J. Carver Distillery is no stranger to grain-to-glass spirits, whether it’s gins, vodkas, or whiskeys produced at their Waconia, Minnesota, facility. On Monday, April 10, J. Carver announced it would be adding three new spirits—Brickyard Straight Bourbon, Runestone Straight Rye, and Island View Brandy—to its lineup, each distilled and aged in Minnesota-made barrels. “Non-chill filtered … [ Read more]
Bachelor Farmer Cafe adds cocktails
October 12, 2016 by Leave a Comment
North Loopers pining for The Bachelor Farmer’s erstwhile brunch service were happy to see the open-faced sandwiches and pastries make the transition to Bachelor Farmer Cafe, which opened in January of this year. Well, glory be. Now the cocktails have returned as well. “It’s a cool opportunity to bring back the things people loved,” says Casey Underkofler, … [ Read more]
Great Lakes Distillery to release 10 new spirits for 10th anniversary
May 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Great Lakes Distillery, the first micro-distillery in Wisconsin, is releasing 10 new spirits in commemoration of their 10th anniversary. The Milwaukee distillery, maker of Rehorst Gin, Roaring Dan’s Rum, and Kinnickinnic Whiskey, will begin the releases with three new brandies—banana, strawberry, and blueberry—on Friday, May 13. A barrel-aged cherry brandy, made from Door County cherries, will be … [ Read more]
Mix This Now: Brandy cocktail recipes
March 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
As part of our look at why brandy seems to be bringing up the rear of the local, small-batch spirits craze, we put together a few cocktail ideas that incorporate the spirit. For starters, a good mixing brandy like Raynal XO ($30) is an able stand-in for whiskey in most cocktails. Heck, even your dusty … [ Read more]
There’s Something About Brandy
March 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
For all the excitement about local small-batch spirits, why is brandy lagging behind? Somewhere in Wisconsin at this very moment, a cherry and an orange slice are being muddled in a glass. They’re being pulverized with a sugar cube and a dash of bitters. A few ice cubes get added, then a slug of rail brandy … [ Read more]
Craft Cocktail: Mulled Wine
December 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
There might not be a drink that tastes more like the holidays than mulled wine. The warming spices, the heat of the brandy, the hand-warming steam from the mugs—if you’re heading to an outdoor holiday market, this is necessary fortification. Feel free to experiment with the spice blend as your stocks allow. But make sure … [ Read more]
J. Carver Distillery to release Rye Whiskey and Apple Brandy
November 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The second wave of Minnesota craft spirits is taking shape, as distilleries are beginning to release aged spirits to complement their gins and vodkas. Vikre Distillery just announced the release of their first aged whiskey, and now, a Waconia whiskey is ready for the spotlight. J. Carver Distillery has announced via press release the debut of … [ Read more]
