Uncle Nearest Whiskey

It’s Black History Month (yeah we know and agree that EVERY month is Black History Month, but bear with us), and we’re here to tell you about the best Tennessee whiskey distiller you’ve never heard of! According to some, there would be no Jack Daniels if it weren’t for Uncle Nearest— from slave to free man, making premium whiskey all along. Check out this video to learn the story:

You can visit the Uncle Nearest website to read more about how Nathan “Nearest” Green started off making the outstanding whiskey as a slave of a Lynchburg, Tennessee family. After the Civil War, it’s been reported that Jack Daniels actually hired Green to be his head distiller. And now, the Uncle Nearest brand is headed up by his great-great-granddaughter, and they’ve been winning awards left and right!!

whiskey-crested-butte-liquor-store

Click this image to read about Fawn Weaver and Victoria Eady Butler, Green’s great-great-grandaughter!

We’ve tasted Uncle Nearest’s whiskey, and we concur— it’s gooooood.

February Beer of the Month

We’re highlighting (and discounting!) one of our favorite “local” breweries this month! Our friends on the other side of the Divide— Soulcraft Brewing! All Soulcraft six packs on sale for $10.99 each!

Salida’s hometown brewery, besides crafting great beer, they pride themselves on being an integral part of the community by holding and sponsoring local events and fundraisers, and by partnering with other entities to ensure the success of all of their community partners. Check out the selection at Acme today!

Partaking in Dry January? Or, "Dryuary"? We've got you covered!

Last year, more people than ever participated in Dry January.

Dry January is where many people choose to enter the new year sober, clear headed, and not so bloated! 💕😶‍🌫️😵‍💫 It all gives folks a chance to “try” sobriety, without the “forever” commitment that may prove daunting.

According to Today.com, 35% of adults choose to participate in staying sober during January of 2022.

WE SUPPORT YOU and think that dry January is a great option to reflect on the previous year without too lengthy or too harsh of restrictions. Check out the cocktail corner for non-alcoholic options at Acme!

First off, we have alcohol-free wines and bubblies. Fre (is it pronounced“fray” or “free”??) offers quite a selection, and have some great ideas for mocktails on their website as well. Waterbrook’s Clean Cabernet Sauvignon boasts notes of black plum and dark cherry with bold oaky tannins, a dash of cocoa powder and black pepper on the finish. (It does have the tiniest smidge of alcohol: .5% instead of the usual 13% for wines.) And, consider yourself to be shopping “local” if you grab some Grüvi, crafted in Denver, Colorado!

If beer brings you cheer, try Lagunitas’ hoppy IPA. “This Non-Alcoholic IPA uses the same ingredients found in our highly-balanced IPAs (hops, malt, yeast & water), and thus the same deliciousness, but brewed without the ceremonial fez & ancient incantations that normally take it over the edge. Leaving it just less than .5% alcohol.”

And of course, we’ve got all your usual NA fave beverages: sparkling waters, juices, tonics, etc. Make a mocktail and share your recipe with us!!

Jen Hillebrandt
Winter/Seasonal/Holiday Beers

It’s always beer-thirty somewhere, no matter the season!

We’ve got some special beers in stock right now; come check them out and impress your host/guests at your next holiday shindig.

First up, we’ve got the Ice Climber Imperial India Pale Ale from Living the Dream Brewing, here in Colorado. “Crisp and refreshing just like its namesake, Ice Climber is bursting with pine flavor and citrus. It has a tropical fruit aroma with a dry finish and classic bitter notes typical for a West Coast Imperial IPA. The citrus and pine notes in Ice Climber make it a perfect match for fattier foods like fries and aioli, or even rich cheesecake.” Beer and cheesecake- yes, please!

 

Next, another favorite Colorado Brewery, Ska Brewing in Durango, brings us their seasonal stout- Peppermint Bark Stout. It’s sweet, it’s creamy, and it’s brewed with Animas Chocolate Company’s Peppermint Bark Artisan Chocolate (55% dark chocolate layered with white chocolate and sprinkled with peppermint candy cane pieces). This time, the sweets are IN the beer, instead of being paired with it.

 

It just wouldn’t be the holiday season without Sierra Nevada’s Celebration beers! “Once we pick fresh hops, the clock starts ticking. Each year, we visit the Pacific Northwest to hand-select the best Cascade and Centennial hops, race the harvest home, and brew immediately to capture citrus, pine, and floral notes at their absolute peak — aromas and flavors for the perfect winter beer. It’s a magical time at the brewery — has been for 40 years now! — when our brewers huddle around the fermentation tanks, toasting the start of a special season with a holiday beer in hand. Wrapped in red, consider Celebration IPA a true Christmas IPA, your first present of the holidays.” 40 years!? That is quite a run, and we’re stoked they’re still at it!

 

We’ve mentioned some Colorado favorites, and classic beer from Sierra Nevada, but how about some winter beer from where it’s basically ALWAYS winter, the ARCTIC CIRCLE?! Come try some beer from Einstök Brewing, located a mere 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, in a fishing port in Iceland. “There, the water flows from rain and prehistoric glaciers…and through ancient lava fields, delivering the purest water on Earth…” Are you as excited as we are? BEER FROM THE NORTH POLE, sort of.

 

Last but not least, an industry star based on their B-Corp status and ethics, we’ve got a “ski/seasonal” release from New Belgium Brewing: Accumulation IPA. (THINK SNOW!) “With a powdery-soft body and a mountain of fruit-forward hops, this limited time Hazy IPA is only available during our favorite time of year: SKI SEASON!”

Cheers to winter beers! We’ll see you at Acme soon!

Jen Hillebrandt
Drink orders No-No's

Whether you’re out and about celebrating a World Cup or other sport win, drowning your sorrows at a loss, winding down after a winter sport (AKA "aprés-ing), or ramping up the holiday cheer, be forewarned that ordering these drinks may turn your bartender into a Grinch.

First of all, before we get into the no-no’s, we’d like to make you aware of a new trend or option at bars and nightclubs. Apparently, word is spreading and bartenders are getting trained about an “Angel Shot”. An angel shot is code for a fictional drink, and signals the bartender or server that the customer needs help. “More and more restaurants are now getting out the word about ordering an Angel Shot if the need ever arises by posting messages in the restroom for anyone feeling pressured, harassed, frightened, or threatened by the person they are with.” (tastingtable.com) Help spread the word!!

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, PLEASE reach for assistance at the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or call their helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Additionally, you can reach out to our local, Gunnison Valley organization, Project Hope, or call their 24/7 hotline at 970-275-1193.

Top shelf Bloody Mary, or any drink with strong-flavored mixers

A Bloody Mary is fine, fine cocktail to order. And top shelf vodkas are delicious. However, if you express desire for “top shelf” vodka in a Bloody, the bartender may just roll her eyes at your naivety. The thing is, with all the heavy flavors and spices in a Bloody, using fancy alcohol is just a waste. The subtle flavors will be overpowered. So, save your spirits orders for other, less savory drinks, or even drink them on the rocks.

Orange juice and vodka

1. The drink has a name: Screwdriver.

2. If you insist on just naming ingredients, ALWAYS start with the alcohol, then the mixer (e.g. rum and coke). That’s how the drink is made, and it shows your seasoned imbibing experience if you name it correctly.

Flaming shots

Just, no.

Coronarita

Ok, you ARE allowed to order this if you’re on Spring Break or at a beach bar. Otherwise, please, DO try this at home. Corona even manufactures drink clips for the side of your margarita glass to keep your beer in place. If you’re not sure how to make it, see pic below.

As always, we encourage you to come in the store and get some fixin’s for your OWN mixin’s at home! We sell bar ware, too! Cheers!

Jen Hillebrandt
Fall Cocktail Recipe Series! Key Lime Pie Martini

There’s nothing much better than a homemade key lime pie — besides A KEY LIME PIE MARTINI 🍸

INGREDIENTS⁠ ⬇️⁠
2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/2 ounce key lime juice or regular lime juice
2 tablespoons Coco Real cream of coconut
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce heavy cream
Graham cracker crumbs

DIRECTIONS⁠ ⬇️⁠

-Rim a cocktail glass with the graham cracker crumbs.
-Fill a martini shaker with ice and put all the other ingredients in it.
-Shake thoroughly and strain into a chilled martini glass.
-Garnish with a wheel of lime or a lime twist.

*chef’s 💋*

RecipesJen Hillebrandtfall
Fall Cocktail Recipe Series! Knob Creek's "New Fashioned"

As promised, here is your Thursday fall cocktail recipe!⁠ ⁠

We really enjoy the magic of fall and our main goal is to ensure that we can add a little extra spark to your season! ⁠

Today we want to highlight Knob Creek and their "New Fashioned" ⁠cocktail.

INGREDIENTS⁠ ⬇️⁠

1 PART Knob Creek® Bourbon Whiskey⁠

1/2 PART amaretto⁠

1/4 PART simple syrup⁠

3 DASHES bitters⁠ 1 orange peel⁠ ⁠

DIRECTIONS⁠ ⬇️⁠

In a shaker with ice, stir in all the ingredients.⁠ Strain into rocks glass to serve neat and chilled.⁠ Garnish with a sliver of orange peel.⁠

Now, that IS the epitome of “neat”! For other cocktail ideas using Knob Creek spirits, visit their website.

(We’re stoked to try the Bacon Old Fashioned next!!)

Keep Colorado Local!

As you may or may not know, there are THREE propositions on Colorado ballots this November, all that would negatively affect local liquor stores and the craft industry. We kindly implore you to JUST SAY/VOTE NO! Watch these videos to learn more. Alternatively, you can read more HERE about Keeping Colorado Local.

Jen Hillebrandt
Fall Cocktail Recipe Series!

As promised, here is your Thursday fall cocktail recipe!⁠ ⁠

We really enjoy the magic of fall and our main goal is to ensure that we can add a little extra spark to your experience! ⁠

Check out this an amazing recipe from our new fave Colorado Cream, found on their website, called “S’More Colorado Cream Please.”

Colorado Cream -- Dreams do come true. 💞⁠
⁠Colorado Cream was inspired by adventure and of course, is made in Colorado. Read more here.

Ingredients ⬇️
Graham crackers
Marshmallows
Chocolate sauce

Directions ⬇️
Crush graham crackers on the bottom of a coffee mug, add a layer of marshmallows and chocolate sauce, drizzle 3 oz of Colorado Cream on top!

Enjoy your sweet, boozy, fall treat! 🎃😋👻

Fall Cocktail Recipe Series!

As promised, here is your Thursday fall cocktail recipe!⁠ ⁠

We really enjoy the magic of fall and our main goal is to ensure that we can add a little extra spark to your experience! ⁠

Check out this Fall Old Fashioned w/ infused bourbon!⁠

⁠Ingredients for the infused bourbon:⁠
⁠2 cups bourbon⁠
1 whole star anise⁠
2 whole cinnamon sticks⁠
12 whole cloves⁠
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise⁠

Directions for infusing:⁠
Place bourbon and spices in a glass jar with a lid. ⁠
Allow infusing for 24 hours, shaking occasionally. Strain the bourbon into a clean jar. (This makes enough for 8 cocktails)⁠

For the Old Fashioned (makes one cocktail):⁠
⁠2 teaspoons maple syrup⁠
1 teaspoon of water⁠
4 dashes of angostura aromatic bitters⁠
2 ounces infused bourbon⁠
Ice⁠
Orange peel⁠

Directions for the cocktail:⁠
Add the maple syrup, water, and bitters to the bottom of an old-fashioned glass. Add the ice and the bourbon, and stir for about 30 seconds.⁠ Garnish with orange peel, and drink up!

Read more about the history of the Old Fashioned here!

Oktoberfest is nigh!

It started as a horse race, and has turned into the largest Folk Festival in the world! Plus, BEER!

From the wise historians over at Britannica:

The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen (say THAT 10 times fast!).

The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese (“Therese’s green”). The following year the race was combined with a state agricultural fair, and in 1818 booths serving food and drink were introduced. By the late 20th century the booths had developed into large beer halls made of plywood.

The mayor of Munich taps the first keg to open the festival.

The breweries are also represented in parades that feature beer wagons and floats along with people in folk costumes. Other entertainment includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing.

Oktoberfest begins this Saturday, September 17, and ends on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

Can’t make it to Munich this year?? We’ve got some special Oktoberfest beers for you right here in Crested Butte! Come see us at Acme and we’ll get you some recommendations.

crested-butte-liquor-store-oktoberfest-beer
Jen Hillebrandtbeer
The love of liquor, and the business of it, definitely runs in the family over here!

Check out these newspaper clippings from the late 1920s and early 30s, deep into the Prohibition Era, about owner Peter Cook’s notorious great-grandfather, Charlie the “Society Bootlegger."

Notice the theme of searches, seizures, and warrants, and getting away with it EVERY time.

Jen Hillebrandt
June BeerS (yes, we have FOUR!) of the Month!

Deals on these great breweries! Prices/discounts vary. Come get your summer ales, sours, and more from some of your favorite beer makers!

Crooked Stave: “Founded in Denver, Colorado in late 2010, Crooked Stave is the product of “Brettanomyces Guru” Chad Yakobson’s open source Master’s research, The Brettanomyces Project. Crooked Stave’s progressive brewing approach blends science and art through creativity and passion. The resulting creations, most of which use Brettanomyces yeasts and mature in oak, are beers of extraordinary complexity. Crooked Stave is a play on the word Stave – one of many strong wooden slats collectively bound together by metal hoops to shape a wooden barrel. Our name is a commitment to how closely we work with each barrel and embodies the love we put into each beer. Wooden barrels are the focal point of our brewery and the beers we brew. We are Crooked Stave by way of origin: unique in our beginnings and set apart from our peers. We set our own path, releasing specialty Brettanomyces-only, wild, sour, and barrel-aged beers.”

Fremont Brewing: “Fremont Brewing was born of our love for our home and history as well as the desire to prove that beer made with the finest local ingredients – organic when possible – is not the wave of the future but the doorway to beer's history. Starting a brewery in the midst of the Great Recession is clearly an act of passion. We invite you to come along with us and enjoy that passion … Because Beer Matters. Fremont is industrial and sleekly postmodern – home to artists, fisher people, tradespeople, technology geeks, and lots of beer lovers. And, for those who don't know, Washington state is home to the second largest hop growing region in the world.”

Ecliptic Brewing: “Ecliptic Brewing is a venture from John Harris, an Oregon craft brewing icon. As a result of his efforts at McMenamins, Deschutes and Full Sail, craft beer lovers have been enjoying John's beers for over thirty years. The name Ecliptic Brewing unites John’s two passions: brewing and astronomy. The ecliptic is earth’s yearly path around the sun, and we celebrate this journey through the seasons with the food and beer we make. Our brewhouses showcase multiple beer releases each year, ranging from modern and experimental brews to long standing favorites. And through it all, we respond to our customer's desires and introduce them to new experiences that keep them coming back for more.”

Oskar Blues Brewery: “In 2002, in the funky little town of Lyons, Colorado, we shattered craft beer convention by stuffing our voluminously hopped mutha of a brew, Dale’s Pale Ale, into a portable, crushable, infinitely recyclable can. Craft beer in a can stays fresher for longer, and it’s easy to pack in (and pack out) on any soul-saving adventure. We now operate breweries in Colorado, North Carolina and Texas to provide craft beer in a can to all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and 17 other countries.”

New products, sales, and beer of month

New products, and some oldies but goodies!

acme-liquor-crested-butte-new-products

SKA MEXICAN LOGGER IS BACK! That is all…

From the brewery in Durango, Colorado:

HARD-WORKING REFRESHMENT

Some beers work a little harder than others for your enjoyment. This one chops down trees all day for it.

The perfect Mexican Lager. Light and refreshing, it really hits the spot after a long day of brutal chainsaw work.

Delicious with cream soups and green salads with cream dressings.

“If you are a closet Pacifico drinker during the warmer weather then seek this one out. It is a far better brew, my friends. SAAZ hops are the star in this amazingly delicious lager.”

 

And then there’s this! Wine Time!

acme-liquors-crested-butte-wine-sale
 
crested-butte-liquor-store-beer
 

Lastly, Oskar Blues beers are our Beers of the Month! We know they craft so much more than Dale’s Pale Ale, but it’s just SO GOOD! Come see us for all the discounts!

Sales! Passover and Earth Day!

Don’t pass over these sales! There’s always something to celebrate here at Acme.

 

Passover Sale:

All kosher wines 15% off !

Thursday April 14 - Saturday April 23.

 

Earth Day Sale: Friday, April 22 all day!

All organic items on sale!

Beer 5%

Liquor 10%

Wine 15%

Look for "organic" signs throughout the store.


Here are some good links on natural, organic, and biodynamic wines:

https://www.cawineclub.com/blog/all-about-natural-organic-and-biodynamic-winemaking/

https://blog.vinfolio.com/2021/04/23/what-is-the-difference-between-organic-and-biodynamic-wine/

https://www.winemag.com/2019/09/10/whats-the-difference-between-organic-and-biodynamic-wine/

Happy National Beer Day!

We just received a VERY SPECIAL beer allocation. We have never ever received these beers before at ACME. There’s a first time for everything, and YOU get to celebrate with us. Released TODAY, April 7th, National Beer Day. Cheers! $14.99 ea.

Russian River Pliny the Elder

https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/pliny-the-elder/

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/863/7971/

and

Russian River Blind Pig

https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/blind-pig-ipa/

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/863/22790/

crested-butte-liquor-store-beer
Irish Cream Liqueur

In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, we at ACME Liquor Store have done some Irish Cream homework and we wanted to share the results with you. This was hard work testing these products. Haha!

Now, at their base, all Irish Cream Liqueurs contain whiskey, cream, and spices (chocolate, vanilla etc.). Since coffee kills the delicate taste nuances any will work great in that. However, if Irish Cream Liqueur will be a staple in your at-home bar, first things first, store in the fridge after opening – it’s cream after all! If you’re drinking it on the rocks or making more intricate cocktails, here are our tasting notes.

 

5 Farms – Our overall favorite, best balance of spices, real cream, and comes in a really cool bottle!

Hard Chaw – Best for whiskey lovers. Hard Chaw has a 25% ABV while other Irish Creams come in at 16 – 17%.

Coole Swan – Strong white chocolate notes, super creamy texture.

The Whistler – Strong cinnamon/warming spice notes. This could be especially good in hot chocolate!

St. Brendan – Notes of coconut, real cream, great price point.

Merry’s – Vanilla forward, great for those with a sweet tooth, and great price point.

Bailey’s – Yes, Bailey’s is to Irish Cream as Kleenex is to tissue, but it’s not the only one, nor is it the best. In fact, Bailey’s doesn’t even use fresh cream! Considering price, we put Bailey’s at the bottom of our list.

We have smaller bottles and even shooters of different varieties, so come in, grab a selection, and do an Irish Challenge of your own!

Happy Women's History Month! Cocktail corner featuring women-owned and -run companies!

We're showcasing products from women in our cocktail corner. These are companies owned and/or run by women (sometimes with their husbands/male partner), or head female winemakers, distillers, brewers, etc.

You probably know about locals Karen Hoskin (Montanya Rum Distillery) and Shamai Buckel (Buckel Family Wines), but come see what other favorites have the woman’s touch and savvy! In addition, read more here about Karen’s commitment to providing gender equality and diversity in the industry.

Jen Hillebrandt