Beer

BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME

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Though I grew up in the Merrimack Valley, my writing career first took root when I lived in Marblehead.

And when you consider that my family shopped at Shubie’s all the time, it may be no surprise that I now write about great independent food makers.

As they have been around for over 75 years, it is a safe bet that I am not the first person to fall in love with the wonderful wares of independent makers with help from the Shube family. 

From freshly-prepared foods, handcrafted salads and sandwiches, and customized cakes at their recently-renovated Foodbar to candies and treats from other local legends like Harbor Sweets and a wide selection of gifts that includes great books to wine and spirits from around the corner and around the world, Shubie’s has everything you need to feed your family, sparkle a party host, and find a new favorite every time you visit! 

If you need help finding new favorites, be sure to take suggestions from third-generation Shubie, Dougy. 

If you need help finding great food for more than just yourself, Shubie’s also carters and consults on menus that are perfect for any occasion. And while a visit to the store is always fun, Shubie’s also offers online consultation and ordering and can deliver even to far-flung festivities beyond the beaches and beauty of the North Shore so you can keep enjoying even if you do not live nearby anymore (though I hope to go back soon!).

A NEW GEO-SPACE FOR JAZZ

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With the passing of local lions like Fred Taylor and Eric Jackson, the Boston Jazz scene has not been what it once was.

Even though the great rooms like the Savoy and Pauls’ Mall are long gone, there are still holdouts like Sculler’s and Wally’s keeping the Berklee-fed Boston sound alive.

Recently, a new space opened in the offices of a company that knows space!

Feldman Geospatial has been supporting the physical structure of cities and towns for over 75 years.

Now, with the opening of the Jazz Nights series at Long Live Beerworks (which is housed at 152 Hampden Street in Boston), the Feldman team will bring more soul to their structures than ever.

Long Live has made its own mark with its Black Cat double IPA, Rox Pils Italian Pilsner, Coffee Cake Bites Imperial Stout, and new varieties coming on all the time. With their locally-crafted brews inside and locally-sourced murals and food trucks, the Feldman series is homegrown through and through. And throughout the new music series, the music will be as well!

From Alex Alvera and Mango Blue to Gonzalo Grau and Plural to the core Boston Jazz trio known as The Fringe, Jazz Nights will bring Grammy winners and garage band heroes together in open-ended nights of music, beer, food, and local culture.

The Boston Jazz scene may have changed, but if new offerings like Jazz Nights at Long Live presented by Feldman Geospatial are any indication, it is alive and well!       

L’CHAIM

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Now I get to talk about two of my favorite food-related things – Michael’s Deli and beer!

As anyone who follows us knows, one of our favorite friends in the industry is Steve Peljovich of Michael’s Deli in Brookline. Not only does he have the best corned beef and other deli favorites around, but he gives more back to the food community and the larger community and almost anyone else around.

On April 7 from 3 to 5 PM, Steve will be participating in a special Relay for Life event at Exhibit A Brewing taproom and gallery in Framingham.

Relay for Life raises money for cancer research. Proceeds from this event will benefit both the American Cancer Society and the Boston Hope Lodge, which houses cancer patients as they go through their difficult treatments.

What makes the event all the better is that Steve’s gastronomic co-conspirator will be none other than Ivan Pulecio of Hearth Pizzeria in Needham, who is also on the podium for restaurant industry mensches.

Steve and Ivan have faced more than their fare shares of health challenges, but they keep coming back and giving back more and more!

Add the creatively handcrafted beers from Exhibit A and live music from Alison Keslow and The Earthtones to the great food from Michael’s and Hearth and this should not be just a great fundraiser but a great time.

AND it’s for a great cause too!

https://bit.ly/raise-a-pint2024

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THE GREATEST BREW ON EARTH

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I was recently privileged enough to spend some time in the beautiful environs of Utah. While the skiing was good (at least compared to out east) and the new flag inspiring, one of my favorite finds came as I was headed back to the airport to come home.

Just off the highway between Park City and Salt Lake City is Park City Brewing, a comfortable place to eat, drink, and recuperate from a hard day on the slopes or at the office.

With mylar igloos out front to facilitate dining al fresco even in a champagne blizzard and a small but complete brewing set in the back to facilitate the venue’s delicious malt-based creations, Park City Brewing offers locally-inspired and made beers, hard seltzers and other refreshing treats along with great comfort food. From malty and slightly sweet beer-infused pretzel mounds to Silvercreek bratwurst and chicken sandos that fill your mouth with flavor and just call out for a frosty following of one of the venue’s well-crafted brews to hand-crafted caramel corn with nuts, Park City Brew has far more than beer but the beers are worth the trip on their own! The Mexican lager is muy auténtico and their famed Powder Buoy pilsner pays tribute to the local weather patterns that have made the area so famous among skiers. They also offer their own root beer and a rotating raft of seasonal and experimental flavors- many of which get demanded again and again by regulars and visitors alike. 

Utah may claim the greatest snow on earth, but the beer is not so bad either, especially at Park City Brewing.     

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DUNKIN’ SCORES AGAIN

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It must be teaching season because I have been talking a LOT about coffee and other ways to get going in the morning.

Having already sung the praises of new faves like IQ Joe and Kickstarter coffees, I would be reticent if I did not check in with some old friends as well.

While they may be best known for giving America something to run on, Dunkin’ has recently expanded their partnership with Harpoon Brewery by not only bringing back their popular Dunkin’ Pumpkin flavor but also by jumping on the burgeoning beverage bandwagon of ready-to-drink spiked beverages.

As the coffee drinks are dairy free, there is no “regulah,” but the set of 6% ABV coffee-based refreshers ranges from the rich and classic taste of original to a bold and chocolatey mocha, a creamy and smooth vanilla, and a sweet caramel iced coffee. There is also a quartet of 5% ABV teas that start with slightly sweet and then go a bit wild with the addition of mango pineapple and strawberry dragonfruit. For the golfing set, there is even an alcoholic Ahnold Pahlmah that combines equal portions of black tea and fresh lemonade with a twist of malt liquor.

Though the flavors may be favorites to young and old alike (and surely will be for those who are yet to try them), as these beverages are for adults only, Dunkin’ has been wise enough to give them their own domain – https://dunkinspiked.com – and to sell them only in age-appropriate venues, either as single 19 ounce cans or in variety packs of 12 ounce cans that will help you stop runnin’ at the end of the day or just run a bit more mellowly in the middle.

I hate to mix sports metaphors, but if Dunkin’ Pumpkin is any sign of what Harpoon and Dunkin’ can do together, Dunkin’ Spiked is sure to be a slam dunk!

https://dunkinspiked.com

I WANT IT NOOOOOW!

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As we get ready for another reboot of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (as if we need anything better than the legendary Gene Wilder!), the idea of finding a “golden ticket” that allows its bearer access to a magical food-related wonderland will be swimming in more than just a heads of children everywhere.

And while Wonka Bars and Everlasting Gobstoppers may be great, older fans may be more interested in something more age-appropriate.

Leave it to our friends at Harpoon Brewery to jump on this holiday trend with their “Spread Holiday Cheer Giveaway!”

As they are the creators of New England’s first IPA, it may be no surprise that Harpoon is once again on the forefront of food trends. 

For this special holiday season giveaway, the folks at Harpoon are hiding golden cans of their legendary IPA in their new, limited-edition 12 packs. Whoever finds the special cans will have a chance to win an amazing holiday party where they can bring up the 30 guests to Harpoon’s brewery in Boston or Vermont to enjoy the best, freshest beer (and pretzels!) around at the best, freshest time of year!

This year also marks the 30th birthday of Harpoon’s IPA. And while there may just be 27 Harpoon lovers who will get a taste of the brewery’s latest special prizes, anyone who enjoys their IPA while searching for the golden can will have reason to celebrate!

So don’t be an Oompah-Loompah. Grab a Harpoon and celebrate the season!

http://harpoonbrewery.com

FALL IS ON THE RISE @ HARPOON

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Though there is little pleasure to be taken in the high temperatures of what is traditionally a time of cooling and slowing down (especially when you consider the source of the scorch), we in New England are especially privileged to have the bounty of fall produce and people who know what to do with it all to help people cool down even when that should not be an issue.

In addition to being the home of the king of coffee – Dunkin’ – Massachusetts is also the base for Harpoon Brewery and its affiliates – all of whom have once again come up with a great slate of ways to slake thirst whether it is supposed to be hot or not.

In addition to bringing back Harpoon Dunkin’ Pumpkin, which combines one of the best beers around with the coffee that keeps the entire country moving along with the fresh flavors of pumpkin and authentic seasonal spice, Harpoon has also brought back a perennial fall favorite called Flannel Friday, which is a golden great way to end the week or get ready for the big game. On September 29 and 30, they will also host their popular Octoberfest party at the brewery in Boston’s Seaport district, complete with “oompah” bands and stein-holding contests (and of course their AMAZING pretzels!). 

Over at UFO, the fall flavor craze in full effect as the unfiltered team releases its own pumpkin-flavored Hefeweizen, and an apple-infused beer that combines the best of beer and cider and all that is good with our part of the world at this time of year. While the apple beer is currently available only as part of UFO’s popular Fresh Pick’d mix pack, you are sure to not be disappointed in any of the other offerings.

For those who prefer to head down the Long Trail, the VT-based brewery is also getting in on the apple-infused game day beverage game with their apple wheat beer.

No matter which you pick, you are sure to love the fresh-picked flavor and hand-crafted beer expertise that goes into every pint, no matter whether you use it to cool off after a hot day on the gridiron, to enjoy by the firepit after what may be the last barbecue of the season, or after your latest effort to support environmental causes and help stem the steam.

www.harpoonbrewery.com / https://ufobeer.com / https://longtrail.com/

OH, THE HOP-ANITY!

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Whoever said “Good things come in small packages” never tried beers from Dirigible Brewing!

From their fruity Little Zep New England IPA and Blue Sky Balloon Blueberry Sour to the floral bloom of Parasols Parading in the Park French Saison, the Steampunk-inspired Oamaru New Zealand Pilsner, and the deep and rich 24 Porter Porter that comes from their brewery and tap room on 24 Porter Road in Littleton, MA, these massive cans of love-packed brews are plenty to share but worth the time to enjoy alone as well. Dirigible also offers their own hard seltzer called Flexion Elixir that can be infused with a wide range of flavors to make the perfect match for any occasion.

No matter which Dirigible brew you try (or how much), you are sure to enjoy the fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and get that self-propelled, high-flying, and handcrafted vibe that, like the Kiwi Pilsner, is inspired by Steampunk – a mindset and movement that treasures the simpler pre-industrial era of steam power and the ingenuity it fostered.

Speaking of foster, the 25 oz cans that Dirigible fills and labels by hand remind many drinkers of the famed 32 oz. drums that the Aussie brewery uses. Instead of having Paul Hogan for a spokesperson, however, they would probably prefer Jules Verne!

With music and other live events at their taproom and off site at places like the Solomon Pond Mall (check the website for information), Dirigible is easy to access and enjoy and is sure to take you on a delicious flight of fancy whenever you try some. 

https://dirigiblebrewing.comhttps://dirigiblebrewing.com

ROLL OUT THOSE LAZY CRAZY HAZY RAYS OF SUMMER

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While many people talk of beaches and barbecues, summer is, at its over-21 base, beer season! And while Bud Light and Modelo duke it out for world domination, we can take great pride in our locally-sourced legends!
From Harpoon and Sam Adams to your neighbor’s latest homebrew, it is the New England work ethic and ingenuity that have created so many sudsy stars.

Another such story is that of Lawson’s Finest Liquids.

Started in a University of VT dorm room by a savvy over-21 fan of Catamount and other 14thSate staples, Lawson’s now partners with other New England brewers (like Two Roads in CT) and even VT Public Radio to reach and support communities throughout the region with its foamy faves and Social Impact Program (cleverly known as “SIP”). 

Among my current go-to’s are the summer-perfect Sip of Sunshine IPA and the internationally-ranked Double Sunshine Ruby Red Grapefruit, a double IPA that adds the juicily slimming smack of grapefruit to up the refreshment even more! As fall approaches, I will look forward to more servings of Mad River Maple which includes pure syrup from Lawson’s tree-tapping neighbors. And as new versions are always in development and as all of them are made with the best ingredients Green Mountain greenbacks can buy, there is always more to look forward to regardless of the time of year or your personal tastes.With offerings such as these, it is small wonder that Lawson’s was named the best beverage made in VT (which is certainly saying something!) two years in a row by Vermont Business Magazine and 2022 Brewery of the Year by Beer Connoisseur (LOVE those connoisseurs!). In fact, the only thing I wonder is why you aren’t enjoying one right now! www.lawsonsfinest.com

MAINE-LINING FLAVOR

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In New England, we are blessed with some of the best food and drink makers around. Among my favorites are Kane’s Donuts and UFO beers. And while these two companies may seem to share little more than a home state, believe me- When they combine forces- Look out!

Through the month of July, this dynamic duo is proving that one plus one can be way more than two with the debut of their limited-edition Maine blueberry donut. In addition to featuring the mind-melting cake-style donuts found at either Kane’s in Saugus or downtown Boston, the new offering adds fresh Maine blueberries (another reason to celebrate life in this area) and a reduction of UFO’s Maine Blueberry beer that takes out the alcohol while enhancing the flavor that much more for fans of all ages!

If you have had more blueberries than Sal, Kane’s still has you covered with their gluten-free Lime Rickey donut that comes loaded with real lime and topped with Kane’s legendary glazes, a vegan glaze-glistened Funfetti donut with patriotic sprinkles, the chocolate sauce and marshmallow-slathered S’mores donuts, and creamy, fruity Watermelon donuts that look and taste almost like the real thing!

If you want to enjoy UFO and its sibling sippers from Harpoon with another fun summer tradition, Harpoon has also partnered with HubSportsBoston to open a set of pickleball, shuffleboard, and cornhole courts that will offer lessons and leagues for new and experienced picklers and that will also feature selections from its League line of lower-alcohol beers.

Summer in New England offers many special treats. Fortunately, two of them are just over a mile apart and make for a perfect pairing, with pickleball or alone.
www.kanesdonuts.com / http://ufobeer.com / http://harpoonbrewery.com / https://hubsportsboston.com