One word….. UTOPIA…..  I will have some Friday April 22nd…

Last week Avery Brewery of Boulder, Colorado announced that they were pulling out of 8 states and unfortunately the central Arkansas market is one of those.  Avery sited greater demand close to home as their reason and I just can’t help but wonder why not build another or larger brewery to keep up with demand?  I have been reassured though that they will be planning a comeback sometime in the next 12 to 18 months but until then I am buying up most of the inventory in our distributors warehouse to make sure I don’t run out anytime soon.

Shiner Cheer (brewed with peaches and pecans) I highly recommend

Sierra Nevada Celebration (great as always)

Boulevard Nutcracker (one of my favorites)

New Belgium 2 Below (last year this will be made)

Moylan’s White Winter beer (brewed with white pepper and mace)

The week before Christmas I will have sampler packs of past vintages of Celebration, a case each of the last three releases of Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary some aged Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad and some aged Anchor Steam Christmas Ale..

News update

My personal favorite time of the year because in just a few days (the week of November 15th) our 2010 load of Sierra Nevada Celebration will be here!!!

For the last couple of months I have been picking out a few beers to put into a pre-made sampler pack,  I will start posting on this site every time I do a new one and will include what is in it and how much.  Right now my sampler pack is what I call a Super Stout Sampler, the price is a little high but what you see what is in it you will understand.

$18.99 (includes one of each)

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout - ratebeer score 100

North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - ratebeer score 100

Boulevard Dark Truth Stout - ratebeer score 96

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (actually from Ireland) - ratebeer score 96

Avery Out of Bounds Stout - ratebeer score 95

Sam Adams Imperial Stout - ratebeer score 95

            I used to say that in my short lifetime that I could recall three different amazing wine experiences: Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 1997, Bunnell Family Vineyards NV Vif, and Penfold’s Grange 2000. This select list is not only memorable because of the wines, but also for the occasion. I enjoyed the Brunello at Ferneau’s with my love and a perfect rib eye steak, The Vif numerous times at Brave New Restaurant, and the Grange was amongst friends at a Vendor wine tasting during the Christmas holidays. I have recently added a new wine to this list. Its addition doesn’t rely on a special occasion. It was enjoyed while I was at work, consumed in an ordinary plastic cup. Its perfection and character will forever be imprinted on my brain and in my heart as one of the best wines I’ve ever tasted.

                Stagecoach Vineyards was started by visionary Dr. Jan Krupp. Located on the southern side of the Oakville appellation’s Pritchard Hill, its rugged terroir is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  When Jan first laid eyes on his future, he saw a rugged rock strewn, harsh mountain site. A half million tons of rock was cleared to make his first vineyard that was only 41 acres. Stagecoach is now over 750 acres. The best 10 percent of the grapes from Stagecoach go into Krupp Brothers wines, the rest go to other wineries.

VERAISON CABERNET SAUVIGNON

                This life changing wine gets its name from the crucial time during ripening when the grapes skin color deepens from an opaque green to a dark purple. Veraison honors this philosophy with its Bordeaux inspired Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cabernet is beautiful, rich, and intense while notes of cedar, cassis, plum, and dark chocolate saturate the palate. Well integrated tannins are balanced by strong fruit. The finish lasts forever and compels for another sip.

I hope that someday I’ll be able to enjoy this wine in a less mundane way, perhaps with the love of my life during a momentous occasion. Stop by Springhill to check out Veraison Cabernet Sauvignon and the entire line of Krupp Brothers wines. They will change your entire perspective about wine.

Thanks for reading,

David Waddle

Maker’s 46

The Samuels family has been making Bourbon since 1958 (longer than that if you count the years before Prohibition). Bill Samuels, Sr. first experimented with soft red winter wheat to create Maker’s Mark as we know it today. Not too long ago Master Distiller Kevin Smith began the lengthy “trial and error” period to create Maker’s 46. After a few failures and bad ideas Kevin finally got it right.

The key to Kevin’s success was not in making new bourbon; but in using the original Maker’s Mark as a base for the Maker’s 46. Kevin enlisted the help of barrel maker Brad Boswell and together they designed a barrel that could have 10 seared oak staves affixed inside the barrel. Searing the staves caramelizes the sugars in the wood, adding a unique flavor that finishes on the front of the tongue. This process also gives the bourbon a rich vanilla note and its name. The “46” comes from the process of taking fully matured Maker’s Mark, removing it from the barrel, inserting the 10 seared oak staves, and letting the bourbon age for a few more months. When the Maker’s 46 tastes exactly right, it is removed from the barrel, bottled, corked and dipped in the signature wax.

Maker’s 46 has a pleasant, sweet, toasty oak nose that is not overshadowed by alcohol. The taste is rich with seared oak flavors; caramel and vanilla on the up note, toasty on the down note. The nice oaky finished is lengthened by a hint of spice and is so smooth it will make you wonder if it really is 94 proof.

I have been a Maker’s Mark fan for many years and with the addition of Maker’s 46 I will be one for many more years. Come by Springhill for your bottle today. Below is a recipe for a Summer Breeze in case you would like to try your Maker’s 46 other than neat. All this drinking is making me thirsty…oops sorry John.

Thanks for reading,

David Waddle

Summer Breeze

1.5oz Maker’s 46

.5oz. Cointreau

Ginger Ale

Orange wedge

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add Maker’s 46 and Cointreau and fill with ginger ale. Garnish with a orange wedge. Enjoy this drink on a hot summer day.

What is it that drives us to learn as much as we can about the wines we love so much? If you are reading this, odds are that you suffer from this same irresistible urge to know all you can about your favorite pleasures. Make no mistake, I’m no Anthony Bourdain, but the wine and the region I’ll discuss today are very familiar to him: Sardinia, home to Anthony’s wife. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and this region is also home to one of my favorite wines.

Argiolas Costera [retail $19.99]

                If this wine were a symphony, it would be like Mahler’s 8^th symphony. Rich, dark, with complex harmonies and structure. The nose is full and heady. Heavy dried fruits are carried by rich white chocolate and fresh cracked black pepper. The body is warm on the palate with balanced acidity and pleasant tannins. Ripe fruit rounds off the taste to a cadence that lingers with great satisfaction.

Cannonau is the main varietal used in this blend. I know that some of you are thinking that you have never tried this varietal before, but it goes by many names. The French call it Grenache, and the Spanish call it Garnacha. Cannonau is native to Sardinia and grows well with the island’s Mediterranean climate. During the year there are approximately 300 days of sunshine, with a major concentration of rainfall in the winter and autumn, some heavy showers in the spring and snowfalls in the highlands. The average temperature is between 11 to 17 °C (52 to 63 °F) the Mistral from the northwest is the dominant wind on and off throughout the year, though it is most prevalent in winter and spring. It can blow quite strongly, but it is usually dry and cool and makes for a sailor’s paradise. Since Cannonau ripens late, because of the 300 days of sunshine and the mild Mediterranean climate, the yields must be carefully controlled. Otherwise the wine will lack structure and color. This is one reason Carignano and Bovale Sardo are included in this blend.

Enjoy Argiolas with suckling pig or wild boar roasted on the spit or boiled in stews of beans and vegetables, thickened with bread. Or pair with a filet seasoned with herbs such as mint and myrtle and brushed lightly with extra virgin olive oil. Serve with a salad of arugula, tomatoes, basil, oregano, garlic and a strong cheese.

Come by today to enjoy this wonderful but not very well known wine. Wednesday is wine day so you can enjoy this gem of a wine at a discounted price. Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,

David Waddle

Our local Budweiser distributor has really stepped up to the plate the last few weeks in trying to bring some very high quality craft beers into the state, Golden Eagle will bring in Goose Island Bourbon County Stout which is one of the highest rated beers in the world!  I am told that we will have this product in our store by no later than Wednesday February 3rd,  Springhill has bought a large quantity of this wonderful beer in anticipation for a very high demand.  I will (hopefully) be able to set some aside to do a little aging and release in small amounts down the road as part of my aged beer collection as I have done with some 09 Bigfoot and Celebration.  Check out Goose Islands website for some great info on this beer and some others we will also have very soon!

On the 23rd and the 30th of January we will be doing Moylan’s appreciation days, we will be doing in-store tastings and offering a 15% discount on any Moylan’s purchase.  Below is a description of the nine different Moylan beers that are currently available here.

<!– @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –>

Dragoons Dry Irish Stout
Dry, roasty and incredibly rich in flavor, Dragoons Dry Irish Stout is made with a unique blend of imported hops and malted barley from the United Kingdom. This award winning stout is brewed in the Irish tradition to commemorate General Stephen Moylan, Irish-born commander of the 4th Continental Dragoons during the American Revolutionary War.

Alcohol 8.0% by Volume

Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
Robust and Strapping , Our Scotch Ale takes BIG Beers to a whole new level. Rich malt balances perfectly with delicate hops to provide a concentrated and intense flavor; an ideal companion for hearty foods, or as a meal unto itsself. Allow this ale to warm slightly in your glass to enhance its truly bold character .Sharing is encouraged, as this is one beer that lives up to its name! Hey! No peeking! Slainté!

Alcohol 8.0% by Volume

Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial Ale- Tripple Hoppy
This is a “Hop” tribute, worthy of a King’s Imperial Court! Enjoy the blast of fresh Tomahawk, Cascade and Centennial Hops as they stimulate the taste buds in a truly imperial fashion. Pucker Up!

Alcohol 9.2% by Volume

Moylan’s Tipperary Pale Ale
Our version of the classic Pale Ale style is named in tribute to County Tipperary, our Founder’s Father’s Homeland. Sweetly sharp and smoothly bitter, this beer straddles the line between what you want and what you need. It’s not a long way to Tipperary anymore!

Alcohol 5.0% by Volume

Moylan’s Celts Golden Ale
Pale gold in color, sweet and fruity, with a slight dryness and crisp hoppiness in the finish. This California Golden Ale is the perfect “session” beer- an excellent ale that complements all occcasions.

Alcohol 5.0% by Volume

Moylan’s IPA (India Pale Ale)
Exciting and provacative, India Pale Ale provides a stimulating assault on all senses.Our version of the IPA style possesses a deep golden hue that nearly winks at you from the glass. Extremely full-bodied, its rich flavor wraps your tongue in a lush blanket of sweet malt with a spicy hop finish. Two hop varieties in the Dry Hopping provide an enticing floral bouquet, with notes of resin and herbs,creating a delightfully quaffable and refreshing ale we’re sure you’ll love!

Alcohol 6.5% by Volume

Moylan’s Irish Style Red Ale
A rich ale recipe from the Homeland, Paddy’s Irish Red Ale is malty sweetness in liquid form. A low hop profile dances above the massive barley character, creating an invigorating aroma and carmel character that will compliment most foods. Hearty and luscious, this brew is what keeps those Irish Eyes A’ Smilin’!

Alcohol 6.5% by Volume

Moylan’s Old Blarney Barleywine Style Ale
Our Barleywine Style Ale is a rich and heavy ale brewed to a high gravity. Massive body, mouthfeel and hoppiness. Barleywines are the “brandy” of the ale world. A great sipping ale, and a perfect finish to any meal.

Alcohol 10.0% by Volume

Moylan’s Ryan Sullivans Imperial Stout
Originally brewed to withstand the long voyage from London to Czarist Russia, Imperial Stouts are rich, thick and intense. Named in honor of our St. Patrick’s Day Piper, Ryan Sullivan’s Imperial Stout brings chocolate truffles, espresso coffe, burnt currants and the sweetness of sherry to mind. This is the classic “Cigar Stout”.

Alcohol 10.0% by Volume