Snacky Hour, Sunset Schvitz, and Spring Flingin'

Hi Friends,

Last week eight people unsubscribed from the newsletter. Eight! That’s like, one whole percent of subscribers! I want to chase every single one of these people down and ask them why. More specifically, I want to ask what they were hoping to get from the newsletter that wasn’t delivered.

This is not because I’m a people pleaser. (I assure you.) I don’t care if people are pleased as much as served in a meaningful, durable way. I believe in the party as public service.

Producing shared spaces that provide tangible and emotional value is a crucial component of healthy civic life. Some people coach their kids’ softball teams (bless their eternally patient hearts), some people run plant swaps, and a whole lot of people start local businesses to share their gifts, skills and creativity with their neighbors.

So I’m not actually going to chase down those eight people (yet). Maybe you, gentle reader, can offer some answers.

What do you want to get from this newsletter?

Do you want to connect with local businesses doing cool shit? Are you waiting on this to turn into a physical community, with regular events where you can meet people? Just trying to figure out what to do with your weekend?

Hit reply and tell me. I promise I read every single one.

PS - Due to some complex family obligations I have been staying in Midtown this week, and there is a Hudson Whiskey truck parked right in front of the coffee shop I’m writing from. Feels like home!

Ok, so usually any craft beverage coming out of Brooklyn gets put at the bottom of the recommendation pile. But when my booze sherpa, Genaro Flori of Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider brought Hana Makgeolli to my attention I had to concede. This product checks all the Makers & Lovers boxes.

Woman producer ✅ deep cultural significance ✅ under-appreciated category ✅ made in New York ✅ reaching new audiences ✅ curvy lady logo ✅

Started by Alice Jun in 2017, Hana Makgeolli has been described as “A modern revival of Korea’s oldest brewing traditions, right from the heart of Brooklyn. “

She got the start from her father, a first generation immigrant from Korea, who would brew his own version of makgeolli, Korean rice wine, at their home in California.

For the summer she's launched "Maq8," a set of smaller format cans, which is a brilliant way to add something new to your poolside cooler:

Silkysonic, starts off as one of their lighter style makgeolli, which gets infused with a concentrated tea of Korean wormwood, aka ssuk, and perilla. This results in dry, herbal, and light beverage with an abv of 8%.

Bubblocitea is a completely different experience. Also at 8% abv, this offering is semisweet, with a more milky texture and some fizz.

Pro tip: Makgeolli is generally served chilled and lightly shaken to integrate the cloudy rice sediment. A little chill and jiggle is good for all of us when starting off an evening, no?

Want to learn more about the brand, the woman behind it, and the category? The brand will be one of the many, many canned adult beverages presenting at Boutique Wines, Spirits, & Ciders Extrava-CAN-za! Happening May 16th 1-5pm. Entry is free, so pop on by!

Thursday, May 14

The Dishing presents Snacky Hour at Klocke Estate — a free early social hour to sample house-made Flyback cocktails, hear about the brandy and eau-de-vie production, and take in the estate's sweeping elevated views over the Catskills. Reservations recommended.

Friday, May 15

Wine Maker Visit at Eliza - Eliza brings in Alex and Julia Alvarez-Perez of Usonia — the Finger Lakes winery turning heads for their natural, terroir-driven wines — for an evening of tasting and conversation. $45 gets you three glasses of Usonia's premier wines, bar snacks, and a genuine wine education moment.

Sunset Sauna and Picnic at Taliaferro Farms - Get a golden hour schvitz on with live music from Evan Watson, farm food from Delaney of Taliaferro, and an optional 45-minute Wintersun Sauna + cold plunge session with mountain views. Picnic $25, picnic + sauna $45. Adults 21+ only.

Tap New York Craft Beer Festival - Known simply as “Tap” to anyone in the industry, this is the OG beer festival approaching it’s 30th year. Some new additions, some classics, some breweries that will have you saying “they’re still in business?” Three days of corn dogs, muic, and options to camp or park your RV. Should tell you everything you need to know.

Saturday, May 16

Oyster Days at West Kill Brewing- The annual celebration of all things oyster, featuring specialty pizza, fresh oysters + lobster rolls, live tattoos, (ok, again with the spontaneous tattoos!) a raffle, shell recycling programs, and the release of their Oyster Stout brewed with Cape Cod Oyster. They are doing a bus from West Kill Supply in Kingston because the drive can get a little nuts. Michael of Catskill Crew says he’ll buy a keg of Brookie for anyone who gets the logo tattooed. Worth it? You decide.

Livingston Manor Flower Day - For something completely different (but still trout-adjacent) Main Street Livingston Manor goes full bloom for this annual spring celebration — specials, sales, and in-store promotions across town, all raising money for the volunteer-run Renaissance Group. Our buddies at Upstream Wines will be cracking the rosé!

Spring Fling with Kingston Uptown Business Alliance - Hot dogs, ice cream, balloons and a plant sale! Have a nice Saturday putter around Kingston and bond with your neighbors by bitching about the new, hideous signage.

Community Yard Sale at Salt Box - Drinks inside, deals outside, and you’ll be in the neighborhood anyway. Judging by the number of lesbians with pickup trucks parked outside the Harana Market pop up a few weeks ago, there should be plenty to see.

Sunday, May 17

Tom Tom takes over Oda Wine Garden for an Italian takeover night — appetizers, pastas, mains, fresh-baked bread, desserts by Tom Tom, and a curated Italian wine selection. À la carte; reservations recommended.

Last Chance for Big Towel - Both Germantown and Kingston locations close for the summer on May 17 — they're migrating to Rose Hill Farm starting June 4. Last chance to sauna at the original spots before fall.

Cheers,
Amy