Booze News: Franz Haas Wine Tasting, Pebbles Agave Shop, QS 5th Anniversary

Thirsty? Wet your whistle with Booze News, our wrap-up of the week's best bar deals, parties, drink concoctions, industry gossip, and more.

Franz Haas wine tasting at The Merchants

Let us start on a classy note this week with a two-hour tasting of Franz Haas wines organized by The Merchants. On Sunday, 3-5pm, attendees will sip their way through seven varieties from the 140-year-old winemaker, who has "become the paragon of cool-climate, high-altitude terroir" of the Alto Adige region in Italy. Defined by their "pristine mountain aromas, focused mouthfeel, and bright acidity," Franz Haas wines are unique, prestigious, and eye-catching thanks to their Riccardo Schweizer-designed labels. The winery's representative Matthew McFetridge will be on hand to guide the tasting. Tickets are RMB 500 and can be bought here.

Pebbles opens its agave shop

After several weeks of prep, Pebbles has stocked its first lot of agave spirits, slowly making it Dongcheng's one-stop-shop for all things Mexico. So far, bottles include tequila from brands such as Aha, Arete, La Cofradia, Herencia, Arte NOM, and Casa Noble as well as mezcals from Beneva, El Rey de Mazatlan Joven, Derrumbez, and La Reina Raicilla. Finally, upgrade your purchase to a Christmas gift with a handmade blown glass tequila shot glass for RMB 90. Click here to place an order or see the full range of danger available.

QS fifth anniversary bonanza

This Saturday, the notorious watering hole and general hub of debauchery QS celebrates five years of, well, becoming just that. Doors open at 10pm and you can bet that revelers in various states of shitfacedness will be streaming in deep into Sunday morning. Head over and celebrate the venue's storied transformation from a tiny sandwich shop to a bottle bar, to a neighborhood favorite with DJs and free shots throughout. Click here for details.

Quadruple IPA at Great Leap

Finally, over at Great Leap, they've just released their annual batch of Beer Dictator. Not for the weak of heart, this quadruple IPA rings in at a massive 12 percent ABV, making it one of their most aggressive releases courtesy of "US Cascade, Simcoe, and Centennial hops, providing bold aromas of pine and citrus to balance a robust, complex flavor." They've also stocked bottles of their 2019 Barrel-Aged Beer Dictator, for those who favor barrel-aged beers, which features "commanding aromas of caramel and cherries, a flavor reminiscent of an oaked red wine, and a smooth, full mouthfeel." Get your hands on both for RMB 88 a 330ml glass or RMB 188 for a 750ml bottle. Read more here.

EAT: Lunch Deals at Las Musas, Food Lovers E-Bike Tour, Winter Hot Pot Buffet, Whiskey Tasting Dinner

Images: courtesy of the venues, Italy's Finest Wines