Toxic Bootleg Liquor Deaths Reach 170 in India

170 people have died in an eastern Indian district after drinking bootleg alcohol that had been mixed with toxic methanol. Another 195 are still critically ill in the hospital. The victims had gathered in various locations for a drink after work Tuesday, which proved to be fatal for many. Residents of 12 different villages had purchased the illegal booze for 10 rupees (about 18 cents) a half-liter. What they thought was a bargain, was actually a death sentence.

Many of the victims were day laborers, street vendors, and rickshaw drivers.

So far twelve people have been arrested in connection with making and distributing the cheap, unlawful liquor but the District Magistrate Naraya Swarup Nigam reports that police are still searching for the kingpin of the operation at this time. Local residents admit that illegal breweries in that area operate freely and local authorities do not interfere.

Ironically, just last week the state of Gujarat brought in a new law that makes the illegal manufacturing and sale of toxic alcohol punishable by death.

Also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, methanol is a chemical used as an antifreeze, solvent, and fuel. Its toxic properties are astounding. When ingested, as little as 10 mL of pure methanol can cause permanent blindness by destroying the optic never and just 30 mL can be lethal. The toxic effects take hours to appear and because it is similar to ethanol (the alcohol in beverages) it is difficult to differentiate between the two.

If there’s a lesson to be learned from this tragic story, it’s to stay away from bootleg booze – unless you’ve made it yourself.

Beer and Wine at Starbucks a Big Hit

Back in July 2009, we found out that Starbucks was testing beer and wine in some of their Seattle and Portland flagship stores. We ran a survey to find out what you, our readers, thought about the inclusion of alcohol in coffee shops. The poll was split pretty much in the middle, with 52% of you saying you’d be game, and the rest of you poo-pooing the idea.
Well, according to chicagotribune.com, the stores selling beer and wine have done rather well for themselves. In fact, sales after 4pm in these stores have increased by double-digit percentages. Starbucks is so happy with the increase in business, they’ve decided to open up to seven stores in the Chicago area, all carrying beer and wine.

While I dig the idea of beer and wine in a coffee shop, I’m of the opinion that the addition of spirits would also work well. Like a local coffee shop here in Buffalo, Caffe Aroma, Starbucks could offer coffees spiked with liqueurs, whiskeys and brandies. Why not capitalize on what made them famous in the first place by taking it to a new level? What do you think?

More Impressive Holiday Cocktails!

Traditional Manhattan
It's bold, invigorating and as relaxing as a deep tissue massage. The best part is it's not just for mobsters, ad men and cocktail connoisseurs anymore.

2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 - 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Gourmet maraschino cherry or twist of orange peel, for garnish
Add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters to a rocks glass with
cracked ice (chilled martini glasses have also been used but
we prefer the less "stemmy"option here.) Gently stir, garnish
and serve.
Trade Secrets
For a real Manhattan you need rye whiskey – it doesn't matter what else you do, if you start with
bourbon, it's just too sweet
Keep your open bottles of sweet vermouth in the fridge to retain quality
Cocktail garnish peelers have extra wide blades to make orange peeling quick and easy – if you
do it in advance you can save time during your party

The Merry Magnificent Bastard
Invented by mixologist Bryan Swanson and very much endorsed by our good friends over at
magnificentbastard.com, this drink is wonderfully warming and all kinds of festive.

2 oz Bulleit bourbon
1 oz Domaine de Canton (ginger liqueur)
1/8 oz Laphroaig 10-year scotch
2 dashes Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir
vigorously for 20-30 seconds. Strain into ice-filled rocks glass.
From the inventor: "The ginger in the DdC and clove/spice flavors in the Fee Brothers give the
drink a nice warming touch. Have it with some gingerbread and it's a holiday."
Already have a recipe in mind? Get the best Bitters & Mixers the cocktail world has to offer.

Holiday-Worthy Cocktail: The Blackberry Bramble

Sure, you can pick up a few bottles of wine and choice beers, in fact I recommend you do, but I also advise having an easy-to-make cocktail that’s worth serving to holiday guests. You don’t have to go crazy, mixing up drinks touting 12+ ingredients, but offering friends and family something other than a rum and cola wouldn’t be a bad idea.

We’ve got three rad, easy-to-master cocktail recipes to ramp up your holiday and earn you some serious respect.

Blackberry Bramble
It's not too fruity but the sweet-seeking ladies will love it just as much as you do.

1½ oz gin
1 lime (juiced and for garnish)
2 tbsp muddled blackberries (about 6 berries)
1½ oz simple syrup
4 - 6 oz tonic water (we wholeheartedly recommend Q Tonic)
Muddle blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add gin, lime juice,
simple syrup and crushed ice. Shake well. Pour into a rocks
glass, top with tonic water and enjoy.
Trade Secrets
If you don't have a muddler on hand, use the end of a wooden spoon
Spring for the good tonic water – it makes a huge difference – the grocery store stuff is made
with synthetic quinine and high fructose corn syrup
A juicer makes life way easier, even a hand held version like this

Harpoon Winter Warmer Review #62

Harpoon Winter Warmer
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
ABV: 5.5%
Winter Seasonal
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Dogfish Head Tumbler Pint Glass

Harpoon Winter Warmer is a full-bodied rich ale that uses a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg to achieve its spirited flavor. Perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients: Water, Malted Barley, Hops, Yeast, Flavoring (cinnamon and nutmeg).

Harpoon Brewery
American Microbrewery
Boston, Massachusetts
Windsor, Vermont
Rich Doyle, Dan Kenary And George Ligeti
1986 

Appearance:
Rich Auburn Color With Burnt Orange Highlights
Three Finger Of Frothy With A Creamy Component Beige Head
(Framable Head)
Short Lived Head
Touch Of Lace
Murky Clarity
Vivid Carbonation

Aroma:
Overpowering Spice Aroma
Cider
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Heavy Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Clove
Potpourri
Cardamon

Mouth Feel:
Not Refreshing At All
Low Drinkability- I Find This Beer Requires To Much Work From The Drinker To Be Accepting Of Its Quirky Flavor
Not A Proponent Of Wasting Beer, But This Is A "Drain Beer"
Sour Note In The Aftertaste
Port Wine Flavor In The Finish, But It's Quick
Bitter/Slight Sour Balance
The Beer Is Off-Balanced
Light Bodied- Body Is Weak And Fragile
Perrier Mineral Water Palate
Slight Warming Gingerbread Kick
"Spice Bomb" That Leaves You With A Spice Filled Mouth Feel

Flavor is similar to the aroma, but is a bit disconnected. The flavor never comes together in a nice neat little package of joy. First the beer has a cinnamon liberalism to the point of DOA and has a cough syrupy sweet that the beer presents smoothly. I can taste Sucrets as my mouth reddens and the beers malts are fighting for their lives, to  little avail. Spices and herbs, mainly nutmeg and cinnamon simmer into a hodgepodge backdrop. In the middle clove spices and a touch of brown sugar come out with a caramel sweetness struggling beneath. In the finish your tongue soon recoils from the powdery spice onslaught of dusty cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. 

I like Harpoon products, but this is not one of them. Maybe it's a misclassified, but this beer is a waste of a glass and water. This beer is a waste of my time and money, look for better winter warmers.

1 Out Of 6
Don't Want A Sixer 

















































 
 

Guinness Black Lager Review #61

Guinness Black Lager
Style: Schwarzbeir
ABV: 4.5%
New Brew
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Guinness Stout Glass

Guinness Black Lager is cold-brewed with roasted barley to deliver the refreshing taste of lager with the unique character of Guinness. Enjoy ice cold straight from the bottle.
 
Guinness Brewery
Dublin, Ireland
Arthur Guinness
1759

Appearance:
Midnight Black Color With Brown Around The Edges
Little Transparency
Waxy Turbanado Colored Foam Head
Head Dies A Bit Too Soon
Some Creamy Spotty Lacing
Bubbly Carbonation

Aroma:
Rather Innocuous Aroma
A Whisper Of Roast Coffee
Roast Cocoa Malts
Burnt Toast
Light Hint Of Vanilla And Cream
Pumpernickel
Wet Cardboard
Caramel Malts
Herbal Hops

Mouth Feel:
More Like A Black And Tan Than A Schwartzbeir
Light Bodied- Lacking Any Depth Or Substance
Weak Feel In The Texture
Chalky And Prickly Finish
Fluffy And Crisp Mouth Feel
Simple Refreshing Black Lager
Incomplete Beer A Nondescript  Offering From Guinness
Quite Smooth But No Character On The Palate
Slightly Sweet To Medium Bitter Balance
Very Drinkable To Sessionable Beer

Pale malted barley, maybe even a trifling inclusion of pils malt. Very, very low roastiness, more like they added caramel coloring to achieve the color. Faintly herbal hint of hops with a minute bitterness. More of the same (which isn’t much) until the crispish finish. My taste buds were not doing any Irish dancing  for this beer. Guinness stout is the king and this beer would be the jester in the house of Guinness.

2 Out Of 6 
Don't Want A Sixer








 
































 


 
 

Troegs The Mad Elf Review #60

Troegs The Mad Elf
Style: American Strong Ale
ABV: 11%
Winter Seasonal
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Dogfish Head Snifter

The combination of Cherries, Honey, and Chocolate Malts delivers gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast , this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies the character of this Ale. 

Troegs Brewing Co.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
John Trogner and Chris Trogner
1996

Appearance:
Awesome Color- If I Could Harden It I Would Make A Ring Out Of It
Ruby Red Color With Darkened Patches-Almost Looks Like Grenadine
Beautiful Transparent Clarity
Wisps Of Lacing Down The Glass
Small White Head
Weak Staying Power In The Retention
Mellow Carbonation

Aroma:
Cherry Heavy
Candied Sugar
Plum
Kool Aid
Cinnamon
Spices
Pepper W/Other Cooking Spices
Honey 
Peanut Butter
Banana
Nutmeg
Cloves

Mouth Feel:
A Tamed Alcohol Bite, Buried Well In The Flavors
Sour Cherry Aftertaste, That Lingers For A Moment On The Tongue As You Swallow
Heavy, Sticky And Chewy Finish
Nightmare Before Christmas Mood
"Big Beer" Qualities
Really Smooth For ABV Of 11%
If You Want The Evil Mad Elves To Come And Carry You Out Of The Bar And Steal Your Wallet, This Beer Is Not Very Sessionable.
Heart Burn Beer, Acid Reflux Will Set In After Too Many
Cough Syrup Like Texture
Medium Bodied Beer, With A Heavy Flavor Profile
Sweet/Tart Balance
Not Very Refreshing
Truly A Night Cap Brew

This beer should stay what it is as a seasonal beer. The way I had to get this beer was funny, it wasn't on the shelves and I had to asked a worker to get it. Then I had to meet him in the the alley and was only allowed one sixer (LOL). I felt a little robbed, because I paid $15.99 for a sixer. I don't believe this beer deserves all the hype it gets, it is what it is a mediocre beer. This was the first time I tried this beer and I had a decent experience with it. 

3 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer