Drink responsibly, and if you partake in Dry January – don’t scroll. We have options for you, too!
As we start 2025 with a new outlook on life, new goals in mind, and new sights, sounds, and flavors on the horizon, we can’t help but think of the things that have gone by the wayside. Maybe this is in the wake of our Reality Check column coming to an end and this being our first year without those weekly Op-Eds on the nation and world at large in 27-and-a-half years, but we miss some of our writers, friends, articles, and columns. Two that come to mind post-New Year’s Eve festivities are Bar Time and Beer Trails. We had those 21 and over looped into the local and national happenings in the food and beverage world, especially in the musically adjacent scene of alcohol, for many years, so right now, with a “famous” angle, we’re doing just that once more.
Some of Our Favorites Sips
Like George Clooney himself, Casamigos is one of the most famous, beloved, and sultry companies on the market, selling smooth yet crisp tequila to lifelong tequila fans and newbies alike. Founded by Clooney and Rande Gerber (supermodel Cindy Crawford’s husband), the clear drink is not even close to being a celebrity novelty or side gig. Casamigos is an empire. It’s far from the only enjoyable and notable celebrity drink on the market, though. Many of your favorite musicians, entertainers, and entrepreneurs (appropriately) have stake in the alcoholic beverage industry. We’re not saying they keep this industry booming, but they definitely help lift it up when it comes to the mainstream and younger generations.
Margot Robbie – Barbie herself – has a line of gin, as does Rachael Ray. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg collaborated on one, too, of course. (It is now 2025 – is there anyone who doesn’t associate Snoop with gin and juice at this point?) Michael Bublé has a whiskey brand, and so does Brothers Osborne, Alan Jackson, and our friends in Metallica. We actually tried MMA fighter Conor McGregor’s whiskey, Proper No. Twelve, at a Saint Patrick’s Day event last year and it was damn tasty with a significant bite of apple found within the warmth.
We got to try All Time Low’s new wine last summer at City Winery (one of our very favorite NYC venues), which was an outstanding experience. “It’s a dark red wine with earthy tones. It has a strong acidity making it extremely refreshing,” Valentino Petrarca reviewed for us among the acoustic show recap. “It felt like a summer-day kind of wine with its energizing finish. After every sip of English Blood, your taste buds are treated to a smooth aftertaste that lingers in the best possible way.”
If you remember Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the 2017 installment of the Jumanji franchise, you might think of its cast as being funny and witty. In the alcohol space, though, you’re looking at the cast and thinking Teremana Tequila (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson), Villa One Tequila (Nick Jonas), and Gran Coramino Tequila (Kevin Hart). Jack Black, another one of the stars of the film and one of our favorite actors and musical friends does not currently have a beverage company. However, Jack Black’s Brewery is a homegrown craft brewery based in South Africa, made by friends and family, and is loved by beer drinkers throughout the continent. It just so happens to be named after the School of Rock star – a coincidence we don’t mind as Tenacious D fans, as well.
Some of our team have friends and family who invested in Rick Nielsen’s vodka start-up, as well, of which we are quite excited about and look forward to trying. The Cheap Trick guitarist and pal of The Aquarian began his journey with ROCK’N VODKA five years ago, and the Hall of Famer is all about expanding the drink’s reach, because there not too many 100% sugarcane vodka brand out there!
We caught up with Taylor Hanson this past fall, the pseudo-frontman of the band of brothers whose breakout hit “Mmmbop” circa 1997 was the inspiration for the name of their first of two beers: Mmmhops. It’s a strong American IPA, but so is their second beer, the Hazy IPA named Pink Moonlight The community around craft beer in Oklahoma and beyond is part of what makes Hanson Brothers Beer so special – Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson make it to be shared with others in local pubs and at local shows as much as they make it be enjoyed by the masses.
“One of the things I love about that sort of industry and that sort of side of food and beverages, is that the people really love their community, much like musicians and bands,” the middle Hanson had told us. “They really wrap around their craft beer and their pub and the neighborhood brewery, which is now really coming back in America. I am always really encouraged by that sort of independent spirit that you get with that. It feels very Americana. It is very like ‘Main Street somewhere” and “This is my brewery, this is my pub, this is my craft.” That was gone for so long, so it’s just really exciting to see how strong it is now. I also think that as much as I love craft beer itself, I think the thing that really has sold us and really continues to connect us and make us want to really want it to grow and get bigger and do more, is just how strong the connection to every city and every state and every community this is.”
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman has a beer line that we also love and find perfect for those who aren’t necessarily doing Dry January, but are looking to be more nutritious and diet-minded in the new year. Named for his NFL jersey number, EIGHT Beer is a lighter choice made diligently and respectably. The lager is just 90 calories, extremely low carb, and comes in can or bottle (a new addition!) – it’s an organic brew, too! “We are proudly Texas based, with a mission that goes beyond the bar,” the website states. “We’re committed to giving 1% of our revenue to organizations that work tirelessly to expand access to better nutrition and physical activity for those whose circumstances hold them back. After all, life is a team sport.” Go, Cowboys, I guess!
[Editor’s Note, February 3: We attended a beer-sponsored event this past weekend and it was as underground New York rock band culture as you can get. SON Estrella Galicia, the company at hand, is gonna blow up in the best way if they keep promoting their drinks like this. Petrarca said this of the beer: ” It went down super smooth and had a very sweet aftertaste – already a top tier beer for me. As more of a whisky and wine drinker, it surprised me how delicious it was. I could definitely see myself ordering it again and recommending it to friends in-and-out of the music scene.”]
Non-Alcoholic Choices
It’s not our place to ask why you are, or are not, drinking – as long as you’re hydrating with good ‘ol H2O now and again and functioning at a normal level, we’re happy for you. There are still great drinks out there that don’t skimp on quality and are actually a bit health conscious, too – and it’s not just those popular, modern, probiotic seltzers.
A perfect example of a drink that s 0% proof is BERO. No corners were cut when it comes to Tom Holland’s BERO Brewing. The taste, texture, viscosity, pour – our friendly neighborhood Spiderman worked hard on this non-alcoholic beer throughout his sobriety journey and it paid off. You really do feel like you’re drinking a beer, and it’s a jaw-dropping journey, but a delicious one for those who love the yeast-y drink, but don’t want all of its typical components. It’s almost fruity, not bitter, and has a long-lasting head from what we’ve heard. If that’s not a pretty standard beer, sans alcohol, we don’t know what is. (Plus, it’s sold in many Target stores worldwide, so it’s accessible!)
Vanessa Hudgen’s Caliwater is a light, refreshing alternative for hydration, too, but it has benefits, as well. As their website states, “Naturally refreshing, purely hydrating with half the sugar and calories of coconut water,” Caliwater is something that can be sipped on all day long; at home, on the beach, by a pool, after a workout, or mixed with something more. It’s derived from pricky pear fruit cacti and is all natural. There are also no-spill pouches available for little ones, so it’s family friendly and, from what our office thinks, just simply a tasteful water alternative to add to your drink rotation when you’re thirsty, eating a meal, or just hanging out.
Motörhead has been teasing a coffee line for quite some time now, and rumor has it that in Daytona, Florida, this spring, it’ll be out for the masses. Named Speedfreak, the nutty, fruity, dark, strong, and bold coffee line seems like it is going to fit the bill – or, hard rock catalog – of Motörhead. They’re far from the first rock group to have coffee under their studded leather belts, though – Green Day’s longtime Punk Bunny Coffee brand is so good, so approachable yet fun, that it spent most of this past fall being available nationwide in 7-Eleven stores! A lot of fans and drinkers noted that for a pretty powerful medium roast, it was easy on the stomach. Now that is punk rock!
COMMENT YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS & LET US KNOW WHERE TO PICK THEM UP TO TRY FOR OURSELVES THIS YEAR!
