Today I am heading to one my favorite New York City landmarks, The New York Botanical Garden for the annual Holiday Train Show, (my coverage of last year's Holiday Train Show, can be found HERE) so I thought I would leave you guys with Photo Highlights from the last great event I attended.
I already knew I loved NY Botanical Garden for Wine Tastings and Garden-to-Table Dinners, but this Fall I got the chance to attend Blues, Brews and Botany a fun Cider and Beer tasting and loved how it combined the science behind brewing with great music and a super fun tasting experience.
Here are my photo highlights of Blues, Brews and Botany at New York Botanical Garden:
Above: Demonstration by Urban Glass at New York Botanical Garden
Above: After the Glass Blowing Demo I hit the tasting area and first stop was Angry Orchard, one of their offerings was their new Easy Apple, a refreshing and easy-to-drink hard cider. Alcohol By Volume: 4.2% (This includes Culinary Apples: Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith and Gala Apples, French Bittersweet Apples: Dabinett, Harry Master Jersey, Frequin Rouge, Bisquet) and yes folks this offering is Gluten Free! :)
Above: The Magners Team offered up Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider and Irish Cider Original.
Above: They didn't have it with them for this tasting but they also have a Pear Cider I would love to try! And this young lady wins it for most contagious smile!
Above: Captain Lawrence Brewery Company
https://www.captainlawrencebrewing.com/beer-list/
Above: Captain Lawrence Brewery Company for my pumpkin spice lovers they have a seasonal Autumn Blaze Pumpkin Ale
Above: Coney Island Brewing Company brought along two fun offerings: Mermaid Pilsner - a light-bodied, crisp-drinking, nicely hopped lager. A heavy-handed addition of rye malt adds a mild spiciness, which is then balanced by a light, fruity, floral hop aroma. Alcohol By Volume: 5.2%
Above: Coney Island Brewing Company also brought along Freaktoberfest Big Ol' Pumpkin Ale. Brewed with Espresso beans, it is a copper hued, pumpkin and espresso ale with hints of allspice and cinnamon. And it packed a little more punch with an Alcohol By Volume of 6.2%
Above: Left: Dos Equis (I don't know why Dos Equis went and retired The Most Interesting Man in the World, I am still not digging the replacement guy!) and Right: Newcastle Brown Ale
Above: Left: Ithaca Beer Apricot Wheat offered a combination of wheat and barley with a hint of Apricot to give this beer a pleasant note, fruity finish a lighter taste. (Suggested Food Pairings Summer Salads, Pork Dishes, Fruity Desserts, Cheese Pairings: Soft Goat Milk's Cheese like Chevre) with an Alcohol by Volume of 5.0%. Right: CascaZilla Red India Pale Ale- the name is a play on both the name of a gorge in Ithaca called Cascadilla and the monster amounts of Cascade Hops while dry-hopping during the brewing process. The Distinctive Red Color comes from a subtle addition of Black Malt. (Food Pairings: Spicy Stews or barbecued meat, Cheese Pairings: Danish Blue or Gruyere) Alcohol By Volume: 6.5%
Above: Keegan Ales brought along Mother's Milk - Dark and Creamy Milk Stout with aromas of chocolate, roasted barley and oatmeal. The use of Lactose (Milk Sugar) in the brew gives it a sweet taste and silky mouth feel. Just so you know the NY Times declared 'Mother's Milk' one of the "Top Ten Stouts in North America" ABV: 5% Food Pairing: Hearty/Szechaun Dishes, Steaks, Smoked Meats, Barbecue, Oaxacan Mole. Cheese Pairing: Buttery, Well-Aged Cheddar. Dessert: Chocolate Expresso Cake, Cream Puffs, Profiteroles
Above: Keegan Ale also brought along Old Capital - Golden ale with a light straw color and bright white head that lingers meets notes of citrus and pine from the use of cascade hops with a light sweetness from a simple yet strong malt bill. Named for Kingston's rich historical heritage it has an Alcohol by Volume of 4%. Dinner Pairing: Chicken, Salads, Salmon, Bratwurst. Cheese: Monterey Jack. Dessert: Apricot or Mandarin Cake, Lemon Custard Tart
Above: Isn't the Tap Pull on the Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale EVERYTHING? I can't take the cuteness! Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Wheat Ale is a deep amber colored ale with a twist of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice and an ABV of 5.7%. Pairs well with Beef Dishes and Seasonal Soups!
Above: Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest kept to the seasonsal theme! This one was malty and sweet with a vibrant copper pour and ABV: 5.10% Pairs with brats, spaetzels, pork chops, soft pretzels, spiced apple cake for dessert.
Above: New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire Ale is clear, amber and bright with white lacing, sweet biscuit and caramel malts and subtle notes of fresh fennel and green apple, there is a carbonation and light sweetness on the palate. ABV: 5.2%. Food Pairings: Chicken, Flank Steak, Beer Cheese Soup
Above: Newburgh Brewing Company
Above: Paulaner's Hefe-Weizen Natural Wheat is unfiltered, at first mouthful you might detect a hint of banana aroma and fine palates will perceive trace mango and pineapple and a balance between sweet and bitter. This one was refreshing and also served up with a great smile! This was the beer on the right, the pull on the left might be a bit harder to see it is for Oktoberfest Marzen (The Marzen names comes from "March Beer" because it was historically brewed in March to be at peak flavor for Oktoberfest celebration).
I liked the live music, wide array of samples to choose from and that there were snack vendors close by too and the botany behind the brewing was fun to experience as well. Perk on the uniqueness of the venue and thankfully it was a beautiful day as well which allowed for guests to be able to spread out and really enjoy the surroundings in addition to the tastings. Good amount of room, my only warning is that women not wear heels because you are on grass which isn't very high heel friendly.
This lined up with the Dale Chihuly Exhibition that was still there so tasters could also enjoy some great photo opps with the sculptural installations as dramatic backdrops while they were there!
Spill Butterflies: What is your favorite craft brew or cider? Which of these would you most like to try?
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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, however tickets were provided for Editorial Consieration. This is an event recap. This was NOT an Editor only event, it was open to the public. The event was sponsored, this review is NOT. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway & Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure this butterfly out of her cocoon: Technology, Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Spirits (Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Sake, Bourbon, Craft Brews), Foodie Fun - really I'm such a *simple girl*.
That looks like it was so much fun! A day of drinks, live music, and mingling sounds great to me!
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of event I love to go to. Nothing beats hanging out with cool people and enjoying drinks and music. Looks like it was a ton of fun.
ReplyDeleteNow that's an event I could go to easily! It looks like you had a great time and I would love to test out all those different drinks. I hope you have a great time at the botanical gardens too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day! I love hard cider. And live music? That's so great!
ReplyDeleteI love events like this where you get to taste things before you purchase them. What a fun media day you had!
ReplyDeletePhew! That's a lot of brew to taste and enjoy! Definitely the kind of event that my husband and I will enjoy. I think it's awesome and fun!
ReplyDeleteNow that looks like an event I would love to go to!! Free beer? Yes please!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds cool. I bet you had a lot of fun. SO many beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteWow that looks and sounds like a fun event! I would love to check that out!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun event. It isn't something that I would like though, I think beer is icky smelling. I just can't get past the smell to taste it. My husband would love it though.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great event. I love events like these. You can learn so much and have a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has always told me I would love the Botanical Gardens. This event looked awesome but the gardens sound perfect for me too!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to an event like this. I'd go for food since I don't drink.
ReplyDeleteWow! Brews and Blues! This event is right up my alley. Having hard cider is a plus too!
ReplyDeleteThe botanical garden is an excellent location. I wouldn't be able to hang with all of this tasting, but it looks like a good time. Eating I can do all day.
ReplyDeleteWhen hubby drinks a bottle of beer, I only have a sip or two from his bottle. But I would love to go to this kind of event. For sure I'll enjoy the music!
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