In today’s world of fine spirits, it’s hard to stand out. It’s kind of a mixed blessing that there are so many choices; while it’s great that all the new small batch producers and premium lines from established distillers creates a dynamic marketplace that raises the bar all across the board, sometimes you’ll miss some really great spirits that aren’t getting raves from the connoisseur crowd. And frankly, sometimes, being number one is over-rated. A classic example of this idea is the brand Snapple. Whatever you may think about their products, they staked a solid claim to third place behind Coke and Pepsi in the global soft drink market. How? They set out to be number three on purpose. You may remember that they even ran commercials back in the 90′s proudly proclaiming “We’re Number Three!” But we’re not really here to talk about Snapple, or striving for third. We’re here to talk about a couple of new items we’ve added to our selection. The reason we went on the little digression about being number three is because although one of these items – Label 5 Scotch – has garnered a number of top awards in the blended twelve-year category, they still proudly point out that they’re number 42 in the market. But look at the company they keep in the graphic on the left, and you’ll see why. The other item has no issues with being second either, because they were probably the first. Although Greenall’s has been making gin since it was made legal in the UK, which was 1761, their premium offering wasn’t available in the states until this century. It’s probably worthy of note that in the two and a half centuries they’ve been making gin, they’ve only had seven master distillers! And that in spite of their late entry in the US market, they’re number one in the UK, producing over 70% of the gin sold there. Notes on both below. (more…)

A company could certainly have worse problems than a brand this strong!

Poor New Belgium Beer. Their Fat Tire brand is so strong that back in 2006, they hired Denver-based Cultivator Advertising & Design to help them remind folks that the company is actually called “New Belgium”, and that “Fat Tire” is just one of many exceptional beers they produce. If you’re a craft beer aficionado, you probably already know this and a lot of other things about New Belgium’s beers. Like the fact that the last time Fat Tire was available in Michigan, it sold out in a day or two. But if you’re just a regular resident of Michigan, do yourself a favor and welcome New Belgium to the state when they arrive on Monday. Your taste buds will thank you. And so will your pocketbook. Our introductory price for a limited time is $3.99 for the 22oz bottles of Fat Tire Amber, Ranger IPA, Trippel, and Hoptober Golden Ale, and just $9.99 for the Shift 4-pack of 16oz cans. Learn more about the history and fine craft behind New Belgium beer on their website. It’s a fun story about a very positive company run by people who have a real passion for what they do. A passion perhaps in part fueled by the fact that after they work there for a year, they’re part owners. Plus they get a free bike! We don’t know if it’s a 1952 Schwinn Hornet like the bike that the company logo is modeled after, but we bet it has fat tires. And WE’LL have Fat Tire on August 27th. Beat the crowds, we have no idea how long supplies will last. Producer notes below. (more…)

It’s great to see so many producers striving to create some quality gluten-free beers. More and more people are discovering all the time that even if they haven’t been diagnosed with Celiac Disease – probably the most common reason to go on a gluten free diet – they just seem to FEEL better when they lower their gluten intake. And some producers are actually pulling it off; of the beers listed below, David & Joe (the manager and owner) actually RAVED about what a great beer the Brunehaut Blonde is, gluten-free or not. But you know what I’d love to see? A comprehensive blind taste test of gluten-free beer against conventional beer. Why? Because I think they’d get a much better rap than they do when the reviewer KNOWS that they’re tasting a gluten-free beer. We often link to reviews on Beer Advocate, because there is a huge community of exceptionally knowledgeable beer connoisseurs there. But we took a quick glance at what they had to say about most gluten-free beers, and decided they were being way too harsh. We first talked about people’s ability to taste nearly a decade ago, and periodically someone will do a well-publicized blind taste test of wines, and get shocking results like the $80 Pinot Noir beating the $5,000 Pinot Noir. Or discovering that the same wine tastes better when it’s priced at $90 than when it’s priced at $10. It’s likely that the reason that we don’t see many high-profile blind taste tests is because of the lesson learned by a bunch of snobs in France in 1976 at the Judgment of Paris, when a slew of lowly California wines took all the awards. The fact is, psychology plays a HUGE factor in taste, whether it’s wine, beer, spirits, or even food. So whether you’re trying to eliminate gluten from your diet or not, maybe it’s time to give one of these beers a shot. Lakefront was the first in the US to get a gluten-free label, but Bard’s is produced by two beer lovers striving to create a beer they themselves like, after finding out they had celiac disease. And New Planet is not only making some interesting beers, but each of their labels is named after a concept that helps “do good things” for the planet. So whether you want to do something good for yourself, or do something good for the planet, give gluten-free a shot. You might be surprised at how tasty some of these beers actually are, especially if you’re a cider fan. And if you ARE a cider fan, we have over 30 of those on hand to sample as well! Check out the gluten free choices below. (more…)

Learn more about why we’re going to Trinidad at our premium spirits site, HandSelectedSpirits.com

It looks like I’m taking a trip to Trinidad. Why? Because if Joe – the owner here at Main Party – doesn’t take me along when he goes. I’m quitting. And why is he going? Because back in December, he met a couple of gentleman from Infinium Spirits, the purveyors of Zaya Rum, and fell in love. With the rum that is, not the gentlemen from Zaya. For them, he developed an instant respect for their passion for creating a fine spirit. Enough respect that he not only decided to carry the rum in the store, but he also decided to add it to the exclusive selections at our premium wine & spirits site HandSelectedSpirits.com, which means taking a trip to Trinidad, where this exceptional rum is made. If you’re already a rum aficionado, you will either like Zaya for what it is or not, but there is no argument about whether it is one of the finer rums in the world. If you’re not particularly into rum, you may still have it in your head that rum only exists to make a rum and coke, and have some vague memories left over from a wild night out on a tropical vacation that it’s also used for Daiquiris and Mai Tais. Or perhaps you recently discovered the Mojito. If you fall into the latter camp, it’s time to study up! And what kind of studying is more interesting than “studying” an interesting new fine spirit? Rum has a fascinating and rich history that extends back to the American Revolution and beyond, as we explain in our History of Rum over at HandSelectedSpirits.com. And for many, the modern perception was shaped almost entirely by the dominant white rums and the handful of dark rums that were the only ones available for decades. The fact is that saying “I don’t like rum” is like saying “I don’t like red wine”. While one is certainly entitled to not like something, that’s a pretty sweeping statement. Much like other spirits, rum begins with a fairly simple base that gives it part of its character. What sets rum apart is that this base is sugar, or in the case of Zaya, blackstrap molasses. After the original distilling – much like whiskey or brandy – the art is in carefully selecting the right barrels for aging, and as the rum ages, applying master blending skills to create a world-class spirit. Which is what Zaya Rum is. To learn more about Zaya, visit our specialty site and find out more about how it’s made, the history of rum in general, and even the colorful history of Trinidad , which is as rich and complex as Zaya. We even included ideas for how best to enjoy Zaya, below:

Zaya Cocktail Recipe

3 oz. of Zaya Rum
Served in a snifter.
Garnish frowned upon.

Just having some fun; while this  probably is the best way to enjoy it, Zaya’s mellow character also makes it a perfect component of a lot of classic cocktails, so we’ve included a full list of Zaya’s cocktail suggestions here.

We have NO IDEA why this pumpkin is smiling. His entire family was just made into BEER.

Whoever first thought of making beer out of pumpkins was a freakin’ genius. So we guess the more recent genius award goes to the makers of Buffalo Bill’s Original Pumpkin Ale, who revived the concept way back in the eighties, basing their methods on those of another genius who was hard at work in the eighties. The SEVENTEEN eighties. Yes, while he was busy making a country called America and growing hemp for fun and profit, it seems old George was busy making pumpkin beer too. But even George Washington wasn’t the first. While pumpkin beer may still be relatively unknown to Europeans, Americans have been making ale with pumpkins since the days of the settlers, according to this extensive history of pumpkin beer at Serious Eats. But who cares about the past, that’s where all of last year’s pumpkin ale lives, and pumpkin ale is all about fresh spices, rich fall color, and autumn crispness. Below are a few of our pumpkin offerings for 2011. stop by the store while they’re fresh! Or AVAILABLE for that matter. As always, supplies on seasonals are limited.

Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin	From the producer: Every once in a while you know you stumble upon something glorious. That something just so happens to be our Private Reserve Pumpkin. We have combined our signature taste with a refreshing pumpkin finish. Limited to just two and half hours on the production line this is a true connoisseur’s cider. since Woodchuck has always, and only, been made from apples (not wheat, barley or rye) none of our cider varieties have ever contained gluten. Further, we have all our ciders tested by an independent lab and we maintain a completely gluten free facility. See this YouTube clip by Woodchuck for more	$12.99/6-Pack
Michigan Brewing Screamin’ Pumpkin Spiced Ale	This is not just plain old pumpkin, this is a dynamic brew with some depth. Lightly toasted grains up front, moving into rich caramel and molasses that provide for a base laced with clove, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Sort of like a pumpkin pie with a ginger snap molasses cookie crust. Probably lighter-bodied than you might expect for a brew with this much going on.	$9.99/6-Pack
Buffalo Bill’s Original Pumpkin Ale	This ale is pumpkin all the way, and not nearly as spicy as many other pumpkin beers, so if you’re looking for that dazzling array of autumn spices and complexity, look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a smooth, simpler, slightly sweet brew with fewer dynamics, it’s a great alternative. From the producer: An amber style ale, originally brewed by George Washington, brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins, malted barley. Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are added.	##/##
Southern Tier Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale	The producer’s description is better than any review WE could offer: Pumking is an ode to Púca, a creature of Celtic folklore, who is both feared and respected by those who believe in it. Púca is said to waylay travelers throughout the night, tossing them on its back, and providing them the ride of their lives, from whichthey return forever changed! Brewed in the spirit of All Hallows Eve, a time of year when spirits can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent. Pour Pumking into a goblet and allow it’s alluring spirit to overflow. As spicy aromas present themselves, let its deep copper color entrance you as your journey into this mystical brew has just begun. As the first drops touch your tongue a magical spell will bewitch your taste buds making it difficult to escape. This beer is brewed with pagan spirit yet should be enjoyed responsibly.	$5.99/650ML