I Survived WRAT’s BEERFEST 2011
For those of you not aware, last weekend, Asbury Park Convention Hall hosted a massive beer tasting that saw almost 3000 beer enthusiasts sample 100 different beers from around the world. Spirits Unlimited was a sponsor of the event and many of our store managers and “beer specialists” manned some of the booths to pour and talk about the products they dispensed. The build up and promotion of BEERFEST included five Friday morning visits to the WRAT radio station... Read More
The Vodka Trend: Unlimited Flavors
Early in my career, I remember stocking shelves and wondering to myself, “why are there so many brands of vodka?” After all, back then vodka was for bloody mary’s, vodka tonics and screwdrivers. Fast forward thirty five years and I’m sure that today’s stock people must be saying “why are there so many FLAVORS of vodka?” I just spent the last few days helping out with a remodel and shelf set changeover at one of our stores. It happened... Read More
New Season Brings New Wine
As we come out of summer and ease into the cooler months of autumn, we see a shift in the wines that are being purchased at our stores. The change is subtle at first, but as the thermometer drops the “retail verasion process” begins. Inappropriate Red- Exclusively at Spirits Unlimited In winespeak, verasion is the coloring up of grapes as they mature on the vine. Simply put, grapes start as a flower that sets into a bud. The bud begins to take on the shape of a... Read More
You Want A Tip? Here’s Your Tip!
As someone who enjoys going out to dinner often, I feel qualified to pass judgement on some things, both good and bad, that I’ve experienced in recent months. Today, I bring you some of the bad. Read More Read More
The Spirit of Summer Cocktail 2011: Jersey Iced Tea
This year we held the first ever Spirit of Summer Cocktail Contest. After going through all the submissions the judges agreed on 3 cocktails to mix and judges from Jersey Bites did the tasting. The winning recipe was a summery surprise. All judges felt the use of actual fresh brewed tea and Sweet Green Tea Vodka brought something new and refreshing to the table. Congratulations Kerry Brown on creating the Spirit of Summer Cocktail 2011: Jersey Iced tea. Read More ... Read More
Fall Is The Real Beerfest Season
Even for the casual beer drinker, September begins the most exciting season of all. My statement has nothing to do about football kicking off or the pennant run of the baseball season. It’s purely a statement about beer. As many of summer’s favorite seasonal drinks begin to disappear from the beer coolers of your favorite liquor store, they are replaced by the beers of fall. This exciting crossover is what brings out the best of beer sellers and beer buyers... Read More
New Wines & Random Thoughts
This weeks post will be a collection of “odds & ends” – things I want to mention but there’s not enough to write an entire story about. From the interesting new wine department… 1) Hey Mambo Sultry Red -a very interesting blend of red grape varietals (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zin and Malbec) that was so impressive when I ordered a glass to go with a pizza that I immediately sent an e-mail Read More ... Read More
Donny’s Top 10 Beverage Movies
It’s a well known fact that a large majority of you are attracted to lists. Top Ten Lists (as made famous on Late Night with David Letterman), command your attention and provoke thought. After all, if I were to suggest that we create a Top Ten List of movies that adult beverages played a key role – what’s the first movie that pops into your head? Read More Read More
2007 Vintage Cabernet, Why Buy Just One?
I had to pick up a couple of bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon last night to bring to a friend who was grilling up some steaks for dinner. I’m in Florida so I went to one of my “go to” wine merchants to browse their selections. I admit, this is something I do quite regularly, but this time I realized something about myself as I was shopping. It seems I become very critical of my own purchasing decisions when I see wines on the shelves at other stores that I’ve... Read More
Sauvignon Blanc: Seafood & Wine Pairing
When I fly, I write. There is something about the adventure of travel that brings out the best in my creativity. I’m on my way to Florida as I write this and I’m sure that I’ll be able to email many blog posts to my “editor” for uploading onto our website during this trip. Truth is, I’d do it myself, but I am a complete idiot when it comes to technology and computers. I’ve been told that I’m gonna have to learn all this stuff... Read More
