THE DISTILLERY CHANNEL
JOURNAL
October 2020 Issue | Vol. 7
Sipping, Dining, Destination Podcast on Tour Cabo Golf by Art Stricklin Quartine Reboost by Dina Garcia Kamakazi the "Divine Wind" by Robert Mills Aloha Dreaming Photos by Daniel Sullivan Riverhead Brewing Company
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The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tours Hosted By: Miss Kira, Rob in the Rearview and Uncle Randy.
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L E T T E R F RO M T H E PUBLISHER Summer 2020 is behind us, as we are now behind a mask. At best it has been
a difficult year for all of us. With the promise of a vaccine in the coming days, it is time to be hopeful looking forward to the Fall, Holidays and Spring 2021.
I am proud to have the staff and friendly members on our weekly shows that
highlight the small craft family of distilleries, wineries, breweries, moonshiners, resturant and coffee shops. Our media team of Master Chef Dave Trevelino, Dina Garcia, Art Stricklin, Mike Calbot, Robert Mills and AJ McAdam supported by our Executive Team of Miss Kira, “Rob in the Rearview”, Tim Bona and yours truly want to thank all you for your support and joy in coming on, and listening to our shows.
We are now producing our “The Next Taste” series of podcasts every Monday afternoon. “The Next Taste” and features our entire national media team. Due to The Distillery Channel’s growth, working with over 9000 Small Craft Members, we are now producing “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage and Culinary Tours” started in early September 2020. Rob, Kira and Ole Uncle Randy will be on the road virtually through Zoom and/or Facebook productions; then sending these shows internationally on our 16 podcast platforms.
As usual our “The Distillery Channel Journal” (electronic magazine) is an easy
place to find our upcoming calendars and where we will be performing as 2021 evolves. We are looking forward to getting back on the road.
We have hooked up with a great Southern Rock Band who we will be touring
the nation with beginning in the Spring 2021.
Great fun ahead and we can’t wait to get goin’.
Be Safe and Healthy, Randy Weckerly
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S 12
LOS CABO GOLF
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POST QUARANTINE REBOOT
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COFFEE FAMILY TREE
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DANIEL SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHER
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THE NEXT TASTE IN CRAFT BEVERAGE & CULINARY TOUR KAMAKAZI THE “DIVINE WIND”
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CHRISTINE FRAISER
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RIVERHEAD BREWING COMPANY
Contributors: Art Stricklin Daniel Sullivan Dina Garcia Lori Sweet Robert Mills Randy Weckerly
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PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT: RANDY WECKERLY
VICE PRESIDENT: KIRA PETERSON
EDITORS:
ANDREA PETERSON KIRA PETERSON
NATIONAL SALES: ROB LADD
EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: KIRA PETERSON
KIRA.THEDISTILLERYCHANNEL@GMAIL.COM
DISTRIBUTED BY:
THE DISTILLERY CHANNEL COFFEE PLATFORM, SMALL CRAFT BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, WINERIES, FACEBOOK & ISSUU PLAFORM.
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The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tours Hosted By: Miss Kira, Rob in the Rearview and Uncle Randy.
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Rob in the Rearview featured on
“The Next Taste Show�
Email: rob.thedistillerychannel@gmail.com
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Cabo Golf 2020 Written By Art Stricklin
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Nearly 26 years after Jack Nicklaus
designed Cabo del Sol golf course and introduced this area into the international golf travelers conscience, Norman, who has never done an 18-hole course in Cabo, and the Jones, who did one, two decades ago, are consumed with making this Latin American/ Mexican golf market even better.
“What I wanted was to create a unique
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – When
guests check into the new Four Seasons Resort on the uncrowded and unspoiled East Cape side of the golf-rich Southern tip of Baja California, Mexico, one of the first things they will see in their room is a large pair of binoculars.
They are there to watch whales from
the nearby Sea of Cortez in the wintertime or boats of any size, anytime. But what they really represent is a symbol of the latest clear evolution of this once sleepy fishing village into a resort golfing and luxury hotel powerhouse.
course,” said Robert Trent Jones, Jr., who designed the Costa Palmas course adjacent to the new Four-Season Resort, the first-ever for the company in the Cabo luxury market.
“Cabo has plenty of cookie cutter luxury resorts and fine golf courses here. I wanted to do something unique and memorable.” With the par 72 Costa Palmas,consider
it mission accomplished as the Jones course is a self-described golfing symphony seen in three movements: dunes, highlands and marina.
The new Four Seasons, currently the
only luxury property on the East Cape, 1 hour northeast of the international airport, along with the new Robert Trent Jones designed Costa Palmas, located adjacent to the resort and housing development, plus the new Greg Norman designed Rancho San Lucas golf and development, are the latest evolution to the Cabo luxury market.
Jones and his dad have been in the golf
architect business long enough to know that the best land these days is often not used for dramatic golf holes, but for equally dramatic real estate which can be sold for multi-millions of dollars.
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Jones knows the process either
happens when the course is first built or later when the architect is called back to remodel some holes away from the ocean to give the real estate more of a prime spot. This has happened many times in Cabo.
So, he knew from the beginning at
Costa Palmas, which can play 7,221 yards from the back tees, that he would be working away from the near, always calm and placid, Sea of Cortez.
“That land is too good for golf holes,” he said.
So, because there are not huge
stretches of land between holes or dramatic ups and downs on the course, you are able to walk the course for fun, exercise and strategy, something that is not true of many, if any, other courses in the area.
“I wanted to give you something to look
at with the mountains and the dunes and the water and give it a different feel for a Cabo golf course,” Jones said. “In reality it’s three different experiences in one course and the fourth is the invisible attack in Cabo, the wind.
“Always
So other than the par 3 third which
were where the sea serves as the backdrop, there are very few water holes or overly dramatic features on the course. But Jones was able to add another very unique feature for Cabo golf travelers: a truly walkable golf course.
“The way it was laid out was there are a few arroyos on the courses, but there is not a huge distance from tee to green, so you can certainly walk if that is your choice,” Jones said.
remember, I’m playing defense with my courses. You are the attacker, I am the goalkeeper.”
Indeed, some of the hole layouts,
especially in the middle section of the course, feel like you’re playing in the middle of the desert. Jones said that is on purpose because the East Cape is in the High Desert section of the region.
But because this is still Cabo, and
next to the luxury leader Four Seasons Resort, it’s not all sweat and struggle at Costa Palmas.
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All those are entirely possible during
your incredible stay at the Four Season Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, as long as you get back in time for the multi-storied spa, the five resort pools, the mixture of restaurants and the swimmable beach front, another rarity for Los Cabos.
Another great feature Jones built,
After the par 5 7th hole. there is a
luxury laden cantina, Lucha Libre, serving up all manner of food from steak tacos to quesadillas and all kinds of drinks including water, soft drinks and those considerably harder.
The Four Seasons Resort, where you
must stay to play the great course, is offering a special Costa Palmas package to play the Jones layout, with a cart or walking, golf balls and all food and beverage at both Lucha Libre and Bouche’s Café, which is right next to the pro shop and 32,000 square feet of putting green.
something he or his famous architecture father never thought about when they started several decades ago, is the huge putting green and range which can be used for families who just want to putt and play and not golf or those who want to work on their short game.
“It gives people a taste of the game and
they can enjoy ice cream while their playing and putting,” Jones said.
Costa Palmas is a laid back enough
place where you can play with your dog alongside, as head pro Lizzy Coghill does on occasion, enjoy the day, the views, the nearby resort and the ice cream which can be delivered on course, and Lucha Libre.
“It’s the Four Seasons, so there is luxury,
sure, but it’s also the East Cape, so we wanted it to be wild and free and to guest to be able to ride horses on the sand and see the sand dunes while hiking,” said Jason Grosfeld CEO of Irongate, who oversaw this huge project.
The new Greg Norman Signature
course, Rancho San Lucas, is located near the vibrant town of Cabo San Lucas, and the associated Grand Solmar Land’s End hotel, an exclusive and luxurious property, right next to the harbor.
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The all-inclusive Grand Solmar Land’s
End, built in 2011 and semi-obscured by massive rock formulation, is nice enough to have hosted the President of Mexico during a recent visit. It has enough variety in large pools and swim-up bars to enable guests to see the Cabo sunsets and the huge pounding surf in comfort.
Each room at the Grand Solmar Land’s
End is a suite with a balcony that offers scenic ocean views. There are a variety of oceanside restaurants as well as a full sports bar, a spa, a kid’s club and plenty of outdoor lounging spaces. The Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas reopens in October after a brief closure due to Covid.
The more adventuresome can actually
walk from the back of the resort to the famous Lovers beach and Land’s End rock formations.
“I really think this course has the
opportunity to help lift the next evolution of golf in the Cabo area,” said Rancho San Lucas Director of Golf Brad Wheatley. Wheatley has overseen nearly every significant course in the area since he showed up from West Texas to work at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Palmilla Golf Course in 1992 before moving on to Cabo del Sol and many, many others.
“What Norman has done with the
course and what they are building here will be really, really special,” Wheatley added.
Norman himself has played and
designed hundreds of golf courses all over the world, but said the landscape and setting at Rancho San Lucas took his breath away.
“I walked the initial landscape of the
Norman’s first 18-hole course in Los
Cabos, 30 minutes from the airport via a new highway, certainly showcases his maturity and growth as an international golf course architect.
Some of his courses in the U.S. may
have been under-appreciated, but this par-72 layout, stretching to 7,210 yards from the back tees, is brilliant for the way it incorporates not only the ocean views, but the all-encompassing desert scenery.
more than 100 courses I’ve designed, but when I came over the crest at Rancho San Lucas and saw the ocean and the desert and the dunes, I knew this could be a really special place,” he said at the grand opening last winter.
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Turning off the busy highway to the
development of the same name, you drive down steep hills and narrow winding passages, but when you get close enough to see the Spanish Mission style clubhouse with the Pacific Ocean behind and the well-groomed practice facility in front, it overwhelms you with curb appeal.
The par-5 first hole at Rancho San
Lucas stretches to 543 yards from the back tee and parallels the ocean. It is similar to many in the area, but after that Norman continues to build good holes, stacking one after another, as the top courses do.
The Norman design at Rancho San
Lucas is testament to the fact that any architect or golfer can build dramatic, spectacular layouts with equally spectacular oceanside scenery, but the best ones can do it with natural surroundings, showcasing their skill and creativity by using the native elements at hand.
That’s exactly the case here, with the
par-4 6th hole serving as a prime example. The tee boxes are built around, between or near two huge cardon cacti near the teeing area. There is a large desert wash to the left and more brush along the right side.
Shot placement is paramount on many The par-4 second has huge sand
dunes running along the right side of the fairway with the Pacific in the background. The par-3 third is as close to the water as you’ll get, with magnificent homes in the Norman Estates community in view on the left. At nearly 200 yards, this windswept hole provides all the challenge you could want.
The course turns inward after that
with more huge dunes, sloping foothills and hundreds of cacti.
of the holes, with a full-filled thrill ride up and down the land at the former cattle ranch owned by the Bulnes family, owners of the Solmar Group that developed Rancho San Lucas.
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The par-4 14th is a vivid ribbon of
green fairway with dunes and ocean on the left, distant mountains on the right. By the time you get to the par-3 17th hole and its island green, you’d think Norman is just showing off his architectural re skills and experience. It’s a mere 161 yards from the back tees, the shortest par 3 on the course, but one filled with the most danger.
The finishing par 5 is uphill with more
dunes, more desert and more distinctive sod-walled bunkers to an oval green with the large clubhouse in the background.
While you need to stay at one of
several hotels within the Solmar Hotels & Resorts collection or own property at Rancho San Lucas to play here, it’s a small price to pay for an outstanding golf layout as part of the new wave of Cabo golf luxury.
When opened by Nicklaus and his
team in December of 2014, he won instant praise for his spectacular views, especially on holes 5-6-7 and 13 hugging the dramatic Cabo cliffs. But in the ensuring years, it has matured into a total resort with several luxury hotels, a booming public food market, sports bar, tennis, water sports, plus the ocean, waves, beach and killer sunrise/sunsets which show up every day at no extra charge.
If this is indeed the future of Cabo
golf, then you may need to wear shades for this new golf era because it will be so bright!
Of course, the originator of the
current new wave of Cabo courses, the nearby Nicklaus-designed Quivira Golf Club is still his most scenic.
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Rancho San Lucas is an exclusive
834-acre resort community that is elevating the standard of coastal living in Cabo with The Villas at Rancho San Lucas and the Norman Estates. The Villas will offer 120 single family homes with five different floorplans ranging from 3,000-3,800 square feet. The newest offering within the collection is The Villa Margarita homes--nine beautifully designed single-story homes with pricing from $675,000 to $735,000 USD. The Norman Estates at Rancho San Lucas is the most exclusive and prestigious address within the entire community. The Norman Estates includes 32 single level luxury estate homes: 11 are oceanfront custom homes and 21 are beachside homes. All homesites range from 12,000-33,000 square feet. Pricing ranges from $3,700,000 to $6,995,000.
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For more information on The Four
Seasons Cabo and Costa Palmas golf, go to: https://www.fourseasons.com/loscabos/golf/ or www.costapalmas.com for information on The Grand Solmar Land’s Ends and Rancho San Lucas Club, go to: www.ranchosanlucas.com www.grandsolmar.com. For Quivira, go to www.quiviraloscabos.com.
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Stockholm’s Address: 306 West State Street, Geneva, IL 60134 Phone Number: 630-208-7070 Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/stockholmsbrewpub www.stockholmsbrewpub.com Click Here for Their Menu. Stockholm’s Video with “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tour”.
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Star Union Spirits
https://starunionspirits.com
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Star Union Spirits Address: 300 5th Street, Suite 135 Peru, Illinois 61354 Phone Number: 815-205-1234 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ starunion-spirits https://starunionspirits.com Star Union Spirits Video with “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tour”.
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https://golfair.co.za
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“The Next Taste Show” Podcast iTunes-iHeart-Spotify Hosted By:
Miss Kira, Ole Uncle Randy and Rob in the Rearview
Facebook Page:
Play the Most Recent Show
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Post Quarantine Reboot Written By: Dina Garcia, RDN, LDN
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Do you feel like life in quarantine
threw everything off schedule? Have you fallen into unhealthy eating habits? Do you think you need to go on a “strict diet” to get back to yourself?
The feeling of needing to go on a
restrictive diet or start a new weight loss plan after getting out of routine, such as going on vacation, an extended holiday, or experiencing an emotional event is not unusual. However, the act of restrictive eating, creating a list of food rules, and setting strict routines is not the answer.
This month I’m empowering you with
simple but effective ways to reboot your health while breaking free from adding unnecessary (and often ineffective) food and exercise rules and restrictions.
If you are struggling with getting back
into a healthy routine post quarantine, reach out to schedule your personalized plan to reboot and rebalance your health!
Reboot and Rebalance Drink Up. Being adequately hydrated
helps your body function at optimal levels. When dehydrated, you feel sluggish and have an increase in sugar cravings for a quick energy boost. Drinking water helps boost your metabolism, eliminate waste, re-energize your body, and much more.
Reboot Action: Drink at least eight
to ten eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Start the day with hot water and lemon juice. Take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break with green, black, white, or herbal tea. Drink at least eight ounces of water before your meals.
Focus on the Positive Powers of Plants.
Create meals and snacks centered around fresh vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes, whole grains, and plant-based fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds. As you shift from packaged foods to more plantbased foods, monitor how well you feel. What are the positive shifts you are noticing?
Reboot Action: Keep a journal to
reflect on how your health is improving. Do you have more energy? Are you sleeping better? Are you experiencing a decrease in cravings? Have you seen an improvement in your skin? Are your clothes fitting better? Creating awareness of positive changes fuels your motivation to continue to healthy habits.
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Plan and Prep for Progress.
One struggle client share with me in maintaining a healthy weight is not planning nutritious meals and snacks. When life gets busy, it’s tempting to forgo the veggies and just head to the drive thru. The thing about relying on the quick and easy options is this usually means your meals are higher in fat, sodium, and calories. However, a little time planning and preparing for the upcoming week can keep you stocked with foods that empower your health and the choices you make. Use the weekend to plan meals and snacks. Consider dividing up planning and prep steps into different days to make it less overwhelming.
Reboot Action: Start by pre-chopping
veggies for salads and stir fry, boiling eggs, grilling chicken, and making soup. Double up your recipes and freeze half for another night of the month. When planning your meals, plan for what you will cook as well as leftovers. It’s okay to even plan for the nights you plan to eat out or pick up, the secret to success is in the planning.
Downsize Dinner. Research has shown that you are more likely to eat what’s in front of you based on the size of your plate. Which means, the larger the platter, the larger your portion. An easy solution is to downsize your dishware. And this doesn’t have to be done just for dinner; this is a great tip to practice at breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Reboot Action: How can you use
smaller plates, bowls, and glasses? Swap the dinner plate with the salad plate? Shop for old vintage dinnerware? Please send me an email on how you plan to do this.
Bypass the Booze. It’s no secret that
empty calories from beverages can add up. Not only do the calories from booze add to your waistline, but they can also inhibit your willpower to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. The result? You consume more calories and end up sleeping in for your morning sweat session.
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Rev-Up Your Reboot Sweat Daily. Participate in regular
exercise that gets your heart pumping. Besides burning calories, activity is essential to boosting your mood and reducing stress. During exercise, your body releases endorphins, making you feel good and increasing the motivation to eat well and find joy in day-to-day life.
Reboot Action: Start interval
training. Interval training is alternating short bursts (about 30 seconds) of intense activity with longer intervals (three to four minutes) of less intense activity. For example: if walking, add short bursts of jogging into your regular brisk walks. If running, add sprints. You can also incorporate weight training with high-intensity cardio workouts for a HIIT workout.
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Don’t Skimp on Sleep. Not getting
enough sleep can get your whole body off balance and ultimately affect your food choices. Sleep deprivation can decrease leptin, the hormone that tells your brain when you’re full, and increases ghrelin, the appetite-stimulating hormone.
This combination can result in making unhealthy food choices and overeating. Reboot Action: Create a bedtime
routine that helps you unwind and relax. Avoid electronic stimulation from the TV, computer, and the phone. Drinking hot tea, dimming the light, and reading will calm your mind and body as you prepare for a good night’s sleep. Copyright © 2020 Customized Nutrition Newsletters, all rights reserved.
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Featured Recipe: Mango Raspberry Margarita Recipe By: LaCroix
Ingredients: •
• • • • •
Freeze Dried Raspberries 1 oz. Mango 1 oz. Raspberries Squeeze of Orange Squeeze of Lime 4 oz. Mango LaCroix
Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Freeze-Dried Raspberry Rim. Muddle Mango and Raspberries. Squeeze Orange and Lime. Add Ice and Mango LaCroix. Stir and Garnish.
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We Make it Easy!
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"The Art of Golf Travel" with Art Stricklin
“Third Annual Art of Golf Socially Distanced Dallas Classic” Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 TPC-Four Seasons Resort
• • • • • •
Fun Round of Golf at Longtime PGA Tour site TPC-Four Seasons Resort with Cart Full Use of Tournament PGA Tour Practice Facilities Buffet Dinner at Historic Byron Nelson Golf School Team Awards, Tourney Gifts, Stories & Surprises Relaxed, fun format, play your own ball. 6 feet apart from all! 1 P.M. Tee Times! All For Just $275! Checks to the Art of Golf Travel or Credit Card through Paypal!
Friends, it’s been Tough Year in golf, Let’s end it with a Fun Fall Outing! I don’t need to tell you that 2020 has been the strangest of all golf and travel years. Great trips we had planned were gone, fun trips to the Ryder Cup and Atlantic, Canada vanished (the November Masters No fans!). So how better to end the year on a good note, but with a fun afternoon of golf and dinner at the Fabulous TPC Four Seasons in closeby, drivable Irving, Texas, on Thursday, October 8. E-mail astrick@flash.net to sign up for golf or call 972-989-2310. Socially distancing golf with local friends at a special Art of Golf Price! www.theartofgolftravel.com
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Third Annual Art of Golf
Classic at the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Dallas, Championship Course.
The one-day tournament, set for Thursday, Oct. 8,includes gifts, prizes, a golf clinic and a chance to play the same course the PGA Tour’s best battled for 25 years.
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Tiger Woods Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Branson, Missouri October 13-15, 2020
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2020 Masters Tournament November 9-15, 2020
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2021 Masters Tournament April 5-11, 2021
Extremely limited Badges & Lodging still available.
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2021 Irish Golf Classics Northern & Southern Ireland May 28-June 5, 2021
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Bandon Dunes Golf
Short Course & Sheep Ranch Course August 23-25, 2021
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Ryder Cup 2021 Whistling Straits, Wisconsin September 21-26, 2021
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“The World Best Coffees” Foy Estate Coffee
www.foyestatecoffee.com
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Daniel Sullivan Master Photographer
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Photos Provided By: Daniel Sullivan Photography
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Caramiya DaviesReid Face Masks: • watercolor/surface design • patternmaking/sewing insta.@caramiyamaui caramiya19@me.com https://caramiya.myshopify.com
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Riverlands Brewing Company Address: 1860 Dean Street, Unit A St. Charles, Illinois 60174 Phone Number: 630-549-6293 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ Riverlands-Brewing www.riverlandsbrewing.com Riverlands Brewing Company Video with “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tour”.
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The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tours
Written By: Randy Weckerly
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Years in the making, like a fine
distilled product… “The Distillery Channel Media” is now on the air with our new show, “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage and Culinary Tours”. We are very excited to start planning the next 3, 6 and 12 months of our travel and visit schedule across America; Hopefully, as the pandemic subsides, around the world.
Over the past five years, we have
visited with and are proud to say we have over 9000 Small Craft Breweries, Coffee Shops, Convention/Tourism Boards, Distilleries, Moonshiners, Travel Destinations and Wineries. “The Distillery Channel Platform” has been delicately nurtured from our executive staff and our fully credentialed media team covering sporting and media events worldwide.
We are growing rapidly every week
with Facebook Live Presentations, New Podcast shows; “The Next Taste Show on Tour” and “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage and Culinary Tours” using Zoom.
We have researched what works for providing help to our platform members dedicated to producing current stories and content with our media presentations. We have found that our viewers tell us what they enjoy and would want to see more.
Looking toward the future, we look
forward to getting past this pandemic and getting ready to open up every industry in America. We are anxiously waiting for the future of the corona-virus vaccine being ready for the public and getting back to our post pandemic normal life. We know that our “The Distillery Channel Journal” and our shows will be one of the top leaders of reopening each industry in American.
We are beginning in September 2020
with our shows “The Next Taste Show on Tour” and “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage and Culinary Tours”. “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage and Culinary Tours” will start in our hometown, community, state and region. We work closely with The Chamber of Commerce in Geneva, Illinois, businesses in Geneva, Illinois and businesses in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Rich in culture, entertainment and world class dining, these towns are easily commuted by either bus, car or train from downtown Chicago to the destinations in Illinois and Wisconsin.
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One of our favorite restaurants to
check out in downtown Geneva is Osteria Bigolaro, 317 W. State Street, Geneva, Illinois. Owner and Chef Anthony is passionate about greeting every customer and welcoming with his kitchen in the middle of the restaurant. Anthony greets every customer with a big grin, his down to earth smile, personality and his passion for everything at Osteria Bigolaro.
We will be featuring our hometown
region of Wisconsin and Illinois in the “The Distillery Channel Journal”. On our shows, all of our different social media platforms will be featured during the months of September through December 2020
A few highlights in Geneva, Illinois,
bring your appetite and you will be surprised at some of the world’s best dining is found in downtown Geneva.
Osteria Bigolaro’s website best
describes Anthony’s passion. “Growing up,
Anthony found himself in the kitchen at a young age helping with prep and a taste tester. When timing was right, Anthony became a classically trained Chef at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago, Illinois. At LCB he studied classic French cuisine and later had the opportunity to travel to Italy to study his favorite cuisine, Italian. When returning home, Anthony worked in local restaurants gaining experience. As years went on, Anthony’s love for authentic Italian cuisine grew and focused on the craft of making handmade pastas. That is what led him to open “Osteria Bigolaro.”
An “osteria” is a casual and
inexpensive restaurant found in Italy, and a “bigolaro” is a vintage pasta extruder that originated in Northern Italy. It was the perfect name for Anthony’s vision. “Osteria Bigolaro” will focus on the art of handcrafted pastas and homemade bread along with great wine.”
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Geneva, Illinois is an easy 60-minute
Metra ride from downtown Chicago and will let you out on Third Street. When you step off the Metra stop you are a short walk to begin your Geneva experience with cozy shopping, coffee shops, multiple dining locations depending on what you are looking for. State Street, about five blocks away, will find you’re captivated walking past winery retail shops, Frank Sinatra music will fill the air coming from one of the restaurants. Geneva is the leading location in the Midwest for a day on the road or a long weekend with their festive flair.
Visiting the Illinois countryside, you
should check out a distillery and winery. “Whiskey Acres Distillery” at http://www.whiskeyacres.com/home is just twenty minutes west of Geneva. “Whiskey Acres Whiskey” tells the story of their farm raised corn and crops distilled while perfecting their award-winning bourbons. Every weekend there are events, a full retail shop to fill your senses with their home spun authentic country feeling.
If you head to their location, ask
Trisha for her special bourbon slush recipe’s. They are terrific! Check out their YouTube Video at: https://youtu.be/ii0YAE1vF5A.
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If you are looking for a winery
experience and not a distillery, you can travel West from Geneva. On Route 38 you will start finding acres of grapes filling each side. I visited “Aquaviva Winery” in August and found grapes are almost ready for Fall Harvest. Wellmanicured, well attended covered grapes are easily found on all acres surrounding “Aquaviva Winery”. “Aquavia Winery’s” website can be found at https://acquavivawinery.com. If you plan on getting hungry while at their winery, their restaurant has traditional Italian cuisine with a massive indoor and outdoor seating area.
“Aquaviva Winery” is known as one
of the premier locations for weddings or simply enjoying a day in the country. If you plan on attending their winery on the weekend, you will find the owners enjoy entertaining you with their own renditions of Frank Sinatra music. The owners sing from their heart and share their passion for Italian heritage. They will keep it up all night with a little encouragement from their patrons.
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These are only three of the hundreds
of breweries, destinations, distilleries, moonshiners, and wineries found within a two-hour drive from downtown Geneva, Illinois. We will be featuring more of these destinations weekly on our podcasts “The Next Taste Show on Tour” and “The Next Taste in Craft Beverage and Culinary Tours” found on the major podcast platforms including, iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, Pandora, Buzzsprout and many others.
Send us a message on our Social Media
or on our website www.thedistillerychannel. com about some of your favorite locations we should feature on our podcasts. We will be serving unique stories, menus, craft beverages, restaurants and coffee servings.
Hope we will be
getting back on the road shortly after the pandemic allows our executive staff and credentialed media team to travel. We will be delivering these stories getting ready for America to open up in the coming months.
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The Next Taste in Craft Beverage & Culinary Tours Hosted By: Miss Kira, Rob in the Rearview and Uncle Randy.
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Kamakazi – the “Divine Wind” Hinge Points in History Written By: Robert Mills
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Hinge Points in History – Instances Where One Man, or a Single Event, Changed the Course of History There have been moments in history
where a single determined person, or natural event, forced destiny down one path instead of another, an event which forever changed what occurred afterward. This article, the second in a series for The Distillery Channel’s journal “The Distillery Channel Journal”, explores more examples of these history shaping phenomena.
After he conquered China and Korea in the late 13th Century, his vast empire stretched across the entire Eurasian landmass from Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the Pacific Ocean. Khan next set his sights on subjugating Japan, the world’s oldest unconquered nation 1.
Khan commanded by far the
Kamakazi – the “Divine Wind” that Saved Japan, Twice. How two perfectly timed typhoons,
seven years apart, changed the course of East Asian history.
In this month’s chapter, we will
explore two instances where invading naval fleets so enormous that they would have led to the certain defeat of Japan, were instead annihilated in route by sudden storms, leading to the abject failure of both invasions.
The Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan
ruled the largest contiguous empire in the history of the world.
mightiest naval force on earth. To conquer Japan, Khan sent his first attack fleet in 1274, this one consisting of 900 ships carrying an invasion force of 35,000. This invasion failed due to a typhoon, as explained below. So, Khan spent the next seven years energetically building a much bigger navy. Then, in 1281, Khan sent this second, vastly larger force of over 4,400 ships, bearing 140,000 men, to crush the Japanese nation. This latter effort remains to this day the largest attempted naval invasion in history. Its immense scale was only recently eclipsed by the actual D-Day invasion of allied forces into Normandy in 1944. Japan’s 40,000 samurai soldiers wouldn’t have stood a chance against Khan’s gigantic armada. 1 Meaning the oldest sovereign country with a unique culture and language, living within an unchanged border, which has never been conquered by a foreign power.
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But unexpectedly, once each invasion
was underway, ferocious typhoons roared out of the East China Sea, savaging Khan’s naval invasions and causing both of them to fail miserably. More than a third of the ships and men in the first invasion were lost. But nearly all the ships and men in the much larger second invasion were lost -100,000 drowned, 30,000 captured (then killed by the Japanese) -- making this “one of the largest and most disastrous attempts at a naval invasion in history”.
As a result, Japan remained
unconquered, its unique and highly consequential civilization intact. Japan went on to become a great and independent Asian power. Mongol China never expanded its empire further eastward, and gradually fell into decline.
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Japanese poets, who believed god
was on their side, called those typhoons “kamikaze”, meaning “Divine Winds” . But for those storms, Japan would almost certainly have been brutally subjugated by the Mongols, like many other nations, and forced to become one of Kublai Khan’s vassal states. Japan may well have been permanently annexed to Korea or China and had its cultural identity annihilated. Khan’s cultural footprint in East Asia would have been far greater and more consequential. Instead, these two storms changed the path of history, imposing limits on Mongol power while preserving Japan’s sovereignty and its unique culture.
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Mike has been associated with and in the business of golf since the late 60’s. He has
traveled extensively in golf and has been seen in over 50 countries around the world as a renowned Golf Trick Shot Artist, professional golf instructor, master clinician and public speaker.
In his travels Mike has come into contact with nearly every type of golf operation
conceivable which has allowed him to be one of the more knowledgeable individuals in the world in the business of golf instruction. He has successfully operated as an entrepreneur and independent contractor in the golf business since 1978. Prior to 1978, Mike was head professional for a private club for 6 years and assistant professional at several other country clubs earlier in his professional career in the late 60’s including the famed Marco Island C.C which was home to the late Gene Sarazen.
Mike has an instructional TV series entitled “The Golf Doctor” which has been seen on
Wink-News a CBS affiliate for 35 years and is viewed by millions of people annually. In addition, Mike is the author of a golf instructional video “Learning Golf” (produced in 1978), published writer (Golf tips and Golf articles). Mike can be seen and heard weekly on the Radio/TV weekly show thedistillerychannel.com which he gives golf advice and tips to its listeners.
Mike Calbot as golf instructor, swing analyst and golf trick shot expert, travels the world
giving performances, schools, clinics and corporate outings, which allow him continuous exposure. His Golf Studio boasted a healthy clientele in the thousands and has personally given over 85,000 lessons.
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“Building confidence through better understanding.� The Mike Calbot Golf Academy Through progressive practice programs quickly elevating the skills of beginner, intermediate and advanced golfers.
https://golfdoctorusa.com Call: (239) 482-0900 Email: mikecalbot@golfdoctorusa.com
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Christine Fraser:
Golf Course Architect Written By: Lori Sweet
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“If everything was given to you, it wouldn’t feel as good when you achieve it” Annika Sorenstam (Retired Professional Golfer) What do the Lahinch Golf Club in
Ireland and the Toronto Golf Club in Canada have in common, besides the fact they are top-level golf courses? They happen to be golf courses touched by the creative hand of 32-year-old golf course architect Christine Fraser. How did this young Canadian, end up working in the golf course design industry? You’d have to go back to her early childhood to start that story.
In the Beginning Golf has always been a part of her life.
Christine grew up in a family whose life centered around golf. In 1970, her maternal grandparents bought a piece of land outside Kingston, Ontario. This piece of land would become Camden Braes Golf Course.
Christine and her brother spent
summers on the golf course as children. It was a natural transition to start playing the game. Her mother and uncles worked at the golf course, later taking over when her grandparents retired.
Summer Fun On summer mornings, she and her
brother Brad would be the first ones on the golf course. They might be gone for hours. Club members would complete 18 holes, then return to the clubhouse, often stopping to tell her mother that they had seen Christine and her brother on the 11th hole swimming in the pond or that they had seen them on the 4th hole looking for golf balls. They would be sure to report that they were fine.
Sports Education Christine’s main sports interest was
hockey. She played hockey competitively all year round. She enjoyed golf and found the game came to her easily. Her family spent the school March Break in Florida each year. When she was in Grade 12, she and her brother were at a driving range hitting a few balls. Christine was approached by someone who complimented her on her swing. She was also asked if she attended Stetson University.
The question piqued her interest, so
she contacted the university golf coach to discuss the program. She ultimately chose golf in Florida rather than attending Queen’s University in Canada to play hockey.
For the next four years, she worked
on her Bachelor of Arts degree and played golf. Lots of golf! It was an intense NCAA Division 1 sports program. While Christine enjoyed the game, she knew from having played it six days a week for four years, that it was not something she was good enough to take to the professional level. After her graduation in 2009, she returned to Canada.
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The Next Chapter She worked for what is now called
Golf Canada, running their amateur golf tournaments. She knew she wanted to stay in the golf industry but wasn’t sure in what capacity. One day she read an article about Chambers Bay in Washington. It’s a site that was originally a sand and gravel mine adjacent to Puget Sound. Today it hosts world-class golf tournaments. She immediately knew that this type of golf course architectural project was something that interested her.
She enrolled in the Master of
Landscape Architecture program at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Golf and landscape architecture were a good fit for her. In her final year, she was working on her thesis and was awarded some grant money to collect data.
She was conducting interviews with
golf course superintendents to gather different perspectives on what makes their respective golf course appeal to golfers. She also wanted to know what would encourage golfer participation from a maintenance perspective.
Scotland Bound The first modern game of golf was
developed in Scotland, so this was a great starting place to collect some data, as well as a fantastic country to visit. She set up a meeting with the superintendent of the much talked about Trump Aberdeen.
During their meeting, the
superintendent excused himself to take a phone call. Christine heard him say the name Martin, as he walked away. When the meeting resumed, she asked if it had been Martin Hawtree on the phone. In her own words she “geeked out” when she heard that it was. In the world of golf architecture, he is a rock star.
Serendipity Martin Hawtree is a 3rd generation
golf course architect based in England. Hawtree LTD started in 1912 and is one of the largest architectural practices in Europe. A meeting between Martin and Christine followed. Soon the process for Christine to continue to learn and work under Martin’s mentorship was in the works.
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The process of moving to England,
the location to Hawtree LTD's office, took some time. After her 2014 graduation from the University of Guelph, she took a shortterm job with a Canadian golf course construction company. Here she literally worked from the ground up and got her hands dirty wielding a shovel and rake.
World Renowned Golf Courses Once settled in England, her work
began. One of the highlights of this career is the opportunity to travel to see some of the world’s most impressive golf courses. Ireland is where she spent most of her time working. Her portfolio contains illustrious names like Lahinch Golf Club, Tralee Golf Club and Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg as well as the 9 Hole Watson Course at the Toronto Golf Club in Canada.
Landscape Architecture “In the beginning, you need to golf to understand the concepts of the game in order to transition that into design, strategy and course management.” Christine Fraser
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When she talks about landscape
architecture, her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. Her genuine smile shows her passion for the subject.
She describes landscape
architecture as an art. The personality of the land, as well as the owners, must be taken into consideration. As well, the architect must take into account the expectations of the owner and committees. These are not necessarily realistic with the property or the budget. Her job is to create a design that is a balance between all elements.
In a new build, there are lots of
bureaucratic elements, from planning permits to authority from conservationists, environmentalists and naturalists. For restoration or modification, she may need to look at the background history of the course, old aerial photos, speak to older club members and have a public consultation.
These aspects are what make the
job so interesting and why every project is so different.
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Seasons of Golf There is no offseason for the golf
course architect. Winter is on-site construction and supervision, while summer is design work and planning for the next project. The bonus here is to travel across Europe and North America, getting to walk the various courses she works on to get a feel for them.
Female Golf Architects During her time in this field, she has
not met one other female golf architect. Nor has she been a member of a committee with another female nor met a female owner. She hopes that more will get involved in the coming years.
Her sentiments fit perfectly with the
initiative developed by the LPGA Women’s Network. The #inviteHER movement seeks to create an enjoyable, welcoming experience for women interested in trying the game or picking it back up. This can be through a group lesson, complimentary clinic, driving range session, or on-course experience. Maybe someday some of these women will be looking at golf course architecture as a career.
Future Plans Christine is back in Canada now
working on building her own brand at Christine Fraser Designs. She continues to refine her craft by collaborating with tenured architects most notably Jeff Mingay. Golf, design and travel are all in her future so watch out for her name on the design of a golf course near you.
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GENEVA Reconnect with family and friends in picturesque Geneva, Illinois. The town,
framed by the scenic Fox River, beautiful parks and historic neighborhoods, offers boutique shopping, sophisticated dining and luxurious lodging. Festivals and non-stop special events bring a bustle of activity throughout the year welcoming locals and visitors from around the state. Located just 40 miles west of Chicago and easily accessible via train or the interstate, Geneva offers boundless opportunities for good fun and great memories.
ShopOver 160 specialty shops are housed downtown in charming Victorian-style homes
and historic buildings. Geneva merchants fill their shops each season with exclusive treasures from around the world. Distinctive art galleries, trendy clothing, elegant home decor, specialty cookware, designer jewelry, stylish shoes, unique food places, fun children’s clothes and toys, unusual garden plants and accessories are housed in every corner of the shopping district. The creative arts—quilting, knitting, stitching, beading, scrapbooking and pottery painting—are also represented. A different experience awaits those wanting to shop the more than 70 shops and dining areas at the Geneva Commons located minutes from the downtown. Options abound and make Geneva one of the best shopping destinations in the Chicagoland area.
FeastEndless options await your palate from local eateries and neighborhood pubs to
award-winning restaurants with American and international cuisine. Gather at landmark establishments in casual or sophisticated settings where welcoming staff make you feel part of the family. Fine wine lists, unique beers, signature specials, and tempting treats offer interesting choices for everyone. Snack on miniature pastries, chocolate fondue, home-made ice cream and other delicious treats throughout the afternoon and don’t forget to visit one (or several) of the fine wine sellers to sample and shop for gifts and related accessories. At night, check out establishments for “open mikes,” live entertainment and great dancing in friendly settings.
StaySweet dreams await you with luxury lodging offering a host of amenities and
services to travelers of all ages and of every budget. Swimming pools, exercise rooms, fireplaces, spa services, river view terraces, boutiques, gardens, and WiFi-Internet connections provide the ultimate in comfort and indulgence. Stay in hotels that are recipients of AAA Three and Four Diamond awards or retreat to an historic bed & breakfast inn on seven acres of tranquil terrain. Enjoy friendly staff and unforgettable experiences just a few minutes from the downtown. Don’t forget to explore special weekend and romantic getaway packages or settings for wedding, receptions, banquets, and private parties.
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UnwindPick a bench along the river or in a park and let the quiet beauty of nature surround
you. Bike, run and walk along paths offering spectacular views. Treat yourself at one of many salons and spas offering extensive beauty and relaxation services. Play a round of golf, fish, kayak, swim and slide at the local pool or cheer on the Kane County Cougars Class A baseball team. Discover a butterfly farm, the local skateboarding park, Frank Lloyd Wright’s redesign of the Fabyan Villa, an historic Viking Ship, and our very own Japanese tea garden. The Geneva History Center provides state-of-the-art facilities, professional exhibits, and self-guided tour maps for insight into the town’s rich heritage. Theater lovers will find abundant choices and treasure hunters will adore the Kane County Flea Market. And for the romantic at heart, Geneva offers horse-drawn antique carriage rides specific times of the year-compliments of the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Geneva.
Festivals and EventsThousands of visitors make Geneva their destination each year. Many seek out the
fun activities that take place during annual award winning festivals and events sponsored by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce:
Geneva’s Christmas Walk & House Tour (?) December 4-5, 2020
Gather in GenevaAdorned in historic charm and on-going celebrations, Geneva has everything you need to make winter just a memory! Whether you are looking for a way to spend a few hours, the night, or several days, visit Geneva and create moments that last a lifetime.
For a free visitors guide call: 630-232-6060 or visit www.genevachamber.com to
discover a complete list of businesses, events and attractions.
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Riverhead Brewing Company: Adventurously Brewed Written By: Lori Sweet
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In the Beginning Over the years, Richard spent time
“Our craft is about the journey, not the destination. Whether you’re hanging out with friends after a day on the water or just camping in your favourite spot, bring us with you and share in the adventure.” Riverheadbrewing.com
Walking in the front door, you
immediately notice the wood accents all around, the colourful paddles on the wall and of course, the large canoe placed near the ceiling. Welcome to Riverhead Brewing Company, located in historic Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The company itself, opened to the public June 2017, but the process started 30 years ago, with co-founder Richard Marzec.
perfecting his home brewing. His friends, family and neighbours enjoyed tasting his home-brew and often commented on the fact that it tasted better than much of the beer they were buying. Enter friend and co-founder Jeff Hasken. In 2007, fate brought the two guys together by being employed at the same company. They became friends, and as friends often do, Richard introduced Jeff to his home-brew. Jeff was extremely impressed.
You need a special license to sell beer
and selling it from your home is not an option. At least once a month, Richard would put a new batch on, experimenting with flavours along the way. His circle of friends could only drink so much, so one-night Richard and Jeff discussed the possibility of opening a brewery.
A Passion Project Fast forward and with the help of
two buddies, who are silent partners, a new brewery was born. Jeff has a background in business and marketing. He wanted people to be able to take their beer on outdoor adventures, much like the canoeing and kayaking he had done in the past.
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Richard, who has a real passion for
the brewing process, is known to spend many hours researching things like water treatment, hops, and the history of beer. He is also more than willing to create new brews that include items such as blueberries or chocolate. He does a lot of traveling and beer drinking, so he knows what he likes.
Richard had spent time researching brewing equipment and building a top-notch system at home. When it came to be opening the brewery, they scaled up the size from what he had already developed. “We don’t care if it costs a little more to produce a good beer. We want a good product.” Richard Marzec What’s in a Name?
The next step was picking a name. In
Jeff’s opinion, choosing a brewery name and slogan were the hardest part of the process. After much deliberation and “market research” with their friends and family, Riverhead Brewing Company was the winner. Geographically, Kingston, Ontario lies at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and the mouth of the Cataraqui River, so the name felt right.
Location, Location Now that they had the funding and
the name, it was time to look for a location. Kingston is a historic city, dating back to the late 1600s. It was the first capital of Canada from 1841-1844.
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They scoured the city, looking for
a suitable place to set up shop. Many of the buildings in the downtown core have basements. Placing large tanks on the main floor would mean a costly reinforcement of the floor along with a host of other considerations.
Both live in the west end of the city
where there were very few of this type of establishment. They were able to find a new development with lots of parking, a location that was easy to get in and out of and situated close to a large sports complex. The bonus is that the building is located very close to one of the main exits of HWY 401, one of the main highways that runs through the province.
The Adventure Begins A new building brings with it a blank
canvas, one that allowed them to apply their own personal touch. Richard is very skilled at woodworking and has created beautiful wood tabletops throughout the seating area. Jeff’s wife is a graphic designer, who has created a logo and artwork that matches their vision.
They have seen their popularity
grow and have now had to expand into the empty unit next door, to accommodate their increase in the number of customers. November 2018 saw the opening the new area, which they call Riverhead Lodge.
Their vision is ever expanding
along with their selection of beer. They now host private events like business team building, presentations, chocolate and beer pairing workshops, paint night, card tournaments and adult birthday parties to name a few. Approximately 45% of their customers are women. Craft beer is becoming an art and is now winning over even diehard wine drinkers.
One of the creative ways to bring
customers in is something they call “Firkin Fridays,” a play on the word firkin, meaning small cask. Twice a month, they announce a new release. This is where Richard, as well as their head brewmaster Aaron Martin, let loose with their creativity.
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Riverhead Brewing Company is a
licensed Tied House, meaning they can serve full glasses of their brew as well as sell it out of their front beer store. They also have a small menu of high-quality food that is tasty and complimentary to the drinks they offer. According to Jeff, they have a beer that will appeal to everybody, ranging from an easy drinking lager to their approachable tropical IPA, to a variety of dark and light brews and seasonal selections.
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The Future Jeff and Richard and their team have
lots of ideas “brewing� in their heads. For now, they will concentrate on expanding the menu, offering a great venue, and of course continuing to produce quality craft beer with the adventurous spirit.
Address: 631 Fortune Cresent, Unit #10 Kingston, Ontario, Canada Phone Number: (613) 384-2337
https://www.riverheadbrewing.com
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Distilleries-Breweries-Wineries of the World Show Every nuance of flavor in the glass is a part of the larger story of the people who created it. these are their stories.
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