Eight years ago I turned my nose at most foods. Very, very, verrrry picky. Calamari was gross; eat squid, you can't be serious? Spinach, no thank you. Turkey burger, who would eat anything other than a 'real' beef burger? Well, me. You could call me sheltered, but that's not it. Mom cooked all kinds of great meals, I just thought if it looked funny or had a weird texture than I just won't like it.
Same goes for beverages. Ok, adult beverages. College days hit, it was necessary to acquire a taste for beer. I do like to fit in. But, just light beer, Bud or Miller. Guiness, weird sounding beer, IP what?, from some brewery in a small town in Vermont, ewww. My theory was, if I can't see through it, I don't want it. Same applied for wine. White only. Red, let's not get crazy.
Then, I met Jake. Maybe I just grew up, but I will give him some credit. A lot of credit. Thanks to him, the foods above are some of my favorites. Whoa. Who ordered calamari for an app last week? This girl! What's my current beer of choice? Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale. Pale Ale?! That's right.
We are both beer snobs now. I love it. Sure, we'll still drink Bud Light. But, its way more fun to try microbrews from all over the country. Enter new recurring post, the Brew Review! Keep reading....
Showing posts with label Beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beer. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The 'Napa Valley' of the Midwest
Yeah, you've read it right and its AMAZING!
The southwest corner of Michigan, an area called Harbor Country, is home to about 12 wineries. Its roughly a two hour drive from Chicago, so there's really no excuse to not get up there at least once a year! I first visited the area three years ago and it was love at first taste.
I have a few favorites to pass along for your next (or first :)) visit!
1) Round Barn Winery. This place is a MUST visit! The best part...its a winery, brewery, and distillery! You can't go wrong. Something for everyone. $8 for 5 tastings plus souvenir wine glass. The wine and spirit tasting is done in the well, round barn and beer tasting in the Brew barn. Favs: Pinot Noir and Imperial IPA.
http://www.roundbarnwinery.com/
2) Free Run Winery. The sister winery to Round Barn. Take your souvenir wine glass from Round Barn for discounted tastings here. Also, serves spirits. Apple Brandy was actually quite tasty! And, I thought I only liked brandy if it was served in eggnog :) Fav Wine: Union.
http://www.freeruncellars.com/
3) Chocolate Garden. No wine here, but after all that wine you need a little chocolate. Its necessary. Really. Amazing truffles at this stop, love the traditional white and milk chocolate. Deeeelish!
http://www.chocolategarden.com/
4) Karma Vista Winery. I'm a sucker for cool wine names and labels. This place gets me hook, line, and drinker! Wine names like Cha Cha Chardonnay, Moondance Merlot, and Stone Temple Pinot. Sold.
http://www.karmavista.com/
5) Last reco and its not wine. Sorry, but you also can't go to Michigan and not go to a brewery! New Holland Brewery is in Holland, Founders in Grand Rapids, and Bells in Kalamazoo. This trip we hit up Bells. Taaasty! For $12 you can try 6 of the beers...generous samples I might add. Fav brew: Two Hearted IPA.
http://bellsbeer.com/
So find your DD, drink up, and enjoy!
The southwest corner of Michigan, an area called Harbor Country, is home to about 12 wineries. Its roughly a two hour drive from Chicago, so there's really no excuse to not get up there at least once a year! I first visited the area three years ago and it was love at first taste.
I have a few favorites to pass along for your next (or first :)) visit!
1) Round Barn Winery. This place is a MUST visit! The best part...its a winery, brewery, and distillery! You can't go wrong. Something for everyone. $8 for 5 tastings plus souvenir wine glass. The wine and spirit tasting is done in the well, round barn and beer tasting in the Brew barn. Favs: Pinot Noir and Imperial IPA.
http://www.roundbarnwinery.com/
2) Free Run Winery. The sister winery to Round Barn. Take your souvenir wine glass from Round Barn for discounted tastings here. Also, serves spirits. Apple Brandy was actually quite tasty! And, I thought I only liked brandy if it was served in eggnog :) Fav Wine: Union.
http://www.freeruncellars.com/
3) Chocolate Garden. No wine here, but after all that wine you need a little chocolate. Its necessary. Really. Amazing truffles at this stop, love the traditional white and milk chocolate. Deeeelish!
http://www.chocolategarden.com/
4) Karma Vista Winery. I'm a sucker for cool wine names and labels. This place gets me hook, line, and drinker! Wine names like Cha Cha Chardonnay, Moondance Merlot, and Stone Temple Pinot. Sold.
http://www.karmavista.com/
5) Last reco and its not wine. Sorry, but you also can't go to Michigan and not go to a brewery! New Holland Brewery is in Holland, Founders in Grand Rapids, and Bells in Kalamazoo. This trip we hit up Bells. Taaasty! For $12 you can try 6 of the beers...generous samples I might add. Fav brew: Two Hearted IPA.
http://bellsbeer.com/
So find your DD, drink up, and enjoy!
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