In The 'Spirit' of the Season

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Today is the anniversary of the end of prohibition - December 5, 1933 to be exact.  'Tis the season for so much.  We get together and share stories, meals and traditions.  We also share cocktails and mocktails (without alcohol).

Points of view on alcohol differ from one person to another.  I admit I learned quite a great deal in doing this post.  It started off with learning the language.  There were so many definitions that I had to look up in order to understand and appreciate this craft.  I gained a new insight into how these producers create their brands.

With Christmas upon us and New Year's on its coattails, I am honoring the people whose jobs create an age-old art. 

Here are some definitions (pdf file).**This is not an all-inclusive list.

Absinthe
Leopold Bros. (Denver, CO) Absinthe Verte

Beer
Anheuser Busch (HQ: St. Louis, MO) Their brewery in St. Louis, which opened in 1852, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.  Some of their local brands include Budweiser, Beck's, Bass Pale Ale, Bud Light, Busch Beer, Landshark Lager, Michelob, Natural Light, and Shock Top.
Here is a link to the Anheuser-Busch breweries.  Some of the breweries host tours of their facilities so if that is something that might interest you, add that to your staycation or vacation to-do list.
{Note: The imported brews that we supply nationwide include Boddington’s Pub Ale, Hoegaarden, Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light, Leffe Blonde Ale, Leffe Brown Ale, Lowenbrau, St. Pauli Girl Lager, St. Pauli Girl NA, and St. Pauli Girl Special Dark, and Stella Artois.}
Boulevard Brewing Co. (Kansas City, MO) Opened in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Co. is a specialty brewer in the Midwest.  They host tours of their facilities and even rent some spaces for special events.
Bridgeport (Portland, OR) Opened in 1984, it was Portland's first microbrewery, according to their history audio.  Some of their brews include Blue Heron Pale Ale, Dark Rain Black Pale Ale, Ebenezer Ale, Hop Czar Imperial India Pale Ale, and India Pale Ale, Kingpin Double Red Ale, Summer Squeeze, and Witch Hunt Spiced Harvest Ale
Choc Beer Company (Krebs, OK) Begun by an Italian immigrant who needed to find alternate work after an injury, the recipe was passed down from the Indians in the area to Italian immigrants.  They produce twelve craft beers.
Deschutes (Bend, OR) 21 Vegan beers {it's in their FAQ - I thought it was an interesting fact.}  They host tours at their brewery and rent spaces for special events.  You can also visit their pub in Portland.
Four Peaks Brewery Company (Tempe, AZ) A former creamery turned brewery, they produce eight regular brews, seasonal brews and a cask-conditioned ale.  The Four Peaks Grill & Tap is located in Scottsdale, AZ.
Henry Weinhard's (Hood River, OR) A German immigrant who set out to make good beer (I'm sensing a {ehem German} theme here - read on.).  Brewers of Woodlands Pass IPA, Redwood Flats Amber (apparently good with pizza), Private Reserve, Blue Boar, Northwest Wheat, and Blonde
Shiner Beers (Shiner, TX) Shiner Beers started in 1909 by German and Czech immigrants.  They display a state historical marker on their site.  To celebrate the sale of one million cases, they hosted a concert named Bocktoberfest in 1993, which is now held annually.  Talk about gratitude: They have their workers on their website.  Shiner Beers hosts tours of their breweries.
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. (Portland, OR) This duo of brothers began what is today the largest beer festival in the country, according to their website.  If you would like a tour of their brewery, which opened in 1984, click here for more information.
Yuengling (Pottsville, PA) Begun by David G. Yuengling, a German immigrant from Wurttenburg, Germany.  They have breweries in Mill Creek, PA and Tampa, FL.  In 1976, the brewery (Pottsville, PA) was placed on the national and state registers as America's Oldest Brewery.  In 2011, they expanded their Mill Creek facility to satisfy consumer demand.  {That equals more jobs!}  They brew Yuengling Premium Beer, Yuengling Porter, Original Black & Tan, Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Lord Chesterfield Ale, Yuengling Light Beer

Bourbon
Jim Beam® (Clermont, KY distillery) In honor of my friend, Charlie, I had to list Jim Beam® here.  Actually, I think my dignity depended on it.  He would have had some choice looks for me had I left Jim Beam® off the list.  Moving on.  Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of whiskey in 1795.  Jim Beam took over the family distillery in 1894.  {Fun fact alert: In 1964, Bourbon was recognized as America's Native Spirit by the U.S. Congress.}  Jim Beam® just had a seventh generation added in association with its label.  What's very honorable about their website is that they not only list the seven generations of gentlemen who have worked hard to make Jim Beam® what it is today, but they also mention the wives of the men behind the name.  That's fantastic!  They consider you to be family so they take you around their place, also known as tours.
Sazerac (LA) Their bourbons are made in the USA.

Brandy
{*Fun fact: Cognac is brandy made in France.}
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co (Purcellville, VA) First distillery in Loudoun County, VA since before prohibition {1920 - Dec. 5, 1933}. Their products are also organic and certified kosher.
Clear Creek Distillery (Portland, OR) "Steve McCarthy started Clear Creek Distillery twenty-eight years ago because he wanted to find the best use for the fruit from the McCarthy family’s orchard.  The name Clear Creek comes from the creek that runs through the pear orchard in Parkdale, Oregon."
Champagne
{*Fun fact: Champagne is a sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France.  Some use the term champagne as a generic term for sparkling wine.}

Gin
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co (Purcellville, VA) First distillery in Loudoun County, VA since before prohibition (1920 - Dec. 5, 1933).  Makers of gin, whiskey, and brandy, their products are organic and certified kosher.
Leopold Bros. (Denver, CO) Leopold's Gin
New Amsterdam Spirits Company (Modesto, CA) New Amsterdam Gin

Liqueurs
(* Fun Fact: Most liqueurs have a lower alcohol content (15–30% ABV-alcohol by volume) than spirits, but some contain as much as 55% ABV.)

Clear Creek Distillery (Portland, OR) "Steve McCarthy started Clear Creek Distillery twenty-eight years ago because he wanted to find the best use for the fruit from the McCarthy family’s orchard. The name Clear Creek comes from the creek that runs through the pear orchard in Parkdale, Oregon." Producer of Cranberry Liqueur, Blackberry Liqueur, Loganberry Liqueur, Cassis Liqueur, Cherry Liqueur, Raspberry Liqueur, Pear Liqueur.
Firefly Distillery (Wadmalaw Island, SC) Their liqueurs are based on Southern family recipes passed down through the generations.  The flavors include Peach Cobbler, Pecan Pie, Banana Pudding, and Coconut Cake.
Leopold Bros. (Denver, CO) Rocky Mountain Blackberry Liqueur, Michigan Tart Cherry Liqueur, New England Cranberry Liqueur, American Orange Liqueur, Frenchpress American Style Coffee Liqueur, Three Pins Alpine Herbal Liqueur

Rum 
RAILEAN (San Leon, TX) RAILEAN is the first Handcrafted American Rum and Agave Product to be certified as Made In USA in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission requirements under federal law.  Leading the first woman-owned, U.S.-certified rum and agave distillery, Kelly Railean is revolutionizing the American market.  Their brands are White Rum, Spiced Rum, Reserve XO, and Small Cask Single Barrel Rum

Scotch
{Fun fact: Scotch is malt whisky made in Scotland.}

Shooters*
{*Fun facts:  A shooter is a neologism for an alcoholic mixed drink that contains one ounce (33 ml) of two or more spirits. Some shooters also have a non-alcoholic ingredient. They are generally drunk quickly, rather than being sipped.}

Tequila
RAILEAN (San Leon, TX) RAILEAN is the first Handcrafted American Rum and Agave Product to be certified as Made In USA.  Leading the first woman-owned, U.S.-certified rum and agave distillery, Kelly Railean is revolutionizing the American market.  Their brands are El Perico Silver and El Perico Reposado.  {Perico is Spanish for parakeet.}

Vodka
Black Dot Spirits LLC (Madison, WI) Black Dot Vodka
Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka (PA) Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka
Buffalo Trace Distillery (Frankfurt, KY) Producer of Rain Vodka
Firefly Distillery (Wadmalaw Island, SC) Producers of Original Sweet Tea Vodka, Skinny Tea (Original Sweet Tea Vodka made with Truvia), Raspberry Tea Vodka, Peach Tea Vodka, Mint Tea Vodka, Lemon Tea Vodka, Straight Vodka, Southern Vodka
Grand Teton Vodka (Teton Valley, ID) Grand Teton Distillery is an award-winning artisan craft distillery specializing in potato vodka.
Hangar One Co. (Alameda, CA) Producer of Hangar One Vodka
Parched Group LLC (Richmond, VA) Cirrus Vodka (update: property headed to auction 6/25/13)
Leopold Bros. (Denver, CO) Silver Tree Vodka
New Amsterdam Spirits Company (Modesto, CA) New Amsterdam Vodka

Whiskey/Whisky**
{**More fun facts: Canadians and Scots spell it "whisky" and the Irish spell it "whiskey." Most U.S. dictionaries prefer the Irish spelling, but the U.S. Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, Congress spelled it "whisky."}
{**Even more fun facts: For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, the law--by international agreement--stipulates that it must be made in the USA. It must be made from at least 51% and no more than 79% Indian corn, and aged for at least two years. Most bourbon is aged for four years or more.}
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co (Purcellville, VA) First distillery in Loudoun County, VA since before prohibition (1920 - Dec. 5, 1933). Their products are also organic and certified kosher.
Clear Creek Distillery (Portland, OR) "Steve McCarthy started Clear Creek Distillery twenty-eight years ago because he wanted to find the best use for the fruit from the McCarthy family’s orchard. The name Clear Creek comes from the creek that runs through the pear orchard in Parkdale, Oregon." Producer of McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey
Jack Daniels (Lynchburg, TN) Producer of Tennessee Whiskey.  The Jack Daniel Distillery is established and registered with the federal government at its present location. Now, it's the oldest registered distillery in the United States.
Leopold Bros. (Denver, CO) American Small Batch Whiskey, New York Apple Whiskey, Rocky Mountain Blackberry Whiskey, Rocky Mountain Peach Whiskey, Georgia Peach Whiskey

Wine / Sparkling Wine
I found a great website that has an extensive directory of vineyards nationwide.  Here is a link to {AllAmericanWineries.com ™}.  They have the links by state.

Firefly Distillery (Wadmalaw Island, SC) Muscadine Wine

Definitions:

• A vineyard is plot of land where the grapes are grown to make the wine.
• A winery is a production facility that makes wine.  {** Note: They do not necessarily grow the grapes themselves.  I added them because, as with products that are made in the USA, we do not always know where the materials come from to make the final products and there is no real way to find out.  Some of the wineries have volunteered this information on their websites.}

Alcohol and its consumption can be a tricky topic for some. Some do not like it, others are allergic or have medical issues that prohibit consumption and others have personal issues with it. As is the case with anything in life, we have a personal responsibility to ourselves and those around us so please exercise responsibility if you choose to drink.  In the end, the purpose of getting together is to have a good time.

Karina

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