Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Proof.
Craft Beer Trends That Need to End
Craft brewing has been a booming business for the last few decades or so. Of course, with the rise of these small breweries comes the rise of silly gimmicks. Most of these trends stem from marketing magic, trying to trick you into buying things you don’t really want, while some are just baffling craft beer trends that need to end. I’m proposing we collectively agree to let these fads slip silently to the wayside. Let’s keep the focus on what makes craft beers great and what sets them apart, not a bunch of ridiculous barroom trends. Some are annoying, some are pompous, and some are just plain weird. Beard beer anyone?
By Iwan Palinski9 years ago in Proof
Say Hello To Verdejo
Wine cocktails can actually be a very sexy thing, once we take wine coolers out of the equation. When it comes to white wine in cocktails, most of the time the wine used is whatever is available. Next time you are mixing up a cocktail that requires some white vino try wine from Spain.
By Yolanda Shoshana9 years ago in Proof
After 500 Years, Rum Makes A Comeback
Rum's present popularity in America dates back to 1493, when Columbus returned to the new world with cuttings of sugarcane, which were planted in what are now Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti. When the technique of distillation was introduced to the Caribbean islands in the 17th century, the thick, syrupy molasses that is the by-product of converting cane into crystallized sugar was fermented to produce alcohol, and the resulting mash was distilled into rum.
By Lynne Shumaker9 years ago in Proof
Learning to Enjoy Wine
Wine takes on a delicate, sensual character the moment the bottle is uncorked, and if you have a sharp sense of taste and smell, it will help you become a good judge. In time, you will find out how certain foods can distort the taste of wine while others blend together perfectly.
By Grace Tyler9 years ago in Proof
Whiskey: A Guide and History
Long before the Bloody Mary, the Screwdriver, the Martini, the Margarita, and the Daiquiri appeared on the scene, alcohol lovers were drinking Mint Juleps, Sazeracs, Old Fashioneds, and Manhattans—all of which shared one common ingredient: whiskey. Even today, when so many new cocktails are based on vodka, rum, or tequila, such classics as the Whiskey Sour are shaken and poured from coast to coast. Whiskey remains a constant favorite.
By Lynne Shumaker9 years ago in Proof
All About Liqueurs
Liqueurs, those sweet after-dinner drinks, are available in a remarkable range of flavors, including apricot, mint, peach, cherry, coffee, and orange. Proprietary brands, whose exact formulations are closely guarded secrets, are more subtle in flavor and offer more complex tastes. Nevertheless, each has a dominant flavor that defines its particular personality and appeal, which also makes it a useful and intriguing ingredient in mixed drinks.
By Iwan Palinski9 years ago in Proof
Is Your Bartender Actually Into You?
Pull up your barstool if you’ve ever been stumped by that age-old question: is the girl or guy tending the bar actually flirting with me, or simply trying to lock in a good tip? Maybe she is just being nice and polite. Maybe those looks he’s giving me aren’t suggestive and I’m totally imagining things. Maybe I should stop smiling so much before I get caught by my wife/partner/best friend who I secretly quite like but haven’t found the perfect moment to say so yet. We feel your pain. And the good news for all those who joined us at the bar is we are here to help. Take a few hearty gulps of our free advice and you’ll soon know for sure if your bartender is actually into you.
By Lynne Shumaker9 years ago in Proof
