We are having some of our last foreign drinks until 2009. Last night we had friends visit from Cincinnati, so we went for something special. First was a very nice Brut Champagne from France followed by an Italian Prosecco (sparkling wine) and finished by Lindeman's Cassis Lambic from Belgium. I also picked up a 4-pack of La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue of Quebec, Canada. I'll miss all these drinks in the coming year, but there are some nice American equivalents.
Champagne and Italian sparkling wine - Several excellent sparkling wines are available from the wonderful vineyards in California. Korbel is common, but actually quite good in their Extra Dry variety. It is also not too expensive for those worried about cost.
Belgian Fruit Lambics - Lambic is tricky, and I have had no great success trying to create it in my homebrewing practices. Domestic Lambics are available, but they tend to be fairly different from their European counterparts. A good alternative are any of the fruit wheat beers produced by American breweries. They tend to be less sour, but are fruity and refreshing like a Belgian Lambic.
La Fin Du Monde (End fo the World) - This is a Belgian-style Trippel brewed in Canada. Several US breweries make Belgian Trippels. My two favorites are Ommegang and Allagash. Ommegang is located in Cooperstown, NY, and Allagash comes from Portland, ME. Both breweries distribute their beers widely and maintain excellent quality in their entire product line.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A New Rule
We were talking about alcohol ingredients last night. Should we find the source of all ingredients in every beverage?
In a bottle of beer, even one made in Ohio, there could be hops from England or spices from the Carribean. Manufacturers don't often publish the source of their ingredients. Unfortunately some might not even know this information.
The principle of All American Alcohol is to reduce transportation impact and highlight local breweries and distilleries. Therefore, as much as possible, we will not drink alcohol with known foreign ingredients. This means no Fuggles hops (usually imported from England) and only domestic juniper berries for homemade gin.
Here's to the challenge!
In a bottle of beer, even one made in Ohio, there could be hops from England or spices from the Carribean. Manufacturers don't often publish the source of their ingredients. Unfortunately some might not even know this information.
The principle of All American Alcohol is to reduce transportation impact and highlight local breweries and distilleries. Therefore, as much as possible, we will not drink alcohol with known foreign ingredients. This means no Fuggles hops (usually imported from England) and only domestic juniper berries for homemade gin.
Here's to the challenge!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Scotch
I like scotch. Scotch, scotch, scotch. Down it goes. Down into my belly.
No more scotch in 2008.
No more scotch in 2008.
The Beginning
On our way home from a Xmas lunch today, Alex and I were discussing the globalization of trade, especially food trade. We already make efforts to eat locally by participating in a Columbus area Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and shopping our local co-op grocery store. We buy durable goods from ethical businesses and limit our purchases to things we 'need' as much as we can. What's left to do to limit our resource footprint?
I just read the book Plenty, an account of two writers who challenge themselves to eat only food grown and produced within 100 miles of their home. I know we can't do that because it would require too much time and the few healthy foods our toddler will eat (bananas and cranberries) come from far far away.
"What if we pledge to only drink US made alcohol in 2008?" I suggested. We each have a drink or two most every day, so this change wouldn't be insignificant. We started talking varietals: "We would have California, New York, and Ohio wines." "Does anyone make gin in the US?" "Can we make our own gin?" "There's always PBR." Finally, Alex said, "I like this idea."
We talked about a few 'rules' for the challenge:
1) What's in our liquor cabinet on January 1 can be used anytime throughout the year, domestic or not.
2) If traveling (Alex travels in foreign countries frequently) drink products produced in the host country.
3) Do without alcohol if we are in a situation without a domestic option.
We have a few days of 2007 left. I'll surely drink a few margaritas - we can't think of a US tequila substitute yet. When the year turns we'll start updating this blog with our domestic finds, recipes, and adventures.
I just read the book Plenty, an account of two writers who challenge themselves to eat only food grown and produced within 100 miles of their home. I know we can't do that because it would require too much time and the few healthy foods our toddler will eat (bananas and cranberries) come from far far away.
"What if we pledge to only drink US made alcohol in 2008?" I suggested. We each have a drink or two most every day, so this change wouldn't be insignificant. We started talking varietals: "We would have California, New York, and Ohio wines." "Does anyone make gin in the US?" "Can we make our own gin?" "There's always PBR." Finally, Alex said, "I like this idea."
We talked about a few 'rules' for the challenge:
1) What's in our liquor cabinet on January 1 can be used anytime throughout the year, domestic or not.
2) If traveling (Alex travels in foreign countries frequently) drink products produced in the host country.
3) Do without alcohol if we are in a situation without a domestic option.
We have a few days of 2007 left. I'll surely drink a few margaritas - we can't think of a US tequila substitute yet. When the year turns we'll start updating this blog with our domestic finds, recipes, and adventures.
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