The Countdown Started Grab Bag

Christmas is in exactly 3 weeks. Hanukkah starts is in exactly 2 days. Please plan accordingly. To accommodate those who need to shop closer to December 25, please note our holiday hours:

Sunday, December 20, 9am-9pm
Wednesday, December 23, 8am-10pm
Thursday, December 24, 8am-7pm
Friday, December 25, Closed
Thursday, December 31, 8am-8pm
Friday, January 1, noon-4pm

New Products/Holiday Gifts

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the perfect blend for an indulgent celebration. Luxurious, creamy and honeyed, it is a wonderful tribute to the harmonious partnership of Speyside and Highland Whiskies, with just a hint of smoldering embers from the West Coast. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is made for those unforgettable nights out with amazing friends. We recommend Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve with soda water.

We made a special purchase of the 1 liter size of the Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. We are able to sell it for the same price as the 750ML bottle, $65.99 in the Bottle Club®. This was available to us on a one-time only basis, so when these 1 liter bottles are gone, we will not be able to get more at that price.

Midnight Moon Apple Pie Moonshine Gift Set. Moonshine and apple pie - it doesn't get

more American than this. Midnight Moon Apple Pie is a mix of Midnight Moon, apple juice and a cinnamon stick. As these ingredients blend and age, they create a 70 proof spirit that tastes just like homemade apple pie. No fork necessary.

Midnight Moon is inspired by Junior Johnson’s legendary moonshine recipe. It's distilled from American corn to be ultra-smooth and clean tasting. And boy is it ever. So pop a jar open and pass it around, you’re gonna love our high-quality moonshine.

The Gift Set includes a classic glass Mason jar, if you're inclined to share. Only $19.99 in the Bottle Club®. Midnight Moon on its own is currently $21.99, so the Gift Set saves you money!

Slo Down Sexual Chocolate. It’s hard not to be aroused by the sensual trio of Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The burst of intense fruit, dark chocolate and spice will do things to your palate you’ve only read about on sites that require credit cards. It starts off all innocent with a triple kiss of plum, cherry and cola, but then things escalate quickly as a daring duo of mocha and blackberry take your taste buds on a smooth ride they’ll be journaling about for months.

That's the actual front label for the wine, and it even includes the founder's cell phone number. Available for $20.99 in the Bottle

Club®. Please note that this is a red table wine, and not a wine beverage like the Eurpoa Chocovine.

Schlafly Tasmanian IPA. Our Tasmanian IPA is brewed with 100% Australian hops. The Tasmanian hop, Galaxy, is a strong, aromatic variety that is different from traditional strains of the Pacific Northwest. Our brewers developed a recipe that showcases the hop’s unique flavors of citrus and pineapple. 7.2% ABV, 65 IBU's.

For a quick look at some of our other Holiday Gift Sets, click here and here. All of our Gift Sets are available in limited quantities.

Store Events

We're having our regular wine tasting today in Lawrenceville, 4-6pm. Click here for the tasting menu. Tomorrow, 2-4pm, we're hosting a special tasting of Stella Artois. Also tomorrow, at 2pm, is the Goose Island BCBS event. Click here for details.

At Woodbridge, it's a Celebration of Stout all day today. Click here for details. We're also having a special tasting of Sean Minor wines today, 4-6pm. Finally, also today, is our Goose Island BCBS event. Click here for details.

Saturday is another big event day in Woodbridge. We have our wine tasting, 1-3pm, the Hennessy VSOP bottle engraving, noon-3pm, and the Johnnie Walker Blue Label engraving, 2-4pm. For all the details, click here.

Ripped from the Headlines

Will posting calorie counts for craft beer in restaurants limit choices? The New York Post says yes, yes it will.

Tomorrow is Krampusnacht! "Nacht" means night in German, so it's basically Krampus Eve. In certain parts of Europe, particularly the Alpine areas, they celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. That's Christmas to them. But, over there, St. Nicholas has a traveling companion called Krampus. And while St. Nicholas brings gifts and treats to the good children, Krampus brings coal to the bad children.

The custom of celebrating Krampusnacht the evening before the Feast appears to go back centuries, and has been resurgent for quite some time. It's kind of a fun excuse to party in that part of the world, and schnapps plays a role in the festivities.

If you check the available photos, Krampus is a pretty scary guy. This photo is from a parade near Salzburg, Austria:

This explanation comes from krampus.com: Krampus is celebrated on Krampusnacht, which takes place on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day. In Austria, Northern Italy and other parts of Europe, party-goers masquerade as devils, wild-men, and witches to participate in Krampuslauf (Krampus Run). Intoxicated and bearing torches, costumed devils caper and carouse through the streets terrifying child and adult alike. Krampusnacht is increasingly being celebrated in other parts of Europe such as Finland and France, as well as in many American cities.

Your blogger started talking about Krampus in 2013. With the Krampus movie opening today, it's nice to see that Hollywood finally caught up with the Joe Canal's team!

Have a great weekend!