Set on Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in a room of floor to ceiling windows jutting out into the Hudson River, Whisky Live New York was rallying a dedicated crowd of enthusiasts from all over the region to get their piece of some of the world’s finest whiskey offerings. From bar owners to distillers, connoisseurs to amateurs, the male dominated crowd was saturated with whiskey fervor on Wednesday night for the touring event’s 2014 triumphant return to Manhattan.

Over 50 distilleries, and a few daring breweries, set up shop to showcase their products and share their stories to a sea of thirsty listeners. For an amateur whiskey drinker, you could do alright by simply skirting the tables of the bigger names in attendance. Johnnie Walker for instance, was mixing up delicious cocktails infusing ginger beer with their “Double Black Label” brand.

   

It was hard to stick to giants like Maker’s Mark though without all the smaller, interesting, and some totally out there whiskey labels catching your eye. The locally based Hudson Whiskey was pouring samples of their lesser aged, clear, corn based whiskey, while Corsair was getting quite playful with a new quinoa based variety. And then there was the Chocolate Distillery, who was not only turning out rums and other liquors but delicious, organic, and unique (think orchid) flavored chocolates.

But the real treat for guests was a trip to the Whiskey Lounge. Hosted by Kentucky’s Moonshine University, the unbelievably knowledgeable staff was bubbling over with southern charm and offering up a delicious dose of whiskey education. In just under five minutes, we learned that Maker’s Mark is just one of a small handful of wheated bourbons and that the warm and robust rye-heavy Old Forester Signature Bourbon was the first one to ever be bottled, lasting from before, during, and after prohibition (surviving during solely via medical prescriptions). This, we were assured, was the one to break out when you want to impress your friends, widely considered “the only whiskey people from Kentucky drink.”

 

The more serious groups trooped into rooms off to the side of the event space to attend periodically scheduled “master classes” where different distilleries offered more complex tastings, techniques, and a broader view of their whiskeys.

On the terrace, suit clad men gathered to watch the sun dip behind the New Jersey skyline while smoke from their free cigars wafted out over the river. Sounds of the Scottish step-dancing rock band permeated the early evening silence, allowing the event to remain relaxed and fun without the stuffiness that can sometimes accompany a room full of scotch bottles.

The passion behind the distilleries, many of which were family owned and some of which were local, was a gentle reminder that a small but rapidly expanding craft whiskey market was remaking the rules around these warm and aromatic liquors. The love and dedication was so apparent on the faces of these men and women and in each unique background story that I started to register it on my own palate alongside the afternotes of smoke and cinnamon. It began to resonate with this writer.

Whisky Live brought out the drinkers, the business men, a few mold breaking ladies (who assured me “that we drink whiskey too”) and plenty of the average guy. Mostly, though, it brought a room full of passionate people together to talk, drink, eat, breathe, and love some damn good whiskey.

- Alicia Raeburn

 

For a fifth year of gluttony the annual “Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival” decadently paraded through New York City on Saturday, with two four hour sessions of all you care to imbibe craft beers and tasty bourbons. Succulent pulled pork, sweetened strips of tender bacon and all the customary barbeque accoutrements that one would desire allowed the smells being charred to perfection inside west side space The Tunnel to waft far outside of the venue’s front doors and into the waiting nostrils of the line of hungry guests, eager to enter. The evening portion, dubbed “The Whole Hog Pig Pickin’ Session” boasted four whole hogs being served from the bone and naturally, that’s where LocalBozo.com was meant to be.

With some upbeat tunes provided by rockabilly trio Brambling being performed in the background, the entire space was abuzz with the true spirit of the south. Speaking of spirits, we counted more than forty different varieties from the likes of Fireball and Four Roses to Elijah Craig and Evan Williams. Our mouths watered for a local favorite – Hudson, whose ‘Four Grain Bourbon‘ perpetually ranks atop our very favorite tastings, partially because it can be fairly difficult to find. Definitively rich in taste, the whiskey drinks remarkably smooth with a fairly sweet nose. Now candidly, we don’t spend much time sipping on bourbon with dozens of craft beers in the house, so we capped our bourbon tastings at three before heading on our journey to suds supremacy.

As we often do at beer tasting events, we immediately sought out our friends at The Bronx Brewery who were pouring their American style “Pale Ale” and their “Black Pale Ale,” which offers plenty of coffee meets dark chocolate bitterness from the masters of the genre. Mild in smell and medium bodied in taste, the American “Pale Ale” might just be getting a run for its money from this newer entry. The many rooms of The Tunnel were surrounded by the familiar names in the craft brew game – Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada, Magic Hat, Abita and Smuttynose were each pouring notable selections. But we supremely enjoyed some of the ‘lesser known pours from the likes of Southern Tier Brewing Company’s ‘Live’ (a light bodied, slightly sweet IPA), Greenpoint Harbor Brewing Company’s ‘Spring Turning Rye Saison’ (a wheat flavored hoppy golden masterpiece), and 961′s ‘Black IPA’ (a serviceable malty, balanced beer that’s never overwhelming).

With some of these pours now slugged down, we made our way toward the back of the main room for plates of ‘Bourbon Flavored Bacon‘ and ‘Apple Cinnamon Bacon.‘ Smoke arose from our plates with the piping hot cuts of fatty pork tasting delectably sweet and savory. Fortunately the staff wasn’t shy about doling out samples as we returned time and time again for more thick cut slices of tender deliciousness. We were pleased to see the return of Laurel, Maryland’s Kloby’s Smokehouse to the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival with their outstanding mason jars filled with tasty hunks of pulled pork, cole slaw, baked beans and some tangy barbecue sauce.

After we filled our bellies, it was time to resume making a dent in the list of beers and Ommegang’s ‘Rare Vos’ has been among our craft beer staples for the past few years. The Belgian style pale ale is amber in color with delicate notes of caramel and a crisp sweetness that exudes from each medium bodied sip. Their ‘Three Philosophers’ meanwhile yields a much fruitier nose and an array of different flavors in taste, but is far too malty for our palates, despite its substantial critical acclaim. Cisco’s ‘Whale’s Tale IPA’ was another new taste for us and the session pale ale did not disappoint with its drinkability as a mild ale. The taste was decisively hoppy and smooth without being overbearing, and delivered as solid a first impression as we could have hoped for.

Whether you gorged on bacon grease and chunks of tender hog or you overindulged on some terrific southern bourbons, the Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival once again delivered an outstanding event to masses of New York City locals. The selection of participating breweries and vendors was diverse and often, quite delicious. And by the time we stumbled back out into a snow-covered Manhattan night with trace amounts of sweet red sauce on our cheeks, grease on our fingers, and spilled beer staining our shirt we realized at that very moment, that we were completely satisfied, courtesy of another festival celebrating some of the few guilty pleasures that we enjoy in life.

The Whiskey Ward
121 Essex St, Lower East Side, Manhattan
212-477-2998
Getting There: F to Delancey Street

Trips to the watering holes of the Lower East Side have been too few and far between for the, “The Drink Here Now” crew. But now that is all about to change. The L.E.S’s Essex Street features a mix of old school markets, hot restaurants and of course bars of all shapes and sizes. On a recent weeknight we decided to beat the early evening heat by ducking inside a joint we have passed by hundreds of times but never patronized. It’s “The Whiskey Ward,” and since 1999 this bar has been holding down the block with basically no outdoor signage to promote themselves but tons of word of mouth love to keep this place chugging along.

We aren’t mincing words when we say that there is no sign. Tiny stenciled letters are the only way to know this place exists, as the front windows are blacked out as well. Passers by cant pier through the windows and have to just take the leap and head inside. Once through the door we were happily pleased to enter into a warm, wooden laden space with a long bar, plenty of surrounding seating and they got a pool table too! On this, our first visit we opted to sit front and center at the bar to grab brews and scope out their Whiskey and Bourbon selection for future visits. A few minutes after sitting down, the bartender in full rock n’ roll regalia with skull ring and all came over to welcome us and take our order. We decided to go with pints of Blue Point, “Summer Ale” and domestic favorite, “Budweiser” to have a nice mix of craft and down home Americana beers. The bars namesake, whiskey populates most of the liquor self. From Bushmills ($8) Mitchter’s ($10) to Whistle Pig ($12) and back again they seriously have it all. Fans of this brown gold will have a seemingly endless selection to choose to wet their whistles with.

As we kicked back with our brews we saw folks playing causal to competitive games of pool. The billiard area is set apart from the rest of the bar to provide room for everyone. So fear not, you won’t get jabbed in the side by a pool cue or get into a fight with a biker for bumping into the table. The music at Whiskey Ward captures the spirits of the place. Rockabilly and classic rock was played at a medium volume but we would have been totally happy if they cranked it up to eleven! We aren’t just whistling Dixie here, this place is a great time partner!

Bar Type - A Whiskey lovers paradise with a rustic appeal.

When to Visit – Weekends are when you’ll find the, “Ward” jammed with a great mix of hard drinking folks looking to let their hair down.

Value – Beer prices are pretty much on par with the rest of the neighborhood and won’t break the bank. But, if you want to dip into their impressive catalog of whiskey be prepared to shell out some dough. But in the end, hey that’s why you’re there!

The Lowdown – A chilled out rockabilly vibe, pool table a mature drink menu makes, “The Whiskey Ward” a choice spot in the ever bustling and changing Lower East Side.

Here’s to that beautiful caramel colored spirit that has been enjoyed by everyone from cowboys to congressmen. Whether poured into tumbler or shot right down, both options are totally acceptable for whisky. It is a truly beautiful beverage and one organization’s trade show is going head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to appreciating the brown colored drink. For over a decade, “Whisky Live” has been presenting and pouring differing whiskies worldwide and in its ninth triumphant year, the grand show returned to New York City Wednesday evening, with picturesque views of the Hudson River emanating from Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers.

Since launching in London and Tokyo thirteen years ago, “Whisky Live” events now take place in more than twenty cities across the globe. Almost as immediately as we passed through the Pier Sixty entrance we felt the show’s strong presence and impact right away. Nearly every square inch of the large space was filled with either a whisky producer or an attendee sipping in the goodness. Our crew wasted not a minute grabbing our “Whisky Live” etched tasting glass and headed toward our first table. We quickly made our way over to the previously unknown to us- “Dry Fly Distilling” booth which made us that much more excited to taste. We started with their “Straight Washington Bourbon 101,” which would provide a solid jumping off point to their entire catalog. The bourbon presented a bold nose that was equally as strong as its finish. This Washington state spirit captures the old school flavor one would expect from a bourbon but without the bells and whistles of additional flavoring mixed in. After letting the aftertaste dance on our tongues, we took a few more paces down the line to taste a little bit of Sweden. Surprised? So were we. “Mackmyra Whisky” comes directly from the snow covered winter wonderland, and its overall flavor profile matched this in kind. Our initial sip provided a warm, toasty yet not overly strong alcohol flavor. This whisky could easily be enjoyed on its own without mixers and paired with heartier foods like steak, lamb and even pork.

With our second tasting in hand we took a very short break to enjoy the house band, playing a combination of traditional Scottish standards mixed with cover songs like Pink Floyd classic, “Wish You Were Here.” With a song in our heart, we headed back to the tables and into the very capable arms of “George Dickel” and their fabulous rye variety. The very friendly team spent a nice chunk of time with us to explain how this rye is literally perfect for a traditional Old-Fashioned cocktail. We firmly agreed. It’s dry, yet smoky taste profile could easily mix with the sweet mix-ins that this classic cocktail is commonly associated with. In recent years, rye has stood out above many of the more popular straight whiskies and bourbons out there and “Dickel’s” is no exception to this rule. One would assume that “Whisky Live” would mean that eventgoers would solely be able to sip upon the guest of honor, but this was not true. A prime example of this came from the table of “Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur.” Barrow’s is a lovely, highly drinkable beverage made with fresh ginger and absolutely no extracts or chemicals. It’s fresh and clean flavor is best enjoyed over plenty of ice, making it a distinctive and ideal drink for the upcoming warmer months.

I don’t know about you but the LocalBozo crew loves peaty flavored scotch-whisky. Luckily our craving could be satisfied from the good people at “Glenmorangie” and their ten year oak cask aged variety. Its pale gold color shined in the late evening sunlight with a nose that presented light notes of vanilla and citrus fruits. Its peaty flavor was joined by subtle hints of lemon, which tends to be amongst our favorites in terms of flavor profiles. This is seriously a scotch to keep on your liquor shelf for breaking out when you have guests over. The same can be said for “Whistle Pig” which is what I would call the most fun whisky of the evening. Our team is no stranger to this spirit, but they never fail to impress. The self made farm-to-bottle distillery produces a rye for all seasons and is best enjoyed on its own. Its ten years of aging is easily felt with each sip and is a serious pleasure from start to finish. The LocalBozo.com crew would also like to make mention of fantastic selections from: Crown Royal, Knob Creek and great brews from Belhaven Brewery.

As the hours rolled on we spotted the whisky faithful sniffing, sipping and repeating, around serving stations of the dinner buffet which included savory brisket, tasty chicken, and generous sides of pastas and vegetables. “Whisky Live” was an outstanding evening for delicious tastings, meeting the talented makers and learning the unique story of each brand. The best events fill you up both physically and mentally. And after Wednesday night’s event we can say that did both with great ease.

- Jay Rubin

The smoking of meats is an art form, pure and simple. And when a pitmaster knows what they are doing it can equal a religious experience. On Wednesday night, our church of meat was Santos Party House as the downtown club would play host to one of the greatest competitions to hit our city in sometime. Yes my friends it was the 2013 “Brisket King of NYC.” For one night only, a collection of the best barbeque chefs in town would gather to truly see who wears the crown.

At 7pm the doors flew open wide allowing all of the freezing meat lovers entry. Since Santos is usually a venue designated for concerts and parties, it’s layout made seeking out the marbled meat and drinks all that more interesting. Before grabbing our first bite we hit the bar to sample various bourbons and ryes from the likes of Hudson Valley and Lion’s Pride. Next up we grabbed several glasses of Lagunitas Copper Ale, a smooth brew that would later pair brilliantly with the brisket. Since the 2013 “Brisket King of NYC” was completely sold out, you really had to make a plan to grab every savory and unique bite of this historic piece of beef. First up was Sarabeth’s who blew us away with a dish that was overloaded with horseradish giving it a pseudo kosher deli feel. It was a literal sauce explosion and the perfect way to kick off an evening of juicy brisket decadence. Next up was one of the most non-traditional dishes of the evening. The always fun team from New Orleans inspired Tchoup Shop came with a beef brisket-duck liver boudin with a handmade creole mustard and pickles. Its slider-like appearance with the fried concoction inside looked nothing like the other meat fare we would try later, but it was nothing short of excellent. 

The first floor of the venue successfully filled us with brilliant brisket. We then climbed the steps to the second level to taste more and have a mini workout. There we found the ever expanding, grilled cheese maven known as The Melt Shop. The team came with their vast knowledge of gooey cheese creations and paired it with the evening’s featured dish. They built a brisket sandwich loaded with cheese placed on a soft bun and deeply dipped in a savory meat au jus. Each bite dripped with full beef flavor and needed several napkins after tasting. Speaking of messy yet lovely eats, the team from Dinosaur BBQ came with a sauce topped, perfectly marbled thick cut of brisket. This sandwich was no joke. Personally, I love fatty cuts of meat and this sandwich had it and then some. After those two hulking samples it was time to tone down the size, but not the flavor. The crew from “Butcher Bar” was up next with a bite sized cut of candied brisket and its side of super vinegary pickles. These pickles were fantastic and I would eat them on their own on a regular basis.

Let’s just say we were beyond excited to see New York City newcomers Delaney Barbecue: BrisketTown and Mighty Quinn’s welcomed into the fold. The respective Williamsburg and East Village joints are on the tip of everyone’s tongue both literally and figuratively. But on Wednesday night it was LocalBozo’s turn to get down on their choice cuts. Dan Delaney appeared in front of us chopping a gigantic cut of their signature brisket. From its burnt ends to sweet meat it literally had it all. It was served in a boat next to a finely chopped pickle creation. Meanwhile, Mighty Quinn’s cut had a deep red appearance and a melt in your mouth feel and flavor that put a saucy smile upon our faces. It should be no surprise that when host Jimmy Carbone took the stage to announce the winners, our newly found favorites took the top two prizes. Mighty Quinn’s took the, “People’s Choice” win while the grinning Delaney took the “Best All Around” award. It was a serious night for meat lovers to get everything they desire and so much more. If you missed it this year we are truly sorry. But hey, 2014 will need a champ so make sure to buy your tickets early and dig in!

- Jay Rubin 

On the tail end of what was one of the coldest weeks on record, New Yorkers truly deserved a break. A reprieve came from our southern brethren and we couldn’t be happier to cross the Mason Dixon in order to get out of this deep freeze. That’s right friends, the “Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival” returned to NYC’s The Tunnel/La. Venue to put some south in your mouth while getting perfectly tipsy on craft brews and spirits.

As with every year, two outstanding four hour sessions were held inside of the fun, spacious venue. During the afternoon it was all about the bacon and the people who love eating and making it for “The Bacon Bash Tasting Session.” The LocalBozo crew however opted for the evening session which was all about the whole hog- “The Whole Gog Pig Pickin’ Session.” As immediately as we entered the vast west side space, the scent of expertly slow smoked pig wafted in the air. At that moment we truly felt at home. Inclusive in each ticket price was a food ticket and as such, as soon as we arrived, we jumped on line for the most inventive barbecue dish of the entire session. Kloby’s Smokehouse made the trip up to New York City from Laurel, Maryland for the Festival, filling up mason jars with layers of baked beans, thickly cut pulled pork, and cole slaw, topped with a green tomato. Each heaping spoonful meshed the collection of flavors together in an incredibly satisfying way. And the mason jars became keepsakes had you been able to clean the tangy sauce from your glass.

Once we devoured a base of delicious ‘cue, we sought out some familiar faces from the beer community. As such, we looked no further than our old pals at The Bronx Brewery. Pouring samples of their excellent American style “Bronx Pale Ale,” we were also able to finally taste the “Black Pale Ale,” thick and frothy, but infinitely drinkable. After a few brews were downed we felt a tap on our backs. Was it someone trying to get passed us or an old friend? Neither, it was one of the over the top representatives from the Hudson Valley Distillery with a bottle of their signature corn whiskey in hand. He was thrilled to pour samples and we were more than happy to grab several slugs from our glass. Other highlights included Samuel Adams “Alpine Spring,” a light, crisp delicious seasonal beer that was intense and flavorful, Sixpoint’s excellent “Signal” IPA and their American stout “Diesel,” and Smuttynose Brewing Company’s “Finest Kind” , a fine tasting, light bodied pale ale.

Without touching on the dozens upon dozens of other beers and bourbons, you would be hard pressed to find as festive and unique a tasting event in New York City. The Festival’s touring road show continues on through the spring and summer months and is worth traveling for if you plan on being in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, or Virginia this year. Live music, heaping portions of food, and tasty pours of delicious brews, topped off with rare and delicious bourbons from around the country, all made for an outstanding evening session of “Whole Hog” goodness. The only downside is that the 2014 iteration is such a long ways away.

- Jay Rubin

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that this outlet has a passion for craft beer. We have been covering the growing community for nearly three years and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. But like any true fan of fine liquors one must diversify in order to get the full picture of what’s out there. As a huge fan of bourbon both served neat and in my Old Fashioned, the idea of finding it locally made was something this writer just could not pass up. Enter “Kings County Distillery,” New York City’s oldest operating whiskey distillery, the first since prohibition. Since 2010 an incredibly smart and driven team lead by founders Colin Spoelman and David Haskell has been making handcrafted bourbon and moonshine in the 113 year-old Paymaster building located in the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard. This past Saturday our crew headed to this homegrown, local business to see exactly how they cook up their fine brand of spirits.

Getting to the distillery is a fun journey in itself. Coming from a close location in Brooklyn, I grabbed the F train getting off at York Street. And after a short walk past the popular DUMBO neighborhood, I entered the guarded gates of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a great site on its own. This is the same place where Elvis left from when he joined the army heading for a base in Germany. Just past the gates was the century old Paymaster building, perfectly preserved giving us a glimpse into its past. As soon as you pass through its large doors, the smell of corn hits you pleasantly right in the face. But my nose alone could not give me the full picture about how much work and chemistry goes into each old school flask that is available in your local store or bar. Fortunately for us tours are given by “Kings County’s” crack team. The packed tour group we joined in on was lead by Nicole Austin who is the head distiller and chemist. Ms. Austin took us throughout the sprawling facility, not wasting a minute as she provided us with key factors ranging from acquiring licensees, differences between moonshine and bourbon, and aging, just to name a few of the enlightening topics that came up.

Once the tour concluded, it was finally time to taste Kings County’s pride and joy. Nicole quickly whisked the packed group over to the tasting and sales space just outside of the barrel room. There we sampled three of the distilleries spirits the see how all this hard work pays off. First up was their signature Moonshine. The liquor pours clear and has a nose that resembles a high quality Blanco tequila. The tasting was another story altogether. Each sip presented a delicious bouquet of sweet corn. This eye opening sampling paved the way for Kings’ much talked about Bourbon. Previous to my visit, I had only seen the bottle and heard others praise it by name. Well after literally one sniff and sip I firmly agreed with them. This is the type of bourbon that makes you want to chew it to pick out all the savory flavors going on. Needless to say I picked up a 200mL bottle from their shop which was reasonably priced at the time of our visit at only $23. The final tasting was Kings County’s experimental Chocolate Bourbon. The chocolate for this hybrid spirit was sourced locally from Mast Brothers of Williamsburg. The coco flavoring was beautiful at the forefront, tantalizing our palettes with a perfectly fitting treat for a Valentines Day celebration.

If you love bourbon, history, science and everything in between you simply have to head to the Navy Yard and jump on the tour. Kings County Distillery tours and tastings run 2:30-5:30pm on Saturday’s for the low price of $8. Trust us, at the end of the tour you will be leaving will a bottle in hand. They are simply too attractive to pass up.

- Jay Rubin

January Events in New York City: Where You Need to Be

 

Date: Saturday, January 12th 2013

Event: Shame on Sandy Benefit

Place: Highline Stages, Studio D

Cost: $150 in advance

The Scoop: Since it’s a new year it’s time for all of us living in the region effected by Hurricane Sandy to give back monetary and emotionally while at the same time treating ourselves to a joyous evening of celebration only NYC can pull off! It’s, “Shame on Sandy” a food and entertainment variety event presented by MyLastSupper.com. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to sample delights from New York City favorite chefs such as; Mario Batali, Le Bernadin’s Eric Ripert and Michael White of Osteria Morini in SoHo. Even though the food will be other levels amazing, man cannot live on eating alone. Therefore, decadent sprints will be on hand by the likes of Southern Wine and Spirits. And since this night is all about variety, celebrities like Susan Sarandon, Abigail Breslin and Patrick Stewart will present throughout the evening. Every dollar from ticket sales will go directly to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts. 

Date: Sunday, January 13th 2013

Event: Fifth Annual Cassoulet Cookoff

Place: Jimmy’s No. 43

Cost: $30 at the door

The Scoop:  Jimmy Carbone and his namesake, Jimmy’s No. 43 had a remarkable 2012. From hosting a handful of sold out summer events on Governors Island to making a strong comeback after Hurricane Sandy, this is truly one team to support in the coming year. Well here’s your first chance in 2013, when Jimmy’s No. 43 Presents the: Fifth Annual Cassoulet Cookoff.  An competition event to benefit a Grow NYC Greenmarket program TBD. Amateur and professional chefs will face off, with awards presented by a panel of judges along with people’s choice awards.$30 at the door will get you two hours of samplings plus one drink ticket (beer/wine/cider/soft).

Date: Thursday, January 17th 2013

Event: Brave is Beautiful: A Charitable Event for the Somaly Mam Foundation

Place: Hudson Terrace 

Cost: $75 (General Admission) to $1,000 (VIP)

The Scoop:  While the views will be picturesque and the party will be a blast, the cause is a serious one.  Join LocalBozo.com and many others at Brave is Beautiful, led by human rights activist and former sex slave survivor Somaly Mam, recognized world wide as a heroic female, rising from the perils of crime to fight trafficking, abuse, and supporting victims.  The benefit event will bring together a group of influential local residents to support the Somaly Mam Foundation.  Along with the guest of honor, there will be musical performances, art exhibitions, celebrity appearances (Seth Myers), a silent auction and raffle, and a two hour open bar at one of Manhattan’s finest west side lounges. 

 

Date: Friday, January 18th, 2013 

Event: Hollywood Undead

Place: Gramercy Theatre 

Cost: $20 In Advance

The Scoop: The masked men of Hollywood Undead will descend on the chilly Big Apple later this month, playing the Gramercy Theatre one of the city’s coolest and most intimate venue. The boys from Cali will be unleashing their much talked about new album, “Notes from the Underground” just in time for the show so prepared for a loaded set of rap rock royalty. But don’t delay this concert is likely to sell out way before showtime!

Date: Saturday, January 19th, 2013

Event: East Ville Des Folies

Place: Webster Hall 

Cost: $35

The Scoop: Webster Hall’s first ever beer and whiskey tasting event celebrates the 1920′s in grand New York City style inside of the building that was formerly known by Al Capone.  East Ville Des Folies is offering up four full floors of obscure beers and whiskeys, eye catching entertainment like trapeze acts, burlesque dancers, and live jazz bands, a wide variety of food vendors selling samples, and a commemorative glass that makes for a tremendous memorable keepsake.  In a month jam-packed with fun events, this one takes us back to a simpler time.  The time machine just happens to be at the bottom of a glass.

 

Date: Sunday, January 20th, 2013

Event: iAdventure.com Presents: Chili Cook Off

Place: Hudson Terrace

Cost: $33 (Entry Ticket: Ticket Includes Admission for one with 1 Draft Beer) or $43 (Spicy Ticket: Includes Admission for one with 5 Chili Tastes and 1 Draft Beer)

The Scoop: The always innovative team at iAdventure.com are back to help kick off your new year in spicy style! Get ready to warm up Chiliheads because for one day only the Chili Cook Off is coming to town. Two sessions will showcase a variety of killer chili to chow down on, while putting out the fire with tasty seasonal craft brews. Seriously folks, can a Sunday in the dead of winter get any better then that? 

 

Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013

Event: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Place: La. Venue

Cost: Varies $109 (Bacon Session – Afternoon) $99 (Whole Hog – Evening)

The Scoop: It’s the new year. A time to make a make up for 2012′s mistakes. And I can almost guarentte a lot of you are regretting not attending the outstanding, “Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival!” Sure, you most likely participated in our ticket give away and read our detailed review. And we think your awesome for doing that. But serious readers, it’s time to be there in person.  On one glorious Saturday to finish out the month the LocalBozo crew and hopefully you will hit up La. Venue (formerly Tunnel) for one of two sessions celebrating all that’s great about meat and spirits. Bacon lovers I’m talking to you. Your afternoon will be overloaded with a plethora of cured pork belly served countless ways. During the evening session ticket holders will truly be able to, “pig out” over whole hog! If 2012 proved anything to us you can never have enough pork directly from the guest of honor itself. Either admission ticket buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. The festival may be at the end of the month but tickets are flying out the door. Trust us, this will sell out soon.

- Jane Van Arsdale & Jay Rubin

It’s hard to believe that just a few short years ago, barbeque in New York City consisted of a few less than stellar chains. Sure we were known for our pizza and deli’s, but smoked meats not so much. Thankfully in recent years, eateries such as Dinosaur BBQ, Hill Country, and Wildwood BBQ, as well as Mable’s Smokehouse, Fette Sau, and Georgia’s Eastside BBQ have popped up around town, finally bringing some credible ‘Que to New York City. But like most New Yorkers we cannot remain complacent with the places we can enjoy at any given time. We simply crave variety. Enter the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival, the annual touring celebration of all things meat and spirits.

Everything we do around the island is grandiose. So when an event of this caliber comes to town, a massive space is necessary to accommodate attendees to manage the flow of traffic and keep wait times short. Accordingly, the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival was broken into two parts, to best serve the masses and our taste. The first session, dubbed the “Bacon Bash,” featured 10+ tasting stations servng up gourmet bacon from all over the country and local restaurants. We opted to head to the second event which was all about the, “Whole Hog.” With the price of admission, all patrons would receive a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited samplings of beer and bourbon, and three tapas pork samples from either three different ‘Que joints, or one large plate from one of them, equipped with all the fixins.

It was just around five o’clock on a mild Saturday afternoon with the start time for the “Whole Hog” portion of the festival still about thirty minutes away. A hulking line of hungry pork fans wrapped around the restored factory warehouse known as La. Venue. But no one seemed to care about the line because they mere steps away from a pork filled paradise. After picking up a schedule and our complimentary tasting glass we entered into the sprawling festival space. The main room was huge and well spaced out. It was also the home to much of the food vending, live bluegrass music, brew, and bourbon stands. As we made our way through for a first lap around, we watched our fellow meat eaters in awe of the whole hog, slow cooked to perfection, just waiting to be pulled and plated. Yet before grabbing a plate of porky goodness we had to sample some of the adult beverages available.

Over sixty craft brewers and more than forty distillers truly represented an array of different tasting options at the festival. Guests were able to walk the main room and side space which was reminiscent of a classic flea market, receiving hearty samples of booze while speaking with its maker. The beer selection was so diverse and at times, we didn’t know what to try next. If the line was short, we jumped to the front- who were we to discriminate? Each brew representative had a pitcher ready to go with the sudsy stuff, just ready to pour. Towards the entrance we spotted New York newcomer, Bronx Brewery drawing a large crowd showing the masses that the Bronx knows a thing or two about beer. With every step we took our glass remained full. Be it Goose Island of Chicago with an IPA or Allagash of New England with a chocolatey Porter, we tasted the country and damn it goes down smooth. Our favorite overall was Narragansett lager. Amongst a sea of beer options, the cold brown pour eneveloped everything we look for in a beer- a tremendous bouquet of different flavors, a strong (but not too strong) alcohol content, and enough of a refreshing, carbonated finish that the brew can sit on its own or be used to wash down some tasty bar food. The Bourbon selection was similarly diverse. Big brands like Makers Mark and Bookers were spliced between the beer vendors throughout, making for easy access to whichever spirit struck you. Since we were in the mood for something sweet, we tried sipped on Cabin Fever’s ‘maple whiskey.’ Served atop a huge piece of ice, each taste went down with the finish of a hearty breakfast- overly sweet, but delicious nonetheless. Maple is infused in many pork dishes, making this pairing a fine compliment. Once we had a good buzz on, we surveyed the lengthy food lines- Blacksauce was the lengthiest, but we’d already eaten at Hill Country before. Instead, we jumped on the line for Lil’ Red Pig, who had an entire hollowed out hog laid out in front of their stand. Ordering a plate of food from them consisted of their purveyor literally putting his hand inside the pig and pulling out chunks of freshly roasted meat and plopping it on the plate. The packed dish of freshly pulled pork, savory beans, and creamy cole slaw more than hit the spot.

The 2012 Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival brings an insanely fun atmosphere to the normally bleak winter months in Manhattan. Many of these tasting events are held outdoors and are normally reserved for warmer weather, but in a nice change of pace, this one takes place indoors, in a massive, suitable space, with some of the most energetic and friendly booze and barbeque enthusiasts that you’ll find anywhere. Even with both sessions completely sold out, lines were not a detriment, and there were plenty of alternate options if you were patient enough to seek them out. On the way out at the end of the session, there was another whole hog, with heaping samples being handed out free to taste. With grease on our face and pork in our stomach, we stumbled out of the event in agreement- we’ll definitely be back next year.

- Jay Rubin & Jane Van Arsdale

LocalBozo.com is pleased to announce the winner of two free tickets to this Saturday’s sold out “Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival” at La.Venue in New York City! We’d like to thank the great people at the Trigger Agency in providing us with this generous prize for our readers, and putting together a fantastic day of events where patrons can have their bacon and whole hog too!

Without further ado, after sifting through many of our entries on Twitter, LocalBozo.com is proud to present the two complimentary passes to the sold out Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival to: Twitter User @carlsbadspeed (Carly Goodspeed). Send us an email at LocalBozo@gmail.com or you can send a direct message via Twitter to @localbozo with your contact information, the session you want to attend, and we will tell you how to retrieve your tickets.

A special thank you to all of our new followers and to anyone who re-tweeted our giveaway or chose to enter themselves. We’ll be working with a number of new outlets in the near future on a variety of new contests, giveaways, and promotions, so make sure to stay tuned to LocalBozo.com every week day as we update live with new content.

- The LocalBozo.com Team