Madison Craft Beer Week 2012

Time to celebrate craft beer in Madison again.

Wait, we do that every day here right?

Well, yes but now we have a whole week of awesome events to enjoy.

Craft beer is growing in this country but the majority of people still drink mass produced beer. So like last year Star Liquor is encouraging you, oh lover of good brew, to take this opportunity to convert someone. We all have that friend who won't stray from pale lagers made a billion gallons at a time. Grab that friend, find an event, and let the conversion begin. There is truly something for everyone. They probably just don't know that not every craft beer is a hyper-hopped IPA. We should all help them find out.

Star Liquor's Schedule for Madison Craft Beer Week 2012

All tastings 4pm until 7pm

Friday 5/4:               Central Waters Brewing and Crispin Cider
Saturday 5/5 :          House of Brews

Sunday 5/6 NOON: Great Taste of the Midwest Tickets On Sale

Thursday 5/10:       Utah Brewers Coop (Wasatch and Squatters)
Friday 5/11             Pearl Street Brewing
Saturday 5/12         Lake Louie 


For a full list of Madison Craft Beer Week events click here.

So go and partake, but also share the love with someone who needs your help to discover better beer.

Wine and Travel: Tuscany 2003 Part 1

I still remember being at Star on that February afternoon when Jerry looked up from his phone call at the desk and said, "Adam, you have a passport right?" I answered him that I did. He then asked if I wanted to go to Italy. I am going to say that this was probably the easy question I have ever answered in my life.

I had known since I had started working full time at Star that there was a chance this trip would come about. Jerry had gone ten years earlier, and Jason had gone five years earlier. Still the suddenness with which it came about caught me a little off guard. I only found out I was going about five weeks before the trip would happen. This would be my first trip to Europe, and I couldn't wait.

I spent that seemingly never ending time preparing for the trip. After recieving the itinerary I spent some time trying to familiarize myself with the vineyards I would be going to and the wine that they make. Many of these trips are what they call "death marches" around Italy. Vineyard after vineyard with little or no free time. Often they cover the boot from tip to toe. Which I understand is a little like complaining that the weather has just been "too nice" but that much drinking and travel mixed together can be pretty exhausting. My trip however was going to be a bit more limited in scope. We would only be visiting Tuscany. Ha, only. 17 vineyards in 10 days. Places that make some of the worlds most celebrated wines from Chianti Classico, to Brunello di Montalcino, to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Hooray.

The night before I left Jerry, Jason,and I sat in the basement of Star and they gave me some last
minute advice before I went off to represent Star in Italy. These were good tips, mostly involving phrases like, "have fun" and "don't make an ass of yourself". We sat and drank some good wine, ate some good cheese and oil, and laughed as all the while my excitement grew.
After driving to Chicago, and flying to Newark I met the first of my travelling companions for the week. They had been on the same flight out of Chicago as Brian was from Oshkosh and Charlie was from Milwaukee. I had not met them earlier because I am a bit solitary when on planes, my book and my music get most of my attention. Now in Newark we had hours to kill before our flight left for Rome. We found the gate where our flight would leave which happened to be an area full of large white rocking chairs. Perfect.

We ate, had a few beers and soon more people from our group began to trickle in. We met John (who would be my roommate on the trip) and Nancy from Maryland. Barb, David and Mark arrived from Denver, then Bob from Boston, then Susan from New Hampshire.

We ended up having a nearly 4 hours delay in Newark but with almost half of our travelling crew in place we spent the extra time getting to know each other. The flight was uneventful, but I will say that Al Italia has good food and wine and bizarre Italian movies.

When we landed in Rome we met Lara, our tour leader from New York and learned that we had missed our connection to Florence but no worries for they had a bus for us. For me this was preferable anyway, it was a 3 hour ride through Italy, my first exposure to Europe. Everyone else slept, I stared our the window with my mouth open, which it turns out is how I would spend the better part of the week.

More stories to come. Stay tuned.

-Adam

Cooking with Spirits: Scotch Mustard Reduction Sauce

Hello all. This it the first in what I hope will be a more regular series of blogs by Star Liquor. Posted both by myself (Adam) and my coworkers.

I am going to start this renewed effort by sharing a wonderful recipe I learned at the Through the Seasons Cooking School at L'Etoile way back in 2002. The class I took was called red meat and scotch. This class was my first Xmas gift from Jerry as a Star employee and I have probably made it a hundred times over the last ten years.

The original recipe was for beef tenderloin filets but I have found it works very well with pork as well. At times I have substituted bourbon for scotch, this also works well. Any good recipe is just a starting point and only your imagination limits you.

There is no reason to use a fancy single malt for this sauce. A blended scotch will be cheaper and taste just fine. If you are going to use single malt remember that cooking with booze concentrates flavor, so a smoky scotch means a smoky sauce.

When you are at Star Liquor buying your whisky for this dish, A half pint (200ml) equals roughly a cup.

Scotch Mustard Reduction Sauce

6 T unsalted butter
2 shallots pealed and finely diced
1 cup scotch whisky
2 T whole grain mustard
1 cup of demi-glace

In a saute pan over high heat, melt 2 T of butter and sear your meat. Remove meat from pan and pour off any excess fat. Save the brown bits at the bottom of the pan. They are all flavor.

Add the shallots to the pan and brown slightly while stirring. Add the mustard to the pan and cook for about 1 minute while stirring so the mustard coats the shallots.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the scotch.

***Just an aside for safety's sake. When you are cooking with spirits always remember that BOOZE BURNS. Technically booze fumes burn and when you add spirits to a hot pan there are going to be fumes. So turn the burner off before you add the booze. Most of the fumes will dissipate in a minute or two. Even so keep a lid for your pan handy and a fire extinguisher should be in your kitchen too. This stuff is yummy but don't burn your kitchen down for it.***

Bring back the heat and reduce the scotch, mustard, shallot mixture to a thick paste. Add the beef demi-glace and bring to a simmer. Reduce this mixture by about half. Swirl in the remaining butter and serve right away over your meat.

ENJOY!!

-Adam

Catching "Catch A Star" Fever!

So I have a confession for you all. You the faithful and discerning fans of good old Star Liquor. I confess to you that I have a fever. Yes, that is right, a fever. No I am not ill. I have not caught a bug, nor some sort of flu. This fever is caused by excitement and anticipation. This is "Catch a Star" fever.

Have you caught it yet?

You will!

How could you not?

What am I talking about you ask?








Why I am talking about winning a $500 Shopping Spree at Star Liquor!

$500 to stock your liquor cabinet!
$500 to pack the wine rack!
$500 to build your self a fortress inside your beer fridge that seemingly never ends!

Or maybe...just maybe...you have had your eye an a bottle for a while. You know what I am talking about. Don't you? That bottle down in Star Liquor's temperature controlled wine cellar. Maybe that bottle calling to you from the single malt scotch selection would be your choice.

The possibilities are endless and they boggle the mind.

The best part is that it is ever so easy to enter this contest. Again and again and again.

You just have to do what you were going to do anyway. You just have to come to Star Liquor...oh and look up. Look up at the sign above our door. The sign that tells you how special you are and how much we love you. (blush) On that sign there is a colored Star. That Star could be any one of 5 different colors. What you have to do is remember the color of the Star until you get home and email that color to starcontest@tds.net. We will take the first 20 emails from each color change and enter them into a drawing for the shopping spree. The drawing for the shopping spree will take place on Sunday, September 18th. The Sunday of Willy Street Fair Weekend. There will also be monthly drawing for smaller prizes beginning June 15th.

For full contest rules check our the Events page at starliquor.com. Don't miss the extreme video from Pumpkin Blast 2009 while you are there.

So remember to "Catch A Star" when you stop into Star Liquor. I mean it is $500 worth of booze. Heck, stop into Star and we will give you a card with an email reminder and then all you have to do is look up. Ha!
See you all soon!

Madison Craft Beer Week 2011

Sometimes it is easy to forget that craft beer is still just a teeny, tiny portion of the beer consumed in this country. While we sit here in Wisconsin surrounded by artists and artisans who specialize in creating masterpieces of water, hops, and malted barley there are millions of people put there who's only experience in the beer world is pale watered down slop. There are millions of people out there who actually consider the number of calories in their beer to be the most important factor when the choose there brew. Heck, I even once had a rep at a trade show look at me and proudly proclaim that I should try the beer she was pouring samples of because "it is the lightest beer in the world".

In Star Liquor's coolers about 90% of the shelf space is devoted to craft beer. That makes it easy to forget sometimes that craft beer still only accounts for about 5% of the total beer market here in the United States.

So what?

From Friday April 29th until Sunday May 8th it is the First Annual Madison Craft Beer Week. (Yes, that is 10 days but that makes for a much less catchy title.) Great beer will be highlighted all over Madison. At restaurants, taverns, and great beer retailers Madison's burgeoning craft beer cultre will be on display in all its glory. There is an impressive list of events located here.

While I am sure we will all be out taking part and enjoying all of these great events I propose this is the time to take it one step further. It is time to spread the joy. Events like this give us the opportunity to convince one of those people who are drinking those sad excuses for beer that yes indeed there is more out there! If you know one (or many) of these people sit down with them, show them the list of events and choose somewhere to visit. There are so many things going on that there is bound to be something that interests them. The variety of Fish Fry events alone would make any Wisconsinite proud.

Your friends may be reluctant.

They may even fall back into their old bad habits when it comes to choosing beer but we all have to start somewhere. You may be the one who cracks that door that will open into a greater world of beer for your friend. You may be the one who inspires someone to utter the phrase "wow I really like IPA's" for the first time, or even "barrel aged beers are really good". Think of the pride you will feel when you spot your friend wearing a hoody from a craft brewer. So get out there. Grab that friend and turn them on to the exciting world of craft beer. They will be glad you did.

STAR LIQUOR EVENTS for Madison Craft Beer Week 2011:

Friday April 29th: FREE Central Waters Tasting 4pm-7pm

Saturday April 30th: FREE Goose Island Tasting 4pm-7pm

Sunday May 1st: GREAT TASTE OF THE MIDWEST tickets go on sale at NOON

Friday May 6th: FREE New Glarus Tasting 4pm-7pm

Saturday May 7th: FREE Founder's and Great Lakes Tasting 4pm-7pm

Distill America: Get in the SPIRIT to celebrate.

It was not that many years ago that American made distilled spirits were not very easy to come by. Oh sure, the legendary Bourbon producers down in Kentucky were cranking out whiskey by the barrel full. Beyond that though the pickins were pretty slim.

Fast forward to today when there are nine liquor companies right here in Wisconsin. They make a variety of wonderful spirits, something to please every palate. From whiskey, to rum, to honey liqueur, to apple brandy, to absinthe, to horseradish vodka, and the list goes on and on and on.

This is not just a Wisconsin trend. It is happening all over the country with new distilleries popping up like weeds. Take Vermont Spirits for example, they are from Vermont (surprise) and make a vodka based in maple syrup. Take Rogue Distilling from Oregon, long known for making interesting and innovative beers now they make a whiskey that is aged in barrels in the Pacific Ocean.

It is not hard to see how this movement parallels the craft beer movement that today is experiencing a golden age. If you looked at the United States in 1980 you would have been hard pressed to find beer that was not made by one of the giant macro producers. Today we know that a beer drinker could go a whole year and never drink the same beer twice. That same thing is beginning to happen with spirits.

Trying all the different spirits can be a bit more daunting than try a bunch of different beers though. Spirits tend to be more expensive and they certainly have more kick. Also people tend to find their favorite when it comes to liquor and they are less likely to change unlike the adventurous world of craft beer buyers.

Well...that is where Distill America: A Celebration of American Distilling comes in. The Madison Malt Society has put together a tasting event that is held every February that brings together all the best spirits the good ol' USA has to offer. With close to 40 tables there is bound to be a treat there that you enjoy. Many of the tables are manned by the distillers themselves to give you a real chance to ask questions and find out what it is that you love so much.

This years tasting is at the Edgewater Hotel on February 17th. Tickets can be purchased at Star Liquor, Barriques locations around Madison, The Malt House and Merchant.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to attend this wonderful event.

If you want more info check out www.distillamerica.com

Every One Loves the Gift of Booze!

So with the month of December now in bone-chilling full swing we are probably all feeling the nervous tension that almost always leads up to the holiday season. We are out trying to find that special gift for that perfect person. The staff at Star wants to make gift buying a little bit easier for you. We have the gifts that everybody loves and nobody returns. Whether you are trying to impress your boss, or bring a tear to the eye of a loved one, Star can help.

Do you have a wine lover in your life?

Oh, there are so many wonderful wines you can give as a gift. Bottles of all styles, all prices. If you are really feeling saucy ask to see our secret wine cellar. There are bottles down there that are so good just thinking about them makes me a little misty. You can also take advantage of our month 15% off on the 15th special. Take 15% off all of your wine purchases on Wednesday, December 15th. It is the perfect excuse to splurge a bit or to just stock up for the season. If there is one thing you can count on at Star it is that whether you are buying that dream bottle from the cellar or you are just looking for something to go with pizza tonight we can help you find it.

Need a gift for the spirits drinker in your life?

Whether it is single salt scotch, or something made closer to home we have the bottle to make them happy. There are spirits like gin, vodka, apple brandy, rum, honey liqeuer, whiskey and many others being made right here in Wisconsin and in small craft distelleries across the country. We have a huge selection to choose from. Of course our good friends from down in bourbon country in Kentucky are turning our some prized spirits and we have tried them all. Feel free to pick our brains to find just the right ones. Maybe you need a gift for someone who loves them all and dreams of tasting as many as possible. This person needs a ticket to Distill America: A Celebration of American Distilling in February. You could give them their ticket into a room filled with the finest spirits made right here in the U.S. and the people who are responsible for making them. We have tickets available now at Star.

Maybe you need something for that special beer geek on your list?

Beer geek is not a derisive term at Star. It is what we are and we are proud of it. There is a seemingly never ending supply of new and exciting beers out there. They get released every week and there is truly something for everyone. Mixed 12 packs from some of our favorite brewers have always been a holiday tradition at Star and this year is no exception. You can also make your own gift pack by picking a variety of 6 packs from our selection.

So as you can see there is something for everyone at Star.

Come and see and let us help make your holiday gift giving more pleasant.

See you all soon.

FREE Tastings at Star

Hello friends. Here is a little explanation about how our free tastings at Star work. They have become very regular things for us and we enjoy them quite a bit. Based on the number of people who join us it is safe to say that you do too. If you have never been to one let me ask…What the heck is wrong with you? It is free beer or wine. HA!

FREE BEER TASTINGS

Free beer tastings happen at Star nearly every Friday night of the year. Sometimes a beer tasting will happen on an off day if there is a conflict or a special event. They take place from 4pm to 7pm and they are usually conducted by someone from the brewery. Often times it is the head beer maker or sometimes it is a sales rep. What these people know is that when they come to a Star Liquor beer tasting they had better know their stuff. That is because you guys are going to ask real questions and expect real answers. You are not going to get away with marketing pitches when you pour your beer at Star. We get fantastic responses from the brewery folks that pour here. They are always so amazed at how willing our customers are to try new things and how interested they are in how these beers are made. So keep up the good work and we will keep trying to bring in new and exciting beers and beer makers for you to sample and meet.

FREE WINE TASTINGS

Free wine tastings happen every month on the 15^th regardless of the day of the week. The beauty of this is as all you wine fans well know the 15^th also means 15% off all your wine purchases. Usually we select a variety of wines from one of our wholesalers and they join us and pour for you and answer all your questions. All of our wine reps are very knowledgeable and love talking to the public about their products. Occasionally we will have a special wine tasting because someone from a winery is in town for a visit as we did with Carla from Trapiche. Those you just have to keep your eyes open for.

How can I find out about upcoming tastings?

Well, we always have signs posted in the store. You can email Star at starliquor@tds.net to get added to our email list. You can also become a fan of Star on Facebook where we offer constant reminders of upcoming events www.facebook.com/starliquor.

Remaining Beer Tastings for 2010:

Nov 5 – New Glarus

Nov 12 – Furthermore

Nov 19 – Hinterland

Dec 3 – Founders

Dec 10 – Sierra Nevada

Dec 17 – Capital

Remaining Wine Tastings for 2010:

Monday November 15th and Wednesday December 15th

See you all there!

Whiskey and Whisky

At Star Liquor we sell a lot of whiskey. A whole lot of whiskey. We also sell a lot of whisky. So have I lost you yet? If I have it is because of some of the subtle differences that if you are not in the business of knowing, you might miss completely.

Nowadays whiskey comes from all over the place. You can get bourbon from Kentucky, or New York. Scotch only comes from Scotland but Single Malt can be had from Japan and India and it is pretty darn good. Here is a little breakdown on some of the different whiskies that can be had at Star Liquor.

Single Malt Scotch is a type of whisky (notice that the “e” is missing, this is a spelling used in Scotland) that is made in a single distillery in Scotland. Made with malted barley, single malt scotch is distilled twice. It is then aged in seasoned (or used) oak barrels for at least 3 years and one day, though it is usually aged much longer. It is not uncommon to see a 25 year old or older scotch. If it is not from Scotland it is not Scotch, it is Single Malt Whiskey.

Irish Whiskey comes from Ireland. (HA HA duh!) Ireland is the country that gave whiskey its name. The word whiskey is an Anglicization of the ancient Gaelic term "uisce beatha" which translates as "water of life". Irish whiskey is believed to be one of the earliest distilled beverages in Europe, dating to the mid-12th century. Irish Whiskey is usually triple distilled which accounts for its easy drinking smoothness.

Bourbon, most people think, must come from Kentucky. Not true at all. Bourbon must come from the United States but about 95% is made in Kentucky. Bourbon must contain 51% corn and be aged at least 3 years in charred new oak barrels. Since barrels can only be used once for bourbon and barrels must be seasoned to age scotch, most used bourbon barrels are shipped to Scotland. Wild Turkey for example, ships many of their used barrels to Glenlivet. Bourbon also cannot be distilled higher than 160 proof and must not have any added colors or flavors.

Of course this is very rudimentary and completely ignores Blended Scotch, American Blended Whiskey, Canadian Whiskey and I am sure others, but those are maybe for another blog.

How to order a barrel of beer from Star Liquor.

So the only reason to write this blog is because Star is not what you would call a barrel store. What that means is we do not keep a large number of varied beers in different size kegs on hand. The reason this is true is our cooler is not very big.

We will work very hard to get you the barrel that you want but in return we need a couple of things from you. Advanced notice and a little patience. If you can supply those two things we will go out of our way to get you the beer you need.

The advanced notice that we need means that you need to call Star by 3pm on the Monday before you need your barrel. That is when you can talk to Adam (the beer guy) and he can talk to his salespeople to get you your beer. The more notice you give the better chance you have of getting your beer.

The patience part involves us finding out if the beer you want comes in the barrel you need. Many people think that any beer you see is available in barrels. That is not always true. Especially when dealing with smaller breweries or more eclectic beers. Most everything can be had but it takes time especially if the brewer is from outside Wisconsin.

One of the most important things to remember is just how much beer is really in a barrel of beer. Do you really need that much? How much do you and your friends drink these days?

Some rough numbers to remember:

½ barrel (the largest available thru retailers) = roughly 180 12oz beers

¼ barrel = roughly 90 beers

1/6 barrel= roughly 65 beers

You would be amazed how many kegs come back to Star half full. So maybe you just need bottles of beer. That allows for variety and allows for the leftovers to stay in the fridge for a later date.

So remember, call ahead, if you want something unusual call way ahead, don’t be surprised if what you want isn’t available, and be prepared with some options. That way you and your friends can be drinking icy cold tap beer when your party starts.