Beer Archives - Page 2 of 13

A Few 2023 Oktoberfest Picks

It’s impossible as always to pick true favorite Oktoberfest beers and seasonal fall brews, but as September wraps up soon, we did want to get a few on your radar!

This is the Fest Beer (golden in color) that you’d be drinking under the tent in Munich right now. Only shipped to the US during the Fall. Golden, crisp and snappy. A style that makes you want to have another. One of our go-to Fest beers each year and we celebrate when it arrives.

Ayinger Oktoberfest

Our most popular selling German Oktoberfest Marzen (amber in color) and most of the staffs favorite Marzen Oktoberfest. When I close my eyes and think of what a Marzen Lager smells, looks and tastes like, this is the beer I picture in my mind. A true Classic.

Kloster Andechs Spezial Hell Festbier

We’ve been selling Andechs are a while now, but this is the 1^st time the Festbier has been available in Minnesota. A monastic brewery at the Abbey run by its monks, this Festbier has been flying off the shelf here at the store. One of the more limited items on this list. Grab it while you can. Classic is every way. You’ll love it.

Lupulin Oktoberfest Marzen

This Sauvignon Blanc is super fresh and zingy with bright lemon citrus, chalk and wet stones. It’s a medium-bodied, transparent sauvignon with a taut palate. Dry and delicious!

Downeast Pumpkin Blend Cider

A Fall limited release cider that tastes like fresh pressed orchard apple juice, pumpkin and chai spice. We sell A TON of this and it’s very hard not to like this cider. Almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face when you drink it. Drinking this outside as the leaves change color—doesn’t get much better.

We LOVE Hard Cider!

by Melissa Waskiewicz

As anyone who has read my blogs (opinions) before, you know that Milk and Honey is the local cider that introduced me to the world of local cider and craft cider as a beverage. I still feel the love for them and all cider they create. But for this blog, I wanted to introduce you to the other local cider makers you can regularly find in our cooler.

We carry an average of 12 local (MN and WI) cider makers in the store. Each brings something different to the cooler and many of them have seasonal flavors that come and go. This gives us a great variety of ciders to choose from that can’t be found elsewhere while giving us all a chance to enjoy local goodness.

Easton Cider is based out of Minnetrista at Minnetonka Orchards. They are one of the newer cider makers and are in very few retail locations. We are one of those lucky few and currently carry their Apple Blend and Blueberry Blend ciders. If you like Blueberry, you will enjoy their Blueberry Blend.

Keepsake Cider is based in Dundas. All of their ciders are wild fermented which means they leat the natural yeasts on the apples do all the work rather than adding a produced yeast. We carry seven of their ciders currently. Their Sunset Dry is a treat! It is cider aged on grapes and berries.

Loon Juice is in Spring Valley. They promise no loons are used in the making of their cider. We currently are carrying their Flagship, Extra Juicy, and Honeycrisp Haze. This is a great choice for people who like sweet cider without a lot of excess sugar.

Maiden Rock comes from just across the river in Stockholm, WI. They have been growing apples that they make into cider for almost 25 years. We carry their Honeycrisp. It’s on the sweet side, and quite refreshing.

Milk and Honey can be found in St. Joseph. They have been making cider for 12 years and are definitely one of our most popular brands. At this time, we have eight of their ciders, including their new non-alcoholic cider. Something fun to try from them would be their Bagnum which is 1.75L of still cider that really shows how closely wine and cider are related.

Minneapolis Cider Company is, as you can guess from the name, here in Minneapolis. Their urban cider house is a great place to visit (and play pickle ball) when you have a chance. In the meantime, you can grab one of their five ciders we are carrying to take home and enjoy. Their Brut makes a great cidermosa (mimosa using cider instead of bubbly wines.)

Number 12 Cider is another urban cider house we have here in Minneapolis. They started out on a farm and came into the city to expand their tasting room and their production. Five of their ciders can be found in our cooler these days. Siren is really unique with its use of pomegranate in the cider.

Restoration Cider is another WI maker based in Madison. It is a Veteran owned company that donates a percentage of proceeds back to saving streams. They have a Driftless Dry, Door County Cherry, and Central Sands Cranberry. The Cranberry is a tart cider that is perfect for sitting by a bonfire.

Sociable Cider is the first to make cider in the city. They have a very large variety to choose from that includes a handful of regulars and rotating seasonals. We have seven of their options available. If you want to have a last taste of summer, grab some Beach Cruiser Tropical Cider before it’s gone!

String Theory comes to us from a private orchard in WI. They spend three years (!!) producing each bottle of cider for our consumption. New to the market, we are happy to have them join our selection. We are carrying the three offerings they have which are Pirouette, Picnic, and Meadow Lark. The staff all varied on which their favorite is, so you can get one of each and let us know what you think.

Sweetland Orchard is down in Webster. Gretchen and her team have been making rustic ciders for years and we are proud to carry six of them. You can taste the orchard in each sip. The Cherry Rhubarb is a great cider to bring to gatherings and share with friends. Fun fact – our Cheese Shop is a drop off location for their CSA! Want to sign up?! Click Here!

Wild State is located in Duluth. They are full of flavor and fun! We currently have six of their ciders available. They have a great variety pack that you can get if you can’t choose which individual flavor you want.

Though not available for a few more weeks, we do have one more local cider coming back to the store. Crispin is making its return to the market thanks to Minneapolis Cider Company. They will launch with their Original, an Imperial (higher ABV) and a Mango Mimosa. Look for those in the cooler in October!

Of course we have a lot of great national and international ciders as well as these locals, but I want to make sure you know what you can get from “your own backyard” in the cider section.

2023 Cabin Crushin’ Beverages

Margarita in a glass with lime wheel and pink umbrella, in front of a bottle of Margarita mix and a can of Indeed Mexican Honey Light

This holiday weekend, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite refreshing beverages, to inspire your festivities. Here’s what we’ll be drinking this weekend!

Fair State Pilsner - Bill

It’s everything a great craft pilsner should be. Crisp and snappy with a solid backbone of hoppiness. It’s been our #1 selling pilsner in the store for many years now, and I just never get bored with it.

Raza Vinho Verde - Jake

11.5% ABV, lightly effervescent, and $11. Need I say more? Raza is an infinitely crushable wine from Portugal that has some lovely tropical notes backed up by great acidity. It’s a year round favorite for me personally, but it’s truly meant for summer!

Steel Toe Split Point Pilsner - Kayla

It’s crisp, refreshing and my go to when I’m on my dad’s boat fishing and hanging out.

Crankin Foamers Lime by Fairstate - Joe

Goes down so easy, my go-to summer beer. V crushable.

Modist TINT Maximum Pineapple Raspberry - Melissa

Good flavor, good vibes, no hangover.

21st Amendment "Hell or High Watermelon" Fruited Wheat Beer - Maura

The idea of a watermelon beer puts a lot of people off right away—and rightfully so—but hear me out! This light-bodied wheat beer has just a hint of natural watermelon flavor—no Jolly Rancher notes to be found. Ice cold, it’s sooo refreshing and honestly too easy to drink. It’s been in their lineup for over a decade at this point and remains a nostalgic favorite for me. Giesenbrau Bier Co “Hildy’s Helles” – This New Prague brewery has been around for years, but their recent rebrand captured my attention as an unabashed can nerd. Fortunately, in this case, the gorgeous cans happen to contain some delicious brews! This Helles lager is the standout hit of my summer, but you can’t go wrong with any of their beers in my opinion.

Poderi Cellario La Grinozza Rosso - Karina

Un vino frizzante! This liter bottle is all you need to please your entire crew — from the geeky cool-kid wine nerds to the no-nonsense folks who “just want wine.” Spritzy, light, and fresh, this Grignolino from Piedmont is perfect by itself or with any summer fare. Did I mention it’s in a liter bottle?

Fot-Li Vermouth - Benjamin

Pour over rocks, garnish with an orange slice, put your feet up and imagine you are soaking in the Catalan sun.

Almare Spritz Classico NV - Hailey

This low ABV bottled spritz is perfect for enjoying in the summer heat. Citrusy orange flavors dominate with a lively effervescence and a touch of bitterness, it tastes like summertime in a glass. Grab your sunnies, a floatie, and enjoy this delicious libation on the lake!

Ercole Pét-Nat - Anna

I’m in a pet-nat phase this summer, and Ercole’s is a perfect easy-drinking, somewhat sweet pet-nat. It’s full of red fruit flavor with just that hint of funk associated with pet-nats that keeps you on your toes. Perfect to sip on the porch while enjoying a nice piece of cheese.

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly - James

Affordable, low alcohol, smooth, and refreshing.

Union Sacre Edelzwicker (Orange/ Rose Wine) - Dustin

This beauty is the Hazy IPA of wine. It is a lightly unfiltered skin contact white blend that tastes like a rose smoothie. Lush and dense peach, apricot, and tangerine flavors dance across your tongue and don’t stop until the bottle is gone.

Coors Banquet - Bennett

A true cabin crusher! If it’s hot out I want nothing more than something simple, clean and refreshing. I love craft lagers and IPAs but after a long day in the sun, Banquet hits the spot. Plus it’s brewed with Rocky Mountain water!

Hamm's - Rob

Rob, the self-proclaimed connoisseur of peculiar tastes, insists on Hamm’s Beer as the ultimate summer beverage, with a conviction that can rival a penguin’s commitment to sliding on ice. His reasoning? Picture this: as the sun kisses your skin with its fiery rays, a can of Hamm’s materializes in your hand, emanating a cooling aura like a mythical frosty orb. One sip transports you to a tropical oasis where pineapples harmonize with hops, and palm trees sway in syncopation with the carbonation bubbles tickling your tongue. Rob’s whimsical recommendation defies logic, but who are we to deny the summertime enchantment of a whimsical Hamm’s adventure?

Tom & Dustin go to Kentucky!

by Tom Schneider & Dustin Harkins

Here at France 44, we love to bring our customers ‘barrel picks’—bottled spirits from exclusive barrels that we handpick ourselves. These barrels are most often bourbon or rye, but we have dabbled in tequila and scotch exclusives as well when the right opportunity arises. The process differs from distillery to distillery: some will send us samples, some bottled straight at cask strength, and some cut down to normal proof.

Occasionally, we are offered a special barrel that can only be picked out in-person at the source. We go down to Kentucky to pick out straight from the source. We were lucky enough this year to be invited down to Four Roses to pick out a cask strength barrel from one of their 10 unique recipes. The catch is we must get to Cox’s Creek outside of Bardstown, Kentucky to select our special barrel. Tom & Dustin did just that at the end of May to secure our customers a barrel that will be showing up right in time for the fall and bourbon season. 

Getting the chance to pick out a Cask Strength Private Barrel of Four Roses is certainly a treat but to get one you must get invited down to their bottling facility in Cox’s Creek a half hour south of Louisville. This is where Mandy Vance, the Manager of the Private Barrel Selection Program, rules her roost. Mandy hosts Four Roses best customers from all over the country giving them an opportunity to pick out a unique barrel from one of their ten recipes. If you are lucky enough, they will have a barrel of each for you to sample and choose from.

Four Roses has two mash bills:

High rye: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Barley (known as their “OB” mash bill, their flagship) 
Low Rye: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Barley (known as their “OE” mash bill, much rarer)

To get up to 10 recipes, they also have five unique yeast strains (SV, SK, SO, SQ, SF) that control most of the fermentation process and much of the final flavors of the bourbon:

OBSV: Delicate fruit and rye 
OBSK: Rye and baking spice 
OBSO: Rich fruit 
OBSQ: Rye and light floral character 
OBSF: Delicate rye and mint 
OESV: Delicate fruit and caramel 
OESK: Baking spice 
OESO: Rich fruit and vanilla 
OESQ: Delicate grains and light floral character 
OESF: Herbs and mint

Mandy sits you down with plenty of water and salty snacks to help guide you through ten single barrels. Some people ask about the recipes beforehand, but we chose to taste them blind and let the chips fall where they may. Only after we narrowed down the field from ten to closer to three, then we find out the recipe, ages, and the rough estimate of how much bourbon is left in the barrel.

We landed on a ten-year barrel of OESK. This recipe is known for its sweet cinnamon and clove properties, the barrel we chose has a good dose of rich dark cherry fruit to complement its complex spices. Hopefully this barrel will be arriving the beginning of September! 

The bourbon trail is an amazing experience when done correctly. It is an experience unlike no other, but it does take some patience and planning. Most distilleries are in either Frankfort or Bardstown, about an hour away from Louisville in different directions, east and south respectively. While you may not be drinking that much on these tours (they are not open bars by any means), it is important to eat and drink beforehand, plan out a designated driver, and try not to visit more than two distilleries a day. The heat, travel, and any alcohol consumption will tire you out faster than you may anticipate. Both Frankfort and Bardstown should take at least two days each if you want to savor the experience and experience it to the best of your ability.

We made it a point to check out Jim Beam for some amazing food before we ventured to Four Roses to pick our single barrel. Jim Beam comes highly recommended if you want some great food and ambiance before you hit the road. We also made it out to the Bernheim National Forest, highly recommend going, and saw some forest giants! 

In the meantime, while we wait for these barrels, we do have a small amount left of our Barrel Proof Ezra Brooks High Rye Bourbon brimming with raspberry fruit and spice and our caramel forward Stellum Single Barrel Bourbon available right now. In the coming months we will also have a brand new 8-year barrel proof Elijah Craig Bourbon Barrel brimming with light fruit and creamy vanilla as well as our second ever Rittenhouse 100 proof rye single barrel boasting bright spice and complexity, perfect for cocktails and sipping alike. We are always looking for more unique single barrels to bring our loyal patrons and we’ll keep you updated on future offerings when we have more news! 

Memorial Day Beverage Pairing Guide

Peach Bourbon Cocktail garnished with mint sits in a garden bed

Memorial Day is here, summer is beginning, and we’re embarking on a summer of pairing! Here at France 44, this is our favorite time of the year. We get to dust off our grills and pull some of our favorite summer bottles off the shelves.

Our talented butchers prepare gorgeous cuts of meat & house-made brats to grill, and lovely charcuterie to serve. If you have not checked out the case in our cheese shop yet, you absolutely must this weekend. Of course, you can also order online here.

Cookout style dining might feel casual, but you can and should still be intentional about the drinks you serve. Just as you may spend hours seasoning, marinating, smoking, and grilling meat, you should spend time finding just the right beverages that accompany and enhance your meal and take it to the next level. Luckily for you, Bennett, Tom, and Dustin of our beer, spirits, and wine teams, respectively, have put together a couple of beverage recommendations for you this week, to make your Memorial Day barbecue a night to remember.

BEER

Perhaps the most common Memorial Day beverage is beer, so we’ll start there.

When pairing beer with food there are a few main principles that you’ll want to consider. The first is to pair a beer and food that have matching intensities. Think about what contributes intensity to each. For beer: alcohol, hop bitterness, malt flavor (caramelized, bready, toasty, roasty) and residual sweetness can all add intensity. In food: fatty richness, sweetness, spices and cooking techniques (searing, roasting, broiling, etc) can add intensity. The browning process that occurs while cooking food, called the Maillard reaction, is also the process that changes flavors in modified malt.

Let’s use that to segue into our second principle: identifying harmonizing flavors. Choosing a beer and food with similar Maillard flavor components will create a natural bridge between the two. Consider other components, like how a citrusy or herbal hop character might accentuate a dish containing fresh herbs.

The last principle is to identify potentially contrasting or balancing elements. For me, the main focal point here is hop bitterness. Hop bitterness is great for cutting through fat and richness in food, achieving balance. On the other hand, when a hoppy beer is paired with spicy food, it will amplify the perceived spiciness which could cause imbalance. Other components to consider are carbonation and alcohol (which cut through and balance richness), and malt sweetness (which balances spice and acid).

Hefeweizen + Watermelon

May is the beginning of watermelon season, so why not have a big ‘ol slice at your Memorial Day cookout. I would suggest taking sips of a bright fruity and spicy hefeweizen as you enjoy your fruit. The tangy yeastiness, soft texture from high-protein wheat, and dancing notes of banana, citrus and clove match the refreshing qualities of watermelon.

Cream Ale + Corn on the Cob

Ahhh, the wonderful simplicity of grilled corn on the cob with a little butter. It still counts as a vegetable, right? Pair this staple with a Cream Ale, a lighter ale style that mimics some of the characteristics of lager. Similarly smooth and light, but with subtly more malt and sweetness from the use of flaked maize – no wonder it works so well!

Pale Ale + Cheeseburgers

IPAs get all the attention and glory these days, but let me remind you that Pale Ales were the foundation upon which that castle was built. A quality Pale Ale can be a sort of multi-tool for beer pairing, and it goes especially well with burgers and pizza. Softly-sweet crystal malt harmonizes wonderfully with a brioche bun while the citrus and pine-like hop bitterness cuts through the richness of beef and cheese. Perfect!

COCKTAILS

Raspberry Gimlet + Grilled Chicken

Our Raspberry Gimlet is bright and refreshing on a hot summer day, like the ones we will hopefully be getting this weekend. The bright fruitiness will blend right in with the fresh fruits served at the beginning of a cookout and will cut right through the char and salinity of grilled chicken. If served as a long drink with ice and club soda this cocktail can be enjoyed all evening long.

2.5oz New Harbour African Dry Gin

0.5oz lime juice

1oz Mathilde Framboise Liqueur

Shake & Strain into a coupe glass

OR

top with club soda and ice for a longer lighter drink

Garnish with raspberries

Peach Bourbon Sour + Pork Chops

Peach and pork go together through the contrast of sweet and savory; this is also why peach glazes are so common. Both have milder flavors that blend together quite nicely, especially on a hot day. This drink also has the freshness of a mint garnish and the spice of bourbon to keep everything nice and balanced. if we didn’t need a reason for a peach cobbler for dessert, we definitely have one now!

2oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon

1oz lemon juice

1oz Mathile Peche Liqueur

Shake & Strain into a lowball glass

Garnish with a mint sprig

Wine

Lambrusco/Rosè + Brats

I am a huge fan of Lambrusco and pink wine for grilling. Lini Lambrusco Rosso is killer with any brat. The lambrusco lends a dry but fruitful accompaniment to the salty grilled flavors of the meat. Rose helps in a similar capacity, leading with a beautiful fruitful body that welcomes salt and rendered fat. Peyrassol Rose from France or GD Vajra Rossabella Rosato would be great choices. All of these wines are also great served chilled.

Meet Melissa!

How did you find your way to France 44? What do you do here and how long have you worked here?

I’ve been working at France 44 as our Human Resources Manager and Cider Expert for almost six years. Before working at France 44, I had worked for many years in non-profits, as the Executive director of several, and I ran my own Math and Reading Center. I was looking for a change and new challenge, and decided to look into working in a liquor store. The HR position opened up and I decided to go for it!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love to read. I escape reality in books, sitting on my porch swing. I read a lot of fiction, and my favorites are the books in the “Name of the Wind” series.

How did you get into cider? What do you love about cider?

Today is the 9th anniversary of the day I found out I had celiac disease. I was a big beer drinker before, and was looking for an alternative with a similar alcohol content. The first cider I tried was the Milk and Honey Heirloom cider, and it changed my life. I fell down the rabbit hole and didn’t look back. I love the diversity of ciders, and the fact that two cider makers can take the same apples, and make such distinctive, unique products. But most of all, I love the community. I am a part of online groups, the Minnesota Cider Guild, and attend Cider Con every year. I’m also the cider expert for a local news station in Rhinelander, Wisconsin (WJFW), was named the 2023 Midwest Pemellier of the Year, and helped France 44 become a top Midwest off-premise cider sales location.

Ok tough question – what is your favorite cider?

Milk and Honey Heirloom reigns supreme!

What do you want people to know about cider?

First of all, IT’S CALLED CIDER, NOT CIDER BEER!

But also, it’s not all sweet. Cider can taste like fresh apples, can be dry, can be sparkling or still; there’s something for everyone. I hope that more people will be open to trying it!

For the Sober-Curious

The world of non-alcoholic beverages has grown over the past few years, and we are happy to carry plenty of options for anyone trying to cut out or cut back their alcohol intake. We carry NA options all year long, but there is a movement called Dry January that was started in the UK to encourage people to reassess their relationship with alcohol by abstaining from drinking for a month. Even though we are a liquor store, we love this idea and have put together a sampler kit of some of our favorite products to get you started! Our staff can also help you find other NA beer, liquor, or wine that fits your vibe, as our selection has grown considerably over the past year. We assure that you can still be the life of the party without the hangover!

Our Non-Alcoholic Sampler Kit includes:

MORE NON-ALCOHOLIC PICKS FROM OUR STAFF

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KARINA - Studio Null Sparkling Rosé

This is the non-alcoholic wine I've always hoped for. So many N/A wines fall far short of actually tasting like wine and end up being sugary, unbalanced, and tasting like Kool-Aid. Studio Null makes a traditional alcoholic wine, distills out the alcohol to less than 0.5% ABV, and manages to keep all the great flavors, aromas, and acidity that I love so much in dry sparkling rosé.

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JOSH - Steinbock Brut

This is such a fun and easy-going sparkling NA wine. It's juicy and refreshing with notes of citrus and white blossom. Delicious on its own, and also fun to use in NA cocktails like an Aperol Spritz (use the Abstinence NA Blood Orange Aperitif instead of Aperol).

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BILL - Lovejoy's Thai Basil Bloody Mary Mix

I really enjoy Lovejoy's Thai Basil Bloody Mary Mix over Ice with a wedge of lemon and lime. It's such a great twist on the classic Bloody Mary mix and it's super easy just to skip the vodka and enjoy it without any alcohol. Plus it's locally owned and made.

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DYLAN - Hella Bitters and Soda

Every product I've tried from Hella Bitters & Soda has been so delicious. Dry Aromatic is unsweetened with notes of clove, allspice, caraway, rose hips, star anise, and bitter root.

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KAYLA - Untitled Art Italian Pils

My favorite NA Beer is the Untitled Art Italian Pilsner. it's loaded with Hallertau Mittekfruh and Strata hops, making it a bit more hoppier than your standard Pilsner, but being less than 1% ABV, you still feel like you're drinking an actual beer.

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Rob - Untitled Art Juicy IPA

By far my favorite NA beer right now. It is super juicy, refreshing, and just down right delicious. An all around tasty little beverage.

BENNETT - France 44 Spring Water

Deserving of grand cru classification, this water is sourced from the purest natural springs in the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin appellation. These bountiful springs are naturally filtered by a roughly half-billion-year-old glacial formation, lending notes of vibrant purity and the distinct absence of terroir. Studies have shown that consuming fresh spring water is beneficial to your health!

The 2022 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

We know you’ve been waiting all year for this. We’ve got a gift box for everyone on your list, from the beer buff to the cocktail curious–even a non-alcoholic sampler pack! Check out our France 44-exclusive wine maps and drink coasters. There’s also a tried-and-true list of delicious and exciting wines that are sure to impress any host (and keep your party invites coming for years to come). And if you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, come talk to our staff for more ideas or fill out this nifty custom gift form. Cheers, and happy shopping!

Gift Boxes

BLIND WINE TASTING KIT

Welcome to the world of blind tasting! Everything you'll need to blind two delicious wines (one white, one red) is included in this kit. We'll guide you from start to finish on the process of blind tasting, and you'll come out a more experienced taster on the other side.

LOCAL BEER BOX

This 2022 version of our Local Beer Gift Box includes a selection of ten of our bestselling Minnesota-made craft beers. It includes a wide array of styles from Helles lagers to chocolaty stouts, and a short description of each beer.

MANHATTAN COCKTAIL KIT

One of the most important recipes in the cocktail canon, the Manhattan is an essential drink for anyone hoping to master their mixological skills. Our cocktail kit includes all the ingredients you’ll need to create a classic rendition, along with a step-by-step recipe.

WINTER HOLIDAY BEER BOX

A selection of 12 festive holiday craft beers from some of our all-time favorite breweries around the country! Included is a description of each beer. The perfect gift for the beer aficionado on your list this holiday season!

MULLED WINE GIFT BOX

Taste the holidays in a drink! This kit has everything you need to make 6-8 servings of the France 44 house mulled wine.

NON-ALCOHOLIC SAMPLER KIT

If you want to be the life of the party without the hangover, we've got you covered. This non-alcoholic sampler kit has a little bit of everything!

Gift-a-Class

Give the gift of education this holiday season with a class at France 44! We have more classes on our calendar than ever before. From Pizza Making to our 3-Part French Wine Series, there is a class for everyone! Check out all of our class offerings HERE.Not sure which class to gift? No problem! Purchase a Gift–A–Class gift card and let the recipient choose the class!

Stocking Stuffers

Pick up our house blend of mulling spices or a three-bottle sampler pack of your favorite spirit.

We also have our very own Wine Region Maps and French wine region coasters! Grab one or all of them. Only here at France 44.

Exclusive Spirits & Beer

We have two store-pick single barrels from Stellum Spirits right now. We are so proud of how these barrels turned out.

F44 Stellum Single Barrel Rye

This 5 year old cask strength single barrel rye features a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It boasts sweeter notes of green apple and honeyed orange on the front end, with a warm finish of baking spice and black tea.

F44 Stellum Single Barrel Bourbon

This delicious France 44 selected single barrel bourbon boasts seriously big and bright notes of honeyed cherry, vanilla, and a touch of citrus, along with a sweet oaky finish. Bottled at 113.82 proof, it’s a bourbon for all bourbon drinkers.

Modist Brewing “Foeder 44” DDH Oak-Aged Pilsner

We teamed up with Modist again to make another great, exclusive beer. Is it a Hazy IPA?? Nope. It’s a Pilsner! But not just any Pilsner. This one is hopped with Nelson Sauvin & Wakatu, then aged in their oak foeders and then double dry-hopped with more Nelson Sauvin, Strata and Citra Cryo hops.

Wines for Host Gifts

Gift Boxes!

We know you’ve been waiting all year for this. We’ve got a gift box for everyone on your list, from the beer buff to the cocktail curious–even a non-alcoholic sampler pack! Click any of the pictures below to purchase your gift boxes or click HERE to see all of our gift offerings. Cheers, and happy shopping!