Recently, I had a chance to sit down with the Brand Manager of Rail Bridge Cellars, Michael Chandler. During our discussion, Michael explained to me the history of Rail Bridge, Some key decisions the winery has made recently, and where they are headed to in the next few years.
Who’s down for Belgian beer tasting and learning something about what we’re drinking? That’s what I thought. Lucky for us here in Sactown, Total Wine and More puts on beer classes twice each month. Don’t worry, I posted the remaining 2012 schedule at the bottom of this article. So…I attended the January beer appreciation course, dedicated to the best Belgian beers that our hosts could dig up. I’ll admit I was jazzed at the prospect of tasting a dozen beers, but I really had no idea what to expect. Would this particular beer class live up to the hype?
Teri Porter is a spitfire and a whirlwind of energy. This is only the second time I’ve met her, and I can already see this clearly. As I conduct our interview, Teri answers the phone about five times, prints up tabs, and greets a customer. Such is the life for the manager of The Distillery, a Midtown Sacramento bar and restaurant. But I have a feeling there’s no where else she would rather be than behind the bar, making people right at home.
When it comes to liquor stores in the Sacramento area, there are two mega-powerhouses in the arena: BevMo and Total Wine and More. Since stocking up the home liquor cabinet is a practical concern for anyone reading this, we thought it would be fun to see how these two titans of intoxication stack up against each other. Without further ado, let’s call the ring announcer over and see what the tale of the tape is for our two combatants.
Where: 670 Fulton Avenue.
When: Mon & Tues: 4pm–2am; Wed–Fri: 2pm–2am; Sat: 4pm–2am; Sun: 1pm–2am
On the Y is your typical headbanger’s party pad circa 1987, just greatly expanded upon. Retro posters of metal bands and swimsuit models such as Kathy Ireland, Apollonia, and Heather Locklear adorn the darkened walls and ceiling. As the evening progresses, I make a mental tally of how many of these posters either I or a close friend had “back in the day”. On the Y makes no bones about being one of the last remaining bastions for live metal, punk, and hard rock music. Many Fridays you can see quality metal bands for a decent cover, all while drinking the coldest beer in town.
Where: 2013 Q Street
When: Mon–Fri 3pm–1:30am; Sat 6pm–1:30am; Sun 8pm–1:30am
In the shadow of the Sacramento Bee offices lies a rather inconspicuous neighborhood bar. On the outside, it seems like just another hole in the wall dive bar. Behind its doors lies the heart and soul of Midtown. The bar’s official name is the Q Street Bar and Grill, but everyone in this city knows it as Benny’s.
Nestled away on a corner of E Street in Midtown, right off of Highway 80, lies a great little neighborhood bar named the Pine Cove. Allegedly it has been in business for about a hundred years in various locations, but has been at this corner for the last fifty or so. To reach the bar, you first have to find the Pine Cove market, which operates downstairs. There is an inconspicuous side door that opens to reveal an old wood-paneled staircase that leads to your destination. I recall my first time going up these stairs; it felt like I was discovering a well hidden local treasure.
