And whiskey, and beer! Yes, it has been one of those weeks, full of holiday surprises, good food, wine and other adult beverages.

It all started with some Friends of the Grind, bringing some really special beer into the shop. Front Street Brewery had made beer using casks from Jim Beam’s distillery, and our friends had three large bottles that they were kind enough to share. The best was a scotch ale, which tasted like a mix of really good beer and Jim Beam. A whole new meaning to “shot and a beer.”

Speaking of Front Street Brewery, on Tuesday night they featured a pairing dinner that included four courses, each paired with a beer and an aged Glenlivet – starting at 15 year old and ending with their 25 year old. In fact, the presenter noted that the last, distilled in 1980, was older than he.

I have to say it was the first time I ever heard “Jingle Bells” played on bagpipes. After enough Glenlivet, musical notes pumped through thin pipes from a cow’s bladder actually start to make sense. Although, I didn’t have enough for a skirt to look good on me.

But they weren’t the only ones to pair food and beverage. On Wednesday, we hosted a private party for an island company, which included five courses and matching wines. We started with champagne and cheese, then Chardonnay and goat cheese salad, Pinot Noir and mushroom risotto, a Malbec with filet and roasted asparagus with a rosemary reduction, and, finally, chocolate mouse with the Corbieres (a French blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault). Wow! The mousse really turned out well, and nothing else mattered once everyone had chocolate and wine!

The weekend was slow; although I was somehow busy enough that I am just sitting down to write this on Thursday. Even for me, this is late!

Anyway, tonight, Jeremy, from Country Vintner, will be hosting our tasting. Our chef is out of town for the holidays, so I will be in the kitchen. Ed has pointed out that I am not “trained,” which means I am creative and not bound by strictures set in place by the French! Maybe not what he means, but it works for me, and people seem to like the food I make…

That being said, the holidays are upon us. We will likely close early Christmas Eve, but we will stay open New Year’s Eve until midnight, and host a special Champagne tasting. You can watch the Boardwalk fireworks from the warmth of our deck (I did mention the two new space heaters, didn’t I?), and enjoy a warm cup of coffee or a nice glass of wine while you count down to 2010.

In the meantime, we have gift certificates, great wine and food, and, well, you already know about the atmosphere. So come on down to The Treehouse Bistro, and let the 2 Wine Guys @ The Grind pour you a glass and fix you a plate!

Shawn