Does anyone else thinks that’s a lot of beer for just a dollar? It’s twice the size of a typical 12 ounce can, and if it’s anywhere close to 8% alc./vol. it’s twice again. So it’s the equivalent of four beers, at something like a quarter apiece. Is this normal, or a sign of the rough economy? We also wanted to post this because it’s a rare label that posts the price right on the permanent package. And somehow we think it will not be long until essentially all alcohol beverage labels post the alcohol content, in a clear way, and this does not.
Continue Reading Leave a CommentDragonfruit Bacardi
What on earth is a dragonfruit, and do you want any in your rum? It is “an outlandishly flaming pink, spineless cactus fruit that looks like an artichoke from Mars.” This is according to David Karp, “The Fruit Detective.” Karp was very early in calling this still-budding trend. He is credited with familiarizing Americans with this fruit. Way back in 2002 he said “Improbably enough, it’s now the object of a mad scramble, one of the most colorful booms in California’s agricultural history, replete with paranoia and intrigue.” His article, in the Los Angeles Times, is so good, especially as compared to the other information readily available, that we will quote it at length. Karp explains:
The mango did it. The Meyer lemon did it. Over the years, many fruits have crossed the barrier from exotic rarity to become available to all of us. … Now there’s a new one poised to make the leap, and it’s safe to say it is the strangest one yet.
Continue Reading Leave a CommentThe texture of the flesh is similar to kiwifruit, though its subtle flavor and refreshing juiciness are really more reminiscent of watermelon. … “It’s so visually stunning that our customers are intrigued by it,” said Bill Yosses, pastry chef of Citarella restaurant in New York, who has...
Skilnik Speaks: Of Beer and Nutrition
Bob Skilnik has recently published a book entitled Does My Butt Look Big in this Beer? It shows the nutritional values for 2,000 beers, along the lines TTB may soon require on every alcohol beverage label. The book serves a valuable function by providing this information in the here and now, rather than waiting a few years for the rules to kick in. It provides a helpful glimpse of where things are headed. Skilnik has been following the beer business for many decades and has written several books on beer and nutrition. Skilnik says:
Whether brewers, vintners or distillers like it or not, the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), responsible for labeling requirements of alcoholic beverages, is close to making it mandatory for alcoholic beverages to list their nutritional values. … In the following pages, you’ll find nutritional information now that will help you to enjoy the moderate consumption of worldwide beer.
Skilnik has collected a lot of information and presented it clearly. The book provides an easy way to see, for example, that among about 100 listed Anheuser-Busch products, there is not a whole lot of variation in alcohol content or calories. The Bud Light Lime is way down around 3.1% alcohol by volume and 116 calories (per 12 ounces). And the Hurricane High...
Continue Reading Leave a CommentTags: nutrition, serving facts/allergens
Wine of the Times (for an Ale-ing Economy)
A few weeks ago we wrote about Recession Red table wine. We were sort of hoping we would have no reason to revisit this woeful topic anytime soon. And yet the markets have continued to shrivel, and so, not surprisingly, a significant number of alcohol beverage companies have picked up on this theme. Broke Ass Red Wine (above) is made in Argentina and imported by USDP of Minnesota. On the right, the Bailout Bitter Ale says:
A hoppy golden ale with recession fighting properties. … A bitter ale for bitter times.
We have trouble discerning a health claim in these words. And yet, the applicant felt compelled to state (at box 19): “The brewery certifies that it is absolutely not making any representation on health benefits on this … product.” An important clarification, we think — just in case the public might think the ale could cure athlete’s foot or the ailing world economy. Bailout Bitter is made in Canada and imported by KIAI of Atlanta.
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Continue Reading Leave a CommentShelton Brothers Comment; Top 5 Things to Know
It is likely that all beer, wine and spirits labels will change dramatically in the near future. TTB has been working on new rules since CSPI and other groups submitted a petition in 2003. The new rules would require a “Serving Facts” panel on every container. This panel would include a lot more information, such as the typical serving size, number of servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat. Because this is a big, controversial change, TTB has received more than 18,000 public comments during the past few years. There are far too many comments for most people to review, and so we will highlight and summarize the most noteworthy comments here. The most recent proposal and comments are here. This is comment 11 in a series; to see others, click on the “serving facts” tag below. Shelton Brothers is a specialty beer importer with a focus on small batch, hand-crafted beers from around the world. Shelton’s 13-page comment strayed a bit from time to time and said:
- Beer accounts for 51% of alcohol beverage sales.
- TTB has wide authority to require various label statements, but constrained authority to prohibit statements. “TTB does not have the authority to restrict protected speech that does not mislead consumers [and if this rule is finalized] no language relating...
Tags: policy, serving facts/allergens