Beverages
Feeling Thirsty? Five best Microbreweries in the USA
Microbreweries have been gaining popularity in America for the past few years, and for good reason.
Microbreweries have been gaining popularity in America for the past few years, and for good reason. These small-scale breweries produce unique and flavorful beers that cannot be found elsewhere. Here are the top five microbrewery beers in America:
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, CA: This classic pale ale has been a favorite among beer lovers since 1980. It has a perfect balance of bitterness and hoppy flavor, making it a go-to beer for any occasion.
- Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, DE: This is a full-bodied IPA with a strong hoppy aroma and a smooth, malty finish. It’s a bit stronger than your average beer, at 9% ABV, but the complexity of the flavor makes it worth it.
- Russian River Pliny the Elder – Russian River Brewing Company, CA: This double IPA is highly sought after by beer enthusiasts. It has a bold, hoppy flavor with a hint of sweetness and a crisp finish. It’s a bit difficult to find, but it’s worth the effort.
- Allagash White – Allagash Brewing Company, ME: This Belgian-style wheat beer is light and refreshing with a smooth, creamy texture. It has a slightly sweet flavor with hints of orange peel and coriander.
- Founders Breakfast Stout – Founders Brewing Company, MI: This stout is brewed with coffee and chocolate, making it a rich and decadent treat. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a complex flavor profile that includes notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and oatmeal.
Some runners up include:
- Ballast Point Sculpin IPA – Ballast Point Brewing Company, CA
- Three Floyds Zombie Dust – Three Floyds Brewing Company, IN
- Hill Farmstead Edward – Hill Farmstead Brewery, VT
- Bell’s Two Hearted Ale – Bell’s Brewery, MI
- Goose Island Bourbon County Stout – Goose Island Beer Company, IL
These microbrewery beers have set the bar high for other breweries in America. They offer unique flavors and complex profiles that can only be found in small-batch productions. Whether you’re a seasoned beer drinker or just starting to explore the world of craft beer, these microbrewery beers are a must-try.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/
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Food and Beverage
NYC to Host 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10
New York City will host the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10, 2026 at Manhatta, featuring global volcanic regions, masterclasses, a Grand Tasting, and the Volcanic Wine Awards with JancisRobinson.com.
New York City is about to get a crash course in “wines with a sense of place.” Volcanic Wines International (VWI) announced the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference (IVWC), set for June 10, 2026 at Manhatta in Manhattan. The one-day event brings together producers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, and educators for tastings and masterclasses focused on wines grown in volcanic soils—an increasingly talked-about category known for its tension, mineral-driven structure, and unmistakable origin.
Why volcanic wines are having a moment
Volcanic vineyards sit on some of the planet’s most dramatic landscapes—think steep slopes, black sand, and lava-strewn terrain. But the conference isn’t just about scenery. The IVWC is built around a simple idea: volcanic terroir can shape wine in distinctive ways, influencing everything from texture and acidity to aromatics and perceived “energy” in the glass.
As VWI co-founder John Szabo, MS put it, volcanic wines often stand out for their “energy, structure, and clear sense of origin,” making them a natural fit for wine lists that prioritize discovery.
A global tasting tour—without leaving Manhattan
Hosted in what VWI calls the largest and most influential wine market in the U.S., the conference offers a rare side-by-side look at volcanic regions from around the world. Participating producers are expected from territories including:
- Etna (Sicily)
- Santorini (Greece)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Hungary
- Pantelleria (Italy)
- Lake County (California)
Masterclasses, seminars, and a Grand Tasting
The June 10 program is designed for wine professionals who want to go deeper than a quick sip. Attendees can expect guided tastings and educational sessions exploring how different volcanic soils—and the climates that surround them—can influence grape varieties and wine styles.
Seminars are slated to spotlight volcanic wines from:
- Soave (Italy)
- Etna
- Hungary
- Canary Islands
- Lazio (Italy)
The day also includes a Grand Tasting, where exhibiting wineries will pour for a curated audience of sommeliers, buyers, importers, educators, and media.
A new “Volcanic Origin” certification will be announced in the U.S.
One of the headline moments: the conference will host the official U.S. announcement of a new Volcanic Origin certification, created by the Vinora association of Auvergne, France. The certification is designed to help recognize authentic expressions from volcanic regions worldwide—an important step as interest grows and consumers look for clearer signals of provenance.
Volcanic Wine Awards + JancisRobinson.com partnership
VWI also highlighted a major media partnership with JancisRobinson.com for the Volcanic Wine Awards, an international competition celebrating standout wines from volcanic regions.
Award-winning wines will be featured on JancisRobinson.com and showcased in a dedicated space during the NYC conference.
“Volcanic regions produce some of the most characterful wines in the world,” said Tara Q Thomas, Managing Editor at JancisRobinson.com, adding that the partnership aims to bring greater attention to these terroirs.
The big picture: story-driven wine in a crowded market
Beyond the technical details, the conference is tapping into something the wine world is actively chasing: narrative and identity.
“Today more than ever, the wine world needs compelling stories that reconnect wine lovers with place and identity,” said Gino Colangelo, President of Colangelo & Partners and partner in VWI. Volcanic wines, he noted, offer “dramatic landscapes, ancient soils, and wines with unmistakable character.”
How to attend or exhibit
For information about exhibiting or attending, VWI directs inquiries to Bianca Panichi at bpanichi@colangelopr.com. Updates are also available at www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, with social channels on Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) and Facebook (Volcanic Wines International).
What to watch for (STM Daily News)
- Whether the new Volcanic Origin certification becomes a widely adopted benchmark
- Which regions and producers dominate the Volcanic Wine Awards spotlight
- How volcanic wines continue to move from “sommelier obsession” to broader consumer demand
Hungry for what’s next? STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section dishes up the latest in restaurant news, beverage trends, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and food culture stories readers love to share.
Food and Beverage
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice Unveils “Island Fire,” a Sweet-Heat Secret Scoop Inspired by Hot Ones
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is leaning hard into the sweet-meets-heat trend with a limited-time drop that sounds like it was built for adventurous taste buds (and social media reactions). The brand’s newest “Secret Scoop” mystery flavor, Island Fire Italian Ice, launched March 23, 2026 and blends tropical fruit flavors with a serious pepper-powered kick—an unexpected combo that Jeremiah’s is positioning as a celebratory finale to its anniversary run.
What is Island Fire?
According to the company, Island Fire starts with a bright, tropical base—passion fruit, guava, and orange—then finishes with lingering heat. The spice comes from Hawaiian Hot T’s POG2 hot sauce, a sauce the release notes has been featured on the popular YouTube interview series “Hot Ones.” The sauce brings a trio of peppers into the mix: habanero, scorpion, and ghost peppers.
In other words: it’s a frozen treat that aims to hit you with “vacation flavors” first, then surprise you on the back end.
How long is it available?
This is a true blink-and-you’ll-miss-it release. Jeremiah’s says Island Fire is available for one week only starting March 23, or while supplies last, at all Jeremiah’s Italian Ice locations nationwide.
Part of a bigger anniversary campaign
Island Fire also serves as the capstone to Jeremiah’s “30 Years of Ice” campaign, which has featured a different Italian ice flavor each week since the start of the year to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary.
“Jeremiah’s has spent the past 30 years creating fun, memorable flavors for our guests, so we wanted the finale of our anniversary celebration to be something truly unexpected,” CEO Michael Keller said in the announcement. “Island Fire captures that spirit perfectly.”
How to order it (and the best way to try it)
You can order Island Fire as a standalone Italian Ice, but Jeremiah’s is also nudging fans to try it layered with its Soft Ice Cream to create a Jelati—the brand’s signature combination.
If you’re on the fence about heat in dessert, the Jelati route may be the move: the creaminess can mellow the spice while still letting the fruit-forward flavors come through.
Find a location
To locate a shop near you, Jeremiah’s directs guests to its store locator here: https://jeremiahsice.com/.
About Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice was founded in 1996 and began franchising in 2019. The company says it now has 160+ locations across Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, and is continuing to expand across the Southern United States.
STM Daily News Food & Drink will keep an eye out for what brands do next as sweet-heat flavors keep crossing over from hot sauce culture into desserts and frozen treats.
Source: PR Newswire press release
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STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
Foodie News
illy Launches Art of Dining Series With Chef-Led Events Across Major U.S. Cities
illy has launched its Art of Dining Series, a year-long program pairing chef-led tasting menus with its signature coffee blend in major U.S. cities.
illy is bringing coffee and fine dining together with its new Art of Dining Series, a year-long program featuring chef-led dining experiences in cities including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The series launched in March with a dinner at Boia De in Miami and will continue with curated events built around custom tasting menus inspired by illy’s signature blend. One of the upcoming stops is set for June in San Francisco at Wolfsbane, where illy Chef Ambassador Rupert Blease will create a menu inspired by his own bespoke illy blend.
The company says the program is designed to create immersive, in-person experiences that connect guests with the illy brand through flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality. The launch also builds on illy’s broader gastronomy strategy, including its Chef Ambassador program and its role as the exclusive coffee partner of World’s 50 Best Restaurants for the past four years.
Founded in Trieste, Italy, in 1933, illy is known for its 100% Arabica coffee blend and global presence in more than 140 countries.
Source: illycaffè via PR Newswire
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