Beverages

Beverages, beer, wine, water, cider, etc.

WINE-DING YOUR WAY THROUGH SUMMER

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As his recent Wednesday night wine pairings have proven so popular, Harvard Square’s resident hospitality guru and wine expert Bertil Jean-Chronberg (who also enjoys a following around the world) is again expanding the offerings at his food and wine emporium Bonde (again with an “e”). 

Having kicked off with a French food-filled Bastille Day party on July 14, Bonde will host special tastings for eight people every other Wednesday through September 27, from 7-8:30 PM that will feature flights from some of the world’s finest organic and biodynamic wineries paired with sushi, sausages, French baked goods, and, of course, fromage.

As a proud native Frenchman who has worked in hospitality for 40 years, Bertil knows a great deal about food and wine and even more about how to make guests comfortable and to share his vast knowledge in a comfortable, convivial way that edifies even the most experienced imbiber. That is surely why his events continue to prove so popular and why it would be wise to register soon at www.bondewines.com and to keep an eye not only on his event calendar but his legendary wine publication, Zero-Two-Wine-Three-Eight (which is a well-poured pun on Bonde’s zip code) and other community-serving programs like the Black Donkey project that helps children in need.

Speaking of events, Bonde will also be hosting weekly wine garden parties no Sundays from 11-5 where guests can take in the Tour de France and tours of Harvard while enjoying wines from various regions (including New England on August 6!).

No matter when you go, it is always wine o’clock at Bonde and that is a wine-derful thing! www.bondewines.com

Pharmaceu-TEA-cals 

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We have often touted the benefits of great tea and coffee.

Top among them is the whole-leaf, whole-earth set from Mighty Leaf, which has been a go-to for my family and fans for years. 

Now the sustainable and socially responsible Mighty Leaf team is helping enjoyers get even mightier with a new line of enhanced beverage packets that are extra nutritious and extra delicious!

The Good Pharma line may have a title that is a bit technical, but the ingredients and focus are simple and straightforward. Like our friends at Forij, HOP WTR, and IQ Bars, Good Pharma uses what they cleverly (and pharmaceutically) call “Rxtracts” like brain-boosting, non-hallucinogenic mushrooms, as well as rare seeds and roots, easily-digestible nutrients like calming Ashwaganda and stress-reducing L-theanine, freshly-ground coffee and, of course, Mighty Leaf’s already sustaining and satisfying teas to create a set of sips that satisfy the tongue and everything around it.

The Brain Gain variety supports mental function and creativity. Resilience supports immunity. No Worries alleviates stress and tension. Rest Assured helps ease you out of your day and into rejuvenating sleep. All four come in handy single-serve packets that rest on the side of your mug and slowly infuse whatever you are drinking with added flavor and health. I often steep them alongside some Mighty Leaf tea for a brand-loyal and always pleasurable experience. 

In an effort to serve their fans and introduce the new line to others, Good Pharma has been presenting a new variety called No Worries in hotels and other places where harried travelers need a tasty break from their hectic schedules. Even if you are still working from home, however, there is still plenty to enjoy from Good Pharma and their Mighty originators and many benefits to enjoy from all of their enjoyable drinks.

https://drinkgoodpharma.com / https://www.mighty-leaf.com/ (Love that hyphen!)

Sacré Brown!

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I am a big fan of maple and a BIG fan of Branon Family Maple Orchards’ organic maple products. From their organic maple-to-go packs (which have saved me from many gallons of high-fructose corn syrup at various restaurants) to their maple Buffalo sauce, Maple Barbeque Sauce, maple-based seasonings, and maple bourbon vinegar, everything they make helps make almost any food (and not just pancakes) even better!

That is why I was so delighted to find a delightful drink their family makes called Sacré!

Created by their son Justin and his husband Roger, Sacré combines the family’s famous maple syrup (which is fermented with a healthy heirloom vinegar “mother” and aged in bourbon barrels) with fair trade, shade-grown coffee to make a non-alcoholic beverage that is also surprisingly low in sugar and caffeine content. The intriguingly complex and easy-to-drink beverage goes as great as a morning coffee alternative (or additive) as it does for a night cap and works as well on its own as it does with many other favorite flavors (as can be seen in the recipe guide on the website- www.woodnosedrinks.com). 

Using ingredients that are organic and sustainably farmed (as is true of all Branon products) and approved by the National Audubon Society for being made in a bird-friendly area using solar energy, you can enjoy glass after glass (or even bottle after bottle) knowing you are supporting local farmers and your own health. And as Sacré is made by an LGBT- and Veteran-owned business, there is even more reason to be supportive and more good feeling to go around.

Speaking of “a round,” I think I’ll have another sip of Sacré!.

https://www.branonmaple.com / www.woodnosedrinks.com

A Lone Star on the Cider Shelf

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As a fan of music and food, one of my favorite places to visit is Austin, TX. From beef ribs to fried chicken to donuts, Austin has some of my favorite places for some of my favorite foods. 

Though I miss the 6th Street scene sorely whenever I come home, I can take solace in the fact that I can always enjoy whatever food I am enjoying at home with a li’l taste of TinTin, thanks to the folks at Austin Eastciders.

Though I first fell in love with their fruit-forward flavors like pineapple and blackberry and their best-of-both-worlds hopped cider, I quickly expanded my repertoire (and my refrigerator) to include such sweet and satisfying southern sippers as the Sangria cider, the fresh and fruity light cider series (which ranges in tasty tastes from the spa-tastic cucumber agave and brunch-y mango mimosa to juicy strawberry lemonade and desert-dry Texas Brut) and the TX honey type (which has since been joined by a can that carries Mike’s hot honey as well!).

New this year (and for obvious reasons) is AEC’s limited-edition 10 Year Anniversary cider and a pair of powerful (as in 8.3&% ABV) “Imperial” ciders that are royally good! The Imperial Gold variety is surely worth more than a lone star and the Tropical Punch (which blends AEC’s Imperial Cider base with a passion fruit, orange, and guava juice) packs a punch as well!

As with so many of my favorite food-makers, AEC gives back to my second-favorite city that rhymes with “Coston” through their Austin Eastciders Cares programs that donates proceeds to nonprofit organizations on both sides of the Red River (and even helps keep the river itself clean!). As good as all that is, the best thing that AEC gives to the community is some of the most creative and refreshing ciders on either side of the Mississippi (but preferably the east side). Though the city may have limits, the deliciousness of Austin’s best ciders do not!

https://austineastciders.com

The Brothers are BACK ;)

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Many years ago, I sang the praises of a great restaurant just outside of Boston called Brothers. It not only offered great food made by – you guessed it – a set of brothers, but it also featured amazing music by two of the most talented brothers in the area – Bill and Bo Winiker. 

When COVID shut the restaurant down, I was worried that the music would be over too. Fortunately, not only have the restaurant and the band returned, but they are now even closer to where I live!

The talented team behind Brothers recently took over Cook in Needham center. While I had not been there basically since Covid started, my return to the restaurant was well worth the wait! 

Not only does the simple but ample menu feature such tempting treats as charred broccoli with chimichurri sauce, a pita and dip set with creamy whipped feta cheese and zingy za’atar sauce, and an intricately-flavored sesame, mandarin salad that can be topped with falafel, chicken, shrimp, or salmon, as well as great burgers, pizzas and specials, but also great drinks, like the tequila and Mezcal-based Cactus Cooler, a spicy pineapple Margarita, and the wicked fresh Cranberry Bog.

Though the kids menu is less ample than that meant for older eaters, all the options are spot on and well-made. Our girls loved the chicken fingers and pasta, but suggested that they may get burgers or mac and cheese next time.

And then, of course, there is the music! Not only have Bill and Bo played at the White House, the closing of the old Boston Garden, and the opening of the new one, and at Symphony Hall, they also played my wedding and are booked for a number of future family celebrations. They are, to put it mildly, the best of the best! So to be able to hear their music while enjoying delicious quality food in a comfortable neighborhood place (that just happens to be in my neighborhood) made for a great way to spend an evening and I look forward to doing it again soon and often.

www.cookneedham.com / http://www.winikermusic.com

Ole Smoky keeps getting Smoky-er

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While I am admittedly a lightweight when it comes to adult beverages, (which is both ironic and difficult when you consider all the great drinks that I am asked to try…and then talk coherently about!), it is hard not to love the many great tastes from my favorite moonshiners at Ole Smoky Distillery. 

In the morning, there’s no better way to start your day than with a splash of Ole Smoky’s Mountain Java in your coffee. Their Peanut Butter Whiskey tastes like liquid lunch – mix it with their Blackberry Moonshine and you have the perfect PB&J! After a plate of Nashville hot chicken (or pretty much anything else delicious), one of my favorite ways to cool off and wind down is with a can of Ole Smoky’s Apple Pie Ginger moonshine cocktails (which I guess you could also throw in a lunchbox as long as you do not eat lunch in your car!).

Speaking of tossing some ‘shine into smaller spaces, many Ole Smoky faves like their flavored whiskeys and apple pie, white lightning, and hunch punch moonshines are available in 50ml mini bottles that make it easier to transport, try, and share flavors as well. If you can’t decide whether to taste or go big, there will soon be medium-sized 375ml bottles that are sure to be “just right.”

If you want another creative way to get some ‘shine in your life, Ole Smoky also offers a selection of cocktail-enhancing, moonshine-soaked fruits and veggies, including cherries, peaches, pineapples, and even pickles (which are AMAZING, I might add!). If you need to dip a toe in the tub before shining, they also offer a sour series that includes puckery apple and watermelon sips as well as creamier cuts like the aforementioned Mountain Java and a Nashville-authentic banana pudding cream that are great in coffee and other hot drinks, on ice cream, in recipes (such as those at olesmoky.com) or on the rocks.

The days of hiding moonshine in the hills are over, but if you want your shine to truly shine, Ole Smoky is still the best still around! 

Bonde-ing with Wine

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After enjoying a successful set of chef chats and other food-related events, restaurateur and renowned sommelier Bertil Jean-Chronberg is expanding the offerings at his Harvard Square food and wine emporium Bonde (with an “e”). 

Among the options will be Wednesday night wine and food pairings that will feature everything from Indian cuisine and poutine to pizza and other beloved “junk” foods as well as eco-responsible, sustainable American wines curated by Jean-Chronberg himself. 

If Wednesday is not your wine-nesday, there will also be a set of “advanced” Saturday night tastings that are geared towards those with more experienced understandings of wine who can not only appreciate the taste but also have a familiarity with the terroir and concern about how the changing climate is affecting their favorite fruit. These classes will also look back into wine history to the days of the Califronia Gold Rush and ahead to the prospects of new wine countries in places like Maryland, Michigan, and Texas. 

For those who want to fill more of their weekend with wine or who want to learn more before joining the “advanced” classes, Bonde is also adding set of five Sunday night classes called “The Essentials of Wine” that will instill confidence in participants while they enjoy some liquid courage as well. From how wine is made and how to know one type (or “varietal”) from another to how to order and taste wine (a.k.a., “To spit or not to spit?”) and how to serve it (e.g., do you smell the cork or not?), these classes will also allow participants to get more familiar with Jean-Chronberg himself in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

As the publisher of the hip wine newsletter Zero-Two-Wine-Three-Eight (a parody on his zip code that he calls “the most opinionated wine newsletter in America”), Jean-Chronberg is a noted expert in the field (or is that the vineyard?). By opening the doors of Bonde to so many people in so many creative ways, he clearly wants to expand people’s palettes while also expanding the world of wine itself.

Join him- won’t you?

www.bondewines.com

Drink to our Pride

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While the Bruins have been said to win just because they play, Boston has another professional hockey team with a proud tradition- The Boston Pride.

Having thrice won the Isobel Cup (which is the championship trophy named for Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley’s daughter), Boston’s Premier Hockey Federation women’s league team is bringing more fans to Warrior Arena each weekend. 

As a way to capitalize on this growing popularity and support of the team. Dorchester Brewing Company has partnered with the Pride to release a limited-edition beer and hard seltzer that are available at games and that donate partial proceeds to the Pride. 

The “All In” Golden Lager and “Hear Me Roar” Prickly Pear seltzer are available in cans at Pride home games and also in the Dorchester Brewing Company tap room. 

 As Dorchester Brewing already offers Boston’s own M&M BBQ and hosts an ever-growing menu of events that includes community support drives, art classes, and tastings that often involve other delicious neighbors like the cheese-masters at Brookline’s Curds & Co. on January 31.

Whenever you drop by, be sure to try the latest sudsy sensations, such as the Galaxy Lights New England IPA, the fruited sour beer known as Indigo Sunrise, and the Beantown Coffee Stout, but more in-house brewed faves are hitting the taps all the time, making both the brewery and the Warrior Arena great places to catch great local teams over and over.

While it is true that the Bruins have a long and proud tradition in Boston and are one of the most successful and storied teams in hockey, they too had to start somewhere. So why not hop on the Pride fan wagon soon and enjoy some great professional women’s hockey with some great local brews.

Like so many great drinks, these Boston-based beverages go great on ice!

www.dorchesterbrewing.com https://pride.premierhockeyfederation.com

Take your pick from Champlain Orchards

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Though apple picking season may be a bit behind us, that does not mean it is too late for great cider (as if it were ever!).

That is why I was so excited to hear all that is going on in one of my favorite cider sources- Champlain Orchards!

While they are celebrating 25 years under the same name and family ownership, Champlain is far from resting on their laurels. These days they are growing over 150 different kinds of apples (did you know there WERE so many?!) as well as a massive mix of pears, plums, cherries, and more! After every harvest, the Champlain team sell some of this premiere produce directly and making amazing ciders and other tasty treats out of the rest.

Recently, the Orchard started tapping into their sugar maple trees in order to add organic maple products to the mix to make such sweet stuff as a a maple cider syrup that is truly the best of both worlds!

Among my favorites of their ecologically-processed products are such Good Food and other award-winners like their Mac & Maple (which is reminiscent of their amazing new cider syrup), their cider-Sangria mashup called Sidria, the Honeycrisp ice cider, and their sugar-free selections like their top-selling Kingston Dry that are great refreshers after a day of shoveling (or not).

Though Champlain distributes throughout the region, a visit to their Shoreham, VT, mothership will be made all the sweeter with the opening of their new Cider Garden, which offers full pours, small bites, fire pits, lawn games, and plenty of pick-your-own pleasure!

Champlain Orchards has long been a favorite, but as they continue to expand their offerings, I hope that I do not fall behind trying them all. 

I will surely enjoy the effort!

www.champlainorchards.com

Coffee from the Source

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For many years, I have been talking about great places to get coffee. Perhaps the best place, however, is Africa, which is commonly considered the birthplace of coffee.

If you want to get a great taste of some of the oldest and best coffees in the world, the African Coffee Club is a great place to start!

A third-generation family-owned business that was founded by a coffee-making family, the African Coffee Club distributes coffees from all over the continent to coffee lovers all over the world.

From Burundi and Cameroon to Tanzania and Zambia, the Club offers access to all of the best sources from this uniquely-situated coffee climate. And as all of the coffees come from individual farmers, they are natural single-origin and naturally processed, allowing more of each coffee’s flavor and culture to shine through.

For those who are new to coffee or new to African coffee, the Club offers a wide range a gift sets. Once you have chosen some favorites, the Club’s subscription service allows members to receive different coffee’s every two, four, or six weeks, or just to buy or try a new favorite one at a time. The coffees are perfect whether you like drip, French press, or pour over, and cannot only help you find your next favorite coffee but can also make for great gifts for friends, family, and colleagues that will open their eyes and their pallets to great new flavors that are actually some of the greatest old flavors the world has ever known.

In addition to offering great coffee to their members and customers, the African Coffee Club also offers great support to their member farmers, paying above market value to their independent producers throughout Africa and using sustainable farming practices that not only result in great coffee but also demonstrate great ways to run agriculture and business. It has also helped members of the founding family go to school and benefitted their community and culture in many other ways, making each cup even more satisfying!

Want great coffee with a great story? Go to the source with the African Coffee Club.

www.africancoffeeclub.com