Rum’sploration : Hamilton Beachbum Berry’s Zombie Blend

This was at the top of my list to snag when I recently traveled to the states for a few days. I was very happy to snag a bottle since every tiki drinker seems to be in love with this rum on instagram lately. Truth be told, I wanted to be one of those cool …

Biruski : An Ode to Greatness

HotDOT Hair of the Dog brewing is closing later this year. I met that initially with shock and dismay, because how could such an important, well revered brewery close after so many years of success? Upon learning that the owner, Alan Sprints, wants to retire and not sell out to big beer or anything like …

Rum’sploration : Compagnie des Indes Jamaica Navy Strength

The first time I had this rum was the first time I’d ever visited a rum bar, which was during a work trip back in 2019. A buddy and I visited Bar Rummy in Fukuoka, Japan and as soon as I walked in the door I knew I made a great choice, even if I …

Biruski : Daisen G Beer (a go-go!)

Order Up Along with exploring all the new breweries that have opened since I last lived in Japan, I really wanted to revisit some of my old favorites to see how they’re doing in the current craft beer era. One of the many OMT loves I explored again is Daisen G out of Gotenba. I …

Rum’sploration : Mezan Guyana 2005

I’ve had this bottle kicking around on my bar for quite some time now- long enough that Mezan doesn’t even list it on their website anymore. I initially snagged it when I “discovered” and fell in love with Demerara rums and couldn’t pass up a single bottle I came across. For some reason this bottle …

Browsing Botanicals : Belle of Dayton Gin

The second and sadly final post from my incredibly short stay in the states is my first spirit made in my hometown. Belle of Dayton distillery opened back in 2013 but I haven’t spent enough time in Dayton, O. since then to get my hands on a bottle. So I made it a point to …

Biruski : OMT Hype Revisited

I was back in the United States last week for the first time since around 2017 and was awed by the ease and expanse of the selection of beer pretty much everywhere I went. Whether it was an airport layover pub crawl, out of the way convenience store, or grocery, I was able to find …

Whiskeylust : Kirkland BiB Bourbon

I never thought the day would come that I would have COSTCO bourbon on my bar yet here we are. On a recent trip to COSTCO here in Japan (for those not in Japan, they are exactly the same as the American ones- even the restaurant is the same) I noticed this massive liter of …

Rum’sploration : Plantation OFTD

I’ve been debating with myself for some time over whether or not I should feature Plantation rums on my blog until they un-fuck themselves when it comes to the GI issue and to a somewhat lessor extent, actually do something about their name change. I decided to go forward with the post so I could …

Biruski : The Duality of Gänstaller

Among my beer drinking buddies in Japan, Gänstaller got real popular real quick. And since I’m always down for some good German lagers, I figured I’d see what the hype train is all about. It’s nice to have a hyped brewery not offer a hype beer- they brew classic German styles even if they do …