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By
alarsen
| Monday, September 29, 2008, 06:39 AM
Shochu has hit it big in big cities in the States where health conscious lounge lizards are looking for fewer calories and a little less alcohol. The clear distilled Japanese spirit is similar to vodka and can easily substitute for it.
, “In Japan, shochu sales are booming, surpassing even that of sake. One reason for its popularity, some surmise, has to do with health. Shochu contains about one-third the calories of other liquors and less alcohol (usually 50 proof); because of that, and the purity of its ingredients, some imbibers claim it causes less of a hangover.”
Shochu, 3313 North Clark Street, between School Street and Buckingham Place (773-348-3313).
, “Health conscious consumers prefer shochu than other types of beverage alcohol because of its low calories. (about 15 - 20 cal. per ounce) … There are two main types of shochus: Otsurui and Korui. Korui shochu is distilled several times and usually consumed in cocktails. Otsurui is distilled only once, leaving a distinctive smell of the source ingredient. This type of shochu is often enjoyed on the rocks and is becoming increasingly popular in Japan.”
It’s in big cities, but it’s word is spreading. shows the kind of innovative bartending that is happening thanks to the Shochu popularity.
I’ve not seen Shochu listed on the ingredients list of any cocktail lists of the restaurants around here. I have had it at a few Japanese restaurants and it is smooth and refreshing and worth trying if you get the opportunity.
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By
alarsen
| Friday, September 26, 2008, 09:12 AM
ENGLEWOOD — , a locally owned sports bar and restaurant, will open a second location next week on Thursday, October 2, at 559 Main St. in Englewood according to Mike Leigh, manager at the Miamisburg TJ Chumps location at 12 East Linden Ave.
The Englewood restaurant and bar will feature with the addition of pizza. Leigh expects the atmosphere to be similar to their current location with 38 TVs, an outside patio and an outside patio bar.
Leigh said the new location presented a, “neat concept for us to join into because of the other stuff that was going on around it” referring to Main on Main, a strip of businesses focusing on entertainment and dining for families that includes Hothead Burritos, a music store called and a family entertainment center featuring games and batting cages.
Hours of operation will be the same as the Miamisburg location according to Leigh.
11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday with a full menu being served until 10 p.m. and smaller appetizers available for order until 11:30 p.m.
11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday with a full menu being served until 11 p.m. and smaller appetizers available for order until 12:30 p.m.
Noon until Midnight Sundays with a full menu being served until 10 p.m. and smaller appetizers available for order until 10:30 p.m.
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By
alarsen
| Thursday, September 25, 2008, 08:00 AM
The October issue of has listed what it believes are the 14 coolest bars in the United States open before 1941. Seven bars get a write-up including in Center City; ; ; ; the ; ; and .
Finishing up the list are Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood; Heinold’s First and Last Chance in Oakland, Calif.; Napoleon House in New Orleans; Pete’s Tavern in New York; Shinnick’s Pub in Chicago; Sultana Bar in Williams, Ariz.; and the Tap Room of the Griswold Inn in Essex, Conn.
Have you found a favorite bar in your travels that you’d recommend to folks traveling out of state? that’s only a couple of hours away and well worth a visit if you’re in the Indianapolis area. Let us know where you’d recommend and we’ll add it to our ever growing Lounge Lizards list thanks in part to the latest issue of Gourmet.
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By
alarsen
| Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 09:05 AM
Do you know what’s in your energy drink? You should. It could be leading to caffeine intoxication or addiction and could raise the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Some energy drink labels say they shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol and that no more than two cans (500 ml) be consumed a day and for good reason — some contain the caffeine equivalent of 10 cans of Coca-Cola.
An overview of the potential dangers of energy drinks and statistics about who is using them and and with what effect from Roland Griffiths, a professor of behavioral biology and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, is published in the most recent issue of the journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
, “Scientists from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore are calling for prominent labels for energy drinks listing caffeine doses and warning of potential risks when used alone, or in combination with alcohol. They’re also recommending doctors get familiar with signs of caffeine intoxication, withdrawal and dependence in young people who might be using the beverages.”
She goes on to write that, “The combined use of caffeine and alcohol is “increasing sharply,” the researchers say. When mixed with alcohol, people feel less intoxicated, “so they misjudge the extent to which they are impaired,” and people may end up consuming more booze.”
points out that this is a $5.4 billion in the United States and is expanding at a whopping rate of 55 percent annually.
Science Daily gives some insight into who’s spending the money — teens and young adults — writing, “In a 2007 survey of 496 college students, 51 percent reported consuming at least one energy drink during the last month. Of these energy drink users, 29 percent reported “weekly jolt and crash episodes,” and 19 percent reported heart palpitations from drinking energy drinks. This same survey revealed that 27 percent of the students surveyed said they mixed energy drinks and alcohol at least once in the past month. “Alcohol adds another level of danger,” says Griffiths, “because caffeine in high doses can give users a false sense of alertness that provides incentive to drive a car or in other ways put themselves in danger.” “
In June, Anheuser-Busch agreed not to sell Tilt and Bud Extra — popular energy/alcoholic drinks — in 11 states, including Ohio. Ohio Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers and attorneys for 24 other states called on MillerCoors to follow suit this month.
Symptoms of ingesting too much caffeine, called caffeine intoxication, include nervousness, anxiety, diarrhea, tremors, insomnia and a rapid heart rate. Here’s a quick guide on how much caffeine is in several popular energy drinks to get you started in educating yourself, your friends or if you have them, your kids.
Sample of energy drinks and their caffeine content as published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence:
Wired X505 (24 ounces): 505 mg of caffeine
Fixx (20 ounces): 500 mg
BooKoo Energy (24 ounces): 360 mg
Redline Power Rush (high concentration energy drink- 2.5 ounces): 350 mg
Redline RTD (8 ounces): 250 mg
No Fear (16 ounces): 174 mg
Monster (16 ounces): 160 mg
Rockstar (16 ounces): 160 mg
Full Throttle (16 ounces): 144 mg
Red Bull (8.3 ounces): 80 mg
Classic soft drinks:
Coca-Cola Classic (12 ounces): 34.5 mg caffeine
Pepsi Cola (12 ounces): 38 mg
Dr. Pepper (12 ounces): 41 mg
Mountain Dew (12 ounces): 54 mg
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By
alarsen
| Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 07:12 AM
My new beer story comes to you courtesy of this weekend’s Taste of Miami Valley put on by the The latest creation from Anheuser-Busch (A-B) was available on tap a bit early of it’s actual street date. was the brew in question and the first ale brewed under the Budweiser label.
I have to say it surprised me. It really wasn’t too bad. Slightly hoppy, slightly malty, the Amber ale would probably not work for those who are die-hard craft beer drinkers, but for those who want something more than Bud and something less than Sierra Nevada, this offers a calm taste solution. By no means did it blow me out of the water or come anywhere close to my favorites, but it was solid and could stand on it’s own.
Last we had heard A-B was planning on releasing the beer nationally in kegs on Sept. 15 and in bottles on Sept. 29. Have you tried it? What did you think?
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By
alarsen
| Monday, September 15, 2008, 07:24 AM
A controversy has erupted over a Mexican brewery’s decision to name a new beer after the “patron saint” of drug traffickers. Not the best choice or best time with the Mexican government currently battling it out with drug gangs across the region.
“Malverde Beer is named after Jesus Malverde, a Robin Hood-style figure who is revered by drug smugglers in the western Mexico state of Sinaloa. It debuted in April and has been spreading to bars around western Mexico. The brewer plans to sell it in the United States, too.
The beer has appeared as Mexico is reeling from a spike in drug-related murders and the United States prepares to pour about $465 million into Mexican anti-drug efforts. Civic groups in Sinaloa have criticized the beer, and Wal-Mart of Mexico has refused to stock it.”
“We’re just trying to honor a Mexican legend, that’s all,” said Jesús Briseño, Minerva Brewery’s general manager about the malty, European-style pilsner named after Malverde.
And while we’re on the subject of strange beer names, there is a Pennsylvania brewer making something called Butt Monkey Chimp Chiller Ale. I don’t know about controversy but it sounds awful and a . Anyone out there come across any new brews recently?
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By
alarsen
| Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 12:35 PM
will open its doors in a brand-new location today, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. for a soft opening, according to co-owner Esther Keyes.
, has re-opened across from The Dragons Stadium at 219 N. Pattterson Blvd. downtown.
“This place was meant to be the 88 Club,” says Keyes. “We’re larger than what we were, and I think eventually it will be the spot to have anything celebratory in the Dayton area.”
The more than 7,000 square-foot space includes a large dance floor and stage, a lounge area toward the back, two pool tables, an outdoor patio space, new sound system and a 40-foot-long bar, Keyes said.
Keyes says that at some point next week, the business will open a cafe that will serve breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with the bar opening at 4 p.m.
The club’s grand re-opening celebration has been scheduled for Sept. 25 beginning at 4 p.m.
Keyes says to look for the blue palm tree on the patio for those seeking it out.
For more information, call the club at (937) 222-1188.
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Craig Schrolucke and Alexis Larsen are good buddies who love a trendy hot spot as much as they do a worn out hole in the wall provided the service is as good as the items being served up. They also love bar talk and all that it entails and are more than happy to belly up to this bar blog and do just that.
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