Episode 24 - A Real Gem

It’s the 2024 finale of the Idaho Booze Podcast! In this jam-packed episode, I interview Chris McGinnis from Gem State Brewing! We talk all about the eponymous journey he and his wife took to open the brewery, how things are going now, and we live-review a flight of beers. In this week’s Friday Night Pints - written edition, I released my year-end lists and I give those a little tease. We get Holiday Cocktails from some returning champions and we try some new Gem State beers in Friday Night Pints (audio edition). It’s a huge end-of-the-year show and one I think you will enjoy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Drinkarinos! Christmas in Paradise (From Adrienne Warn)* 2 ounces bourbon* ½ ounce coconut rum* 2 ounces coconut milk* ½ Warn Reserve Pumpkin Spice syrup* 2-3 dashes Warn reserve Coffee Pecan or West 509 (spiced almond) bitters* Freshly grated nutmegAdd all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 60 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and top with nutmeg!Pumpkin Spice Vodka Martini* 2 ounces vodka* 1 ounce Headframe Orphan Girl Bourbon Cream Liquor (Baileys Irish Cream will work too)* ½ - 1 ounce Warn Reserve Pumpkin Spice Syrup* 2-3 dashes Warn Reserve Orange Bitters* Pinch of ground pumpkin spice for garnishAdd all ingredients (except ground pumpkin spice) to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 60 seconds. Rim martini glass with sugar and ground pumpkin spice, pour the cocktail into glass, and pinch more ground pumpkin spice on top for garnish (optional).Keith Nero’s Holiday “Simple” Syrup* 1 Vanilla Bean Split* 3 Cinnamon Sticks* 1/2 Nutmeg Grated* 1 Star Anise* Peels from 1 Orange* 3 Cardamom Pods* 2 Clove PodsBoil 2 cups of water and reduce to simmer, add ingredients and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain the spiced water through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Rinse out the pot. Add back 1.5 cups Spiced Water and bring back to a very low simmer (hot enough to dissolve sugar). Add 1.5 cups Demerara Sugar. Stir until dissolved and then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Once cool, put into sealable container. Should last a couple of weeks. To extend shelf life, add 1 teaspoon of vodka or neutral spirit. Use in Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, Island Rum Punch, or any other cocktail that could use a little spice. Follow Keith at Libation Education on Instagram!Ben Hart’s Cinn-Huck Martini* 2 oz 44 North Mountain Huckleberry Cream Liqueur* 1 oz Rumchata* 1 oz Blended Scotch WhiskeyShake with ice and serve up. Moroccan Coffee* 1 oz Baileys* 1 oz Kahlua* .5 oz Bacardi 151 Rum* Coffee to tasteMix everything in a sugar-rimmed cup and enjoy!Caribbean Spiced Pie* 1 oz Bailey’s Pumpkin* 1 oz Smirnoff Caramel Vodka* 1 oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum* 2 oz Chila OrchataPut in a shaker and chill. Serve up with pumpkin spiced rimmed glass. Now Available on YouTube Podcasts!Buy Tickets to North Idaho Beer Fest and Destination: Beer Here! (there’s only a handful of tickets left)Get 2 for 1 Boise Beer Buddies Cards with Promo Code BOOZEPOD HERE!Please subscribe, share, and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Now Available on YouTube Podcasts!Email the show with any questions or comments, or if you just want to say hello. Also, you can friend me on Facebook and the artist formally known as Twitter.Music by Jane and the Boy, FabienRoch, and Lemon Music Studio.Sponsors: Like Button, Boise Beer Buddies, Idaho Brewers United, and Treasure Valley Chevron. Get full access to Idaho Booze at idahobooze.substack.com/subscribe