Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Great American Distiller's Festival 2011

A couple weekends ago I joined a couple friends for what has become a yearly tradition -

The Great Ameican Distiller's Festival

A gathering of distiller's great and small to present the latest and greatest product for the year . This year there was or so vendors , bartender"s contests , and so much more .

The most obvious trends this year were certified organic distilled spirits and small batch whisky . There was an overabundance of vodka both infused ( last years big trend ) and virgin . As usual there were a few welcome suprises so I'd like to take a second a share a few highlights of the show . Hope you enjoy .

Looking for something to brighten up your Bloody Mary ? Here it is ....

Skip Rock Vodka - washington's premium potato vodka

This is a Yukon Gold based potato flavor with all of the flavor of the potato including the earthy tones .
Whether brightening a drink or deglazing a pan for sauce this is truely unique .
Skip Rock Distillers is based in Snohomish , Wa and sources only local ingedients . Can be found in oregon soon at top liquor distibutors .
Skip Rock can be found on Facebook and http://www.skiprockdistillers.com/

Forget all your preconseptions of rocket fuel moonshine , this was the real deal and so tasty ....

Block and Tackle Moonshine satrted out with a butter flavor that transitioned into a true corn flavor and finished with a little kick . A nice balance of flavor and very pleasent to sip . This was a great presentation of the elements that make a solid whisky without the smokey chared oak flavor that come from the barrel , very clean .

Block and Tackle Sunshine is the next step up with more intense flavors and a punch at the end . This was my pick for the next bottle on my shelf . I felt this was the real deal and has a reasonable price point of about $30 .

This product is currently found in washington , available in vancouver and all over Washington .

5 oclock somewhere distillery is based in Cashmere , Washington and is complete with a tasting room .
http://www.5oclocksomewheredistillery.com/

What can i say , my next suprise was ...

Mezcal Don Amado
Unlike other Mezcals i have had I found layer upon layer of aromatic that was wonderfully complex . It congoured up images of shrimp tacos on a sunny day in Mexico . Well balance , tasty , and hard to put my finger exactly what flavors were present .

finally four roses

Now I was introduce to Four Roses bourbon this last year . This wasn't the typical bourbon but a bottle of Four Rose's Private selection for Pope House . Really love the warm comination of caramely flavors in this  Now in the Four Rose's lounge in the show they were showcasing one of this year's private selects that was sharper , deeper and richer . For me , I really liked it .

What ever your tastes and what ever you like , there is something for everyone at the Great American Distiller's Festival and I highly encourage you to discover what youj like when the show rolls around again .

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Portland Greek Festival Oct 5,6,7 2012

This weekend the greek festival goes into full swing at 32nd and Glisan 
in Portland , Oregon  . Here are the highlights of my trip tonight .
You need to purchase Talents ( coins ) to pay for food at the front for a Dollar a piece .

Spanakopita ( spinach pie )
and
Tyropita ( cheese pie )
I am a big fan of Filo dough and just about anything :)
3 talents each
You buy at ticket and wonder until your lamb number is called .
While you are waiting the lamb is roasted on a spit to perfection
A great team of speialist dispact the beast into plates
 
And there you have it ,
Roast Lamb on a Spit - 8 talents  
Think your favorite pot roast only better
 

Greek Village Salad
5 talents

Loukoumades
Deep fired airy pillows covered in honey
Large - 4 talents  

One of my favoirte desserts of the night
2 talents
 
I am a custard junkie
love it
2 talents
Pasta Flora
Not too sweet and tangy apricot
2 Talents
 
and of course Baklava
2 talents
 
There is so much more food  available that we didn't even try ,vlaki

Souvlaki

So many desserts

and greek coffee
Frappe
They say it is strong .
 
They even host a sitdown dinner
( The only place you can get the domathas )

If you go , pick up a program and explore .
Be ready for big crowds with the good weather .
Besides the food , there is jewelry , cooking demos and so much more .

It was a great time and I have to thank my little greek girl for hopping in the car and showing me the amazing food of her people , again :)