There is not just a story behind every cocktail on the Pearl Hour menu, almost every ingredient comes with a narrative, as well. For example, the blend of Uncle Nearest rye and Uncle Nearest 1884 whiskey used in the cocktail dubbed Smoke Signal come from a brand related to Nearest Green, the…

The folks at Alvarado Street Brewery have dubbed the newly-released Ag Boss a “Salinas-style IPA.”

McIntyre Vineyards just released their 2018 Block K1 Chardonnay. And if you are thinking, “whoa – that’s pretty mature for a white wine,” you are on the money. Most are pushed to the public months or perhaps a year after bottling.

Tracking good mocktails in Monterey County is a special kind of fun. The more upscale the venue is, the more it feels obligated to have a “mocktail menu” – usually with no more than two entries. And while many mocktails are perfectly pleasant to drink, one rarely says: “Holy Mama! Let’s come…

There are rituals to follow at cultured affairs, particularly when it comes to serving liqueurs. Aperitifs are intended to awaken the appetite, digestifs to conclude a meal. The former tend to be dry and low in alcohol, the latter generally bellowing with bitterness and raspy herbs, although…