Spent Grain Chef - May 22, 2013
Cupcakes are great, but mini cupcakes are even better (you get so many more of them!) Made with equal parts regular and spent grain flour and freshly shredded carrots, these mini carrot cupcakes are delicious little treats. We topped ours traditionally with cream cheese frosting, but you can top with your favorite frosting. They also taste great on their own right out of the oven.
2 O'Clock Tastings - May 21, 2013
As the name implies, Church Brew Works, located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, calls a century-old church home. Construction on St. John the Baptist began in 1902 and the building remained an active parish until 1993 when the church was put under an act of suppression by the Bishop of Pittsburgh. Just three years later after extensive renovation and restoration, Church Brew Works opened its doors.
Much of the church's original architecture was salvaged and meticulously restored in the conversion from church to brewery. Pews were cut and reassembled to make benched seating along salvaged oak tables for the brew pub, original lanterns were restored along with the original Douglas Fir floors. Stained glass windows, including the beautiful rose window are still in tact, but the centerpiece remains in the apse, where steel and copper tanks have replaced the alter. It's from these tanks that Church Brew Works produces its delicious beers, two of which we sampled for this tasting.
Beer List - May 20, 2013
The month of May means a few things: spring is in full bloom, May Day, and undergrads all around the country are earning their diplomas with a walk across the stage in their well earned caps and gowns. To help you or a loved one commemorate these four years, we've compiled a list of graduation celebration beer suggestions.
For this list, we've hit some of the major themes of college, a few things you'll hopefully look back on fondly as you continue on in your life and remember these great years: school, hard work, professors, graduation, and enlightenment.
Beer News Mashup - May 17, 2013
Beer Events - May 16, 2013
It's another weekend in May, which means another great weekend of delicious craft beer. Celebrate this weekend—and Armed Forces Day on Saturday—with a refreshing cup, bottle, or can of locally made brews at one of these exciting festivals.
2 O'Clock Tastings - May 14, 2013
As San Francisco's population boomed during the American West's Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, the city's need for good breweries grew and, until 1919's Prohibition Act took old, it was the brewing center of the West. Now Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is reigniting the city's beer-making (and -loving) glory.
"Legit since 1997," Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has focused on simple but exacting techniques in their steam-fired brewhouse where hands-on beer making practices maximize consistency and shelf-life. In Western U.S. tradition, Speakeasy dry-hops most of their beers, including their flagship Prohibition Ale and Big Daddy I.P.A. For this tasting, we sampled both of these, as well as a selection of their ever-rotating roster of artisan ales.
Beer News Mashup - May 10, 2013
Beer Events - May 9, 2013
This weekend promises plenty of beer festivities to pique your culinary curiosities and quench your thirst. Whether you're in a big city like Chicago or Charlotte, or a smaller town like Gig Harbor or Irving, or in another continent and country all together, check out one of these great beer festivals and enjoy a taste of something new on tap.
Spent Grain Chef - May 8, 2013
These peanut butter cookies pack a serious spent grain punch. With equal parts dried spent grain, spent grain flour and regular flour, these cookies are extra nutty. We also use chunky peanut butter rather than smooth, so the dried spent grain paired with the chunks of peanuts creates a pleasant crunch throughout otherwise melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookies.
2 O'Clock Tastings - May 7, 2013
A classic American success story, SweetWater Brewing Company was born out of two guys' desire to follow their passion and turn it into a business. Back in the '90s, University of Colorado, Boulder roommates Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerney realized they were both more interested in beer than books, and after graduating, decided to make a go of it in the burgeoning world of craft brewery. After working for several years to understand the art of brewing and fermentation, Bensch and McNerney officially opened SweetWater Brewing Company in February 1997 with the mission of bringing hoppy, aggressive West Coast style brews to Atlanta with the motto: "Don’t Float the Mainstream."
More than a decade and a half later, SweetWater has grown tremendously and several years ago moved to a 25,000 square foot brewery in the heart of Midtown Atlanta where they're dreaming up concoctions like Danktoberfest and The Gimp of their limited-release Dank Tank series and the Happy Ending of their seasonal Catch N' Release collection—an exotic collection of strong beers we sampled for this tasting.
Hop of the Month - May 6, 2013
Unless you're a really hardcore brewer (and maybe even then), chances are you don't know much about Glacier hops, or maybe haven't even heard of them before. A fairly new variety, this multi-purpose hop was released by Washington State University in 2000.
With pleasant bitterness qualities (resulting from low CoHumulone levels) and very high crop yields, Glacier Hops provide a variety of possible beer style applications. Glacier hops are slowly gaining traction among brewers, so don't be surprised if you see them more and more in your favorite craft beers in the future. Read More...
Beer News Mashup - May 3, 2013
Beer Events - May 2, 2013
Cinco de Mayo is this Sunday, but if you are looking to skip the tequila this weekend, celebrate with one of these beer festivals instead. Whether you are in Pennsylvania or New Mexico, there are plenty of opportunities to drink around the country this weekend. And if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Colorado, definitely check out the South Denver Beer Festival for the Beard/Mustache and Best Costume Competitions (and the beer too.)
Spent Grain Chef - May 1, 2013
These fresh and zesty lemon poppy seed muffins are like spring in a muffin tin. Made with one cup regular flour and one cup spent grain flour, these muffins have a great heartiness and a light lemony flavor. The addition of yogurt makes for a super soft muffin with a satisfying poppy seed and spent grain crunch. Perfect for an on the go breakfast or an anytime snack.
2 O'Clock Tastings - April 30, 2013
Until somewhat recently, the great state of Utah had fairly strict liquor and beer laws—only beers under a certain ABV were permitted to be brewed. But when the laws changed in 2008, entrepreneurs David Cole and Peter Erickson were able to pursue their longtime dream of opening Epic Brewing—a strong beer microbrewery in Salt Lake City, Utah like those found in their homestate of California. Having started an international aquaculture company in Utah in 1992, Cole and Erickson were no strangers to food and drink (and the art of making them well), so when they teamed up with acclaimed brewmaster and fellow beer geek Kevin Crompton, the trio immediately set to work brewing a carefully curated collection of strong ales and lagers, with over 30 now in production.
Epic splits their beers into three general series: Classic, Elevated, and Exponential. For this tasting we sampled the Rio's Rompin' Rye Ale and the Elder Brett: Saison-Brett Golden Ale, two of Epic's Exponential Series beers.
Beer List - April 29, 2013
It's the two most exciting minutes in all of sports! The 139th Kentucky Derby is being held this Saturday and is sure to be another exciting race. Whether you're in Kentucky for race day or just enjoying the event with some friends at home, why not try something other than the classic Mint Julep this year? Here's a list of some great beers that will make your Kentucky Derby celebrations a real festive affair.
And if you are throwing a Kentucky Derby bash (complete with Best Hat competitions), whip up some of these Derby(ish) Pies made with Chocolate Maple Porter and a scrumptious Spent Grain Graham Cracker Crust.
Beer News Mashup - April 26, 2013
Beer Events - April 25, 2013
It's the last weekend in April and as the weather gets more and more glorious each day, what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than heading to one of these great beer festivals? This weekend, plenty of festivals around the country are taking the chance to showcase and celebrate the beer being made in their own backyards and show people that there are great craft breweries opening up around the country all the time.
Cooking with Beer - April 24, 2013
Traditional Derby Pies are made with pecans, chocolate chips, and Kentucky Bourbon. They are also only made in Kentucky by Kern's Kitchen in honor of the Kentucky Derby. The recipe is so closely guarded that only a select few members of the Kern family know it in addition to one employee who makes the pies at the restaurant today.
Our take on the Derby Pie subs in beer (of course) for bourbon and walnuts for pecans. The addition of Chocolate Maple Porter gives these adorable (and delicious) mini pies a fantastic maple sweetness. The recipe can also be used for a regular sized pie, we think four pies are better than one.
2 O'Clock Tastings - April 23, 2013
Since opening in 2005, Foothills Brewing has been hard at work making some of the most exciting beers available in the Southeast. But it wasn't until 2010 that the brewery began any real bottling program and started selling their brews around the country (before that, a very limited release of their Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout was produced every February, but that usually sold out within hours). By 2012, Foothills Brewing was available across their homestate of North Carolina, and although the company continues to grow, brewmaster and co-owner Jamie Bartholomaus has been adamant about maintaining a focus on premium quality beer.
For this tasting, we were lucky enough to snag four of the brewery's nine year-round brews (they also have eight seasonal beers, including their Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout): Torch Pilsner, Hoppyum IPA, People's Porter, and Seeing Double IPA. Each exhibited interesting flavors and gave us a good taste of what Foothills Brewing is all about.
Beer Events - April 22, 2013
Opening weekend at Smorgasburg feels a little bit like camp. We get to see people we haven't seen since last summer and get to meet some fresh faces. Smorgasburg is opening for the season and we'll be selling Beer Making Kits and Mixes on Saturdays at the Williamsburg Waterfront and Sundays in DUMBO at the Tobacco Warehouse. We will also be selling some Mixes that are exclusive to Smorgasburg, so stop by for your chance to pick up Single Hop IPA: Chinook Beer Making Mixes and more.
Enjoy the slideshow!
Read More...
Beer News Mashup - April 19, 2013
Beer Events - April 18, 2013
As craft breweries continue to grow around the country, more and more great beer is becoming available in every nook and cranny of the nation. This weekend, why not take some time to check out some of these festivals around the country and support the breweries in smaller towns all over America?
Spent Grain Chef - April 17, 2013
2 O'Clock Tastings - April 16, 2013
Located in the Belgian town of Wevelgem, the Brewery De Ranke was founded in 1994 by longtime beer enthusiast and home beer maker Nino Bacelle. Though he started brewing in the mid-'80s, Bacelle took his time to develop his recipes until he felt they were ready to be tasted by the world and eventually started Brewery Nino Bacelle. It wasn't until a couple of years later that Bacelle joined forces with acclaimed Belgian beer enthusiast and Belgian beer association H.O.P. founding member Guido Devos to form Brewery De Ranke.
De Ranke produces a strong collection of interesting beers year round. All of their ales are unfiltered, unpastuerized, and fermented at hotter than normal temperatures (between 65° and 68° Fahrenheit) bringing out richer tastes and aromas. For this tasting, we sampled their Saison and Noir.
Beer List - April 15, 2013
With tax season finally coming to a close, by now you've gotten everything squared away with the IRS and are just waiting for your tax return in the form of—hopefully—a big, fat check. Now that you've paid your dues to Uncle Sam, take some money and splurge on yourself with a case of your favorite beer or, if you're really feeling flush with cash, check out this list of some of the world's most expensive beers.
From the more well known Sam Adams Utopias to the ultra rare Vielle Bon Secours, only available at one London restaurant, the beers on this list range from the readily available to nearly impossible to find. If you can get your hands on some brews on this list, you will not be disappointed. So go ahead and treat yourself - you've earned it.
Beer News Mashup - April 12, 2013
Beer Events - April 11, 2013
Whether you like to drink beer made close to home, or want to try something from around the globe, there are plenty of festivals this weekend to satisfy any craving. Raleigh and Hong Kong's international festivals will bring together beer from around the world, while Boston and Johnson City's events will put more of a focus on locally brewed offerings. Either way, grab your buddies and a few beers at one of this weekend's great events.
Cooking with Beer - April 10, 2013
While we drink a lot of Everyday IPA, we don't often cook with it. The bright zingy citrus notes that we love so much in the glass are broken down quickly by heat leaving just the bitterness.
That's why the idea of Everyday IPA hummus was so refreshing - with only a minimal amount of heat being generated pureeing those refreshing citrus notes would remain. The result is a fantastic smooth and creamy hummus with a touch of citrus hop bitterness and zing.
2 O'Clock Tastings - April 9, 2013
Located in the small town of Kamperland in the south-western Dutch island province of Zeeland, the Bierbrouwerij Grand-Café Emelisse, or the Emelisse Brewery and Pub, is one of the more exciting craft breweries in a country well-known for excellent beer. Helmed by brewmaster Kees Bubberman—who in 2011 was awarded the Zilveren Knuppel (or "Silver Bat") by the Dutch craft beer enthusiast society PINT for contributions to his nation's beer culture—Emelisse started in 2005 with a focus on handcrafting beers from traditional recipes, but has lately been doing more experimenting with speciality beers, including taking classic styles from around the world and putting their own unique twists on them.
Hop of the Month - April 8, 2013
One of the four "noble" hops (meaning a race of wildly occurring hops which are low in bitterness and high in aroma), Saaz hops are extremely popular in Bohemian style beer and are the main hop component of the Czech pilsner.
Known for their delicate, spicy aroma and low bittering effects, Saaz have been used for centuries in the Czech region, but have since also become very popular in everything from a classic Czech pilsner like Pilsner Urquell to a variety of American craft beers like the Sierra Nevada Summerfest and Redhook Brewery's Late Autumn Ale, and even the classic American Budweiser. We also love using it in our Bel-Gin Strong.
Beer News Mashup - April 5, 2013
Beer Events - April 4, 2013
This weekend, as the weather continues to warm up and Spring really kicks into high gear, there are plenty of great beer festivals all around the country, and each with their own unique twist. From a barrel-aged beer festival on the West Coast, to a celebration of music and beer on the East Coat, to a Hobbit-inspired festival across the pond, this will be a great weekend of beer and fun.
Spent Grain Chef - April 3, 2013
Popovers are a little bit like magic. The ingredients for the batter are as simple as can be (flour, egg, milk). You can scrape everything together and into the oven in under 5 minutes. But the delightfully crisp shell and impossibly-airy, still-steaming insides make you wonder if it's really this easy (and it is), why aren't these coming out of your oven everyday?
The key to really tall popovers is definitely a proper popover pan. A muffin pan will deliver shorter (but totally tasty) versions. We add just a touch of spent grain to ours for a light nuttiness. And while we normally think of them for brunch, this recipe has popovers vying to be our go-to dinner roll.
2 O'Clock Tastings - April 2, 2013
Although sometimes you do have to fight for your right to party, luckily you don't have to fight for your right to enjoy the delicious artisan ales from New Zealand's Yeastie Boys Brewing Company.
Formed in 2008 by kiwi beer activists Stu McKinlay and Sam Possenniskie, the Yeastie Boys took off soon after with their double award winning Pot Kettle Black American-style porter. This beer, along with their Hud-a-wa' Strong amber ale and Rex Attitude peat-smoked golden ale make up their year-round selection, while a variety of seasonal bottled and draught beers come in and out of rotation depending on the season. And instead of matching their beer with food, the Yeastie Boys like to name their beers after music, films, places, or people.
For this tasting, we tried the year-round favorites Rex Attitude and Pot Kettle Black, as well as the Digital IPA, a late 2011 release which the brewers describe as an open-source beer—the exact recipe is publicly available on their blog.
Beer List - April 1, 2013
We love a joke as much as the next person, but we've already seen enough fake proposals and pregnancies this morning on Facebook, so we are taking this year off from April Fools pranks. Admittedly, we are no strangers to making beers with unconventional and adventurous flavors (Lobster Saison, anyone?), but the beers on this list go beyond merely defying conventions.
Made with deadly hot ghost peppers or extremely rare civet coffee (more on this later), these beers might sound too outrageous to be true, but we assure you that each and every one of these beers really does (or will soon) exist. No fooling.
Beer News Mashup - March 29, 2013
Beer Events - March 28, 2013
If you want to learn more about craft beers, this might be your weekend. While simply tasting new beers is always an easy (and fun!) way to soak up knowledge, several of the events this weekend include a roster of seminars that are sure to teach you a thing or two about your favorite craft beer. Plus, this weekend, the judging for Asia's best craft beer will take place in Tokyo as part of the region's larger annual craft beer festival, with events throughout the year.
Spent Grain Chef - March 27, 2013
2 O'Clock Tastings - March 26, 2013
At the turn of the century, there were over three thousand small breweries sprinkled throughout Belgium. One hundred years later, that number dropped to only 117. One of those surviving breweries was the Biset brewery, located in the Belgian village of Pipaix-Lenze. Though it did not remain functional over those 100 years, it did remain mostly intact. In 1914, it nearly escaped ransacking by the Nazis. Occupying German military forces were looking to snatch up metal resources and tried to take the brewery's steam engine, but only ended up snagging the copper vat.
Years later in 1984, the brewery was purchased by married beer-loving duo Jean-Louis and Sittelle Dits who renamed it La Brasserie À Vapeur, or "the Steam Powered Brewery." We sampled four of their steam-powered beers, including one that was brewed in 1996.
Beer News Mashup - March 25, 2013
Is there anything more deliciously wholesome than a box of Girl Scout Cookies? What about a deliciously wholesome box of Girl Scout cookies and the perfectly paired beer? Sounds even better, doesn't it? The Girl Scouts of the USA have been selling these cookies since 1917 to raise funds for their various troops, selling over 200 million boxes a year. So let's raise a glass while raising money for a great cause!
With cookie season gearing up, we've paired each of our favorite Girl Scout cookies with the perfect beer for an unbeatable snack. Whether you're a Thin Mints kind of person, or you think nothing beats the Samoas, we've got you covered. However, if you're still not convinced these are the best pairings, Cevercería de MateVeza, the San Francisco brewery and café, has been brewing their very own Girl Scout Cookie-inspired ales.
Beer News Mashup - March 22, 2013
Beer Events - March 21, 2013
Spring has sprung! As the weather warms up (hopefully!) and you brace yourself for April showers in hopes of May flowers, there are plenty of exciting beer festivals around the country ... and the world. Whether you're looking for very traditional ales, new and exciting brews, or something a bit sportier, there's something for everybody this weekend.
Cooking with Beer - March 20, 2013
Tiramisu with its espresso dunked ladyfingers was just asking for a coffee stout update. The obvious choice was our Coffee & Donut Stout (you can sub in your favorite craft coffee stout) but it would be equally delicious with the Chocolate Maple Porter or Bourbon Dubbel with bourbon laced cream.
We opted for the traditional raw egg approach for an impossibly light tiramisu that pretty much dissolves as soon as it hits your tongue. But if you are squemish or prefer a heavier whipped cream variety you can work the coffee stout into your go-to tiramisu recipe using the method below.
2 O'Clock Tastings - March 19, 2013
Known for their classic bière de garde (translating to, "beer for storage," a classic French country ale known for its toasted malt aromas and malt sweetness), Jenlain can trace its brewing roots back to the turn of the century. Originally based out of Felix Duyck's farm in 1922, people were coming to the Brasserie Duyck well before 1968 when they officially attached their most popular style, Ambrée, to the name of the village the brewery resided in, Jenlain.
Still a family business, Jenlain is now entering its fourth generation with Felix's grandson Robert currently running operations, continuing to take Jenlain's classic beers into the future. Ahead of its time, Jenlain was the first beer to be bottled in 750ml champagne bottles with a wired cork. The bottles we sampled, though, were regular ol' 11.2 oz ones with caps.
Beer Events - March 18, 2013
This Valentine's Day we decided to do something a little different. We traded in the heart-shaped box of candy for a night filled with beer. We invited couples and singles to attend a fun and informative Beer Making Class held in DUMBO. After class, everyone enjoyed a few cups of Chocolate Maple Porter, Chestnut Brown Ale and Smoked Wheat along with cheese pairings and sinfully delicious Chocolate Maple Porter Truffles. Enjoy the slideshow!
Beer News Mashup - March 15, 2013
Beer Events - March 14, 2013
May the luck of the Irish be with you this weekend! There's certainly no shortage of ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Sunday (and before), so skip the green beer and get in touch with your Irish roots at Boston's Beer Week or Austin's St. Patrick's Day Festival.
Cooking with Beer - March 13, 2013
Brisket. Braised in beer. There is so much to love. And while the laundry list of ingredients may seem daunting, you can easily sub out or omit anything not already in your pantry (besides the beer of course). The result is a deliciously tender brisket that is impossible not to devour straight from the cutting board.
Our rules are simple. Rub your brisket generously the night before (salt, pepper, and something a wee bit spicy are a must for us). Use a delicious dark full-flavored beer (we like our Chocolate Maple Porter), whatever onions and root vegetables you have on hand and a little bit of heat in the braising liquid (chili flakes and a few extra cloves of garlic work if you don't have chili-garlic paste on hand). Get it in the oven, have a beer, and relax - it's going to be delicious.
2 O'Clock Tastings - March 12, 2013
Collaborations, we love 'em! When two great breweries get together for one great beer it can be a real treat. Reunion Ale has been a yearly collaboration spearheaded by Terrapin Brewing Company since 2009. Benefits from Reunion Ale: A Beer For Hope go to the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research.
For the past two years, Terrapin has collaborated with Shmaltz Brewing Company (they produce the Coney Island Craft Lagers line along with He'Brew: The Chosen Beer), with each brewery producing their own bottle of Reunion. We were lucky enough to snag Shmaltz's 2011 and 2012 versions of the beer. L'chaim!
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