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Texas Independence

WINE TRAIL

Troy and Michelle Kooper find their niche opening a whiskey blending house

TASTING ROOM

100 West U.S. 290 Ledbetter, TX

HOURS

Friday 1pm-6pm Saturday 1pm-6pm

KOOPERFAMILY.COM

Come out and see us at our tasting room and blending house in Ledbetter, Texas. Just a quick drive from Austin, Houston, College Station and everywhere in between. Patrons can enjoy premium whiskey flights with some of the best Rye whiskey and Bourbon in Texas. We also serve various Old Fashioneds, and creative limited edition Bourbon and Rye whiskeys exclusive to our Texas tasting room.

©2020 The Fayette County Record

A TEXAS BLENDING HOUSE

TABLE of CONTENTS

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FEATURES The Perfect Blend............................................4 Rise and Grind.................................................12

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A New Brew.....................................................14

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Texas Independence Wine Trail.................16 What to Drink with What You Eat.............20 A Big Place to Call Home...........................22

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Quarantine Bartending 101.........................24

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Finding the Perfect Brew............................26

ADVERTISING Advertiser Index............................................28

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SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF PUBLISHER Regina B. Keilers EDITOR Jeff Wick DIGITAL EDITOR Andy Behlen STAFF WRITER/OFFICE H.H. Howze LouAnn Adcox Kara Koether ADVERTISING Becky Weise Jackie Daniels Jessica Montez ACCOUNTING Theresia Karstedt Nonnie Barton

PRODUCTION John Castaneda - Newspaper Lindsey Fojtik - Special Sections

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CIRCULATION JoAnn Mueller Nicol Krenek George Kana Bobby Bedient

127 S. Washington St. | P.O. Box 400 La Grange, Texas 78945 Ph: 979.969.3155 | Fx: 979.968.6767 Email: editor@fayettecountyrecord.com www.FayetteCountyRecord.com The Fayette County Record is published every Tuesday and Friday, except the publication immediately following Christmas by Fayette County Record, Inc. serving Fayette County since 1922. The Fayette County Record is locally owned and operated by the Barton family since 1976. (USPS 188-440)

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On the Cover

Troy and Michelle Kooper of Kooper Family Whiskey

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Swirling a glass, taking a deep inhale, absorbing years of perfect aging, recording the perfect notes as they dance across your palate. Whether a seasoned connoisseur or an admiring novice, one taste of Kooper Whiskey’s pours and the conclusions are the same—this drink has a little something extra.

That something is the heart of Troy and Michelle Kooper, a Texas-loving couple that whisked their way into the world of blending and took Texas by storm.

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BLEND Troy and Michelle Kooper find their niche opening a whiskey blending house Written by Kirsten Cornell Photography by Lindsey Fojtik

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The Perfect Recipe

Flexing his creative muscles in advertising, Troy was beginning to feel the push to transition to a more family-focused lifestyle. “After our son was born, I felt the strain of travel and long hours,” Troy recalls. “I enjoyed my work but rarely received a project that had strong personal ties.”

For Michelle, who worked heavily in the non-profit sector leaving the workforce meant relying on their vision and fully trusting her husband’s abilities. “He’s an incredibly talented and gifted individual,” she shares. “I had to trust him completely, or we could never have made this dream work.”

Austinites at the time, the Koopers had lept whole-heartedly into sustainable living. They began sourcing some of their food and experimenting with recipes for homemade products such as detergent and toothpaste. “At some point, you just concede that it’s easier to just buy toothpaste,” Troy laughs. “But when we thought about whiskey it was like, well why not? It’s just a recipe—albeit a more complicated one.”

The gauntlet was thrown. Admirers became students and consumed all they could on the subject, even building their equipment. “I remember going to the supermarket and buying them out of rye,” laughs Michelle. “It wasn’t as popular then so we were making everything ourselves, including building a still.”

It would be many pours and six more years before Troy would leave his full-time position to be completely dedicated to what is now Kooper Family Whiskey Company.

Sudden Pivot

Through the process of essentially teaching themselves and building their own blending house from the barrel up, the eyeopening moment for Michelle was after they made their first cut that embodied everything they appreciated about the distilled spirit. “The taste, color, and smell were all there,” Michelle says. “I knew that if we could do this not really having any professional instruments…I was a true believer. I had the evidence right in front of me.”

Troy agrees, “The sensory ability is the scariest part because that is subjective. But for us, we believed we had the abilities there. We started to think, ‘Wow, we could do this.’”

The Koopers soon found themselves in the dog-eat-dog world of beverage consumption. While whiskey blending houses were an unchartered territory in Texas, liquor certainly was not. “We were pitching ourselves as this homegrown, family-run business and they wanted millions of dollars in sales,” recalls Michelle.

With drawn-out plans of a full-scale distillery and barrels upon barrels of product, the Koopers soon realized they would be asked to sacrifice quality for quantity. “Whiskey is something that takes time,” explains Troy. “It spends years going through the distilling process, aging, and blending.” They were unwilling to dispense young whiskey for the sake of quick turn.

Their business plan took a sudden pivot. The couple decided to purchase un-aged whiskey and took advantage of the location,

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letting the Texas climate age their barrels before they began the blending process. “In retrospect, the investors turning us down was the best thing to ever happen to our business,” says Troy. “It wasn’t our original plan, but has worked far better for us.”

Best Little Secret

Becoming the best little blending house in Texas didn’t happen overnight. As the couple marketed their business across Austin and filtered into large markets such as Houston and Dallas, they began to consider the need for a central move. Enter Fayette County.

“I honestly can’t imagine having created this business anywhere else,” says Troy. “The environment here is incredibly supportive of businesses and family in general.” Now building their business in Ledbetter, the Koopers were able to travel more easily between districts and create their beloved Tasting Room.

“It’s a shock to your system that this little place even exists,” says Michelle excitedly. “When people enter our Tasting Room they are intrigued by the décor, enchanted with smells, and romanced by the lighting—then they get to meet us and talk about whiskey!”

Deeply entrenched in the education and history behind their product, the Koopers enjoy nothing more than sharing a glass with their patrons and discussing their craft. “We can talk about it all day,” laughs Troy. “We hope when they leave here they appreciate a good product made by good people.”

Barrel to Blend

But before a glass of Prodigal Son ever hits the tasting room floor, it goes through a meticulous blending process compounded with extraordinarily dedicated entrepreneurs. Working alongside a distillery in Kentucky, the unaged whiskey is brought to Fayette County to take the next steps in its journey.

Naturally, they begin with choosing quality oak to age and finish their whiskeys in. From air-seasoned American oak from Missouri and Kentucky that provide a depth of texture—to seasoned second use barrels of various wines, fortified wines, and spirits from around the world, the flavor starts here. “You’d be amazed at the difference wood makes. We source the best quality tight-grained oak for our whiskey barrels,” adds Troy.

As most Texans fighting the heat will tell you, average temperatures in Central Texas reach about 96 degrees during the summer. For the rest of the year, the climate is often moody and unreasonable.

While it makes it difficult for people to plan what to wear, those wild fluctuations and extreme summer temperatures cause the whiskey to breathe in and out of the wood and draw out deeper and deeper flavors, colors, and compounds as the years pass. “It’s not easy maturing whiskey in the extreme Texas climate,” Michelle comments. “But if you work carefully with the natural advantages that Texas provides, it’s the best place on Earth to do it.”

The Koopers draw on an almost infinite number of flavors and aromas to compose their masterpieces. Just as they select whiskey barrels based on flavor profiles, fragrances, and maturity, they define proportions by seeking complementary marriages of flavors and consistency. “We blend the chosen barrels in small batches before returning the mixture to select used oak casks to marry and reach even deeper layers of balance,” explains Troy.

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They credit their years of being whiskey fans for their experienced palates. “At the end of the day, barrels age at different rates and blend differently together. It’s all about the flavor and taste in your glass,” says Troy.

“From the smell to the first taste opening up my palate, tasting the different notes and nuttiness—not the alcohol but the true nuance of flavors. That’s how you know you have a good whiskey,” adds Michelle. “It is something you are sipping, spending some time with it. You want it to be pleasant.”

Building Dreams

From their impassioned speech to their ear-to-ear grins, even a novice can tell that the Koopers love what they do—and for whom they are making it. The freedom the Koopers now have to focus on their business and their family is not lost on them. “We are blessed and so grateful to be where we are,” says Troy. “This environment here is one that money can’t buy.”

Frequenters of the July Fourth parade in Round Top, Cotton Gin Festival, and various Main Street parades, the Koopers appreciate the cultural experience in which they are raising their children.

Highly involved in auctions, school donations, and partnering with local businesses, they note that it is important to also invest in their community. “There are lots of great causes and ways to help the community. We’re proud to be a part of it,” says Michelle.

Although putting Texas whiskey on the map is a worthy goal, it is not the highest compliment Troy has received. “Our children are a huge part of this with us,” he says. “What’s infinitely more meaningful is when we hear, ‘You guys are teaching your kids something invaluable. They are watching their parents work hard and build dreams.’”

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©2019 The Fayette County Record

Flatbreads • Sandwiches • Salads • Soups • Casseroles • Cheeseboards r We carry you ines! favorite local w

Cupcakes • Cookies • Catering • Gluten Free Options • Wine • Beer • Cider 201 W. Travis St. La Grange, TX Open Monday-Saturday

979-968-3964 brawleydental.com

KAT'S ANTIQUES 130 N. Washington | La Grange, TX 979-966-8390

©2020 The Fayette County Record

©2020 The Fayette County Record

lcome e W c i l b Pu

DR. KARI BRAWLEY

Vendors W elcome Come see us...

Over 14 Vendors on the square in La Grange!

BEST ANTIQUE STORE in Fayette County

Antiques, Collectibles & More Monday thru Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday Noon - 5pm

5 Star Dentistry!

Voted Best Dental Office 2020 in Fayette County!

110 N Washington St. La Grange, TX

979-968-5813 2020 VINE & STEIN

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2020 Texas Whiskey Festival Best Rye Whiskey Kooper Family Rye 2020 Texas Whiskey Festival Best Bourbon Whiskey Sweetheart of the Rodeo Bourbon

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Magic beans are real, they are called coffee beans Written by Jessica Montez But first coffee...how many times do you catch yourself saying that in the morning and you probably already said it before you read this sentence. Well, your next morning coffee run or that next mid-day pick me up should be at Big State Coffee House and Roastery.

The aroma from Big State Coffee House and Roastery, located at 107 West Colorado St. in La Grange, is enough to wake you up from several blocks away, that’s what locals and people who work around the square say.

Not sure which cup of coffee you would like to enjoy or always just wanted to know a little more about coffee beans? Well, owners, Rhonda and John Hill are the right people to ask. They both have well-versed coffee knowledge from exploring the world of coffee roasting and even going to a roasting school. And believe it or not,

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it all started at a garage sale of sorts. In 2007 Rhonda bought home a book titled, “Coffee, A Guide to Buying Brewing and Enjoying” by Ken Davids for only $1.00! John being the foodie and coffee lover that he is decided to read it cover to cover and from there he got so good at making coffee he started to supply his friends and church after purchasing a small one pound commercial roaster. They couldn’t believe he made it. They assumed it was from a store, so in 2009 they decided it was time for a storefront on the square.

The store itself has a character all its own. It is fun, has a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere, and has various decor from coffee bean bags from all over the world to lovely coloring pages, (that may or may have not been made from a grandchild) and even local artistry work that is for sale. There is even a coffee mug display setup for their regular customers. If you want to become a regular

customer all you have to do is buy a mug, put your name on it and start getting drip coffee daily.

Now for the coffee talk! It all starts with the bean. Inside the coffee shop, next to the roastery sits a glass tabletop that showcases the beans from light to dark as a gradient visual. For coffee lovers the sight alone is something to see. Big State Coffee House and Roastery only buy organic fair-trade coffee beans from places like Mexico and Central and South America. The coffee bean itself depends on the availability of the current crop and the season.

During the roasting process, you take raw, dry coffee beans from room temperature and modulate the flavor and profiles of the bean over 9–14 minutes. The beans will change from green to yellow to light brown to deep brown to black and with each color, the flavor will change, which is an exact process. While the beans crack and release their flavor, aroma, and undertone during the roasting process, the terminology: light roast, medium roast, and dark roast come into play.

Now for all caffeine lovers out, there:sometimes the myth is that the dark roast has more caffeine than the light roast, however, the opposite is true because the lighter roast is heated to a cooler temperature than darker roasts, allowing them to hold in more caffeine and flavor-similar to a regular cooking method. They have only been roasted untill the first crack. The medium roast has a more balanced taste between the coffee beans’ origins and the sweetness of the roast. It is roasted untill the start of the second crack. The dark roast is roasted the longest to give it that dark brown color or almost black. They tend to have one single flavor, comparable to the old-school diner coffee.

The strongest roast blend they have and a great a way to start your morning is the Sumatra blend which is described as a smooth medium to full body roast with rich, intense, slightly earthy, wellbalanced flavor and having a plum and dried fruit notes. It has a sweet “winey” acidity with a clean, sweet, fruity, and resonant aftertaste. For very detailed descriptions of how all their roast blends taste check out their website www.bigstatecoffee.com or just stop in the shop and ask.

You can buy bags ranging from 1 lb to ½ lb of any kind of their freshly ground coffee beans in-store or they can be found in stores all over Fayette County, such as Jack and Mary’s in Schulenburg, Flatonia Market, Round Top Mercantile, and also at Back Door Cafe in Smithville. You can also mix up your own batch to your liking.

Who knew there was so much involved for just one cup of coffee?

As much as we love coffee, that is not the only thing Big State Coffee House and Roastery has to offer. They have multiple handmade pastries, quiches, soups, salads, sandwiches and for anyone who is not interested in their amazing coffee, they do have a great selection of smoothies and juices. Following their coffee, all their ingredients are organic (and might even be found in their garden right behind the shop) and they do offer healthy and vegetarian options as well.

The Big State Coffee House and Roastery has the magic beans to start your day, and they are called coffee beans. No matter what type of coffee drinker you are, what type of coffee you like, or if you have always been curious about the coffee-making process, you will get your coffee fix at Big State Coffee House and Roastery, so rise and grind and go get yourself some coffee!

www.bigstatecoffee.com

START YOUR DAY WITH US! We are more than just coffee!

. e t a t S g i B . e t s a T g Bi

Nothing taste better than fresh roasted coffee.

Monday - Saturday 7:00am - 5:00pm | Sunday 12:00 pm- 5:00pm

107 W Colorado La Grange, TX 78945

(979) 968-3939 2020 VINE & STEIN

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A New Brew Round Top Brewing Company Opens Fall 2020

While we can occasionally keep an eye on the progress of the Round Top Brewing and Taproom building, we self-isolate and continue baking and making all the delicious things, hoping to share it all with you soon.

Brooke’s insp iration pieces she is using to decorate the Brewery.

Round Top Brewing, an exciting family owned addition to the heart of Round Top on newly minted Minden Square, is nearing completion and is on track to open Fall 2020 as the early 1900s Peake farm house undergoes its restoration and expansion to include a small attached brewing facility and expansive outdoor deck and shaded biergarten under the beloved pecan tree that anchors the corner of Washington and Austin Streets.

Passionate brewers and service industry lifers Paul and Brooke Michie are excited to revive the area’s brewing tradition and warmly welcome all to experience a relaxing and casual 14

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For bar snacks, we like the idea of seasonal spreads, breads and vegetables grown right here. From our farmstead garden: butter lettuce, radish, herbs. Then, house-made chicken liver pâté, honeycomb from a friend, homemade grain mustard, hard and soft cheese and some slivers of fruit.

atmosphere while enjoying their lovingly crafted beer on draft as well as award winning draft beers from friends in the craft brewing community. They are proud to offer expertly selected specialty wines and imported European beers as well as exquisite and approachable snacks, breads and light seasonal fare to share (or not!) from the tiny scratch kitchen, many ingredients from their own farm garden and local producers. Robust to-go options are available from in-house brews (custom sized, canned from draft while you watch or packaged 4 and 6 packs from the case), grab-and-go food, menu items to go along with retail wines and specialty packaged foods.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 Still Thirsty? Visit these Flatonia Chamber members for a great glass or bottle of wine!

C&M Liquor | Henry K’s | MajekVineyard &Winery | The Market & The Market 2| MoraviaVineyard &Winery | RedVault Bistro |Wine Haus

RoundTopBrewing.com

@roundtopbrewing

during constructio

n.

OPENING FALL 2020 ©2020 The Fayette County Record

Exterior of the build ing

Passionate brewers and service industry lifers Paul and Brooke Michie are excited to revive the area’s brewing tradition and warmly welcome all to experience a relaxing and casual atmosphere while enjoying their lovingly crafted beer on draft as well as award winning draft beers from friends in the craft brewing community.

Offering

House made beers // Scratch kitchen Local and imported wine and beer Grab and go food // Can-on-demand brews Huge outdoor space // Yard games

Washington St. & Austin St. Round Top, TX 78954

512.738.7003 2020 VINE & STEIN

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Who’s on the Trail?

BLISSFUL FOLLY FARM BLUE MULE WINERY BUSTED OAK CELLARS CAST IRON WINERY MAJEK WINEYARD & WINERY PIPERS CREEK VINEYARD ROSEMARY’S VINEYARD SAN DUCERRO WINERY

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Texas Independence

WINE TRAIL FAYETTE COUNTY’S WINE TRAIL GUIDE WRITTEN BY KARA KOETHER

What exactly is a wine trail, and how long have they been around? Well, a wine trail is essentially a group of wineries that have formed an association of sorts, and work together to bring visitors and customers to both their wineries and local regions.

Initially, wine trails began forming in the northeastern United States before spreading to the Midwest and across the Atlantic to Europe. The wineries that make up a single wine trail continue to compete with one another, while also coming together to form an entirely new “brand.” For wine and mead enthusiasts in Fayette County and the surrounding area, the “brand” is the Texas Independence Wine Trail.

What makes this wine trail unique is that all of the wineries involved are smaller wineries, sometimes called “boutique wineries.” This implies that when guests visit the winery, the owner and winemakers are typically there, which makes for a much more personal experience. It also enables guests to learn more about the wine they’re tasting.

The Texas Independence Wine Trail is made up of nine wineries and meaderies: Blue Mule Wines in Fayetteville, Blissful Folly Farm (also known as Rohan Meadery) in La Grange, Rosemary’s Vineyard in La Grange, Pipers Creek Vineyard in Columbus, Cast Iron Winery in Sealy, Whistling Duck Winery in Weimar, Majek Vineyard & Winery in Schulenburg, San Ducerro Vineyard in Yoakum, and Busted Oak Cellars in Carmine.

Additionally, each winery has its own events held throughout the year, including live music, grape stomps, yarn festivals, and more. However, there are also certain seasonal events which are held throughout the year that all of the nine wineries participate in. Coming up, the Texas Independence Wine Trail is hosting ‘Charm Bracelets and Wine.’ At the first stop, guests will get a bracelet. At each next visit, they’ll receive two tastings and

The Texas Independence Wine Trail is a self-guided tour that guests can traverse any time of the year. There’s no particular order necessary, which is nice for guests as it allows them to take their time and enjoy each experience at their own convenience.

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©2020 The Fayette County Record

Busted Oak Cellars

The Texas Independence Wine Trail is made up of 9 unique wineries, offers award-winning wines, charming Tasting Rooms in relaxed country settings, and beautiful vineyards and grounds, starting only a short 45 minutes from Houston, and 90 minutes from Austin and San Antonio.

Blue Mule Wines • Blissful Folly Farm • Busted Oak Cellars Cast Iron Winery • Majek Vineyard & Winery • Pipers Creek Vineyard Rosemary’s Vineyard • San Ducerro Vineyard • Whistling Duck Winery

For Event Tickets and More Info visit texasindependencewinetrail.com

Thurs & Sun 12 to 6pm; Fri 12 to 7pm & Sat 12 to 8pm

Rohan Meadery at

Blissful Folly Farm

Rosemary’s Vineyard

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a charm from each winery. There will also be a similar event involving herb gardens, in which guests will receive a planter on their first stop and two tastes, herbs to plant, and even recipes to use the herbs. This summer, there will be a Summer Passport event, where guests have the entire summer to visit all nine wineries to get discounted full tastings and a souvenir from every third stop (the third souvenir will be the same for all guests, no matter the location of their last visit.) Finally, this September, all nine wineries will be together at Pipers Creek for the Texas Independence Wine Festival. And for the guests who’d like to keep track of where they’ve been, a brochure is in development which will have places for a stamp at each winery.

The newest member of the Texas Independence Wine Trail (and the newest vineyard in the area) is Busted Oak Cellars in Carmine, which was opened on February 14 by Patrick and Sherrie Cooke. They planted their vineyard in 2013, and decided to make wine this year. They have 13 wines available, in addition to a small menu of meat and cheese boards, fruit platters, and meatball platters. Patrick and Sherrie’s children are all involved in some capacity, and everyone has had a great time learning the business. “We’re excited about our new tasting room,” Sherrie said, “but it’s most exciting to be a part of something where you can share successes.” They have lots of fun events planned for 2020.

www.bluemulewines.com

©2020 The Fayette County Record

The Tasting Room is set on a hill north of Fayetteville, just two miles from Warrenton. It's a farm for sure, so you'll see our 60+ free range chickens, 6 alpacas, 5 donkeys, and the vineyard. So, come to our tasting room, drink wine, listen to stories, make new friends (furry and feathered alike) and stay a while. There's a stool waiting for you!

Hours: Wed, Thurs, & Sun Noon-6pm; Fri & Sat Noon-7pm

t J u s ff o e l 1 mi 237! y w H

8127 N FM 1291 • Fayetteville, TX 78940 •

713-226-9344

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WHAT to DRINK with WHAT you EAT Simple pairing pointers to match food to your favorite beverages Food is great. Alcohol is great. And when you combine them right, they are matches made in heaven! Is there anything more satisfying than achieving the perfect balance of your favorite alcoholic beverage with a scrumptious meal?

• Reds and reds: Red meats tend to match up best with red wines. Though they can be found in white wines, tannins are predominantly found in red wines. According to Backbar, the tannins in red wines soften the proteins in the meat, thereby helping enhance the flavors of the fat. That makes for a more flavorful meal.

We’ve got the ultimate guide to pairing your alcohol with your good.

• No need to spice things up: Spicy foods are beloved across the globe. Such foods can be among the more intimidating to pair with wine, as spicy foods have bold flavors that no one wants to detract from. In a 2016 interview with Eater.com, professional chef Sean Pharr advised against pairing high alcohol wines with spicy foods, noting that the alcohol can intensify the heat and spice of the food. That can prove disastrous for anyone trying to impress a date or show off their skills with spice. Many people prefer a Riesling with spicy food, as the sweetness of this white wine can help offset the spice, making for a satisfying, flavorful meal.

Pairing Your Wines

Pairing a delicious meal with the perfect wine can be a match made in heaven. Wine novices may be intimidated by the challenge of making the perfect pairing, but they need not put themselves under such pressure. Just because a certain wine might make for a perfect pairing, that doesn’t mean others cannot step in and serve an equally flavorful function.

People who appreciate a great meal accompanied by an equally great wine need not have an encyclopedic knowledge of food or wine to successfully pair the two together. In fact, some basic pairing knowledge might be all that’s truly necessary to make a meal more memorable.

• White and light: White wine fans should know that such wines tend to pair best with light meat, such as chicken or fish.

According to Backbar, a platform designed to help bars and restaurants manage their inventory more effectively, white wines pair well with fish because the acidity in these wines enhances the taste of the fish. Chicken dishes vary greatly, and the online wine resource Wine Folly (www.winefolly.com) notes that the sauce will greatly affect the flavor of the meat. That means a wine that pairs well with a certain chicken dish may not necessarily pair as well with a different one. Representatives at local liquor stores or wineries can help people choose which wine to pair with chicken dishes.

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Pairing wines may seem intimidating. But a few simple strategies can help novices find a wine that makes a homemade meal that much more delicious.

Finding a Food for Your Brew

The rise of craft and home brewing has created more beer flavor profiles than ever before. In fact, there’s likely a beer for everyone, whether you’re a novice or connoisseur.

The Brewer’s Association, a trade association that represents small and independent American craft brewers, reports that, in 2018, small and independent brewers collectively produced 25.9 million barrels and experienced a 4 percent total market growth.

The BA also states that these small brewers achieved a collective retail dollar take-in of $27.6 billion.

While wine will always have its enthusiasts, beer is fast on its

heels as a popular mealtime beverage. Much in the way wines are paired with certain foods, it has become the natural course of action to pair certain foods with particular styles of beer.

“Beer is a great match for food because of the complexity of its flavors, its ability to provide refreshment and to interact with many food flavors,” says Marc Stroobandt, a master beer sommelier for the Food and Beer Consultancy, UK. Although each person has his or her preferences, here is a brief listing of generalized pairings, courtesy of the Brewer’s Association and CraftBeer.com.

• American Amber Lager: Creamy risotto, wild rice, polenta • American Pale Ale: Game birds, such as duck and quail • Belgian-style Dubbel: Pork chops, sausage, tenderloin • Belgian-style Flanders: Grilled ribeye, root vegetables • Blonde Ale: Chicken, salads, salmon, nutty cheese • Dark Lager: Barbecue, sausage, roasted meat • Hefeweizen: Weisswurst, seafood, sushi • Imperial Stout: Smoked goose, foie gras, strong cheeses • IPA: Spicy foods, curries • Porter: Roasted or smoked foods, blackened fish

Commonalities, like aromas and sub-flavors, also work together.

A beer with roasted notes may pair well with chocolate, for example. Opposites also attract, in that a spicy food may taste best when paired with a sweet beer.

Pairing might once have been limited to matching wines with certain foods. But the booming craft beer business has popularized pairing flavorful beers with foods to make meals even tastier.

Visit these websites for amazing mouthwatering recipes you can try at home! www.foodandwine.com www.sunset.com www.bonappetit.com

The Brewer’s Association recommends matching delicate dishes with delicate beers and strong dishes with assertive beers.

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LG Spirits increases their building space by almost four and a half times Written by Jeff Wick When the Sears Hometown Store closed this spring in La Grange, it left behind a big vacant building on the city’s busiest street.

It also provided just the opportunity business partners Grace Pulkrabek and Larry Glass were looking for.

The duo have purchased the building and after a few months of renovation, plan to move their thriving liquor store, LG Spirits, into the building 2004 West Highway 71.

“We’re not scared of work, but I never dreamed our store could grow into this,” Pulkrabek said.

Their plans include adding a drive through lane through the eastern portion of the store, adding a climate controlled wine room, a tasting bar and walk-up and drive-through counters.

They expect to be able to open the new location at the end of October or early November.

The existing location of LG Spirits, at 1381 W. Highway 71, was just 3,000 square feet. Their new facility will be 10,000 square feet, which includes a massive warehouse area that was used by Sears. That extra space will allow them to buy more beverages in bulk, which Pulkrabek said will help keep their prices lower for customers and also help them have more variety of beverages.

“We want to keep up with new items.,” Pulkrabek said. “The last two years we’ve felt like we’ve outgrown the old place.”

Pulkrabek and Glass are longtime friends. Six-and-a-half years ago, a week after Glass retired from LCRA after a career as an electrical engineer, she called and asked him if he was ready for a new adventure, and they bought the old Beverage Barn location and turned it into LG Spirits.

Interestingly enough the ‘LG’ in LG Spirits doesn’t stand for La Grange, but rather Larry and Grace.

The two say they love being small business owners.

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New Building - Same Convenient Drive Thru! ©2020 The Fayette County Record

Your favorite drive thru liquor, beer and wine store is expanding!

OPENING SOON! LATE FALL

Our New Address 2004 W Hwy 71, La Grange, TX Mon-Sat 10 am to 9 pm

(979) 968-3440

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Quarantine Bartending Stock the bar with these cocktail ingredients and classic drink recipes Who isn’t playing home mixologist these days? Many people are heading to the liquor store to make sure they have all the essentials on hand to blend classic cocktails and creative drinks for socially distant happy hours over Zoom or to toast to birthdays and other special events with loved ones at home.

Novice mixologists and even seasoned amateur barkeeps may benefit from a rundown of all the elements necessary to create cocktails from the comforts of home.

liquor and other essentials.

• Gin • Rum • Tequila • Triple Sec • Vermouth • Vodka • Whiskeys (including Bourbons and Scotches)

Prepare your inventory A good base of glassware is essential for pouring tasty cocktails.

• Collins/highball glasses: Tall, chimney-shaped glasses good for vodka and club soda or gin and tonic.

• Coupe or martini glasses: These stemmed glasses are ideal for cocktails served shaken or stirred with ice and served chilled.

• Single rocks glasses: Stemless glasses for any spirit served neat or on the rocks. These hold between eight and 10 ounces.

• Shot glasses: These small glasses tend to be short and stubby.

In addition to these glasses, make sure you have stirrers, shakers and strainers available for mixing drinks.

In addition, it’s best to have on hand some other drink essentials.

• Sour mix • Simple syrup • Green olives • Maraschino cherries • Grenadine syrup • Muddled mint • Citrus rinds • Citrus juices • Tonic water • Club soda and other sodas

Drink ingredients

Learn the essentials

Once your glassware cabinet is full, it’s time to stock the bar with 24

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With accessories and inventory in place, practice mastering these three classic drinks.

Toms 1Cdorillnkins

Marsg2adrriitnkas

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Make om) of Liquor.c (Courtesy ourbon 2 ounces b n juice fresh lemo 3⁄4 ounces p simple syru 1⁄2 ounces ptional) (o egg white s e c n u o 1⁄2 garnish bitters, for Angostura with ice in a shaker ts n ie d re g 1. Add all in and shake. . to a coupe ngostura 2. Strain in dashes of A e re th h it w 3. Garnish bitters.

es gin 11⁄2 ounc mon juice 1 ounce le lus 2 p , p e g d e w simple syru 1 lime fill ) 1⁄2 ounce r enough to (o s a m d ri so ss b la u g cl r garnish s lt, fo 3 ounce on coarse sa quila cherry te o 1 tablespo c n la b Maraschino -quality h ig c h slice s se e c le n 4 ou er trip or orange n th o o r m o e L u a e ointr 2 limes 2 ounces C e cubes, juice from sh e fr s lled with ic e fi c n ss u la o g s ⁄2 in 1 1 1. In a coll and simple lemon juice , outer rims in e g th e d th n r u pou wedge aro salt. da.

1. Run lime dip rims in d n a s syrup. with club so e p ss la to g d s n a ck ughly of two ro orange or 2. Stir thoro rry and an , e a . il ch e u a d q h si te a it t e w Se combin 3. Garnish tail shaker, ice and h it . w l 2. In a cock il F . e ic lemon slice and lime ju ut 15 o b a , d Cointreau, le il ch thoroughly aker shake until f a metal sh o m o tt o b e seconds (th over). d strain should frost fresh ice an h it w s e ss la rnish with 3. Fill g glasses. Ga th o b to in margarita and serve. lime wheels for lime wheels

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Finding The Perfect Brew Explore these different beer styles

Beer has been produced by humans for longer than many people may know. Barley beer researchers have to traced beer production to present-day Iran in the fifth millennium BC. The making and drinking of beer also is noted in the written history of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages available today and it is an important sector of the beverage industry. Business Insider says an estimated $661 billion worth of beer was sold around the world in 2017. In the United States alone, more than 7,000 new breweries opened in 2018, according to the Brewers Association. An additional 1,000 breweries were expected to open in 2019.

• DARK LAGERS: Many dark lagers have malty, smooth, caramel flavors. They tend to have a mid-range alcohol level and relatively low bitterness profiles.

• INDIA PALE ALES: IPAs boast strong hop bitterness and piney, floral flavors. They are especially popular among craft beer enthusiasts and brewers. IPAs tend to have a higher alcohol content than other pale ales. Imperial or double IPAs have even more pronounced flavors and higher ABVs. • PALE ALES: These beers are hoppy, but generally light, drinkable beers. Many easily pair with fish, poultry and cheeses.

All beers are either lagers or ales, which are distinguished by the type of yeast used during the fermentation process (bottom- or topfermenting, respectively). These beers are further labeled to describe the brew’s overall character, and oftentimes its place of origin, states BeerAdvocate.

• PILSNERS AND PALE LAGERS: These similar, golden-colored beers are light in flavor and lower in alcohol content than other styles of beer. This style of beer was made popular in Germany, but many American brands like Coors and Budweiser have made pale lagers a favorite of the masses.

The following are some of the most popular types of beers on the market.

• PORTERS: Porters were developed in London in the early 18th century. These beers are well-hopped and dark in appearance due to the use of brown malt. The name grew from the popularity of the beer among street and river porters.

• BOCKS: BeerAdvocate says a German Bock is a lager that is stronger than your typical lager, with a more robust malt character.

The hue of these beers ranges from dark amber to brown. Bocks were once brewed by Bavarian monks and were consumed at the end of Lent.

• BROWN ALES: These beers feature toasty flavors with malty overtones. They have a mid-range alcohol content and boast a hoppy bitterness. Brown ales are full-bodied beers that pair well with heavier foods, like red meats and stews.

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• STOUTS: Stouts tend to be dark in color and are often mistaken as being heavy and strong. This isn’t always the case. Many stouts are complex and low in alcohol, according to All About Beer magazine.

Dry stouts are well-known in Ireland. A distinguishing characteristic of a dry stout is its black, essentially opaque appearance.

Beer is a complex beverage that comes in many unique styles.

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Healthy reasons to head to your local shop today One of the most widely consumed substances in the world, caffeine is found in varying amounts in coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, and energy drinks.

According to the marketing experts at Brandon Gaille, the United States leads the world in caffeine consumption, taking in around 970 tons every year. The majority of that caffeine is consumed in the form of coffee. Although too much caffeine has been linked to increased anxiety, insomnia and restlessness, those cups of Joe actually may have positive health benefits when enjoyed in moderation. The National Institutes of Health advises that, since coffee beans are loaded with protective compounds, they can help deliver caffeine in healthy ways.

When consumed in coffee, caffeine may help prevent certain diseases. Caffeine, which is a mild stimulant by nature, has been linked to lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease. The NIH also says caffeine may lower a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and other dementias, while also boosting concentration and memory. The biologically active compounds in coffee also can help prevent diseases like stroke and certain cancers.

The research study, “Adenosine, Adenosine Receptors and the Actions of Caffeine,” first published in February 1995, states that caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine. When this occurs, the amount of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, can increase. This can improve the firing of neurons, leading to improvements in mood, memory, energy, and general cognitive function.

For individuals looking to shed a little extra weight, caffeine may help there, too. Several studies show that caffeine can boost metabolic rate by three to 11 percent, according to Healthline. Coffee, which boasts the vitamins B2, B5, B3, manganese, and potassium, delivers caffeine and can be part of a nutritious diet and successful weight-management regimen.

People prone to headaches and recurrent pain may find caffeine can help them manage those symptoms. Caffeine is one of the main ingredients in some pain relievers. The University of Georgia also has found that a moderate dose of caffeine (roughly that found in two cups of coffee) can reduce post-workout pain by up to 48 percent. What’s more, The Journal of the American Medical Association notes that, when caffeine is combined with other pain relievers, only 40 percent of the other drug was needed to provide the same level of efficacy.

Coffee and caffeine provide various health benefits and can be beneficial when consumed in moderation. Anyone who wants to alter their caffeine consumption should do so gradually to see how their body reacts to the changes.

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Art After School Programs Arts for Rural Texas provides children in rural communities with Art After School programs, including hands-on experiences in painting, sculpting, music, theatre, the culinary arts, and more. Our programs coincide with the school year and include both public and private schools, as well as several community locations throughout Fayette County.

For more information, or to get your child enrolled in one of these amazing programs, call us direct or visit us online.

Bringing the Arts to Rural South Central Texas 979-378-2113 • www.artsforruraltexas.org Adult Workshops and Spectrum Lecture Series Arts For Rural Texas not only cultivates art expression and enthusiasm in children, it also provides adults with opportunities to explore and create through workshops and lecture series.

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