West Vail Liquor Mart

Oktoberfest beer

2011-09-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

This German style of beer, originally from Munich, is also refereed to as Marzen. Because it was brewed during the cold month of March left to ferment and stored in cellars through the summer, it was usually consumed during September and October.
This Bavarian lager has an average alcohol content of 5%abv which is a bit stronger than its cousin from Vienna (beer). Color can range from golden yellow to dark orange. It has a slight toasty flavor from a small percentage of Munich malt in the grist, with a full body and it’s lightly hopped with local noble varietal like Hallertau and Ttnanger to create a balance with malt flavor and smooth bitterness.
Handcrafted beer is also taking a position in this market and breweries like Sam Adams, Leinenkugels, Avery and Left Hand from Colorado are duplicating this German style over American soil.
At the store we also carry German Oktoberfest beer from Paulaner, Spaten and Hofbrau.
I like to pair these beers with dishes with any kind of grilled pork (sausage) or red meat.
It is the season and these delicious brews are here!

Felipe Cueto

Fruit and Soil

2011-07-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Fruit and Soil

When it comes to white and red wines, there are quite a few distinctions in every variety and the regions the grapes have been raised. Both varieties can express a character in wine purposely to tell the climate conditions in which the fruit was developed and its territory.

Scenario: If I would like to travel around the world and make my first stop in a state in which the US offers a variety of climates that is volcanic for the soil, California would be the state. The wines from this region have a fruitier characteristic such as cherries, strawberries, plums, etc., which does not mean the wine maker adds this type of fruit in the process of fermentation. The wine is telling us where the grapes were grown by the color, aroma, and flavor.

The color in a wine has always been produced by aging and by the skin of its fruit. Therefore the weather has been exposed from hotter regions so it will show a red and somewhat dark orange color blend almost giving the impression of a red sunset in the desert.

In Europe, wines have a different character than New World wines because most of the soil has clay, limestone (a layer of sedimentary rock), etc. that gives the wine from this region a mineral characteristic and earthy notes offering more sophistication and elegance as well as fruit notes that are present. Just think about when it rains on the ground and then water makes contact through your nostrils, that’s “earth” and this term can also be used to describe some wines that make the same wonderful effect.

At West Vail Liquor Mart we carry wines from most regions across the planet and our staff has being trained to help you choose the wine that you are looking for any special occasion.

Felipe Cueto

New Beers for the Summer!

2011-07-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Now that the busy 4th of July weekend is over, we can settle into a nice relaxing summer mode. What better way than with some of the new summer beer offerings at The West Vail Liquor Mart. Here is a list of the new beers that we have to offer, most of which are brewed specifically for the summer season:

BEER FROM COLORADO:

Avery: Joes American Pilsner: As the can says, This aint your grandpas pils. An American variation on the classic Pils style, this brew is bitter and dry with a nice floral finish that comes from the German Hops. 4.7% Alcohol By Volume (ABV). $8.99/6pk cans.

Blue Moon Honey Wheat: A Belgian Whit style (a spiced white or wheat beer) that uses clover honey and orange peel in the recipe. 5.2% ABV. $8.49/6pk bottles.

Breckenridge Summerbright: An American wheat ale brewed with lemon and orange peel. 4.5% ABV. $9.49 6pk/bottles.

Estes Park Longs Peak Raspberry Wheat. One of our favorite fruity summer beers. 4.2% ABV. $9.49/6pk bottles.

Great Divide Rumble: Never one to follow the crowd, Great Divide offers this fantastic oak aged I.P.A. as their summer specialty. 7.1ABV. $10.49/6pk bottles.

New Belgium Somersault: Replacing the Skinny Dip as their summer seasonal this year, the new Somersault is a refreshing light ale brewed with apricot. Rather than being fruity, this beer has a rather dry finish. We are told the Skinny Dip will be back again next summer. 5.2% ABV. $9.49/6pk bottles.

ODell Lupulin: An extra pale ale with lots of hops. A lighter take on the I.P.A. style. 6.5% ABV. $10.99/6pk bottles.

Ska Mexican Logger: The Durango, Colorado brewery’s take on the classic Mexican Lager style. 4.2% ABV. $9.49/6pk cans.

Steamworks Colorado Kolsch: An American take on the German Kolsch style from Cologne, Germany. This light, clear and slightly malty ale hails from Southwest Colorado. 5.7% ABV. $10.49/6pk cans.

Tommyknocker Tundrabeary: A very fruity offering from the brewery in Idaho Springs, Colorado. 4.7% ABV. $10.49/6pk bottles.

Upslope Craft Lager: New to the High Country. The Boulder based brewery’s lager is very refreshing on a hot summer day. 4.8% ABV. $9.49/6pk bottles.

BEER FROM OUTSIDE OF COLORADO:

Alaska Brewing White: A whit style ale from way up north, brewed with spices.
Alaska Summer Ale: Another light ale in the German Kolsch style.
Each is 5.3% ABV. $9.49/6pk bottles.

Boulevard Zon: The Belgian influenced brewery from Kansas City’s take on the whit beer style. 4.4% ABV. $8.49/6pk bottles.

Deschutes Twilight Ale. A light ale brewed with select malts and featuring a floral hoppiness due to the Amarillo hops used in the brewing process. 5.0% ABV. $8.99/6pk bottles.

Leinenkugels Berry Weiss: A wheat ale that adds honey and blackberry to the recipe. 4.7% ABV. $8.49/6pk bottles.
Leinenkugels Summer Shandy: A blend of beer and lemonade with a touch of honey added. A sweet summer sipper. 4.2% ABV. $8.49/6pk bottles and $14.99/12pk cans.

Kona Brewing Wailua Wheat: A wheat ale brewed with passion fruit. 5.4% ABV. $9.99/6pk bottles.
Kona Longboard Lager: A session lager from the Hawaiian Islands. 4.6% ABV. $9.99/6pk bottles.

Maui Coconut Porter: A favorite at the Great American Beer Festival. This is a nice summer porter, not too heavy, with just enough coconut added to remind you of the beach on a hot day. 5.7%ABV. $10.99/4pk cans.

Sam Adams Summer Ale: Another wheat based ale, brewed with lemon peel and grains of paradise. Part of our Beer of the Month program for the month of July. 5.3% ABV. $9.29/6pk bottles. $6.99/6pk during the month of July.

Shocktop Raspberry: An American wheat beer brewed with spices and essence of raspberry. 5.2% ABV. $8.49/6pk bottles.

Sierra Nevada Summer: A pilsner style lager that features a light sweetness and floral hoppiness. 5.0% ABV. $9.49/6pk bottles.

Here are a few selections from our bomber section:

Bruery Orchard White: The California brewerys whit style beer brewed with lavender. Super light and refreshing. 5.7% ABV. $9.99 for a 750ml bottle.

J.K. Scrumpys hard cider: A delicious cider and staff favorite. Just water and apples and yeast in this bottle. No additives or preservatives. Organic and gluten free. 6.0% ABV. $8.99 for a 22ounce bottle.

ODell Hivaranno: The brewers at Odell took a page from the Belgian tradition by collecting wild yeast from the area around the brewery in Fort Collins to brew this unique ale that blends a citrusy hop flavor with an exotic fruity character created by the wild yeast, with a touch of oak barrel added. A Hivaranno was a seasoned mountain man who had lived many years in Indian Country. 9.5% ABV. $16.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Odell Freik: Odells take on the Belgian Lambic style, blending the raspberry flavor of a Framboise and the cherry flavor of a Kriek beer. Aged in oak barrels, this is a fantastic summer beer. 6.5%ABV. $18.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Twisted Pine Le Petit Saisson: The Boulder based brewerys take on the classic Belgian Farmhouse style. A great compliment to a variety of dishes. 5.5% ABV. $8.99 for a 22 ounce bottle.

Reissdorf Kolsch: A light summer ale, imported from Germany. Very refreshing! 4.8% ABV. $3.99 for a 17 ounce bottle.

Sam Adams Utopias: Perhaps the strongest beer out there at 27% ABV. Resembling more of a port than a beer, this rare offering is ruby black in color and has very little carbonation. The beer is a blend of batches, some aged up to 18 years in various wood casks. Single use bourbon casks from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Sherry casks from Spain, Madeira casks from Madeira and Port casks from Portugal, as well as brandy and cognac casks all contribute to the rich fruity flavor of this beer. This beer comes in a unique numbered limited edition ceramic bottle. 27.0% ABV. $199.99 for a 750ml bottle. Very Limited.

Weihenstephaner Vitus Weizenboch: Notes of banana and clove stand out in this excellent example of the classic German style. 7.7% ABV. $3.99 for a 17 ounce bottle.

Stop on in to the West Vail Liquor Mart and let our staff help you pick out your perfect summer beer!

Chip Bartsch
Beer Buyer
West Vail Liquor Mart

2008 Oregon Pinot Noir

2011-06-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

I think people always wonder how important vintage (year) really is when they are drinking wine. Some may think this is taking it too far and deliberating between vintages might be over their head. Oh, that is just for wine snobs, it does not matter to me that much. Maybe some do look into it a little too much; but most not enough. There are definitely some wine regions that are affected heavily vintage to vintage (Oregon, certain regions in France, etc.) and some not as much (California, South America, etc.). This is a very general statement and of course you can have consistency from the first and bad years from the second, but I would definitely pay attention to the first a little more.

For example, the 2007 vintage in Oregon. Although there were some producers making some good wine, the vintage as a whole was not so hot (not a weather reference!) This is what Patricia Green said about the 2007 vintage in the Willamette Valley, Of the eight vintages we have farmed, harvested and bottled here at Patricia Green Cellars this will likely be the most difficult one to WRITE about. Why? Well, it was far from a textbook vintage, no doubt many of you have seen an unusual number of Oregon Pinot Noir Roses on the market and maybe have experienced some less than thrilling Pinots from the vintage. It is always easy to write that whatever you have to sell is the best vintage ever or the best vintage since… but there is a line you can cross where people simply do not believe what you have to say if it runs to much counter to their actual experiences. There is no question that the 2007 harvest was tough. It rained and it rained more than just a little bit at times when we really do not want it to rain at all. There were sleepless mornings when at 3:30 AM you lie there wondering why you ever put your life, beliefs and financial future in the hands of Mother Nature. The first 26 days of October (we finished picking on the 26th) were some of the most gut-wrenching and harrowing days we have spent deciding what to do and waiting to pick fruit that we have endured in a long, long time. It was definitely a tough vintage that ended with a lot of wine Willamette produces would not want to represent their region. If you see a smoking deal on your favorite producers pinot, you might want to take a closer look at the vintage. It is not that anyone is trying to rip you off, it is just that their confidence in their wine from that vintage might not be there. If a sale looks too good to be true; it probably is.

Now let us look at the 2008 vintage. Great ratings from Parker to Spectator, a perfect growing season, and a really psyched group of winemakers. Michael Etzel, of Beaux Freres said, "Everyone seems to be interested in Oregons 2008 vintage. Wine Spectator is rumored to have given it a 100-point vintage in the next edition. It all began with the growing season of 2008. The flowering was just right. Not too good and not too loose and we're guessing, about a 50 to 60 percent success in the flowering, which produces nice small clusters that are loose enough to allow berry expansion. Finished cluster weights were 85 grams, unlike 2007 with cluster weights of 135 or so. The growing season was moderate, not too much heat, rain or cool days. This permitted the grapes to get fully ripe seeds, stems and the skin of the grape. The week of Sept. 1, we had rain all weekend. Then the warm fall season began. The rain was just enough to give the plants that shot in the arm to carry on the ripening process. We began picking young vines on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Everything was picked by Oct. 18. Ferments were native and behaved very well. They aged well and now, two years later, they are showing what a good childhood will do for later development."

When a winemaker has a great growing season it is easy for him or her to make better decisions. In Oregon you really have to worry about rain during harvest, like what happened in 2007. When you are concentrating on saving your grapes, it is hard to focus on making spectacular wines. But when nature aligns; it does all the work and decision making for you. It is easy to make the right choices because the perfect grapes do not make bad decisions. It is easy to notice the difference when tasting 2008 vs. 2007. Like I said, I have had some good 2007s but almost every single 2008 I have come across I have liked.

When people ask me what is good wine, I usually respond; if you like it then it is good. What you like and what I like may be completely different. But there is something to be said about unanimous liking or disliking. If 2008s are all the craze; check them out because not everyone can be wrong. You can kill yourself trying to buy only wines with the top scores and coming from the best vintages. By educating yourself, you can really help your wine buying decisions and hone in on what you will really enjoy.

Nick Agnew
Wine Buyer
West Vail Liquor Mart

Classic Summer Cocktails

2011-06-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

Lets face it. Most of us are busy during the summer in Vail. Even so, you still want to have friends over for the fireworks, barbecue, pool party, or hanging out in the hot tub. It could be the July 4th holiday, vacation with friends and family, or just weekends in your backyard. So, how do you make your party fun while keeping it easy so you can enjoy yourself, too?

The best answer is to keep it simple. Yes, simple can mean just putting out some wine and beer and calling it good, but to put some pizzazz into your party you really should consider some fun and easy to make summer cocktails. Think about Cosmopolitans and Margaritas. If you stay with these classics you can keep it simple. You can always ask friends to lend a hand by playing bartender during your party (some people love this role), or better yet make a few pitchers of your favorite cocktails before your party. Below are two simple to make classic drink recipes for your summer party in Vail.

If you need help with your beverage alcohol needs this summer please stop in to the West Vail Liquor Mart in West Vail and we will be glad to help. We even sell bartender books, shot glasses, and everything you need to make your summer party in Vail a hit!

Classic Cosmopolitan:
3.5 oz Vodka
(Grey Goose, Ketel One, Svedka, or Absolut are quality vodka brands)
1 oz lime juice
Splash of Grand Marnier
Splash of Cranberry
Lime wedges for garnish

Basic Margarita:
1.5 oz Tequila
(Hornitos, Milagro, and Espolon all come in either silver, reposado, or anejo styles)
.5 oz Grand Marnier or Cointreau orange liqueur
.5 oz sweetened lime juice
3 oz sour mix
Note: put in a little Agave Nectar to make your margaritas really stand out.

To make pitchers of these drinks just keep the ratios about the same. Do not be afraid to experiment and add your own personal touches. Have fun!

Special Events and Weddings

2011-06-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

West Vail Liquor Mart provides their expertise in planning and beverage selection for specials events and weddings.

Planning: Let us help you with a recommended mix of beer, wine and liquor. We'll discuss your guests, menu, hours, theme and special requests.

Other items: We can also provide ice, mix, soda, bottled water, lemons, limes, keg taps, keg tubs and more.

Venues: Donovan Pavilion, Eagle-Vail Pavilion and Lazy J Ranch allow you to purchase your beverages and spirits from West Vail Liquor Mart. This will save you considerable dollars over hotel and restaurant liquor prices.

Delivery: We offer free delivery to private residences and venues. Your beverages will be delivered at your preferred time. Cold items will be cold so they will be ready to serve.

Returns: We will accept any returned beverages purchased at West Vail Liquor Mart within 4 days of your special event. The items must be unopened and resellable.

Let us help make your next event special and memorable!

For more information on planning your next event, contact Laurie Mullen at 970-476-2675 or lmullen@westvail.com.

Crazy Mountain Brewery

2011-02-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

There's a new beer in the Valley. Well, not really because Kevin Selvy, the owner and brew master of Crazy Mountain Brewery, had been brewing his recipes in Avon long before he moved to his new location in Edwards. He only had two varieties on the market at the time; his flagship brew Amber Ale and a Wit (Wheat), and they were only available on tap in local bars and restaurants.

Before Christmas, Kevin opened his brewery which proudly produces his high quality hand crafted beers. This brewery also claims the title of the highest elevation brew canning line in North America, and we are honored to have this Amber Ale on our shelves. It was in everybody's mouth, the fever; they made the mountain go crazy. Customers came in the store thirsty for the highly noticeable blue can on a green holder which is 100% recyclable. Our first batch of Crazy Mountain was gone in less than two days!

In his small Edwards location, Kevin is able to manage space and build his brewery into welcoming neighborhood-style bar that has a single wooden picnic table covering the majority of the tasting room. For only 4 dollars a pint, you can try one of the 6 different styles that are available only at the brewery: Saison, Pale Ale, Winter, Belgium, IPA and Stout. And of course, the Wit and Amber Ale are also available.

If you are a hop head, the IPA is the one that you need to go for. Floral up front, a hint of malt and bitter in your palate, (87 IBU), this beer is an explosion of hops with a long finish. I also really enjoyed the Winter Ale; this one had more malt notes to it. The caramel and hops at the end are not heavily charged. It is a great balance.

Crazy Mountain beers are on the hoppy side. Selvy throws 20 pounds of hops in his Amber Ale on a 17 & a half barrel brewing system. This brown colored ale is nutty and crisp in your palate and finishes bitter, (27 IBU).

If you're in Edwards, stop and say hello. You can find them behind Subway off the first roundabout next to I-70. You will love their friendly neighborhood environment and refreshing brews.

Or, stop by the West Vail Liquor Mart for a 6 pack of Crazy Mountain Amber Ale at $9.99.

Felipe Cueto

West Vail Liquor Mart

Great American Beer Festival 2010

2010-09-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

The 29th annual Great American Beer Festival took place in Denver the weekend of September 16th -18th, the largest gathering of craft beer brewers and beer aficionados in the country. Over 49,000 people attended, and were offered over 2200 flavors of beer to sample from. What an event! Being a newcomer to the festival, my expectations were guided by accounts of past festivals from friends and co-workers. Get there early, have a plan for what you want to taste, hold on tight to your tasting cup and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it was! I was fortunate to attend the festival with my brother, who had acquired media passes for the weekend for a documentary he is working on. This allowed me to get a great feel for the festival and what goes on behind the scenes throughout the entire weekend.

It's a good thing that they hold it in the Convention Center, because they sure need the space. The room held food booths and tables, a huge t-shirt sales area, a book store, a large stage area with seating for the awards ceremony and multiple displays on kegerators, beer glasses, hops, brewing maps and just about anything else beer related, all surrounding 16 gigantic islands that each housed tasting tables for about 30 breweries, each of which offering anywhere from 2-6 samples of suds. The islands were arranged by region, which helped put the myriad of brewers in perspective. The tasting sessions ran Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30-10 p.m., along with a Saturday afternoon tasting. Participants are given a 4oz. plastic tasting cup upon entry. At first I wondered “why plastic?” But that question was answered early and often. The sound of the cup hitting the hard floor is quite distinctive, and is always followed by a huge “OH!” from the surrounding crowd. The Saturday afternoon session is a members only session for the Brewers Association and American Homebrewers Association. A real glass tasting cup is provided, and yes, I saw some of those hit the floor as well, with an even louder “OH!” to follow. Each pour was about an ounce of beer, which at first seemed small, but made sense by the end of the weekend with so many different flavors to try.

For the most part, the attendees are beer geeks, and this is their Super Bowl. Almost everyone was wearing a t-shirt or outfit promoting their favorite beer, brewery or style. Costumes, hats and beads all contributed to the festive nature of the event. These folks sure know their beer and breweries! Lines grew quickly for some of the more fabled breweries and brews. The folks at Dogfish Head probably hosted the most consistent line, averaging around 50 people or so throughout the weekend. Charlie Papazian, the author of the Complete Joy of Home Brewing and current president of the Brewer's Association was treated like the Godfather of Beer, as folks approached him left and right for photos and autographs. He also presented the awards to each of the 240 plus medal winners. Bronze, Silver and Gold medals are given out in each of 79 different categories of beer styles. I thought wine was the more complicated beverage with all of its regions and varietals, but I now have my doubts! There were awards for fruit beer, rye beer, bitters, extra special bitters, wheat beer, Scotch ales, smoked beer, barrel aged beer, sour beer, stouts, German style this and British style that, and…well you get the idea. The individual names of the beers are often fun and colorful: Smokey the Beer, Skidmark Brown Ale, Oil Change Stout, Hop Crisis!, Key Lime Pie and What in the Helles? were among my favorite monikers.

And the myriad of flavors did not disappoint! I am a big fan of IPA's, so I devoted Thursday evening to sampling that style, tasting such familiar favorites as Pliney the Elder, O'Dell's IPA and Pizza Port's Hop 15, as well as previously untried offerings such as Russian River's Hopfather, 21st Amendment's Hop Crisis! and Pizza Port's Doheny Double IPA. All were so good and unique, it was hard to pick a favorite. I devoted most of Friday's session to stouts and porters. Maui Brewing's Coconut Porter, Fade to Black from Left Hand Brewery in Longmont and the Night Rider Imperial Stout from Pizza Port Carlsbad were among my favorites. I made several trips back for the coconut porter over the weekend. Saturday's afternoon session was a bit more serious than the previous sessions, as it was a members only session for Brewer's Association and American Homebrewer's cardholders. I saw lots of folks taking notes and acting more like judges than swillers Saturday afternoon. The awards took place during this session, and there was a huge standing room only crowd around the stage. Boisterous cheers popped up around the crowd as various winners were announced. I devoted most of this session to tasting some of the winning beers, as did many others. Lines were long for Short's Brewing's Key Lime Pie, New Glarus' Raspberry Tart, Pizza Port's Revelations and Firestone Walker's Red Nectar. Winners in the Brewery of the Year categories were Blue Moon for large Brewer, Utah Brewers Cooperative for mid-sized brewery and Mad River Brewing out of Blue Lake, California for small brewery. TAPS Fish House out of Brea, California won the Brewpub Group award, and Pizza Port Carlsbad and Pizza Port San Clemente won large and small Brewpub of the year awards, respectively. Colorado was well represented on the podium, with breweries such as Pagosa Springs Brewing Company, Blue Moon, New Belgium, New Planet, Denver's Sandlot, AC Golden, Steamworks Brewing Company from Durango, Dry Dock Brewing from Aurora, Twisted Pine from Boulder, Del Norte Brewing from Denver, CB Potts from Fort Collins, Pug Ryan's from Dillon, Glenwood Canyon Brewing, Ska Brewing from Durango, Mountain Sun from Boulder, Yak and Yeti from Arvada, Boulder Beer Company, Rock Bottom from Louisville, Bristol Brewing from Colorado Springs, Equinox Brewing from Fort Collins, Great Divide from Denver, Dillon Dam Brewery and Lefthand Brewing from Longmont all winning awards. Great showing Colorado!

Saturday evening's session was the most raucous and crowded. I had already done a ton of tasting by then, so I spent my time tasting the few things that slipped through the cracks, but mostly just enjoying the scene. We started by checking out the line, one of the longest I have ever scene at any type of event I have attended. It ran the width of a city sidewalk and stretched beyond the 4 blocks that I could see from standing on a barricade. Our media passes allowed us to bypass this line so we could get inside to shoot film of the eager crowd entering the hall. We also spent some time in the Farm to Table room, tasting beer that had been paired with delicious appetizers prepared by local chefs. The media passes also allowed us to join a tour of the Breckenridge Brewery and Stranahan's Whiskey Distillery, and important side trip as Stranahan's only uses a barrel once when aging whiskey. The used barrels are then snapped up by brewers from around the country for aging beer. Yes, there is a waiting list.

Denver was the perfect host for this event. The weather was sunny and perfect for late summer, and the friendly downtown area allowed us to walk everywhere in the evenings, from breweries to pubs and restaurants, most of which offered specials and promotions to all of the beer devotees in town. My brother and his buddy are very savvy city dwellers from New York, and aren't easily impressed. But both said that Denver and its brewing culture blew them away. Where are all of the people? (compared to over-packed New York), and Is it always this nice here? were common comments, and they were impressed with how easy it was to walk from place to place. Coming from the other end of the spectrum, I was happy to be in such urban surroundings without having to deal with driving and the traffic. Denver is truly a special city for beer lovers, and we are lucky to have it so close by. My first G.A.B.F was a smashing success, and I look forward to many happy returns.

Chip Bartsch

West Vail Liquor Mart

Colorado Craft Beers

2010-06-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a bit more than four years since I moved West from the East coast of this immense land called the United States. One of the things that called my attention to this rugged state is the amount of microbrews in operation that are relatively new and still growing in this country. My curiosity about the world of spirits and beers began when I went to ABC Bartending School in South Beach, Florida in 2002. Although, honestly, I have never seen a larger selection of beers anywhere else besides here, (and high-end liquor stores in New York City).

At West Vail Liquor Mart we carry all hand crafted beers from our state that are bottled or canned and distributed for the public (Avery, Great Divide, Odell, New Belgium, Backcountry, Ska, Boulder, Oskar Blues, Breckenridge). It is really impossible to mention all of the restaurants that have their own brew on tap; the list would go on for ever. But this time I am only going to write about a couple of the Colorado craft beers.

Not too long ago I was at a ski resort still in operation. I'm a very passionate snowboarder, so I ride from day number one, until A-Basin closes. And most of the time on my way back to Vail, I have to make a stop at the Backcountry Brewery in Frisco, to recharge after a long day of adventure in the mountains. If you walk in the restaurant up the stairs, on your left, you'll see their boilers and fermenting tanks. You would be really impressed how small the operation actually is. They always have a Porter, IPA, Amber, Wheat, a specialty beer for each season and a Pilsner (Ptarmigan) on tap. The pilsner is my favorite for this time of year; it has a very light hop aroma, smooth malt flavor and a very crisp and clean finish. Their brews are around 5 to 6% alcohol, but they all taste fresh and full of flavor. So if you're passing by the area, is not a bad idea to stop on Main Street, Frisco to locate the Brewery and get a hamburger or ribs and a Porter (Peak One) to pair it with. They use 6 different malts and 2 varieties of hops to create this creamy, dark and toasty brew.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Fort Collins and on my way back to the mountains. I made a stop in Longmont to visit Nick at Oskar Blues Brewery for a quick tour. These guys really know how to make good and consistent beers. The most particular thing about them is that they began using cans before any other microbrewery in the U.S. by making their hoppy and award winning Dale's Pale in cans in 2002. Their original location was in Lyons before they expanded to a bigger facility in Longmont. Their Lager style beer or Pilsner as they like to call it, Mama's Little Yella Pils, is made with 100% pale malt, German specialty malts and Bavarian hops. It is a beer with full structure and flavor, refreshing, smooth and has a very gentle bitter end. It is exceptional and unlike other mass market Pilsners, this brew is not diluted with corn and rice. It is by far my favorite pick for the summer. And, the fact that cans are a superior container than glass bottles is a plus because these are completely sealed and they are not exposed to oxygen or light. This keeps the beer fresher until you pour it into your favorite glass. Also, cans are welcome everywhere like the pool, hot tub and all over outdoors. They are easier and lighter to travel with. These are a few reasons why Oskar Blues is one of my favorite breweries. It's meant to be here in Colorado.

Beer is our gift from above to enjoy in our lives and nature as well. Drink responsibly and have a great summer.

By Felipe Cueto, West Vail Liquor Mart

Sweet Tea Vodka

2010-06-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

It seems that just a year ago, no one would even recognize “Sweet Tea Vodka.” Now it is in every liquor store and bar across the country. What is it? Where is it from? What do you do with it? These are all questions a consumer would ask about something that is so new and so completely unique.
Let's start with where it is from. Because it claims to be the original, I would like to take the story from the guys who started Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. Anyone from the South can remember drinking plain old sweet tea in the summer, the very hot and humid summer, that is. Firefly started on South Carolina's Wadmalaw Island. A man by the name of Jim Irvin moved there in 2000 and planted a bunch of Muscadine grapes and started to produce his own wine. While selling this wine he ran into a liquor distributer Scott Newitt. Newitt was impressed with his wine and suggested the idea of starting to distill spirits.
What is it? Firefly is vodka distilled four times and infused with tea grown on a plantation four miles away. It uses no artificial flavoring. It is essentially tea infused vodka. It is then combined with Louisiana sugar cane keeping true to its Southern mentality. It essentially tastes very similar to non-alcoholic sweet tea, but it has alcohol. Now they offer an array of other flavors including raspberry and mint. It is a wonderfully refreshing summer spirit.
What do you do with it? First and foremost, you can sip it on the rocks with lemon. It is vodka, so remember that it still does pack a punch. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in an “Arnold Palmer.” Mix equal parts Sweet Tea Vodka and lemonade over ice for a great summer drink. You can also go to the Firefly website and find a recipe list of ideas.
From great food to great music, the South has always created great things that Americans can truly call our own. Here is another one. Sweet Tea has blown up across the country simply because it tastes really good. It is a comfort drink. It is a drink from our childhood, with an adult twist.
Enjoy!

By Nick Agnew of West Vail Liquor Mart

Colorado Native - Pure Colorado

2010-06-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

There's a new brew in town, and, considering the amount of beer that is produced in Colorado, it's very unique. Colorado is known as one of the biggest producers of craft beer in the nation. But of all those craft beers, none can lay claim to being completely comprised of Colorado ingredients, until now. Colorado Native is a new product from the A.C. Golden Brewery, a small brewery located within the Coors complex in Golden. Most everything from the water and barley to the glass and cardboard comes from Colorado (less than 2% of the package is comprised of non-native hops.) The Moravian two row barley is grown in the fertile San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, as are most of the hops (Chinook, Centennial and Cascade.) Other finishing hops are grown and hand picked on the western slope. The water comes from Clear Creek near Golden. Even the yeast is an American descendent of a Tuborg style strain that was introduced to Colorado in the 1930's, making it the oldest known strain of brewing yeast in the state.

Colorado Native is an amber colored lager that strikes a nice balance between lighter mass produced beers and the bold microbrews that Colorado is known for. It's not too hoppy (26 I.B.U.'s, a relatively low number on the bitterness scale) and offers a mild amount of roasted malt. The beer pours with a nice foamy white head, and goes down smoothly, with just a hint of citrus in the finish. Colorado Native comes in at 5.5% alcohol by volume, a bit stronger than the mass produced stuff, but not nearly as strong as many of the other microbrews in the state. The fact that the ingredients come from Colorado, and the beer is only sold in Colorado means that there are not a lot of transportation costs involved in producing and distributing the beer, giving it a small carbon footprint. A.C. Golden also donates a portion of the proceeds to charity. This is a beer that Coloradans can be proud of. So the next time you have a hankering for a true Colorado beer that is both flavorful and refreshing, try a Colorado Native.

By Chip Bartsch, Beer Buyer

Certified Organic, Biodynamic or Sustainably Confused?

2010-05-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

What is organic wine?
Organic winemakers don't use chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the grapevine is forced to develop a more extensive root system in search of nutrients. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the root system, the more flavorful the grape.

Certified Organic:
The wine adheres to national standards, certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA.

Organically Grown: The grapes were grown organically.

Biodynamic: A nature-attuned agricultural method that predates the organic movement by several decades. Increasingly popular for growing grapes.

Sustainable Agriculture:
Another way of saying that nothing is wasted in the process. Byproducts are used as compost.

Some of our favorite organic wines at West Vail Liquor Mart:

Our Daily Red $9.99
Santa Julia Malbec $9.99
Luzon Verde $10.99
Cono Sur Cab/Carmenere $11.99
Cono Sur Pinot Noir $11.99
Lady Bug Red $12.99
Korbel Sparkling Organic $17.99
Bonterra Wines-all varietals $17.99
Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc $22.99
Frog's Leap Chardonnay $29.99

Laurie at West Vail Liquor Mart

The French and their elderberries

2010-02-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

St. Germain Liqueur
Product of France
750 ml bottle
$39.99 at West Vail Liquor Mart

St. Germain is a very unique liqueur hailing from France. The star of this amazing, all natural liqueur is the 100% fresh handpicked elderflowers. They are harvested only once a year and rode by bicycle in rural France to be processed. A special press was created so the sweetness of the elderflower could be preserved.

The beautiful belle époque bottle is reason enough to buy this liqueur simply to display on your bar. After you get past the vanity of the bottle alone, you can acknowledge its sweet, lemon aroma and honeyed pear flavor.

St. Germain will impress the most discriminating of guests. Imagine offering cocktails such as a Pear Tree Martini, Sangria Flora or La Rosette. The beauty of St. Germain is that you can serve it on the rocks or pair it with a variety of spirits to create new and interesting cocktails.

La Rosette is a cocktail of a ½ part St. Germain and topped with sparkling wine. Add a strawberry or raspberry garnish and you have a lovely cocktail for a special day or any day!

Marissa at West Vail Liquor Mart

Lost Abbey's "Angel's Share"

2010-02-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

Lost Abbey “Angel’s Share” – Port Brewery, San Marcos, CA
12.7 ounce bottle - 11.5 ABV
$19.99 at West Vail Liquor Mart

Lost Abbey’s “Angel’s Share” is a rare treat! This special release is brewed once a year and is aged for 9 months in oak barrels that had been previously used to age whiskey. The result is apparent from the time you pop the cork. The aroma of oak and whiskey accompany the barleywine scent, allowing your nose to prepare your palate for the delicious flavor to come. The ale pours smooth and dark with little head. The dark caramel malt in the ale gives it a rich deep brown, almost black color. It is a sweet ale with a good kick at 11.5 alcohol by volume. The ale is best enjoyed slowly as it warms and opens is subtle notes of vanilla and caramel. “Angel’s Share” is a term used by whiskey distillers, and refers to the portion of whiskey that evaporates into the barrel during the aging process. Fortunately, the brewers from the Lost Abbey have found a way to recoup a bit of the “Angel’s Share” for us mere mortals! This very limited release is available while it lasts!

Thanksgiving Wines Make the Meal

2009-11-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

West Vail Liquor Mart's Thanksgiving wine suggestions to complement your special dinner.

Pinot Noir: A traditional favorite and pairs nicely with most flavors.
- Beaune Clos de la Mousse $59.99
- Migration $39.99
- La Crema $24.99
- Lockwood $14.99
- Mark West $11.99

Syrah/Shiraz: This red easily pairs with the flavors of the holiday meal and adds intensity and peppery notes.
- Truchard $29.99
- Milbrandt Syrah $21.99
- Liberty School $14.99
- Lockwood $9.99

Zinfandel: A heartier red with deeper flavors that works well with turkey and side dishes.
- Seghesio Sonoma Zin $22.99
- Cline Ancient Vines $15.99
- Gnarly Head Old Vine $12.99

Pinot Grigio: A light, crisp white wine known for its delicate flavors. It works well with the heavy, buttery flavors.
- Etude $24.99
- Santa Margherita $26.99
- Van Duzer $17.99

Chardonnay: A perennial favorite with many meals. Can be crisp and acidic or buttery and creamy.
- Kistler $79.99
- Newton $24.99
- Beringer $15.99
- Milbrandt $12.99
- Lockwood $8.99

Riesling: This wine can be moderately sweet or bone dry. Great with any dish that has a little spice.
- Joh. Jos. Prum Spatlese $34.99
- Von Kesselstatt Riesling $17.99
- Detonation $14.99

Gewurztraminer: A white wine that can be dry or sweet. It pairs nicely with flavorful side dishes and also desserts.
- Trimbach $24.99
- Fetzer $13.99
- Kenwood $12.99

Champagne & Sparkling: A bubbly sparkling wine that works well as a starter or with dessert. Pairs easily with most foods.
- Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut $49.99
- Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee $34.99
- Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir or Brut $19.99
- Domaine Ste. Michelle $12.99

Dessert wines: A special offering after a big meal or in place of dessert. Also a nice gift for the chef.
- Grgich Hills Violetta $44.99
- Loosen Erdener Auslese $35.99
- Arrowood Late Harvest White Riesling $17.99

Visit West Vail Liquor Mart at www.westvail.com or 970-476-2675 or 2151 N. Frontage Road, Vail CO

It's Turkey Time! Let's eat and drink!

2009-11-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a great recipe for the Thanksgiving holiday for those of us who love to cook with spirits and wine, and sometimes even use it in the food. Grilled Honey Bourbon Turkey is the name of the recipe.

Start with a 6 lbs. turkey breast -- whole

Marinade:

1 cup bourbon, any brand will do, just pick your flavor

3/4 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup dry sherry

1/3 cup soy sauce

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary - chopped

black pepper to taste

Glaze:

3/4 cup bourbon

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Place turkey in large bowl or ziplock bag.

Stir together marinade ingredients and pour over turkey. Marinate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in a refrigerator. Remove turkey from marinate and grill, about 12 mins. per pound. Stir together glaze ingredients in large bowl. Brush glaze onto turkey about 40 mins. after you put it on the grill and again when the turkey is removed from the grill. Slice the bird up and serve on a platter. Enjoy!

Strappy Van Winkle

So. American Wines; More than Just Values

2009-07-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

After a recent visit to several wineries in Chile and Argentina I was left with several indelible impressions. In both countries, there is a long and rich history of grape growing and winemaking relative to "New World" viticulture. Many wineries were started in the late 1800's to early 1900's and continue to thrive in todays market. Both Chile and Argentina have recently embraced modern winemaking and farming techniques as well as new exciting varietals that will complement each countries diverse and exceptional gastronomy. Pairing the wines with regional cuisine is at the forefront of all the winemakers and vineyard managers we spoke with. It was also refreshing to hear how passionately almost everyone involved in the wine business, from export managers, marketers, vineyard managers and winemakers are looking for ways to protect and preserve the environment. From environmentally freindly packaging to organic farming methods to buying carbon credits many wineries are at the forefront of "green business" practices. While the flavor profiles of the wines from Chile and Argentina are quite different; with the diversity of varietals and prices there is truly something for every wine drinker.
Please come in to The West Vail Liquor Mart and let our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff help you experience our expanded and ever evolving South American wine portfolio.

A Sailor's Drink

2009-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

An original South American sailor's drink! You may be thinking rum, but I'm talking pisco. Pisco is a spirit distilled from partially fermented grapes. It's origin is disputed but can come from Chile and Peru.
Peru claims that historically they were the first to produce the spirit. When in the port town of Pisco, Viceroyalty of Spain, the wine makers selected their grapes, much of the leftovers were sold and then distilled into a high alcohol liquor. It started to attract a following of sailors who favored the rich flavors and its ability to "affect" them. With the growth of trade from Peru, its popularity rivaled that of wine. Many barrels of Pisco were consumed in other colonies and even San Francisco during the Gold Rush years. People could purchase it at relatively low prices and it was always around. Peru has continued to produce pisco, but its demand fell off when rum became readily available.
Chile is the other major producer of pisco. Early Chilean pisco was produced in a town named La Greda. The town's name was changed to Pisco Elqui in 1936 to reinforce Chile's right to the name of the spirit.
Some major differences between Peruvian and Chilean pisco are the grapes used and the aging process. Peru mostly uses a grape named Quebranta. It is a black grape imported from Spain to make wine but over time adapted into grape which could grow easier and more plentiful in Peru's climate. Chile mostly uses the Muscat grape and Muscat derived varietals. In Peru the distilled product must be aged a minimum of three months in a vessel which does not change the makeup of the spirit, like glass or stainless steel. Chilean pisco is aged in Oak casks, imparting the flavors of the wood into the liquor. The finished products are very different. Chilean pisco has a yellow color depending on the length of aging, whereas pisco from Peru is clear and colorless.
Many different styles of pisco are also produced. Peru has pure pisco, made from only one type of grape, mainly Quebranta and should be drunk by itself. Its aromatic style is made from Muscat grapes and again uses only one variety. Mosto Verde is made from the partially fermented must of the grape and has a strong flavor and fruity aroma. This type is mostly found in high income areas. The fourth type from Peru is called Acholado and is made from a blend of several grape varieties.
Chilean pisco also has classifications. The spirit must be distilled from only the Muscat, Torontel and Pedro Jiminez grapes. The quantities of each is not of concern, just the type of grapes. There are also four types, depending on alcohol content. It starts with Regular, the lowest content, gets higher with Special and Reserve, and finishes with the highest abv%, called Great.
The world famous pisco sour can be made from any of these types, from either country. Its ingerdients are as follows

Pisco Sour:
3 part Pisco
1 part lemon juice
1 part simple syrup
1 white of an egg

Shake the ingredients together rigorously, then strain into a glass. When the frothy egg white has formed a nice head add a few dashes of aromatic bitters.

DR

West Vail Liquor offers Capel pisco for $18.99 and Barsol Pisco (Acholado or Quebranta) for $26.99.

Czech Republic Beer

2009-07-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

I recently traveled a little around central Europe and spent most of my time in the Czech Republic. The architecture and history in this Central European crossroad is almost surreal at times. By escaping most of the bombing during the World Wars, the Czech Republic was able to preserve their history, architecture and culture with out having to rebuild. The country itself is kind of split into two regions; Moravia and Bohemia. While their is quite a bit of wine production in Moravia, The Czech Republic is most famous for "Pilsner" Beer hailing from the Bohemian region, and more specifically the town of Plzen; or Pilsner.
Pilsner has kind of become the generic name for any bottom fermented beer. The people of Pilsner wanted to distinguish themselves from other Bottom fermenters, especially Bavarians (Southeastern Germany), so they renamed their beer in 1898 to Pilsner Urquell. Pilsner Urquell is probably the most recognizable brand exported from the Czech Republic now, and simply translates to "Pilsner from the original source." This brewery dates back to 1842 and can attribute its recipe to a brewer named Josef Groll. Its said that Groll acquired a strand of yeast from a runaway monk and the brewery can still trace their unique pilsner strand back to this period. The combination of this unique strand of yeast, Bohemian and Moravian Barley and noble hops from the Saaz region combine to make a truly delightful and refreshing beer.
Because this style of beer has gained so much popularity throughout the world, the original recipes and techniques have been repeatedly imitated, but to much disappointment not duplicated. Big commercial breweries have in my opinion butchered the true pilsner style lager and just used the name for marketing reasons. A perfect example is "Budweiser", which is one of the worlds most famous beers, the "Budweiser" name comes from the city of Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, which has its own original type of beer, also called "Budweiser." The Czech company has the rights to use this name in Europe, but Anheuser-Busch has continually tried to dominate the small Brewery through European Court Systems, and even tried to buy the brewery several times. The Company refuses to associate its name, and rightfully so. No offense, but Budweiser is far from an original pilsner style lager. This is a great example of how bigger corporations have to a certain extent tainted the cultural aspect of manufacturing high quality craft beer through less than authentic imitations and questionable marketing schemes.
Regardless, they are still making this unique and wonderful beer in the Czech Republic. Beer is a huge part of Czech culture and it shows through one of the highest beer consumption rates in the world. Beer is part of everyday life, so why put up with bad quality. Czech beer is made to be slowly savoured and relished, not just drank. Its unique flavor is a gift to us beer drinkers, so branch out and give a true original beer a try. We have Pilsner Urquell, Chechvar(or budvar in Czech), and Zatec all available at the West Vail Liquor Mart.

Enjoy,

Nick WVLM

Looking for something bright and light?

2009-07-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Salads, cold soups (think gazpacho), and of course summer grilling are going to be favorite choices for under the umbrella nibbles this summer. Chances are, things are heating up in your neighborhood, and you may be wondering what to serve with your favorite summer menu items.

Summer is a great time to get out of your "old standbye" rut and branch out into the ubiquitous selection of lighter styled wines available. Just a few moments ago I tasted a delicious New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This would be a go to wine to to try with any type of raw bar sea foods. They are lively and crisp, and make a great summer white wine for sipping.

Are you standing around that grill waiting to get your chops into that rare burger or steak, but don't feel like a heavy red? This is the perfect time to try a glass of rose. The West Vail Liquor Mart has more than a dozen different rose wines from all over the world. They work great in the summer because they are considerably lighter than a Cabernet or Merlot, but still have lots of structure and will hold up to those red meat bbqs. They also tend to be very value priced. Rarely do you need to spend more than $20.00 to get outstanding quality. You can find many for around $10.00.

Earlier I mentioned gazpacho. I recently made some of this cool tomato based soup for some friends and found that a Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris hit the spot for this course. They are both lively, light and bit on the delicate side. If you want to ad a little zip to this dish ad a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. As a bonus, Pinot Grigio is a great opener for your summer dinner parties or bbqs and if you want it to it will take you through the evening.

Stay Cool and Cheers!
Tom Mullen
Ps, that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was Oyster Bay.

Pama Pomegranate Liqueur

2009-07-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

There is so much to say about Pama Liqueur ($14.99). It is a super delicious and versatile pomegranate liqueur. Pair it with your favorite cocktail or just jazz up a glass of champagne and your taste buds will come to life. You can even add it to your favorite sake. If you are feeling bored and want some excitement, this is the liqueur for you. Pama is sweet yet tart and invites the creative drinker to take a step out of the box. Pama is a mixture of all natural pomegranate juice, premium vodka and a touch of imported tequila. It is the worlds first true pomegranate liqueur and the possibilities are endless. Try some of the recipies at www.pamaliqueur.com which include some of the following.

Pama Mojito

1oz Pama
1oz Whie Rum
½ oz lime juice
Club soda
2 tbsp raw sugar
6-12 mint leaves
Pomegranate seeds

Pama Margarita

2 ½ oz Pama
1oz Reposado Tequila
½ oz triple sec
Splash of lime juice
Splash of simple syrup

Pama Mimosa

3oz Pama
1oz Champagne or Sparkling wine

Marissa, West Vail Liquor Mart

Cava and Prosecco. They'll keep it cool this summer.

2009-07-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Working at the West Vail Liquor Mart, I've noticed that sparkling wines are usually bought by customers for special occasions, like bachelors parties, birthdays, New Years and, of course, the 4th of July.
Served at the right temperature they're so refreshing and crisp, perfumed and I especially love the green apple notes and limes in the dry ones with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Champagne, like Cava and Prosecco, are called "sparkling wines" because of their effervescence, or carbonation which is allowed inside the bottle during the secondary fermentation of making this wines (traditional methode classique), giving that bubbly look in the glass and that sparkling sensation in the mouth. These wines must be aged for 18 to 24 months minimum, before you can see them on the shelves. And most should be consumed within 3 years of their vintage.
Now the difference between Champagne, Cava and Prosecco is their denomination; French, Spainish and Italian respectively.
They also come in different degrees of sweetness, like Champagne:
-Extra Brut (the driest or more acidic)
-Brut
-Extra dry
-Dry (or Seco)
-Semi Dry (Semi-Seco)
-Sweet (Dulce)
Spumante, Italian term for sparkling and Cava or Vino Espumoso in Spain, are usually both made by the Cuve Close, carbonation method. The still wine is pumped into large tanks, yeast and sugar is added, and temperature is controlled to aid the secondary fermentation. This process is much quicker and cheaper than the Champagne method (traditional methode classique), making these a great deal for an economic decision.
I believe that sparkling wines make a great drink for summer and all the year round. I usually bring a bottle of Prosecco or Cava, when I go out camping, doing some relaxation in the hot tub or simply after barbequing with friends and the loved ones. I just love that feeling of bubbles, the citruses and fruitiness. They're always a success.

J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider

2009-07-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

How many ways can you say delicious? I know of one way and it has the word Scrumpy in it. J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider ($7.99 for 22oz) is not like any other cider on the market or in the world for that matter. Other ciders can have a bitter and even metallic taste. J.K.'s Scrumpy is an all natural certified organic cider that really tastes like a sweet red apple juice. J.K.'s Scrumpy comes from a family owned farm in Flushing, Michigan. The first batch was bottled back in the 1850's. Not much has changed in the process. No insecticides are used on the farm orchard. In fact, large guinea fowl wander around the farm and eat the bugs, and Berkshire pigs wander the orchard and eat the fallen apples. Some say this is costly and not time efficient, but then again, no cider in the world can compare. Once harvested, the organic apples are pressed and allowed to ferment for up to six months. Then, they painstakingly hand label and fill the bottles which are left for several weeks to bottle condition. Apple juice and yeast, that's all that goes into this amazing cider. You'll find no artificial flavors, colors, sulfites, or any other kind of preservative in J.K.'s Scrumpy Cider. Where can you find something of this quality and tradition anymore? It's not hard. You can find this great product at the West Vail Liquor Mart. Grab one up, or two, or three.....
$7.99

Mulled Cider
-one bottle of J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider
-one cinnamon stick
-small amount of grated nutmeg
-tablespoon of orange or lemon zest(your preference)
Slowly warm the cider and other ingredients in a saucepan. Do not exceed 155 F. Do not boil!!! Enjoy in a mug. Cheers!

Chris Kormanicki
Manager/Beer Buyer

Leopold Brothers Distillery

2009-07-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

What can you say about Leopold Brothers Distillery except amazing! When I first heard about these guys and their infused whiskeys I thought, great some more foofy crap aimed at highschool kids. Boy was I wrong! Tom Leopold is the master distiller who handcrafts each and every one of the unique liquors that Leopold Brothers offer. The first one I tried was the blackberry flavored whiskey ($34.99 750ml). I was surprised at the how pronounced the blackberries tasted upfront with the whiskey kicking in pleasantly afterwards. The apple flavored had much the same effect. It was like drinking whiskey flavored apple pie. These whiskeys don't need any kind of mixer except saliva, but one or two ice cubes in a rocks glass isn't a bad idea. They also produce a rocky mountain peach whiskey and a Georgia peach whiskey, unfortunately I have not tried this as of yet, but I will as soon as I get the chance. They didn't stop with just whiskey though. They also distill absinthe(yes the real kind, $71.99 750ml), gin, vodka, dark rum, and a plethora of liquers (cherry, apple, herbal $21.49 375ml). Anyone interested in these awesome Colorado products should check out their website www.leopoldbros.com for the whole rundown of liquors and the story behind them. It's very interesting!

Matt, West Vail Liquor Mart

Great Divide Brewey

2009-07-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

Great Divide Brewing in my opinion is one of the best beer maker's in the country right now. They are located very close to the baseball stadium in Denver. Over the last couple of years they have been succesfully experimenting with many different specialty beers. One of these is the newly released 15th Anniversary Wood-Aged Double IPA ($9.49 22oz). I think it's the beer of the year so far. It has a dark color for an IPA, but is still smooth and crisp enough to be enjoyed on a hot summer day. The 10% ABV gives it a nice kick as well. On the lighter end of Great Divide's delicious beers is their Belgica ($9.99 6pk), a Belgian style IPA. Unlike some other breweries that claim "Belgian-style" this beer actually lives up to it's namesake. Belgica has a very floral aroma and a glorious hop taste that will get your tastebuds going. It can be paired with an endless amount of foods including all sorts of backyard barbeque and fishes. I highly reccomend picking up these tasty beverages the next time you're shopping for something new! Check out the Great Divide website www.greatdivide.com or more info about all their beers.

Boulevard Beers

2009-06-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

All Boulevard beers begin with specially selected, carefully inspected ingredients. Their brewing process is designed to maximize flavor, from the brew house to the bottle. Every step along the way is evaluated for its contribution to flavor and quality.
At Boulevard, they employ a time-honored technique known as bottle conditioning to help their beers taste fresher longer. The master brewer, ferments, and filters the beer as usual, then a small amount of yeast is added to the beer just before bottling. The packaged beer is transferred to their temperature-controlled warehouse, where it is held for two weeks to allow a secondary fermentation to take place in the bottle. This secondary fermentation consumes much of the residual oxygen, greatly enhancing the stability and longevity of the beer, and producing a remarkable and otherwise unattainable depth of flavor.

The latest addition to the Boulevard family of beers, Single-Wide I.P.A. is Blvds. take on a style that originated in the 18th century Great Britain. This American version boasts a heady combination of six varieties of hops, some of which were employed for dry-hopping.

STYLE: India Pale Ale $8.99

SENSORY DESCRIPTION: Slightly hazy, golden bronze in appearance. Aroma is flowery, with hints of citrus and fresh mown hay. Assertive hop signature, yet well balanced with a crisp, dry finish.

INGREDIENTS: Pale malt, caramel malt & malted wheat. Magnum, Columbus, Summit, Cascade, Centennial & Pallisade hops.

ALCOHOL: 4.6% by weight, 5.7% by volume

PAIRINGS: Strong, spicy food (a classic with curry!); bold, sweet desserts like carrot cake. Milder blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola or Cambozola.

Boulevard's summer seasonal is our interpretation of a classic Belgian witbier. ZON (Flemish for "sun") combines the subtle flavors of coriander and orange peel with other traditional ingredients to create a delightful, refreshing summertime brew.

STYLE: Belgian-style Witbier $7.49

SENSORY DESCRIPTION: Delicate foods work best so as to not overpower yeast characteristics. Flavor hooks: fruit, orange

INGREDIENTS: Pale malt, unmalted soft red winter wheat & malted white wheat. Magnum and Simcoe hops

ALCOHOL: 3.5% by weight, 4.4% by volume

PAIRINGS: Light salads, delicate soup or pasta, lobster or crab, egg dishes, lighter cheeses such as Mozzarella, fruity desserts

Chilean Wine of the Month

2009-03-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

With the current global economic situation, many wine consumers have now branched out from their usual wine regions and gone searching for new wines that can be considered more of a "value". Consumers often make the mistake of assuming that the lower priced wines lack in quality. Many buyers making this assumption should try some of the wines being produced in South America. Producers in both Chile and Argentina are making very quality wines for very reasonable prices. One Chilean producer, Concha y Toro, produce a line of wines named Casillero Del Diablo, or Celler of the Devil en Ingles. This name was given to the cellar that held these wines by Don Melchor, the founder of Concha y Toro. He gave this name to the cellar to discourage his vineyard workers from sampling to much of the wine being held there. Today these wines are growing in popularity because of their affordable cost and high quality.
Being that Cabernet Sauvignon is the most famous red grape being produced in Chile, we will discuss Casillero del Diablo's Cabernet first. The grapes for this Cab are sourced from the Maipo growing region in Chile. It has a dark, deep red color accompanied by flavors of ripe cherry, black currant, vanilla and toasted oak. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Carmenere. 70% is aged in American oak for 6-8 months. A classic Chilean Cabernet!
Some of you may be wondering, What is Carmenere? Carmenere is another red Bordeaux varietal being produced in Chile. Like Malbec in Argentina, Carmenere in Chile is becoming a unique wine on its own. Originally thought of as more of a blending grape, Carmenere has now become a flagship varietal for Chile and its unique flavors a favorite among the Chilean consumers. Diablo's Carmenere is from the Rapel Valley in Chile and is comprised of 85% Carmenere, 10% Cab. Sauv., and 5% Syrah. Black fruit, chocolate and coffee are present on the palate as well as firm tannins making a very well balanced wine. 70% is aged in American Oak for 6-8 months.
Being a generally Bordeaux producing country, the line would not be complete without Merlot. Diablo's Merlot is from the Central Valley and is made up of 90% Merlot and 10% Carmenere. Fruity taste but full bodied; well structerd with notes of chocolate and herbs. 70% is aged in American Oak for 6-8 months as well.
The last red in the line is the Pinot Noir, the only non Bordeaux Varietal featured. This Pinot is fruit forward, but balanced as well. A real surprise in the ever increasing prices of the Pinot Noir market. If you are looking for cheap, good Pinot, do not overlook this wine!
The two white varietals featured will be the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Both are100% of the varietals. Chile is known for its red wine, but now has been producing some very high quality whites that are quickly gaining recognition worldwide. Give these a try being that summer is near and the prices of these wines are only going up with the notoriety they are receiving.
The Casillero Del Diablo wines will be featured during the month of April at West Vail Liquor Mart. Give these wines a chance, and if you have any questions about them or any other wines, any staff member is more than willing to share their knowledge with you. It is our goal to find a wine that you enjoy!

Nick Agnew
West Vail Liquor Mart

WVLM presents Great Divide for Beer of the Month!

2009-03-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

West Vail Liquor Mart presents Great Divide Brewery for March's beer of the month! Great Divide Brewery has a beer to please every palate, and West Vail Liquor Mart has a price to please every budget. From the classic pale ale to your Scottish inspired ales, Great Divide knows how to brew it.
First on the list is the Great Divide Denver Pale Ale. This is your classic pale ale beer with a hint of malt in the body and a complex hop aroma. This beer has both a bitter hop finish and distinct flavor. The Denver Pale Ale pairs great with burgers and lamb, or pastas with rich hearty sauces. $7.49
The next gem to come from the Great Divide Brewery is called the Titan India Pale Ale. This beer is hopped to the max. The hop flavor bursts with pine tree aromas and citrus zest. The finish provides a lingering hop bite with malty rich sweetness. Pair with grilled fish or a cheese and cracker plate. $7.49
For those of us who love an easy drinking ale after a long day on the hill, a Samuri has your name on it. Samuri ale is an unfiltered ale brewed with the addition of rice. This lends to a frutiy, clean and crisp tasting beer that is the definition of refreshing. Pair with seared fish, sake, and blue cheeses. $7.49
If your looking for a Belgian style beer, look no further than Hades from Great Divide. This Belgian style ale is comprised of a rare yeast strain that gives this ale a complex aroma and hearty flavors of spice. This Belgian has a medium body with a fresh balanced finish. A perfect pair with shellfish, hard meats and cheese. $8.49
To round out the table, Great Divide has come out with a seasonal beer called, Claymore Scotch Ale. Named after a medieval Scottish sword, Claymore ale is a tribute to the "Wee Heavy" beers of Scotland. This beer has a lot of warming characters. Sporting a dark ruby tint, this beer starts with a mouthful of caramel malt and a slight hint of hops, and finishes with the pride of Scotland in the back of your throat. Enjoy this brew with roasted measts and smoked fish. $8.49
Can't decide which flavor to endulge yourself with? Then try the Great Divide Sampler 12 pack which includes four different styles of beers. Your sure to find a favorite! $13.99

Chris Kormanicki
West Vail Liquor
Manager/Beer Buyer

Wine Needs To Breathe

2009-03-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

WINE NEEDS TO BREATHE
Wine which has been allowed to breathe tastes better. As wine breathes, it opens up, and releases its intended aromas and flavors. Traditionally, decanters were used to aerate wine. However, decanting is time consuming, cumbersome, and inconvenient.
Vinturi's patent pending design speeds up this process with ease and convenience. Perfect aeration in the time it takes to pour a glass.

ALL THE TASTE WITH NONE OF THE WAIT
Simply hold Vinturi over a glass and pour wine through. Vinturi draws in and mixes the proper amount of air for the right amount of time, allowing your wine to breathe instantly. You'll notice a better bouquet, enhanced flavors and smoother finish. It's that fast. It's that easy.

Pick up the Vinturi wine aerator at the West Vail Liquor Mart. One cool gadget to impress your friends. You can purchase this high-tech piece for $32.99 at West Vail Liquor Mart.

Chilean Wine

2009-01-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

History
The country has a long viticultural history for a New World wine region dating to the middle of the 16th century (around 1554) when the Spanish conquistadors and missionaries brought with them vines, supplying the missions and the thirsty local population with wine. In the mid-18th century, Chilean wine took a leap forward when French vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were introduced to the region, largely replacing the inferior existing grapes. The new grapes thrived, and after the root louse phylloxera struck French vineyards later in the century, many French winemakers chose to relocate to Chile.

Climate and geography
Chile is a long, narrow country that is geographically and climatically dominated by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chile's vineyards are found along an 800 mile stretch of land from Atacama Region to the Bio-Bio region in the south. The climate is varied with the northern regions being very hot and dry compared to the cooler, wetter regions in the south.
In the Valle Central, around Santiago, the climate is dry with an average of 15 inches of rain and little risk of springtime frost. The close proximately to the dry Andes help create a wide diurnal temperature variation between day and nighttime temperatures. This cool drop in temperature is vital in maintaining the grape's acidity levels. Most of Chile's premium wine regions are dependent on irrigation to sustain vineyards, getting the necessary water from melting snow caps in the Andes Range. Casablanca Valley, which is a few miles west from Santiago to the coast, is one of Chile's cooler wine region and is often compared to the Californian region of Carneros and grows similar grape varietals like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Casablanca's growing seasons last up to a month longer than other regions, typically harvesting in April. This is rugged coastal country along the Pacific Ocean, where crisp coastal breezes hold back the rising heat of summer days. Grapes relax in the cooler temperature of the Casablanca Valley, and the longer growing season yields bright, full-flavored grapes with a healthy dose of food friendly acidity.

About the Grapes
In the late 20th century as Chilean wines became more popular, wine tasters around the world began to doubt the authenticity of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines lack many of the characteristics and typicity of those grapes. Ampelographers began to study the vines and found that what was considered Merlot was actually the ancient Bordeaux wine grape Carmenere that was thought to be extinct. The Sauvignon Blanc vines were found to actually be Sauvignonasse, also known as Sauvignon Vert, or a mutated Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Cross. In response to these discoveries several Chilean wineries began to import true Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc cuttings to where most bottle of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from vintages in the 21st century are very likely to truly be those varieties. Today, reversing many decades of isolationism, about 75 percent of Chile's wine is exported, much of it to the United States.

Felipe Cueto, West Vail Liquor Mart

Canton Ginger Liqueur

2009-01-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

In 2007, John Cooper revived the name and idea by producing a new ginger liqueur called Canton Ginger & Cognac Liqueur. Canton Ginger Liqueur follows a new recipe and is produced in Jarnac, France. The new formula is 28 percent alcohol (56 proof), is golden in color, and is packaged in a bamboo-shaped bottle. It contains syrup made from crystallized Vietnamese baby ginger, XO Grand Champagne and VSOP cognacs, orange blossom honey from Provence, and vanilla.

Canton Ginger & Cognac Liqueur was released in New York City in August 2007. By 2008 the name of the liqueur had changed once again, to Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur.

The liqueur won Double Gold Medal (Best of Show) in the herbal/botanical liqueur category at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It won Best of Show in the 2007-2008 World Beverage Competition.

Oprah Magazine, December 2008
As refreshing on the rocks as in cocktails, Domaine de Canton Liqueur has an unexpectedly vibrant ginger flavor. It's made with Vietnamese baby ginger and cognac, and comes in a bottle that looks like an architectural masterpiece.

New York Post, September 2007
What's remarkable about Canton is that it's almost impossible to turn it into something that doesn't taste wonderful.

Available at the West Vail Liquor Mart
$34.99 per 750ml bottle

www.domainedecanton.com for more info and recipes.

Laurie Mullen

Value Wines

2009-01-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

"What's your best value in...?" This seems to be the opening line for many conversations in the retail wine world and many other businesses given the current economic conditions and general attitude of most consumers. Wine values can be found at all different price points, varietals and from almost all wine growing regions. This is a great time to be a wine drinker! Many wineries, whloesalers and retailers are offering great discounts on a range of quality wines. Ask our well informed and educated staff for some recommendations that will suit your needs and don't be afraid to branch out. Listed below are a few of our recent favorite values.

Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir $9.99 Tremendous varietal character that we haven't found in a Pinot Noir even close to this price. Lush fruit and a touch earthiness make this a steal.

Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay $9.99 No oak or malalactic fermentaion give this wine a crisp and vibrant flavor of citrus and slight mineral undertone that leaves you wanting another sip.

Dona Paula Malbec $11.99 Big and ripe but enough tannins to give this wine complexity and length not often found at this price.

Cenit Venta Mazzaron $14.99 Dark, ripe and fruit forward with a hint of mineral and earth make this 100% Tempranillo from the Toro region of Spain a real treat.

Robert Sinskey Carneros Merlot$29.99 A truly excellent Merlot with character and structure lacking in many California Merlot. Reminiscent of St Emillion from a really good vintage.

Dan Brewster, Wine Buyer

Winter calls for Porter and Stout Beer

2008-12-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Cold brisk nights fit nicely in a bottle of dark heavy beer. Blustery, snowy evenings for beer drinkers to start pouring their Porters and Stouts have come. These are dark, malty, thick brews which typically hold a higher original gravity (OG) and alcohol content (ABV) than lighter beers. They are favored in the colder fall and winter months. Many companies produce these beers not all in the same fashion.

Historically, Porter was the first dark ale. It is said the brew was a mistake, by accidently burning the malts used to brew light colored ale. This "mistake" was passed to the "porters" of the brew house as their refreshment during a hard days work. Porters were the employees who delivered brew house's beer to the pubs. These blue-collared workers loved the stuff and soon it became so popular breweries decided to brew it purposely. Brewed with 100% brown malts and top-fermenting yeasts, the flavor was rich and bitter. Stout, as it has become known, was a strong or fuller style Porter, first named Stout Porter. The recipe has been rearranged since then. Using pale malt, black patent malt, and even bottom-fermenting yeasts brewers have come up with many different recipes to make their cold-weather warmer.

One famous style is Baltic porter. This is made using bottom-fermenting yeasts and a mixture of pale and black malts, the majority of which are pale. This beer is lighter and not as strong compared to other Porters. These beers would adhere to a lager-favoring palate. These Baltic porters can work great for a group a people trying to get into the dark beer, looking to try an easy approach to malty brews.

If you favor the big heavy black ales, look no further than American micro-brews for one of these malty beverages. Ranging from steam brewed contributions to and gear-oil thick heavyweights. These styles can fit nearly any meal or fight and game night. Used are the traditional top-fermenting yeasts and almost all roasted and black patent malts. Breweries seem to compete against one another for who will have the thickest, darkest, heaviest porter each year. Some of them use oak-aging, others give them devilish names, some are content to have the label's illustration of somebody draining his truck's oil into a glass. Whatever the name or label this is the true style of the original porter. Opaque, stormy, filling and willing to sit on your tongue til the sun's rise.

No matter which style porter you are looking for, please ask a West Vail Liquor Mart employee to help you choose one to best suit your need or mood. We have tried the lot of them in the store and love to pass on just enough information on how the beer suited us that night. So go work hard, ride harder then wrap up your night with a delicious porter.

West Vail Liquor Mart is proud to offer to you these great selections:

Avery's Czar Imperial Stout and Mephistopheles Stout
Backcountry Brewery's Peak One Porter
Great Divide's Yeti Stout and Oak-Aged Yeti Stout
Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout
Odell's Cutthroat Porter
Stone's Smoked Porter
Alaskan Brewing Company's Smoke Porter
Port Brewing's Old Viscosity
Green Flash Stout
Victory Storm King Stout
Deschutes Black Butte Porter
Guinness
Sam Smith's Taddy Porter, Oatmeal Stout
Blatika's #6 Porter

Dan Ryan

Experience the Harvest

2008-10-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

In most vacation destinations there are ideal times to visit. In our hometown of Vail, most would agree that July is the perfect summer month and a powder day in March is the best of winter. After just returning from a trip to Sonoma, I realized that experiencing the harvest in full swing is by far the best way to see wine country and to fully understand the entire process of growing grapes to bottling wine.

We planned a trip to Sonoma, Healdsburg to be exact, with 3 other couples. One was our Wine Buyer at West Vail Liquor Mart, Dan Brewster and his wife Kimberly.

I would highly recommend renting a private home during any wine country trip. Having a home or condo allows you buy the wine you liked during daytime tastings and then enjoy it safely in your residence at night. We assembled plates of cheese, meat, nuts and crackers to compliment our wine while overlooking the beautiful vineyards off our deck. We stayed at Cecelia's Vineyard Villa. This home (see pictures above) was the perfect retreat for 8 people and was complete with a gourmet kitchen, large deck and hot tub, 2 living areas and a state of the art media room displaying the first of the McCain/Obama debates and therefore generating much discussion.

On to the wine, the starring player in any wine country visit. Tom, owner at West Vail Liquor, and Dan, Wine Buyer, started their business a few days before the rest of us showed up to distract them. They visited many vineyards including Benziger, Goldeneye (Anderson Valley), Landmark, Seghesio and Londer Vineyards and had many treasured "souveniers" to show for it.

Our larger group started our tour at Simi Vineyard. This is one of the oldest operating producers of wine in the area and was started by Pietro and Guiseppe Simi after first failing to produce gold and then vegtables. Guiseppe's daughter Isabella ran the vineyard for over 70 years! My personal favorite wine variety is Chardonnay and the Simi Chardonnay does not disappoint! Simi's Chardonnay ($17.99 at West Vail Liquor) has lively fruit flavors of pear, pinapple, peach and has a long, lively finish on the palate. I particularly enjoyed the Simi Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.99 at West Vail Liquor) which had nice cherry and fruit flavors.

If you are looking for a wonderful culinary experience, stop into the Oakville Grocery on the Healdsburg square (or the original store in Napa) for a delicious lunch, extra bottle of wine or supplies for your next wine and food pairing. They have the most incredible collection of cheeses, meats, olives, spreads, cookies (amazing molasses), local produce, deli and wines.

So, after a some time in Sonoma, we started yearning for a little recreation and less consumption. We started one day on our beautiful lawn with a private yoga class led by our own instructor, Wendi Buick. Another day we ventured out to Lake Sonoma for some lake kayaking, canoeing and some type of crazy water biking. Simply running or walking in this area is a treat with the views and aromas overloading the senses.

With the scenery, vineyards, culinary focus and recreational opportunities, Sonoma is the perfect place for a fall getaway.

Vino en Mendoza

2008-10-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

When pondering the great wine regions of the world, Mendoza, Argentina might not exactly come to the forefront. Places like Burgundy, Tuscany and Napa Valley are more commonly known, and for some reason seem more accessible. Yet this vast region in Argentina is rapidly making a name for itself in the wine world, and rightfully so.

I recently visited Mendoza to check out the wine scene there, and I was very impressed. The region is constantly expanding and already filled with a myriad of top quality wineries. Argentina is currently the fifth largest wine producer in the world. In the past, most Argentinian wine has been manufactured for domestic consumption and the general consensus on the quality of the wine has been not great. Recently Mendoza has completely reversed this thought and is now producing some very big, high quality red wines that can stand next to any others worldwide.

It seems that all great wine regions have a standout grape in association with the area: Merlot on the right bank, Cabernet Sauvignon on the left bank in Bordeaux, Pinot Noir in Burgundy, Sangiovese in Tuscany, and so on. Mendoza has its shining star as well; Malbec. Malbec is traditionally a Bordeaux Varietal that was generally used for blending, very rarely seen on its own. Being that most of the clones brought to South America are from France, Malbec got mixed into the scene. Mendoza has a very unique terrior (essentially land, weather, slope, etc.) It sits at a relatively high elevation for growing grapes and sees a lot of sunshine, almost three hundred days per year. Along with this sunshine is a very arid climate that cools substantially at night, allowing for a slow ripening process. All these elements combined allow for the ideal environment for the grape Malbec. So not until the last twenty or thirty years have they really realized the potential for this grape in this terrior. And only in the last ten to fifteen have they really started to perfect it.

So now along with their outstanding beef, Argentina is producing the world's best Malbec, in my opinion. The best part about this, beef and Malbec happen to be a great pair. So if the opportunity presents itself, get down to Argentina and order up a big steak and an even bigger bottle of Malbec. It won't burn a hole in your pocket, trust me. And if you can't make it to Argentina, we have a ton of great Malbec from Mendoza available right here at West Vail Liquor Mart.

Cheers,

Nick Agnew

Port Brewing Hop 15

2008-10-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

I just tried this beer called Hop 15 from Port Brewing and it blew me away. These guys brew in the San Diego area so I was expecting to get crushed by hoppy bitterness, I was wrong, and it worked out even better than I imagined. This beer is made up of fifteen different hops with a different one being added every fifteen minutes during brewing, and with an ABV of 9.7% you can see where I was coming from with my assumption. Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of the bitter greatness that hopheads love, but it is perfectly balanced with smooth floral notes and a big full body. This is my new favorite brewery and I recommend checking out their website for more info. If you live in the Vail area stop by West Vail Liquor Mart to pick one up, you won't be sorry!

Matt Knapp
Beer Buyer/Manager
West Vail Liquor Mart

Adult Halloween Party Planning

2008-10-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Halloween is not just a time for young kids. It is also a great time for adults to put on that fantasy costume, invite your adult friends over and have a party. Planning a party for halloween is very easy. It comes with its own color scheme (orange and black), atomosphere (scary), and a costume dress code.

Because halloween in a perfect holiday for adults, it is also one of the biggest days to get together with your adult friends and throw a party. This also means you may want to have one or two halloween themed drinks or cocktails on hand to make the party more festive.

Here a a couple of easy suggestions:
1. Kahlua Black Cat
1oz Kahlua, 2 & 1/2oz of Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, 1/4oz of Sambuca: Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with espresso beans.

2. Jagermonster
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Ad 1oz Jagermeister, 1oz Grenadine and fill with orange juice and serve in a beer mug.

Tequila 101

2008-10-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

To truly understand tequila and really appreciate it's taste, you must first know several things about this unique spirit. The origin of tequila, how tequila is produced and finally the different flavors that are present as a result of the production. With a basic understanding of tequila, it will better enable you as a consumer to purchasing the right tequila for your next fiesta or when making a relaxing drink after work.

Tequila is actually a town that lies in western Mexico. This is where the liquor comes from and gets it's name from. Other regions around Mexico produce very similar liquors, (Mezcal, Sotol, Banacora) but they can't carry the title of tequila simply because they come from different regions in Mexico. Tequila is in the state of Jalisco where production of the spirit started more than 200 years ago.

The basis of tequila is the juices obtained from the hearts of the blue agave plants grown in the Tequila region. The hearts of the blue agave plants are referred to as the pina or pineapple. The blue agave has long bluish green leaves with sharp points. The large heart or pina is located at the center of the plant from which the juices are extracted. This juice is then twice distilled.

Tequila that is made with 100% blue agave will clearly mark it on their label as a standard of excellence. This is something to look for because tequila made with 100% blue agave has no additives such as flavoring, colorants, or fragrances. By definition, tequila must be made with only 51% blue agave juices. The other 49% can be made with adding neutral spirits and additives that are used as fillers. Jose Cuervo Gold is only 51% tequila and the rest is made by adding caramel coloring and spice additives to mellow the flavor.

After fermentation, all tequila begins as a Blanco tequila or Silver tequila. Blanco or Silver tequila is clear and transparent. It is usually bottled immediately after the distillation process and has no artifical additives. This style is strong in flavor and fragrance. Blanco tequila is traditionally enjoyed in a 2 ounce small glass known in Mexico as a caballito. In the states, we simply call them shots.
The next style of tequila is Gold tequila. This style is only 51% tequila and 49% neutral spirits and additives. Gold tequila is simply Blanco or Silver tequila that has been mellowed by the addition of colorants and flavoring, caramel being the most common of these. For most restaurants and bars, this is their tequila of choice for margaritas. These are not the best tequilas on the market but since the quality isn't the best, it's inexpensive for restaurants and bars to purchase.

Reposado tequila is Blanco tequila that has rested in white oak casks called, pipones, for more than two months and up to one year. The oak gives Reposado a mellowed taste, with a pleasing bouquet, and it's natural pale color. No flavors are added or artificial coloring. Reposado keeps the blue agave taste and is gentler on the palate than both Blanco and Gold tequila. This style is great for shots, sipping, and mixing. Reposado is the most versatile of the tequilas.

Anejo tequila also starts as Blanco tequila that is then aged in white oak casks for more than one year. The amber color and woody flavor are picked up from the oak, and the oxidation that takes place through the porous wood develops the unique bouquet and taste. This tequila, even though it spends more time in oak than Reposado, actually is not more mellow and soft on the palate. Just the opposite starts to happen. At first the oak mellows the tequila, but then once left longer than a year in oak, a lot of the oak and smoke of the barrels gets imparted into the tequila making it a more complex and dynamic tequila to drink. Anjeo tequila is normally sipped from a glass instead of taking shots or mixing it into a drink. If this tequila was mixed in a margarita for example, a lot of the tequila spice, the oak and smokey flavor would dominate the drink. Hence a lighter style Blanco or Reposado is recommended when mixing to help balance the flavor of the mixed drink.

That ladies and gentlemen is everything you need to know when shopping for your next tequila at West Vail Liquor Mart. Whether it's shots, sipping, or mixing, this tequila tutorial should better help you decide which style best fits your needs. Next time you are in, check out our selection of tequila and discover a whole new side of Mexico. Viva la Tequila.

Chris Kormanicki
West Vail Liquor Mart

Tavel Rose

2008-09-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Tavel is a region in France that soley produces rose wine since 1935. No wonder they are so good at crafting delicious rose wine. Tavel's rose is a one that stands out from the crowd. By blending Grenache, Clairette, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Bourboulene, these grapes produce a wine that has an intense salmon-pink color, which is full of body, fruit, and fragrance. Once introduced to the palate, this rose provides a long, dry, crisp finish, with just enough vibrant pepper to keep you coming back for more. Tavel is un-oaked and ready to drink once chilled. This wine is best served with bright, zesty dishes, and seafood. Pick up the Chateau d'Acqueria at West Vail Liquor for only $19.99.
Wine Spectator rating: 88 pts.
-CK-

Best Bourbon Found at West Vail Liquor Mart

2008-09-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Rated the best whiskey in the world by the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago. The 20 year Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve received the highest mark ever given to a whiskey, 99 out of 100.

Old Rip VanWinkle handmade bourbon is sought after by those who are true bourbon and whiskey affionados as well as those who just want the best of the best. The West Vail Liquor Mart currently has in stock the Old Rip VanWinkle 10 year 90 proof and 107proof, as well as Pappy Van Winkle's 15 year, 20 year and 23 year Family Reserves.

VanWinkle Bourbon hales from the town of Frankfort, Kentucky. Each barrel of Van Winkle bourbon is made with a whisper of wheat, rather than the less expensive rye grain employed by most other distillers. This use of wheat in the mash recipe gives VanWinkle bourbon whiskey a smoother and sweeter flavor which marries well with the extra aging time given our barrels in the warehouse. We find that our bourbons made with wheat age more gracefully than other bourbons made with rye.

According to the website of Van Winkle (www.oldripvanwinkle.com) the West Vail Liquor Mart is the only retail store to carry this best of the best bourbon outside of the Denver area and certainly the only store in the ski towns of Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen or Snowmass.

Stop in the West Vail Liquor Mart located in West Vail for all your liquor needs and check out our great selection of bourbon whiskey and all other types of liquor for your party needs!

Bourbon: An American Original!

2008-08-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Fall is just around the corner and this year is a special one. Every four years the summer olympics and the elections force americans start to really reinvestigating our sense of national pride. All of the sudden you are completely involved in politics and are cheering emphatically for sports like swimming and gymnastics? Its fun to regain that passion for comradorie that is lost in a long and isolated winter. Simutaneously we are contemplating change, yet revisiting our roots. One root, that is with no doubt as American as Apple Pie, is a sour mash hailing from the Bluegrass state; Bourbon!

Bourbon has been a part of United States tradition since before we were fighting each other. It practically made Kentucky famous; that and the Kentucky Derby of course! (Bourbon plays a big role in the derby as well: Mint Julips!) For over 100 years
Kentucky Bourban has been an American Standard and still to this day has a huge National and International following. It is such a versatile liquor. It is great on its own or can be mixed in a myriad of ways. A lot of people ask; what is the difference between Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey? Bourbon has a distinct difference from its rival. Regardless of what some may think both whiskeys are what you could call "Sour Mash." The actual difference between the two has to do with charcoal. Most all American Whiskey goes through some sort of carbon filtration process, the difference is Tennessee Whiskey usually goes through a longer filtering in which it passes through sugar-maple charcoal filled leaching vats. This distinction gave Tennessee whiskey its own label under U.S. law in 1941. Another misconception is that Bourbon is made only in Kentucky, which of course is not true. It's only requirements are that it be made in the United States, contain at least 51% corn and stay a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels.

So to me, Bourbon is a much more approachable whiskey than its charcoal infused neighbor. The oak aging and gives it lovely notes of vanilla and caramel, making this whiskey a sweeter alternative. If you have ever had whiskey and just couldn't stomach the burn, resulting in you being turned off from whiskey all together; give Bourbon a try. You might be pleasantly surprised! Here at the West Vail Liquor Mart we carry a large selection of Bourbons including: Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Jim Beam, Blantons, Bakers, Bookers and many more.

So if you are feeling extra American this fall, give Bourbon a whirl. Come November my allegience lies with a sour mash born and bred in Kentucky, and thats a party i am proud to belong to.

Nick Agnew

Wine and Cooking

2008-08-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am often asked where we keep our cheap cooking wine by customers who are preparing a meal or dish that calls for wine. Since we do not have a "cooking wine" section at the West Vail Liquor Mart this often leads to another statement from consumers, "I am just cooking with it so what is the cheapest or least expensive wine."

If you have not noticed there has been a proliferation of high end food and wine events occuring all over the place. Just try to pick up any lifestyle magazine, such as Wine Spectator, Food and Wine, Bon Apetit, etc, and not find an advertisement for the latest and greatest celebrity chefs pairing food with their favorite wines. The sponsors of these events also tend to be of the luxury set: Mercedes, BMW, fine kitchen gagets, high end stoves and refrigerators such as Sub-Zero to name a few. Sorry for this digression, but I think it pertains to the overall question of why certain consumers will pine for the latest and greates of ingredients, sponsor products and such to cook with, and then seemingly develop an aversion to using quality wine when they are cooking?

OK, let's be honest not everyone is going to dump a bottle of $100 Nuits St. George Burgundy wine into their beef borgogne (although I think it deserves consideration). After all how would your Electrolux, Vulcan or Thermador range feel about a $5.00 bottle of Hearty Burgundy used on its state of the art cook top?

If you are going to go to all the trouble searching for the best ingredients and best appliances to prepare a meal your friends will go ga-ga over, you should also consider upgrading your wine ingredient. One of the best ways to create a great food and wine pairing is to cook with the same wine you will be serving with each course. Of course, it will cost some extra money, but after all is said and done it is your goal to create an experience for the senses and not just a meal. Next time, try trading up a bit in the wine ingredient category and I think you will like the results!

Tom Mullen
West Vail Liquor Mart

Absolut Los Angeles Goes the Green Way

2008-07-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

The is the second in line of flavored vodkas from Absolut to give a portion of the profits to a worthy charity in the city it was named after. In this case, Absolut has produced a vodka inspired by the City of Angels and is donating $250,000 of profits to Green Way, a local LA based organization dedicated to improving the urban life in Los Angeles, including the active reduction of polluted water runoff that flows into the Santa Monica Bay.

This Absolut Vodka is all about LA, one of the most inspiring cities in the USA! The Acai, Acerola, Pomegranite & Blueberry flavored vodka blends well with the trend setting, forward thinking and environmentally concious spirit of Los Angeles. If any Vodka has gone green to help the environment Absolut Los Angeles is it!

You can find Absolut Los Angeles at the West Vail Liquor Mart in Vail, CO. Even when you are on vacation or holiday in the Vail Valley, you can support a green and environmentally good cause.

Try this Absolut Los Angeles Cocktail

Absolut Rising Star
2 ounces of Absolut Los Angeles
1 ounce cranberry juice
1 teaspoon Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
Lemon peel spiral for garnish

Tom Mullen

New Rubi Rey (Ruby Ray) Rum

2008-07-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well it's is definitely summer in the Vail Valley and rum drinks are always popular this time of year. If you are looking for something new and cool to try, do not pass up the latest premium rum called Rubi Rey, pronounced (Ruby Ray). According to the makers of Rubi Rey it is an original single barrel finished white rum. Handcrafted in small batches, Rubi Rey is then aged and mellowed in white oak barrels on the coast of Northern Puerto Rico. Rubi Rey is then slow filtered for clarity, and single barrel finished for optimum character. The result is a uniquely delicious white rum of unprecendented smoothness and flavor.

Rubi Rey Liquid Kiss Cocktail
1&1/2 oz. Rubi Rey Rum
1 Part Fresh Oranges
2 Strawberries Smashed
1 Part Simple Syrup

Tom Mullen

Spanish Wines - Rising stars

2008-07-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

3 great wine values from Telmo Rodriguez, a rising star in Spanish winemaking. All of the Rodriguez vineyards are biodynamically farmed.

Basa Blanco 2007 $11.99 A tasty blend of Verdejo, Viura and Sauv Blanc from Rueda. It is un-oaked and unpretentious. This great summer value has wonderful citrus aromas with a hint of mineral and lively acid that carries through to a mouthwatering finish. Buy 2 because you will be surprised how fast the first one goes down.

Dehesa Gago 2006 $14.99 100% Tempranillo from the Toro region and 100% delicious. A medium bodied red that is bursting with red fruit flavors and has a surprisingly rich, long finish. Stainless fermentation and no oak aging keep this wine fresh and ready to pair with just about anything off the grill.

Gazur 2006 $17.99 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero. This wine shows a focused and concentrated array of dark fruit and a persistent note of spice. Gazur would be a great pair with most red meat or pork or even a riper type of cheese.

Dan Brewster, Wine Buyer

Oskar Blues Beer

2008-07-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

This may well be the best beer ever put into a can. Gordon's is a cross between an Imperial Red and a Double IPA. It's namesake is Gordon Knight, one of the original Colorado micro-brewer's, war vet and firefighter. Sadly, Gordon passed in 2002 while fighting a wildfire outside of Lyons Colorado. This beer is a tribute to his life. Gordon's is available in four pack's of cans and costs between ten and fifteen dollars depending on location. Right now it is part of the West Vail Liquor Marts July beer of the month program featured at $10.49. I like this beer so much because it is very versatile, and can be simply drank or paired with just about any kind of barbeque. I highly recommend this for anyone who is looking for something new and interesting, as well as the hop-heads.

Matt Knapp
West Vail Liquor Mart
Vail CO 81657
Westvail.com
970-476-2420

Snow Queen Organic Vodka

2008-07-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

This new vodka is a product from Kazakhstan and was recently awarded the USDA Organic seal of approval. The is the latest high end luxury vodka that comes in a frosted bottle (think of Grey Goose, Belvedere, Chopin and Rain to name a few other vodkas). If the frosted bottle has been overdone the label of the "Snow Queen" is something to behold. The Snow Queen bottle features...you guessed it an etched bottle of a very attractive "snow queen" with a low cut gown and ample cleavage standing with a gilded gold castle in the foreground. That is probably enough to catch your attention, but of course what matters most is what's in the bottle. Snow Queen is a premium five-times distilled vodka with a distinctively smooth, velvety taste. It is made with a unique recipe using only the finest premium wheat and the purest softened water from the snow capped mountains of Ala Tau.

The marketing for snow queen is on very hot roll as well, with spreads in Vogue, Glamour, Style, Playboy, GQ and many others. If your in Vail, Colorado stop in and pick up a bottle at the West Vail Liquor Mart.

Tom Mullen

Knappogue Single Malt Irish Whiskey

2008-07-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

One of the fastest growing categories in the spirits world are what are commonly referred to as "brown goods". Brown goods generally comprise the whiskey segment: Kentucky Bourbon such as Jim Beam and sour mash like Jack Daniels. Although those two brands are power houses within the category there is unprecedented growth coming out of the Irish Whiskey category. Such products as Jameson and Bushmills are almost household names, but there seems to be a resurgence for high quality single malts, much like scotch single malts in the Irish Whiskey category. One such whiskey is Knappague Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Knappague is made exclusively from from malted barley. It is distilled in traditional copper pot stills and then carefully aged in oak casks. The current Knappague Whiskey available at West Vail Liquor Mart was distilled in 1995 then each cask was then individually selected and bottled in 2007. Unlike some of the heavier peaty single malt scotch this Irish Whiskey has more delicate flavors and body. Enjoy!

Tom Mullen

Bloody Mary with a Zing

2008-07-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

Holidays and days off may have you thinking about a cold beverage a tad earlier in the day. This weekend, my thoughts turned to a spicy, refreshing Bloody Mary made with Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix ($5.49 for 32 oz), Grey Goose Vodka ($28.99 for 750 ml) and healthy pour of V8 juice.

Eat your vegtables! It may be tough to get in your daily allowances for vegtables so you will be happy to know that Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix is comprised of 80% vegtable juice from 14 different vegtables and contains 9% solid spices. It is also low in calories.

Laurie Mullen
West Vail Liquor Mart

The Original Pilsener

2008-06-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

Power in numbers, folks! Towns, communities, even groups of people can become powerful and influential when dissatisfaction is among them. This was the case in the town of Pilsen, Bohemia around 1838. Citizens were fed up with the quality level of the beers available to them. They decided to dump cask upon cask of their low-quality(albeit drinkable) ale into the streets. Soon after, in 1839, the citizens founded and built their own brewery. They wanted to brew beer in the bavarian style, which uses bottom-fermenting yeasts. The town hired reknowned Bavarian brewer, Josef Groll. His use of modern technology and new paler malts melded to produce the world's first golden beer. This new brew was very pale in color, high in hops, light bodied, and crisp with a bit of carbonation. The beer instantly became popular among the locals. The transportation and communication of the times made this brew widely available throughout Europe. This Pilsen style Lager soon after became imitated by breweries around Europe. In 1859 "Pilsen Bier" became a brand name. To emphasize the beers' origination in Pilsen, the brewery trademarked the name "Pilsner Urquell", meaning "of the source." Pilsen-style Lager enjoys recognition around the world. The most popular are brewed in Europe, but they can be found from all corners of the world. The West Vail Liquor Mart is proud to carry a fine selection of these great beers. From the Czech Republic: Pilsner Urquell and Czechvar. From Germany: Konig Pilsener, Saint Pauli Girl, Paulaner, Becks, Bitburger, and Warsteiner. From Holland: Heineken, Amstel, and Grolsch. From Belgium: Stella Artois. From Austria: Trumer Pils. From America: Victory Prima Pils, etc.

DR

Scotch in Summer?

2008-06-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Every high country Scotch drinker knows the perfection a glass of Scotch brings after a long winter day, tromping around out in the Mountains. The bliss that comes with sipping Scotch is not something that I can explain to you in words, you need friends, a fire and tired legs. But why is Scotch so overlooked in the summer months? Scotch truly is a forgotten pleasure in the summertime. Being in the mountains, our cool nights provide the perfect atmosphere for that silky glass of whiskey. One Scotch that I have always loved is Laphroaig, reigning from the Isle of Islay.
Scotch is basically broken into three categories: Lowland, Highland and Islay. To me, Islay Scotches are the most intriguing. Being isolated on this blustery island gives bold and distinctive characteristics to these whiskeys. A strong presence of Blue Peat smoke gives a warmth to this style of whiskey that is unique to only Islay. This is balanced with sweeter nuttiness of the barley used and is capped with the refreshing cleanliness of pure Islay stream water.
Laphroaig is one of the oldest distilleries on the island operating since the early 1800's. It was started by the Johnston family and soon became a local hit, eventually cementing itself in Scottish whiskey making history. You can go to http://www.laphroaig.com/ and take a virtual tour of the distillery and learn a little more about this historical site. Laphroaig offers Scotches in the 10 year to 40 year range. Although typically older Scotches are considered "better," all the whiskeys produced by Laphroaig are award winning and second to none. As quoted by the Laphroaig team, "In 2005 we were proud to be voted 'the best of the best' in the Champions of Whisky Competition." Most people in the mountains dream of caiparinhas in Brazil, or Mojitos in the Caribbean during the summer months. Warm weather and cool drinks are only natural when you are clouded by winter 8 months out of the year. Even with this style of thinking, I still dream of bringing the warmth of a seaside Scottish peat fire into my living room on a cool summers eve, or watching my glass of Laphroaig disappear with the sun over the horizon on the Western Banks of Islay!

Cheers,
Nicholas Agnew
West Vail Liquor Mart

Stolichnaya Blueberry Vodka

2008-06-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

Whether you are cooling off by the water or grillin' and chillin' with family and friends, spirits add a dash of excitement to any summer occasion.

It was a cold and wintry day when all I could think of was warm air, a cool breeze, and a glass of Stolichnaya Blueberry Vodka and lemonade. The drink which many agree, tastes like summer in a glass. Stoli Blueberry Vodka has a natural fruit tastes, not artificial tasting like some other brands. When Stoli Blueberry is combined with lemonade, forget about it, the drink relaxes in your mouth with you. The sweet acidity of the lemonade combined with the fresh blueberry flavor of Stolichnaya truly is refreshing. A drink worthy of the name, "Summertime in a Glass".

Chris Kormanicki
West Vail Liquor Mart

Wedding and Party Planning in Vail, Colorado

2008-06-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to plan a wedding in Vail, Colorado in the near future? The West Vail Liquor Mart can provide you with a free estimate of the types and quantities of liquor you will need for you big event. We work with many caterers and catering companies and can help you find the perfect wedding wine to match your caterers suggestions.

Part of the service we offer is free delivery to the most popular wedding venues in the Vail area: Donovan Pavilion, Lazy J Ranch, Eagle-Vail Pavilion, Singletree Pavillion are all great locations to have a wedding. If you are planning a wedding in a private home in Vail, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, Arrowhead, Singletree or any other neighborhood in the Vail Valley give us a call and we can help!

Tom Mullen
West Vail Liquor Mart
970-476-2420
tmullen@westvail.com

Kris 2006 Pinot Grigio

2008-05-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

On May 1, 2008, we did a West Vail Liquor Mart staff tasting of the Kris 2006 Pinot Grigio. This is a light, crisp 100% Pinot Grigio wine that is ideal for the upcoming spring and summer season. The grapes are from selected vineyards in the Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli region of Northern Italy.

It has a pale yellow color with hints of citrus, apricot, pear and almond. It will pair nicely with quiche, omelets, white meats, salmon or pasta.

A great value at $12.99!

Laurie Mullen
West Vail Liquor Mart