This short, cute board book made us laugh. It is part of the “Baby be of use” series that McSweeney’s published. This one came out in 2005. It is durable enough that babies and toddlers can bang it about and gnaw its edges. It makes a nice gift for the new parent, and serves as a gentle reminder to not get too wrapped up in childcare and to NEVER EVER forget cocktail hour. Copies can be had for $7 or $8 here.
by B.D. Fischer Admit it: When is the last time you had a satisfying, affordable Cabernet from, say, Chile? For me, it’s been just over three years; I happen to remember a particular bottle I purchased for $9 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in March 2010. Since then it’s been one long string of disappointments. I don’t mean to single out Chile for aspersion, but include rather the entire universe of New World noble reds. Note that I said “affordable,” which means to me closer to ten dollars than twenty; of course there are tremendous wines to be had from Marlborough...
Germans are importing more beer to drink. Foreign brews have gone from 2.9% (1995) to perhaps 8.1% (2012) of the beer consumed. How much of that is American beer is not clear, however reportedly “In the last year in Berlin, high-end U.S. beer — including one from California that is flown over in coolers — has become available in some grocery stores, and several U.S.-style craft breweries have opened.” Source: Michael Birnbaum, “For Germans, a Shot Across the Brau,” Washington Post, May 2, 2013, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-germany-a-us-beer-invasion/2013/04/30/0d03f6e6-adf3-11e2-8bf6-e70cb6ae066e_story_1.html.
How about that! This arrived on our doorstep today—a Camarena Tequila Tipple Toolbox. If you click the picture on the right you’ll get a larger image showing the contents—recipe book, pestle, liquor measuring cup… For more details about Familia Camarena Tequila, surf to http://www.tequilacamarena.com/.
Well, just one week before the winter’s chill melted away and summer’s swelter began here in DC, samples of Shellback Rums arrived. Nice timing. We are beginning to feel tropical. These rums come from Barbados, a product of Grand Antilles Cane Spirts of Modesto, California. They are priced at less than $20 a bottle. We will put these in the review queue. In the meantime, you can read more about Shellback rums at http://www.shellbackrum.com/.
We reviewed National Vodka a few years ago, and found it very good. There also are a range of National brand flavored spirits, including this low octane (48 proof) mixture of vodka, cognac, and cranberry juice. Sure, you can chill this and take it as a shooter, but more appealing to us is to pour a shot into a tall glass of wheat beer. Delicious, and very pacifying. National Cranberry Liqueur is imported by Rus Beverage of Horsham, Pennsylvania. Sadly, it appears Rus Beverage may have gone out of business. Its website is offline, as is the Russian National...
You likely will notice the bottle to the left is nearly gone. It isn’t because we accidentally spilled it. Nor is evaporation to blame. The truth of the matter is, we liked this intense, bitter, herbal liqueur. We really, really liked it. Fuchen’s website offers a variety of recipes, but we enjoyed a shot or two of it mixed with tonic water. It’s a crisp, cooling drink on a balmy day. But go easy with those drinks—Fuchen is 80 proof, and if you can easily take too much and find yourself goat dancing. (Rating: Very Good) You may read more...
