DrinksBurgh Field Trip: Orange County, CA

While the stated goal here is to focus on Pittsburgh's craft brewers and cocktail impresarios (cocktailiers?) There are some folks, thanks to the internet, who are able to influence the craft drink world from wherever they may be. In that vein, we present the DrinksBurgh Field Trip.

The first field trip was out to Orange County, CA and a visit to 320 Main in Seal Beach with Matt Robold. In addition to slinging booze at 320, Matt runs the Rumdood blog and is a founding member of the International Rum Expert Panel.

Please Requisition Me a Drink

When Nathan Lutchansky moved to PA and learned that our booze sales were controlled by the state he reacted differently than most people. Instead of cursing the founding Quakers and looking for liquor stores across the border, he set out to learn the system and share his knowledge via the PLCB Users Group Blog. Knowing how to game the system for booze led to a job with Verde Mexican Kitchen and Cantina as the Cocktail and Spirits Director to make sure that Verde has the largest selection of tequilas in the state of Pennsylvania.

The Pisco Kid

When Kiersten Schilinski decided to enter the Pisco Porton competition she'd never even had pisco before.  Armed with only a small trial bottle and talent she created a cocktail that earned her a trip to NYC as a finalist.  You can find Kiersten behind the stick at both Dish Osteria and Meat and Potatoes

Point and Clique

When Premier Innovations Group began importing Clique Vodka and  Don Pantaleon Tequila they needed someone to develop the cocktails that highlight their strengths. Enter Tara Shinn, head Mixologist at Plum, brought in to develop cocktails like the Zen Garden.  Tara is also working to recruit top mixologists from around the country to form the Mixologist's Advisory Board to experiment and develop new creations.

Tale of Two Kettles

Most beer lovers would give their left arm to be Brewmaster at a craft brewery. Nick Rosich gets to do it for two different breweries, Penn Brewery and Rust Belt Brewery. As he says, "It beats working."

When Johnny Comes Marching Home

When Bill Larkin decided to move beyond the daily life of accountancy he didn't go the same route as everyone. Instead of being another local winery or micro-beer brewery he went non-traditional. Instead, Arsenal Cider makes ciders and fruit wines to sell in growlers across the street from the former Allegheny Arsenal.

Workin' on the Chain

 

Mike Mills began his trek into bartending through the world of corporate chain restaurants. After coming to Pittsburgh he left behind the world of making Cosmotequinis, demanding entrance into the craft cocktail scene at Embury. You can find him at Meat and Potatoes downtown on the weekend while he plans with Spencer Warren on a new cocktail haven to open in 2012.