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Life on the Farm with John Warren
With Thanksgiving just a few gobbles away and the Farm Bill being bandied about Congress, we thought it would be of interest to our readers to interview a real live farmer. Amazingly (and thankfully), farming is once again a profession people are interested in. With the slow food and farm-to-table movements exploding, more and more […] -
Stuff Your Stocking with Shurky Jurky
We know that you just put away your Halloween costume, but we’re now in the first full week of November and it’s already time to start thinking about holiday gifts. It may be a stressful thought, but we at The Manual are here to provide you with plenty of ideas. One of those ideas comes […] -
A Taste of the Season: Abraham Bowman Gingerbread Beer Finished Bourbon
About a year ago, whiskey maker A. Smith Bowman sent four barrels that contained bourbon that had been aging down to Hardywood Brewery, makers of a delicious gingerbread stout that they filled up the barrels with for 12 weeks and sent back to A. Smith Bowman. Finally, A. Smith Bowman refilled the barrels with six […] -
Bet We Can Make a Tea Drinker Out of You
Think you can’t live without that cup o’ Joe in the morning? You might think again when we tempt your taste buds with tea. That’s right. You might discover a tea drinker inside you who wants to duel with the coffee drinker side. It’s okay, there’s room for both in your life. Check out some […] -
Athlete Eats: The NFL’s Eric Fisher
As you know, we here at The Manual love food (I mean, who doesn’t?). And we are always looking to give our loyal readers the heads up on the best restaurants and chefs from around the country. Recently, we got the bright idea to start asking professional athletes where they like to eat. After all, […] -
Judging Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational BBQ
This past weekend, we headed down to Lynchburg, Tennessee to judge the 25th Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational BBQ, and what a spectacular occasion it was. Judges and more than 25,000 people gathered to watch competitive barbecue’s finest cooks compete for the title of Grand Champion. But before we were able to sit down, […] -
Portón Pisco: The Peruvian Liquor to Drink
When settling in at your local bar, you may have noticed a new ingredient on the drink list: pisco. What is pisco, you ask? It is a grape-based, distilled Peruvian liquor that has been around since the 17th century. The liquor was very popular in the United States during the 19th century, especially in San […] -
Whiskey Wise Reviews Monkey Shoulder
Whiskey Wise In this first Whiskey Wise installment from New York Whiskey Club, founder Sarah Bronilla introduces a recent addition to the US whiskey market and gives some insight on how not to make a monkey of yourself. Being the drink of gentleman over which World history has been written, not knowing your whiskies can […] -
The Champagne Connoisseur: David Speer
In a city filled with myriad craft breweries, it’s sometimes hard to find a man that loves wine more than beer. But fear not, dear reader, they do exist. Enter David Speer, owner of Ambonnay, a sparkling-wine bar named after a picturesque Grand Cru village in Champagne. An 11-year veteran of the food and beverage industry, […] -
How to Care For Your Cast Iron Skillet
The classic cast iron skillet is a thing of beauty. It’s cheap, it doesn’t scrach, your food won’t stick to it, you can use it over any heat source you like, and in the event of a zombie apocalypse it makes a great head-bashing tool. Even in the age of all this space-age teflon-coated titanium-alloy cookware, nothing […] -
Cider Week – Celebrate Fall’s Newest Tradition
We are officially in the heart of the fall. All the tell-tale signs are there: the baseball playoffs are in full swing; leaves are changing colors and covering the ground; everywhere you look apples are on sale, or are being served in restaurant desserts or at dinner parties; and all anyone can talk about is […] -
George Clooney and Rande Gerber are Sippin’ Casamigos Tequila
We aren’t celeb people here at The Manual, but we are keen to try anything and everything, even from a real live movie star. Casamigos is an ultra-premium tequila founded and owned by Rande Gerber (owner of a premium chain of bars and lounges and Cindy Crawford’s husband), his longtime friend George Clooney and Discovery Land […] -
Ardbeg Whisky Is Out of This World
Old, established liquor brands usually take themselves pretty seriously. It’s all about the age, the cask, the heritage, which is all fine and good, but it sure is refreshing to find a brand that likes to have a little fun. Leave it to the Scots. Ardbeg is one of those ancient Scottish whiskys that your […] -
Punch Bowl Social: Food, Drinks and Fun All in One Venue
Downtown Portland isn’t known for its must-see destinations. Other than a few great restaurants, it’s not on anyone’s go-to list when visiting the city. You’re more likely to meet other tourists than quirky locals at many of the area watering holes. But that all changed this July with the opening of Punch Bowl Social at […] -
Feel Good Friday – (Belvedere) RED
Shake it! Stir it! Swill it! Today is National Vodka Day. So what better day to celebrate Belvedere Vodka’s third year partnering with (RED) with a special edition bottle. Fifty percent of profits from the global sale of the (BELVEDERE)RED bottle will contribute to the Global Fund, one of the world’s leading financiers of programs […] -
Partida: Ushering in Tequila’s Golden Age
Everyone wants to have a passion in life. We are told that having a passion makes us unique and makes our lives more fulfilling, makes our days pass with a greater sense of satisfaction. Jose Valdez has a passion, and that passion is tequila. Who is Jose Valdez? He is the Master Distiller, Production Manager […] -
Left Coast: PDX’s All-American Grub Hub
In Portland, Oregon, the only thing more numerous than flannel-clad hipsters and hoppy microbrews are probably the food carts that pepper the city’s sidewalks. Thanks to a sort of lassez-faire attitude toward regulating street vendors, Portland is home to a booming food cart scene – one that’s as diverse as it is massive. With well […] -
The Kilbeggan Tailgater’s Toddy
It’s hard to believe, but autumn is staring us right in the face. And it seems like just yesterday that we at The Manual were telling you the right thing to throw on your grill for Labor Day. Now, the nights and mornings are getting cooler, the first sweaters of the season are being pulled […] -
Epicoa’s Portable Wonder Grill
This Fall say goodbye to the days of the kettle grill at the football game. Tailgating just got easier, and healthier, with the new portable Epicoa Rotisserie Grill. This suitcase size grill can go anywhere from the football game to the family BBQ. It all packs into its own briefcase style shell. Each shell is […] -
The Poler X Stumptown Camp Coffee Brew Kit
Ever go camping with a hankering for a strong, freshly brewed cup of coffee? The folks at Stumptown, the renowned coffee roasters with the location in Seattle, New York and Portland, and Poler, the outdoor gear people, have made it easy with the Stumptown x Poler Camp Coffee Brew Kit. All you have to do […] -
Sipping on Casa Dragones Tequila
You’re sitting alone at the bar. Let’s say you’ve just come back from an end of summer vacation. You’re fighting through those post-vacation blues, feeling resentful of the daily routine and want a drink to fortify your spirits. You want a drink to give you solace in a quiet moment at the bar. What if […] -
Wine Awesomeness Launches New Site. Dionysus Ecstatic.
The crew here at The Manual is like family. We fight, we have massive dinners (the endings of which we sometimes don’t remember), we poke fun at each other (a lot) and of course we help each other. Today our Wine Awesomeness crew is launching its’ brand new website full of new wines, videos and […] -
Booze Alert: Daneson’s Single Malt Nº16 Toothpicks
We like to drink Scotch. A lot. Especially after a hard week at work. We like it neat. We like it on the rocks. Sometimes, we like it with a splash of soda. It depends on our mood. So when we discovered Daneson’s Single Malt Nº16 toothpicks, you have no idea how incredibly excited we […] -
Become an At-Home Mixmaster With The PDT Cocktail Book
Those of you who haven’t been to PDT — an acronym for Please Don’t Tell — in New York’s East Village, you are definitely missing out on one helluva experience. First of all, you have to get through to their reservation line, which is always busy. If you manage to get past that busy signal […] -
The Bull and Beggar Restaurant Keeps People Guessing
One of Asheville, N.C.’s newest restaurants is a bit elusive. There’s no giant sign or neon light to point the way. When you turn into the gravel parking lot at the Wedge building in the River Arts District, you might look around thinking there couldn’t possibly be a restaurant nearby. Look a little closer on […] -
Makers Mark and Strip Steaks with Chef Preston Clark
Labor Day Weekend is imminent. And while that may mean the summer is rapidly coming to an end, it doesn’t mean you have to curl up in a ball and mourn the loss of warm weather, tan skin, day-drinking and fleeting romance. No, instead it’s time to fortify yourself with the last great grilling weekend […] -
Road Trip Cheat Sheet: The Best Diners in America
It’s hard to believe summer’s end is almost here. With Labor Day around the corner next weekend, it’s time to cross those last “to-dos” off this season’s bucket list and start looking ahead to fall. And if you haven’t taken a good ole cross-country road trip yet this summer, there is still time to make […] -
The Providence Food Truck Scene
When you think of Providence, the first things that come to mind are probably Brown University and the collected works of the Farrelly Brothers. However, over the past few years, Providence has actually become home to a burgeoning community of food trucks. These days, college students and office workers alike have a bevy of lunchtime […] -
Handmade in Portland: Mana Chocolates Lead the Bean-to-Bar Scene
Portland has often been at the forefront of culinary revolutions in this country. From farm-t0-table restaurants to the IPA craze, Portland is arguably ground zero when it comes to food trends. And while most astute readers can spot these trends as they happen, one that is still a bit under-the-radar is the bean-to-bar scene. We’re […] -
Two Popsicle Companies We Are Melting Over
King of Pops Chilling the Southeast Getting into the popsicle business wasn’t part of Steven Carse’s original career plan. It just evolved organically out of a love for paletas—Latin American ice pops that Steven and his two brothers discovered during their travels in Central America. When Carse became victim of an AIG corporate layoff, he […] -
Bronx Brewery: Pale Ale from the Bronx
New Yorkers have long been living in the “Great Age of Gentrification.” With each passing season, it seems that another corner of the city has been reclaimed with community gardens, rows of rustic French cafes, and dim, expensive cocktail bars. From Astoria to Bed Stuy, and Hell’s Kitchen to Red Hook, the roughest edges of […] -
Taste Test: Vidalia – Boone, North Carolina
I don’t normally want to buck etiquette rules to lick my plate at the end of dinner, but that’s exactly what I wanted to do while dining at Vidalia in Boone, N.C. While I had heard from locals about how good the place is I still wasn’t prepared for the flavor explosion when I savored […] -
Quench Your Thirst for Premium Whiskey With Bulleit 10
There’s plenty going on with the resurgence of American whiskey. People are drinking it neat, on the rocks and in classic cocktails like The Manhattan and Old Fashioned. While we’re all too familiar with American staples like Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Wild Turkey, and Maker’s Mark, but there are also a ton of younger labels […] -
Eating Our Way Through the Goat Town Garden
When you step into Goat Town for the first time, it may seem like your normal, charming neighborhood hangout. The bar is full of locals, getting their drink on with deliciously strong cocktails. The tables are filled with delectable, seasonal fare like house-made ricotta crostini and grilled steak with roasted eggplant. And even though the scene is […] -
Cayrum Straight Up for National Rum Day
Stock up on the aspirin and load up on bottles of water by the bed- Today is National Rum Day and we are ready to swerve! We know rum isn’t on the top of everyone’s list since it often arrives at our table diluted with neon colors, piles of fruit and possibly a flower and […] -
The Manual x City Harvest Mixology Class Giveaway
Hey, are you that guy at the party who is always coming up with crazy drink recipes, testing your boozy concoctions on your friends and wondering what it would be like to have a drink named after you? Well if you are in the New York area, we have an event that might pique your […] -
Peerless Distillery: Louisville’s Latest Whiskey Revival
There’s still plenty of time left in 2013, but at The Manual, we are always looking ahead to the next great thing to keep on your radar. Whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, car, or clothing line, it is our job to keep you informed. That’s why you need to know about the Peerless Distilling Company, […] -
Southern Suds: Abita Brewing Company
Louisiana definitely isn’t known for it’s beer, but that’s only because jazz, jambalaya, and Mardi Gras tend to come to mind before anything else. Don’t let that fool you though; the Bayou state has a handful awesome breweries – you just have to know where to look for ’em. Tucked away in the piney woods […] -
Albion Café: Our kind of Café Culture
Don’t get me wrong; I love ‘fancy food’ as much as the next urbanite, but I do not like spending half a month’s wages on a meal that leaves me hankering for a hamburger after dessert. This is where the Albion café’s second outpost really stands up. The hip but ‘real’ eatery is located just shy […] -
The Knob Creek Meat Master Class
It’s August, which means at this point in the summer, you’re well acquainted with the backyard barbeque. You’ve hosted some, attended some and put your grilling skills to (hopefully) good use. However, for those of you who are still feeling a little bit insecure about your proficiency behind the propane or the briquettes, we have […] -
Age Your Own Spirits with Deep South Barrels
Oak barrels are magical. Put something inside of them, and with a bit of patience they spit out something drastically better. The only problem is that aging is traditionally done in 55-gallon oak barrels, so unless you’re a winemaker or distiller with 55 gallons of booze to spare, you typically don’t have the resources you need […] -
Krave: Exotic Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is a staple of the manly diet. It’s simple, nutritious, fulfilling, and doesn’t go bad if you leave it out for a couple days. It’s also one of the few types of meat you can eat with your bare hands without getting looked at like you’re some sort of deranged caveman. It might […] -
Hendrick’s: The Gin for the Flavor Connoisseur
It’s enough to get people in a tizzy. The argument over who makes the world’s best gin. After all, this is not flavorless vodka we are talking about. Maybe you’d get an angry retort from a Moscovite for saying such a thing. But gin is a connoisseur’s spirit. From artisanal brands to old mainstays, the […] -
Tipsy Scoops Alcoholic Ice Cream
During the mid-summer sizzle, it only makes sense that July would be ‘National Ice Cream Month’. We are prone to think of ice cream as a treat after dinner, with the kids or on a break at the beach. But our friends at Tipsy Scoop have us panting for the stuff at cocktail hour. Why […] -
Floome: a Breathalyzer for your Smartphone
If all the articles we post about whiskey, rum, wine, and beer didn’t already tip you off, we’re huge fans of booze here at The Manual. We love to get our drink on, but we also know that part of being a grown-ass man is knowing when you’ve had too many pickleback shots to get […] -
The Manual’s Top 9 Beers from the Portland International Brewfest
This past weekend was the Portland International Brewfest – an annual event that fills up PDX’s Pearl District as thousands of thirsty beer enthusiasts show up to sample the festival’s massive and tightly-curated selection of beers from across the globe. We couldn’t miss out, so we put on our drinking shoes, packed our notebooks, and […] -
Podnah’s Pit: Southwestern Eats on Northwestern Streets
Podnah’s Pit – arguably one of the best barbecue destinations in the entire Northwest – is ridiculously out of place. And we mean that in the best way possible. Portland certainly isn’t known for its barbecue joints, so sitting down at Podnah’s and burying your face a plate full of authentic Texas-style barbecue is tantamount […] -
Shaun Doty’s Chick-a-Biddy
If you were forced to describe Shaun Doty, the first word you would be scrambling for is passionate. The Atlanta based chef, restaurateur and food philosopher exudes an undeniable and infectious love for his cooking, ingredients and customers. And he lives by a code that is simple and easy to understand: “I like affordable, quality […] -
The Manual’s Top Five Concept Restaurants in the World Right Now
Remember the days when a pizza place was just a pizza place? These days, restaurants go above and beyond to satisfy our new, concept-driven expectations. Whether its hotdogs and champagne or an ironic spin on good and greasy fried chicken, we’ve become accustomed to dining at the hottest new eateries in town on an almost […] -
Shine of the Times: Our Top Five Moonshines
For most people, when they think of moonshine, they picture something out of the movie Deliverance. Even those of us who are more familiar with the stuff were only introduced to it in the form of Shine On Georgia Corn Whiskey—a college campus staple that was usually responsible for more than a few bad decisions […]