Author Archives: Susie O

San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2016

One should ever stop improving his craft … or drinking.  For that reason, a very special group of people come together each January to talk booze, learn about industry trends, raise money for a worthy cause, and celebrate all-things cocktail at the San Antonio Cocktail Conference.  Oh … and go to plenty of parties.  (So many parties.)

You can find the basics on my recap of last year’s SACC, but this year was a completely different experience.  First, I was over my fan-girl stage after meeting some of my favorite distillers/authors/bar(wo)men I’ve admired.  Second, I knew a bit more than to attempt to go the whole weekend without Gatorade or heartburn meds and only eating at events.  (You live, you learn.)  I also learned that, if you want to experience this the right way, you jump in head first … and take a running start.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

I got whisk(ey)ed away.  If you read my stuff, you know I’m a fan of Tullamore D.E.W. (a.k.a. Tully*), so I was delighted to be invited to the seminar “Five Cocktails that Changed Irish Whiskey Forever” led by Tully’s U.S. brand ambassador, Tim Herlihy, and badass barman Stephen Halpin.  They waxed poetic about the origins of the drinks, mixed each up so we could try them out, and provided color commentary about whiskey and Irish drinking traditions … and, of course, led us in a few toasts.  The five cocktails here: Irish coffee (invented in an airport in 1942 … really?), the hot toddy, the high ball, the Pickleback, and the Irish Car Bomb.  (Needless to say, I was useless waste of space for the four hours following this seminar.)

I ate all the tacos.  (Not kidding, actually.)  My cohorts and I somehow ended up as stowaways on the annual Tito’s Vodka Taco Bus Tour alongside my spirit animal, David Alan, a.k.a. the Tipsy Texan.  We made a few taco stops, our bus got pulled over (as one does), and we drank vodka … lots of vodka.

I learned some things.  I had the opportunity to see my friend, Kevin of the Cocktail Enthusiast, talk about his time touring Cuba and experiencing their classic cocktails (you know, purely for journalistic reasons).  CZCT7F8UsAAKH-YNew 30th birthday trip plan: create my Cuba travel guide!  Other nuggets of knowledge picked up: how to make an authentic hurricane, bright yellow, super fast Camaros are super fun to drive (see my ride to SA on the right … thanks to Chevy!), and don’t wait to book your hotel.

If you’re at all interested in spirits, the history of cocktails, the bar industry and what makes it tick, etc., check out the SACC and attend a seminar or two.  This year they even had a yoga class and a seminar entitled “The Cocktails of Ian Fleming & James Bond”.  Awesome, no?  Since I got in later than I’d hoped, I wasn’t able to attend as many educational seminars as I’d hoped.  (Missed: “The Physiology of the Shake“, “Discovering Sotol“, and a seminar on politics and booze.)

BONUS: most of the seminars provide “hands-on” experiences.  Read: booze.

I drank tequila.  If you know me, this is unique.  I can appreciate a good agave spirit, but when it’s paired with chocolate … I appreciate it more.  Milagro Tequila’s JP De Loera teamed up with local restaurant Lüke to create incredible pairings of anejos and chocolates and talked participants through each–the flavors of each tequila and chocolate and why they work together.

I partied for a good cause.  The SACC is actually put on by Houston Street Charities.  A portion of the proceeds are divided amongst various children’s charities in the San Antonio region and they even host a service day during the SACC!

I explored Alamo City.  I did my best to walk everywhere.  (I believe that’s the best way to get to know a city.)  The San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau is a great resource for fun things to do, attractions, maps, hotel discounts, etc..

Stay up on all the SACC news on their website or social channels.  I hope to see you there next year!


SAN ANTONIO COCKTAIL CONFERENCE
sanantoniococktailconference.com
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2017 dates: January 11-15

*If you follow me on Snapchat … you also know this is my dog‘s name.  ?

Honorable mention to the brunch setup for the hangover brunch I wasn’t able to eat at on Sunday!

Product Review: Balls Vodka

It’s hard to look at the packaging and marketing materials for Ball’s Vodka and not go through an internal rant. For me it was a combo of, first, a solid chuckle … but then the follow-up thought, “Ugh … is this all we’re doing here?” as the puns continue. I’m definitely not one to eschew a terrible joke or ten (Susie very clearly told me I was the person destined to write this review as soon as the email came in), but the line between a good and a lazy ball joke is quite fine.
Do I smile, make a cavalcade of crotch riffs and call it day? Does the world need more stiff drink puns? (Duh.) Am I overthinking this? And if I am, why don’t I ask you to look at the freaking bottle and tell me anything about this is meant to be serious?

[Takes deep breath.]

Alright, let’s go ahead and put some Balls in my mouth and see where this goes. (Yeah … I just wrote that.)

Balls_Vodka1-e1426082024629I first experimented with just the Balls to get a straight taste and then I went for a vodka soda – just to set a baseline. My vodka palette is by no means refined, but I’m confident enough that I avoided burning my necessary taste buds when I was a teenager that I can make good decisions. I know what I hate and can tell what isn’t quality … and I didn’t hate this. The taste was clean with notes of vanilla that only briefly lingered, and it only took a few sips to realize this was actually pretty damn decent stuff. I was actively looking for reasons to choke* on every sip, but it never happened.

* I just can’t keep doing this – if you have a good pun/joke/idea, just say it aloud to yourself right here or leave it as a comment.

The third and final test was to invite vodka (and some ball)-loving friends over and see how they reacted. After a few puns, they dove in along with me and had the same feedback. This is a solid vodka for simple drinks (we never felt the need to do anything besides sip the classic soda and/or tonic with some lemons and limes). The suggested price point is around $10 below Grey Goose, so this could be not only a solid pun-based conversation piece, but a good versatile bottle for your home bar.

The TL:DR version: These Balls go down smooth and even your mom will love them. (Please try to understand how much I hate myself right now.)

To learn more, score some sweet merch or find a bottle near you, visit ballsvodka.com.


BALLS VODKA
ballsvodka.com
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Store Locations

  • Proof: 80
  • Nose: vanilla
  • Favor: clean, slight mineral and sweetness
  • Distilled from: American corn
  • Sipping suggestions: mixed in simple cocktails
  • Price: $29.99 for 1.75L

 

True Wilcox Cooking Concepts

You know that saying, “Those who can’t do, teach”? Tre Wilcox completely disproves that one with the recent opening of Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts in Frisco last month. The space will serve as a cooking school (for group cooking classes, private sessions, and even team building exercises), a catering prep kitchen, and an event space. If you think that team building whilst cooking is a good idea, give it a go with your collegues! There are plenty of San Francisco cooking team building competitions out there for people to get stuck into a try.

You may remember Tre from his time on Bravo’s “Top Chef” or one of the amazing restaurants around Dallas he’s lent his expertise to over the years–ahem, Abacus, Marquee Grill, Loft 610. Oh … and he was a nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s “Rising Star Chef” award … twice. I mean … whatever … he’s real damn talented.

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The 3,200 square foot space has a full commercial kitchen that the team will use for prep and event catering. They have used a central kitchen solution to help save on staff and food costs as well as making it easier to prepare and order the food. The sleek spaces also have a wall lined with top-of-the-line ranges and ovens begging to be fired-up and used to make one of the unreal dishes dreamt up by Chef Tre. The shiny appliances will be put to good use in the group classes and even for the aforementioned team-building games–choose from the “Iron Chef Battle”, “Market Basket Challenge”, and the “Family Dinner”. Sounds like a fun way to get back at Janet in accounting who keeps eating your lunch.

Don’t enjoy the thrill of competition? Grab a spot in one of the upcoming events where Tre will team up with other local chefs or even wine experts for tastings. His casual teaching style makes the techniques feel more approachable–even perfect, homemade risotto seemed attainable after his demonstration at our media preview. (I may need a refresher before trying it again myself.)

One pro tip he gave us was, if it takes less than 20 minutes for a restaurant to bring you risotto … they’re making it wrong.

TRE Cooking Concepts
www.trewilcox.com
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8200 Preston Road, Suite 135, Plano
844-776-8200

Product Review: Traveler Grapefruit IPA Shandy

As a lover of IPAs (before it was cool), I’ve had to face some hard truths about them in the last few years. Recently, it feels like, for every new brewery discovery I make, there are even more options featuring a ton of IBUs dumped in barley that would leave me feeling like I didn’t even know what beer was anymore. The brewing process for an IPA is simple, and the strong ingredients are not only useful for proving how many hops your manly palate can take, but also for covering up shortcuts or mistakes in the process. IPA is the king of craft beers and the backlash was inevitable, but I’ve been finding myself looking for other beers to round out my choices at home.

So, when Traveler Beer reached out to our team offering a chance to try the Traveler Grapefruit IPA Shandy as a follow up to my review of the non-IPA offerings from last summer, I jumped on it. I was intrigued, but cautiously optimistic about it. Best case – I pick up a new guilty pleasure for a summer beer; worst case, I continue cursing the availability of hops to everyone with an idea, some free time, and a brewing kit.

The answer was: somewhere in the middle.

First, this is a very low 4.4% beer, so it’s not going to wallop anyone out of the gate. (Which was kind of what I was looking for. I have two kids now, I can’t sit around all day guzzling beers with buddies waiting for a buzz. And I’m too lazy to walk to the bathroom that much. Efficiency is key.) This is not a heavy drink, and, if you’re not into beer, this is a lower ABV than most of the hard sodas that became a thing last year. (More on that to come, I’m sure.)

Second, “IPA” may come first in the title, but this was still very much a shandy. The grapefruit taste was front and center and the hoppy, beer flavor was very much buried underneath it. None of this is a bad thing – in fact, if you like a good shandy or fruit-based beer in general, you’ll like this. I shared with a friend who very much fit this profile and she really enjoyed it.

I know you’re reading this because you want a yay or nay, but all I can do here is give you facts. If you want a bold, bitter beer taste, this isn’t for you … but then again, you’re the one who opened something with grapefruit shandy in the title, so maybe you need to realize words mean things. If you’re a fan of citrus and are looking for something you can enjoy all day long, this is a solid pick up.

To learn more, visit travelerbeer.com/ipa-shandy or visit the home page for the full lineup of Traveler Beers.

STATS:
Malt Varieties: 2-Row Brewers Malt, Malted and Unmalted Wheat
Hop Varieties: Galena, Warrior, Centennial, Citra, Cascade, Chinook, Nelson Sauvin
Special Ingredients: Real Grapefruit
Alcohol: 4.4%
BUs: 52

TRAVELER BEER
travelerbeer.com
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Dallas Happy Hour Bingo

Loyal readers of Susie Drinks Dallas are well aware of our coverage of happy hours specials all around Dallas, but with so many options at your disposal, how can you possibly narrow down which places to grab a couple of beverages at after a long day at the office?

Bars and lounges usually have different specials every night, which does make our lives a little easier. Although if you’re the adventurous type and don’t mind mixing things up a bit, heres a little bingo game that you can play with your fellow happy hour going friends.

A game of chance is exactly what we need for a little spontaneity in our nightlife habits, and as much as bingo takes a lot of heat for being a pastime for grandmothers, the games recent comeback has shown a surprising turnout among millennials growing more fond of all things vintage. Along with knitting, bowling, and other pursuits, the Wall Street Journal explains that bingo is one of the latest old-school pastimes experiencing a resurgence among young people, giving rise to the number of players in brick and mortar bingo halls as well as online portals. Keeping with the steady growth in bingo gamers, companies such as Gala Bingo have even started offering a weeks worth of free bingo games for new users, and who doesn’t love anything that’s free? Additionally, they have run various promotions like Tone Up to keep users fit while playing, and partnered with various celebrities to tap into the millennial demographic. Players can now play American bingo anywhere they go with online sites letting them play 24/7. That means they can play from their homes, whilst traveling or when they’re bored in a waiting room, meaning that they could win big jackpots with their spare time. There are different variations of online games all over the world. From bingo to European roulette, and slot machines. Most of these games can be played for free, or demoed on the online gaming website, with a variety of jackpots to take home.

From there, the game has since lent itself to a number of themes, essentially giving bingo a number of lifestyle applications. For the fashion bloggers, there was Wardrobe Bingo, and for gym rats, there was Fitness Bingo, and for those obsessed with 2 for 1 cocktail and beer promos, along with bottomless mimosas, there is Dallas Happy Hour Bingo. Perhaps looking for something a little more different, like Crystal Crush bingo, is more to others tastes.

To play, you’ll need to pick 25 different establishments that you’ve never been to (or at least places whose happy hour specials you haven’t tried). Once you’ve got those, you can either randomize your card through Print Bingo or create your own and attach images with each for some visual appeal. Each time you need to figure out where to go for drinks, randomly select an item on your card and cross it out once you’ve had their happy hour beverages. Play it with a group of friends, and whoever gets a pattern gets treated the next time you’re all out.

#DrinkingwithSusie: @Natalie_Keinan of The Fashion Hour

I have some really fun friends. I thought the other day that it’s a damn shame that I don’t get to show them off more. Enter: #DrinkingwithSusie! I’ll be hanging out with some of my foodie/fashion/fit friends to bring you fun recipes and introducing you to some Dallas movers and shakers. Stay tuned for more next month!

My first #DrinkingwithSusie victim is Natalie Keinan. I was lucky enough to meet Natalie about a year ago and knew we would be great friends right off the bat because, well … we both love happy hour. Natalie runs the popular fashion and happy hour blog, The Fashion Hour–a lot of fashion and a little booze!

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When we got together to make our cocktail, she had requested the following: no tequila, nothing bitter, and something light and refreshing. Oh, and it had to have champagne in it … and she wanted to use the copper pineapple I’d given her for Christmas. (The pineapple just happens to be a part of a gift set offered by Absolut Elyx, and for every one sold they donate a week of clean water to people in need!)

So, what did I come up with? A lotta bit of Elyx, a little coconut water, and plenty of champagne. (And that’s how life should be.)

3 parts Absolut Elyx
1½ parts sparkling wine (I chose Veuve Clicquot)
3 parts coconut water
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part honey syrup
Garnish: Coconut shavings

Either shake or stir the Elyx, coconut water, lemon, and syrup with ice until chilled. Fill pineapple with fresh ice and strain contents over ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with coconut shavings. (Bonus: mound shaved ice on top of cubed ice.)

Protip: when pouring the champagne into the pineapple, since it’s opaque, it’s hard to see when the level rises and the sparkling wine can bubble over. To avoid spilling, pour slowly.

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How and when did you decide to start The Fashion Hour?
I created The Fashion Hour in October of 2013 after kicking the idea around for several months and doing a lot of googling. I started it as a creative outlet from my job in corporate America where I would share good deals on clothes I found along with my favorite happy hour spots. It has grown quite a bit since then but both of those topics are still the core of what I write about!

What are you must-have items for Spring?
My must-have items for spring are: a pair of retro sunglasses (I love these clear and tortoise shell Illesteva ones), a straw hat, and turquoise jewelry like this spike bib necklace!

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What clothing trends do you see being hot this spring?
Anything off-the-shoulder, frayed denim, necktie scarf/bandana, overalls, fringe, pom poms … is that too much? I also think we are going to see more people investing in replica pieces. It can be all too easy to assume that your favorite designer pieces are just out of reach. However, nowadays, there are some brilliant replica websites like LuxuryTastic where you can find replica pieces based on all the latest designer items. I was actually introduced to LuxuryTastic by a friend of mine who showed me this Luxurytastic review. Feel free to check it out for yourself. Who knows, you might even find a replica alternative to some of the must-have pieces for this spring.

What’s your go-to spring outfit this year?
I always gravitate towards simple and casual so my go-to spring outfit is a pair of skinny or ripped jeans, basic tee, and this suede moto jacket (I seriously wear it over everything).

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Where is your favorite happy hour in Dallas?
That is HARD. There’s just so many so it’s impossible to choose a favorite, but I am pretty excited about the new House of Blues patio. Who doesn’t love food and drink specials before a show?!

Follow Natalie around Dallas (and some other fabulous destinations) for her style tips, sale scoops, and, from time to time, boozy recipes!

THE FASHION HOUR
thefashionhour.com
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Susie-4040Natalie’s Outfit:
Suede Moto Jacket, Nordstrom
Black Skinny Jeans, Nordstrom
Tank, T.J. Maxx (similar: Nordstrom)
Necklace, BaubleBar
Shoes, Nordstrom Rack

Susie’s Outfit (like it matters …):
Denim Dress (similar: Bloomingdales $78, Asos $47.77, Macy’s $62.99)
Flip Flops, Nordstrom Rack
Bracelet, Cartier

Barware:
Copper pineapple, ReserveBar.com, $98
Copper Japanese Style Jigger, Cocktail Kingdom, $19.95
Copper Barspoon, Cocktail Kingdom, $25.95
Copper Strainer, Absolut Elyx (similar: Cocktail Kingdom, $18.95)
Mixing Glass, Absolut Elyx (similar: Williams-Sonoma, $29.95)
Wooden Muddler, Amazon, $4.09
1oz Glass Bottle with Dropper, Specialty Bottle, $0.84

Photography by Adam Stewart

Dallas #BoozeNews: March 20

Join me at a wine tasting at Whole Foods Uptown on Tuesday, March 29 at 7pm!  We’ll taste Bordeaux wines along with Bordeaux blends from around the world … do you think you can tell the difference?  Tickets are only $10 and space is limited … get yours now!

Help out one of our favorite Dallas barmen! Vote for your favorite ginger bartender, Stephen Halpin of Parliament, in Patron’s “Margarita of the Year” contest DAILY through April 15!  He’s one of 10 finalists for his Smoked Mangonada Margarita!   VOTE NOW!

NEW OPENINGS

It makes sense that it’s the luckiest month of the year … because Dallas’ restaurant scene is getting some seriously awesome new restaurants and bars!

Hypnotic Emporium – an offshoot of Hypnotic Donuts, expect old fashioned candies, a sofa fountain, and homemade ice cream right next door to their original storefront.  NOW OPEN

The Snow Healer – picture courtesy of Quill

Quill Dallas – the newest watering hole in the Design District offers a sexy setting for craft cocktails by James Slater and a (very) limited food menu by John Tesar and Joel Harrington.  The cocktails are all sexy as hell, too.  NOW OPEN

NOLA Brasserie – the newest hotel to open in Downtown Dallas boasts a New Orleans-inspired restaurant with classics like Crawfish Étouffée, Po’Boys and grits and cocktails inspired by the French Quarter and beers from New Orleans and Texas.  NOW OPEN

Rock & Brews – The Colony is rocking a new spot for comfort food and plenty of beer options.  The rock-inspired restaurant comes to us from KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, so you know it’ll be over the top.  Stop by for some Chile Cheese Fries, a Backstage Burger, the “Any Way You Want It” pizza, or one of the other items on their giant menu and enjoy a little live music.  Bring your furry friends because they have a dog-friendly patio, too!  NOW OPEN

Kitchen LTO – The Trinity Groves restaurant is constantly reinventing itself (true to its name) and its newest resident is Nick Amoriello (CIA graduate formerly of Nobu, Driftwood, Central 214, and more).  He’ll bring his “classical French techniques … in a very approachable and comforting style”.  He teamed up with Artist Sarah Reiss and will be in place for the next six months.   NOW OPEN

The Royale, Magnificent Burgers – John Tesar + a Wes Anderson theme + delicious, locally sourced burgers?  Complete with “an elevated poutine program”, seafood, veggie, and bison options, and craft milkshakes … this place sounds quite intriguing.  I’ll be checking out this Plano burger spot next weekend, so stay tuned!  NOW OPEN

Hash House A Go Go's Sage Fried Chicken

Hash House A Go Go’s Sage Fried Chicken

Hash House a Go Go – GUYS, GUYS, GUYS … I’m super stoked for this place to open locally.  I stop by every time I visit Las Vegas (there’s one in The LINQ hotel on The Strip) and never miss their gargantuan Sage Fried Chicken and waffles.  Actually … everything is huge … and delicious.  It’s opening March 25 in Plano’s Preston Park Village (1900 Preston Road).

Dugg Burger Bar – MORE FOR PLANO!  The Lakewood build-your-own burger spot is expanding to Plano.  This brilliant restaurant hollows out your burger’s bun (to make space for all the amazing toppings) and then grills it on its custom made grill so it’s perfectly toasty.  Check it out at 4701 West Park Blvd. # 110!

Meso Maya – Dallas’ favorite fancy Mexican restaurant is opening its third location in the Mockingbird Abrams Shopping Center (4123 Abrams Road) this Spring!  Don’t miss their Avocado Margarita … and their other delicious food.  But mostly the margarita.

Truck Yard – Get ready, Fort Worth … the wildly outlandish bar/trailer park/food truck stop is coming your way!  Look for it in the former Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion lot later this year!

Flix Brewhouse – movies are cool.  Beer is cool.  A movie theater with a brewery in it?  The coolest.  Look forward to this spot in Little Elm at Main Marketplace at Main St. and FM 423 to experience the first-ever cinema and dine-in microbrewery, opening Spring 2017.

NEW OFFERINGS

Uchi’s little sister, Top Knot, will begin serving more … and more … and more.  (And I’m stoked about it.)  Look for late night from 10-12pm DAILY with special items not available otherwise including a poutine option.
Even better? They’ll start serving brunch April 3 on Sundays and April 30 on Saturdays!  Expect items like their Miso-Caramel Cinnamon Pull-apart Nabe and Hot Fried Chicken Benedict along with shareable pastries and their Brunch Punch (Jim Beam® bourbon, ice tea, sugar, lemon, orange and nutmeg)!

Speaking of brunch, new Plano restaurant, Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine, has also started serving Dallas’ favorite meal Sundays from 10am-3pm.

Since it is the first day of spring, it seems like some restaurants are taking the chance to reinvent themselves.  Cite: new cocktail menus!

Proof + Pantry’s award-winning beverage program rolled out new options including winners like the Cobbler (sherry and rosé), Proper Smash (their expertly made whiskey smash), and the Cold Brew (their take on an Irish Coffee that I was able to try last week … oh damn).

Lower Greenville favorite, Remedy’s beverage director, Mate Hartai, is shaking things up with new options like the Stirred Last Word, Red Devil, and the Faugeat Painkiller along with shrub and kombucha sodas.

Faugeat Painkiller | picture courtesy of Remedy

Faugeat Painkiller | picture courtesy of Remedy

LIMITED TIME OFFERINGS

Coal Vines – they’ll be offering a new “pizza of the month” starting in March!  The first option will be the Roasted Chicken & Baby Spinach Pie, a 14” creamy white pizza with chicken and fresh spinach paired with TWO glasses of Malbec or Pinot Grigio.
Cost: $25
Available: through March 31 at their Uptown and Omni Dallas locations

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Green Eggs & Ham Burger: beef patty, prosciutto, fried egg, manchego cheese, salsa verde, onion, tomato and arugula on a fresh-out-of-the-oven egg bun. 

Strawberry Buttermilk Pie Shake: Creamy, house made buttermilk custard is perfectly blended with flaky pie crust crumbles, vanilla ice cream and triple sec marinated strawberries for the ultimate sweet-n-tart treat.

Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita: jalapeno-infused tequila, muddled fresh jalapeno and cilantro, shaken to frenzy with house-made triple sec, fresh squeezed lime juice and a kiss of agave nectar.

Cost: burger ($11), shake ($6), margarita ($8)
Available: through March 31 at both Dallas locations

Hard Rock Cafe – stop in and get lucky with their new GUINNESS® Irish Stout and GUINNESS® & Jameson® Bacon Cheeseburger (complete with whiskey bacon jam) pairing.
Available: through April 10 at all locations

Biergarten – they’re celebrating “Mocktoberfest” in a big way!  With this special, you’ll get one mini burger slider, one mini schnitzel slider, one mini brat and two sides (cole slaw and Joe’s potato salad), PLUS a 16 oz. Oktoberfest beer in a souvenir Paulaner
Cost: $15
Available: through March 31

BOOZE NEWS

I now have another option to satisfy my Irish whiskey cravings.  Celtic punk band, The Pogues, recently launched a new Irish whiskey called … wait for it … The Pogues.  It’s “50% 10-year single malt and 50% 5-to-7-year grain and crafted at West Cork Distillers, one of two remaining 100% independently owned and operated distilleries in Ireland”.  Sláinte!

Alamo Drafthouse and Austin Beerworks teamed up to create a limited release 16oz canned beer for the release of Richard Linklater’s new film “Everybody Wants Some” that will be released in April.  For their first partnership,  this beer will be available in select ADH locations in a specially designed 16oz “tallboy”cans.

You people (over 21 young people, that is): it’s time to clean up your resumé!  World of Beer is looking for Drink It Interns.  These interns will act as “WOB narrators, capturing content from around the country and the world and sharing it back via [their] social media channels, bringing consumers into the world of brew traveling … This job is all about traveling, shooting, editing, writing, and drinking awesome beer (cheers to that!).”  They’ll even have the chance to learn from experts as DRAFT MAGAZINE and … be paid.
Apply before March 26!  Details here: worldofbeer.com/drinkitintern.

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Introducing Tullamore D.O.G. & His St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails

written by Tullamore D.O.G. “O”

Hey, y’all … I’m Susie’s new friend!  My new mom adopted me a couple weeks ago from TLC Rescue where my name was CeeLo (because I have really short arms … I get those from my corgi mom) and Susie changed my name to Tullamore D.O.G., but you can call me Tully.  (She said that she wanted to name me after one of her very favorite things … Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey!)

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The last two and a half weeks have been a big change for me … I went from running around in the country alone stealing pies from windowsills to hanging out in a condo in Dallas with food set right in front of me when I want it.  Oh, and my human takes care of my doodoo.  (One less thing to worry about, you know?)  Life is good.  Now … I’m not saying that everyone should go out and get one of my buddies I was at camp with, but they sure would appreciate it.

Tonight we tried on our St. Patrick’s Day parade outfits … do you like my green paws!?  (The tip of my tail is green, too … you can see it on my mom’s Snapchat–@susieoz–along with a bunch of other cute videos of me being adorable.)  Susie got me some super cool hair spray made just for pets and a bowtie so I could look cool on Greenville!

To make things even MORE fun my first couple weeks at my new home, my birthday is tomorrow, Saint Patrick’s Day!!!  I have a Pup-pie to look forward to, but I wanted to tell y’all about a few of my mom’s favorite Irish whiskey cocktails so you can celebrate along with me!  You’re welcome, human.

I hope you have a great time celebrating … I’ll see you all on Greenville!

TRADITIONAL IRISH COFFEE
1 jigger Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey (or 1.5oz)
1 cup of fresh, high quality hot coffee
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Real whipped cream

Combine Tully and coffee, add sugar, and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.  Top with whipped cream.

MIDORI GREEN EYED GINGER
1 part Midori® Melon Liqueur
2 parts 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey
2 parts Ginger Ale
Lemon Wheel
Lime Wheel

Build in order over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a lemon & lime half moon wheel on the rim.

CRABBIE’S MOSCOW MULE
3–4 mint leaves
¾ oz lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
1½ oz vodka
Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Muddle the mint gently in the bottom of your glass. Add the lime juice, simple syrup and vodka, fill with ice, then top with Crabbie’s.

PICKLE BACK
1 shot Jameson
1 shot pickle juice

You know what to do …

RED-HEADED BLOODY

2 parts 2 GINGERS® Whiskey
4 parts tomato juice
1 part lemon juice (to taste)
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 dash salt
2 dashes black pepper
2 dashes hot sauce
splash of Irish Stout

Combine ingredients in tall glass and stir, pour into second glass full of ice, and garnish with celery stalk and lemon wedge.

THE IRISH ROVER
1 & 1/2 measure of The Pogues Irish Whiskey
3/4 measure of Sweet Red Vermouth
3 dashes of Angostura Bitters

POT OF GOLD
1 ½ parts Frangelico
4 parts easy-drinking lager beer
3 parts ginger beer
½ part lemon juice
Garnish with a lemon wheel

Pour beer into a glass. Add Frangelico and lemon juice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

THE IRISH STOUT (Recipe by Matt Ragan, Victor Tangos)

1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
1/2 oz Varnelli Caffè Moka coffee liqueur
1 oz strong cold brew coffee
3 oz Southern Tier Mokah Imperial stout
1/2 oz vanilla syrup
Dollop of vanilla crème anglaise

Add the whiskey, liqueur and coffee in a shaker tin. Add three ice cubes, and give the tin a quick shake. Strain into a tulip glass, and top with the stout. Finish with the vanilla crème anglaise.

Luck of Laphroaig® Created by Tyson Buhler (New York, NY)
1 1/2 parts Laphroaig® Select
1/4 part Sarsaparilla Syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange twist

Combine ingredients in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with orange twist.