Pre-Game the Big Game

Attending a football watching party on Sunday is pretty simple. You show up. Maybe you bring a bottle or a six-pack or some food, but it's easy. Hosting a party? A bit more complicated, maybe by a factor of a gazillion or so. Today's post is all about helping you simplify things. And since there aren't any local teams involved, guests might pay more attention to the party.

Maybe it's counter-intuitive, but we'll start with food. Ok, food and beverage. Along with chicken wings, the top food that will available on Sunday is pizza. We recently asked our store staff for their recommendations on beer and wine to pair with pizza. Click here for that post.

Beer and wine are popular choices for the Big Game, but punch bowls have found a place on many party tables. We just happen to have some great, yest simple punch recipes. Click here, here, here, and here for an assortment of recipes.

If you're thinking about spirits for Sunday, consult our Build a Bar workshops for ideas. So far, we've discussed Scotch, Irish Whiskey and Gin. There are also some additional cocktail recipes at the Gin link.

We heard a radio report this morning that there are something like 16 different wine choices at the stadium where the Big Game is being played this Sunday. While most people associate beer, not wine, with football, the Northern California location of the game does get you thinking about wine.

The stadium website doesn't make finding those wines easy. Our Woodbridge store does have a football-themed wine in stock, the J. Arthur One On Zip Toss Merlot. It's soft and enticing, with mocha and dark fruit. It's available for sampling on Saturday, from 1-3pm, during our regular wine tasting.

Cabernet Sauvignon, of course, remains the best selling red wine. For the Big Game, or for any time you need a red wine, Lawrenceville's Senior Wine Manager Brandon Bartfalvi recommends the 2013 Robert Storey Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, and not just because it's a wine from Northern California.

One of the top offerings of the year, do not miss this great Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Burgess Triere Vineyard and their signature hillside estate on Howell Mountain. Napa Valleys Burgess is one of our most requested Cabernets and this wine from their Estate Vineyards and a great vintage is one of the most incredible offerings yet from wine industry icon Robert Storey. And

Brandon says that it's great with wings.

For another football-themed product, how about this Effen Vodka? Everything about ultra-premium EFFEN® Vodka was painstakingly designed. The continuous distillation process that ensures extraordinarily smooth taste. The range of daring flavors, including Black Cherry, Dutch Raspberry, and Cucumber. And definitely the bartender-designed touch that adorns each bottle: a polymer sleeve. That's what makes EFFEN® Vodka perfect for those who love good design. We're the product of one.

Arriving just in time for the Big Game, the sleek bottle is cased in a textured football sleeve which comes stamped with 50 Cent's’s signature and logo.

Craft beer is always a top choice for football watching. Over the last week or so, we've discussed almost a dozen of the latest arrivals. These have included local favorites like River Horse Chocolate Porter and Northern California (see what we did there?) seasonals like Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut Down.

We just received our shipment of what might be the most popular seasonal craft beer, Troegs Nugget Nectar. Maybe take a six-pack to the party, and keep one six-pack for yourself.

If you're a last-minute shopper at our Lawrenceville store, you can meet the Bud Light Girls on Sunday, from 1-3pm. Last-minute shoppers in Woodbridge can enjoy a sampling of Henry's Hard Soda, from 3-5pm. If you are shopping this weekend, please allow a few extra minutes, as we do expect the stores to be busy.

Football Game Party Mix

You're probably aware that there's a championship football game this coming Sunday. Since there are no local teams involved, you can pay more attention to the party side of the evening, and we're here to help you with that. We are open normal hours this week, so you have plenty of time to do your shopping. We always suggest shopping early, for the best selection. However, if you wait until Sunday, you can meet the Bud Light Girls in Lawrenceville, or enjoy a sample of Henry's Hard Soda in Woodbridge.

We've scoured the internet and worked with our staff to bring you a few Big Game cocktail recipes that are sure to please the party crowd on Sunday night.

Big Game Punch

1 liter Tito's Vodka
3 bottles of Corona, 12 oz/bottle
3 containers frozen limeade, 6 oz/container
3 bottles club soda, 1 liter
3 limes, sliced into wheels
Lime wedges, for garnish
Ice

Add the vodka, beer, limeade, and club soda to a large serving container and mix well. Add lime wheels and pour into tall tumblers filled with ice. Garnish each glass with a lime wedge and serve.

Super Sunday Punchbowl of Freedom

6  Cinnamon sticks
25  Whole cloves
1 tsp Allspice
1 bottle (750ML) Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1 bottle (750ml) Laird's Applejack
25 oz Ruby red grapefruit juice
25 oz Honey
10 oz Sweet tea
Garnish:
1 apple, cored and sliced

Wrap the cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice in cheesecloth, tie into a bundle and place in a punch bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly. Fill with ice, stir and garnish with apple slices.

(If assembling ahead of time, refrigerate after stirring together the ingredients and add the ice just before serving).

Montgomery Punch

2 cups fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup Christian Brothers Brandy
Ice
2 (750ML) bottles chilled La Marca Prosecco
1 (375ML) bottle chilled dessert wine, like Lions de Suduiraut Sauternes
Garnishes: orange slices, lemon slices, cranberries

Stir together first 2 ingredients until sugar dissolves. Stir in brandy. Pour over ice in a punch bowl. Stir in sparkling and dessert wines.

Recipes courtesy Foodnetwork.com, Liquor.com and SouthernLiving.com

Big Game Hype Ends, After More Fun!

We can't let the Big Game get here before we empty the prize cabinet, tap more specialty kegs, and taste some wine. Here's a quick summary of the weekend events.

In Lawrenceville, we have our regular free wine tastings tonight, from 4-6pm, and tomorrow, from 2-4pm. Tonight's specialty tapping, at 5pm, is Dogfish Head American Beauty. And tonight's free raffle drawing is for a pair of tickets to the 2014 Philadelphia Eagles home opener. No purchase is necessary to enter the raffle, but you must submit your entry in person.

On Saturday, in addition to the wine tasting, the 5pm specialty tapping is Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout Vintage 2012. The evening comes to a close with a raffle for a Jason Avant autographed Philadelphia Eagles football.

Sunday, while you're taking care of the last-minute details before settling in to watch the game, we'll offer you a few reasons to stop in at Joe Canal's. From 1-3pm, we're giving away hot dogs (while supplies last), and we're also having a visit by two Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders. And we're raffling off one last autographed Philadelphia Eagles football. The store will remain open until 7pm, as susal.

Things are just as busy at our Woodbridge store. The regular wine tastings have a football theme, and will be held from 4-6pm tonight, and 1-3pm tomorrow. There will be TWO specialty tappings at 6pm tonight, Founders Imperial Stout and Sly Fox Pale Ale Firkin. Tonight's free raffle prize is a portable Yuengling grill.

Saturday will include the regular wine tasting, and the 6pm specialty tapping will be
Weyerbacher Insanity Vintage 2012. That ends the Big Game Growler series. Saturday night wraps up with a free raffle drawing for an Antonio Cromartie autographer NY Jets helmet.

There will be food to whet your Big Game appetite on Sunday, as we'll have a food truck featuring sliders (while supplies last) from 1-3pm. But the final free raffle drawing, being held at 5pm, might be the best. We're raffling off a pair of tickets to the New York Giants 2014 home opener. As in Lawrenceville, the Woodbridge store will remain open until 7pm, as usual.

Even though the Big Game will be history, Joe Canal's will still be here, offering amazing values on exceptional products. And as soon as we clean up all of the displays from the Big Game, we'll move on to helping you prepare for Valentine's Day!

Sparkle for the Big Game

The Big Game is the ultimate sensory experience. Even non-sports fans want to know everything about the game, or maybe just the commercials. And very few of us will get to watch the Big Game from one of the suites at MetLife Stadium. You can, however, sip champagne like you're there.

Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge have very limited quantities of BEAU Joie Brut Champagne. This champagne will be featured in the suites at MetLife Stadium for the Big Game on Sunday, so even if you're not at the game, you can take your palate there.

BEAU combines supreme quality with impeccable, cutting-edge design. BEAU is made from the highest quality wine - 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, naturally derived from the finest grapes in Epernay, France.

This unique, zero-dosage champagne has none of the added sugars common in other champagnes. BEAU's true, uninhibited flavors rise through to the palate, boasting the perfect balance of dryness and sweetness, resulting in a clean, crisp taste from start to finish. This lack of added sugars makes BEAU a perfect match to all foods and desserts.

The bottle is wrapped in a 100% copper (made of 100% second-generation scrap, made into functional artwork) suit of armor that was inspired by the armor worn by the Knights that protected the Kingdom. This copper suit of armor keeps the bottle colder, longer, which eliminates the need for a table-side ice bucket.

BEAU Joie Brut is available in limited quantities for only $89.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Celebrate Australia Day Today at Joe Canal's!

Today is Australia Day, commemorating the first landing in Australia by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788. We can't think of a better way to celebrate than by visiting Joe Canal's. Let us explain.

Australians celebrate this day much like we celebrate the 4th of July. So while we're not exactly seeing barbecue weather here in New Jersey, we can still enjoy the bounty of Australia. We carry so many wines from Australia that both stores devote an entire section to the choices. Whether you prefer the casual and inexpensive labels like Yellow Tail or Little Penguin, step-up brands like Penfold's or Mollydooker, or fine wine like Glaetzer Amon-Ra, we have an Aussie wine for you.

I don't know whether they still teach this in our schools, but Australia was first used by the British as a penal colony. In that time, crime was so bad that the jails, particularly in London, were filled beyond capacity. The solution was "Punishment by Transportation," because the trip to Australia was lengthy and brutal.

Soon enough, a list of 19 Crimes was put into effect, which you can see here:

 Of course, to pay homage to the not-so-glorious roots of Australia, today we have 19 Crimes wine!

This wine is a red blend, consisting of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Dark red and maroon hues extend from the core of the glass as dark fruits, licorice and spice linger. The Shiraz is the brooding component that brings the core of dark fruits, liquorice and round ripe tannins. The Grenache is focused in the red and blue fruits spectrum and delivers plushness to the final blend. Last but definitely not least the Mataro brings the spice and finer tannins, pulling the structure together and giving the wine drive. The resultant wine is complex and layered in a soft, approachable style. At only $9.49, you can't beat it for your personal celebration of Australia Day.




Of course, since we're still in the pre-Big Game stage, Joe Canal's has raffle drawings in both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge today.  Please visit our website for the full details. Today's drawings are at 5pm, and no purchase is necessary. Lawrenceville will also continue their Big Game specialty tappings at 5pm, bringing Dogfish Head Olde School into the Growler station.

Whether it's Australia Day or the Big Game, our celebration means good things for you. Please stop in to Joe canal's in Lawrenceville or Woodbridge today!

Raffle Prizes as an Antidote to Snow!

As we look out the office window mid-day today, we see it's finally gotten around to snowing. The weather report indicated that we'd get an inch or two of snow today, which shouldn't be enough to deter you from stopping in to Joe Canal's, New Jersey's wine & spirits Superstore.

In case you need an extra reason to visit Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville or Woodbridge, let me give you  five extra reasons instead.

Both Lawrenceville (2-4pm) and Woodbridge (1-3pm) will have their regular Saturday wine tastings. Click for the tasting menu at both stores. The menu at Woodbridge includes one of the Downton Abbey wines.

Today we're also continuing our pre-Big Game activities with 9:00pm raffle drawings at each store.

 

In Lawrenceville, the prize is this 32" TV. Sorry, but the beer is not included.








And in Woodbridge, the prize is this Sam Adams Fire Pit. That's pretty tempting, given the weather lately!








For our daily raffles, tickets are only collected on the day of the drawing, so the more days that you visit our stores, the more chances you have to win! No purchase is necessary to participate in the drawings. Follow the links for the complete prize list and Rules for Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

Our fifth extra reason is today's specialty tapping in Lawrenceville. Our Big Game specialty tappings started a few days ago in Lawrenceville, and will begin on Monday, January 27 in Woodbridge. In Lawrenceville, today we're tapping Stone Double Bastard.

Tomorrow, each store will raffle off a Big Game catered party for 10. So there's a head start on your reasons to visit Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge tomorrow!

Taste, Win, Taste, Win

We've got a busy weekend for you at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. Weekends are for relaxing? Not if we have anything to say about it.

Let's talk about what's happening in our Lawrenceville store first. The busy starts this afternoon at 4pm, with our free wine tastings. Click to see the available selections, which range from the everyday to special occasion wines.

Friday also continues our Big Game specialty Growler tappings. At 5:00pm, we'll tap a keg of Weyerbacher Quad. From the brewery tasting notes: "Big and delicious, QUAD is an elegant dark ale. Rich with complexity and flavor, try savoring it with a fine dinner. You also might enjoy it as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to a dessert, but QUAD stands alone quite well. We recommend enjoying QUAD in a brandy snifter or wineglass so you can drink in the aroma of this fine ale."

And as if that wasn't enough, we also have our raffle drawing tonight at 9:00pm. The prize is this DeSean Jackson autographed Philadelphia Eagles helmet.

His hand-writing might be iffy, but the #10 is perfectly clear.

In Woodbridge, we also have a full agenda. Tonight, we start with our weekly wine tasting, from 4-6pm. Click to see the available selections, which includes the Downton Abbey Blanc.

We also have our regular 5pm Friday night tapping. We're continuing with Founder Brewing as our brewery of the month, and we're tapping a keg of Centennial IPA.

Tonight wraps up in Woodbridge with a raffle drawing, with the prize being an Antonio Cromartie autographed NY Jets football helmet.

No purchase is necessary for any of our Big Game week raffle drawings. The complete list of drawing dates, prizes and Official Rules for Lawrenceville can be found here, and for Woodbridge, here.

That was all just Friday. Wait 'til you hear about the rest of the weekend! We'll keep you updated here, on our Facebook pages, and in our Twitter feeds.

Stop In & Win!

Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge are doing the touchdown dance! We're celebrating the fact that the Big Game is being played in New Jersey, but you'll be the winner!

Here's what we mean. Every day until the Big Game, each store will have a drawing (no purchase necessary, must be 21 or older; click for the Official Rules) for cool prizes or opportunities to purchase some extremely hard-to-find products.

We're showing you just a few of the items being raffled. Follow the links below for the full list for each store.

Friday, January 24, in Lawrenceville: DeSean Jackson Autographed Phila. Eagles helmet

Saturday, January 25, in Woodbridge: Sam Adams Fire Pit

Tuesday, January 28, in Lawrenceville: Justin Tuck Autographed NY Giants helmet

Friday, January 31, in Woodbridge: Portable Yuengling Grill

Saturday, February 1, in Lawrenceville: Jason Avant Autographed Phila. Eagles football

Please visit the Lawrenceville store Big Game page for all the detail on the events and activities there. And please visit the Woodbridge store Big Game page as well. Don't miss the food and the fun at Joe Canal's!

More Big Game Cocktails

Now that the teams are set for the Big Game, we thought we'd help with some themed cocktails. Products from the Denver area (Coors/Coors Light, Blue Moon, Breckenridge beer or Breckenridge Bourbon, Great Divide beer) or Seattle area (Chateau Ste. Michelle or Snoqualmie wines) are easily found on our shelves, and certainly make a statement about team loyalty. But let's go one step further and create cocktails.


With Denver playing Seattle in the Big Game, we wanted to offer some cocktail recipes that would be relevant. Denver will be the visitors on February 2nd, so that recipe will be first:

The Bronco

Ingredients
1 part Boulaine or Walker Blue Curacao
2 parts Vodka (I prefer Tito's, but choose what you like)
4 parts Orange soda

Method
Fill glass with ice
Pour in vodka
Pour in Orange soda
Top with Blue Curacao.

Voila! Blue and orange, like that Denver football team.

The Russellmania

image Genevieve Alvarez / The Seattle Times

Maybe this is really a "Hawktail"

Mix into a glass with ice
1 ounce Jim Beam Jacob's Ghost White Whiskey
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
Garnish with lime wheel dipped in sugar and espresso grounds.

This cocktail gets you the main color of that Seattle team, with taste of another thing that Seattle is known for.

Please let us know in the comments which team you'll be rooting for in the Big Game!

Big Game Big Beer Night in Woodbridge

Beer is an important part of any Big Game event, and we're here to help the craft beer aficionado in the run-up to February 2nd. Our Big Game Big Beer Night in Woodbridge will be January 29, and here are the details.

We are going to raffle off the opportunity to buy some extremely allocated, painfully hard-to-find beers, beginning at 6pm on January 29.  Raffle winners will have the opportunity to purchase one bottle of:

Terrapin Cinnamon Rolled Wake and Bake
Terrapin White Chocolate Moohoo
Fifty Fifty Eclipse  (only 3 bottles to raffle)
Founders Sweet Repute (2 bottles to raffle)
Firestone Velvet Merkin (3 bottles to raffle)
Stone Crime (2 bottles to raffle)
Brooklyn Black Ops (2 bottles to raffle)
Sam Adams Utopias (1 bottle to raffle)

Only one raffle win per person. 

We will also have limited quantities of these beers available for purchase, first come, first served, one bottle per person limit:

Dogfish Head 120 Minute
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Vintage 2012
Great Divide Old Ruffian Vintage 2012
Dogfish Head Olde School Vintage 2012
Sierra Nevada Narwhal Vintage 2012

No purchase is necessary to participate in the raffle. You must be 21, with valid ID (if requested) to participate in the raffle or to sample any alcoholic beverage. The agenda is subject to change without notice.

Big Game Big Beer Night in Lawrenceville

Beer is an important part of any Big Game event, and we're here to help the craft beer aficionado in the run-up to February 2nd. Our Big Game Big Beer Night in Lawrenceville will be Thursday, January 30, and here are the details.

We are going to raffle off the opportunity to buy some extremely allocated, painfully hard-to-find beers, on January 30.  The program will start at 6pm, and the drawing will begin at 7pm. Raffle winners will have the opportunity to purchase one bottle of:

Terrapin White Chocolate Moohoo

Terrapin Cinnamon Rolled Wake n Bake

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Goose Island Barleywine

Goose Island Rye

Founders Sweet Repute

Stone Crime

Stone Punishment

Sam Adams Utopias, Vintage 2013 (1 bottle to raffle)

Only one raffle win per person. 

We will also have limited quantities of these beers available for purchase, first come, first served, one bottle per person limit:

Fifty Fifty Eclipse (All barrels)

Firestone Anniversary

No purchase is necessary to participate in the raffle. You must be 21, with valid ID (if requested) to participate in the raffle or to sample any alcoholic beverage. The agenda is subject to change without notice.

The Big Game Big Beer Night is free to attend, but due to space limitations, your RSVP (name and phone number) is requested by January 29. Please email tcarver@joecanals.net or ldaly@joecanals.net to reserve your place.

Sipping Like You're In A MetLife Stadium Suite

The Big Game is the ultimate sensory experience. Even non-sports fans want to know everything about the game. And very few of us will get to watch the Big Game from one of the suites at MetLife Stadium. You can, however, sip champagne like you're there.

New to Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge is BEAU Joie Brut Champagne. This will be featured in the suites at MetLife Stadium for the Big Game on February 2nd.

BEAU combines supreme quality with impeccable, cutting-edge design. BEAU is made from the highest quality wine - 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, naturally derived from the finest grapes in Epernay, France.

This unique, zero-dosage champagne has none of the added sugars common in other champagnes. BEAU's true, uninhibited flavors rise through to the palate, boasting the perfect balance of dryness and sweetness, resulting in a clean, crisp taste from start to finish. This lack of added sugars makes BEAU a perfect match to all foods and desserts.

The bottle is wrapped in a 100% copper (made of 100% second-generation scrap, made into functional artwork) suit of armor that was inspired by the armor worn by the Knights that protected the Kingdom. This copper suit of armor keeps the bottle colder, longer, which eliminates the need for a table-side ice bucket.

BEAU Joie Brut is available in limited quantities for only $89.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Countdown to the Big Game, Lawrenceville Style!

Here's a quick look at the free events and activities at our Lawrenceville store in the days leading up to the Big Game! Please read to the end for all of the important details.

Tuesday, January 21: Recliner Chair Raffle
Wednesday, January 22: Bicycle Raffle
Thursday, January 23: Recliner Chair Raffle
Friday, January 24: Autographed Philadelphia Eagles Helmet Raffle
Saturday, January 25: 32" TV Raffle
Sunday, January 26: Catered Big Game Party for 10 Raffle (Details TBA)
Monday, January 27: Canopy/Tent Raffle
Tuesday, January 28: Justin Tuck Autographed NY Giants Helmet Raffle
Wednesday, January 29: Bicycle Raffle
Thursday, January 30:  Allocated Beer Release, 6pm; $15 Sam Adams Utopias pours (while supplies last). See details here.
Friday, January 31: Raffle for 2 tickets to the 2014 Philadelphia Eagles Home Opener
Saturday, February 1: Autographed Philadelphia Eagles Football Raffle
Sunday, February 2: Appearance by two Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Free Hot Dogs, 1pm-3pm; Autographed Philadelphia Eagles Football Raffle.

Official Rules: You must be 21 or older to enter any raffle or sample any alcoholic beverage. We reserve the right to request proper ID that conforms to the laws of the State of New Jersey (Valid Drivers License from any US State or Territory, Valid Passport or Valid US Military ID). Lack of proper ID may result in your disqualification. No purchase is necessary to enter. You must enter each raffle separately, and you may enter as many different raffles as you wish. One entry per raffle per person. You do not need to be present to win. Entries will only be accepted in the store. Void if prohibited by law. Agenda is subject to change without notice.

We will collect and draw the raffle tickets separately each day. For example, to enter to win the Philadelphia Eagles tickets, you must submit an entry form only on Friday, January 31. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

The raffles on Sunday, January 26 and Sunday, February 2 will be drawn at 5pm. All the other raffles will be drawn at 9pm. The decisions of the Store Manager are final.