Best dish: Giant platter of meat, but especially the brisket, at Black’s in Lockhart, TX.
Runner-up best dish: Knuckle Sandwich (stew of oxtail, tendon, and other bits, served with amazing bread) at A-Frame in Los Angeles. NB: Alcohol was involved.
Best drinking experience: Kopstootjes at De Drie Fleschjes, a tasting room operating in Amsterdam since 1650.
Best bartending experience: State Policy Network speakeasy party at Naga in Bellevue, WA. 200 libertarians, one punch bowl, and a whole lot of classic cocktails.
Go-to cigar: Berger and Argenti Entubar Quad Maduro. Perfect for my palate and has a striking appearance to highlight its unique rolling method.
Best reading experience: Infinite Jest. No it didn’t come out in 2011, but reading it in the spring reignited my interest in fiction.
Best new music: Decemberists, The King is Dead. I loved it on the first listen and it hasn’t suffered from repetition.
Most surprising comic book: Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman, and Jeff Huet on “Animal Man.” The art, characterization, and story are all absolutely spot on.
Best magic experience: Performing the Fast and Loose con game at various Portland street festivals.
Newly appreciated product: Sherry. Both on its own or in cocktails, I’m going through more of this than ever before.
Product I wish was in the US: Bols Yogurt Liqueur. Seriously.
Prediction for 2012: Year of the Bone Luge. Seriously.
Most anticipated bar for 2012: Haymerchant, new beer bar in Houston, TX, from the folks behind Anvil.
Jacob Grier is a freelance writer, bartender, cocktail consultant, and magician in Portland, Oregon. He writes, eats, and drinks a lot. His articles have appeared in the print or online editions of The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, Reason, The Oregonian, and other publications.
Great prediction on the luge. We’ve been offering the luge at Euclid Hall for a few months now. Awesome. Happy New Year!