A Sipper’s Paradise in the PNW: Bainbridge Island, Seattle

Posted on September 17, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

We decided a few months ago that September would be the perfect time for a mini-vacation to end a busy summer filled with work and Southern California heat. The chosen destination was Seattle, and we departed with high hopes of cold weather, jackets, and rain. Instead, we were welcomed to a city filled with smoke from the Washington wildfires, hot weather, and 90 percent humidity. Not fun.

Smokey skies behind the iconic Pike Place sign.

After dealing with the heat for a day or two, we decided it was time to get on the water and beat the heat. We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island (about a 30-minute boat ride from Seattle) and spent the day wandering around the little town that looks like it is straight out of a storybook. We enjoyed checking out the little boutique shops on the main drag, and had an awesome lunch at Bruciato. And just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, it did.

Enter: Coppertop Park.

Not the kind of park you’re thinking of. An industrial business park. And guess what industrial business parks are perfect for? Breweries.

Old truck outside of a brewery — The glorious sight we were welcomed by…a brewery! And an awesome old school truck.

A short bus ride from downtown Bainbridge lies Bainbridge Island Brewing Company.

It feels like a “locals only” place that brews and serves quality beer under its copper roof, surrounded by giant trees. It screams PNW. We found ourselves hanging at the brewery enjoying a couple of beers and relaxing for the afternoon before we decided to walk around the rest of Coppertop Park to see what else was around while we waited for our bus back to the ferry.

(Side note: what we learned is that this so-called “dial-a-ride” bus service is not nearly as reliable as they say it is. Long story short, Uber saved the day. Sort of. (Side note 2: somehow, our Uber driver got lost. Like, seriously? How does that happen. Eye rolls all around.) Take note of all this in case you ever decide to go on this excursion.)

Our walk around Coppertop led us to find a few other hidden gems that turned this locals-only brewery experience into a must-do for Bainbridge visitors who enjoy their sips.

A row of tap handles at Bainbridge Island brewing — The taps with custom stained glass signage above.

A tasting flight at Bainbridge Island brewing — Our flight…the Double IPA was the favorite.

A lineup of pints at Bainbridge Island Brewing — They happened to be doing a photoshoot the afternoon we were there, so we snapped a quick shot of their year-round beer lineup.

Right next door to the brewery lies Fletcher Bay Winery.

This family-owned winery makes small batches of wine from Washington-grown grapes. I learned while we were here that Washington state is the second largest wine-producing state in the US! Naturally, we had to give their wine a try. If you go, stick to the reds…those are the specialty. The Tempranillo was my favorite.

A glass of red wine from Fletcher Bay Winery — Enjoying a glass of wine in Fletcher Bay’s coastal-themed tasting room.

And we’re not done yet…

Across from the winery you will find Bainbridge Organic Distillers. I’m not a big fan of spirits myself, but there were plenty of people inside taking tours of the facility and enjoying tastings, too.

A lineup of bottles from Bainbridge Organic Distillers — A lineup of spirits with the distillery behind.

The tasting room at Bainbridge Organic Distillers — Yes, the guitar is for sale…not sure why.

Last, but not least:

Now, once you give each of these establishments a try, you’ll probably be pretty tired toward the end of your tasting experience. Fear not! As if this Coppertop place couldn’t get any better, it also features Storyville Coffee…a Seattle-born and family-owned coffee shop AND roaster! A perfect pick-me-up before heading back to the city.

Burlap bags of coffee beans at Storybook Coffee — Bags n bags n bags of coffee beans…the smell in this place was incredible!

All this to say: we basically found a sipper’s “Disneyland” on Bainbridge Island. And it is well worth checking out for yourself when you need a quick getaway from busy downtown Seattle.

Until next time, Bainbridge!

Make Spritz Your Next Summer Sip: Aperol, Campari, & Select

Posted on August 27, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

When I traveled to Italy, I couldn’t help but notice big wine glasses filled with a bright orange cocktail nearly everywhere I went. My mouth watered as I saw people enjoying those refreshing, chilled glasses on a hot September day. Naturally, I had to try one for myself.

Caitlin at a cafe in Rome with an aperol spritz — Enjoying an Aperol Spritz at a sidewalk cafe in Rome.

I soon learned that the concoction was referred to as an Aperol Spritz.

Since that time, Aperol Spritz has seemingly become more common in the US, but what many don’t know is that there are a few varieties of Spritz native to Italy. Aperol is by far the most common, and, in my opinion, the easiest to drink no matter the time of day. It is cold, refreshing, bubbly, and slightly sweet, which makes it perfect for a hot afternoon. It is sometimes served with fresh fruit, too.

Sliced oranges on a cutting board — Citrus for the Spritz.

Two glasses with orange aperol spritz inside — Aperol Spritz on a hot afternoon.

Cute dog sniffing the aperol spritz — Oakley was curious about the Spritz.

Campari Spritz is the more mature sibling of the Aperol Spritz.

You may recognize Campari from some of your favorite cocktails such as the Negroni or Americano. Campari Spritz takes on a beautiful ruby red color. While it shares some of the same ingredients as Aperol Spritz, it sets itself apart with an almost-spicy essence, which is more savory in flavor, rather than sweet. You’ll see a Campari Spritz served with green olives, similar to a martini.

Red campari spritz inside glasses — Ruby red Campari Spritz cocktails.

The lesser known of the Spritz varieties is the Spritz Select, which can only be found in Venice, Italy.

Apertivo Select, the liqueur used to make Spritz Select, was first produced on the Venetian island of Murano in 1920. To this day, it is very difficult to source outside of Venice (trust me, I tried!). When I first tried Spritz Select in Venice, it was described to me as a perfect balance between Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz. I couldn’t agree more. It takes on the sweetness of the Aperol, but is balanced by the unique, herby flavor of the Campari. Add some bubbly Prosecco to your Apertivo Select and you have my favorite Italian cocktail.

A spritz on the table with a candle and bowl of olives — Enjoying a Campari Spritz while snacking on olives.

If you want to make some Spritz for yourself, check out my recipes below!

Aperol Spritz

1 part Aperol

1 part Prosecco

1 splash of sparkling water

Serve over ice with sliced citrus fruit. Ideally, enjoy outdoors.

Campari Spritz

1 part Campari

2 parts Prosecco

1 part white wine (I used Pinot Grigio)

1 splash of sparkling water

Serve over ice with green olives. Again, enjoy outdoors on a warm day!

P.S. If you’re wondering why Prosecco is the bubbly of choice for these recipes, and how it differs from its sparkling wine counterparts, check out my post about it here!

Goldendoodle — Oakley wanted in on the Spritz operation…he has good taste!

Have you tried these or other Spritz recipes? Let me know your thoughts!

Hi, I’m Caitlin. The Voice Behind Sips N Tips!

Posted on July 9, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

As a kid, my TV-of-choice was Food Network. Sounds silly, but it’s true. “Iron Chef” was my “Friday night pizza” pick (more on that later), and I could have watched “Unwrapped” (anyone else remember this show?!) all weekend if my mom let me. Spoiler alert: cooking shows are still my favorite past-time.

Enjoying an Italian cappuccino in Rome…just one of many sips I’ve enjoyed during my travels!

As I got older, I realized that my interest in food also extended into the beer and wine world (and other spirits, for that matter). Reading the labels on craft beer bottles and getting lost in the wine aisle at the grocery store became my favorite part of the errand. I found myself taking my amateur education in cooking and combining it with my love of beer and wine to create new recipes and pairings for my family and friends. They seem to like it, so I must be doing something right.

To add fuel to the fire, I’ve been hit by the “wanderlust” bug, and if I’m not actually traveling or exploring new territory, I can guarantee you I’m planning my next trip. I have a fascination with culture, and I find that food and drink tend to be the most honest forms of storytelling wherever you go. Sure, you can learn about history in a museum. But what about learning about history through some Bangers & Mash and a 6.5-degrees Celsius Guinness? (More on that later.) Understanding how particular ingredients are sourced, traded, and utilized in your food and drink can shed light on everything from intercultural relations to socioeconomic factors if you pay close enough attention.

Each bite and sip I take during my travels is added to my personal “registry” of flavors and cultural history, and influence my approach to cooking and drinking at home.

Sips N Tips was born with these passions in mind. I want to influence others to get out and explore by seeking out the best of food and drink, and share my own observations of the food, beer, wine, and travel world through the tips I provide. Not only will I tell you about the best wines to buy under $10, I’ll also show you where you can have a pint of German lager at the top of the Alps in Bavaria overlooking mountain ranges in four countries. Yes, this is a real thing and yes, I’ve done it.

Subscribe to Sips N Tips to get these tips, and many more, for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!