When I was a kid growing up in rural Pennsylvania I was constantly looking for something to amuse myself, I couldn’t walk to the mall or whip out my skateboard and go cruising. Well I guess I could but cruising down a country road on my skateboard wasn’t exactly the kind of street terrain I craved. Basically it was read, ride your bike or “go play outside” as my Mom would say. So when my Mom made the weekly trip to grocery store I would usually jump at chance to tag along. Why? - the magazine isle of course, I would sit there in isle while she shopped reading as much as I could. My favorites mags being MAD and Cracked. The highlight of the MAD magazine was the back cover fold in, what could it possibly be, was it really going to have a dual meaning once folded? - well of course it did and this is the guy that’s been doing the fold in all those years. Cool! Check out the article: FOLD IN

Finally got my butt over to the Old Toad for what was left of Fish Fest last friday.
The Indian Brown Ale, 90-minute IPA and Hop Warrior were obviously
a big hit because there long gone by the time I got there.

I tried the Dogfish Head ApriHop per the bartenders recommendation.
It had a pleasent (not too sweet not to tart) Apricot flavor initially which then transformed into a hoppy finish. I found my tongue couldn’t quite figure out what flavor that was as it transitioned from Apricot to Hop? Perhaps a flavor combination I’ve never experienced before? Over all a tasty beer but as with a lot of fruit beer I find my taste buds a little overwhelmed by the fruitiness once I’m about half way through the pint.
Next I tried the Roosterfish Amber on Cask… Wow this is what I was looking for.
A woody and malty copper colored amber that was magnificent from the cask with just
the right amount of hops as to not overpower the other flavors. I really loved this beer. I don’t think I’ve ever tried an amber on cask before nor have I tried Roosterfish’s other acclaimed beers but the amber was a great introduction to there beers. Hopefully we will get some more Roosterfish in Rochester sometime soon… I’m finding it hard to keep up with all great beers now available in Rochester, I keep having the feeling I’m missing something. Time to get over to the Tap & Mallet.

FEATURING:

Civil War, Breweriana, Insulators, Post Cards, Advertising, Table Top Antiques and Collectibles, Buttons, Marbles, Ephemera, Primitives, Salesman Samples, Stoneware, Fruit Jars, Toys, Pin Backs, Coins, Flasks, Ginger Beers, Bitters, Medicines, Wallace Nutting, Whimsies, Books, Apothecary, Steins, Paintings, Dairy, Tins, Political, Inks, Victorian Trade Cards, and so much more…

Dealers from 15 different States and Canada

If You’re a Collector, Don’t Miss It !

Last year was my first time attending this show and I was blown away by the all
neat stuff to behold. Definitely much more than a bottle show. I was able to
find some great deals and to see some great pieces. Hopefully there will be some
great deals to be had this year.

Tartan Day Celebration

Sunday April 6th, Noon-6pm

Tickets only $5 each ▪children 10 & under FREE!
For tickets and information email: brit250@hotmail.com
Food and beverages available!

Location: Historic Main Street Armory
900 East Main Street, Rochester, NY

Featuring Pipes and Drums by:
◦ Feadan Or
◦ Gates Keystone Club Pipes and Drums
◦ Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums

12:00-3:00 Workshops, lectures, exhibits and demonstrations!

• Bagpipe Making–Mark Cushing of Cushing Bagpipes
• Kilt Making –Kate Cushing
• Genealogy –The Rochester Genealogy Society
• Clans and Tartan Research
• Scottish Heritage SocietyDance Exhibition –Young School
• Fiddle Workshop –“Fiddle from Scratch”–Dick Bolt

2:00 Host Band –Tullamore Celtic Band
3:00 Open Mike –bring your own instrument!
4:00-5:30 Pipes and Drums

This is the first of what hopes to be an annual event. So come and see what it’s all about. Don’t have a kilt? Check out this website for latest in Kilt Fashion, it’s very amusing!

It’s was really great to be a part of the Rohrbach grand opening. I attended with my wife and brother in law (pictured with yours truly on the right below) There was an ecstatic crowd there and Mayor Duffy made a inspiring speech referring what a great addition to the city/public market neighborhood the brewery is and the Mayor even mentioned Rochester’s rich brewing history. This area on Railroad Street is really looking great with all the new development down there. The brewery itself is really cool with it’s timber beam construction and brick walls packed full of big shiny brewing vessels and big bags of crystal malts. There were several sampling bars including food samplings and the beer was really flowing. John Urlaub has really done a great thing for Rochester so if you didn’t make it down there yet make sure you do! Festivities continue on Saturday from 10am-4pm…

Rohrbach’s NEW Brewery Grand Opening is thursday March 27th starting a 4pm until 8pm. The new brewery is located at 97 Railroad Street, right near the Rochester Public Market. So come on craft beer lovers show you support for the original Rochester microbrewery! Festivities start at 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 27th.

Grand Opening Highlights Include:

• Tours of Rohrbach’s Brand New Brewery
• FREE Food & Beer Pairing Samplers
• Ribbon cutting Ceremony with Mayor Duffy at 5:30 PM

Food and Beer Pairing
Rohrbach’s Chef Mary Jo has prepared 6 unique food samplers that have been
carefully paired with your favorite Rohrbach’s beer. If you haven’t tried one of our Food and Beer Pairings, you won’t be disappointed!

FREE Shuttle Bus
As part of the celebration Rohrbach’s is offering FREE shuttle service from our Buffalo Road restaurant location to our downtown brewery. The shuttle bus will run continuously from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

If you decide to drive down, there is parking available around the Rochester Public Market.

Can’t Make Thursday night?
If Thursday doesn’t work for you, the festivities continue on Saturday March 29th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM with tours and samples. Great food and great Beer.

I can’t wait to check it out in person!

Scientists are finally putting technology to a good use.
Introducing Chassis the beer pouring robot.

Since we are on the subject of robots Asahi Breweries just announced a special promotion for their low-malt beer. They’ve designed a R2D2 looking robot beer refrigerator and will be giving away a total of 5,000 of the robots, fully stocked with beer, to applicants selected by a lottery drawing. Unfortunately the contest seems to be for the Japanese market only . Check out the Asahi robot here.

And of course there are beer robot videos on You Tube.

Well my Dad finished his conversion of a chest freezer into a 5 tap kegerator as mention in my previous post. I Can’t wait to visit and give it a try.

Ever heard of a Mamie Taylor? Well neither have I until stumbling upon it last week via the Webtender Wiki. What do you know?- this cocktail seems to be invented in Rochester in 1899! - although it seems like the origins could be debated.

Origins of the Mamie Taylor

The Mamie Taylor was invented in 1899, Rochester NY, for Mamie Taylor; the bartender may have been Bill Sterritt.

Historical References

“The News”, 5th July, 1900

“The latest hit on these hot days is a nice cool “Mamie Taylor.” They are delicious.”

“Washington Post,” 25th July, 1900

“The drink is called by the alluring and euphonious name of “Mamie Taylor,”"

“Kansas City Star,” August 12th, 1900

“This is Mamie Taylor. The Mamie Taylor for whom a certain seductive summer drink was named by an admiring bartender.”

“Anaconda Standard,” 16th March, 1901

“A “Mayme Taylor” is said to be the most deceptive drink ever invented…”

The Post Standard”, 7th March 1902
“It was while Miss Taylor was the prima donna of an opera company playing at Ontario Beach, near Rochester, in 1899,” he said, “that she was asked with a number of other members of the company to go out sailing on the lake. As the day was hot and the breeze rather strong, the party returned after a few hours longing for some cooling refreshments. When Miss Taylor was asked what she would have she expressed the wish for a long but not strong drink–in fact, a claret lemonade. When the drink was served it was very evident that it wasn’t a claret lemonade, for it looked like a delicious long drink of sparkling champagne. On tasting it Miss Taylor found it much to her liking, but asked to have the flavor softened with a piece of lemon peel. When this was done the new combination drink was declared a complete success. Bystanders had been watching the proceedings and noticing the evident enjoyment with which Miss Taylor and a few of her friends relished in new drink they finally asked the hotel keeper what drink it was that was being served to them and without hesitation the hotel man replied “a Mamie Taylor” and the name seemed to meet with instantaneous favour and has become famous all over the country.”

• 2 shots Scotch Whisky (Blended)
• juice from 1/2 a fresh lime.
• Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale (to taste)

Squeeze the lime into a tall glass filled with ice, and then add the Whisky; finally, add Ginger Beer to taste, remembering that this is meant to be a long drink.

Quote and recipe taken from Wiki Webtender.

So I made of few of these the other night and they were pretty good. I used ginger ale and a low budget but tasty single malt scotch (McClelland’s Islay) that I had on hand in my bar. I would like to try it with the ginger beer and do think a smoother blended scotch would work better as recommended in the recipe. The smokyness of the scotch seemed to overwhelm the other flavors in the drink a little. So I’m still not sure if I like scotch cocktails, I still prefer vodka as my main spirit to mix and will stick with having my scotch straight up.

For another great Mixology website check out Absolut Drinks - Slaandjivaa