Tonight we are comparing three stout beers: Rogue Chocolate Stout (Oregon), Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout (Michigan), and Goose Island Oatmeal Stout (Illinois). Why these three? They were the only stouts available tonight at the unusually understocked Pace Hi, our nearest fine beer carryout. First Impressions (head, aroma, and color) Rogue: Clean chocolate smell. Not much hop on the nose. Dark, near black color. Foamiest head. Bell’s: Slightly chocolate, dark malt nose. Dark brown, cloudy [...]

Intuit (makers of Turbo Tax and Quickbooks) is running a contest for small business owners. The winners will receive $50,000 in start up money and other prizes. Unfortunately we did not hear about it in time to enter. However, a friend and mentor, Alissa DeRouchie, did enter and is in the final five! The winner is now up to voters. Here are five reasons I think you should vote for her: 1) Her business idea [...]

We do NOT support alcohol abuse. We do believe in drinking responsibly. Alcohol may be good for your health in moderation. However, just one drink of alcohol can cause impairment. We like to drink locally and just walk home. We believe that drinkers should designate a sober driver when needing transportation to and from parties or bars. If you think you have a problem, please get help.

One of our rules is that what is in our liquor cabinet at the beginning of the year is fair game for drinking, even if it is foreign. Here is everything we start with, with links provided for the unusual or highly recommended: Tools:The Little Black Book of Cocktails by Virginia ReynoldsCocktail shakerSelection of shot glassesPlastic flaskSmall pocket flaskSIGG stainless steel flask/bottleWooden muddlerWooden reamerBeer bottle opener (wall mount, hand held, and Homer Simpson voiced)Wine bottle [...]

We are having some of our last foreign drinks until 2009. Last night we had friends visit from Cincinnati, so we went for something special. First was a very nice Brut Champagne from France followed by an Italian Prosecco (sparkling wine) and finished by Lindeman’s Cassis Lambic from Belgium. I also picked up a 4-pack of La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue of Quebec, Canada. I’ll miss all these drinks in the coming year, but [...]

We were talking about alcohol ingredients last night. Should we find the source of all ingredients in every beverage? In a bottle of beer, even one made in Ohio, there could be hops from England or spices from the Carribean. Manufacturers don’t often publish the source of their ingredients. Unfortunately some might not even know this information. The principle of All American Alcohol is to reduce transportation impact and highlight local breweries and distilleries. Therefore, [...]

On our way home from a Xmas lunch today, Alex and I were discussing the globalization of trade, especially food trade. We already make efforts to eat locally by participating in a Columbus area Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and shopping our local co-op grocery store. We buy durable goods from ethical businesses and limit our purchases to things we ‘need’ as much as we can. What’s left to do to limit our resource footprint? I [...]