Alcohol

Generally Great

Posted by

As kids go back to school and holidays lurk just around the corner many are looking for places to stock up on supplies and other good stuff.

In my town of Needham, we are fortunate enough to have most of it taken care of at the Needham General Store!

Located just across the street from the Hersey stop on the Commuter Rail, the General Store offers not only a full Dunkin’ Donuts but also great food and gifts from other local makers. They even have books from folks who have been on my TV show “The Writer’s Block” (including my book, Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs? An unofficial guide to the legends and lore of the Ivy League)!

One of their latest offerings is a weekly meat pick-up from Bianco’s in Medford that allows participants to trim their weekly shopping list by a few delicious pounds.

They also offer all-natural salts from Saltire Brands, a woman-owned business that took inspiration from Paris markets and now hand-harvests sea salts from Duxbury.

If you need a quick gift (or yummy snack), bags of small-batch Minute Man kettle corn are always a hit! This Worcester-based company takes inspiration and recipes from the American Revolution and is sure to change how you see (and taste) popcorn.

Another great snack that is especially popular in my house is the GIANT peanut butter cup from Swampscott’s CB Stuffers. They apparently make the largest peanut butter cups available, as well amazing bars and other sweet treats, including items with the Red Sox logo that can let you end a sour season on a sweet note.

If you need a bit of a bridge from your typical store to one that offers as much as this specifically-situated “general” store does, remember that it also has a full Dunkin’ counter so you can enjoy a “regular” while finding unique gifts.

Keep track of wine tastings, author talks, and other events by following www.facebook.com/NeedhamGeneralStore or visiting https://the-needham-general-store.business.site and have a General-ly better shopping experience!

Harpoon Swindles up some (more) fun

Posted by

There is nothing like hanging out at Harpoon’s tap room enjoying their amazing pretzels and ever-growing menu of malty favorites or chillin’ and cornholin’ in their outdoor beer garden, and their festivals (such as Octoberfest, which takes place this year September 30 through October 1) are the stuff of legend!

From October 12 through November 16, Harpoon will try to raise the fun bar once again with a premiere production of the award-winning Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium which will be hosted at the Harpoon brewery in a custom-made and climate-controlled tent with cushioned seats that combines the ancient arts of P.T. Barnum with the modern convenience of A/C and heat.

This 90-minute Vaudeville-inspired narrative variety show for grown-ups combines live acrobats, comedy, and more. Featuring such world-class artists as the sensational whirlwind known as The Spinologist, a high-flying duo rightfully called Suspended Passion, a mind-bending mechanic known as The Contorted, Mr. Swindle’s recalls the days of travelling medicine shows, but this time the “medicine” is beer!

Speaking of beer, before each show, guests will be invited to prepare in Harpoon’s Drink-Ory Garden where they can enjoy tasty treats and try exclusive brews including “The Swindler” and special line of red, white and prosecco-style fizzes that were also created just for the show.

The tent is being raised, so grab a Harpoon and join in!

www.Harpoon.com / www.MrSwindles.com

Drink wine ANY time at City Winery

Posted by

I know that I just sang the praises of City Winery’s new weekend wine tours and tastings and their mid-week wonder Wined-up Wednesdays, but speaking of singing, they just added two new sets of events that are sure to make their already delicious food and wine taste even better!

To make it easier to ease into Sunday, City Winery is hosting the Berklee Ensemble Brunch Series during which some of Boston’s most talented music students accompany their brunch buffet from noon to 2 PM. In a growing roster of revues, the talented tunesmiths will give you music and you can give them early audience appreciation What a deal!

On Mondays form 5-7 PM, the Winery will enhance their already impressive musical offerings by combining fine wine with great Soul music in a new series called Soul Pairings. From James Brown to Steve Winder and Cabernet to Zinfandel, the evening events will encourage oenophiles, weary workers, and music lovers to come together while bringing great tastes in wine and music together as well. And as a six-wine flight is just $15, it is a hard beat to beat!

Though events like this have been hosted for their VInofile members, Soul Pairings will open up the vault to all, offering a half dozen wines that have been professionally paired with select Soul jams that will swirl and stir the senses and the soul. 

www.citywinery.com/boston