Xmas tree bonfire? Let’s go!
PLUS: Wine pairings for...Jello-O? And what Stefanik will be doing in April.
How your tree (and you!) can be part of Dancing Grain’s Disco Inferno
If dragging your Christmas tree to the side of the road is an already-assigned task in your home, it’s U-turn time.
No more dragging your Christmas tree to the side of the road on Dec. 26.
Dancing Grain has a much more fun idea: Let that tree burn, baby, burn — at a farm-to-glass brewery during a Disco Inferno party Jan. 10.
But don’t worry — they know that nothing epitomizes the post-Christmas blahs like the crunch of dry Christmas tree needles under slippered feet. You can drop off your tree anytime starting the day after Christmas.
“Bring us your tree instead of putting it by the side of the road,” says Dancing Grain founder (and maestra of everything) Rachel McDermott.
Dancing Grain Farm Brewery, nestled on 300 acres in Moreau, uses 100% New York-grown ingredients for its beer, including malted barley grown on the estate, wild hops, wild yeast, and fruit from nearby orchards.
Dancing Grain is also come one, come all (meaning dogs and kids are welcome, and so is everyone else) for everything from football games (go Bills) to one-off events — like the upcycled Christmas Tree Bonfire.
“We’re going to have a huge bonfire on January 10 for families, fueled by everyone’s old Christmas trees,” McDermott explains. “There will be bonfire-friendly beer like our newly released Crop Circles Disco Inferno of course, but also popcorn hot cider, cocoa, food from 80K Upstate Street Plates, sledding and a dance party.”
Sledding? Dance party?
“The sledding happens on our huge hill, and the dance party will be in a heated tent with a bar,” she says. “We’re encouraging people to dress up, and the tent will be decorated to look like an old-school disco.”
McDermott provides the beer, music, warmth, fire and fun. You bring the sled. And the tree—but drop it off before the event pretty please.
“We are accepting unlimited Christmas tree drop-offs between December 26 and January 10 at 2 p.m.,” McDermott says. “We’re opening the brewery for the event at 3 p.m., and the bonfire happens at 6 p.m.”
Drop your tree at 180 Old West Rd in Gansevoort Dec. 26 through Jan. 10 at 2 p.m.; $10 fee goes to the South Glens Falls Fire Dept. The Disco Inferno bonfire will rage Jan. 10 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more info, visit dancinggrain.com.
What Elise Stefanik will be doing in April
I knew something big would break while I was flying west for the holidays yesterday... Early afternoon, in a shock turn of events, Rep. Elise Stefanik announced the end (for now) of all if it — well, almost all of it. “I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress,” she announced.
None of us can imagine how hard it’s been for her (our next UN Ambassador? Yes? Oh noo…). Although she seemed to show a crack in her armor earlier this week during Pants Gate. (After her announcement, the newly-enflamed jokes wrote themselves.)
Tellingly, Stefanik didn’t pin this enormous drop-out news to the top of her social media feeds, instead leaving up the months-old announcement of her book, Poisoned Ivies, which comes out in April. What exactly she’ll be doing for it will come out soon enough. I smell a few months off (respect) and then a book tour.
We shall see…
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ICYMI…
Taylor Swift reading about Saratoga? And a photo-op (tomorrow!) for the Krampus-obsessed.
Saratoga Grinch on SportsCenter — and a pizza time Christmas palate cleanser
Saratoga sips to pair with your Christmas feast
PLUS: Reading the USA’s top-ranked Christmas foods is a contentious — yet non-political — topics to bring up for debate at the Christmas table. We have highlights.
A highly contentious YouGov poll reports that the most popular Christmas food in the U.S. are, in order: roast potatoes (No. 1? seriously … WTF America), mashed potatoes, turkey, bread or rolls (mind … boggled), stuffing or dressing, prime rib, roast beef.
Ham, in case you were wondering, is #11, pears are #36 (?!?) and Jell-O (our civilization … crumbling) is #47.
This is a safe, non-political topic to bring up for debate at the Christmas table. You’re welcome. Now, onto the drinks we’re planning to pair with all of the dishes we’re actually serving, despite America’s strident objections.
Rachel McDermott, founder of the field-to-glass Dancing Grain Farm Brewery, recommends pairing the Iron Colt, a whiskey barrel-aged Imperial Stout with prime rib.
“A rosemary salt crust and a rich au jus stand up well to the beer’s barrel character,” McDermott says. “The stout’s warmth and depth complement the meat’s savory richness without getting lost.”
Autumn Manning, the East NY regional manager at Keuka Spring Vineyards, based in the Finger Lakes, but with a tasting room in Saratoga Springs, plans to serve Cabernet Franc.
“It’s one of my favorite reds for holidays, with bright cherry and black currant notes, a little spice, great acidity and just enough structure to cut through the richness of the lasagna and whatever meat dish we’re serving,” she says.
For dessert? The team at Saratoga Winery recommends pairing its most versatile wine, Spa City Blanc — which balances juicy peach notes with aromatic floral notes — with any dessert, from Pavlova to classic pie or cookies.
In pictures
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
Area professionals attended a Holiday Mixer hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and Discover Saratoga at The Parting Glass. Thank you for all you do for us! Cheers.
Got an event (or story!) to share? Respond to this email or reach Abby at abby@saratogadispatch.com.
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