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? 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.

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........