Bring that warehouse look back onto your coffee table with these palette drink coasters.  Designboom tells us: Spain based design duo Labyrinth  have scaled down the standard euro pallet to one tenth of its size, creating these stackable palette coasters that are exact  miniatures of the industrial models, right down to their quality stamps.” Discussion-ware.

More looks after the click.

Christopher Schonberger, TimeOutNY Beer writer, on Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s Summer Ale.

As in-state breweries continue to conquer New York City taps, one producer from Long Island is well worth keeping an eye for during the hot months. Only a year old, Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. makes an excellent Summer Ale that balances the beer drinker’s need for body and taste without going overboard on hops. Try it in Manhattan at Brinkley’s or in Brooklyn at Roberta’s, or just grab a growler from Bierkraft or the Whole Foods Beer Room. A summer beer that doesn’t suck is always worth celebrating.

The first distillery to operate legally in New York state since prohibition, Tuthilltown Spirits has already created a good buzz for itself in “foodie” circles. The aged spirit offerings include the “Government Warning Rye,” made of whole rye and distilled to 92 proof. The “Hudson Bay Bourbon” is the first bourbon ever made in New York, and the “Hudson River Rye” is specially concocted to mix the perfect Manhattan. Several other whiskey’s round out the aged spirit line, including a rum, and there is also a collection of unaged spirits (vodka and corn whiskey) available.

If it strikes your fancy, full barrels can be ordered via the online store.

If you are lucky enough to live in Massachusetts, you are then lucky enough to have access to West County Ciders. The range is, quite probably, America’s best hard cider. Family owned, West County started selling Cider commercially in 1984, becoming the first American winery to specialize in hard ciders.

The Maloney’s moved to the Berkshires from Northern California in 1972. Avid wine makers, they applied those same techniques to cider and were impressed with variety that could be produced by blending apple varieties and experimenting with cellaring techniques. What resulted is an impressive range showcasing the individual characteristics of the apple. From crisp to sweet, West County Cider’s are as much about the variety of apple as they are about the end product. There is a particular interest in discovering and believing in the potential of each type. West County maintains its own orchard, growing American, English, and French apples. This leads to good fruits, and better ciders.

Dry Baldwin is a personal favorite, with a dry crisp finish.

The full range is well described  in full on their website.

A uniquely American spirit, Root has a history dating back to the 1700s. “Root Tea” was an herbal remedy passed to English settlers by the Native Americans. During the temperance movement the alcohol was removed from “Root Tea,” and Root Beer was born. Until this year, the original formula has been dormant, only now resurrected by Art in the Age (and the folks behind Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendricks Gin). They’ve recreated “Root Tea,” as a certified organic 80 proof liquor. Enjoy alone or as a mixed drink.