By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I am not sure when I had my first taste of moonshine, but it was nothing like what is on the market today.

I admit to getting a late start on drinking alcohol compared to a lot of my classmates.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon Count Comet

I am not a fan of potatoes in general. 

I tend to avoid French fries, and I have since I was a kid. My sister does make a killer mash potato and maybe sometime she will divulge the recipe. I know a lot of butter and cream is involved.

My last encounter with mashed potatoes reinforced why I stay clear. They came cold and there was no gravy. 

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

When I went to Portugal several decades ago, I went with a college friend and my sister. Sue and I arrived in Lisbon a day before my sister, who was living in England at the time. 

We had about two weeks and rather than stay in Lisbon, which was a great city, a friend of the family who worked for the U.S. Embassy told us to rent a car and see the countryside.

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon Count Comet

There is something about October that makes me nostalgic.

Maybe it is the changing leaves, the cooler temperatures or the smell of something sweet baking in the oven. But for me, October also brings memories of my mom, whose birthday would have been at the end of the month.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon Count Comet

There are certain birthdays you just don’t forget. Or at least, that’s what I used to think.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

It is funny to me that the first time I heard of Tuaca was in Saratoga. I was working in the Hotel Wolf for the summer and there was this Italian liqueur that was being used with Red Bull

Red Bull energy drink was being used to mix with vodka.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Some cocktails become classics. Others somehow slip through the cracks.

The Shanghai Buck falls squarely into the second category. It has the history, the flavor and a great story behind it, yet mention it to most people (even many bartenders) and you are likely to get a puzzled look.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I have been on an Asian bend since I discovered Wings in Rawlins a couple weeks back. 

I eat a lot of Asian food to begin with, but given that I lived in Asia over 15 years all told, this Asian jag is easy to understand.

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

There is something to be said for opening a box, adding a couple of ingredients and having brownies in the oven five minutes later. Boxed mixes are convenient, dependable and, these days, come in just about every chocolate variation imaginable.

Still, homemade brownies have a charm of their own.

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

There are some meals you sit down and eat, and there are some meals that come with a show.

A Door County fish boil definitely falls into the second category.

By Dana Davis    

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The ballots have been cast, the stickers have been worn and the unofficial results are in.

Wyoming’s Primary Election wrapped up August 18, meaning some candidates are celebrating a victory while others are discovering that democracy occasionally leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Fortunately, history has a cocktail for both occasions.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The first time that I ate bream, that I knew of, was when I went spearfishing off the coast of North Stradbroke Island, off the coast of Queensland, about two or three hours from Brisbane.

I have often said the fish were not in danger with me, but my two buddies were excellent fishermen.

By Mike Armstrong    

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

This past weekend I guest bartended at the Elk Mountain Hotel for an event sponsored by the Hanna Basin Museum. The fundraiser was based on a 1920s speakeasy.

There were two bars going at the hotel for the event.

Downstairs were whiskey-based drinks from the 1920s and upstairs, out on the balcony, a bar was set up that served gin-based cocktails along with wine.

By Mike Armstrong    

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I have a lot of old classic bartending books. I refer to them often when looking for authentic drinks from the 1930s and before. I have my fair share of books from the 1940s and 1950s. Probably my weakest selection is from the 1960s to the 1980s. 

It’s mostly because they are not usually considered very collectable.