WHAT’S DAVE DRINKING?

In the current world of craft beer lovers, lagers (and especially classic German lagers) are often considered boring by experts & casual drinkers alike. But I really enjoy a beer that can be subtle while still having interesting textures and flavors. And there are quite a few smaller German breweries that produce amazing simple beers. I just had the “Mord und Totschlag” from Kyritzer & despite it’s fearsome name- it translates into English as “Murder & Manslaughter”- it’s a fairly classic black lager with fantastic roasty flavor & slight richness that reminds me a bit of good coffee ice cream...READ MORE

Thanks to the current spirits & cocktail craze, producers & importers have been unearthing ancient spirits that were nearly extinct. Sometimes they were extinct & have been brought back to life. And sometimes they have become terrible shadows of their original incarnations but are now being made in their more original glorious forms. I just tasted through a bunch of products from Tempus Fugit Spirits including some Fernet, Quinquinas & Crème de Menthe. Who new Crème de Menthe could be delicious? Apparently, there is historic precedent for a fantastic mint liqueur & these guys have nailed it. It’s a strange...READ MORE

I love unusual riffs on classics, especially when the riff is actually a throw-back to the roots. For example, Camillo Donati Malvasia is a wine I love. Because it’s biodynamic, it is frizzante (mildly carbonated) & the funkiness of natural fermentation balances the sweetness often found in malvasia from this region.READ MORE

I love unusual riffs on classics, especially when the riff is actually a throw-back to the roots. For example, Camillo Donati Malvasia is a wine I love. Because it’s biodynamic, it is frizzante (mildly carbonated) & the funkiness of natural fermentation balances the sweetness often found in malvasia from this region.READ MORE

I love unusual riffs on classics, especially when the riff is actually a throw-back to the roots. For example, Camillo Donati Malvasia is a wine I love. Because it’s biodynamic, it is frizzante (mildly carbonated) & the funkiness of natural fermentation balances the sweetness often found in malvasia from this region.READ MORE

I admit there are lots of times I prefer a drink from an older & more-established producer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any new folks making booze who I think are doing a great job. Suerte Tequila is a great example. They’re a very new company who just started distribution to NYC (& they’re owned by Americans who are new to the trade), but they are already one of my favorites. Especially their Reposado- I’m a huge fan. I’ll take mine neat, with some sparkling mineral water to sip alongside.READ MORE

Sour beer isn’t for everyone (apologies to the woman in my Farmhouse Beer class who was horrified by a gueuze) but those of us who love them find them to be super refreshing. My old haunt (as both customer & bartender) Spuyten Duyvil is doing their annual sour beer bash tonight in perfect timing for the doldrums of summer. Whether it’s in the Lambic family, a Flemish red or brown ale, or one of the new riffs proliferating in the craft beer world, I’m a sucker for them all when the mercury rises.READ MORE

I’ve been on a bit of a crusade the last few years to get people to try good aged rum. Rum is so much more than something to mix with coke or an ingredient in a fruity cocktail. The subtle sweetness & deep earthiness of the better aged rums are instant hits with people who approach them with an open mind. Especially in an age when bourbon has become both hugely popular & often quite expensive, I find I get much more for my money but sacrifice nothing in enjoyment when my glass is filled by folks much further south...READ MORE

I’m super excited to teach my first class at The Institute of Culinary Education next Thursday, July 25. I’m doing a class on Farmhouse Beer, exploring the history of this ancient genre through the modern interpretations. Of course there will be several delicious beers to sample and discuss. And it just wouldn’t be my class if there wasn’t something tasty to snack on while we sip… Details are on the Events page or you can go to ICE’s site for tickets and information here.READ MORE