Valentine’s Day is a holiday mired both in ancient lore and supermarket propaganda. The holiday is supposedly based on the wedding ceremonies the titular Valentine performed for Roman soldiers who were banned from marriage by their Emperor. (Apparently, married men aren’t as hard-hearted.) Whether this is true is anyone’s guess, though greeting card companies enthusiastically promote the story. Every year in remembrance of these alleged acts, we gather heart-shaped boxes of candy and flowers to give to our significant others in the hopes that they won’t find another to elicit favor fro...
When owner Chris Sedlock opened Karma Kafe last January, the 23-year-old entrepreneur decided to focus on “giving people a reason to come hang out but not need a social lubricant to have a good time.” So he created a nonalcoholic, relaxing place, paying special attention to quality, customer service and atmosphere. Open every day of the year, the Kafe is 18-and-over, so you’ll find a wide range of customers (including Akron U. students) enjoying boisterous conversation, DJs on the weekend and regular performances by belly dancers. And Chris is proud of his achievements so far. “Karm...
New Year’s Day is a time of remembrance, and with the arrival of the year 2012 many people have begun to remember the Mayans, those crazy ancient people who predicted our planet’s demise by the end of this trip around the sun. While those doomsday claims may not have many rigorous studies attributed to them, we say "who cares?" — anyway, this is a beer column. We’re more into the Aztecs, those badasses who were known for ripping out people’s beating hearts before kicking them down the filthy pyramid steps. A little Indiana Jones humor goes a long way. Now on to making you smart. As...
Last November, a group of entrepreneurs in Wisconsin launched Chick Beer — “a beer just for women,” they boasted. What makes this beer just for women? Well, each bottle is dressed in a label printed with a little black dress and the pink-handled carrier is designed to look like a woman’s purse. The name is inscribed in a curly font that makes the whole pink-and-black mess look like the work of a drunk Claire’s employee. Women love that! And that’s not all. The beer itself also caters to the needs of the grown American woman, in that it is a light beer with only 97 calories, and ...
Vegetarians are taking over the world. In the last ten years vegetarianism has doubled in size, more often in younger generations. The growth is part of a trend that ties health and environmental concerns together, and includes buzzwords like “organic,” “green” and pretty much anything prefixed with “eco-.” But the fact is more vegetarians are starting to eat meat. Don’t get your Big Mac-hating panties in a bunch just yet. Let me explain. In a society in the midst of what has been called an “obesity epidemic,” it seems like a smart move for people to eat healthier. That mu...
How one of the original craft beer stores keeps ahead of the game As with most college towns, Kent has its fair share of places to grab a pint, but one place rises above the rest: 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. Fear not, 101 Bottles has more than five times its namesake, racking up around 500 or so beers along with over a thousand wines. In celebration of its newly added draft system, I made my way to the party town on an oddly rainy and somewhat warm winter evening. Just last month, 101 Bottles added a bar with 24 taps to makes its already-impressive bottle store even more appealing. Wh...
Troegs' Mad Elf (11% ABV) This delicious seasonal combines cherries, honey, and chocolate flavors to create a beer unlike anything you are likely to sample all winter. While considered a Belgian Strong Ale, this ruby red beer really benefits immensely from its fruity ingredient and is a most taste for Christmas time cheer. The Brew Kettle's Winter Warmer (8.2% ABV) Strongville's TBK has released this seasonal ale brewed with cinnamon, honey, orange peel and fresh ginger and can be found at your local hip bottle store in an affordable six pack for the holiday season. This medium-bodied...
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ale is unlike any beer you’re ever likely to have. Stocked at places like your neighborhood craft-beer stop and World Market, Jolly Pumpkin’s selections are a must for avid craft-beer drinkers, thanks to its unique brewing process and exceptional taste. The brewery uses open fermentation, oak barrel aging and bottle conditioning to create a beer that stands above the rest. Focusing on traditional rustic country-style beers, it make brews aimed to lighten the spirit and soothe the soul. Founded by Ron Jeffries in Dexter, Michigan, Jolly Pumpkin is represented by a r...
Will Ferrell is an Old Milwaukee fan. In fact, he's such a huge fan that he approached the beer legend to do an advertisement - not the other way around as is per usual. According to AdWeek, "Will Ferrell approached Old Milwaukee about creating ads because he's a big fan of the brand. He was interested in developing something unique and we gave him the freedom to pursue his creative vision and produce these spots with a local vibe." The actor produced his own ads and sent them to Old Milwaukee for free. Now that's a salesman you can trust! ...
With the help of Chef John Bausone and his hard-working staff, the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern is joining the ranks of Cleveland’s thriving culinary scene. The Beachland isn’t just any bar, and their brunch isn’t just bar food. Every Sunday, a different guest DJ spins tunes ranging from soul, punk, country and rock and roll; meanwhile, fresh, organic, and locally-sourced food makes its way to customers seated at the bar or at tables covered with vintage tablecloths in our tavern. We can’t think of a better way to fuel the first day of 2012 than New Year’s Day Brunch at the...
When people ask me about my favorite restaurants, I’m not sure what they want to hear. Do they want to hear about that Italian joint that satisfies the soul at its most human or that Italian restaurant that satisfies the palate at its most assiduously refined? Do they want to hear about that comfort-food burger you eat when you’re unwinding with friends or the solemn act of bowing at the altar of the burger gods? I don’t think I’m the only one with a Dr.-Jekyll-and-Mr.-Hyde relationship with food. Some nights demand down-to-earth satiation. Other nights, transcendence. That being sa...
I have had what are, in my opinion, both good and bad beers. I try to stick to beers I know I like and can be objective about reviewing, but what is the fun in never trying something new? I love trying new beers. Of course, I have gotten excited about a new beer, searched frantically until I found it, and fraught with anticipation I drink to find it is a disappointing experience. Nothing is worse than getting a bad beer. However, in the case of Bad Monkey Chimp Chiller Ale … bad is good! Bad Monkey Beer is an Independent Beer Brewer whose fine tasting beer is brewed and bottled at the Li...
It’s the time of year for holiday beers, and the mad rush associated with getting them can turn any merry soul into a veritable Scrooge. If you didn’t get your holiday beer by mid-November, you may as well just forget it unless you know a distributor who will charge you twice as much for the good stuff. Bah, humbug! Rather then let yourself become like the embittered businessman, settle in with the dark and roasty flavors of one of the first beers of the Industrial Revolution: the porter. With its history in technological expansion and beverage recombination, the porter paved the way fo...
Greg Koch is the face behind quite possibly the most well-known and respected craft beer company in the country, San Diego’s Stone Brewing Co. Over the last 15 years, he has been on a mission to save the world from what he calls the “fizzy yellow nonsense” that has been force-fed to the public for years. Thanks to some brilliant marketing and hop-heavy beers, Stone has created a recipe for success. Koch's first brush with the craft-brew world came in 1987, when he had a swig of the Bay Area's legendary Anchor Steam beer. However, his path to creating his own brewery came nearly a deca...
When I was informed that Oskar Blues’ Ten Fidy is the greatest beer to ever come out of an aluminum can, I began my own quest to locate it. As a fan of both imperials and canned beer, I’m here to tell you: This canned imperial stout is the best of both worlds. My search for Ten Fidy began online at the Oskar homepage. According to the site, no distributors in Ohio sell this beer. I thought my quest was over before it began, but luck was with me and I adventured afar to find my relic. Okay, I didn’t have to battle a stubborn black knight, answer three questions or prove to a mob whe...
Local craft-beer aficionados have a lot to love about Cleveland’s Lakewood neighborhood. When you’re not at Melt Bar and Grilled chowing down on a scrumptious grilled cheese sandwich and washing it down with one of their countless craft beverages or picking up a handful of brews at Rozi’s Wine House, Buckeye Beer Engine is the place to be for great comfort food and one hell of a beer selection. Before the formation of Buckeye Beer Engine, Robert and Garin Wright ran a beer bar and brewery in Bedford Heights known as Buckeye Brewing. The establishment featured brew-on-premises capabili...
In the last couple of days both Rolling Stone and The Smoking Gun have made mention of Adele's rider - the part of the contract where the star gets to explain what they demand so they can feel like a star. The singer's demands are singularly awesome because she makes comped ticket holders donate at least a $20 bill to charity, but it's the beer clause that has everyone yapping. It seems that it is clearly stated that "North American beer is not acceptable." That makes perfect sense, considering Adele is an English diva, not an American one. She wants the beer that she enjoys, and she sho...
I have had what are, in my opinion, both good and bad beers. I try to stick to beers I know I like and can be objective about reviewing, but what is the fun in never trying something new? I love trying new beers. Of course, I have gotten excited about a new beer, searched frantically until I found it, and fraught with anticipation I drink to find it is a disappointing experience. Nothing is worse than getting a bad beer. However, in the case of Bad Monkey Chimp Chiller Ale…bad is good! Bad Monkey Beer is an Independent Beer Brewer whose fine tasting beer is brewed and bottled at the Lion...
As Black Friday slowly becomes technologically advanced, smaller manufacturers are using the internet to their advantage. Pelican Brewery decided to do just that when they offered a special Black Friday sale for their Mother of All Storms brew. Almost immediately, their system crashed. Because that's how much Americans love craft beer now. Immediately after the crash, they took to Twitter to say this: Sorry for the store frustrations with ordering MOAS. Site isn’t handling popularity. Took live cam feed down to see if that helps. Tech guys are looking into shopping cart issue. Stay tun...
Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Christmas Ale has become something of a legend around Northeast Ohio. The bold ale is well regarded for its unique flavor characteristics and its heavy alcohol content. It is truly a hallmark of the season for beer drinkers in the region. Building on these strengths, Great Lakes has teamed with Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream to develop Christmas Ale Ginger Snap ice cream. The limited edition treat comprises fresh organic ginger, Vietnamese cinnamon, honey, homemade ginger snap cookies and Christmas Ale residuals expelled after the bottle filling process. Christma...
