WBOB Original Reads

Liquid Lunch: Trillium's Big Bird, Whisky Made in Taiwan & Wine in a Can?

7/27/2017

Joe Ferro

I've been drinking craft beer longer than I care to admit. I was certainly drinking it before all the long beards and tight jean hipsters decided it was cool. One of the many things I enjoy most about beer and liquor in general is that there is always something new and interesting to try or sample for research of course. This makes life interesting and on some days worth living.

This week, I decided to take a closer look at two of my favorite test subjects. Yup you guessed it whisky and beer. Although I must admit I do admire the ladies almost as much as I do my sudsy amber beverages so with that in mind this week I also indulge in a new and fascinating theory, wine in a can.

Trillium's Big Bird

The bird is the word!

It felt like it took forever but I finally got my hands on Trillium's Big Bird. After many long negotiations with self proclaimed beer "elitists" I finally manged to get myself a can. I don't always have the opportunity to make it to all the breweries I like so I am forced to deal with scum and villainy in order to obtain my needs.

First it's fair to note I love me some Trillium. Fort Point, Congress, Cutting Tiles, etc. so my hopes were high for Big Bird. I must admit I am a rookie to Trillium's bird series as this is my first of the line. Big Bird has all the NEIPA characteristics we all know and love. It's your good ole hazy juice bomb for sure. A 8.5% ABV is sweetly hidden behind big grapefruit and maybe fresh pineapple flavors. This offering is definitely up there as far as quality, however as I've already stated I think there is better and more readily available offerings from Trillium. A good brew certainly an elite brew, well that might have to depend on the person doing the sipping.

I'm happy and thankfull to have tried it but the hype train is definitely real here. In a market flooded with some great as NEIPA's I'm not sure where Trillium's Big Bird sits, or perches if you will. My palette may be spoiled with the likes of Long Live Brewing's works and my main go to brewery, Proclamation.

Overall Trillium's Big Bird gets 4 stars out of 5.

Honestly wish the ABV was little lower, maybe say at 7% or slightly lower then this would be crushable as hell. So in closing, trade for it, enjoy it, but make sure it's a 1:1 because sometimes the hype isn't all the egg is cracked up to be.

Taiwan's Kavalan Whisky

Taiwan's first whisky distillery has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky since 2006. Kavalan is aged in intense humidity and heat yet benefits from sea and mountain breezes and the spring water from Snow Mountain, which combine to create Kavalan's signature creaminess. The distillery takes its name from the indigenous name for Yilan County, where it is based, and is backed by 30 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. It has collected more than 230 gold awards and is available in 60 countries.

Kavalan, Taiwan's premier whisky, has yet again claimed the most prestigious award in its category, this time at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) announced on July 26.
Within two years, this makes it a total of three Trophies for the Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength, which was also awarded a Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) for the second consecutive year in early July.

Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength collects 2017 IWSC ‘Trophy’ (PRNewsfoto/Kavalan)

Kavalan CEO, YT Lee said the Ex-Bourbon had now been named the best World Wide whisky by two highly respected competitions.

"From the time we were pioneering whisky 10 years ago to now, quality has always been our priority because our mission is to produce a world-class whisky in Taiwan," Lee said.

The Ex-Bourbon also scooped a Gold Outstanding and another four Kavalan whiskies were awarded IWSC Golds:

Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky
Kavalan Distillery Reserve Single Malt Whisky (Peaty Cask)

Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com/EN/main.aspx

Leading Premium Wines Offered in Convenient Single-Serve Cans

Francis Ford Coppola Winery is proud to announce the release of the winery's popular Diamond Collection white wines in cans. The winery, which revolutionized wine-in-a-can, now adds three premium quality Diamond Collection whites – Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc – to the flagship portfolio. The move solidifies the winery's position as the leading premium wine producer in the canned category.

"It was Francis's instinct and creativity that first brought wine-in-a-can to the forefront of the wine industry with the introduction of the Sofia Mini cans more than a decade ago," says Corey Beck, Francis Ford Coppola Winery's President and Director of Winemaking. "For a category that's accelerated so rapidly over the years, consumers are still loyal to the Coppola brands they trust and admire, because they know we will deliver the same premium quality, consistency, and authenticity they know and love in a bottle, into a can."

In 2002, the winery began producing canned wine, and in 2004 they single-handedly launched the canned wine category with the debut of the stylish Sofia Minis (187ml mini aluminum cans filled with Sofia Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine), in an effort to make premium wine more accessible. Over the years, the canned phenomenon grew rapidly as other producers entered the category and consumers flocked to the single-serve options for their convenience and portability.

Known for being a trusted leader in the premium wine category, the canned category, and the alternative packaging and innovation category, it's a natural evolution for Francis Ford Coppola Winery to expand the ever-growing Diamond Collection into cans. The bold move redefines the canned still wine category by bringing an elevated level of superior quality and authenticity to the segment. The Coppola winery differentiates itself from canned competitors through its uncompromised brand integrity and consistent signature flavor profiles portrayed in the can, which embraces the distinct award-winning, critically-acclaimed wines that consumers recognize. The winery is repeatedly awarded top honors from prestigious wine industry competitions – receiving coveted Winery of the Year and Producer of the Yearaccolades multiple times – earning the reputation as one of the world's most impressive, top-tier, premium wine producers.

The Diamond cans will be highlighted on August 4 at Francis Ford Coppola Winery's Shine, Splash, Shindig mid-summer pool party event, taking place from 7 -10 p.m. Admission is $75 ($65 Wine Family). The evening swimming pool soirée is an ideal location to showcase Diamond cans' versatility for all things related to summer. To purchase tickets: www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com/en/visit/winery-events/.

The 250ml cans are available in a portable and lightweight 4-pack that's environmentally friendly and recyclable. The SRP is $19.99, making them the perfect accessory to all of life's adventures. Diamond Collection Cans may be purchased at the winery's tasting room and online at https://www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com/en/shop/ffcw/p/diamond-collection-4-pack-cans, and at select restaurants and retailers. To join The Family Coppola's adventure, visit www.DiamondAdventure.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, @coppolawine, using #DiamondAdventure and #CoppolaWine

Liquid Lunch: Trillium's Big Bird, Whisky Made in Taiwan & Wine in a Can?

Trillium's Big Bird

Taiwan's Kavalan Whisky

Leading Premium Wines Offered in Convenient Single-Serve Cans

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