Day of the Dude: Lightning Round

It's that glorious time of the year again, folks: the Day of the Dude, when we celebrate the anniversary of the first time the Dude, Donny, Walter, and all their buds graced the big screen. It's something of a minor holiday around these parts, as the film is a shared favorite of the A&T guys and the day has become as good a reason as any for the three of us to get together and hang out for a bit, blog style.

We thought we'd mix it up a bit this go around and do a little Lightning Round Q&A session. David, John and Pablo each sent in some questions, and we all had a go at answering them. Without further ado, here we go! 

Repeal Day 2020: Repeal Day Recap and Resolutions

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution repealing Prohibition was passed.  Eighty some-odd years later, the anniversary of this momentous occasion continues to serve as inspiration for the three gents behind A&T to actually post some thoughts. Today, the guys catch each other up on their year and talk about plans for the year ahead.

2020. What a year. What a spectacular, dumpster fire, Rob-Schneider-feature-film, worst-Old-Fashioned-you-ever-did-see of a year. It wasn't all bad, of course. Stanley Tucci spread the gospel of the Negroni (or ruined the drink forever... 2020 encapsulated in a viral moment). The US took one big step back from the brink. And... ummm... yeah, that was it. 2020 was the worst.

That said, on the A&T front things weren't all bad. Pablo brought a new Paldao into the world. David wrapped up his first year in his new day job and remodeled his bathroom (talk about an overachiever). John successfully navigated the weirdest transfer season of all time and got his family - dog included - safely to its new home in Baku. Oh, and all things cocktails, of course. There were drinks to be had.

In honor of Repeal Day this year, the guys thought they'd get together for a drink - virtually, of course -  to recap the year gone by and discuss some resolutions for the year ahead. 

One for the Road... Bar Equipment Essentials

In "One for the Road", us three take a quick run at a topic for your reading pleasure. Themes will vary, from classic drinks to hand-crafted ingredients and creations of their own, or whatever suits them at the moment. This time, we're finally covering what equipment we each use for the benefit of Pablo's nephew, a soon-to-be productive member of society. These are affiliate links below so buy everything! 

In the coming months I have another nephew graduating college and venturing into the big, wide open world--although in light of current events there won't be a graduation ceremony, he's still done it. He has a job lined up and knows where he is planning to live. In acknowledgement of him achieving this academic feat combined with his birthday, I asked him what would be helpful in terms of presents. I couldn't be prouder of his response--he said he should move beyond the college era and would like a starter kit of barware and glassware as well recipes and any other advice related to mixing drinks. While I am no pro, I'm always happy to help. I put together a collection of things that I already had on hand to get him started--there are some nice, vintage pieces and other things that while utilitarian aren't the prettiest. But one day he will again need to "graduate" to not necessarily bigger but certainly better things.

One for the Road... Träkál - The Spirit of Patagonia

In "One for the Road", one of the guys takes a quick run at a topic for your reading pleasure. Themes will vary, from classic drinks to hand-crafted ingredients and creations of their own, or whatever suits them at the moment. This time, Pablo delves into a new spirit: Träkál.

It seems like it was just last week when our RSA contingent, John, shared the news of a new spirit, Träkál, he'd read about in Food & Wine: The New Spirit That Allegedly Smells Like a Patagonian Forest. In fact, it was last week.

Being from Argentina and having spent every other summer vacation there during their winter I was immediately intrigued by the title and that description and started tracking down a bottle with the help of family in various states. 

Three Dudes and, well, their opinions, man.

Happy Day of the Dude, A&T dudes and dudettes! As you know by now, David, John and Pablo are big fans of The Big Lebowski. We may have written about it a time or two on/about March 6, the anniversary of its release date. This year is a big one, though: The Ballad of the Dude is turning 21. It's legally allowed to drink!

In celebration of this momentous occasion, the guys at A&T put together their own preferred reading lists to help The Dude graduate into proper cocktail-hood. The ground rules are basic: list up to four "traditional media" sources (books, magazines, pamphlets, bottle labels, etc.) and/or "new media" sources (websites, facebook pages, instagram pages, twitter handles, etc.) that have proven instrumental in our immersion into the cocktail-verse.

Not that we actually expect him to pick up a book or shift away from vodka, Kahlúa, and milk. That would be very un-Dude. But maybe you, dear reader, will feel inspired. There's some good stuff here... a lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot what-have-yous. Enjoy!

Repeal Day 2018: If You Can't Drink the One You Want, Drink the One You're With

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution repealing Prohibition was passed.  Eighty some-odd years later, the anniversary of this momentous occasion inspired the three gents behind A&T to actually post some thoughts. On this particular occasion, it's not about making the perfect drink but rather making do with what you've got at hand.

Hello beloved readers. Yes, it's been a while since we posted here. That doesn't mean we haven't been putting things out in the world. Don't forget to follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for more regular updates. That said, in honor of this most hallowed of days, we thought we'd grace the interwebs with some of our long form thoughts on what we've been drinking, specifically how to make do when the great thirst grips you but supplies at hand might be lacking. And here.we.go.

One for the Cup

On June 7, 2018 the Washington Capitals finally won the Stanley Cup. Hot damn.

They did it!