Welcome to Austin’ s Blog – the place to fill up on info from the pros and pour out your own news and opinions with other readers. Each week, our own enthusiasts including “wine blogger” Rich and “brew blogger” Pat share their personal experiences likes and dislikes and post reports on brews, wines and spirits. They’ll review home-growns and imports, top shelf and top bargains, with plenty of insider info on products, companies, drink recipes, industry gossip and more. So join the group and make Austin’s Blog a regular stop on your quest for the best!

New Ventures PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 15 June 2010 08:52

Everyday someone approaches me with a new beer or liquor and they always claim the same thing, "this is selling really well in other markets, you have to bring it in".

Majority of these companies have no resources to sample or market their products properly. In order not to snub out the smaller businesses I have resourced out to some local bars and resturants. This way, you, the consumer, can try a new beer or liquor before you buy it. We do alot of tastings and sampliings in both of stores every week but do not always get the demographics that we are looking for.

Two years ago we started working with Brew City (www.brew-city.com) in Worcester. Brew City is located right on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. They are basically, perfectly inbetween both Austin Worcester and Austin Shrewsbury. Aside from location, Brew City has one of the most knowledgeable staff and diverse draft beer lineups in the city. Their rocking new burger menu has been a huge hit thus far.  Brew City offers a Beer of the Month program inwhich a selected brewery si featured throughout the month at a special rate. In turn, Austin features the same brewery by putting them on sale in the course of said month. 

Earlier this year Austin's started working with Blackstone Tap (www.blackstonetap.com) located on Water Street in Worcester. Blackstone is a great 5:01 spot (after work crowd). You'll find the demographics at this bar are all over the place, from young adults to blue and white collar people ending their shift with an icy cold pint. At Blackstone with the brick faced walls and hardwood floors gives it a home type feeling.  Don't forget their sunfilled patio. It's a great spot to try to even out those driver arm tans.

Look for the Austin Liquors Logo at your favorite bar. You'll never know who we team up next.  

 

 
Did you say Watermelon....in my beer?? PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 15 June 2010 08:33

Did you say Watermelon...in my beer? Really?

Truth is, watermelon beers are on the rise. More and more craft brewers are trying new fruits and vegtables every day. Most watermelon beers are on the lighter coloration side, with a sweet watermelon flavor. Some however, have the sweetness of the watermelon and somehow incorporated the bitterness of the rind. My best example of such is 21st Ammendment (CA) Watermelon. 21st Ammendment comes in 6pk cans year round. If you are one of those people who love to support local brands, OPA OPA (western MA) has re-released their version of a Watermelon ale. The OPA OPA version is only available in 64oz growlers. Our supply from OPA OPA is limited.

If you think watermelon is a crazy idea, how about beet juice? Oh yeah, I said beet juice. Up in Vermont the earthy- crunchy brewers at Magic Hat incorporated beet juice into there new summer seasonal Wacko last year. It pours this awesome ruby color. The flavor is light with a kick of bitterness to it. I wouldn't of been able to pinpoint the flavor unless directly told. I can not even remember the last time I tossed a beet down the old hatch. Making Magic Hat Wacko more of a summer relief treat.

Be on the look out for more odd ball fruits to be incorporated into beers in the next few years.

 
McManis Family PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 15 May 2010 11:23

Anybody who knows me knows my feeling that “wine is more than grape juice and alcohol, it’s about the stories behind it and the memories created

Last Updated on Saturday, 15 May 2010 11:28
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Organic Wines PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 19 March 2010 13:56
The level of interest in all things organic, especially wines, seems to be growing daily. Also growing is the amount of good, quality organic wines that are becoming available to us here at Austin Liquors.
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Box Wines PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 03 March 2010 12:28

Box wines , much like stelvin closures (screw caps) are a stigma in wine that people need to get over and realize that it is not only here to stay, but a better way to go. In Europe they have been drinking higher end box wines for years. My personal belief with box wines is the same as with tradition wine bottles, the packaging is irrelevant, if the wine is good going in, then it is good coming out. The old school Franzia, Almaden, and Peter Vella are still around with their Chillable Reds’, Refreshing Whites’, Rhines’ etc.. , but what we are also starting to see over the last few years are  varietal wines from known producers like Hardy’s and Banrock Station from Australia. From the US, box wines from Fisheye and Blackbox are leading the way in terms of quality.

Some other benefits of box wines are environmental, freshness, and economical. Environmentally, a 3ltr box creates a lot less waste then the 4 750ml or 2 1.5ltr glass bottle equivalents. For freshness, because the bag in the box is airtight, the wine will stay fresh for 4-6 weeks after opening. And best of all box wines will save you money. A 750ml bottle of Fisheye Pinot Grigio is $6.99, multiply that by 4(for 3 liters) and you have $27.96, yet a 3 ltr box of Fisheye is $17.99.

Here is a list of some of the better quality box wines that we carry and their price, remember these boxes are the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine.


Blackbox
Sonoma Merlot $29.99
Pinot Grigio (Italy) $25.99
Napa Valley Chardonnay $29.99
New Zealand sauvignon Blanc $25.99
Shiraz $25.99
Columbia Valley Riesling $25.99
Fisheye                                                   

Pinot Grigio $17.99             4 750ml-$27.96
Shiraz $17.99
Hardy’s(Australia)
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot $16.99   4 750ml-$23.96
Banrock Station
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot $17.99           4 750ml-$27.96
Folonari
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir $18.99        2 1.5ltr-$21.98
Turning Leaf
Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir $21.99         4 750ml-$27.96

 
Value Wines PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 02 January 2010 17:05

So another holiday season has ended and I've got to say it was definitely an exciting one for me. I had alot of fun selecting wines for people either to give as gifts or to share at holiday parties. I hope that alot of great memories were made with these wines.

Last Updated on Saturday, 02 January 2010 17:27
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It's not your grandpa's whiskey PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 20:48
Ten years ago, if you had asked your garndfather about flavored whiskey, he probably would have laughed at you, called you soft, and definitely would never had shared a drink with you ever again. Well times have definitely changed.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 November 2009 21:18
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What to drink on Thanksgiving PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 05 November 2009 15:12

The leaves are changing colors and the air is definitely getting colder, fall is here. It's hard to believe but the holidays are coming up fast. So the question becomes what do I drink with my holiday meals. Well, Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, so lets start there.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 15:38
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Last Chance for Rose PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 31 October 2009 13:29

If you think the time for drinking rose wine is over, now that summer is just a memory... hold on,

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Fall Wine Memories PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 15:58

The air is turning colder, the leaves are changing color, and the holidays are approaching, for serious wine drinkers, this is a very exciting time of year.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 October 2009 16:47
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Maybe it's time for Cognac PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 20:37

The cool weather is starting to roll in, and for alot of us this means "brown liquor" season. That chill in the air makes us think of Bourbon, Scotch, and other whisky's like Crown Royal or Jameson. This winter I want to get people thinking about Cognac.

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 October 2009 09:27
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Fall Wines PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 20:08

It's a very exciting time for wine drinkers. Fall is here and that means big, full bodied, warm you up on the inside wines. It also means the rturn of some of my favorite "cult" wines.

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Grappa PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 19:07
The cool air is starting to roll in which for me means that it is the start of the warm up cocktail season. It is time for Scotch, Whiskey, and Bourbon. It is also time for Brandies and Cognacs. Now if all that sounds about right to you, then I have one more spirit that should try, Grappa.
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Robert Hall PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 06 August 2009 08:41

Anybody who knows me, knows my feelings about wine. My feeling is that wine is more than grape juice and alcohol, it is about the stories behind it and the memories created with friends and families while drinking it. Well one of the coolest parts of my job is when I get to meet some of the people behind the stories, like when I recently got to meet Robert Hall

Last Updated on Thursday, 06 August 2009 09:32
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Sangria PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 30 July 2009 14:41
What exactly is Sangria? Well, it is a delicious wine based cocktail that originated in Spain and has been popular throughout Europe for hundreds of years, where it was also known as Claret punch using Bordeaux
Last Updated on Thursday, 30 July 2009 14:46
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Fruit Conquers Another PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 21 July 2009 20:11

Over the past few years, fruit flavors have changed and expanded the spirits world. Everybody know that vast amount of flavored vodkas, then the growing number of flavored rums, and even some gins. There was even an attempt to flavor Sherry. Well the fruit flavoring has now hit a new segment of the spirit world, Tequilla,

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 20:50
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Narragansett's come back!! PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 14 July 2009 08:07

Narragansett, Narragansett, Narr-a-gan-sett....

Narragansett Brewing company offers a very intertesting story thus far. Narragansett's first batch of beer was produced in 1890. Thats right. Thats over 119 years that the Narragansett name has been kicking around the New England. In 1891 they produced 28,000 barrels of beer. 28,000 barrels equates to  112,000 1 / 2 barrels (average keg) or 16,000 cases of bottles. That's a lot of liquid for the times.  Over the next 95 years, they would have to battle through the depression, prohibition, new ownership  and a slue of other problems and adversities that plagued the country.  Let's fast forward to the present........

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 07:57
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Some Other White Grapes PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 16:29

Are you tired of picking up the same bottle of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc every night. Are you looking for something a little different to wake up your palate a little, something that would be nice to drink this summer(if the sun ever decides to show its' face again). Well I have got a couple of favorite other whites to share with you.

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 July 2009 07:40
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Special Sales PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 19:24

I just wanted to let you all know about our "In Store" special sales. These are featured wines in our Fine Wine department that we think are pretty special

Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 July 2009 18:48
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What's new in spirits PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 20:02

It's a pretty exciting time in the world of spirits lately, with new quality products being launched that present very interesting flavor profiles. Usually it's just a constant introduction of new Vodka flavors but offerings from Hennesy, Bacardi, and Jim Beam to name a few are giving customers enticing new options.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 June 2009 16:29
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WINE REVIEWS & NEWS

Rich - Wine Manager


Rich is a veteran member of the Austin Liquors team. Check out his Wine Blog and read about his favorite grapes!
 
WINE REVIEWS & NEWS

Steve - Wine Manager, Shrewsbury


Steve has been a member of Austin's team for over 10 years. Read about his wine recommendations and check out his blog for his latest favorites!
 
BEER REVIEWS & NEWS

Pat - Beer Manager


Pat is a veteran member of the Austin Liquors team. Check out his Beer Blog and read about his favorite hops!
 
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Spirit of Austin Liquors


Check out the Spirit of Austin Liquors Blog and read about our favorite drinks!

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