Infusions

Grapefruit Rum: 1 grapefruit. 750 mL Rum. 1-2 weeks 
Cherry Vodka (May-Aug): 8 Cherries. 750mL Vodka.  5-7 Days
Jalepeno Pepper Vodka: 2 Jalepenos (cut and deseed) 750 mL. 1-4 Days
Earl Grey Gin: 1/4 Cup Earl Grey Leaves, 1 Liter Gin
Smoked Bacon Bourbon: 4 strips Bacon. Cook, measure out 30 mL grease.  1-2 days in freezer
Blueberry Bourbon: 2/3 cups blueberries. 1 Liter Bourbon. Slightly muddle, 2-5 days
Habenero Pepper Tequila: 3 Hab Peppers. 750mL Tequila. slice tops, cut in half lengthwise, remove seeds, 3 days
Kiwi Strawberry Tequila: 4 cups strawberries, 1 kiwi, 750mL Tequila, remove kiwi peel, slice strawberries, 2-3 weeks
Pear Apple Rum: Lg Red Pear, 4 Red Apples, 750 mL Rum.  Slice fruit in 1/8ths
Watermelon Vodka: Slice a 1/6th of a watermelon into cubes (no rinds). 5-7 days
Cucumber Vodka: 1 1/2 cups cucumbers, 750mL vodka, Peel and slice cucumbers. 1-2 weeks
Pumpkin Vodka: 1 Pumpkin, 750mL Vodka, Peel 12 think ribbons off pumpkin, 1-2 weeks
Pineapple Basil Cordial: 1 Pineapple, 3 tbs fresh basil, Slice pineapples into rings, chop basil, 30 days, add simple syrup, sit out again 60 days
Lavender Liquor: 6 tbs Lavender Petals, 750mL Vodka, Dried Lavender petals, 7 days, add simple syrup, 2 more weeks
Kahlua Creme: 750mL Vodka, 16-18 cups water, 6tsp strong dry instant coffee, 2 tbs light brown sugar, 5 tsp vanilla extract.  Combine water and coffee to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, gradually add brown sugar, and bring back to a boil while stirring, turn off heat, let it cool completely, add vanilla extract and vodka, mix well, let mature
Candy Corn Vodka: 3 cups candy corn, 750mL Vodka. 2-5 days
Vanilla Vodka: 2 whole Vanilla beans, 750mL Vodka, slice beans open, not in half, 1-2 weeks
Raspberry Vodka: 2/3 cups raspberries, 750mL Vodka. 1-2 weeks
Raspberry Gin: 2/3 cups raspberries, 750mL Gin. 1-2 weeks
Cucumber Gin: 1 1/2 cups cucumber, 750mL Gin, peel and slice cucumbers, 1-2 weeks
Cherry Whiskey: 8 cups cherries, 750mL Whiskey, stem and pit cherries, 2-7 days
Pineapple Tequila: 750mL Tequila, 1 pineapple, slice pineapple into rings, 1-2 weeks
Walnut Cognac: 750mL Cognac, 2 cups shelled walnuts, shell walnuts, toast 15 minutes @400 degrees, 5-7 days
Strawberry Rosemary Cordial: 750mL White Brandy, 5 cups fresh chopped strawberries, 5 sprigs fresh rosemary. Stem and halve strawberries, 1-3 months, strain, add simple syrup, sit for 2 months.
October Apple Liquor: 500mL Vodka, 250mL Brandy, 2 1/2 lbs fresh apples, 3 cinnamon sticks, slice apples into 1/8ths, 1-2 months, strain, add simple syrup, 2 months.
Pistachio Liquor:500mL Vodka, 1 tsp pistachio extract, 1 tsp gylcerin, 250mL simple syrup, 1-2 months
Prune Liquor: 500mL Vodka, 250mL Brandy, 1 lb dried prunes, chop prunes into 1/4ths, 2-3 months, strain, simple syrup, 2 months.
Blueberry Honey Brandy Cordial:  750mL Brandy, 4 cups blackberry, Honey, muddle blackberries so they open but don't split, add brandy, 7 days, strain, add honey, steep for 7-30 days
Plum Liquor: 500mL Vodka, 250mL Brandy, 3lbs damson plums, sugar, simple sugar, stem and slice plums in 1/8ths, mix plums and sugar until sugar is dissolved, place plums in infusion, 3 months, strain, add simple syrup
Horseradish Vodka:  1.75L Vodka, 2 cups shredded/peeled horseradish root, 24-48 hours, strain
Horseradish Gin: 1.75L Gin, 2 cups shredded/peeled horseradish root, 24-48 hours, strain
Bangkok: 1.75 Vodka, 1/2 cup,peeled ginger, 2 stalks chopped lemongrass, 3/4 cup from basil leaves, 48-72 hours, splash lime juice when serving. 
Raspberry Cognac:  750mL Cognac, 1/2 cup Raspberries, muddle raspberries, less then 24 hours!
Spiced Pumpkin:  1.5mL Vodka, small sliced pumpkin, cinnamon sugar, 1/2 whole nutmeg, cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, slice pumpkin into 1/2 inch and put on sheet pan, dust with cinnamon sugar, cook at 350 degrees until browning, let it cool, place in jar with nutmeg, cinnamon stick, cloves, vodka, 2 weeks, strain, place only vodka and pumpkin in blender, blend, strain again
Watermelon and Cilantro Tequila:  750mL Blanco Tequila, watermelon, cilantro, cut a dozen 2-3 inch cubes of watermelon, 1/3 bushel of cilantro, remove cilantro after 20 minutes, watermelon to sit 5-7 hours. strain
Habenero Mango Tequila: 1.5L Tequila, 8 mangoes, 1 Hab. Pepper, peel and slice 8 mangoes, add tequila, 7 days, lightly fire roast hab pepper and add in for a day, then discard pepper. 
Jalepeno Lime Vodka: 1.5L Vodka, 3 jalepenos, 5 Limes: Poke holes in 2 jalepenos, cut the 3rd in half, slice limes in rings, 2 weeks.
Strawberry Vanilla Bourbon:  1.5 L Bourbon, 1 qt strawberries, 5oz sugar, vanilla extract, 2 whole vanilla beans, cut strawberries in half, add 5ozs of vanilla infused sugar, cut slit in bean, add bourbon, 2 weeks
Peach Bourbon:  12 dried organic peaches, 1L Bourbon, 3 days

Chihuahua: 1.75 L Vodka, 4 tbs thai chili, 3 jalapeno peppers split, seeds removed, 8 sprigs braised cilantro 48-72 hours
Serafin: 1.75L Vodka, 4 serano peppers, split, seeds removed, cut into rings, 12 sprigs tarragon, 48-72 hours (served with pineapple juice)
Londoner: 1.75 L Gin, 2 cups sliced english cucumbers, peeled and seeded, zest of 2 lemons, 8 leafy sprigs, 48-72 hours
Aquavit 2 Liters Vodka, 3 tbs carraway seed, 2 tbs dill seed, 2 tbs cumin seed,  1 tbs corriander seed, 1 tbs fennel seed, 2 stars anise, 3 whole cloves, 4 strips orange and lemon, 1 oz demarara simple syrup: Oven @400 degrees, place seeds on a foil lined cookie sheet, toast lightly in the oven for 6-8 minutes, remove, cool slightly, crush seeds lightly, place in jar, add star anise, cloves, peels and vodka, 2 weeks, strain, add simple syrup, store in freezer

Yards Ales of the Revolution Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale

Sticking with the Ales of the Revolution Variety Pack, I went with the Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale.  Decided to make a Sam Adams product useful and poured the honey amber colored ale into Sams Winter Lager glass...definitive head, first smell is subtle, but very woodsy, can almost get a faint battlefield smell in it. Slightly metallic after the initial smell, some nuts on the initial taste, becomes smoother throughout however.  Hops seem a little subdued, thought they were more prevalent.  A bit of a Belgian style taste to it as it comes to an end.  This is #2 of the Ales of the Revolutionary beers in my book, but a very drinkable and enjoyable 8% beer crafted by Yards.  Not a nightcap beer but something that can put you in your bed, or on your floor before you know it.

6.7/10


ABV 8%


Yards Brewing Company
Ales of the Revolution Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale

The groundbreaking beer is.....

Yards Ales of the Revolution Tavern Porter: I have a soft spot in my heart and palate for all Yards products, this Philadelphia brewing "family" is fantastic and i have gotten to know Tom and his employees very well, so its fitting the first beer i happen to pick out of my fridge to review is Yards.

The pour is dark and smooth, reminds one of classic root beer, pretty tiny head for a Porter.  The smell is sweet, but not overpowering, disappears quicker then the head.  The first sip is refreshing on a mild February afternoon, tons of flavor, roasty with a ting of bbq in it...some oak comes in through the palate, very slight but it is there, as well is a taste similar to an iced black coffee that is still cold, but has become a little watered down.  The lacing on the glass is fantastic to watch as you consume this.  I knew this going in but this is my least favorite of the Yards year-round beers, still not a bad beer, slightly above average for a Porter.  The historical aspect to it brings a little intrigue and i recommend getting it.  Usually sold in Revolution Variety Pack with the Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale and the Poor Richards Tavern Spruce which I will be reviewing in the next couple of days.

Food Pairing: This beer goes great with a solid steak, the underrated flank steak over top a fresh vegetable medley and seasoning.  Brings out more of the molasses flavor that is hiding in the initial taste.

6.5/10

Yards Brewing Company
Ales of the Revolution George Washington Tavern Porter
ABV% 7

Introduction

This space that you have somehow stumbled upon is devoted to the review of bowties, craft beer, whiskeys, and New york sports, mainly the Giants, Mets, Rangers and Knicks.  The site is broken into each category, but on occasion posts will be in multiple categories, such as i may go bowtie shopping and feel the need for a nice Shipyard Applehead, both reviews will appear in both categories.

And with that long, completely unnecessary opening statement...enjoy! Comments and feedback are welcome!