The Czech Republic may hold the reputation of being a beer lover’s paradise, but the country’s contribution to spirits, Becherovka, stands among the most complex liqueurs in the world. While European countries have a long tradition of digestifs, from Italian amaro to French cognac to Germany’s Underberg, only Becherovka has … Read more
Nestled between Austria, Poland and Slovakia, the ancient kingdom of Moravia is relatively unknown and often upstaged by neighboring Bohemia and its capital city of Prague. Moravia is a treasure and arguably one of the best preserved and most historic regions of the Czech Republic. In Southern Moravia the treasures … Read more
Yeah, … “there’s nothing wrong with a good grilled cheese every now and again”, chimed our server Christi as she raced around busing tables after taking my order. It was nearly midnight and Déjà Vu was still cranking out the daily special. After ordering a beer and checking out the … Read more
Pennsylvania is known for rolling hills, picturesque farms, brilliant fall foliage and even a town built by chocolate. But did you know that USA Today ranked Pennsylvania number six out of the top ten states for drinking locally crafted beer? And it’s not all about beer. According to the U. … Read more
After sailing Maine’s sparkling seas, kayaking and canoeing its pristine lakes, hiking its lofty mountains or schussing down its snow-covered slopes, what could be better than an icy-cold beer—especially a hand-crafted ale or lager from a local microbrewery or brewpub? Maine now ranks fifth in the nation for the number … Read more
Ron Swanson, the burly Parks and Recreation character whose moustache alone is the pinnacle of American masculinity, perfectly summed up our western opinion toward vodka when he said, “Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets.” Vodka conjures up images of the Sex and the City girls sipping Cosmopolitans and figure conscious twentysomethings downing … Read more
When in Mexico it’s not hard to love tequila. I mean, who wouldn’t love sipping a couple margaritas watching a sunset in Acapulco? But for the intrepid traveler who must always venture beyond the standard beach resorts, the scenic state of Jalisco in the heart of Mexico offers a once … Read more
An Intersection of Wine and History When one thinks about beverages in Germany, beer immediately comes to mind. Wine lovers will be happy to know that Germany isn’t just about beer. In fact, the State of Saxony in eastern Germany has an 850 year old wine-making history. I recently visited … Read more
For many years my husband and I lived in the Stuttgart area of Germany – less than two hours from the French border and Alsace. Whenever we had the chance, we’d hop in the car and head in that direction—for a day, a weekend, or even longer. We loved the … Read more
These days, the big word in Norwegian drink circles is actually pretty small. It’s mikrobryggeri. “We’ve had microbreweries in the U.S. since the 1980s,” you scoff. True, and after three decades we’ve got upwards of 2,000. But consider this: The Vikings were among the first to brew hand-crafted beers. And … Read more
San Diego is known for its thriving craft beer scene, with a plethora of breweries, tasting rooms, beer bars and even events like the San Diego International Beer Festival. That said, anyone traveling to San Diego should be aware that this influence has spilled over into the nearby (and lesser-known) … Read more
In the early 14th century about the time Christianity was introduced in Norway, a number of monks around the country were mastering the art of distillation. I have no idea why monks were making spirits but their efforts produced one that would ultimately become one of Norway’s finest cultural treasures. … Read more
Brooklyn has recently emerged as a “must see” for visitors to New York, showcasing a dizzying array of inventive, hyper-creative food and beverage companies. Just over the Williamsburg Bridge lies a world that’s far away from Manhattan mainstream cuisine. The neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint have gentrified in the … Read more
South Australia is renowned for world class wine regions, chefs preaching the joys of eating farm-to-table foods and a countryside where the pace is slow and laid back. An accommodation that immerses you in the lifestyle is Kingsford Homestead, located on the edge of the Barossa Valley. This iconic wine … Read more
I’m wandering among castle tunnels in the Castilla y León region of northwestern Spain, wondering what the walls would say if they could speak. But they are silent, buffeted on either side by oak barrels numbering in the thousands. The tunnels weave through the interior of a mountain leading up … Read more