Category: Pairings

In early 2007, with the American beer industry all a-froth with the yet-to-crest light lager boom, the world’s biggest brewer decided to launch a streaming television channel. Even for mighty Anheuser-Busch — which was near the zenith of its own cultural and corporate power in advance of InBev’s hostile takeover in late 2008 — the project, Bud.TV, was an audacious gamble that verged on “creative hubris,” as The New York

What do Wimbledon and New Orleans have in common? If you’ve ever been to either, you know it’s the Pimm’s Cup, an iconic summer drink hailing from the United Kingdom. But you might not know that the Pimm’s is just the most well-known example of a category of cocktails called the Fruit Cup or Summer Cup. As the name implies, this type of drink is perfect for hot days when

In the late 2010s, tequila exploded in the U.S., but recent years have brought a slight downturn in the market. In 2025, the United States imported 32.1 million nine-liter cases of tequila and mezcal, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), a slight dip from 2024’s figures. The Spirits Business’ annual Brand Champions Report, which ranks brands based on nine-liter case sales, found that six of

Reaching into an ice-filled beer cooler never fails to evoke that peak summertime feeling. The drastic, almost startling temperature change when your hand touches the icy surface. The audible splooshing and sloshing of gradually melting ice as you root around for a brew. The beads of condensation still clinging to a can freshly plucked from submersion. These set the table for that first quenching sip, which can instantly provide a

This episode of The Buildout is brought to you by Farmer’s Gin. Whether you are building a bar, you currently are operating a bar, or you just run a bar at home, you need to have a Martini on your menu — and that Martini deserves Farmer’s Gin. Farmer’s Gin is created by the same amazing people who created Michter’s Bourbon. Every single bar deserves a great gin, and Farmer’s

When thinking of California’s wine regions, Napa and Sonoma instantly come to mind. It’s understandable, as these well-regarded regions have longstanding prestige and churn out some of the world’s greatest wines. But Napa and Sonoma are so popular that they often eclipse the Golden State’s smaller, lesser-known regions. Of the 279 established AVAs in the U.S., California is home to the overwhelming majority — 154 designated winemaking regions are located

We Americans love our whiskey. Over the past 250 years, it’s a spirit that’s driven our economy, helped power westward expansion, and incited at least one rebellion. And these days, it’s made in each and every state, including the most remote corners of our star-spangled domain. A couple of years ago, we got especially curious and asked: What’s the best bourbon to bring home from every state? It was a

These days, when you watch sports, you’re inundated with ads. Every other commercial is for a betting app; stats and even plays are sponsored; and each break in action is filled by an announcer ad-read. There are CGI logos behind home plate and on the mound, floating on the basketball court, and even on the field during NCAA football games. And these aren’t just traditional sports sponsorship brands like beer,

When it comes to crisp, refreshing, white wine, few grapes amass as devoted a following as Sauvignon Blanc. Depending on where it’s grown, the grape can deliver everything from tart green apple and freshly cut grass to riper notes of passion fruit and guava, all backed by the craveable, mouthwatering acidity enthusiasts love. Add in its generally approachable price point, wide availability, and enough cultural weight to inspire a campaign

When it comes to bourbon, the pricey bottles hog the spotlight. The discourse among media outlets and whiskey enthusiasts often revolves around expensive brands like Pappy and Blanton’s, with a particular focus on how much a person should shell out to buy a bottle. This concentration on cost can sometimes be so intense, discussions about the actual quality of the juice fall by the wayside. Cost-effective bourbons — think bottles