressing a bit harder for the warmer weather. Hopefully this is the last cold snap that we are experiencing right now because I am ready to get back outside and into the fresh air and warmer weather.

Some signs that it is close...

March madness began yesterday,

Easter and Passover are both within a week or so,

William has started bringing in the Rosè selection for the upcoming season (around 30 at last count),

Spring training is happening for MLB,

and Flowers are beginning to show themselves!

So hang in there everyone! We are right on the edge of our next season.  Just think, in a week or two...or three, we'll be able to hang up the winter coat and break out the grill and the lawnmower, and switch from the heavy reds to the lighter brighter spring and summer wines.

soon...