North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ, and Wine Festival 2012

     If you're a fan of beer, wine, or barbecue (you should be a fan of at least one of the three) the North Fork summer festival is the perfect place for you. This year, it is taking place on August 11, 2012. The festival is also located in Riverhead.
     Over fifty breweries will be in attendance from all across the country and the BBQ will be provided by Maple Tree BBQ. Some of the breweries include Blue Point, Goose Island, Great South Bay, Blue Moon, Shock Top, and Spaten just to name a few. With fifty breweries and over one hundred different beers, this will be the perfect opportunity to try out some different craft beers that you may not have the chance to drink at your local pub.
     Tickets start at $55 if you purchase the tickets online and $70 if you buy the ticket the day of the event. This general admission price includes a souvenir tasting glass, the beer tasting, and barbecue lunch. Hours for general admission are 2:00pm-6:00pm. The VIP price of admission is $80 and this includes an extra hour of drinking and the opportunity to meet with the breweries and drink exclusive blends that are not available to the public yet.
     If you find yourself bored in August, pick up some tickets to the North Fork Beer Festival and enjoy the day with some friends or family. If you see me at the festival, come up and say hi! We'll have a beer and hang out.      -John Tancredi

Killians Irish Red

Hey guys,

     So this weekend I decided to drink one of my favorite beers. Killians Irish Red has always been one of my favorites. The first time I tried it I knew that i loved it. It is so rich in flavor and when its poured it has a deep mahogany color.
     Killians is one of the smoothest beers that I have ever drank. It is easy going down and has a rich caramel flavor. This caramel flavor isn't too overbearing, in my eyes it's just right. The reason I believe it isn't too overpowering is because the mild hop taste evens the caramel flavor out, however, it is still rich in flavor. Killians is one of my favorite barbecue beers because I think it goes great with a burger or any grilled foods. This beer leaves a nice bold flavor on your pallet after every sip.
     Summer is almost here and everyone knows that at a barbecue there has to be some good beer. Killians could be found at any beer distributer and comes in six packs and twelve packs. So this summer when your looking for a new beer to go great with some food I highly suggest you grab a case of Killians Irish Red.

Cheers!
John Mancini

What to eat with my Guinness

Irish stouts like Guinness has dominated the market for well over 150 years , but recently the stout market has been in decline. People want a beer that is less filling and has a higher alcohol content. I however, drink my beer for the taste, and nothing makes me happier than a pint of Guinness.

If you're also hungry, here's a list of foods that go well with a stout and have similar origins going back to Ireland:

1. Beef stew:  This hearty meal consisting of beef,  beefy broth and soft vegetables goes well with the bitter brew of a stout.

2. Shepherd’s pie: This dish is essentially a casserole with a base of vegetables and meat (beef, mutton, lamb) topped with mash potatoes and then baked. It's good stuff.

3. Baked salmon: This fish is common in Ireland and also packed full of nutrients and oils. It is a healthier fare that won't slow you down. 
4. Oysters on the half shell: This delicacy is actually one of my favorite foods and is a perfect accompaniment for a stout on a hot summer day.
5. Fish and Chips:   This tasty treat consisting of a battered or bread crumbed piece of  fried cod accompanied by deep-fried potatoes is a pub staple in the UK.

Are you a fan of arcade games and beer? Head to Barcade!

     There are few things in this world I love more than an ice cold beer and hanging out with my friends. Video games, especially the classics, happens to be one of them. So when I found a place to go and have a beer, spend time with some friends, and play some classic arcade games, I thought it was too good to be true. It's not...it's Barcade! 

     Barcade is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and opened it's doors in 2004 when four friends decided to combine their love of video games and American craft beer. This bar is definitely one of the coolest and most fun places I have been to. Barcade is pretty much a warehouse that was transformed into a hip bar with classic arcade games placed around the bar. It is a brilliant idea and one of the coolest places in New York to grab a pint. 

     Barcade serves American craft beer only. Some of the brands of beer you can get are Fisherman's Brew, Victory Dark Lager, Brooklyn Blast!, and Chelsea Hop Angel IPA, just to name a few. You may not recognize any of these beers (I didn't either when I made my first trip out here) but you will grow to love these local craft beers. 

     Not only do you get to enjoy a nice beer in a beautiful neighborhood, but you get to play all the classics video games from the 80's and 90's. Some of the games include Ms. Pac-Man, Paper Boy, Rampage, and Asteroids. What's better than playing classic video games and drinking a beer? Nothing. Well, maybe being at Citi Field and watching the Mets win and drinking a beer, but this is definitely a close second. 

     If you're looking for a new place to go to over the weekend, definitely check out Barcade, located at 388 Union Avenue in Williamsburg. The city is also littered with dozens of bars with unique styles that will definitely provide an excellent time. Hope to see everyone there and don't even think about beating my high scores! 

Cheers! -JT

John Tancredi

Hey guys!!

     Last night me and my buddy went to T.J. Finley's in Bayshore. This is one of my favorite places to hang out and drink because they always have something new on tap! They usually have about twenty to thirty beers on tap.
     So last night I saw a Blue Point beer that I have never seen or heard of. It was called Blue Point light. This is by far one of the best brews that I have tasted in a long time. It was the perfect blend of hops and wheat. It had one of the best aftertastes that I personally have ever experienced. Blue Point White isn't necessarily a dark beer or a light beer, its almost directly in the middle.
     So next time your out and you see Blue Point White I suggest you give it a try. Oh yea, and stop by T.J.'s because I think that anyone who like a nice social drinking spot would definitely enjoy this place!

Cheers!
John Mancini

Beer for Dessert

If you aren't me, the idea for a beer made for dessert might sound appealing. Dessert beers are beers with stronger more enduring flavors that you linger over after the main course is done. Ideally they are filled with rich and complex flavors that we can pair with a piece of cake or have as dessert itself. I think they are gross. If I wanted to drink something that disgustingly sweet, I'd just have some juice.  Juice is good. But if this is appealing to you, you want to look for Brandywines, Belgian tripels, barrel-aged beers, and anything labeled as "double" or "imperial".

If this sort of thing is your bag, here's a list of beers that might tickle your fancy:

1. La Fin du Monde from Unibroue Brewing: This Belgian-Style Tripel  is a spicy and fruity golden beer with a smooth, creamy finish. I find it to be tolerable.
2. Imperial White from Sam Adams: This Imperial Witbier is a concentrated Belgian witbier. It has flavors of ripe stone fruit, candy, and warm spices with a syrupy slickness. It's pretty gross.
3. Bigfoot Barleywine from Sierra Nevada: This is an American Barleywine from one of my favorite breweries. It has a strong citrus taste and is highly hopped, but has layers of caramel and fruit to balance. Of the beers mentioned in this entry, it is my favorite.
4. Curieux from Allagash Brewing Company: Tripel-style ale aged in Jim Beam barrels. The result is a fruity, smooth beer with hints of vanilla and bourbon. It's ok, but as a devoted bourbon drinker, I'd rather just have a bourbon.
5. Oatmeal Stout from Bluepoint:  Brewed with actual coffee, this stout is like a cold shot of espresso .Very solid and I do drink it often, but never with dessert.

Grab a Beer at Citi Field!

     So last week, I went to the New York Mets home opener against the Atlanta Braves. The sky was blue, the weather was beautiful, and the Mets were officially tied for first place. All was right in the world. As soon as the first pitch was thrown, I was scouring the park for what would be my first brew of the 2012 baseball season. There are many different choices at Citi Field, whether you're a fan of a classy craft beer or a good ol' fashioned Bud. I decided this week to write about some of those options!
     Aside from your normal Bud/Bud Light options, there are a few beers worth mentioning. All around the park, there are stands where you can purchase a bottle of Brooklyn Lager and Stella Artois. Two choices that are pretty good for a ball park.
     One of my favorite places to grab a beer in the park is a stand located behind the outfield called "Big Apple Brews." This is where you will have your pick of the litter. Some of the beers located at this stand are Goose Island Honker's Ale and India Pale Ale, Hoegaarden, Kona Longboard Island Lager (read our previous post about this brew!), Redhook, and Tiger Beer.
     Although I have not tried all of the beers on this list yet (the season is only three games in!) I plan on trying most of these beers throughout the year and can vouch for most of them already. I decided to go with Kona Longboard Island Lager because it is awesome, and I was not disappointed.
     Also located in Citi Field is a really cool spot called "McFadden's" that is a lot of fun. If you're ever looking for a new place one night, definitely check it out. I hope to see all of you at the park this year with an ice cold beer in your hands! Let's Go Mets! 

-John Tancredi