Bar, nightclub and restaurant operators, managers, bartenders and other staff members have a lot to keep tabs on. From every day operations tasks to new product releases to spirit, beer, wine, cocktail and food trends, keeping on top of bar and nightlife news each week can be a project in and of itself.
That’s where we come in. To make things that much easier for you we’ve put together a detailed rundown of what happened this week that you should know. You need to know what international products are finally being distributed throughout America, what innovations are being made in glassware and bar and kitchen products, what and when music streaming services are featuring a new album, and so much more. In life, knowledge is power. In this business, knowledge is dollars.
Take your beer and food knowledge to the next level.
The Brewers Association’s definitive beer and food curriculum has been expanded to almost 100 pages. The CraftBeer.com professional Beer & Food Course has also added four digital videos to supplement this course. Other updates to this course, which is ideal for culinary institutions, restaurateurs, chefs, and beer educators, include:
- pairing craft beer with food, which now includes charcuterie and chocolate pairings;
- expanded tips and tricks for executing an outstanding beer dinner experience;
- strategies for sharing your beer knowledge in a way that guests will understand easily;
- practical beer knowledge;
- storing, cellaring and serving beer properly;
- an instructor guide and final exam now included in this comprehensive course.
Speaking of beer and food pairings, how about beer and potato chips?
Bar operators and owners know that food keeps guests at their venues longer, which increases the chances that average check spend will increase. However, not every bar has a kitchen or can otherwise cook and serve food. But there are other types of snacks out there. Unless a bar is operating somewhere with rules against serving any types of foods, chips are a good option that can help satisfy a guest’s hunger. Ruffles Brand Potato Chips has partnered with American craft breweries to come up with the “Chips & Sips” beer and chip pairing guide. Visit RufflesChipsAndSips.com to view the guide.
This is not your father’s brew.
Small Town Brewery is proud to announce the addition of Not Your Father’s Mountain Ale to their acclaimed lineup. This artisanal ale is bold and invigorating, making it a welcome heat-beating brew for the hot summer days we’re experiencing. At 5.0% ABV, Not Your Father’s Mountain Ale is fresh with citrus notes and a crisp finish. Small Town’s newest release will be available in 12-oz. bottles and 24-oz. cans.
Foiled again! Or for the very first time.
The first and only premium foil-top-sealed canned beer will debut in the US, supported by digital, social and out-of-home media, and also a TV commercial. It has been just 16 months since Estrella Jalisco launched in America and the brand is already innovating. The can has a premium appearance and enters the market during a time when canned beer is experiencing significant growth. After all, the Beer Institute has said that 55% of beer consumed in the US is served in cans. Learn more and enter the conversation by visiting the Estrella Jalisco Facebook page.
Celebrate National Watermelon Day with Smirnoff.
In case you weren’t aware, National Watermelon Day is Thursday, August 3! And just in time to celebrate this summer holiday, Smirnoff has announced the launch of their newest flavor: Smirnoff Sourced Watermelon. Smirnoff’s newest flavor is made with iconic No. 21 and real fruit juice concentrate, comes in at 30% ABV, and is available nationwide.
The spirit of Harley-Davidson, in a bottle.
The Archaeologist, the first spirit of its kind, is a premium dry gin that is bottled with original Harley-Davidson engine parts. These aren’t just any parts, either. Uwe Ehinger has searched the world’s most remote locales for antique motorcycle components, which has earned him the nickname “The Archaeologist” (hence the name of this gin). Each bottle of The Archaeologist gin is an homage to the iconic 1939 Harley-Davidson Flathead, 1947 Knucklehead or 1962 Panhead. Every bottle is finished with a hand-stamped, tamper-proof seal and clenched hang-tag bearing the unique serial number of the engine part inside.
The first edition sold out within hours, but pre-orders for the second edition can be placed now. If you’re a dedicated Harley fan, this is your spirit. Be sure to watch the video below to learn more!
Do you have Francis Ford Coppola in a can?
The ready-to-drink (RTD) category continues to heat up, and Francis Ford Coppola Winery has announced new entrants to the market. Three of the winery’s incredibly popular Diamond Collection white wines have been added to their industry-leading wine-in-a-can offerings. Gold Label Chardonnay, Yellow Label Sauvignon Blanc and Emerald Label Pinot Grigio will be launched next week at the winery’s Shine, Splash, Shindig mid-summer pool party, packaged in 250ml, recyclable four-packs. Fans of the 187ml RTD Sofia Minis know that these canned wines are perfect for pools, patios and beaches.
Wine with chutzpah.
Vitkin, a boutique winery operating outside of Tel Aviv, will finally make their wines available to the US. These Mediterranean-style wines will be imported by The Royal Wine Corp., and the first two that will come to our shores are a rosé and a white blend. Vitkin Pink Israeli Journey (2016) is described as a “Provence-style blend of 90% Carignan and 10% Grenache. This rosé is crisp, well-balanced and light-bodied, and pairs well with “sushi, wings or dark chicken cutlets on the grill.” Vitkin White Israeli Journey (2016) is a light- to medium-bodied eclectic blend that pairs well with fish and mild cheeses.