The Cocktail Imperative and the Motor Oil Dark

MODSUB#60

Wotcha!

Life got in the way of writing this week. Well, mainkly leaking pipes, soggy drywall and broken tiles. Could be worse.

So here’s a couple of favorites from the past.

More new drinks next week!

Enjoy!

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

BITTERS
All The Bitters

BEER
Alesmith - Non-Alcoholic Speedway

Read time: 6 minutes 26 seconds

NAN
New NA Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• BEER: Up in Buffalo, NY, Big Ditch Brewing Company have made an NA version of their flagship brew Hayburner, calling it the NA Burner. (Link)

• BEER: Staying in New York state, Southern Tier will be putting out their first NA beer with Downshift IPA. (Link)

• WINE: Two new dealcoholized wines from France are the first two NA wines from 90+ Cellars. Sparkling Brut and Sparkling Rosé will be introduced to 15 markets across the U.S. (Link)

• BEER: Fans of Sierra Nevada will be stoked to learn the the Californian brewery has launched two new Trail Pass beers—Hazy IPA and Brewveza. (Link)

• WINE: French winemaker, Vignobles André Lurton has released Oh Oui 0%. (Link).

WORLDWIDE

• BEER: Over in the UK, Devonshire’s Utopia Brewing has announced it’s first NA beer—AF Pilsner (Link)

• SPIRITS: Switzerland’s 9 Meadows have expanded the distribution of their range of non-alcoholic spirits to three European countries. (Link)

BITTERS

(Previously from the December 13, 2023 edition)

ModSub: As I've started to explore the world of non-alcoholic cocktails and try my hand at making them from scratch, one name keeps coming up time and time again - All The Bitter.

Founded by Ian and Carly Blessing in 2021, All The Bitter has swiftly risen to the forefront of the NA cocktail scene, establishing robust partnerships with non-alcoholic spirit brands and garnering enthusiastic approval from bartenders across the U.S., Europe and beyond.

My cocktail-making skills, in the before times, stretched no further than a heavily-poured gin and tonic and a passable Negroni. It certainly didn't involve the use of any kind of bitters.

Curious, I asked a seasoned high-end bartender friend, who succinctly expressed the importance of bitters in cocktail creation: “Complexity, balance, and nuance.” Researching the history of bitters, I hadn't realized just how many cocktails included bitters to fully complement the spirit in the cocktail.

After spending the past week experimenting with recipes from the extensive All The Bitter collection, I've had a cracking time learning just how important the role bitters play in the cocktail creation. Previously, I would just skip past the bitters when making a cocktail, which probably accounts for why most of them were rubbish.

From now on, as I continue to build and expand my NA bar at home, All The Bitter's quartet of bitters will be a permanent fixture. 

As they should be for you too.

AROMATIC BITTERS

How All The Bitter describes Aromatic: Bold and spicy, our Aromatic bitters are loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Deep, earthy flavors are lifted by ginger and a backbone of bitter gentian. Crafted for cocktails with or without alcohol, these bitters are perfect in classics like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, dashed into sparkling water to make bitters and soda, or added to your favorite mixers like tonic or ginger beer. 

From the Recipe Collection: Lemon, Lime & Bitters

Mod Sub: Hugely popular drink in Australia, with history dating all the way back to the 1880s! The lemon and lime, up the ante with a combination of sour and tartness, while the Aromatic Bitters add a sweet spicy earthyness and the syrup is left to gently soften the bitterness. It’ll definitely wake your mouth up. Love it.

ORANGE BITTERS

How All The Bitter describes Orange: Our gold medal-winning Orange bitters add citrus and spice to any cocktail. Crafted with three varieties of orange peel plus cardamom, coriander and lemon balm for a profile that's as herbal and spiced as it is zesty. Designed for versatility, our zero-proof bitters can be used in drinks with or without alcohol. These are great in an Old Fashioned, Negroni, or margarita, and are shockingly good in wheat beer. Try it in sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon for an easy, refreshing drink.

From the Recipe Collection: Black Manhattan

Mod Sub: Wowza! That might be the closest I’ve got yet to re-recreating a drink that actually tastes like the regular version. I’m blown away by this one. I’ll leave it at that before I get too carried away. TRY THIS ONE!

NEW ORLEANS BITTERS

How All The Bitter describes New Orleans Bitters: Inspired by 19th-century apothecary Antoine Peychaud, our New Orleans bitters are a celebration of NOLA and American cocktail culture. With bright flavors of anise, tart cherry, hibiscus, and rosehips, these bitters will liven up any drink. Designed for versatility, our zero-proof bitters can be used in drinks with or without alcohol. Fantastic in bitters and soda, a few dashes will do wonders for tonic, beer, and alcohol-free red wine, too.

From the Recipe Collection: Bitters and Beer

I’m not going to lie. When I saw this recipe, I was pretty skeptical. However while I do love an unadulterated light beer, adding the New Orleans bitters gave it a really appealing complexity. The cherry and hibiscus really took the beer in different directions. I’m going to experiment more with the different bitters in light beers. An unexpected delight.

LAVENDER BITTERS

How All The Bitter describes Lavender Bitters: Sip your way to relaxation with our Lavender Bitters! Crafted with locally sourced organic lavender, plus chamomile, rose petals, and calming herbs like ashwagandha, skullcap and passionflower, these bitters help bring a little chill into your day. The floral, grassy and bitter flavor is perfect for gin cocktails, adding an uplifting note to your favorite drink.

From the Recipe Collection - Lavender Bee's Knees

Mod Sub: This was a lovely blend of botanicals from the gin, a little bite from lemon, softened by the honey syrup and given a gentle floral nudge from the lavender bitters. This is one to impress your friends at your next dinner party.

November 2024 update: You should also keep an eye out for The Experimental Series from All The Bitter. There are some mindblowing flavors available on small limited runs. Past releases have included the highly popular Fig and Walnut Bitters, Oak Aged New Orleans Bitters and the Chocolate Mole Bitters. Follow their IG account so you don’t miss out.

Also, word on the street is there is something very special coming in January!

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BEER

(Previously from the January 27, 2024 edition)

ModSub: Ever wondered how it feels to make a beer hailed as one of the world's best? I have no idea, but the folks at San Diego's AleSmith Brewing certainly do.

Speedway Stout was first brewed in 1997, but the recipe evolved after Peter Zien took over the reins at the brewery five years later. Richer in coffee flavor and an increased ABV to 12%, turned the stout into one of the most sort after beers in the country. 

Ticketing systems were employed as limited runs turned from lines round the block, to overnight camping outside the brewery to even fisticuffs in the parking lot. People would fly in from around the country to get their hands on the few cans available each year. Even today, Speedway is still the brewery’s most popular beer, sporning varietals aplenty that are as playfully creative as they are rabidly obsessed over. 

Lucky for us, AleSmith celebrated the holidays by releasing an NA version of Speedway Stout and it’s a such treat. Rich, deep coffee and chocolate flavors, with a viscous pour that looks like motor oil, pours like motor oil and tastes like the one of best stouts that money can buy. This malty goodness is so thick it momentarily leaves a brown oily sheen that slowly slides does the sides of the glass every time it is raised. 

I’m not sure who crowned the original “best beer in the world,” but there is no doubt in my mind, this NA version is knocking on the door of whomever gave out that award. 

How does Alesmith describe their NA Speedway: This new dark brew boasts the same bold and complex flavor as our classic Speedway Stout. Crafted with the finest ingredients, and packed with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malts, this beer is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the taste of a full-bodied brew, minus the alcohol.

READS + LISTENS
Last Week’s Edition + Other Suggestions

I’ll be darned if I can get this link to embed so I’m just going to have to do it the old school way.

So here’s a 7-minute video on How Athletic Brewing Outsold Heineken’s and Bud’s Nonalcoholic Beer.