Local, Near and Far: Our journey of exploring the world.

Author: David (Page 5 of 11)

Firestone & Robertson Distilling Company

What exactly is bourbon? Being a beer guy, I don’t know much about liquors. But on a Tuesday night, I was going to get a lesson in bourbon at a local distillery in downtown Fort Worth! Joining Chris, Ray and some other friends for a tour of Firestone & Robertson Distilling Company, I was ready to learn and in this amazing environment, I picked up a basic education in bourbon.

Column Distiller

Column Distiller

Firestone & Robertson Distilling Company is housed in a renovated 1920s prohibition-era warehouse just south of downtown. This convenient location comes complete with plenty of street parking, making for easy logistics. The tour begins in the warehouse area, which is full of bourbon barrels, stacked neatly along the walls. The atmosphere is stellar!

It amazes me how distilleries operate. For at least 2 years, they don’t sell their product. After 2 years of aging, the product can be sold as bourbon. However, to be considered straight bourbon, the liquid must age at least 4 years. Firestone & Robertson (F&R) wants to bottle straight bourbon, so they must wait. FOUR long years.

The distillery opened its doors in 2012, and has since barreled their Texan take on bourbon. Outside of the staff, no one has tasted their aged bourbon since.

Before you can begin aging, you must first make the bourbon base. So, what makes bourbon, bourbon?

Fermentation Tanks

Fermentation Tanks

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Český Krumlov After Dark

Some places turn magical after dark.  Český Krumlov is one of these magical places!

After watching the sun set over the town from the Hill of the Cross, Rebekah and I began a leisurely walk back into town.  Food was our first priority.

Plague Column in the Old Town Square

Plague Column in the Old Town Square

After winding through some back streets of the Old Town, we found the lively Gypsy Bar.  Český Krumlov has a large Roma (formerly known as Gypsy) population, and as we entered, we felt welcomed.  Seated at the few tables, locals were drinking beer and a couple of tourists ate food silently.  I ordered a Pilsner Urquell, the staple Czech beer, while Rebekah enjoyed a glass of red wine for a change.  A large plate of ham with sauerkraut and potato pancakes and a second with fried fish and potatoes soon arrived; the food was delicious!  While no one played music that night, an entertaining atmosphere still filled the small pub.  As we ate, we realized the five men at the front table had their portraits on the walls.  They were definitely regulars!

Český Krumlov Castle At Night

Český Krumlov Castle At Night

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Český Krumlov Castle – Gardens & Round Tower

The Round Tower

The Round Tower

Today, we continue exploring the most popular attraction in Český Krumlov, the Krumlov Castle.  Since there are many areas within the spectacular Castle complex, we began this miniseries with an overview of the Český Krumlov Castle, as well as information on the guided tours available.  In this second article, we concentrate on the Castle Gardens and the Round Tower.  The Gardens are simply beautiful, and the panoramic views from the Round Tower are worth the climb!

In general, the entire Castle is a must-see if you are anywhere near Český Krumlov!

Český Krumlov Castle Gardens

Český Krumlov Castle Gardens

The Castle Gardens:  After finishing the Castle Tour, we slowly walked across the multi-leveled bridge and continued the climb to the Gardens.  The views of the Old Town and Vltava River are awesome!  There is a small café with a wonderful observation point, allowing you to look back on the Castle stretching to your right. Continue reading

Český Krumlov Castle – Overview & Tour

Perched high on a cliff above the Old Town is the imposing Český Krumlov Castle, constructed to control an important river crossing on the Vltava below.  The Round Tower pierces the sky with its pastel-colored Renaissance façade.  Cross the draw bridge over the bear pits at the entrance, and walk steadily uphill through a sequence of courtyards until you cross a multi-leveled bridge and reach a Baroque theater.  Pleasant English and French style gardens add one additional layer of sophistication to the experience.

The Round Tower from the Courtyard

The Round Tower from the Courtyard

If you find yourself in Český Krumlov, this Castle and the complimenting beauty of its surroundings is likely what brought you here.  The best word I can find for this UNESCO World Heritage Site is picturesque!  There are no words, no pictures that can accurately capture the splendor of this small town in the southwest corner of the Czech Republic.

Well, now that I have set myself up with an impossible task, let me tell you more about this place…with words and pictures. Continue reading

Pension U Zámku

Rebekah and I absolutely loved our stay at Pension U Zámku! Our amazing experience started immediately upon arrival at the Český Krumlov train station.

Courtyard Under the Tower

Courtyard Under the Tower

When finalizing our reservation over email, the pension owner Petr offered to pick us up at the train station. We gladly accepted! Rebekah and I were greeted with big smiles by Petr and his little daughter. This warm welcome made us immediately feel at home in the small Czech town, like extended family returning from a long absence. This kindness saved us a 20 minute walk or the cost of a taxi.

Location: Pension U Zámku is situated DIRECTLY under the Round Tower. With only one day in this quaint location, we paid only slightly more to stay in the heart of the town. This prime location provides quick access to all of Český Krumlov,  both the Old Town and Castle Town. The entrance to Český Krumlov Castle is only one minute away. Continue reading

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