Our Best Food and Drink Stories of the Year

Here’s a look back at the best stories our food and drink writers tackled over the course of 2017 — from warm-climate whiskeys to American-made chef’s knives.

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365 days is a lot of time to seek out stories on adventure, gear and everything in between. Here’s a look back at the best stories our food and drink writers tackled over the course of 2017 — from warm-climate whiskeys to American-made chef’s knives.

best bourbon gear patrol lead featuredHenry Phillips

The 18 Best Bourbon Whiskeys You Can Buy in 2020

Everything you ever wanted to know about America’s favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy.

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Why You’re Not Drinking Coffee Grown in America

Hawaii is the only U.S. state growing coffee on a commercial scale. So why isn’t anyone drinking it?

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The Best American-Made Chef’s Knives Money Can Buy

A well-crafted chef’s knife isn’t just an extension of its maker, but of its owner, too.

Better-Espresso-Gear-Patrol-Lead-FeaturedPhoto by Henry Phillips for Gear Patrol

5 Steps to Better Espresso At Home

From Kyle Ramage, winner of the 2017 U.S. Barista Championship.

award-winning-coffee-gear-patrol-featureAcme

This Is the Best Cup of Coffee in America — Here’s How to Make It

From Dylan Siemans, winner of the Brewers Cup at the 2017 U.S. Coffee Championships.

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The Kitchen of the Future Has Already Arrived

With high-powered appliances designed to work in tandem, the Electrolux Grand Cuisine heralds in the kitchen of the future.

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The $1 Coffee Cup That Changed My Morning Routine

How a disposable paper cup simplified my mornings, saved me money and taught me to relish the quiet hours with family.

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5 New Wave Gins Reinventing a Stodgy Spirit

The original cocktail spirit is back and better than ever.

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The World’s Best-Selling Tableware Collection Is Even Better Today

Between 1939 and 1959, 250 million pieces of Russel Wright’s American Modern dinnerware collection were sold. And yet most people haven’t heard of it.

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11 Breweries That Make New York City a Craft Beer Destination

New York has always been a good place to drink beer. Thanks to the rising number of local brewers, it’s now one of the country’s best.

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Hard Cider 101 with New York’s First ‘Pommelier”

What’s American cider? Where is it going? Why should you care?

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How to Doctor Up That Old Can of Tomatoes

We visit the team at Eataly USA to learn how to make the most from little.

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How an Old Brewery Became Home to 25,000 Pounds of Cheese

Aging cheese the old-fashioned way — in the lagering tunnels of the Nassau Brewery.

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The 15 Best Pinot Noir Wines from California

A beginner’s guide to pinot noir, highlighting the stories behind these delicious bottles.

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How Climate, Not Age, Makes the World’s Best Whiskies

Stop focusing on age statements — it’s region and local climate that yield a more exciting whiskey.

Italian-Beer-Gear-Patrol-Lead-Featuredwww.andygrabo.de

Italy Is Making Some of the Best Damn Beer in the World

Italian craft beer is thriving, despite, well… everything.

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Bitter, Boozy, Weird — Is America Ready for the Belgian IPA?

Beer’s latest trend offers a new, worldly translation of that happy place where yeast and hops meet.

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Why Are Beer Bars Switching to Stemware?

Good looks aside, stemware directs aromas to the nose for a fuller, more elevated tasting experience.

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The 25 Best Craft Breweries in America

Craft beer has never been more political, exciting or delicious – these are the breweries responsible.

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How Craft Beer Turned the Can into a Canvas

Creating another great IPA? That’s just half the battle. Today’s breweries are tasking artists and designers to make canned beers look as great as they taste.

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How Zalto Became the World’s Most Coveted Wine Glass

Sommeliers claim that a Zalto enhances the nose and flavor of a wine in a manner unlike any other glassware in the world.

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The 7 Best Cheap Whiskeys Under $40

You can’t always slap down hundreds of dollars on a quality hooch. And truth be told, you don’t have to.

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How Texas BBQ Became a Bonafide American Classic

Central Texas barbecue is deceptively simple — smoke, beef, salt and pepper, time. But it’s a tradition greater than all of its elements combined.

The Best Products of 2017

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A look back at the year in gear. From superlative whiskey to sustainable denim, these were the best products released in 2017. Explore the Series