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It is hard to believe that our Vermont brothers and sisters had a lingering beer alcohol cap for so long. No beer over 8-percent alcohol by volume was allowed to be sold in the state. After years of pleading to the powers-that-be, this law was finally changed on July 1, 2008, to a generous imbibing cap of 16-percent alcohol by volume. Word spread quickly, and it seems Vermont has been flooded with both imports and out-of-state brands. And let's not forget Vermont's local breweries jumping on this law change, as both brewpubs and breweries had stronger beers in the waiting to quench the thirst of the growing amount of discerning palates.

A trip up north looks a whole lot sweeter now.

In 1997, Rock Art Brewery began in the basement of founder Matt Nadeau's house. Expansion was necessary, and a new brewery was built in Morrisville, Vt., in 2001. Now, the brand's popularity has grown to distribution within several states, including Massachusetts. Ridge Runner is an oldie but goodie and, at 7.2-percent alcohol by volume, remains below the old alcohol cap. Many years ago, the mild Barleywine won over plenty of local beer geeks, and still does today.

The Taste

We first notice the lace sticking to the glass, a sign of a quality beer. Tiny bubbles with thick rings are left on the glass after each sip. Good clarity, though quite dark with a deep brown color that only shines bronze highlights when put up to the light. Sweet toasted grain, ripe apples, chalky yeast and a faintly fruity herbal hop aroma. Very smooth with a wet medium body; the alcohol seems hidden, though eventually some warmth shows up. Toasted bread crust, dried hay and a hint of caramel sweetness from the malt. Hops are modest with a slight bitterness, but nothing that tops the maltiness. Their flavor is a bit delicate and floral. Apple skin and yeast flavors are present middle to end, with more toasted grain in the semidry finish.

Final Thoughts

Clearly this is at the smaller end of the spectrum for the Barleywine style, but you have to cut them a ton of slack for having to deal with the limitations of an alcohol cap. Regardless, this is an exceptional ale from a great brewery. While it is a bit of a malt bomb, balance is still there and drinkability is high due to its lighter body and smoothness. Staying within the Vermont theme, pair this brew with some Grafton Village cheddar cheese (widely available in the Boston area).

Last sightings of this beer by us were at Brookline's Wine Gallery [375 Boylston St., Brookline. 617.277.5522. wine-gallery.com] and the Kappy's [325 Bennett Hwy., Malden. 781.321.1000] on Route 1. Note: Their website has not been updated for a while, so for visitor and tour hours, it's probably best to give them a call at 802.888.9400.

FOR MORE INFO: ROCKARTBREWERY.COM

FOR MORE BEER EDUCATION: BEERADVOCATE.COM

RESPECT BEER.

We LOVE hunting down new and unique styles of wine. With wines being made from over 400 distinct grapes, why not venture out and try something different? While exploration is fun, it's also hard to track some of these bad boys down. Keep your eyes peeled, and you'll find some fantastic vino coming from all kinds of strange, amazing places.

BONARDA

This little-known red grape is actually the most widely planted in Argentina. The South American country is best known for producing fat and juicy Malbecs, but they also make a smorgasbord of other wines. There is some controversy over where, exactly, Bonarda came from, as it is also grown in California, only with the name Charbono. All we know for sure is that Bonarda came to Argentina in the last 100 years via Italian immigrants, and that when it's done right, it totally kicks ass. The grape can be a little hit-or-miss, with cheap bottles tasting fruity and bland, so go for the good stuff—like La Posta Bonarda, a veritable rockstar with big, juicy flavors retaining an earthy and smooth character. It's perfect with Argentina's favorite dish, steak tartare.

Try the Crios de Susana Balbo Syrah-Bonarda blend from Argentina [Available for $15 at The Wine Emporium, 607 Tremont St., South End, Boston. 617.262.0379. thewineemporiumboston.com]

TEMPRANILLO

While primarily produced in Spain's Rioja region, Tempranillo is also grown all over the globe. The red grape is very versatile and can be made into a light, smooth wine or punched up to make a rich and powerful blockbuster. This ability, as well as the grape's love for hot sun, opens up numerous growing regions worldwide. The progressive winemakers at K Vintners in Washington state produce a fantastic Tempranillo, as do the jokesters at Twisted Oak Vineyards in California. However, some truly impressive wines were the affordable, yet awesome Tempranillos we tasted on a recent trip to Argentina. It turns out that many Argentine wineries are cranking out batches of this stuff, even though it is still quite hard to come by stateside.

Splurge on a bottle of the badass Four Vines "Loco" Tempranillo Blend from Paso Robles, Calif. [Available for $43 at Federal Wine & Spirits, 29 State St., Boston. 617.367.8605. federalwine.com]

VIOGNIER

Once rarely seen outside of France's Northern Rhône Valley, this grape has begun to flourish across the planet. In the '80s, a small group of California winemakers (who dubbed themselves the Rhône Rangers) began planting and using Viognier in the heat of West Coast sun. The famous Rhône producer Château de Beaucastel even decided to get in on the action in the late '80s, hooking up with California winemakers in Paso Robles and pumping out tasty wine under the name Tablas Creek. More recently, Australia has started producing wine with this awesome grape. The result—whether from the Rhône, California or Australia—is a full-bodied white wine with strong floral aromas. When you stick your nose in a Viognier, you definitely know it.

Try the Yalumba "Y" Viognier from South Australia [Available for $12 at Bauer Wine & Spirits, 330 Newbury St., Boston. 617.262.0363. bauerwines.com]

DRINK MORE WINE! FOR MORE INFORMATION: THESECONDGLASS.COM

Fresh, high-quality ingredients are an essential feature of great cocktails; for endangered varieties, they are paramount. Most antique concoctions were invented before ingredients like "corn syrup" and "Red Dye #40" existed, and when reincarnated with newfangled, pre-fab syrups and mixers, they just don't taste right.

We endorse using homemade ingredients over store-bought alternatives whenever possible, which is why we're bringing you the "Syrups Series," a semi-regular column feature that will teach you how to make these essential items at home, starting with two basic ingredients you won't be able to live without: "simple" syrup and grenadine.

Comprised of equal parts sugar and water, "simple" syrup is just that, and a highly versatile sweetener to have on hand. Dissolve equal parts sugar and water over medium heat on a stovetop, let cool and sweeten away.

Grenadine, which you may remember from kiddie cocktails like the Shirley Temple, is a syrup made from pomegranate juice. Think outside the Rose's bottle and make this one at home—it will rock your world. When pomegranates are in season (from October to January), try a from-scratch recipe. Until then, Hanky Panky's recipe gets us through: Bring equal parts 100-percent fresh pomegranate juice and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, simmer for 7 minutes, remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon orange flower water for every 1/2 cup pomegranate juice used. Cool and mix!

Try grenadine in a Beauty Spot Cocktail, which calls for no small amount of the stuff. You'll never go back.

Cin-cin!

BEAUTY SPOT COCKTAIL

0.5 ounce sweet vermouth

0.5 ounce dry vermouth

0.25 ounce orange juice

1 ounce gin

0.25 ounce grenadine

Pour grenadine in a cocktail glass. Stir vermouths, orange juice and gin in a mixing glass with ice. Strain over grenadine. Enjoy!

THINK GRENADINE COMES FROM THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND THAT BEARS THE SAME NAME? THINK AGAIN AT LUPECBOSTON.BLOGSPOT.COM.

While it's not the worst idea to pop in a DVD and inhale munchies at home, it's not the most creative or social, either. Cue the miraculous combination of going out to eat under the premise of chillaxed arthouse enculturation.Whether it's a way to bring in bodies on a slow night, or merely to infuse good spirits at the start of the week, film screenings in restaurants and bars smacks of nothing but a most marvelous idea—in turn, transforming that date with your screen into, well, a more presentable date with an even bigger screen.

Totally less pathetic. Totally.

RIVER GODS

One of the things I miss about grade school (apart from drinks made of sugar, water and purple) is the rare occurrence of the projector movie. High school and college was filled with them, but in my double-Dutch days, it was a novel and special occasion, even if it was Oliver Stone's JFK.

The middle-schooler in me comes alive at River Gods, when independently owned Hollywood Express cosponsors FilmBeat. And it isn't like when clubs play Battle Royale in the background as people bump 'n grind, either—this is a bona fide viewing session: good seats, respectful quiet and, of course, a beverage of your choice (I have since upgraded to gin and tonics since my Kool-Aid days) as you watch the flick (like July's feature, The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965).

Stick around post-credits for the free raffle; my roommate snagged a copy of Sixteen Candles. For. The. Win. [ID]

[125 River St., Cambridge. 617.576.1881. First Tuesday of the month/10pm/21+. rivergodsonline.com]

SAGE

Wedged in the midst of the South End's restaurant row, Sage distinguishes its façade with a summer series that purveys neat-o Italian goodies almost every friggin' day. A free antipasto bar overfloweth on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays are "Gelato Night," but Mondays take the understated cake of screening Italian cinema. Yep, film geeks, here's your share of Fellini and busty, brilliant Sophia Loren.

With classics screened continuously throughout the night on a flat-screen plasma, subtitled in English with the Italian dialogue softly audible, the bar's open for any spectator. Upon moments of stool-perching, viewers are presented with complimentary tubs of highly addictive popcorn—a haute, buttery turn with white truffle oil that will ruin standard cinema snacks forevermore.

The summer still holds in store: Le Notti Bianchi, La Dolce Vita, The Bicycle Thief, Wife for a Night and Marriage Italian Style. Weekly prosecco break? Call us sold. [CL]

[1395 Washington St., South End, Boston. 617.248.8814. Every Monday/7pm/all ages. sageboston.com]

THE SQUEALING PIG

Really? Who watches a movie at a bar? Apparently plenty of people do at The Squealing Pig. I've always been a fan, and on this particular adventure, I was not disappointed. Terrance, the bartender, suggests a crisp beer, Lagunita Pils ($4.50), which has an interesting hint of peach. He explains to me that every Sunday they screen activist documentaries, and on "Spin-Kick Mondays," kung fu flicks.

Tonight's choice is House of Flying Daggers. Terrance relates that the films started out as his own personal entertainment on slow nights, as they could screen movies and music of his choice. "Then it got kind of popular," he says. "It's really kind of like hanging out at someone's house."

I look over at the projection screen in the darkened bar, and there are plenty of people here for a Monday in Mission Hill. Judging by the relaxed crowd, Terrance is definitely on to something. [MH]

[134 Smith St., Mission Hill, Boston. 617.566.6651. Every Sunday and Monday/10pm/21+]

Step off, Big Papi—there's a new Green Monster in town. More specifically, a green-furred Sasquatch named Izzit. He's spokesmonster and mascot for IzzitGreen, a sharp, Boston-based, eco-minded website launched late May.

"So much of green is grim," says Peter Hughes, the site's founder. Hughes sees most green media as "inward focused," preaching the gospel of green and instructing guilt-ridden consumers in the ways of eco-morality. That's not what IzzitGreen's about.

The site lets users review local businesses on the basis of quality and green-ness, tearing the eco-movement out of the hands of the vegan, hemp-wearing, greener-than-thou high priests and giving it back to everyday folks who utilize these places.

"Just like peanut butter and jelly or Pinky and The Brain, 'good' and 'green' are fine on their own," reads the site. "But when they get together ... that's when greatness happens."

Users can tell local businesses, "'I like what you do, and I'd love it even more if ...' That's what it's all about," says Hughes. "We very much believe in the wisdom of crowds."

Izzit, who looks a bit like a cross between Muzzy and a kinder-hearted Fred Flintstone, is heading up what Hughes hopes will become a user-driven, less intimidating, more empowering wing of the green movement.

Beyond user reviews, IzzitGreen also boasts an extensive array of enviro-news coverage, green-living columns and consumer guides.

The site plans to expand internationally, but for the moment, it's all about Boston. Which means it's all about you. Step up to the plate.

[izzitgreen.com]

When an escape from the city is imperative, a little planning goes a long way.

Have yourself a merry little picnic by snagging a kickass panini from MCslimJ B's endorsed Volle Nolle [351 Hanover St., North End, Boston. 617.523.0003], Red Velvet cupcakes from Lulu's [227 Hanover St., North End, Boston. 617.720.2200. lulusbakeshoppeboston.com] and a bottle of passito from venerable V. Cirace & Son [173 North St., North End, Boston. 617.227.3193. vcirace.com].

With that over your shoulder, hop on the Harbor Islands Ferry [harborexpress.com] from Long Wharf and coast toward 34 surrounding bits of land scattered about the nearby sea—ideal for alfresco dining, fort-climbing and romantic (what else?) walks on the beach.

Fun-loving landlubbers can don a pair of 3-D glasses at Simons IMAX [New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston. 866.815.IMAX. neaq.org] to relive the insouciance of childhood. As Michael M says, "Any theater screen larger than your house is worth seeing," adding that "indulging in that sweet green sticky-icky is a must beforehand." Duly noted.

Bet you're hungry now, eh? Quash your cravings at Max's [151 Milk St., Boston. 617.330.9790. maxsdelicafe.com]. Chase W declares their burgers "serious business" and encourages all to "mow down."

Hankerings for the nutritious-delicious are quelled by the mighty bento boxes at Sakurabana [57 Broad St., Boston. 617.542.4311. sakurabanaonline.com]. It gets a "PERFECT" (notice the all caps) from Liz D. With the addition of a second floor and in close proximity to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, there's no need to wait any longer. Open wide!

BEST FEEDING SPOTS? YELP.COM'S ALL EARS

HAMMOCK BLISS NO-SEE-UM/MOSQUITO NET COCOON

Whether you wish to hang outside without the hindrance of pesky pests, or just want some personal time away from this mad, mad world we live in, the hammock cocoon is the perfect refuge. Climb on, and in just 10 minutes, you'll emerge as a refreshed, bite-free bubble kid.

[Available for $34.99 at campmor.com]

ALL TERRAIN HERBAL ARMOR LOTION INSECT REPELLENT

When Mother Nature attacks with swarms of biting insects, beat her at her own game with this repellent made from all-natural ingredients. Unlike other natural repellents, this one bucks tradition by ... actually working! Allegedly. We're too scared to prove it wrong.

[Available for $7.95 at REI, 401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston. 617.236.0746. rei.com]

SUNBEAM ULTRASONIC ELECTRONIC PEST & MOSQUITO REPELLER

If James Bond were having a barbecue, this is what he would use to keep bugs out of M's Scotch. And, aside from pests, these should work to deter annoying humans blessed with incredible hearing ranges. You know the song—don't fucking bother me.

[Available for $29.95/set of 6 at priority-store.com]

GLASS YELLOW JACKET AND WASP TRAPS

Eating outdoors always seems to attract unwanted visitors, but these colorful bug catchers can add some class to any garden while detaining party-crashing wasps and yellow jackets. For those hosts with a darker side, satisfy thirst for blood by watching those offending insects struggle for life as they slowly drown.

[Available for $29.99/set of 3 at improvementscatalog.com]

YANKEE CANDLE CONCEAL GARDEN FRESH OUTDOOR MOSQUITO CANDLE

Like most Yankee Candle products, this candle makes us bristle with its "garden fresh" proclivities, but it does do a fine job repelling the little bloodsuckers. Our advice: Ignore the scent, and enjoy a bug-free evening outdoors. The mood lighting? Fringe benefit.

[Available for $19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond, 401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston. 617.536.1090. bedbathandbeyond.com]

What did you think?

Chris: I gotta say it's gothic in the way of "I'm going to try to live the good life but I love the bad life" type of movie. The bad guys made it a really good movie.

And you're sort of rooting for Heath Ledger anyway ...

Eric: He made me want to see the movie again.

Byron: This is my third time seeing it.

Three times?!?!

B: I saw a screening, saw it last night and tonight. I'm going to go to New York and see it. I'm sitting in the theatre, when everybody jumps, I'm like, "I've seen it already." I thought Two-Face showed anyone can be brought down, like the mayor ...

Or any Republican congressman.

Stephanie: I remember I saw Batman Returns and it was sold out. I sat in the aisle. It's dark, these are dark times. And all the previews of the other movies were apocalyptic.

E: Whatever's going on in our society, in our economy, the movies will tell it.

S: That's why movies are one of our most important art forms.

E: That's why they shouldn't take video games away from kids. That was my first education. I hated school.

What are you gonna do now?

S: Probably go smoke a J and keep the night rollin'.

Do you have any dwarfs with you?

I don't have any with me. They have to stay at home. They don't like to go too far away from home.

I guess they don't.

They're kind of homebodies. They like to work.

They like to work a lot.

And whistle, because then it's fun for them.

They probably get a lot of signature requests.

They're not used to so much attention.

Do you have a favorite dwarf?

It's hard to say, they're all so wonderful in their own way. Bashful's kind of cute.

Seriously. What do you do?

I do this professionally. I was a clown about five minutes ago. I do lots, I have costumes for all the Disney princesses. By the end of the day I'm like, "Who am I again?"

Do you ever get confused?

I've almost caught myself,. I have to look down and say, "What color is my dress?"

[Man passing by in a car]: Don't eat the apple!