Save DoD

No, I'm not typing some hand-shaking-from-DTs missive about saving D&D. Drinks Over Dearborn, fine boutique purveyor of spirits, beer and wine in Chicago's River North are trying to stay afloat in this bad economy. Having opened not long before the recession hit, they are one of the finest stores around in terms of recommendations, unique tipple and education.



In the interest of full disclosure, we had our BJCP class there and I've gotten to know Kyle as a really generous guy who knows a ton about drinks. He's a certified Sommelier, in a guild of bartenders (who knew there was such a thing), and with this venture master of his own domain. He hosted a wicked cool speakeasy party a while back, to support the Museum of the American Cocktail. BB King's daughter even fronted the band. After the party I watched a friend fall down a flight of stairs, just in case you thought you weren't reading the right blog.


If you're in Chicago, go check it out. If you're not in Chicago, tell your friends who do live here to go check it out. If you're ordering for a big event, screw Binny's and order from Kyle. We do for work and he's always given us great recommendations*. Sign-up for their twitter, or e-mail list if you get a chance.

(Image used without permission from DoD's website)

*Also, I've got beef with the walrus looking dude that runs the wine department at my local Binny's. And they are a soul-less chain. Plus, I hear they kick puppies. And who the hell stocks a $15,000 bottle of cognac 1/2 a mile from some of the worst poverty in the country? Get the pitchforks.

Johnny Walker Employees Stand Up

It looks like the employees who are on the chopping block at Johnny Walker are now standing up, thanks to UNITE. The story is here, thanks to The Publican for pointing it out on Twitter. You can read UNITE's position here. James P. Hoffa and the teamsters are behind the union. The Scottish Government is also on their side. You can even find them on Facebook.

We are behind them too. Its a shame when companies leave their homes and roots for profit. We're always told the average drinker can't tell the difference between low-grade liquors and buy based on brand loyalty. Moving your low-grade, homogenized liquor away from its historic roots undermines this very brand loyalty. We wish the Scots well!

(This isn't Rasputin, and he'd give him a run for his money)

Brewery Jobs: not all bad news.

Referring back to our earlier posts (here, here and here) on doomsday for liquor professionals... not all of the news is bad. While Johnny Walker consolidates, Brew Dog, also up in Scotland, are expanding. They've bounced their local government out of their offices to open more fementers, to open British hearts and palettes to more interesting and powerful flavors in their beers. [EDIT: THESE GUYS ARE SO BAD ASS THEY MADE A 1858 IPA RECIPE AND SENT THE BEER TO SEA FOR 2 MONTHS TO TRY AND GET IT RIGHT!]

This spirit can only do great things, British beers having gotten less creative as CAMRA has promoted a rather homogenous product. 'As long as its cask,' no breathers of course, (despite studies, by CAMRA, showing no difference) so if you can't sell a firkin (87 pints) in 5 days it'll be ruined. But remember to TOE THE LINE boys, image over substance, (dirty fucking 'Tabs). Grumble, grumble and that's another post.



And despite the cowardly running away of Iron City, breweries that have the stones to be interesting are hiring. Stone's looking for people, as is Dogfish head, both on Twitter no less.


The moral of the story, in a recession, business as usual might not do so well, but adventurous, interesting companies will be well poised to start an expansion. If you can't afford beer every day, that one special beer will be very important, and oh, look who's doing well.

(Above: The Brewers from Dogfish Head)

MOVING: Johnny Walker

Well, this is a shame. Johnny Walker is packing up shop and moving elsewhere from its original home in Kilmarnock, where the original John Walker sold whiskey distilled in his store. After 150 years, this distillery will close down. They have 27 distilleries, but want to combine to a single one (or few, it is unclear) to create a more homogenous product and because shipping seems to be so cheap. It is a shame and a copying of the worst beer tacticts, which we've railed against before. Despite our love of liquor, a lot of people choose based on ideology, history or other non-taste issues. It is about time these companies learned that.