Easy Champagne Cocktails for Extra-Festive Holiday Parties

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. It’s getting into the time of year to keep…

He’Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 Will Get You Lit Like A Hanukkah Candle

Beer: He’Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co. Style: American Strong Ale ABV: 16 percent Hanukkah might be over, but sometimes eight crazy nights just aren’t enough. For those looking to squeeze in a few extra or get a buzz that’ll last as long as the original Hannukkah candles,…

Brick: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Brick, 455 North Third Street, Phoenix, 602-258-3665, www.brickphx.com. See Also: – Now Open: Brick Pizzeria – The Parlor: Happy Hour Report Card – Cocktail Lovers’ Anti-Gift Guide: What NOT To Get The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily with drink specials from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and…

The Best Last Minute Holiday Punch Recipe Ever

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. This time of year, festive gatherings can sneak up…

Four Wines Under $6

Feeling thrifty? Good, because this week we explore wines under $6-$7. You know, the ones no one really boasts about buying….but admit it, you do. These bottles cost less than an entire glass of wine a nice wine bar, so you pick one up at the grocer’s in hopes you’ll…

Rose and Crown: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Rose and Crown, 628 East Adams Street Phoenix, 602-256-0223, www.theroseandcrownaz.com. See Also: – Best English Pub – 2012: The Rose & Crown Pub – Casey Moore’s Oyster House: Happy Hour Report Card The Hours: Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday from 2 to 7 p.m…

Revolver Blood and Honey: Beer in Texas

Beer: Blood and Honey Brewery: Revolver Brewing Style: American Wheat Ale ABV: 7 percent See also: – Crispin Bird on a Wire – Chow Bella’s Gift Guide for the Beer Lover While our state’s brewers undoubtedly put out some great stuff, beer does not exist in an Arizona-shaped bubble. Across…

Cocktail Lovers’ Anti-Gift Guide: What NOT To Get

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. There are some really cool stocking stuffers for aspiring…

Local and Online Wine Clubs to Try

Thinking of starting 2013 with a wine club membership for yourself or as a gift for a fellow wine lover? Afraid of commitment? Looking for special access to members only wines? Discounts? Today, we compare some online and local options, all of which have free membership. See also: – Shit…

The Handlebar and Grill: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: The Handlebar and Grill, 680 South Mill Avenue Tempe, 480-474-4888, www.handlebaraz.com. See Also: – Boulders on Broadway: Happy Hour Report Card – (More) Craft Beer on Mill Ave. at the Handlebar and Grill, Open to the Public Today The Hours: Happy Hour is offered daily from 3 to…

Crispin Bird on a Wire: A Bourbon-Aged Cider

Beer (cider): Crispin Bird on a Wire Brewery (cidery): Crispin Cider Co. Style: Apple Cider ABV: 6.9 percent The beer of the week this week isn’t a beer at all — it’s a cider. But it’s fermented, in part, with beer yeast. Does that count? I think it counts. Here…

Kahlúa Gingerbread: How to Make It Tolerable

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. A simultaneous perk and hazard of the bar industry…

Chow Bella’s Gift Guide for the Aspiring Bartender

What? Not done with your holiday shopping? Yeah, neither are we. But we’ve been making lists — and checking them twice — and we’ve got some suggestions for the nice people on your list. Today, Chow Bella’s Gift Guide for the Aspiring Bartender. You’ve noticed lately that your friend gets…

Maizie’s Cafe and Bistro: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Maizie’s Café and Bistro, 4750 North Central Avenue Phoenix, 602-274-2828, www.maiziescafe.com. See Also: – Timo: Happy Hour Report Card – Best Bloody Mary 2012: Maizie’s Bistro The Hours: Happy Hour is offered from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday…

Logsdon Seizoen Bretta: A Farmhouse Ale Brewed in a Farmhouse

Beer: Seizoen Bretta Brewery: Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Ales Style: Saison ABV: 8 percent Because it is so appropriate, we begin this review with a short history lesson. The saison is a light, drinkable ale that originated in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. French for “season,” saisons were brewed seasonally,…

Wine Dinner with Bouchard Père & Fils at Binkley’s Dec. 5

http://binkleysrestaurant.com/Join the wine feast at Binkley’s. A few times a year, Binkley’s partners with a different winery and hosts a dinner with paired with selections from the label. December 5 brings an epic wine dinner to Binkley’s in Cave Creek. For this feast, Chef Kevin Binkley has created a French…

Eleven Holiday Cocktails in Metro Phoenix

Whether you’re celebrating Black Friday or untangling a web of burnt out Christmas lights, chances are you could use some holiday spirits. Luckily these seven Metro Phoenix spots have just the liquid encouragement you need to brace “the most wonderful time of year.” From cider to nogs, cranberries to figs,…

Firestone Walker 16: The Voltron of Beers

Beer: 16th Anniversary Ale Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Style: American Strong Ale ABV: 13 percent Voltron knew it best: Giant robotic lions are all well and fine on their own, but combine them into one super-robot and no foe in the universe can defeat you. See also: – Firestone…

How to Make the Best Hot Buttered Rum

Ring the bell, it’s time for Last Call, where JK Grence, bartender at Shady’s, serves up booze advice and recipes. Got a burning question for your bartender? Leave it in the comments and it might be answered in a future column. This time of year is a good reminder that…

Turkey/Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving traditionally is a time to eat, drink and kick off the holiday season “right.” That of course means wine. It can be tricky to pick a wine for Thanksgiving– it’s hard to please everyone. Kimber Stonehouse, Director of Operations for Sportsman’s Fine Wines & Spirits has some tips on…