The Boozer’s Bucket List – Wackiest Places To Have A Drink Before You Die

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Corey Rozon

There are so many amazing bars and clubs around the world to have a drink in before you kick the bucket, it can be hard to choose which ones to add to your Boozer’s Bucket List.

To make things a little easier, we’ve put together this list of the top six wackiest places to have a drink before you die.

In a Tree

Every kid’s dream was to have a tree fort in their backyard. So it can be easy to assume that every adult kid’s dream is to have a drink inside a tree. No? Is it just me then? Well, thanks to the Baobab Bar those that are so inclined can do just that. Located in Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo Province, South Africa, this bar is situated inside a hollowed out, 6000 year old baobab tree.

Under the Sea

If trees aren’t your thing how about taking a page from Jules Verne and having a drink twenty thousand leagues under the sea. Okay, maybe it’s more like 5 meters below the sea, but the Red Sea Star Bar in Eilat, Israel is definitely another wacky place to have a drink before you die.

In a Cave

If you are afraid of water you can always head underground to the Alux Restaurant & Lounge. Located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, this underground bar is deep within the bowels of a naturally formed cave.

In the Sky

If the cave has you feeling a bit claustrophobic maybe it is time to get some fresh air with Lounge in the Sky. This wacky experience hoists you up 50 metres in the air, where you can enjoy a few drinks with friends and be entertained by almost any form of entertainment imaginable. I’m not sure where the bathrooms are located on this thing, so it’s best not to break the seal before your adventure begins.

In a Jungle

If all the excitement has gone to your head it might be time to get back to nature and head into the Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle for a drink at the Kapawi Ecolodge. This remote, ecologically responsible and cultural sensible bar is located in a pristine region of the rainforest, so you can sit back and enjoy a cocktail without the sounds of chainsaws ruining your tranquility, and our planet.

In Outer Space

If you’ve had enough of this planet, maybe it is time to head to a bar that really is out of this world. With Virgin Galactic well on their way to making Space Tourism a reality, you too could one day enjoy a cold frosty one in the cold frosty vacuum of space. Currently a ticket to reserve a seat on the SpaceShipTwo is a only a mere $200,000.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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Most Popular Drinks Of The 7 Continents

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Here at the BarWhiz Blog we’ve written a lot about popular drinks, from those that will bring you in out of the cold to the most popular drinks to serve at a house party.

Today we take on the almost impossible task of determining what are the Most Popular Drinks Of The 7 Continents.

Africa – Dawa

Swahili for medicine, Dawa is a classic African cocktail, that by all accounts was first invented in Kenya, and has since become a popular drink to sip in the whole of the continent.

2 oz vodka
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp brown sugar
1 lime
Dawa stick for garnish

Muddle lime chunks, honey and brown sugar in a rocks glass. Add crushed ice, vodka and stir. Garnish with Dawa stick.

Europe – Beer?

From Champagne in France, Scotch in Scotland, Stout in Ireland, Vodka in Russia, and everything in between, it’s quite hard to narrow down the list to one single popular drink for all of Europe. Based on the image to the right, by landmass alone, vodka looks to be the clear winner. However this report suggests that draught beer is becoming increasingly popular in Russia… so who can really tell what the most popular drink is in Europe. If you ask a backpacker, undoubtly they will tell you it’s beer, (or whatever it is you are willing to buy a round of), so we’ll just stick with that.

1 keg, can, or bottle of beer

Open it up, pour it in a glass or drink it from the bottle or can. Come on, it’s beer, you know how to do it.

Asia – The Bucket

Speaking of backpackers, if you’ve done any backpacking through Asia then you must be familiar with the dreaded ‘Bucket’. Is it really the most popular drink in all of Asia? With over half of the World’s population residing in the continent, not likely, but look, it’s a great drink to share with friends.

1 bottle of Sangsom whiskey
1 can of energy drink (Red Bull, M150, etc)
1 can of pop
1 plastic bucket
1 package of straws

Mix all ingredients in a bucket, add straws and enjoy with friends.

Australia – Fosters

Although the current trends in Australia are suggesting a shift in consumer tastes, with more people purchasing spirits and wines, this “nation of beer drinkers” still love their Fosters. Oh, and for the backpackers, there is always GOON.

1 big can of Fosters

Open can and drink up mate.

North America – Wine

North America consists of more than just the two countries of Canada and the United States. There are in fact 35 countries that fall within the North American continent. With just over 550 million inhabitants, and knowing the stereotypical drinking habits of the three biggest countries, (Canadians love their beer eh?, Americans their bourbon, and Mexicans their tequila), would it surprise you to know that the most popular drink is actually wine? It sure as hell surprised me, and I live in North America!

1 bottle of your favorite wine

Fight out the cork, or twist off the cap, pour into a wine glass and enjoy.

South America – Cuba Libre

Not to be outdone, South America has an estimated population of just over 400 million inhabitants within 14 countries. So what is the most popular drink on this continent? We’re going to have to settle for the traditional Cuba Libre. I know I can already hear the groans now, so check out this great list of some ‘other’ South American cocktails.

2 oz light rum
1 can of cola
1 lime

Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice, add rum, squeeze juice of lime and fill with cola. Garnish with lime wedge.

Antarctica – Anything On The Rocks

Although not an inhabited continent in the conventional sense, Antarctica does have up to 5,000 residents at any one time. Some, about 1,000 or so, stay year round manning the many scientific research stations that dot the continent’s landscape. What do the inhabitants of Antarctica drink? Well, anything on the rocks of course. There is plenty of ice around after all.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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Five Ways Bars Get You To Part With Extra Money

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Going out to party can be expensive. We all know this. Not only are drinks more expensive to purchase at a bar or club then they would be to buy at the liquor store and drink at home, but drinking establishments seem to find ways to make you part with extra money all the time.

Is it greediness or just pure capitalism at its finest? Either way it sucks to be on the receiving end of price gouging. So if you are going to go out to party, and lets face it, sitting at home drinking can only be so much fun, then beware of these five ways that bars get you to part with extra money:

Cover Charge

Oh cover charge. Not only are drink prices marked up exponentially, but also the fine drinking establishment owners want to further gouge you before you even enter the bar. I guess the cover charge is their way to prepare you for the expensive night ahead. If you are like me and don’t like to pay cover charge, check out tips #2 and #3 of our Miser’s Guide To Clubbing.

Coat Check

After shelling out $5 to $10+ already you are now in the bar, but before you can even think about getting a drink you have to pass the next gatekeeper. Yes, I’m talking about the coat check girl. Many bars, and especially clubs, have a mandatory coat check rule, and even though you have already paid cover, some clubs want a little more money before they let you buy a drink. Is it fair? I don’t think so. That’s why you will see the #4 tip on the Miser’s Guide To Clubbing is to leave your coat at home.

Oh, and don’t forget to tip the coat check girl, especially if she has a funny tip jar, otherwise she may accidentally misplace your coat…

***BONUS TIP***
Any time you are required to check your coat you will receive a coat check stub. These things are super easy to lose, especially after a few rounds. Most coat check policy states that if you misplace your ticket you will have to wait until the end of the night to retrieve your coat. In order to avoid this situation use your cell phone and take a picture of your stub, that way if you lose it you have a backup.

ABM Machines

Anytime a bar or club has one of those non-banking institution affiliated ABM machines you know you are going to be in for a real price gouging. As the image above shows, the owners of these terminals are pretty much allowed to charge whatever they like. I’ve seen some as high as $15! The worst part about these machines is that many times the owner of the club also owns the machine. Gouged again and you still haven’t gotten your drink. Check out tip #6 at the Miser’s Guide To Clubbing for some ideas on how to save money.

Bottle Service

By no means a mandatory charge, but bottle service is another way a bar will try to get you to part with extra money. Since everyone wants to be a VIP many clubs now cater to your narcissistic desires. For $140+ (and that’s on the cheap side of things) they will provide you with a bottle of vodka, some mix and a private section of the club so you can feel extra VIP. Oh, you’ll also have to pour the drinks yourself, so you are kind of paying out of your own pocket to work at the club. Again, it is not a mandatory charge, but for the same cost, if not lower, you can simply order your drinks at the bar like everyone else and best of all, have a professional make them for you.

The Upsell

Oh no, not the dreaded upsell. From the simple Do you want fries with that? to extended warranties on your gadgets, lets face it, no matter where you go, you are constantly being offered the upsell. Bars and clubs are no different: “Do you want the 16-oz or the 20-oz draft?”, “Vodka Martini? Do you want Grey Goose?”, etc. Now that you have finally paid your way into the bar and are ready to order a drink, don’t be afraid to ask for a price list. This will help you avoid the dreaded upsell and make a more informed decision on what to order.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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How To Read The Economy Based On Sales Of Alcohol

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Corey Rozon

When our current recession began way back in 2008, people began scaling back on all non-essential items, from big-ticket items such as cars, real estate and vacations, to smaller expenses like eating and drinking out. One of the industries that seemed to be recession proof was, and continues to be, the alcohol industry.

Even while the unemployment rate soared, alcohol sales have consistently risen each year since 2008. However, the key to reading the economy based on sales of alcohol is not how much people are purchasing, but rather what brands they are purchasing and where they are consuming their alcohol.

In the summer of 2008, PennLive.com, a comprehensive news and information website for Central Pennsylvania released an article, “Alcohol sales thrive in bad economy – July 12, 2008″. In it, vice president in client service and beverage alcohol for Nielsen’s polling service Danny Brager stated that, “Alcoholic beverages are withstanding the economic slowdown very well, compared to other categories that might be considered indulgent or non-necessities. To many consumers, alcoholic beverages are an affordable luxury.”

A year later, the Maneater, the official student newspaper of the University of Missouri, reported in their article, “As economy flops, alcohol sales soar – March 10, 2009″, that the sales of alcohol continued to rise. According to the article, in 2008 both Pennsylvania and Connecticut reported a rise of 4.7% in alcohol sales. The Division of Liquor Control for the Ohio Department of Commerce also reported that alcohol sales rose 4.75% from 2007 to 2008.

By 2009, it was also apparent that the alcohol shopping habits of consumers had changed, as shown by this quote from Victor George, the owner of Stadium Market, “If we’ve seen anything, it’s not less sales, but we’ve just been selling less expensive liquor.” George went on to say that the lower-end vodkas had been selling better than the high-end ones.

Jump ahead two years to 2011 and the story hadn’t changed much. Alcohol sales were up by nearly 10%, and consumers were purchasing, and consuming, more fiscally minded. In the article released by CNN Money, entitled, “Alcohol sales thrive in hard times – June 9, 2011″, Esther Kwon, the alcohol industry analyst for Standard & Poor’s, had this to say, “People will buy less and they will move to different venues, meaning moving to home instead of a bar. But people will continue to drink, regardless.”

By the end 2012, it began to look like there may be a chance for economic recovery, as reported in the Royal Gazette’s article, “Surging liquor sales defy recession – November 22, 2012″. They reported that, “according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the US, sales of “high-end” alcohol increased in by 5.3 percent in 2011. In 2009, high-end alcohol sales decreased by 3.5 percent.”

As of January 2013, there were more signs of economic recovery. Not only were sales of high-end alcohol on the rise, up 15.9% for super premium vodkas, as reported by Time Magazine (” Cheers! Increase in Liquor Sales Bodes Well for Economic Recovery – Jan. 31, 2012″), but wholesale liquors were also on the rise. According to Matt Mullins, a spokesperson for the Department of Liquor Control, “The wholesale of liquor to restaurants and bars is a good indicator of the strength of the economy,” Mullins said. “We have seen the wholesale of liquor to restaurants and bars increase the past two years.” (From: “Alcohol sales may indicate improving economy – January 28, 2013″).

To further the positive outlook of the economic rebound based on alcohol sales, the Time article also mentioned David Ozgo, chief economist for DISCUS, stating that consumers are once again purchasing high-end spirits, which indicates, “a classic pattern we see during a recovery. During a recession, we see consumers go to value brands”.

This shift from consumers buying low-end value brands to purchasing high-end brands, both in the liquor stores and in restaurants and bars, can be seen as a very positive sign for economic recovery, both for bars, liquor stores, spirits manufacturers, and even the economy as a whole.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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LOL Tip Jars [PICS]

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Very rarely will you see a bartender or server with a tip jar. In fact, the only time you may ever see one at the bar or club would be with the coat check girl. But just imagine how you could make a killing as a bar server toting one of these bad boys around:

Sexual Tip Jars

Pop Music Inspired Tip Jars

Caution: Justin Beiber fans may be offended

Just For The Fun Of It

Political Tip Jars

Religious Tip Jars

Tech Savvy Tips Jars – The DipJar

Okay, not so much funny as it is cool. Now back with to the LOLs.

Just For The Pun Of It

Movie Reference Tip Jars

Plain Ole Greedy Tip Jars

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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Things That Drive Your Bartender Stark Raving Mad

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Whether you are a bashful drunk, a dopey drunk, a grumpy drunk, a happy drunk, a sleepy drunk, or even a slutty drunk, let’s face it; alcohol usually brings out the worst in people.

The tiresome heroes behind the wood who, day in and day out, happily sling our drinks have seen it all, and unknowingly many of our drunken personality traits can drive them stark raving mad. Here are just a few of them:

Lousy Tippers

Nothing infuriates your bartender more than a stingy tipper, or god forbid, someone who doesn’t tip at all. Those in the service industry rely on tips to make a decent living, that’s why they are paid well below minimum wage. If you don’t tip well don’t be surprised if the service you receive reflects your stinginess. So, what kind of tipper are you?

Attention Grabbers

The second most annoying trait that will quickly turn your bartender stark raving mad is by trying to get their attention. Waving, snapping your fingers, screaming out or even banging your glass is a surefire way to not only get on your bartender’s bad side, but will also likely get you swiftly ignored for the remainder of the night as well.

Indecisive Drinkers

Likely you’ve been in a bar before. Even more likely you’ve had a drink once or twice in your life. You know what you like, so order it already. The indecisive drinker tops one of the traits that drive bartenders bananas. As the infographic says, if you have trouble deciding what to drink, always go with beer.

Know It Alls

To reiterate: Oh, you’re a bartender too? Fascinating. Seriously, making drinks is what bartenders do for a living, so do not, and I mean never tell a bartender how to make a drink, at least that is if you don’t want to drive them stark raving mad.

Type A Personalities

It’s amazing how messy people become once someone else is serving them. Sure it’s time to relax and let someone else take care of the details, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a slob. The most annoying messy trait that bartenders have to deal with is from the Type A personalities. You know the ones; they tear up their coasters into little bits and leave them on the bar for the bartender to clean up.

Fruit-Pickers

Speaking of disgusting habits, the fruit pickers take the cake. Well in reality they steal the fruit, but you know what I mean. This drunken personality trait is one of the worst things bartenders have to deal with on a daily basis. You’ve seen these people, they ask for extra olives, cherries and even lemon slices, gulp them down like they are at an all you can eat buffet and then have the audacity to try to reach across the bar and help themselves to some more.

Bar Fighters

When you get a couple of grumpy drunks in the same room it usually ends in fisticuffs. And if you have been following the theme this far, this drives your bartender nuts. Not only does it upset the rhythm and flow of severing well-behaved patrons, but the bartender is usually the guy that has to break up the fight. If you want to get in you bartender’s good graces, be a man and step in to break up the fight yourself. Just make sure you read our guide to surviving a bar brawl first.

Spillers, Pukers and Passer-Outers

By far the worst thing a bartender has to deal with is when the seven drunks (bashful, dopey, grumpy, happy, sleepy, slutty, and uh… doc) have partied a little too hard. Whether they become spilly drinkers, pukers or passer-outers, no one wants to have to see or deal with that kind of drunk. So if you don’t want to enrage your bartender, and possibly get yourself banned for life, be a responsible drinker and know when it is time to call it quits.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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10 Coolest Ice Hotel Bars

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Whether it is located inside a tree or under the sea, let’s face it, there are some pretty interesting places around the world where one can kick back and have a drink. Some of the coolest places to warm up with a cold one this winter are in the bars of these 10 amazing ice hotels.

Igloo Village – Saariselka, Finland

After partying it up at Igloo Village’s ice bar, the Hotel Kakslauttanen features a different take on the traditional ice hotel by offering a variety of igloos to sleep it off in. Whether you choose the thermal glass igloo, or the more hardcore snow igloo, you’ll be sure to awake feeling refreshed. And if the previous night’s cocktails are still making you feel a little slow and sluggish you can always sweat it out in the morning with a sauna.

Snow Village – Kittila, Finland

Sister to Igloo Village is Finland’s Snow Village. Where the former gives you the option of rooms from man-made materials, Snow Village is completely made out of ice and snow, and lots of it! Covering an area of approximately 220,000 square feet, Snow Village is made up of 1650 tons of snow and 330 tons of ice. But don’t worry if the thought of all that snow and ice is making you cold, you can always warm up with a few cold ones in the famous Snow Village Ice Bar.

Icehotel – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Billed as the largest ice hotel in the world, Sweden’s Icehotel is comprised of over 30,000 tons of snow and ice. Boasting 60 rooms and an amazing ice bar it is no wonder that the small village of Jukkasjärvi sees some 50,000 guests each winter.

Bjorli Ice Lodge – Bjorli, Norway

The Bjorli Ice Lodge is the largest ice hotel in Norway. Built each year within the Dovre-Sundalsfjella National Park, each room is uniquely created by local artists. If the cold rooms aren’t really your thing, they also offer a number of warm rooms for the more timid guests. Either way, stopping by the ice bar for a few nightcaps is highly recommended.

Kirkenes Snowhotel – Kirkenes, Norway

Situated not too far from the Russian border in Norway’s sub-Arctic north is the Kirkness Snowhotel. The hotel has been in operation since 2006 and consists of 20 differently themed rooms. The ice bar alone takes up to 15 tons of ice to create each year.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – Alta, Norway

Norway’s third most popular ice hotel, and the world’s northernmost one, boasts 30 rooms, an ice chapel, and an incredible ice bar complete with a full set of ice glasses. This 2000 square meter ice hotel has been built each and every year since it first opened in 2000.

Ice Hotel – Balea Lake, Romania

One of the world’s most remote ice hotels is situated high in the mountainous region of Romania. Although it is only accessible by cable car and can only accommodate a small amount of guests, since only 10 to 14 rooms are constructed each winter, Romania’s ice hotel, and especially the ice bar, is by far one of the coolest places to have a drink.

Engelberg-Titlis Igloo Village – Engelberg, Switzerland

At an altitude of 5,900 feet, Switzerland’s Igloo Village provides some of the most spectacular view of the Swiss Alps. Some of the igloos even come complete with your very own private whirlpool, which is a great way to relax before bed after spending the evening pounding back a few in the ice bar.

Hôtel de Glace – Quebec City, Canada

Hôtel de Glace was first built in 2001 on the shores of Lac-Saint-Joseph and has since been relocated to just outside Quebec City’s Old Town. With no permanent structures of any kind, Hôtel de Glace is entirely made out of snow and ice – 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice to be exact. So if you plan your visit too late in the season, remember you’ll have to drink fast, because once they ice melts that bar (and glassware) will be no more.

Snow Village – Montreal, Canada

Just a few hours west of Quebec City is Montreal’s very own take on the ice hotel called Snow Village, which is a snow and ice replica of the very city it is built in, Montreal.
If you know anything about Montreal, they have some pretty good bars, and Snow Village’s ice bar is no exception. The official opening for this year’s Snow Village is planned for January 18th 2013.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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Most Popular Drinks To Come In Out Of The Cold

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Corey Rozon

You know we are all about warmin’ up with a cold one, but sometimes – when you are as cold as this girl looks – what you really need to do is to warm up with a warm one.

Here at the BarWhiz Blog we love to showcase our extensive list of our favorite cocktails and drink recipes, so to take the chill out of your bones this winter why not try out some of our most popular drinks to come in out of the cold:

Irish Coffee

2 oz Irish whiskey
6 oz coffee
sugar
cream

Add whiskey and coffee into a glass mug. Top with sugar, cream, stir and serve. I tend to add an ounce or two of Irish cream, such as Bailey’s, to replace the cream and sugar, but hey, that’s just me.

Dirty Chai Toddy

1 oz bourbon
1 oz espresso
4 oz half and half
2 oz water
½ cinnamon stick
1 cardamom pod, crushed
3 peppercorns, crushed
1 inch piece of fresh ginger
1 tbsp sugar
1 bag of black tea

Bring cream, water, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorns, ginger and sugar to boil in a small saucepan. Add tea bag and steep. Strain in warmed mugs, add espresso, bourbon and serve.

Esky’s Hot Spot

2 oz scotch
sugar
lemon peel
4 oz water
nutmeg

Combine whiskey, sugar and lemon peel into a mug. Add boiling water, stir and garnish with nutmeg.

Mulled Wine

2 bottles red wine
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 orange, zested
1 lemon, zested
3 peppercorns, crushed
2 cardamom pods, crushed
1 cinnamon stick, crushed
1 clove, crushed
1 star anise
½ cup kirsch

Combine red wine, sugar, orange and lemon zests into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add all spices to a tea ball and place in saucepan. Once sugar has dissolved remove pan from heat, remove spices and stir in kirsch. Ladle mulled wine into heatproof glasses, add garnish and serve.

Blizzard Cocktail

1 ½ oz rum
½ oz hazelnut liqueur
½ oz Irish cream liqueur
5 oz coffee
whipped cream
chocolate shavings

Combine rum, hazelnut liqueur, and Irish cream in a glass mug, top with coffee and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Peppermint Patty

2 oz peppermint schnapps
5 oz milk
Hot chocolate powder
whipped cream
candy cane bits

Combine milk and chocolate powder in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and transfer into a glass mug. Add peppermint schnapps, garnish with whipped cream and candy cane bits and serve.

Tom and Jerry

1 ½ oz brandy
1 oz dark rum
5 oz hot milk
1 egg
1 tbsp sugar
pinch of ground allspice
pinch of ground cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
nutmeg

Separate egg whites and add sugar. Beat egg whites and slowly add ½ oz of brandy and spices. Fold egg whites in egg yolk. Place 1 tablespoon of batter into coffee mug, add brandy and dark rum, and top with hot milk. Garnish with nutmeg and serve.

Spiked Apple Cider

2 oz bourbon
5 oz apple cider
½ oz orange juice
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp cloves
1 cinnamon stick
½ tsp nutmeg

Combine apple cider, orange juice, sugar, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg into a small saucepan and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes; add bourbon, strain into glass mug and garnish with cinnamon stick.

Spiced Pumpkin Cider

1 ½ oz spiced rum
5 oz apple cider
2 ½ oz pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
pinch of pumpkin pie spice
1 cinnamon stick
whipped cream

Combine apple cider, pumpkin puree, and spices into a small saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for at least 10 minutes. Strain into glass mug, add rum, garnish with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Hot Buttered Rum

2 oz dark rum
6 oz hot water
2 tsp sugar
1 pat of unsalted butter

In a glass mug combine sugar and a small amount of hot water until the sugar dissolves. Add rum, butter and fill with hot water.

Honey-Bourbon Toddy

1 oz bourbon
4 oz hot water
1 tbsp honey
1 strip of lemon peel
1 cinnamon sticks

Combine honey and hot water in rocks glass and stir until honey is dissolved. Add bourbon and garnish with strip of lemon peel and cinnamon stick.

Hot Milk Punch

1 oz dark rum
1 oz brandy
1 tsp sugar
4 oz milk
nutmeg

Combine rum, brandy and sugar into a glass mug, stirring until sugar dissolves. Fill with hot milk and garnish with nutmeg.

Flaming Brandy Punch

Makes 18 to 20 servings

2 bottles dry red wine
4 cups brandy
1 ¼ cups water
1 cup fresh orange juice
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 ¼ cups (packed) dark brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
1 strip of orange peel
1 whole nutmeg

Combine water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peel into a large pot and bring to boil. Once sugar has dissolved stir in wine. Pour mixture into heatproof punch bowl. Mix in orange and lemon juice. Fill ladle with brandy and ignite. Pour flaming brandy into punch bowl and allow flame to burn out. Pour in remaining brandy and garnish with nutmeg.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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Best Ski Resorts To Party At

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Whether you are a pro boarder, skier, or even experiencing your first time out, you probably already know that there is nothing better after a long day of sliding down the mountain through the powdery white stuff then hitting the chalet for a little après-ski. Some of the best ski resorts to party at are well aware of this and have catered their villages to the ultimate après-ski party.

Here are our top 5 picks of the best ski resorts to party at:

#5 – Mont Tremblant, Canada

Nestled in the Laurentians, just two hours north of Ottawa, and about a hour and a half north of Montreal, is the Mont Tremblant Ski Resort. At an elevation of 2,871 feet, Mont Tremblant is one of the tallest peaks in the Laurentians and the best ski resort in all of Eastern Canada – it has even been voted as best ski resort in all of eastern North America. Not only does the elevation and amazing runs make Tremblant one of the best ski resorts, but also its many après-ski party spots have helped to elevate it into our top 5 best ski resorts to party at. When taking a ski trip to Tremblant make sure you hit up the following party spots:

· Le P’tit Caribou
· Le Shack Resto Bar
· La Forge
· Cafe de l’Epoque

#4 – Val D’Isere, France

With over 300 kilometres of slopes, 2 glaciers, 94 lifts and 158 runs Val D’Isere has some of the best skiing around. It is also a great place to party at, and the reason that it is our #4 pick. Home of the original Dick’s Tea Bar, Val D’Isere pretty much invented the term après-ski, so when you are looking to warm up with a cold one, try out these favourite spots:

· Café Face
· Dick’s Tea Bar
· Saloon Bar
· Moris Pub

#3 – Zermatt, Switzerland

One of the nine largest ski resorts in the world, and the largest in Europe, Switzerland’s Zermatt boast an incredible 2,200 vertical metres of skiing terrain. After a busy day of top to bottom skiing we know you will definitely need to unwind in one of the many clubs and bars in the village. Here are our recommendations on where to party:

· Papperla Pub
· Hennu Stall
· Hotel Post
· GramPi’s Pub

#2 – Vail, US

Not to be outdone, the largest ski resort in the US boasts over 5000 acres of skiing terrain – 5,289 acres to be exact – featuring 193 runs, seven bowls, and some pretty stellar glades. Yes we are talking about Colorado’s very own Vail. And although the drinking age in the US is not as liberal as it is in the rest of the world, you can still find some pretty good places to party after a long day of hitting the slopes. Here are our picks:

· The Red Lion
· Tap Room
· Agave
· Garfinkel’s
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#1 – St. Anton, Austria

With a vertical drop of 1,507 metres and some of the deepest snow bases in the Alps, this western Austrian ski resort is our pick as the #1 ski resort to party at. The challenging terrain attracts many of the best skiers and boarders to this party village each year, and it is regarded as one of the best après-ski resorts in the World, and not just by us. If you ever get a chance to ride St. Anton, then make sure you save some energy for some of our favourite après-ski bars that this resort has to offer:

· Mooserwirt
· Krazy Kanguruh
· Bobo’s
· Kandahar

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

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Top 54 Beer Blogs

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Corey Rozon

Here at BarWhiz we are not only your guides to a great night out, but we are also a pretty good resource for all things party, which of course includes beer. Although we’ve written some posts specifically about beer in the past, we are by no means experts on the subject. So where do we get our information from? By turning to those in the industry, from craft brewers, beer connoisseurs and even beer snobs.

Today we would like to share with you a list of our most favorite Beer Blogs – from the informative to the downright ridiculous, these 54 beer bloggers really know their stuff.

If you know of any beer blogs we should add to our reading list feel free to leave a comment below. Also, if you are a beer blogger yourself, click on the image above for more information about the 2013 Beer Bloggers Conference