THE POUR

Though stay-at-home restrictions are slowly lifting, you've probably already gotten used to buying alcohol online during the COVID-19 quarantine. We've certainly seen an uptick in online orders here at Haskell's, partly because we quickly pivoted to offer curbside pickup and delivery specials in the Twin Cities.

COVID-19, social distancing, and quarantine may have set your social calendar back – but why not use the downtime to build your wine knowledge? Wine is, by its nature, a beverage that's enjoyed in the company of the others. If you spend the time to learn about wine, you'll find it will enrich your social experiences later on – and you don't even need to be a sommelier.

What do you know about tequila? Maybe it's the smooth, not-sweet-but-not-harsh flavor. Maybe you remember the thing with the worm (which is false, actually – that's only in mezcal, not true tequila). To get in the Cinco de Mayo mood, we're sharing the history of tequila, all the way back to its roots – or should we say "heart"? – in Mesoamerica and the Spaniards who all but conquered it.

Happy hour might be a little less flashy during quarantine, but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time with your friends over drinks. You'll just have to get creative about how you enjoy it with your friends. Here's what you'll need to host the perfect virtual happy hour.

Even if your Easter dinner is smaller than last year's (thanks to social distancing), you can still create a delicious meal at home – including wine pairings for all your favorite dishes. Go beyond whites-and-reds with these perfect wine pairings for turkey, ham, lamb, and everything else on the dinner table.

A waterfall of liquid, with churning thick microbubbles and creamy cascading that fills a pint glass — why does nitro beer look so sexy? What exactly is nitro beer, and why it is such a big deal? Where can you get nitro beer on tap in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

Let’s talk whiskey!

There are some great things happening in the whiskey world. People love to drink all different kinds of whiskey (and whisky—yes, they’re spelled differently and actually are slightly different products!).

Whether you’re looking for an Irish whisky, Scotch, Canadian whisky, or other variations of this spirit, there’s a lot to explore and a lot to enjoy. That’s why there’s an increase in the number of women drinking whiskey, as well as an increase in the number of women-owned distilleries around the United States and beyond.

Just because we’re in the midst of winter doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot to celebrate. You know February as the month of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, but is there more if you dig a little deeper: President’s Day.

You might not think President’s Day is something worth celebrating—or what it even is. But what if we told you there are an abundance of interesting facts and glimpses from history about presidents and drinking? It’s true. Some of the past leaders of the United States of America were mighty big fans of alcohol and its many forms and functions.

Let’s start off with the most relevant question and fact to know:

Are you ready for February’s best occasion for making a big batch of drinks for a lot of people? No, we’re not suggesting you turn your special date night Valentine’s Day into a group event — we’re talking about the Oscars!

The Academy Awards parties, fashion on display, and fancy Hollywood actors and actresses put us in a festive and creative mindset. You’ll want to have that same vibe at your Oscars viewing party this year, so don’t forget to plan your drinks to match the occasion.

If You’re Offering Champagne at Your Oscars Party

Who doesn’t love bubbly? Who can say no to the sparkling? We get it. Champagne screams classy party! (By the way, this is why we celebrate special occasions with Champagne.)

One of the best things about wine tasting is that it’s an experiential (and delicious) way to explore the world. 

Since the Chinese New Year is Saturday, January 25, we’re going to do some exploring. To celebrate, we're not going to focus on the Chinese New Year, but rather, the lesser known world of Chinese wine.

Wine from China performed well at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2019 and continues to rise in popularity. Will it be a breakout star in 2020? Nothing’s certain, but it’s worth knowing these basics about Chinese wine.