Warning! Riedel glassware may effect wines taste and smell ... in a GOOD way!

Enjoying the tasting at the Bedford Wine Club.

By Dathan Kazsuk | April 26, 2013

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

If you’re presented the opportunity to do a select wine-tasting for $15, which includes 4 samples of wine and 2 Riedel glasses to take home with you  – you best jump on that chance!

I was given that chance on April 25 at Bedford’s monthly Wine Club meeting. Morrisville’s Triangle Wine Company was kind enough to come in to Bedford’s clubhouse and pour 2 different types of Sauvignon Blanc and 2 different types of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines were poured into the individual Riedel glasses made specifically for each varietal.

Triangle Wine Company’s Glenn Hagedorn talked about the history behind the Riedel family, who’s been in the glass business for over 300 years. In that time, twelve generations of the Riedel family have been keeping the business intact.

Each wine we tried was great. However, in my humble opinion, these glasses didn’t make the wine taste any different, going back and forth from the Riedel glass to the joker glass. But, I will let it be known that the “smell” and "temperature" of the wine does change drastically between the joker and Riedel glasses – in favor of the Riedel. 

Did you know:

• The Riedel story began in 1678 in the Northern part of Bohemia – which is today the Czech Republic and part of Poland.

• The third generation of Riedel’s opened the first glass factory in 1756, for the purpose of making glass window panes.

• Walter Riedel, part of the 8th generation, signed a 5-year work contract with the Russian’s after their army conquered Berlin in 1945. He was then held in prison for 10 years.

It was nice getting a little history lesson while drinking wine. It would have made US History in high school go by a lot faster.

At the end of the night, we had 4 new glasses to add to our collection – which right now stands at about 60+ wine glasses. Honestly, I’m not a lush! Or am I?

World Beer Festival spotlights N.C. brews

Thousands enjoyed the World Beer Festival on April 13.

By Dathan Kazsuk | April 16, 2013

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

This had to be one of my most memorable Saturdays of the year so far.

On April 13, I was able to cover the All About Beer's World Beer Festival in downtown Raleigh's Moore Square. Over 100 of your favorite brewers serving over 200+ different beers. All I can say is "WOW."

I was on the clock with work, so I actually had to conduct interviews with local North Carolina beer managers and brewers. But honestly, I can't see that as a bad thing. I met several great local peeps, like White Street Brewing Company's Dino Radosta, Raleigh Brewing Company's John Federal and Natty Greene's Thomas Vincent.

But here's what I want you to do ... click here ... and read about it from my work blog, where I have 18 awesome photos for you to view in my slideshow, which highlights over a dozen NC breweries. I also have a rare photo of the National Bohemian Beer's mascot. I heard he's as rare as spotting Bigfoot himself!!!!

Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp winner taps Blood Shot in Raleigh

Either by pint or flight, Sierra Nevada had a beer for everyone.

By Dathan Kazsuk | April 13, 2013

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

After a full day at work – and might I add a boring one – it was nice to meet up with my wife and friends for a very special event at Raleigh’s BottleMixx.

On April 13, BottleMixx had very special guest, Jon Page, at the store to unveil a special beer that he helped brew with a little help from Chico, Calif.-based Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

Blood Shot Imperial Red Ale has a great balance of malt and bitterness, and came into existence thanks to Page, the winner of Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp contest. The contest was simple, just send a video to Sierra Nevada and let them know why you should be a brewer for a day.

Actually, I remember buying a 6-pack of Torpedo with my friend Dave, who was at the event, thinking this is something we should do. Of course we never did. But it was nice to see a local Raleigh native did, and won the whole thing.

The event brought in over 75 people in the hour we were there. Yes, I was doing my best at counting the people at the event. And for $4 a person, you received a ticket for 1 of 2 options. Option #1 was for a pint of the Blood Shot Imperial Red Ale. And option #2 was for a flight of 3 Sierra Nevada brews. Summerfest, Brewer’s Batch Belgian Double IPA and Blood Shot. Dave and I did the pint of Blood Shot, while Jen and Cheryl did the flight.

Sierra Nevada also had a few promotional items to give away that night, which included keychains, lip-balm, pens and beer koozies.

I had a good time, and looking forward to Bottle Mixx’s next event on  April 25 when Big Boss will be tapping their Munich-style Dunkelweizen, D’Icer.