THE POUR

What is the first thing you see when you are buying a bottle of wine? The label.

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the label on a bottle of wine carries a lot of weight in the purchasing decision. This can be a great thing.... If you know what you’re looking for.

Sure, you can love your good ole’ domestics year-round. And you can explore the burgeoning world of flavors in craft breweries around the United States without running out of great options. But why not reach beyond your normal scope and expand your horizons with a variety of global brews? You may have heard about some, but others will be an exciting new experience.

What is that pungent odor? Why is there a strange film floating on the surface of this beverage? How does something taste so sharp yet so good?

These are the questions you’ve asked if you’ve seen, smelled, or consumed kombucha. No longer confined to the weird science experiment in the corner of your outdoorsy-and-all-natural-type friend’s kitchen, this beverage is making bold moves on its own and in a burgeoning intersection: kombucha cocktails.

One of the most famous regions for winemaking in France is the Bordeaux region located in southwestern France. Most people associate this area with fantastic estates, beautiful chateaus, and wonderful wines. As glorious as this region is, there always seems to be a little bit of confusion surrounding where certain types of wine are made.

If you’re willing to pause for a minute and explore the left and right banks of Bordeaux, you may find it easier to pick the exact Bordeaux wines that make you and your palate happiest. You’ll discover that the reds and whites from this region are some of the most desired.

Have you ever taken a sip of a freshly poured pint, then instinctively wrinkled your nose while your tongue danced in wild confusion? No, your bartender didn’t tap a jar of vinegar or serve you bad brew — it’s a sour beer.

Beer can taste sour? Yep, and it’s no accident. Wonky, fruity, and all manner of sour beers are growing in popularity, and we’re here to help. True, sour beers aren’t for everyone, just like pickled herring, pickled peppers, or fermented whatever-else-your-hippie-aunt-experimented-on. But if nothing else, be prepared for next time when you slurp a sour one and impress your friends with impressive beer knowledge.

Whether you find some in the store or on tap at your local pub or restaurant, here are a few exceptionally tasty sours that will quench your thirst this summer.

It’s Friday afternoon and your awkward coworker is the only other person in the office because everyone else is “up at the lake.”

(That’s how you know it’s summer in Minnesota.)

But just because you’re not at a cabin or camping in the woods doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy classic summer fun and flavors. Text your friends, plan an evening at a park by the lake, or even in your backyard. Then break out the secret weapon your cabin-loving coworkers forgot at home: campfire cocktail recipes.

S’mores around the campfire is admittedly summer’s prime eating ritual. The simplicity of melty chocolate, crunchy graham crackers, and gooey marshmallows toasted over the fire is hard to beat.

One of the biggest celebrations is coming up — Independence Day! We know you’re making plans to grill burgers, shuck corn on the cob, relax around the lake or the bonfire pit, and enjoy time with family and friends. But before you set your plans in stone, don’t forget to pick up the undeniably best beverage for the occasion: patriotic beer.

Wine glasses come in all different shapes and sizes designed to bring out the best characteristics and flavors of a particular type of wine. From champagne flutes to all-purpose wine glasses, the options are endless. But chances are you may not have the space in your home to accommodate all of the options available. So which are the best glasses to have at home?

Burgundy, France, is a remarkably interesting place due, in part, to the incredible variations in the region’s wine. You can find bottles of wine from $10 a bottle all the way to $1,200 or more. Despite the pricing differences, wines from Burgundy are incredibly simple. In this video, Jack Farrell shares a brief overview of Burgundy wines.

Fathers play an important role in your life. They guide you toward doing the right thing, teach the skills you need to be  independent,  and support you no matter what. And we think that's worth celebrating.

So, this Father's Day, surprise your dad with something truly special, a gift of scotch — or some accessories for drinking it with him.