Below are a few of the more interesting press releases that have found their way to our inbox over the past week…
Two New Whisky Releases From ImPex Beverages
Kilchoman 2007 Vintage
Islay’s independent farm distillery, Kilchoman, is to release the oldest whisky to date. Only 10,000 bottles of the limited edition 2007 Vintage will be made available worldwide and it is expected to sell quickly.
With a smoky vanilla and caramel nose with cooked lemon and citrus fruits, the 2007 Vintage is smooth in the mouth with hints of butterscotch and soft citrus fruit, complimented by a lasting sweetness that blends with the peaty and fruity finish.
Anthony Wills, managing director of Kilchoman, said: “This is an exciting development and sees us enter a long‐awaited period in our history. Although we’re a relatively young distillery our Vintage six‐year‐old shows a level of maturity normally associated with much older whisky. We predict that this will sell quickly and hope Kilchoman followers share in our excitement in the development of our malt.”
Kilchoman’s portfolio now includes Machir Bay, Loch Gorm and a new edition of 100% Islay which is the only Single Malt in Scotland where every stage of the whisky making process, from the barley grown in the surrounding fields to the malting, distillation, maturation and bottling, takes place at the distillery.
With an ambition to take whisky production back to its traditional roots, Anthony Wills built and founded Kilchoman Distillery in 2005 on a farm situated on the rugged west coast of Islay. The first distillery on the island for 124 years, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and one of only a handful left that still practice the traditional floor malting method.
The 2007 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV.
RRP $80.00
Arran 12 Year Old Cask Strength
For Batch #2 of The Arran Malt 12 Years Old Cask Strength the Master DistillerJames MacTaggart has selected a combination of 17 First-Fill Sherry Butts and 4 Second-Fill Sherry Hogsheads which have been bottled at Natural Cask Strength. The influence of the Sherry Casks has enhanced the classic Arran characteristics of sweet fruit and spicy oak to create a rich and powerful new edition of The Arran Malt.
Awards: Silver Medal at the International Wines and Spirits Competition 2012, Double Gold Medal San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2013.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Autumn Gold
Nose: A sweet balance of dried tropical fruits and toasted oak
Palate: Complex and refined, notes of dark chocolate and coffee beans dominate while a drop of water brings out fresh orange zest and roasted almonds
Finish: A lingering finish with a spicy twist which tempts another sip…
RRP $67.99
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Ants Pants Cafe Launches BYO Dinner Program
Popular South Street Eatery Offers Exciting New Flavors to Meet Local Demand
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Local Fitler Square-area café, Ants Pants Café, recently launched a new, comprehensive bring-your-own Dinner Program to meet the growing need for good, wholesome dinnertime meal choices. The program, developed by co-owners Liz Fleming and Nancy Silverman, is offered Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00-9:00 PM. It includes the flexible option of dining in or taking out and embraces local business by suggesting surrounding area stores to purchase wine or beer for the in-house dining BYO concept.
New Chef, Nicole Loesch, who hails from Fork and understands the concept of delicious, approachable food, is executing the dinner menu offerings. Together, the team developed a nutritious and inspiring menu reflective of their brand, which embraces Aussie culture, traditions and colloquialisms – hence the “Ants Pants” name. Menu items include: Salt and Pepper Calamari [$10]; Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with Sydney-based Toby’s Estate Coffee Vinaigrette [$12]; Burger with the Lot with Grilled Pineapple, Roasted Beetroot, Fried Egg on a Challah Bun [$13]; Fish and Chips [$16] and Pavlova [$7].
In addition to the new menu, certain dishes have suggested beverage pairings and directions to local establishments on where to purchase those beverages not only as part of an initiative they hope will encourage small business growth in the community, but also as an added service for customers.
“Fitler Square and South Street have both exploded in terms of develop with new residences, shops and dining options,” explains Liz Fleming, Co-Owner Ants Pants Café. “It’s important to keep the local business community thriving while at the same time recognize the need for a number of new options to keep existing and new patrons excited and happy.”
Located at 2212 South Street, Ants Pants Cafe has been a friendly, popular mainstay in the Graduate Hospital/Fitler Square neighborhood since 2004. Founded by childhood friends Liz Fleming and Nancy Silverman, Ants Pants Café celebrates all the good things in life: food, coffee and community. It brings a little of the Aussie spirit to the City of Brotherly Love through its unique menu items and laid back, casual approach.
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Enter to Win a Trip to Belgium to Brew the Annual Philly Beer Week Collaborative Beer
PHILADELPHIA, PA – On Tuesday, December 10 at 7 p.m., Philly Beer Week (PBW) 2014 will host their annual Win a Trip to Belgium Raffle at Field House (1150 Filbert Street, 215-629-1520).
Guests will have an opportunity to mingle and “vote” for their favorite local brewers. One lucky winner will travel to Belgium with his or her favorite to help brew Philly Beer Week’s annual Belgo Collaboration beer, this year with Belgium’s youngest female brewer, Anne Catherine Dilewyns of Brouwerij Dilewyns.
Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20. They can be purchased online before the event at PhillyBeerWeek.org (http://phillybeerweek.org/pbw_raffle.cfm). Secondary prizes, including baskets of cheer, gift certificates from local bars and restaurants, and event tickets, will also be awarded.
“Our annual trip to Belgium is one of the high-water marks of the pre-PBW season, and we look forward to another great turn-out for this exciting event,” says PBW Executive Director Don Russell. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, both for the lucky winner and for the brewer chosen toaccompany him or her, and every year we look forward to offering them this chance – and to reaping the delicious benefits when we unveil their special beer at Opening Tap.”
The PBW 2014 Collaborative Brew will be created in cooperation with Brouwerij Dilewyns and imported by Vanberg & DeWulf, who will provide the winner’s and brewer’s airline tickets and hotel rooms for the whirlwind expedition, and previously partnered with PBW and Brasserie Dupont in 2012.
At the raffle event, guests will have the chance to mix and mingle with the participating brewers, and enjoy specialty brews from each. The Field House will serve its popular menu of beer-friendly pub fare, along with 40 local draughts.
Philly Beer Week 2014 will be held from Friday, May 30 until Sunday, June 8. Established in 2008 as a celebration of America’s Best Beer-Drinking City, PBW is the largest beer event of its kind in the United States, featuring hundreds of festivals, dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings and meet-the-brewer nights throughout greater Philadelphia. PBW highlights the region’s diverse beer scene – its world-class breweries, neighborhood taverns, trend-setting restaurants and rich beer culture and history.
For more information about Philly Beer Week, including the ever-expanding schedule of events both during PBW and throughout the year, a list of participants and other details, please visit www.phillybeerweek.org, follow us on Twitter (@PhillyBeerWeek) and like us on Facebook.
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New Website Helps Beer Lovers Plan Their Ultimate Tasting Trip
BrewTrail.com Maps and Details of Every Brewery in the Country
New Haven, CT – Beer lovers, your prayers have been answered – visiting breweries just got easier. Brew Trail (www.BrewTrail.com), the ultimate compilation of brewery information, has gone online and promises to make beer tourism a one-stop planning experience. According to the Brewer’s Association, there are 2,538 breweries and brewpubs operating in the country (the most since the 1880s) and only one website – Brew Trail – has tracked them all along with the meticulous key details like their brewery tour and tasting room schedules. Never before has so much detailed brewery data been available on one site. With Brew Trail’s Trip Planner, aficionados can plot out a multi-state tour or simply check out some new breweries in town, easily incorporating each brewery’s schedule to cover ground most efficiently. It’s all free, and it’s optimized for mobile devices. From Pilsners in Portland to Stouts in St. Louis, Brew Trail will help plan a fantastic expedition along America’s beer trail.
“It’s been a true labor of love. A very, very detailed labor of love,” said Brew Trail co-founder Chris Margonis. “Why did we start the site? My buddy and I love beer, it’s as simple as that. And when we realized there weren’t any sites like this – a one-stop spot for all the brewery details along with brewery tour and tasting room times, we devoted ourselves even more to our hobby. We want Brew Trail to be seen as a promotional asset for all craft breweries – to help them level the playing field and gain recognition among the big boys. And we think Brew Trail also has the potential to become an excellent tool for state and local tourism boards as more and more localities launch their own beer trails.”
The US craft beer movement has been exploding, with an astounding 10% annual growth – even while overall beer consumption has been declining slightly in favor of wine and spirits. Although it makes sense given that craft beers have similar complexities and food pairings as wine. Five out of ten fastest growing beer brands are craft (Dale’s Pale Ale, Lagunitas, Ranger, Torpedo, Shiner) and several of them have been seeing a mind-boggling 45% growth in sales. With this new, overwhelming beer awareness, Brew Trail arrives at the perfect time to make a potential mark on the scene and establish itself within the craft beer culture.
About Brew Trail (www.BrewTrail.com)
Visiting breweries just got easier. Brew Trail compiles every brewery and brewpub in the country – over 2,500 – allowing beer lovers to quickly and seamlessly plan their ultimate tasting trip. Tour schedules, tasting room hours, fees and other info is all available on one site for the first time ever.
