20 Recommended Brands To Add To Your Home Bar In Fall 2021
Summer 2021 is now behind us. No matter whether you are still quarantining or regularly socializing in small groups, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy your home bar and imbibe. As someone regularly following trends within the food and beverage worlds, I can tell you that there is no shortage of interesting new offerings from top producers of wine, spirits and even non-alcoholic beverages.
In turn, below are 20 recommendations for readers of The Hype Magazine seeking some possible, quality-oriented — yet most of which cost-effective and value-oriented, in spite of that high level of quality — additions to their home bar, recipes and non-alcoholic options included, of course.
Kona Brewing Co. Spiked Island Seltzer
The Kona Brewing Co.’s crisp hard seltzers are packed with tropical tastes that aim to transport your senses. Sparkling bubbles, enticing aromas, and juicy flavors help bring “the islands” right to you. All varieties of these seltzers have zero sugar and are naturally gluten-free. The Tropical Punch is my personal favorite of the batch. Currently available for purchase nationally.
Also new and excellent from the Kona Brewing Co. team is the return of its much-beloved Pipeline Porter. Originally launched in 2006 as one of Kona’s first offerings, the beer makes its much-awaited return after an extended vacation and waves of requests by the Kona Ohana. Pipeline Porter serves as the inaugural beer in the Kona Classic Series, which will focus on featuring Kona fan favorites in limited-edition offerings. For those yet to try it — which right on time for National Coffee Day on September 29, 2021 — the Pipeline Porter is brewed with Hawaiian-grown coffee and is now available exclusively in can and draft formats. Related to this relaunch, Kona has partnered with @beautifulbooze to create an original Kona Pipeline Porter coffee cocktail.
Created by Miami spirits industry and hospitality veterans Ross Graham and Simon Benstead, Miami Cocktail Company products are all-natural and made with authentic and wholesome ingredients with no additives, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Offering real handcrafted cocktails, Miami Cocktail Company’s delicious lineup of Organic Spritzes is also low in sulfites, sugar-free and gluten-free, with only 110 calories per can. Each Organic Spritz — as available nationwide online and at plenty of major retailers, including Fresh Market, Binny’s and Total Wine — has a dynamic taste profile, as achieved through natural fruit juices.
Recently, the Miami Cocktail Company collaborated with GOOP on a limited-edition Limonata Spritz, a refreshing spin on an Amalfi coast classic. Handcrafted with sparkling rosé wine, organic lemon juice, and fresh basil, each organic-certified sparkling cocktail carries 4 percent ABV with only 110 calories per can. Furthermore, these drinks feature no added sugar, additives or preservatives, and every 4-pack sold supports Charity: water.
Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer
After a successful debut in January 2021, Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer — reportedly the first nationally-distributed USDA certified organic seltzer — has added 2 new flavors to the MUOS family. Its Bold Black Cherry is made with real fruit juice, carrying only 90 calories and zero added sugars. Meanwhile, its Oh-So-Refreshing Watermelon Strawberry is a winning combination of watermelon and strawberry, offering only 80 calories, zero carbs and zero added sugar. Said to be the fastest-growing beer brand in the country with an established organic beer already in the brand family, Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer is ideal for health-conscious drinkers who live an active lifestyle yet are looking for a low-calorie, high-quality seltzer featuring sophisticated, unique flavors.
Me: I have errands to run
The errands: pic.twitter.com/A3jjH2Dz2M
— Twisted Tea (@TwistedTea) September 15, 2021
Inspired by a tattoo of a Twisted Tea can wearing Pit Vipers, Twisted Tea and Pit Viper recently joined forces for a collaboration that features XXX-clusive merch and a limited-edition Bag ‘N Box. To kick off this partnership, the 2 brands converted a ‘94 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo into a mobile hot tub and — under the watchful eye of motorsport legend Travis Pastrana — jumped it going 69 mph, traveling more than 69 feet through the air. That aforementioned Bag ‘N Box includes limited-edition made-to-party Pit Viper 2000s Sunglasses that are just as irresistible as a Twisted Tea tallboy, a “custom tushy tote” with a Twisted Tea holder, a “hot mesh hat” and a scrunchine. Now available via Twisted Tea’s Tea Store and PitViper.com.
Hawkitect is the latest limited-edition brew from award-winning Elysian Brewing, the official craft beer partner of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. A limited-edition American Wheat Ale carrying a 5 percent ABV, this deceptively robust hoppy wheat ale blitzes your taste buds with immediacy and purpose. The Hawkitect’s strategy is clear, per the Elysian website: to “strike with bright, punchy notes of pineapple, mango, and citrus while maintaining an easy-drinking swagger.” Hawkitect is available in 6-pack cans throughout Washington State through November 2021, including Lumen Field for all Seahawks home games during the 2021-22 NFL season. A portion of the net proceeds from every can sold goes to help eliminate homelessness through the Seattle-based organization Plymouth Housing.
The San Diego, California-based Stone Brewing is reportedly the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States and an industry leader in environmental sustainability. Stone operates breweries in Escondido, California and Richmond, Virginia, plus 9 tap room and bistro locations and one of the nation’s largest craft-centric beverage distributors, Stone Distributing Co. Recently Stone Distributing Co. announced the addition of 4 new supplier partners to its portfolio of craft alcoholic beverages, which now accounts for nearly 20 percent share of the Southern California craft beer market. This includes Bomani Cold Buzz, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. and Villager Spirits. These partners join other recent newcomers to the SDC, including Societe Brewing, Jiant Hard Kombucha and Spindrift Spiked.
Lunar offers an elevated cocktail experience without all the artificial flavors or chemicals. Lunar uses a proprietary yeast and nutrient blend coupled with a filtration process that results in the uncompromised quality of the brand’s seltzers. The award-winning beverage brand works to deliver a delicious and elevated hard seltzer experience that is unapologetically-authentic in its flavors and heritage, yet uniquely-American and modern. Its unique flavor offerings include Yuzu, Lychee and Plum, which are available via www.drinklunar.com.
With dozens of different hard seltzers on the market, it’s time to shake up your bar with something different. sipMARGS is your new favorite low calorie, low sugar and low carbs canned cocktail. Available for purchase on Drizly, this tequila lover’s dream comes in 4 delicious flavors: Classis, Coconut, Mango and Mezcal. My favorite is the Coconut offering, which is mildly-sweet yet fully-refreshing, as featuring big tropical flavor. I look forward to trying out the brand’s Mezcal flavor in the near-future.
Late last year, I covered Heineken’s “Bestie Gift Ever.” Within that promotion, Awkwafina was seen arriving on an unsuspecting people’s doorsteps. Around that same time, Heineken Original’s limited-edition holiday bottles were unvilved, as printed using a smart algorithm and innovative digital printing technology to create 100 million different festive patterns. But for those pursuing a Sober October, alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy the great taste of beer but still give up alcohol for the month. With over 20 percent market share of N/A beverages, Heineken 0.0 is reportedly the #1 alcohol-free beverage brand. It is available nationwide via Total Wine & More, Target, Drizly, Instacart and other top e-tailers.
Dogfish Head has proudly focused on brewing beers with culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened as the smallest American craft brewery nearly 25 years ago. Dogfish Head has grown into a top-20 craft brewery and won numerous awards throughout the years, including Wine Enthusiast’s “2015 Brewery of the Year” and the James Beard Foundation Award for “2017 Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional.” Earlier this month, Dogfish Head announced the return of Punkin Ale, the brewery’s iconic, fall-favorite brown ale brewed with real pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices. It is chock full of spicy notes of cinnamon, brown sugar and pumpkin, with enticing aromas of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. At 7 percent ABV, Punkin Ale is now available nationwide in 6 packs of 12-ounce bottles with limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark packaging. Get it while you can.
Often referred to as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Elvis Presley’s was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards (3 wins), sold over 1 billion records worldwide, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and received a post-humous Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to his musical accolades, Elvis starred in 33 films and made numerous television appearances. Earlier this month, Grain & Barrel Spirits announced a long-term licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to launch a duo of Elvis Presley-themed whiskeys. The new brand joins the company’s award-winning lineup, including Chicken Cock Whiskey, which the team resurrected to its Prohibition-era glory, Dixie Vodka, Virgil Kane Lowcountry Whiskey and the recently launched High Goal Luxury Gin. The Elvis Whiskey in particular is a Tennessee Straight Whiskey, as featuring sweet-toasted Maple, roasted Crème Brûlée and subtle notes of a Granny Apple and Caramel within its flavoring.
As a Long Island, New York native and musician who had toured the world, Chris Vetter realized his home state was in need of a great-tasting, high-quality, craft coffee beverage that was easily-accessible and so the idea of Sail Away was born. The company launched its ready-to-drink cold brew product line in late 2015. With over 750 retail locations in the region and a direct-to-consumer delivery service, Sail Away Coffee Co. has become a staple in New York for coffee lovers and novices alike. Last month, the Sail Away Coffee Co. announced its imaginative new product Sail Away Club, which is reportedly the world’s first hard seltzer and cold brew infusion. Previously only available online, coffee enthusiasts can now find Sail Away Club in stores in select locations around the Tri-State area in 4 refreshing flavors: Ocean Berry, Piña Colada, Mimosa, and The Original. Each 12-ounce can boasts as much caffeine as a half cup of coffee, while containing zero sugar and only 100 calories.
Drinkmate’s mission is to allow consumers to get creative in discovering new beverages, drink healthier and have fun, while reducing plastic bottle waste. A leader in the home carbonation category, earlier this month Drinkmate announced the introduction of its line of premium Italian Syrups, as designed to enable at home and on-the-go beverage carbonators a wide array of delicious sparkling possibilities. In turn, carbonated beverage lovers can now expand their flavor options while enjoying healthy and delicious carbonated water and cocktails. The new syrups, for use in Drinkmate’s countertop and InstaFIZZ models, are bottled in Italy and include real fruit and premium Italian ingredients. In turn, they make for an excellent addition to cocktails, mocktails, slushes, smoothies, Italian ice and flavored sparkling water alike. Available flavors include Italian Blood Orange, Sorrento Lemonade, Mojito Mocktail, Pink Grapefruit, Ginger & Lemon, and an Energy Syrup Enhancer. Each bottle makes 28 8-ounce drinks of delicious, carbonated beverages.
Launched in Australia in July 2019, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits is a range of 13 alcohol-free classic spirits and 5 ready-to-drink cans. The company was founded by multi-award-winning serial entrepreneurs Mark Livings and Carl Hartmann, with the mission to provide an alternative for those who do not wish to imbibe alcohol while still having the opportunity to enjoy the flavors of their favorite spirits. Reportedly the most decorated non-alcoholic spirit brand globally, Lyre’s has received 13 medals at the International Spirits Challenge, 8 medals from the Beverage Testing Institute, 10 medals at the London International Spirits Competition, 11 medals at the 2020 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge, and 10 awards at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Lyre’s recently announced the launch of 2 new ready-to-drink cans: Lyre’s American Malt and Cola and Lyre’s Dark ‘n Spicy. As its name suggests, Lyre’s American Malt and Cola is a non-alcoholic take on bourbon and cola, recreating the happy hour staple with caramel, toasted nut, spice, and rye flavors. Meanwhile, the brand’s spin on the famed Bermuda highball pairs Lyre’s Spiced Cane and Dark Cane Spirits with ginger and lime zest, with notes of spiced dark fruits, ginger, citrus, and toffee. And both are highly-recommended as mid-day refreshing treats, just as much as they are for evening enjoyment.
Pernod Ricard USA is a premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, reportedly the world’s second-largest spirits and wine company. The company’s leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut Vodka, Avión Tequila, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlúa Liqueur, Malibu, Beefeater Gin, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin, Martell Cognac — which recently announced a partnership with Janelle Monae — and Smooth Ambler Whiskey. The aforementioned Smooth Ambler recently announced a line extension to the Contradiction family, leading to the unveiling of Contradiction Rye. And it is as great as you would imagine it to be.
If you are a fan of pumpkin spice lattes — PSL, for short — then I highly-recommend you check out Mozart Chocolate Liqueur Pumpkin Spice, yet another excellent flavor-oriented offering from the Mozart brand. This pale-orange offering is a creamy, well-balanced symphony of milk chocolate, caramel, natural pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, a hint of vanilla and a touch of chili. Created in Vienna by the Mozart Master Distiller — who is also a Chocolatier — you can sip this luxurious liquid on its own, enjoy it in a Chocolate Pumpkin Ginger Martini or a Pumpkin Spice White Russian, or as part of an ice cream-based offering. Mozart Chocolate Liqueur Pumpkin Spice is available in a 750ml bottle size with a suggested retail price of $26.99.
As a pioneer of the American craft whiskey movement, Hudson Whiskey started out like many New York stories, with a daring proposition. In this case, that proposition was reportedly to make New York’s first bourbon ever and to open the first distillery in the state since Prohibition. In turn, Hudson Whiskey was invented with a rebellious mind-set to create a bold American whiskey unlike any other within the category, from a place unlike any other in the world, New York. The brand’s proudly boasts the reinvented Bright Lights, Big Bourbon, Maple Cask Rye and Do The Rye Thing, and its newest offering is Four Part Harmony, a limited-edition newest four-grain bourbon release aged a minimum of 7 years. Four Part Harmony carries a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750ml bottle.
Founded in 1876, Sapporo is Japan’s oldest beer brand still operating and reportedly the #1-selling Asian beer brand in the United States. Sapporo lagers have been enjoyed for almost half a century in the States, with 5 varieties — Sapporo Premium, Sapporo Premium Black, Sapporo Premium Light, Sapporo Reserve and the new Sapporo Pure — available. Sapporo beers are reportedly made from only the finest natural ingredients, and its products sold in the U.S are brewed in the U.S, Canada and Vietnam. The aforementioned Sapporo Pure is perhaps my favorite, a superior light beer that will serve the evolving tastes of the modern consumer and long-time Sapporo drinkers alike. The beer is among the lowest calorie options for beer drinkers in the superior light beer category, with only 90 calories, 2.4 grams of carbs, and 4 percent ABV. Sapporo Pure can be enjoyed in a distinctly-designed 12-ounce slim can and is available in 6-packs.
Locked down during COVID with nothing but their love of cocktails to sustain them, Eric Trueheart (a former writer for cult classic Nickelodeon cartoon Invader Zim) and Samantha Franklin (a musician who played the Vans Warped Tour with her band The Holograms) started experimenting in their kitchen, then made the leap to pursuing their pandemic passion project: developing their own canned cocktails. Now, Trueheart and Franklin have finally realized their dream:”to create a business that could make people happy.” Their company Black Yeti Beverage has partnered with Orange County distiller Surf City Still Works to start bottling their locally made cola/bourbon ready-to-drink beverage, Grisly’s Cosmic Black, as carrying only 120 calories per can.
Per the couple in a prepared statement: “We’re really approaching this from an elevated cola perspective. A lot of people are trying to recreate the $18 bar cocktail experience in a can, but we knew the can is part of the experience of a ‘canned cocktail.’ It’s welcoming and friendly and delicious. We embraced the can.”
TONIGHT watch live on @bourbonblog at 8 pm ET as we go live with Stranahan's Lead Distiller Owen Martin tasting the new Rum Cask and talking about tomorrow's #CaskThief2021 @Stranahans #Denver #Colorado pic.twitter.com/FUL2Xe40F7
— BourbonBlog.com (@bourbonblog) September 24, 2021
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is reportedly the best-selling American single malt from Colorado’s first legal whiskey distillery. Stranahan’s Blue Peak is a Colorado-made American single malt distilled at high altitude, as aged in new American oak barrels, and Solera finished. The end-result is a a rich and mellow flavor that lends itself to whiskey cocktails. And speaking of which, here is a Stranahan’s-approved recipe for a “Boulevard Peak” you can make at home :
Ingredients:
– 1 oz. Blue Peak
– 1 oz. Campari
– 1 oz. Sweet vermouth
Method:
– Add all 3 ingredients to a mixing glass.
– Stir to 20 percent dilution.
– Strain in a coupe glass with an orange peel garnish.
– Enjoy.
To prepare for the @statefairoftx, Shiner is going big — really big. Check out our BTS video of how we’re helping Big Tex look even better.#SayItWithShiner #StateFairOfTX pic.twitter.com/O2xwhlpC01
— Shiner Beer (@ShinerBeer) September 19, 2021
The Spoetzl Brewery was founded in Shiner, Texas — population 2,069 — in 1909 by Czech and German immigrants brewing beer with old-world traditions and recipes for Central Texas. Since then, the brewery has grown to be one of the largest independent craft brewers in the country with beers available in all 50 states and Mexico. To this day, every drop of the award-winning beer is brewed right in Shiner, Texas, where it all started 111 years ago. Earlier this month, the brewery announced a new beer named Shiner 1909, a small-batch lager brewed with heritage ingredients celebrating the history, endurance, and Texas heritage of the Spoetzl Brewery. Shiner 1909 is crafted with Heritage 2-row barley, Noble hops, Shiner’s proprietary lager yeast and water from the same artesian well the founders discovered over a century ago. The result is a light-bodied lager with a toasty aroma, rich malt flavor and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Finlandia Vodka was one of the first premium vodkas to introduce flavors from nature with the launch of Finlandia Cranberry in 1994. Since then, Finlandia has introduced 8 additional fresh tasting flavors to its portfolio. Finlandia Vodka’s exceptional smoothness and clarity can reportedly be attributed to only the finest of nature’s ingredients: pure glacial spring water and Suomi barley. The barley offers high-quality starch and low content of natural oils, delivering a crisp, pure taste. Earlier this year, Finlandia Vodka announced a new expression: Finlandia Botanical. Described by the brand as “a line of refreshing vodka-based spirits that combine the smoothness of Finlandia Vodka with the best Finnish nature can offer,” this range of products aims to combine “the versatility and mixability of vodka with the craftsmanship of botanical infusions in a lower ABV format.” Presenting at 30 percent ABV, Finlandia Botanical is an exceptionally-smooth, fresh-tasting spirit with no artificial flavors, is naturally gluten-free, contains no added sugars and is only 73 calories per recommended serving. Cucumber & Mint and Wildberry & Rose are its 2 notable offerings.
Last but definitely not least… Scapegrace is a distillery based in New Zealand, as founded by brothers-in-law Mark Neal and Daniel McLaughlin. All of Scapegrace’s products start with unparalleled botanicals and water torn from the earth 80 years after it came down New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Everything from the brand’s ingredients to the processes used, and even the bottles they come in pays tribute to the traditional craft of gin making, while also allowing the founders to forge their own path and pave a new way for the process. Scapegrace’s American portfolio features 3 gins, including the world’s first naturally black, color-changing gin, Scapegrace Black.
The key to Scapegrace Black is that it is naturally-black, using no artificial colors or flavors. It is a unique gin, to say the least, and its finish will give you visions of freshly mowed grass, sweet earth and herbs. When mixed with tonic and/or citrus, Scapegrace Black goes from noir to a light lavender. Must be seen to believed, of course, and Scapegrace Black carries a reasonable suggested retail price of $39.99.
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Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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