Mmm, mmm, 40 proof!

Finally! My calcium problems are over. Also the problem about what to drink with tater tots. If you're shedding tears over the Four Loko banning issue, here's an unlikely substitution to try and see if you like it -- Adult Chocolate Milk (40 proof, no less!).

This just in from Rumrunners Old Towne Bar & Grill via Facebook -- local bartenders can compete every Wednesday from tonight (December 1) through January 11 to win the title of 2010 Absolut Vodka bartender and compete for $500 cash and a trip for two to Las Vegas to attend the National Bartender Competition and Night Club & Bar Convention. Whew!

La Vida Loko?

Check it out, party peeps - the Spenard Roadhouse is featuring a sweet holiday treat on Saturday, December 4 at noon. Join others in toasting the 12 Beers of Christmas, including Baird's "Jubilation Ale" and Ridgeway's "Santa's Butt" and "Pickled Santa."

Salud!

Since skiing has begun on Hilltop, Alyeska is gearing up for it's grand opening day and passholder party next weekend. Details below!

Opening day at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill is Friday, November 19 at 5 p.m, and Lulu Small performs live music Nov. 19 and 20 at 10 p.m. ($5 cover). The bar will be closed Sunday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday Nov. 23rd, but open seven (7) days a week beginning Nov. 24th at 11 a.m. daily.

Mmm, local
Have you ever compared a freshly picked farmer's market tomato to a store-bought one? There's a difference and it's the same for beer. Have you tried a factory-produced, shipped-up Corona or Coors next to a pint of local IPA?

When you order a "beer," you could mean a variety of things -- do you mean a hefeweizen, an India pale ale, an amber, a pilsener? With whiskey it's the same dilemma -- the spirit can be dubbed bourbon to rye to Canadian to Irish to Scotch and more.

But get this -- in its bare essence, whiskey is actually just beer that has been distilled. No hops are used when making a distillers beer, but other than that, the initial steps are very similar prior to distillation.

Ewwww Eyeballs....I might actually stay home and watch my goddaughter this year instead of my usual dressing up and going out on the town October festival. (I know, gasp!) But that may also be because thus far, October has been a very nightlife-filled month (and it's only the 21st). In any case, when you're partying down, at home, or at a friend's house you helped decorate with fake cobwebs for two hours only to get it all over your Catwoman costume -- enjoy these recipes and spooky drink tips!

Mmmm...whiskey.

Although the frost on my car window this morning would beg to differ, October is the autumnal season - time for hot toddies, apple-picking jaunts, and red and gold leaves strewn (or heaped) across the lawn. To celebrate, I've listed some fun fall recipes from Cocktails.About.com for your enjoyment. Cheers!

Autumn Delight

Alaskan Brewing & the Coastal CODE are cleaning up the west coast on September 25 (which also just happens to be my birthday).

Just recieved an update from Darcy K. at the Roadhouse. Local bourbon-lovers can join an official Kentucky Bourbon tasting on October 9, details below. Enjoy!

Tasting Brands include:

Rowan's Creek
Black Maple Hill
Parker's Heritage Wheated Cask Strength
Bernheim Original
Old Pogue

On the rocks, please.September marks National Bourbon Heritage Month, and that means a month-long celebration in honor of "America's Native Spirit" is not only acceptable, it's an order! (And before you refute me, the U.S. Congress made Bourbon the "native spirit," in 1964, sealing its place in American history forever.)

For any nightlifers looking for a fun event tonight, or just a random street party, head downtown to the 6th Annual Taste of Mardi Gras fundraiser for the American Red Cross. The fun beings at 5 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. -- perfect timing for a well-deserved dance party, if I do say so myself.

Apple-y goodness!I know, I know, it's not even mid-September yet, but I felt inspired to share some great recipes featuring my favorite autumnal fruit - the apple. This was not inspired by the weather (although it hasn't exactly been screaming summertime), but more by the fact that on a recent trip to Fargo, North Dakota, a bartender served me the best shooter I've ever had in my entire life.

Arrrrgh....
Set sail for the best fall event idea ever on September 18 -- the first annual PIRATE-themed pub crawl. Yes, I said pirate-themed. My mind is exploding with costume ideas and where I can locate an eye patch. Kudos to this great fundraising idea for the Blood Bank, courtesy of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd., The Odom Corporation, K&H Graphics and eleven (11) downtown pubs.

MSBC
The legendary Gabe Fletcher will be leaving Midnight Sun Brewing Company after 12 years of dedication to a brand that epitomizes local beer. The new head honcho will be Ben Johnson, who's been with the brewery since 2004.

First, I heard about that insane fad in the UK (which made its way over here courtesy of our more ambitious undergrads) called "Vodka Eyeballing" which literally consists of pouring a shot of vodka into your eye socket. I mean, really? A shot of vodka, in my opinion, is bad enough down the gullet... I realize it's a prank but still - whatever happened to plain old streaking?

Rum Punch, yummm......Let's just forget about the fact that, if it rains today, this summer will officially tie for the rainiest summer on record in Anchorage, shall we? Instead, let's celebrate the weekend and continue to enjoy the summer before it's over!

If you're heading to see Snoop Dogg this weekend, have a blast and shoot me a Facebook or blog comment about how the show (and any after parties) went!

For the first time, Tales of the Cocktail is going digital with its annual recipe book. This year's eBook is filled with the hundreds of cocktail recipes served during Tales of the Cocktail 2010. These recipes - created by the some of the top bartenders in the world - are now available in a downloadable recipe book, and feature a special forward by King Cocktail himself, Dale Degroff, and an introduction by legendary Brian Rea.

Snow Goose and Sleeping Lady Brewing Co.'s First Flight beers for the month of August, provided by my email maven Lucy. Starts at 6 p.m. Salud!

This month's IPAs include:

3) "Hop Bomb" (Black IPA) -- An "almost double" IPA. At 7% alcohol, this dark beer uses over 25 hop varieties and has over 100 IBUs. Though nearly black in color, it lacks a roasted or malty flavor that might be expected of such a dark brew.