Chicago.com
When I found out about this tasting through www.drinktown.com , I said to myself this sound like fun. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Bourbon and then I went to PitchFork’s whiskey tasting. The host of the night was Evan Williams’s master distiller Craig Beam, Jim Beam’s great grandson.
The Bourbon
When you talk Bourbon with a man like Craig you learn a lot. By law, Bourbon must be made up of at least 51% corn and aged a minimum of two years in a new charred white oak barrel. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, though nearly all brands are made in Kentucky, and Kentucky is the only state allowed to put its name on the bottle. Bourbon is not Bourbon unless the label says so. The term proof originally referred to “gunpowder proof.” One of the ways early distillers checked, or “proved,” that their whiskey was strong enough was by mixing equal parts of whiskey and gunpowder, then setting the mixture on fire. A slow, yellow flame meant the spirit was too strong, while a steady blue flame “proved” it was good whiskey. Yellow flame spirits were diluted with water until they burned blue. Later, the whiskey which burned blue was found to be 50 percent alcohol. This level was considered to be 100 percent proved or, as we know it today, 100 proof. Today, the alcohol content is measured more scientifically in the distillery using a hydrometer. Proof is still calculated as 2 times the “alcohol by volume” of given Bourbon.
The BBQ
Besides the awesome information I learned about Whiskey we sampled some amazing BBQ. PitchFork has award-winning Cordis Brother’s ribs,so tender you can suck the meat off the bone. The sauce is a little on the thin side for consistency, has a noticeable deal of acidity, but it is balanced out by a good dose of sweet. The result is a full bodied base to the sauce that is phenomenal. Spiciness is done very well in this sauce. It produces a pleasing back heat that builds as you continue to eat the sauce. Not an overbearing heat just enough to give ya a kick in the kester. Ingredients that contribute to heat are usually easy to point out some include cayenne, chili powder and liquid smoke. But their sauce is a little more complex and harder to figure out. I think I also tasted other spices maybe nutmeg or allspice to round out the flavor. The sauce has the “one flavor” feeling that I like, no ingredient really dominates, and they all work together to make one taste. We also sampled the BBQ beef brisket and BBQ pork sangwiches and they were served on house made buttermilk biscuits “delicious”.
The Joint
The service was great! The Manager Pete Mazzone was friggen spot on. He constantly made sure that we had everything we needed and drinks were always replenished. During a jam packed event like that, it is rare to have such great service. PitchFork is like an old west corner saloon. If you bring your horse I even think there is a hitching post. Just kidding! This place is humongous. I am sure it would be great for private parties. Lakeview has tons of nightlife, but only one amazing saloon -PitchFork. You can sample their different whiskeys or try one of their house cocktails, either way you won’t be disappointed. Food and drink specials are no stranger to this joint either, every day of the week there is a different special. Be sure to check out their website for more details on their daily specials -www.pitchforkchicago.com. PitchFork is located at 2922 W Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60618 or give them a call at 1(773)866.2010.
Here is a recipe I learned from the Bourbon prince himself Craig Beam.This is the perfect drink to enjoy the Kentucky Derby Saturday. Have fun and be safe. Thanks Craig!
Classic Mint Julep
Dissolve sugar into water. Bruise mint sprigs with fingers and rim the cup. Fill of cup with shaved ice. Add Bourbon, then sugar solution. Stir gently. Add ice to fill cup. Garnish with mint sprig.
There was a little drizzle and a lot of fun at the St Patrick’s Day Parade 2010 in Chicago. We started out the “jolly green day” by watching the Chicago River being dyed green,which has been a yearly tradition since 1961. The river went from green to really green at 10:45a.m. We watched it all go down from the upper level bridges at Michigan Avenue, but the view from Columbus Drive is beautiful too. Once we wiped off the green mist from our faces the Chicago.com crew, Vujadin, Wanda, Jarred, Pasqual and I, went to our float and waited for the festivities to begin . The parade began promptly at noon and started at Balbo and Columbus.
Chicago.com was riding the float with the Sons of Sligo hockey team and my buddy Vince LiFonti- insurance agent/Matador dancer for the Chicago Bulls tagged along to join in on the fun. “The sons of Sligo” have been a staple of the parade for 28 years. The donations from our float go to great charities like ICE program and the Special Olympics. The ICE program is a non for profit organization that helps low income students who excel academically who participate in youth and high school hockey. In between Vince kissing strangers, wearing “Kiss me I’m Irish” shirts, and the hockey team shooting balls at Ned Colleran, goalie and Sons of Sligo family member, we had a great time at the parade.
Once the parade was over, we kept the celebration going and headed to the after party at Gingers Ale House, on Ashland and Grace. It’s not just cozy Celtic decor or live Irish music that make this place a favorite of mine. Add corned beef sandwiches, the best fried pickles in town, a perfectly poured pint of Guinness from my man and owner Tony, that makes this joint a truly great “pub”. A true Irish pub has heart. Stop by Gingers Ale House you’ll understand what I mean by heart when you’re there. It’ll become a favorite of yours too. They have a great menu from corned beef sandwiches served on marbled rye to authentic fish and chips and awesome Irish sausage wraps (great flaky crust!). After some heavy drinking and great music I worked up a second wind appetite. So my beautiful girlfriend and I ordered Sheppard’s pie. All in all, it was a great end to a great night.
Stay tuned for clips of the Parade highlights and great times with great friends coming soon to Chicago.com/videos.
London Parliament is slapping new laws on drinking games and drinking specials this year. For those of you that like to party a little harder than others, you’ll have to learn to say good-bye to “speed drinking competitions”, “beer pong” and “dentist’s chair.” Say ciao to “ladies’nights” girls, or “all you can drink for 10 pounds.” (That’s 16 bucks for those of you who only speak American). Home secretary Alan Johnson said he didn’t want to target responsible drinkers with low incomes, but that the government and the industry had a duty to act on booze-fueled promotions. “These practices have a real impact on society, not to mention the lives of those who just want to enjoy a good night out,” he said. The game that has stirred up the most controversy sparking concern with the nation’s drinking habits is the “dentist’s chair.” This is where drinks are poured directly into your mouth by somebody else. (Sounds like Friday night at Cagneys on Clyborn to me.)
Ireland, on the other hand is doing the exact opposite. Instead of drying people’s hopes for a brighter future, they are in fact hoping to stimulate their own handicapped economy. Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said about 400,000 state workers — a fifth of the country’s work force — will be suffering pay cuts ranging from 5 to 15 percent. Even Prime Minister Brian Cowen will cut his salary a full 20 percent. This is the biggest budget cut in Ireland’s history. In order to boost public morale, Lenihan is seeking to offer a significant tax cut on beer, wine and liquor sales. Smart move if you ask me. Despite Ireland having the highest rate of alcohol consumption among major European nations, sales in pubs and liquor stores represent an exceptionally high percentage of its economic activity.
Lenihan warned pub owners that they must cut their prices on pints of stout and whiskey shots, or suffer the consequences of renewed higher taxes.”I expect the drinks industry to play its part in making the cost of alcohol more competitive. If I find this reduction has not been passed on to the consumer, I will reverse today’s reduction,” he said. London has a lot to learn, take care of the people and the people will take care of you. Let’s hope it works.
Is it just me, or would this never fly in Chicago? Tell me your thoughts. We already have the highest sales tax in the country (10.25%), not to mention a tax on candy and bottled water? Do you think this could this happen here?
Read more about Irelands plan go to
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Deficit-hit+Ireland+slashes+salaries,+welfare+pay-a01612085011ut
English stout