Brendan McGinley
Expertise
Whiskey, Barbecue & Grilling, Charcuterie
- Brendan is the author of The Man's Book of the BBQ for Hachette (Spruce-Octopus).
- He knows a ludicrous amount of salting science for charcuterie, jerky, and BBQ dry rub.
- But he's also mostly vegetarian and will cook you a fine vegan meal using beans he grew himself.
Experience
Brendan has been writing about food (particularly BBQ) and drink for over a decade for numerous clients and employers, including AOL, MTV, Maxim, CBS, and Thrillist. He's been fortunate enough to interview (and eat with) numerous luminaries of barbecue, including Michael & Myron Mixon, Chris Lilly, Meathead Goldwyn, and others. He's also been known to ferment his own hot sauce and beer Brendan lives in NYC because the food here is delicious, but along the way he's learned a thing or two about cooking for himself.
Education
He has a degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing.
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Stories By Brendan McGinley
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Coolhaus is well-known for its innovative dairy-free offerings, but how do the brand's delectable sandwiches and pints stack up against one another?
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A dependable chef's knife is an absolute kitchen must. We put several popular options through a variety of tests - these are the ones that are a cut above.
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Tasting Table spoke with Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Chris Fletcher to learn why the distillery's 12-Year bottle was the biggest whiskey releases of 2023.
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Interested in mastering the art of grilling steak? Elevate your barbecue game with these 12 essential tips from renowned chef Hugh Acheson.
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Deciding what exactly qualifies as a sourced bourbon is challenging, but one things for sure: the ones on this list are definitely worth trying.
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We tried the new Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat - a bottle only Sazerac employees had tasted. Here's the rundown along with our tasting notes and review.
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The world of whiskey is always in motion, so it's hard to narrow down the very best bourbon brands out there - but we're excited to share our ranking.
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Whiskey is having a big year, and the releases we've seen to this point are clear proof of that. These are our absolute favorites of 2023 so far.
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We love bourbon, and each year sees fantastic new releases from familiar names. So far in 2023, these are the bourbons we just can't get enough of.
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New York City is an amazing city for food. But with so many options, what's the best? We've scoured the city for 20 of our favorite spots in NYC.
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St. Patrick's Day is upon us again. If you find yourself in New York City, these are the pubs, bars, and restaurants where you'll want to raise your pints.
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We got our hands on a bottle of The Béhôlden, WhistlePig's new 21-year single malt whiskey, and we're here to tell you all about it, from nose to finish.
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Bourbon appreciation comes with an entire dictionary. We cut through it all and get you the essential terms you need to understand the world of this whiskey.
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There's no shortage of options in Moynihan Food Hall, but we're here to help you navigate the just okay to the truly great - all while you wait for the train.
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Some bourbons are underappreciated and underpriced, which means you should make a move on them before the word gets out. Happy hunting for new favorites.
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Wingstop is obviously known for its wings, but how will you decide which flavor to order? Here is every single Wingstop flavor, ranked from worst to best.
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Shake Shack is going extra bougie with a trio of limited-time items prepared with pricey white truffles. We got a sneak peak (and taste) of the full menu.
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Still Austin Whiskey may be newer on the scene, but it's making a name for itself. We reviewed the main whiskeys from this brand to get you the inside scoop.
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Look no further than this list for the best notes of the Island. We've collected affordable drams and worthwhile splurges for your Scotch collection needs.
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Sprecher's always comes correct with its root beer, but we ranked its other flavor offerings to give you a sense of what this brand does best.
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Rare bourbon is a collector's dream, whether you plan on drinking it or keeping it unopened to preserve its value. Here are some rare ones worth tracking down.
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Four Roses is a classic bourbon brand, and we decided to rank some of their best selections, from its classic yellow label to rare limited edition bottles.
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Sizzlefish Seafood Delivery makes a great case for getting seafood delivered any time of year. Let's take a look and see if it's worth your time and dollar.
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We sampled the full lineup of Barton 1792 Distillery's current bourbon offerings. Find out which bottles are an absolute must for your home bar.
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There are plenty of food subscription options out there. But if you live in the Northeast, this farm-fresh focused company needs to be on your radar.
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Olipop is an interesting alternative soda option, so we ranked its flavors to decide which ones are worth buying and which should be left on the store shelf.
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The bourbons and ryes in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection are among the most coveted whiskeys on earth. Here's a breakdown of this year's release.