Funday: Grillin’ Boozin’ Baggin’ & Brewin’
This week kicked my ass, but it was worth it. The Official Yelp Event on Wednesday at The Barrel Saloon & Texas BBQ was a ton of fun. I swear, those two hours just flew by. Somehow all I got was one delicious bite of barbecue chicken. I was too busy talking to old friends, meeting new ones, making speeches, and playing rock, paper, scissors against a room full of people. Man, that was a thrill.
But after the event is over, then the reviews come in. And that’s when you get to see exactly how everyone else felt about the event. So far, it’s all good news.
Hey, speaking of news, it’s been a while since I’ve done a run down of the press releases and other notable thing going on in the Capital Region. So here’s a peek at what’s in my in box.
CHEESE TRAVELER’S FRIDAY COOKOUT
We’re cooking out every Friday from 5-8pm all summer long, and on June 26 we’re bringing in super-duper special guest chef and grillmaster, IAN O’LEARY. Most recently hailing from Mio Vino and local darling GINGER MAN, he’s concocted a simple but stellar menu using ingredients you can purchase here at the shop or local farmers markets. Beet Burger, anyone? We’ll see you there.
We have occasionally sold out, so call ahead or arrive early! Enjoy with craft beer, cider, or a glass of wine on our patio.
MENU
Tilldale #1 – $14
1/3lb. Tilldale local beef, apricot sriracha purée and brabander goat gouda
Misty Knoll #2 – $14
misty knoll chicken leg quarter: herb roasted over chilled flageolet-farro salad finished with lemon pressed extra virgin olive oil
Beet-Quinoa “Burger” #3 – $10
Yup. Vegetarian burger made of local beets and quinoa, beet greens, gorgonzola dolce cremificato, optional hot chili honey
Sides
Salt potatoes with truffle oil – $4
Curly endive salad with candied radishes, fresh figs, salt cured kohlrabi, and a walnut-moscatell vinaigrette – $TBD
‘Monger’s choice’ cheese plate – $12
‘Monger’s choice’ charcuterie plate – $12
Cheese and charcuterie plate – $16
**Why yes, we DO offer takeout. Call 518-443-0440 and allow for 20 minutes before pickup.**
ALBANY DISTILLING EXPANDS TO TROY
Second location will be located in Downtown Troy starting in early July
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 25, 2015) — The Albany Distilling Company, Inc. (“ADCo”), Albany’s first licensed distillery since the beginning of Prohibition, has announced it will open a second location in Troy, becoming the first licensed distilling company to operate in the City of Troy.
The second location, which will be designated as a ‘branch office’ per state regulations with farm distillers, is located at 57 Third Street adjacent to Takk House.
“Albany Distilling is thrilled at expanding our physical footprint into the Collar City. Troy’s location along the Hudson, the growing number of bars, restaurants, and retailers coming into Downtown Troy, and the excitement that’s taking place here is something we’re looking forward to being a part of,” said John Curtin, owner.
Hours of operations and events will be announced in the coming weeks. The location will formally open on July 11 after the Troy Pig Out.
Primary distilling operations will continue to take place at ADCo’s main production facility in Albany.
Additional company and product information can be found online at AlbanyDistilling.com, on Facebook (fb.com/albanydistilling), on Instagram (@albanydistillingco), and on Twitter (@AlbDistCo). Tours and tastings are on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
About ADCo: The Albany Distilling Company, Inc. (“ADCo”) is the first licensed distillery in Albany, N.Y. since the beginning of Prohibition. ADCo was co-founded and is co-owned by John Curtin and Richard Sicari. ADCo’s main production facility is located at 78 Montgomery St. in Downtown Albany, just a short distance away from location of Albany’s first distillery which was established in the mid-eighteenth century. ADCo’s owners are passionate for craft distilling and proud to celebrate Albany’s history through their craft. AlbanyDistilling.com
HEALTHY LIVING MOVES BEYOND PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS
Healthy Living Will Be One of the First Grocers to Eliminate Plastic Grocery Bags In The Northeast In Its Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
Saratoga Springs, New York (June 15, 2015)– Healthy Living Market and Cafe is thrilled to announce that starting today it will not offer plastic grocery bags in its stores. As a known leader in its commitment to the environment and sustainability, Healthy Living hopes its end to plastic bag use will encourage guests to bring in their own reusable bags, and inspire other stores to do the same. The store will be celebrating the kick-off to the campaign with a food drive happening today in partnership with the Franklin Community Center where shoppers who donate a non-perishable food item and/or new and unused school supply will receive a Healthy Living reusable grocery bag. The food drive will be taking place from 11am- 1pm.
“I am proud that we are moving to paper only, but the real overarching mission is to encourage our guests to bring their own bags and break the wasteful habit of taking home plastic and paper shopping bags every time they shop,” said Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, Healthy Living’s Co-Owner. “ As an environmental steward in our community, this decision fits with our mission, vision and values. We have already heard overwhelming support from our guests and we hope to inspire other stores in the community and the region to follow our lead.”
In addition, Healthy Living will continue to be supportive to guests who bring in their own reusable containers/bags to hold their groceries by offering them five cents off their purchase. The store will also continue to offer paper bags and cardboard boxes while reusable Healthy Living branded cloth tote bags are available for $1.99.
About Healthy Living
Healthy Living is New England’s premiere local, organic, and natural food grocery stores. With stores in Burlington, Vermont and Saratoga Springs, New York, Healthy Living has been committed from day one to creating a memorable grocery store experience, selling the finest and cleanest food at the fairest prices possible while supporting local farmers and producers. Healthy Living is committed to enriching its communities and teaching its guests how to live healthier lifestyles through a variety of cooking and educational classes in its learning centers. Founded in Vermont in 1986 by Katy Lesser, Healthy Living is a true independent retailer. For more information: http://www.healthylivingmarket.com
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015
2nd ANNIVERSARY DOUBLE FEATURE BEER FESTIVAL
TWO BEER FESTIVALS IN ONE!
First Feature (1pm – 3pm): Session and Lower ABV Beers
Second Feature (3pm – 5pm): Doubles, Barrel-Aged, Imperials, and Even Bigger Beers
Shmaltz Brewing Company Celebrates 2nd Anniversary of Opening Upstate New York Brewery
Now brewing exclusively in Clifton Park, NY — Tuesday, June 23, 2015 — Get your tickets and enjoy the show at Shmaltz Brewing Company’s 2nd Anniversary Party, the Double Feature Beer Festival. On June 27, come on out to Shmaltz Brewing and experience two beer festivals in one! What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon this summer than with a dozen New York State breweries (and a couple national brewery friends) pouring easy drinking session beers to get you started followed by mouthwatering double IPA’s, rare, barrel-aged and cask offerings. The cast includes Shmaltz, Rushing Duck, Rare Form, Keegan Ales, Brown’s Brewing Company, Paradox Brewing Co., Common Roots, CH Evans, Speakeasy, Alphabet City, Bronx Brewing, Mad Jack Brewing, KUKA – Andean Brewing, 21st Amendment Brewery and others. Proceeds benefit the New York State Brewers Association and brewery neighbor, Helping Hands School.
The format is unlike any other beer festival, so bring your appetite for premier craft beers and delicious food. First Feature (1pm – 3pm) includes Session and Lower ABV Beers. Shmaltz Brewing Company will be featuring Slingshot American Craft Lager®, (518) Summer Session®, Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale®, Hop Manna IPA® and more. Second Feature (3pm – 5pm) is all about Doubles, Imperials, Barrel-Aged and Even Bigger Beers and Shmaltz will feature Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA®, Wishbone Session Double IPA®, Bock Bock Imperial American Bock®, She’brew Triple IPA®, Funky Jewbelation® and more. Feast on comfort food from local favorites The Ruck, The Capital District’s Premier Craft Beer Destination and Esperanto’s of Saratoga. Live music by powerhouse duo SIRSY, which the Boston Globe hails as “A little band with a big sound.” Brewery tours and barrel tastings will also be available throughout the day.
General Admission tickets are $25 via Eventbrite, which includes a commemorative snifter + 6 drink tokens. If you’re in NYC, Shmaltz has got you covered. A charter bus leaves from in front of Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe, 645 Vanderbilt Avenue (Brooklyn, NY) at 9 am loaded with plenty of bagels and juice to nosh on before the big fest. The bus will depart from the brewery at 5:30 pm (cost is only $50 for a single bus ride including bagels and festival admission). A limited amount of media comps are available upon request; please RSVP directly to Jesse Cutler at press@jpcutlermedia.com.
For 17 years, Shmaltz championed contract brewing and developed a dedicated cult following for their award-winning HE’BREW – The Chosen Beers®. Breaking company tradition, Shmaltz opened its own New York State production brewery in May 2013, boasting a 50-barrel brewery with 20,000 barrels of annual capacity. Since opening the brewery has nearly doubled in size with 35,000 barrels of brewing capacity and 40,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. Shmaltz brewery packages 12 and 22 ounce bottles and kegs of their diverse core and seasonal selections. Several new releases and collaborations are on tap for 2015, and Shmaltz continues their acclaimed barrel-aging projects, utilizing a current inventory of more than 300 bourbon, rye whiskey, and tequila barrels.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to check out Shmaltz’s brewery filled with custom-made brewhouse and manufacturing tanks from Oregon’s JV Northwest, and a bottling line from well-respected Italian experts SBC/BC International. Attendees must be 21 years old and over.
About Shmaltz Brewing Company
Ranked in 2013 as one of the “Top 100 Brewers in the World” by RateBeer.com, Shmaltz won 9 Gold and 5 Silver Medals in the World Beer Championships in 2012. A recipient of the “Distinguished Business Award” by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Shmaltz was also included in the “Top 50 Fastest Growing Bay Area Companies” by San Francisco Business Times.
Founder and owner Jeremy Cowan established the company in San Francisco in 1996 with the first 100 cases of He’brew Beer® hand bottled and delivered throughout the Bay Area in his Grandmother’s Volvo. He’brew® now sells across 37 states, through 40 wholesalers and nearly 5,000 retailers. In 2007, Shmaltz released a new line of craft brewed lagers under the Coney Island® banner. In August of 2013, the Coney Island brand was acquired by Alchemy and Science, a craft beer incubator, owned by Boston Beer (Sam Adams).
After 17 years of being an outspoken cheerleader for contract brewing, Shmaltz recently broke with tradition and opened its own New York State production brewery in Clifton Park, NY, 10 minutes north of Albany’s capital district. Shmaltz’s new home boasts a 50-barrel brewhouse with 35,000 barrels of annual capacity. The new brewery packages 12 and 22 ounce bottles and kegs of their diverse core and seasonal favorites, and hosts fans and beer tourists in their new tasting room for tours, barrel-aged previews, and special releases.
In 2010/11, Cowan published his small business memoir, Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah: How It Took 13 Years, Extreme Jewish Brewing, and Circus Sideshow Freaks to Make Shmaltz Brewing Company an International Success. A free sampling of Chapter One and suggested beer pairings, can be viewed at http://www.craftbeerbarmitzvah.com. In 2012, Cowan spearheaded the creation of the non-profit New York City Brewers Guild (which manages NYC Beer Week) and served as its Founding President.
Cowan also has presented at the 2013 Craft Brewers Conference, as well as previous Great American Beer Festivals, BevNet’s Brewbound conference, Beer Advocate’s Extreme Beer Festival, the Atlanta and the St. Louis Jewish Book Fairs, and the San Francisco and New York Jewish Museums.
Shmaltz Brewing beers have appeared in such distinguished media outlets as The New York Times, CNN Headline News, Beer Advocate Magazine, NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” Fox Business News, Men’s Health, San Francisco Chronicle, The Jerusalem Report, New York Jewish Week, and Washington Post.
For more information, please visit:
shmaltzbrewing.com
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