Photo: Brad Japhe

For almost a decade now, John Colins (138 Minna Street) has stood apart as one of the hippest bars in San Francisco’s traditionally white-collar Financial District. Boasting an inventive, ever-evolving drink menu, rowdy crowds and gut-thumping live music, it certainly brings action to a neighborhood that hasn’t always been known for its nightlife. But when SF bartenders John O’ Guiffre and Colin O’Malley teamed up in 2005, they brought years of indelible expertise into their joint venture and the hordes of loyal patrons that line up nightly along the sidewalks of the nondescript Minna alleyway are a testament to the bar’s continued success.

Yet for a true sampling of what this unique watering hole has to offer, there is perhaps no better day of the week to amble on over than Thursday Nights—an evening dedicated to an all out art free-for-all: live bands, DJs, painters, jewelers, Tarot-readers, and designers are all on hand hammering out an unforgettable flow of creativity.

But of course nothing get’s the juices flowing like some lively libations and John Colins is certainly in no short supply. Sure, you could order beer on draft or even a shot or two. However, it’s the creative cocktails that will keep you coming back for more. From their spectacularly spicy Beso De La Muerte–mixed around a Habanero-infused tequila, to a signature JC Mai Tai served with a Kraken Rum Floater, you’re not just going to get a great-tasting drink, you’re gonna get tipsy…fast.

Soon thereafter you’re going to feel compelled to move your feet to the funky-ass rhythms emanating from the small stage at the end of the bar. This is a perfectly normal reaction and you shouldn’t resist the urge. With invigorating concoctions like the Cotton Candy -flavored Snow Job, or the fresh-basil, all-ginned gimlet, Thursday nights in the financial district has got a bit more swing than you may have realized.

Photo: Brad Japhe

The aptly-named Kentucky Fat uses a special infusion of Bulleit bourbon—one of my personal favorites—combining it with unusual bedfellows: Goji berry liqueur, Antica Formula sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters doused in pure bacon fat. Let’s consider that last component for a moment. In order to lace the bitters with the smoky-goodness of cooked pig, the staff at Bourbon Steak steep the bitters in heated bacon fat and then wait for it to solidify. After, they simply scrape off the congealed lard, and voila: the precious gift of bitters, enhanced with a profoundly robust explosion of pork. If this process doesn’t sound like pure magic, clearly there is something seriously wrong with you, and I’m not sure that we can be friends.

One taste of this inventive cocktail, however, and I’m sure that you’ll be great friends. There is a layered complexity to the flavors, as the sweetness of orange zest, Goji, and vermouth crosses your palate before giving way to the deeper, darker intensity of bacon-laced bitters. The end result is a surprisingly well-balanced drink that has the general aura of a classic Manhattan, but arriving there through an unctuously alternative path.

The Kentucky Fat is on special for the month as part of a celebration in honor of National Hamburger Month. For the remainder of May, you can enjoy this unique, fat-speckled spirit with a trio of succulent sliders for just $20. Burgers, bacon, bourbon? I love this country.

To save us all from this unspeakable malaise, Blind Tiger Ale House (281 Bleecker Street) in the West Village comes to the rescue, offering 31 taps of microbrewed goodness along with an expansive bevy of limited edition bottled beers. Here you’ll come across a whole slew of West Coast style IPAs from the likes of Bear Republic and Green Flash—the good stuff that is very difficult to find anywhere in the East Coast, let alone in a city not exactly known for craft beer offerings.

The taps are running until 4AM, 7 days a week and you’ll always encounter a good crowd while parked in their friendly confines. The wood facades and dim lighting make for an inviting vibe and the bartenders know a thing or two about the suds they serve. There’s also an impressive food menu here featuring artisanal cheeses and familiar pub grub like chicken wings. I can’t speak for their desirability, however, because I come to this place to drink and for that I’m never disappointed.

As they say in their Mission Statement: “Craft beer is our focus..And our passion.” One trip to this Greenwich Village all-star will prove to you that they’re not just mincing words. And best of all, the taplist is constantly rotating. So come on in and come often!

The Macallan is the second biggest selling single malt by volume (behind Glenlivet).  They will be sampling a variety of whiskeys at the San Francisco event, held May 8 through May 11. Tastings are free but you do need to be 21 or over, of course.

As you can imagine, The Macallan has a proud and rich history. What else would you expect from a brand that requires the definite article in its title. So if you want to appear a bit more knowledgable about this storied spirit, go and check The Macallan’s blog so you can fake it ’till you make it at the big tasting. Personally, I’ve never been too much of a Scotch guy myself, but what I am is a tremendous fan of free booze, like virtually every other soul in my demographic. So I’m definitely willing to give it a shot, or six. Hope to see you there…

RSVP online for the event by clicking on the preceding link.

My love for pizza has stayed strong since childhood, but now that I’m technically classified as an ‘adult’ the accompanying beverage that I choose to wash it down with has evolved from artificially-flavored pop to something far more mature. And I’m not talking generic American lager here, folks. I mean, to each their own, but have you tasted some of the world-class artisanal pizza being produced in major cities across the country these days? You wouldn’t go to a five-star dining establishment and finish off your fine filet mignon with cheap swill, so why would consider doing such with an authentic Neapolitan-style pie made with all-natural, locally-sourced ingredients?

800 Degrees (10889 Lindbrook Drive) in Los Angeles totally gets it. This innovative parlor offers an artful array of craft beer and wine on tap, all befitting of the top-notch, customized pies that continuously crank out of their wood-burning ovens. And yes, you read that correctly: they feature wine on draft, 4 to be exact, including Darcie Kent‘s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tangent‘s 2011 Pinot Grigio from Edna Valley.

They recently opened their doors in the quaint village of Westwood, just blocks away from the heart of UCLA’s campus. But you don’t need an advanced degree to understand how such a simple-yet-seldom-used formula attracts the high-paced lines that frequently spill out onto the streets here. Fast, fresh, finely-crafted, and most importantly: flavorful.

I sat down with General Manager Jolie Duhon for a crash-course in pizza pairing and what I learned was as pleasing to the palate as it was informative and insightful.

First lesson: wines with strong acidity go well with fatty, robust flavors as the acid tends to cut through the fat and bring balance to the tongue. She recommended pairing their 2009 Laetitia Pinot Noir with the Tartufo Pie—a popular combination of truffle cheese, roasted mushrooms and arugula. The earth tones of the well-balanced red danced ever-so-delicately with the deep flavors of mushroom and truffle topping the Tartufo. Another good partner for emboldening thick and smokier flavors is a full-bodied IPA. In addition to New Belgium’s Ranger IPA on tap, 800 Degrees also serves bottles of Green Flash’s West Coast IPA—a holy grail for Hopheads.

Second lesson: fruitier wines go well with sweeter foods. The Sausage and Peppers special, made with the slightly-sugary house tomato sauce, sweet italian sausage, and caramelized onions begged for a bright Chardonnay or even better—a slightly sweet sparkling Lambrusco.

Final lesson: Prosecco goes well with everything, so pop the bub and celebrate some good grub.

Does your fiesta need a soundtrack? Of course it does. And Tortilla Jo’s has you covered in that regard as well with world-class entertainment provided by the Grammy award-winning Mariachi Divas. Admittedly, I know very little about Mariachi music, but if they are divas they’ve got to be doing something right.

Tequila is always a tasty spirit and after an entire afternoon of sucking them back, you’re probably going to be in need of something tasty to sop it all up. I’m as big a fan of tortillas and salsa as anyone, but even that can get a little old after a while. That’s why this Mexican restaurant is bringing the heat in terms of a three-course menu of delectable dining throughout the holiday guaranteed to satisfy you’re hankering for cultural cuisine.

Margaritas, music and mayhem will ensue. So it looks like they’ve got all of their bases covered. Southern California is a region of the country known for it’s rich Mexican heritage. And it sure does shine bright on Cinco de Mayo. Have good fiesta-ing everybody!

1.) Los Angeles, CA

When it comes to celebrating Mexican culture, the West is the best. And nowhere else demonstrates this better than the City of Angels, whose population is nearly half hispanic. As you’d expect, LA likes to have a grand old fiesta on this rocking holiday. Check out Mas Malo (515 West 7th Street) in Downtown for some great margarita specials or La Cabañita (3447 North Verdugo Road) in Glendale for some authentic Mexican flair.

2.) San Antonio, TX

This old fashioned Texas city is within a hundred miles of the border and it shows on this culturally significant day of the year. Hit up Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar (200 River Walk St. # 100) on the scenic River Walk for some great views and tub-sized margaritas. The nearby Rio Grande Cantina (421 E Commerce St.) is a non-stop party with delicious grub and potent potables.

3.) Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is a culturally-diverse urban enclave that hosts a number of street festivals to commemorate Mexico’s big day. The Cinco de Mayo Salsa Festival (34505 N. Scottsdale Road) in neighboring Scottsdale showcases local chefs and mixologists with a diverse array of Mexican dishes and drinks. El Hefe Cinco de Mayo Block Party (640 S. Mill Ave.) features $2 Coronas and $4 mammoth margaritas all afternoon.

4.) Las Vegas, NV

Vegas is always a nonstop party, so Cinco de Mayo is pretty much like any day on the calendar in the steaming Nevada desert. However, two newcomers to town have enriched the Mexican street cred in Sin City. Señor Frog’s (3300 Las Vegas Boulevard) at Treasure Island Casino is celebrating it’s grand opening on May 5th and will attempt to break the world record for largest tequila toast ever. Next door at the Flamingo, Carlos ‘n Charlie’s (3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South) just opened it’s massive 13,000 square foot Mexican oasis and is a perfect place to kick back and relax the day away in a tequila-induced haze.

5.) New York, NY

New York may not be known for its overflowing Mexican community, but let’s fact it: the Big Apple has something for everyone. And since there’s little time to sleep when you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo, you might as well get your kicks in the City That Never Sleeps. Maya (1191 1st Ave.) in the Upper East side is a hip tequila bar that will have all sorts of special shots to suit your fancy on the big day. In midtown, head over to the decidedly un-Mexican Johnny Utah’s (25 West 51st St. #3) to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style: with their annual Bullriding Fiesta. See how well your booze sits with you while bucking a mechanical steer!

Photo By: Lauren Chattman

So with a mission of bringing craft beer to the eclectic communities of Los Angeles, Golden Road has opened their very own brewpub and just recently started canning their own tasty line of IPAs. Their signature Point The Way American IPA is a medium-bodied, super sweet ale. With an ABV of 5.2%, it’s not incredibly strong, but it is flavorful and will last a while in your refrigerator thanks to its specially designed pint-sized can.

Golden Road also produces an impressive assortment of seasonal numbers, including their Burning Bush IPA. Clocking in at a staggering 8.0% ABV, this unique brew brings the citrusy bitterness of hops to compete with a smoky, rye aftertaste on the palate. The lingering complexity is surprisingly well-balanced and undeniably smooth. Their complete line of innovative ales, stouts and porters feature curious combinations of flavors and playful names, like Either Side Of The Hill–a zesty and floral strong ale whose name alludes to the geographic divide separating the Valley from the rest of Los Angeles proper.

The Golden Road website mentions a famous German proverb suggesting  that “the first beer calls for the third.” With a hopeful eye on the rapidly developing craft brew market of Los Angeles and beyond, you should certainly be calling for at least that many of their tasty suds sometime soon at your local watering hole.

5.) New Holland Brewing and Spirits, Hatter Royale Hopquila

This masterful misnomer is actually a white whiskey, consisting of double-distilled barley wash which is then bombarded with copious amounts of Centennial hops. The finished product has the grapfruity-goodness that you’d expect from the aroma of an IPA, but with the sharp, peaty finish of unaged whiskey. It’s great for sipping or to mix into some eccentric cocktails.

4.) Ram Restaurant & Brewery, Old Jack

This award-winning barrel-aged stout is as robust in flavor as it is rare and difficult to find.

3.) Dogfish Head Spirits, Whit Spiced Rhum

This ‘beer-inspired rum’ is crafted using orange peel and coriander, the flavors traditionally present in a Belgian style wit. The result is a a smooth drinking spirit that drinks like a heavier Hoegaarden.

2.) Lexington Brewing, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale

This sipping beer has the nose of a fine Kentucky bourbon but with the vanilla, and caramel flavor that you might expect from a strong ale. At just over 8% ABV, it’s a dangerously drinkable beer.

1.) Charbay Winery and Distillery, Doubled and Twisted

This 99-proof Northern Californian Moonshine is made with batches of Racer 5 IPA that dazzles the tongue with a dose of hops, accompanying a subtle aroma of malt and barley. Unique in flavor and masterfully executed, you have to try it to believe it.

As an avid homebrewer, owner Matt Muth had dreamed of opening his own brewery for years but needed to gather the appropriate investment in order to make it a reality. Located just outside of downtown, the spacious tasting room he created was constructed almost entirely out of reclaimed materials such as cooper and wood from old barns. The aesthetic that he’s established is exactly what one would expect in the midst of Big Sky Country.

The beer, on the other hand, is completely unexpected. Showcasing the finest flavors of American craftbrewing, Muth has put together a line of unique ales and porters that defy convention while maintaining supreme satisfaction. Take for example his Brown Porter, which exhibits much more chocolate tones and far less smokiness than the traditional variety. Working with such a small batch of beer allows this zany brewmaster to experiment with a bunch of eccentric ingredients until he finds the combinations that appeal must to his clientele.

Southwestern Montana is somewhat of a hidden gem amongst the more heavily trodden tourist attractions of the Rocky Mountains. But for those that make their way off the beaten path, the serene splendor of this part of the world opens itself up to the intrepid traveler in so many ways: tranquil surroundings, beautiful air, exotic wildlife and now even the intoxicating joy of malt and hops. Drink it all in.

Photo By: Brad Japhe