Upcoming Event: #Cabacon Day - 8/30/2013

 

What do you get when you combine #CabernetDay (August 29^th) and International #BaconDay (August 31^st)? BAM, it’s #CABACON! This new holiday is sandwiched in between these two established days, and this year will happen on Friday, August 30^th.  The brilliant marketing folks at BevMo (@BevMo) came up with this amazing combination to pair some quality Cabernet Sauvignons with bacon flavored items that they carry. “Whaaaat, that’s crazy!” you may be thinking (or rather you may have actually said that out loud…), but we’re not talking about pairing ACTUAL bacon with Cabernet (cause that would be a little weird). We’re talking about pairing some food items that you commonly see paired with wines that happen to have a bacon flavor to them. Cheese and chocolate people, two of life’s great treasures! The good people of BevMo were kind enough to send over a #Cabacon Day kit for me so that I can participate in this unique tasting pairing and write about it for all you fine people (People? Person? How many people actually read this?). So without further ado, I give you the #Cabacon Day contenders…

BevMo! - a Beer Drinker's Paradise?!

After five years in San Diego, I was more than well versed with the offerings of BevMo, their extensive choices of all things wine, beer and spirits.  While I didn’t always take advantage of the locations nearest me there, the grand opening and newness of the idea here in WA seems to have wrapped me up in its fold of excitement.

In principle the idea remains the same between the states, offer a great selection of wine, beer and spirits and do so at an affordable cost while maintaining a locally owned small town feel, this is not a box store.  The South Center store offers all of this and more.  With an approximately 500 square foot tasting area, the store is well suited for events, casual tastings as well as educational seminars.  It is a focal point really with direct line of site from the front entrance.

The real reason I was there though was to educate myself on the beer department and I was surprised to learn some neat features about the set-up as well as the unique opportunity WA state laws have given beer drinkers in this mecca for beer. 

BevMo! Makes the Move to Washington!

With the changes in Washington state liquor laws brought on by the passing of I-1183, the doors were opened for new retailers to make their move into our fine state. One of these retailers is BevMo!, a chain with over 100 locations in both California and Arizona. I had heard of the chain when I lived down in California several years ago, but had never ventured into one of their locations (what was I thinking?!). I finally had the opportunity to see what the buzz was about when BevMo! hosted several local writers and media on the “BevMo! Fun Bus” tour of their two brand new Washington stores in Tacoma and Silverdale. While I was only able to join up for the Tacoma store visit and didn’t get a chance at any of the fun bus fun, I had a great time learning about the chain, touring the store and sampling some fantastic wines.