The Bruery Provisions

    The Bruery Provisions is my favorite beer tasting room, it might also be the only beer tasting room I've ever been to, that's beside the point.  Located in the oh so adorable Downtown Orange area, it's hard not to feel all smitten.  They do beer so right, flights of 5 terrifically crafted brews with prices ranging from $6.00-$9.00!  Their cheese and charcuterie plates are just downright shmancy, and it would be pretty much the most perfect place to have a date.  Their wine flights are also tasty, picked myself up the best Tempranillo I've ever had and expanded my beer collection too!  The Bruery knows how to do beer in the most innovative way possible, I can easily say they're my favorite in the craft beer world. 

Bourbon Brownies w/Rum Caramel Ganache

       Pictured above, had me at Bourbon and baking with booze.  This is something you can make and thoroughly impress yourself and others, I'm talking major swooning here.  The hardest part is resisting seconds, cause the first one was that good, yeah I still want seconds.  I got the idea from this lady's blog and altered the recipe slightly to fit my needs.  Her don't waste your time making it totally from scratch, is what I call brilliant.  Simply sub your favorite Bourbon for water and viola!  The rum ganache is kinda the best part, I'd make it again and drizzle it all over ice cream and such, I added a touch of sea salt on top and pow!  Double swoon.

Recipe as follows: 

• Box of Ghirardelli Double Choc. Brownie Mix 
• Sub Bourbon for water on Box Recipe 
• Bake at 350

Caramel/Butterscotch Ganache

• 6 tablespoons Heavy Cream
• 3 tablespoons Butter
• 2 teaspoons Rum
• 3 oz Caramels unwrapped
• 3 oz Butterscotch 

Melt Butter & cream together till they're almost boiling.  Poor over Caramels and Butterscotch Chips in glass measuring cup, stir.  Finish melting in Microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, till completely melty. 

Make sure brownie is warm and drizzle your Ganache on top, add whip or vanilla ice cream and sprinkle sea salt for a magical experience!  

Bar Review: Neat

Neat, it's probably my favorite bar in Los Angeles right now.  Uncle Aidan did good at creating the most unpretentious cocktail bar, in Glendale of all places!  It's passable on the street and once you get in, it's instantly cozy.  The kind where you see a giant punch bowl and a friendly bar owner offering you a complimentary glass to get started.  The fireplace subtly lights up the room and god, they did a fantastic job displaying the spirit section.  Coming here made me appreciate spirits and their way of asking if you'd like it "Neat" is just swooning.  The tenders are anything but cocky and will craft you the most delicious drinks.  I fell in love with a new bourbon, Willet, an easy sipper that warmed me up perfectly on a cold night.

I miss this place already, it's that good.  Take your friends or your lover, it's worth it.

Bourbon Pecan Pie

I've always had mixed feelings about Pecan Pie until I made one with Bourbon.  Sweet, sweet bourbon with your smooth slightly smokey taste and touch of honey.  You in a pie is just a dream come true, really.  Choose your spirit wisely, I opted for my favorite Bulleit, other alternatives I suggest would be Knob, Bakers, Buffalo Trace, or Makers.  Don't worry, it's not boozy once you cook it, though you might find yourself doing a shot while you're waiting for it to be finished. 

The recipe is here and bound to get reactions from people suffering from euphoria and yum.  You will thank me later, as this Bourbon Pecan Pie is anything but ordinary.

Tiki Dinseyland Adventure!

   My lovely sister was kind enough to introduce us to Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.  Nestled in the Disneyland resort, it's lure is sure to pull you in with it's stiff fruity concoctions.  The ambiance can be pretty intense during popular hours, with bartenders ringing bells and chanting with rain depending on what you order.  Cocktails are pretty yummy, it's no Los Angeles Tiki Ti by any means, especially with my MIA Himalayan, but its great for what it is.  I recommend ordering the Uh Oa! with it's ability to intoxicate you and a few others, it's sure to light your fire and provoke you to throw cinnamon at it!  

    It was a fantastic day at one of my favorite places as we took a cruise and made Gin-Julips.  I tried the beignets for the first time and yes I liked them... Mainly cause they were Mickey shaped.  Mom took us to Pooh's corner and bought us Tiger tails too.

   If you ever need advice on how-to do Disneyland right, you know who to contact. I have over 25 years of experience and am a proud daughter of the sweetest Mother who'd allow hooky from school to ravel in magical wonders and become an avid photog.   Over and out my dears.

  

Bulleit Rye Whiskey

Meet a new member of the Bulleit family, Rye.  Constructed 95% of rye mash & 5% malted barley, surly to make you smile, if you're a fellow whiskey lover like myself!  Pretty much the smoothest rye I've ever had with spice notes of cinnamon, cherry, and a slight campfire feel.  Absolutely sippable and I'm thoroughly enjoying it as I type, but I wish I had a warm piece of apple pie from Alcove...

She's a real bute my friends, the only problem is she's so easy to sip I could have a second round (Sighhhh).  Somebody get me a campfire and hand me guitar and no one will get hurt.

Rating: Solid A
Swoon Factor: Weak in the knees
Special thanks to: Eugene

Stone Oakquinox: Barrel Aged Beer Fest

Stone Oakquinox has been the most amazing beer festival I've ever been to, and that's saying allot my friends.  There's such a world of beer that many of you haven't even heard of, hell I'm new to it too!  Craft beer is always trying to outdo itself and others by taking the art of brewing to new levels, levels of aging and perfection.

Let's face it, beer aged in bourbon barrels, brandy barrels, port barrels, and wine barrels is just destined to be sipable and delicious.  Everyone received 15 tasters and I must say, after the first two I was already feeling buzzed.  Talk about beer with a serious punch, most of these pack a booze content of 8-17%, which may sound a bit much... really it gets the job done.  Luckily I was with the loveliest of people in the gorgeous San Diego sunshine and thoroughly fulfilled my day of fun, taking meticulous notes and ratings, ranging from <3 's to crossing beers out entirely, to this is total "baby making beer".

Beer geeks are fascinating and I couldn't have asked for nerdier peeps ranting on about their home-brewing lives and how much they loved sours, which I'm now taking bets on that I will never like them, ever.  Just give me anything that has hints of bourbon and I will be the happiest girl on earth.

 Any favorite beers as of late my darlings?  Am I a total dork? (Absolutely...)

Oh and best in show goes to.... FiftyFifty Eclipse Imperial Stout 2010(Evan Williams Single Barrel) This beer is "the one".

Tiki Ti: Himalayan

Meet the Himalayan, my favorite beverage at Tiki Ti in Hollywood.  It's a Vodka based drink with pineapple, coconut shards, and the most perfect ice ever.  Two of these and you will be on the islands, smiling in paradise.  I like quaint and I like cute, that's exactly what this place is.  P.S. you get a free drink on your actual birthday, who told you life can't be free?

Happy Friday my dears!