The New Sexy?
Has it always been sexy for a woman to drink beer? We think so. We’ll even go so far as to argue that most men have ALWAYS thought it was sexy for a woman to drink beer. So, what’s the point we’re trying to get to then? What’s the issue? Is there even an issue?
Here’s our two cent’s worth: It’s women who used to think drinking beer was NOT sexy. Now there’s a huge trend where women are reevaluating that judgment and coming up with the conclusion that sipping or even guzzling a beer is completely sexy. We’re not talking just any beer (we won’t mention names!) With a booming craft beer industry all across America, in which San Diego is no small fry, more and more women are finding they LIKE beer (goodness, maybe even LOVE the thirst quenching stuff.) Science shows that women should like beer – moderate beer drinking can reduce blood pressure and risk of osteoporosis and contains fiber, calcium, magnesium, and plenty of antioxidants.
Walk into one of the 48 craft beer joints in San Diego and you’ll have more than just a couple of choices at each. There’s likely something here to please most every feminine palate. From a refreshing hefeweizen style beer with subtle banana and clove nuances to sweet ambers and browns, and then there’s the coffee and chocolate stouts, oh my! That’s a handsome lineup! And with the higher alcohol content of some of the barrel-aged brews, for example, you'll even get a smaller, sexier glass to tout your treasure.
Some of us ladies may not be quite ready for that big, bold muscular IPA that San Diego is famous for, but let me give you a tip: Keep sipping and you may just find that your palate has expanded and it’s now your cup of tea (I mean beer.) My next blog will be about high tea with those lovely watercress and cucumber sandwiches. Oh dear, I’m getting distracted….
Shira Bliss, San Diego IPA Lover
(thanks to www.blisstree.com, www.truebeer.com, www.passionbeer.com for above pics)
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Health, Local Business |
Cuddle up by the fire and bring out the soup (and an IPA!)
It's a great day to make soup. Here's a tasty recipe that's easy and full of delicious minerals!
Yellow Lentil Soup
Boil lentils in 3x the water. Turn off stove and let sit 2 hrs. Drain and rinse.
Make broth by simmering veggies of choice with water, kombu (dried seaweed), dried mushrooms, garlic, onions, bayleaf, dried herbs such as thyme.
Cook the lentils with the broth.
Add sweet potato chunks last half hour of cooking.
When done add salt, pepper and little curry powder and WeOlive olive oil. Cook for another 10 mins.
Serve with warm crusty rye bread and butter and an IPA (my current fav is Lagunitas Hop Stoopid).
-Shira Bliss, Lentil Lover
Posted in Uncategorized |
Urban Wineries: Great wine, small package
By Paul Anthony Vild, Co-founder San Diego Beer & Wine Tours
I don’t want to take anything away from vineyards. It is nice to get out there and experience the romance of being right next to the vines, meeting the winemaker and seeing the operations, and of course the tastings. In this article, though, I want to talk about urban wineries (also known as boutique wineries) and the difference between those and the vineyard wineries.
I don’t own a vineyard. However, if I did, I would be toiling over the vines and nurturing them (or stressing the vines just right) and doing everything I know to produce the best quality grapes for that particular varietal. I would be, however, subject to Mother Nature, the sun and precipitation, et cetera. Now, if I don’t get the greatest results from literally the fruits of my labor, I am not going to toss those grapes aside nor am I going to sell them at a cut rate and pay for new grapes, no: I am going to use those grapes for my wine, although yes, I may blend them, and if I am good I will still have a great wine, though I may have an uphill battle if it is a particularly hard vintage.
Urban wineries offer a lot in a small package. They don’t have the acreage, the vines, the views, but they do offer some advantages. The size of the winery typically means that the operations and the winemaker are right there on hand, perhaps even pouring the tastings. More importantly, however, the wine maker has the choice of a whole region or even the state or country or even countries to choose from for the grapes. This means that they can pick and choose from a larger pool of grape, and be more discerning in finding that value grape where budget meets quality.
Urban Winery on Cedros – Carruth Cellars
I am a member of a few wine clubs, and the majority of my memberships are with urban wineries. Check out our Wine Train Tour to the urban wineries of San Diego!
Cheers!
Paul Anthony
Posted in Local Business, San Diego Wine Country, Uncategorized, Wine, Wine Train, Winemaking, Wineries |
12 Signs Wine: Introducing wine for your zodiac sign
“Hey Baby, what’s your sign?” is more than just a pick up line these days. According to the San Diego based company 12 Signs Wine, there is also a wine for every sign!
12 Signs Wine (www.12signswine.com) is the first brand to pair wine with astrology. Each bottle was handcrafted to match the personality of your sign, whether that is bold and feisty like an Aries Old Vine Zinfandel, bright and vibrant like a Gemini Chardonnay, or romantic like a Pisces Pinot Noir.
For the first vintage the wines are categorized by Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Read below to find out which wine is paired with your sign.
Fire Signs include Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These naturally outgoing signs need a wine that makes a statement as big as they do! The Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius wine is a bold, fruit forward Old Vine Zinfandel with a little bit of spice. We believe that these signs work well with a spicy and feisty wine because they are the most energetic and dynamic signs of the zodiac.
Earth Signs include Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These signs are grounded, earthy, and practical. They make reliable, trustworthy friends who love the pleasures of good food and fine wine. And like a reliable Cabernet Sauvignon, they only get better with age. This Cabernet Sauvignon is earthy, well structured, and sensual. Perfect for Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Air Signs include Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. We decided to pair these signs with a white wine since air is the lightest element. Air is also the symbol for intelligence and communication so we created an extra "bright" and "vibrant" Chardonnay that is "well balanced" for all the Libras out there. These social signs are extremely flexible in their ideas which fits with Chardonnay because not only is this varietal "perfect to share," it is also one of the most versatile grape varietals grown.
Water Signs include Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water rules the emotions and these signs are gifted with intense emotions and a creative sensitivity. They are extremely intuitive and naturally aware of what is happening underneath the surface around them. The Pinot Noir grape has a very thin skin, which makes it very sensitive to its environment, much like a water sign. Additionally, the Pinot Noir is classically considered the wine of love and an aphrodisiac, which works well for the sentimental signs of Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio.
About 12 Signs Wine: 12 Signs Wine is currently sold online at 12signswine.com and at select retailers in the San Diego area, such as Finch’s Wine Bar, Sea Rocket Bistro, Vin de Syrah, Boney’s Bayside Market, West Cedar Market, and Splash.
12 Signs was created by San Diego local, Marie Fox. All wine was sourced from boutique vineyards of California, such as Alexander Valley and Santa Maria Valley. Find out more about all the unique wines and your zodiac match at 12signswine.com.
We are very proud of our tour director Stephen Ansley who assisted in the creation of the wine brand 12 Signs Wine, providing expert wine-related advice by evaluating dozens of wine samples, ultimately becoming a member of the team responsible for creating the four varieties of wines during the blending session.
Posted in Food and Vine, Health, Local Business, San Diego Wine Country, Uncategorized, Wine, Winemaking, Wineries |
Spiritual Spirits
Orange poppies and purple iceplants are popping along the freeways, flocks of wild parrots are screeching like monkeys, and butterflies are happily fluttering around under a flawless blue sky – spring has arrived in southern California!
March 21st is a day known as the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are roughly the same length. In the northern hemisphere, the equinox heralds the official beginning of spring.In ancient Rome, March was a very important time; it was the month of Bacchus, the god of grapes and wine. In ancient Greece, the same god was known as Dionysus. These twin gods were known as the “Liberators,” who freed careworn people from their sorrows and helped them laugh, dance, and be happy.
drawn by RaeRay-Shira Bliss’ daughter
A few hundred years later, European monks subsisted on beer as a way to stay strong during their Lenten fasts. Some of these abbeys, such as Chimay, are still producing and selling beer, as well as keeping it part of their yearly religious tradition.
thanks to http://www.chimay.com
So when you join one of our wine or beer tours, it's not simply a fun way to learn about San Diego's best beer and wine – it's also a way to be a part of spiritual and cultural traditions that span centuries!
Sources:
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Liberalia
http://www.musesrealm.net/rome/festivals.html
Brooke Binkowski
Resident Journalist for San Diego Beer & Wine Tours
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Health, holiday, Uncategorized |
Catch the Luck of the Irish!
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Saint Patrick's Day is on its way, and it's bringing a brand-new BEER TRAIN TOUR with it! Come celebrate the luck of the Irish with us as we sample the best brews San Diego has to offer. And in keeping with St. Patty’s Day, Go GREEN by traveling with us on this exciting beer tour by train! |
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Saint Patrick's Day commemorates the life of one of Ireland's patron saints. Here in the States, St. Patrick's Day is a party for two kinds of people –Irish and those who wish they were — and celebrated with green clothing, green beer, and traditional Irish food and music. Side Note: Our founder Shira Bliss was born on St. Patrick’s Day in Belfast Northern Ireland! |
The party doesn't stop at the border. Just a few miles south, Mexico celebrates its own version of Saint Patrick's Day. After Ireland's potato famine forced many Irish out of their home country, many went to the United States, joining the U.S. Army with the understanding that they would receive American citizenship for their service.
Some of those Irish soldiers were sent to fight in the Mexican-American war. Eventually, the soldiers balked at the idea of shooting Mexican soldiers, many of whom were the only friendly faces on the lonely and windblown border outposts. They defected to Mexico, where the soldiers of the Batallón de San Patricio fought against their former employers.
The United States rounded up and hanged most of these defectors, but Mexico still considers them heroes. To this day, you can find streets and towns named San Patricio and Obregon (O'Brien) and a Mexican flag flies in Galway, Ireland, to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two countries.
No matter what side of the border you're from, celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, or any day with us, and tip back a pint on our Beer Train Tour*.
Sláinte!
Brooke Binkowski
Resident Journalist for San Diego Beer & Wine Tours
*Beer Train Tours run daily, year round, rain or shine.
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Company News, holiday, Theme Tours, Tours, Travel, Uncategorized |
A Soy Stroganoff Did You Say?
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Company News, Food and Vine, San Diego Wine Country, Wine, Wine Train, Winemaking, Wineries |
Leap into Fun!
Ask us about our Saint Patrick's Day tours!
Leap into something new, turn your routine on its ear, and have fun doing it! That isn't just a suggestion – it's part of a long and storied tradition.
Leap years, as you probably know, occur only in years divisible by four (or, in the case of a brand-new century, by 400.) The extra day that gets added onto the end of February helps synchronize the Gregorian calendar with the solar year, keeping important dates, such as the spring equinox, from drifting off into other seasons.
Since it is out of the ordinary, the Leap Year is also the subject of colorful folklore. In the British Isles, back when gender roles were much stricter, February 29 th was traditionally the only day that women could propose marriage to men; if he turned her down he had to pay a substantial amount of money, either to the would-be bride or to the Crown. It all started, according to tradition, in Ireland sometime around the 5 th century, when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick that women had to wait far too long for men to propose – and thus, “The Ladies' Privilege” was born.
Whether or not the story of St. Bridey's Complaint is true is anybody's guess. What is indisputable is that February 29 th is associated with good luck (babies born on this day are thought to be exceptionally blessed) and a happy break in the routine.
So, whether you need a romantic setting to pop the question, a decadent way to celebrate your singlehood, or just a way to enjoy yourself on a lucky day, this is the perfect time to shake up your schedule in the best way possible: by booking one of our popular tours and savoring delicious wine, beer, and tasty food with us. And if you miss the quadrennial, don't despair – there are plenty more tours coming up!
Cheers!
Brooke Binkowski
Resident Journalist
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Food and Vine, Happy Hour, Health, holiday, Theme Tours, Tours, Travel, Uncategorized, Walking Tours, Wine |
Welcome Stephen!
The San Diego Beer and Wine Tours Team is thrilled to announce a new addition to our team! Stephen Ansley has just joined us and we couldn't be more pleased!
Stephen Ansley is well-known and respected in the local craft beer community, and a personal friend of many highly respected local brewers. As a recognized BJCP judge (since 2007), he has been a judge at several home brewing and commercial craft beer competitions in San Diego, as well as a judge at the Great Alaskan Beer & Barley Wine Festival in 2010 and a steward at the World Beer Cup in San Diego in 2008 (and will steward the upcoming World Beer Cup event in 2012).
In 2011, Stephen achieved certification for Level 2 Sommelier with the International Sommelier Guild and also completed the certificate program for the Business of Wine at San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies.
Click here to read more about Stephen's accomplishments and career…
Welcome to the team Stephen!
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Company News, Food and Vine, Local Business, Wine, Winemaking, Wineries |
Savory Saffron Rice Stuffed Tomatoes
When you’re busy at work all day, it’s hard to find time to cook in the evenings. So this week I’m practicing some quick, easy and healthy meals that you can prepare fast with limited ingredients.
With two only two juicy tomatoes, a bag of saffron rice and a handful of collard greens, I prepared two scrumptiously stuffed tomatoes.
First, I started a medium sauce pan with 1 2/3 cup of water to boil. I added a dash of salt and a dollop of butter. Once it came fully to a boil, I added the rice, plopped on the lid and turned down the heat.
While the rice cooked, I hallowed out the tomatoes. Simply cut off the top and use a spoon to gently scrap out the insides. I placed the tomato inside bits in a bowl to make a salsa with later.
By the time I finished both tomatoes, the rice was done. I mixed in a handful of collard greens to rice for flavor, color and some extra fiber. I spooned the rice mixture into the tomatoes and then placed them in the broiler for 10 minutes. The tomatoes came out soft and juicy and the rice was flavorful and crunchy on top. Fantastic!
I paired a glass of Project Happiness Red Table Wine from Oreana Winery (the winery I worked at in Santa Barbara, CA!) with this quick and delicious dinner.
Cheers!
Heather
La Jolla Wine Tours Writer and Tomato Stuffing Expert
Posted in Food and Vine, Health, Recipes, Wine, Wineries |