Category: Distilling & Cocktails

Interviews with Jason Loring and Ned Wight

| Posted in People, Distilling & Cocktails

Last week’s edition of the Portland Phoenix includes an interview with Ned Wight, co-owner of New England Distilling, about the craft spirits industry,

Why the giant push in the craft brewing industry, and a seemingly less robust one in distilling?
I don’t think it’s a less robust push, really. Breweries are growing on a larger base. There’s been more exposure in the market to what craft beer can be. I think it’s a difference in the number of people who are drinking spirits. In the last three or four years we’ve gone from around 100 distilleries nationally, to something like 600. Quieter growth, but a lot of it.

and as part of a new series, an interview with Nosh/Slab co-owner Jason Loring on his favorite dish at a local restaurant.

Describe the dish. Why is [Central Provisions’ Spicy Beef Salad] your favorite menu item?
It’s really the contrast of the spicy, the sweet and the salty. It has every element you want in a dish. Between the hot sauce, whatever they are using for sugar, the acid with the lime, and the peanuts, it’s perfect for me. It’s what I want all the time.

US Bartendenders Guild, Portland Chapter

| Posted in Distilling & Cocktails

Local bartender, Paul Russellusbg_logo, is heading up an effort to establish a Portland chapter of the United States Bartender’s Guild. Russell and the local planning committee have achieved provisional status for the local chapter and will be holding a bar crawl on December 1st to reach out to and sign-up up local members.

According to the organizations website, the benefits of membership include meetings with fellow local bartenders, discounts on accreditation, networking, access to industry events run by the USBG and assistance signing-up for health insurance. The local chapter plans on running tastings, pop up competitions, educational events and presentations by vendors.

The Maine Craft Distilling Industry

| Posted in Distilling & Cocktails

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published an article on the Maine craft distilling industry.

Close on the heels of Maine’s micro-brewing boom, and reflecting the interest in all things artisanal, craft distilling is on the rise. Just five years ago, there were three small-batch distilleries in the state; now there are eight, with a ninth under way in a former mill in Biddeford. Including Maine Craft Distilling, five of those now in operation are making whiskey. The others are New England Distilling and In’finiti Fermentation & Distillation in Portland, Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery in Union and Wiggly Bridge Distilling in York Beach.

Food & Wine: Best New Bars

| Posted in Distilling & Cocktails

bestnewbarsThe Hunt & Alpine Club has been selected by Food & Wine magazine as a contender in their People’s Best New Bars readership poll.

In a city that’s only starting to show off its cocktail chops, PHAC features original craft cocktails such as White Noise, made with Cocchi Americano, elderflower liqueur and grapefruit zest, from bartender Andrew Volk.

Visit the F&W website to cast your vote Hunt & Alpine.

Gunpowder Rye: Exceptional

| Posted in Distilling & Cocktails

ned_gunpowderNew England Distilling has earned a rating of 90 (exceptional) for their Gunpowder Rye from the Beverage Testing Institute. The BTI describes Gunpowder Rye as,

Burnished amber color. Attractive aromas of honeyed dried sour cherries, toffee, suede, and sandalwood with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a well balanced cinnamon rye toast, creamy milk chocolate, peppery spice, and mineral accented finish. Very tasty and versatile.