Mark Stock, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Inside the rise of American Single Malt and the push for true terroir in whiskey

1 week ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

It’s been about three months since American Single Malt whiskey earned official designation status. By definition, this kind of spirit is made entirely of malted barley at a single American distillery. In many ways, it’s the stateside equivalent of Single Malt Scotch. Now, there are some details that allow for different kinds of oak barrels for the aging process.
Bagels by day, sushi by night: The era of the wildly adaptable restaurant

1 week ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

Table of Contents Restaurants are some of the most adaptable animals on the planet. When conditions shift, whether it be a lesser economy or a pandemic, they go chameleon. America’s best restaurants simply have to; it’s a means of survival. Adaptability is very much on the current list of restaurant trends. Rising costs — both in terms of products and rent — are making things incredibly challenging for the industry at large.
From rooftop pasta bars to iconic delis, here’s where to dine in Beverly Hills

1 week ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

Table of Contents There’s no denying the glitz of Beverly Hills. The Los Angeles neighborhood is home to everything from Rolls Royces on most street corners and high-end shops to gigantic mansions. But it’s also home to some stellar bars and restaurants that offer a taste of the place without necessarily damaging your bank account. Sure, wander through Rodeo Drive and see how many celebrities you can spot.
BrewDog revamps its popular Elvis Juice IPA

2 weeks ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

BrewDog is making a splash with a new-look can. The Ohio brewery just launched a redesign for its popular beer, the Elvis Juice IPA. It comes just in time for the warm weather season, when backyard barbecues and the best summer beers are most welcome. The can now looks a lot like the beer tastes. Evoking citrus peel, the orange stripes are a punchy addition to the can’s aesthetic. While no citrus is technically added to the beer, the hop bill makes for a zesty IPA.
Busch brings back a fan favorite beer

2 weeks ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

Back by popular demand, Busch Light Apple has officially returned. The brand says it is answering the call of its fans, many of whom commented on Busch’s social media pages about the beer. It’s a fruit-forward twist on things from a brand known for domestic lager beer. The original Busch Light Apple dropped back in 2020. During its run, a number of wild marketing campaigns unfolded, including one involving airdropping cans to consumers. This time, the brand is up to something a little more clever.
Firestone Walker celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Tropa Magica

2 weeks ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

Firestone Walker is raising a glass to Cinco de Mayo, a holiday very much on the horizon. The west coast brewery just released a music video via a collaboration with Tropa Magica, a barn-burning psychedelic cumbia band out of California. It’s part of a larger series put on by 805 Cerveza, the brand’s Mexican lager label. The new video can be seen here. It’s part of an ongoing partnership that started some four years ago.
Summer in a bottle might be Elysian Brewing’s new blonde ale

2 weeks ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

The west coast brewery scene has been busy as of late, dropping seasonal beers in time for warm weather. The latest? A lemon-kissed blonde ale from Elysian Brewing in Seattle. Say hello to Lemon Daydream, a 4.9% ABV offering that’s something of a hybrid. A bit like a shandy, a bit like a lager, the fruit beer is citrusy and offers refreshing tangerine notes. It’s made with Idaho 7 hops, beloved for their punchy characteristics.
Oregon Wine Country: A Haven for Intrepid Palates and Adventurous Souls

2 weeks ago | vinepair.com | Mark Stock

May in Oregon wine country brings bright wines and verdant vineyard rows. Tasting rooms from southern Oregon up through the Willamette Valley and east to The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater welcome guests with new wine releases and the enchanting surroundings that created them. This special stretch of time, otherwise known as Oregon Wine Month, unfolds before a backdrop of swirling red-tailed hawks, bustling farmer’s markets, towering evergreens, and fragrant fresh air.
Allagash Brewing debuts Hearts of Pine collaboration beer

2 weeks ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

Allagash Brewing has teamed up with a local soccer team to create a special beer. The release, named Kickabout Lager, is the result of a partnership with the Portland Hearts of Pine, Maine’s pro soccer club. The label, a stalwart in the craft beer movement, is the official brewery partner of the team. A 5% ABV lager, the beer is made with some wheat in the grain bill. It borrows its name from a term soccer players like to use to describe an informal game.
New Margarita-inspired drinks from Topo Chico

2 weeks ago | themanual.com | Mark Stock

Topo Chico has added to its lineup of adult beverages. The company had previously released a hard seltzer and refreshing Ranch Water to accompany its flagship sparkling mineral water. Now, there are Margarita-inspired flavored alcoholic beverages (FAB) in the mix. Now, there’s both Topo Chico Hard Margarita and Topo Chico Hard Margarita MAX. The former comes in at 6% ABV while the latter is ratcheted up to 8% ABV.