Top-notch Belgian imports such as Duvel, Chimay and Delirium Tremens are widely praised by beer enthusiasts for their superior quality and divine drinkability.  The only problem is that these imported classics can often break the bank with price tags upwards of $10 per bottle.  In these tough economic times, that can be tough to swallow–especially considering that there’s no way you’re going to want to call it quits after just one.  In order to ease the crunch on your wallet without giving up too much on flavor, consider this list of the 5 best bargain Belgians: 5.) Abbey Leffe Blonde This spicy-yet-smooth Blonde Belgian has a distinct aroma reminiscent of coriander and cloves.  If you enjoy a medium bodied ale with a subdued fruitiness, this might be the choose for you.  It’s not going to win any beer awards anytime soon, but at less than $10 for a six-pack, it’s certainly a [...]

One of the hottest and most innovative trends in cocktails today is the barrel aged Negroni.  The bitter and sometimes sweet finish of this traditional apéritif takes on added complexities during the aging process and in so doing appeals to a broader range of cocktail cognoscenti. Perennially regarded for its intrepid spirit, San Francisco is a city on the forefront of new and exciting elixirs.  Take, for example, the gourmet pizza destination Zero Zero (826 Folsom Street).  This popular SoMa eatery will be offering a batch of barrel aged Negronis during a festive launch party from 6pm-9pm on March 29th.  The event is open to all and for $5 you can take a sip–or many–to discover what the fuss is all about. Over in Nob Hill, at the Stanford Court Hotel, Aurea (905 California Street) is using local favorite No. 209 gin for their own take on the barrel aged sensation.  Home to one of [...]

Blue Palms Brew House triumphantly returned to the heart of Hollywood this past weekend without missing a beat.  On Saturday, throngs of jubilant Angelenos made their way back inside the friendly confines of what many locals consider to be the city’s most impressive home of craft beers.  The official occassion went down on St. Patty’s–of all days–and after poking my head in on the busy evening, it was difficult to imagine that the place had been shuttered for more than several months.  Putting the past behind them, Blue Palms is back and better than ever, boasting a list of some two dozen predominantly West-Coast microbrews, and an even more expansive assortment of rare bottles. There are several distinctions that make this bar such a standout within the Southern California landscape of libation.  For one, they have an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful staff that thoroughly enjoys the beer they serve and is [...]

Do you have a friend who seems to know everyone? They walk into a spot and it’s head nods, handshakes, and double sided cheek kisses all around. You love this person because they’re your friend, and you get to benefit from their connections. A free first round when you walk into a new bar isn’t bad, right? However, you also envy this person because well, you want what they have. So how do we become this social connector with an endless supply of swag and comped drinks? Truth is, anyone can be this person without having to commit to a life of binge drinking. Here are some helpful tips for accumulating influence and connections on the inside of San Francisco’s hottest spots. Who are you connected with now? With one in ten people now working in the food and beverage industry you can almost guarantee you have a Facebook friend [...]

Where can you find Stripper poles, deep fryers, and Hangover Joe’s Hangover Cure all in the same place? Ok, probably any strip joint across the country. However, I can guarantee none have as much flair as the Nightclub & Bar Convention. It’s a wonderland of product sellers thrusting their wares at you in hopes you will deem their light machines, traveling Beirut tables, or jello shooter cups, THE BEST THING EVER. My most favorite things at the NCB show were, in no particular order: 1. Big Buck Hunter HD - That’s right folks, you will get to shoot all the bucks, cougars, and giraffes you want in stunning high definition quality at your local watering hole soon. It will also be connected online to other Big Buck Hunter HDs across the country, so you can compete against Joe Dirt in Alabama live from the comfort of your personal dingy dive bar. [...]

March Madness is shifting into full gear this week, as the annual NCAA Basketball tournament is set to begin with a round of 32 games between Thursday and Friday.  If you’re in the Bay Area and want to catch all the action, here’s a list of some of the best sports bars in the city: Pete’s Tavern (128 King Street): This upscale SoMa sports hall shows all the games on flat and projection screen televisions, and also serves up some damn tasty bar food too. Their sliders are awesome, curly fries are crave-worthy  and the mini corn-dogs are fried bites of perfection.  This is a good place to duck out for lunch and check up on all your brackets. Greens Sports Bar (2239 Polk Street): Polk Street is one of the best bar areas in all of San Francisco. But when it comes to watching sports in this neck of the woods, few places [...]

Adrian Biggs, one of Los Angeles’s hottest bartenders, just opened his very own bar inside one of the city’s hottest new restaurants: Umamicatessen (846 South Broadway).  DrinkMe was at the grand opening to check out what his sleek and stylishish new Back Bar had to offer. Black Jack ($10): This sweet whiskey mashup contains Jack Daniels Honey, St. Vincent orgeat syrup and some fresh blackberries muddled throughout.  Yet somehow, with all of these sugary components, the drink manages to preserve a well-balanced finish that balances the subtler oak components of Jack with the tart tanginess of the fruit additives. Bourbon Pig ($11): This is hands-down the trademark cocktail for this downtown mecca of meat.  Bacon fat washed Bulleit bourbon is enhanced with a dash of bitters and sugar before being garnished with a couple of crisped slices of actual pig ear.  Drop the fattened pork into the elixer and enjoy the [...]

Nowhere has the relationship between human culture and alcoholic beverages been more important or more intricate than in the arena of religion. Not to put too fine a point on it, but everywhere humans have enjoyed a drink, so have the gods they worship. Which is not to say we drink the same stuff. Not at all. In most cases the liquor enjoyed by the gods, while similar to mortal beverages, was strictly of a divine character and  oftentimes off limits to mere mortals. Whole books could be written on these concoctions (instances of godly drinks occur in myths from all across the globe), but we are going to focus on a single example, the Mead of Poetry from old Norse folklore. Mead, or honey wine, is the simplest, and perhaps the first, of all alcoholic beverages. All you need is honey, water and time, and—presto!—you’ve got a jug of [...]