Spirit of Albany: The Warehouse District

What do you get when you ask one of Albany's favorite cidery to create a signature mixed drink? The ultimate collaboration cocktail that is 150% Albany. 

Nine Pin Cider's The Warehouse District takes their own Ginger Cider and adds Albany Distilling Co.'s Ironweed Rye Whiskey, a bit of wildflower honey, and a cherry. Simple but wonderful. The inspiration for this 2015 Spirit of Albany Cocktail? Well...

"The Warehouse District cocktail combines craft beverages from the up and coming Warehouse District in downtown Albany. Using local ingredients in the production of the alcohol and for the cocktail itself, this drink truly embodies the Spirit of Albany in every way."

Although you can't get this cocktail at Nine Pin's tasting room yet (due to current legislation), you can go there to pick up the main ingredients to make this at home for yourself or for your friends!

See how easy it is to make The Warehouse District by watching this video:  

Editor's note: We asked some of Albany’s best mixologists to create original cocktail recipes that embody the spirit of Albany, and we compiled those recipes into our 2015 Spirit of Albany Recipe Guide. (The ACCVB does not, in any way, condone drinking and driving so please designate a driver as we did for this series.)

Spirit of Albany spills into the Times Union

Today's Times Union newspaper features an article on our Spirit of Albany promotion. The Spirit of Albany began last year to promote the talent of our local mixologists and to encourage visitors to try new restaurants while learning something about Albany along the way, as the cocktails must include an element that represents our destination.

Twenty two original cocktail recipes have been created over the past two years - and they are all delicious! I'm only guessing, but I think the journalist had a great time writing this article. Jealous? Don't be! Request a free recipe guide here and then plan your journey around Albany. Remember to be safe and designate a driver, though!

Read the full Times Union article here.

Nine Pin Cider Opens; New Amber Rum at Albany Distilling

There’s been quite a buzz brewing in Albany with the recent opening of New York State’s first licensed farm cidery, Nine Pin Cider Works. On Friday, the owners hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the launch of this new facility and four varieties, including one made with blueberries and another using apples exclusively from apples grown on the owner’s property.

The four varieties of apple cider served at the Nine Pin Open House
Photo from Nine Pin's Facebook page.

One of the questions I heard throughout the open house: where did the name Nine Pin come from? The answer, from their website (and also printed on their bottles): “1770. A revolutionary spirit echoes through the Hudson Valley. But Rip Van Winkle, beloved ne’er-do-well, meanders through the Catskill mountains. He follows the distant rolling thunder, finding not a storm, but the ghosts of Henry Hudson’s sailors playing ninepins, the Dutch form of bowling. After partaking in the game and in a keg of hard cider, Rip Van Winkle falls asleep, waking years later to find he’s skipped the entire Revolution.”

You can't see it, but a copy of Rip Wan Winkle is in the background. It all makes sense now.
Photo from Nine Pin's Facebook page.

With the mystery solved, guests were free to mingle about the facility enjoying each other’s company and snacks to complement the cider. It seemed less like a ribbon cutting event and more like a gathering of friendly folks who enjoy local, quality products.

Nine Pin is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 – 9 pm, Saturdays from 1 – 9 pm, and by appointment.

The new Quackenbush Still House Albany Amber Rum.
You can almost taste the smooth vanilla and caramel now, can't you?
Photo from Albany Distilling's Facebook page.

If you’re in the area and feel up for a second distillery tour, feel free to stop by the Albany Distilling Company to sample their new Quackenbush Still House Albany Amber Rum. The guys (and their friendly cat, Cooper) decided to take their original Quackenbush Still House Rum recipe and age it for nine months in the oak barrels they used to age their Ironweed Bourbon. The result is an incredibly different, yet equally delicious, product as their un-aged version. From their Facebook page: “…it picked up the delicate vanilla and caramel from the oak and added a touch of smokiness to the long, creamy, butterscotch finish.”

The Albany Distilling Company is open Tuesdays from 4-8pm, Saturdays from 12 – 8 pm, and by appointment. It is located at Quackenbush Square next to the C.H. Evans Brewing Company at the Albany Pump Station, a microbrewery and restaurant that serves as a great spot to enjoy a meal after all the tastings!

Nine Pin Cider Works to Open in Albany!

Albany will officially welcome it's newest resident the Nine Pin Cider Works, located in Downtown Albany next week. You can check out the Times Union article about the local markers of hard cider and their dream of opening their business in the area.

You can read the entire article, The apple's other sauce, by clicking here. Nine Pin Cider works is located at 929 Broadway,  it's the newest neighbor in a growing bar scene that includes: and Wolff's Biergarten, Barrell Saloon, and Stout.

Nine Pin Cider Works tasting room will host a grand opening and open house next Friday, February 28 at 3 p.m.