Whiskies of the World Expo in San Francisco

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough.”    -Mark Twain 

It's that time again!  The 12th Annual Whiskies of the World Expo and Artisanal Spirits Fest will be held Saturday, March 26th from 6-10pm, on The San Francisco Belle, Hornblower Yacht.  As if great whiskey wasn't enough, they had to throw the yacht in there just for good measure!  The SF Belle Hornblower Yacht is located at Pier 3,  Embarcadero @ Washington St., San Francisco.  You must be over 21 years of age to attend (obviously), and ID’s are checked at the "door."  The VIP tickets are already sold out!!  However, you can still purchase the general admission tickets for $110 each.  This price covers general admission to the event, a grand variety of whiskies to sample, a full dinner buffet, masterclasses (see below), top deck cigar smoking including a complimentary cigar, live music, and more!  Can't attend, but want to learn about the latest and greatest in the whiskey world today?  You can purchase "Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2011" on the event's website, which is "the world’s best selling ratings guide to all types of whisky including Scotch single malt, blends, vatted malts, single grains, Irish, bourbon, rye, Japanese, Canadian, Australian, European and many others."

If you are planning to attend, I have listed the schedule of masterclasses below, and you can make a reservation (highly suggested) to attend any of these seminars.  According to the website, class participants can go directly to the 6:00pm class and avoid lines, but participants must arrive 10 minutes early to guarantee their seat.  MANY of the classes are already sold out!!  Check the reservations website (listed below) to view which ones are still available):

WOW Masterclass/Speaker Schedule

Guarantee your spot and sign up for classes in advance: Masterclass Reservations http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/wow_apps/

• * 6:00 Laphroaig: Simon Brooking
  
• * 6:00 Classic Malts Mentor Seminar: Steven Beal
  
• * 7:15 The Dalmore: Richard Paterson
  
• * 7:15 Independent Bottlers: Ed Kohl
  
• * 8:30 Craft Panel Discussion: Chip Tate, Rick Wasmund, Brian Scultz, St. George Spirits
  
• * 8:30 Cigar Masterclass: Tim Wong (Rocky Patel), Ron (Serious Cigar), Surprise Guest
  
• ===========================
  
• * 3/24, Thursday Whisky Pairing at City Club of SF: Glenglassaugh - A Distillery Reborn : Stuart Nickerson
  
• * 3/25, Friday Dram Club Party at The Swig Whisky Bar

Even if you do not attend the event this year, if you are an avid whiskey drinker who likes to attend events such as this one, you may consider joining the Dram Club.  It is $60 for an annual membership.  According to the WOW website, the club is "a very exciting addition to WoW.  The members have private gatherings throughout the year and enjoy special treatment and perks, such as tasting tours, and happy hours. The customary Dram Club pre-party, held on Friday before the Expo in a popular San Franciscan “Speakeasy” bar, is especially loved and cherished by the Members.  The existence of the club is a perfect addition to the Expo, and makes it not just an annual event, but a unique social gathering where people have similar interests and can build lifetime relationships. Since the Expo’s new management is based locally, we plan to arrange added events and experiences for the Dram Club, and, of course, to explore more Whisky."

In addition to the perks above, Dram Club members also enjoy:

* Discounts for Whisky Dinners
* Preferred seating at Masterclasses
* Discounts on admission tickets
* Free CelticMalts Spirits Glass upon arrival at the shows
* Special Dram Club Friday Night Pre-Party on show weekend
* Dram Club Member can buy Dram Club Tickets for their friends. However, only a member can get free tasting glass and invite to Dram Club events including pre-show party the night before.
* Dram Club and VIP Expo tickets are Sold Out for the event this year.  However, Dram club members can buy general Admission Tickets for $95 by sending an email to cs@whiskiesoftheworld.com  to request a discount code.

If you don't want to become a member, but would still like to know what's going on in the wide world of whiskey, you can subscribe to their newsletter or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.  In addition to the event's website, you can also read various press releases below:

infoBayArea.com
PRWeb.com 1 and PRWeb.com 2

St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento: Part V

This post is a general listing of most of the Irish pubs (and some English pubs too) in and around Sacramento and what they are doing for St. Patrick's Day.  Take your pick!  If you aren't familiar with these establishments, you can view their websites through the links below and read reviews on Yelp!

de Vere's Irish Pub
(916) 231-9947
1521 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Events all day long, sidewalk party, outdoor kitchen, Irish breakfast, party at the pub ($10), Irish pub food, LOTS of live entertainment, party in Cesar Chavez park ($20), drink specials, etc.

Gallagher's Irish Pub
(916) 444-3444
1201 K St # 100, Sacramento, CA 95814-3973



Fox & Goose Public House
(916) 443-8825
1001 R Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-6519

Live music (Griffin Rock Irish Celtic) at 8pm, $2 cover charge, traditional Irish pub food, Irish whiskey, Irish Car Bombs, etc.

Streets of London Pub
1804 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 498-1388

649 E. Bidwell St.

Folsom, CA

916.984.3706

2200 Lake Washington Blvd.

West Sacramento, CA

916.376.9066

Sacramento, Folsom, and West Sac locations, Irish pub food, Irish car bombs, Jello shots, satellite bar, St. Patty's Day t-shirts

Bonn Lair
(916) 455-7155
3651 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816-5425


Boxing Donkey Irish Pub & Restaurant
300 Lincoln Street
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 797-3665
 
Events all day long (opens at 6am), Irish pub food, live music all day, live radio broadcast, bagpipes, green beer, Irish car bombs and drink specials, no cover charge before 10am ( ), Guiness, Jameson, etc.

St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento: Part IV

Yet another great St. Patrick's Day option is Brew It Up's St. Patrick's Day 2011!  Start your morning with Kegs & Eggs and NOW 100.5 from 6-11am.  They will feature a tasty Irish breakfast: two eggs, corned beef hash and a toasted muffin for $5  You can even add in a 10oz draft of Golden Weizen, Irish Amber, Irish Dry Stout or Irish Lager for just $1.05 more!!  Get your booze at 6am - only on St. Patrick's Day!  
 

From 11am-10pm, they will feature Dublin Pub Fare including:

• Corned beef and cabbage
• Beer steamed mussels
• Fried Brussels Sprouts
• Limerick Ham sandwiches
• Bangers & mash
• Lamb stew
• Irish Cheddar with broccoli soup
• Shepards Pie
• Dublin Coddle
• Corned beef hash 
• 22 small batch beer on tap
• Specials on green beer and Irish cocktails all day 

From 6am-midnight (ALL DAY), you can get the following drink specials:
$4 Dirty Nellies
$4 Tullamore Dew shots
$5 Carbombs
$3 10oz drafts of Sacramento's only small-batch Irish style ale, stout, and lager
$4 pints of 16 different small-batch brews including Irish Dry Stout, Irish Amber, and Irish Lager

If you don't care for the standard Irish specials, view their extensive beer, wine, whiskey, and cocktail menu for whatever suits your fancy. Since we are the Sacramento Whiskey Drinkers, I have added their whiskey specials below:

Bourbon & Single Malt Scotch Tasting Flights
4 Tasters of Premium Whiskey or Single Malt Scotch, ½oz each

American Whiskey ($11): Jack Daniels Single Barrel / Gentleman Jack
Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon / Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon

“The Classic Malts” ($14): Glennkinchie 12yr / The Singleton of Glendullan
Oban 14yr / Lagavulin 16yr

Blended Scotch Whisky ($14): Johnny Walker Gold / Chivas Regal 18yr
Dewars 12yr / Dewars 18yr

Finally, end the night (8pm-11pm) with live entertainment featuring NINE 8ths Irish, "Sacramento's best Irish Pub quintet."  There is no cover change at all on St. Patrick's Day, but after 8pm is 21 and over crowds only.   Enjoy!

 

St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento: Part III

Another option for your St. Patrick's Day (night) involves dancing the night away.  The Blue Goose Event Center/Fruit Shed in Loomis, California, will be host to the 1st (ever) St. Patrick's Day Masquerade Ball.  The event will run from 7-midnight and will serve as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  Be sure to wear green and a mask if you plan to attend (after all, it is a masquerade) - it could also earn you a spot in their dating game.  You can come as a couple, but this event definitely has a "bent" toward singles and meeting other singles (sponsored by Capital City Singles).  There will be food, wine tasting, and live entertainment courtesy of Radio Active Band.  Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.  You can call 916-568-9663 for more information.

 


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St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento: Part II

If you want something a little more low-key for St. Patrick's Day, check out the Harley White Jr. Orchestra at the Shady Lady Saloon.  This local jazz orchestra has some great smooth tunes, perfect for sipping some whiskey and enjoying the night.  They will be performing "Tom Waits For No Man," a tribute to Tom Waits from 9pm-midnight.  A great bonus (if you are a night owl) is that Shady Lady serves their entire menu until midnight seven days a week!

Shady Lady Saloon is know for their classic drink recipes, hand-crafted cocktails, and their house-made ginger ale, tonic, and cola.  However, they also offer over twenty different types of whiskey, so there are plenty to choose from for your St. Patty's night out (or any night)!  They received 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp (out of 300 ratings), and most reviewers recommend their fried green tomatoes and apple crisp (if you're hungry).  One Yelp whiskey-drinker stated that "they have a good selection of whiskey, which anywhere else I'd only drink neat.  But they make great Old Fashioneds and Manhattans so I will sometimes get one of those.  The drinks are made perfectly and with attention to detail."