Thanksgiving Dinner

Okay, so this thanksgiving I went out on a limb.

First I want to start by saying I went to a wine tasting event to taste the beer of the week. While there I met a gentle man (the owner of the wine store) who has come to realize like me that there are beer aficionados’ out there just like people who like wine. He, a wine sommelier, was very knowledgeable about craft beer and “out of the box” beer, as well as traditional beer and common brews.

So as we know I have been trying new things. I started in the grocery store trying different off brand items. But I never realized the complexity of the items that wine stores hold.

So my new acquaintance offers me something he just got his hands on. He told me this was a seasonal brew that was only made once a year and features some of the most prized selections of beer that are bottle together to make an ultimate blend.

Oh boy was he right.

Firestone 14 Anniversary Ale

The blend consists of: 31% Double Double Barrel Ale, 29% Sticky Monkey, 27% Parabola, 7% Velvet Merkin, 3% Good Foot, 3% Black Xantus.

 

By far it was a dark brew. Not a lot of head formed but robust aroma’s where permeating from the glass. I decided to get my family involved. My Father and Grandfather lent their taste buds to try this new found brew of mine. My father gave me a weird look and my Grandfather just said I was weird. They are more commonly used to drinking ‘common’ beer. In fact in a direct statement from my grandfather “if Yuengling didn’t make it, then it aint beer,” I laughed at this statement. My father, on the other hand, who realizes my pallet, said that it was definitely strong in flavor, but not something he could drink on a daily basis. This was exactly my point to him that these beers I am drinking are not meant to be consumed over a game of poker, that’s what the Yuengling is for.

As dinner was plated, I was greeted with a turkey leg (my favorite part), cranberry sauce, green beans and stuffing. My glass of brew slowly being consumed as if it where a 20 year old Scotch. The flavor of this brew at first seemed to overpower my meal, but as the meal progressed the brew seamed to flow right in to the flavors. The turkey was moist and savory while the cranberry was sweet and tangy, adding in the robust flavors of aged ale and the complex aromas it was well matched.

I recommend this brew to anyone who might be entertaining guests with a large game bird, or if you’re sitting down to a Cornish Hen by yourself. Poultry seems to be the best logical choice for this brew, as red meats or even port might be to strong in flavor to smooth out the flavor of the brew.

“Prost”

Been Busy

I am working on two new blog posts. I will hopefully put them up around Christmas time when I have more time to finish them. We are moving and have been preparing for that.

Newcastle Brown Ale

Ok, once again, trying something new.

It was Halloween, I was kind of tired of all the pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest that I decided to go half way normal. I went into the store and thought I would try something new. Besides it was a brisk night and I was grilling steaks and passing out candy at the same time. Kind of a feat if you ask me...

I decided to try Newcastle Brown Ale.

I don't usually buy clear bottle beers, but this beer grabbed my attention. Its soft amber color can clearly be seen through the bottle, not to mention the clearly stated awards that this blend has won over the years.

So as i get started in the kitchen i open my first bottle. Very crisp and smooth flavor. I decided to go out and mingle with the neighbors a bit. So I left the bottle on the bumper of the wife's van which was parked on a small incline. Needless to say it fell. Now I wasn't there to see it fall, but I will have to say, they sure can make a good bottle. The bottle broke like a windshield but did not shatter like a normal bottle. Just a minor case of beer abuse. I apologize.

So back to cooking I went. Steak's where on the grill after marinating for about 20 mins. Back and forth from passing out candy and keeping an eye on the steaks, I thoroughly enjoyed this beer, to the point that as I went back into the kitchen to bring in the steaks form the grill, i noticed I only had 1 more left (out of 6-pack). I was shocked, I must have been enjoying this beer so well that I wasn't keeping an accurate beer count. Luckily I did not require the last one.

So if you are in to a smooth beer with a crisp flavor, then this beer is for you. Just make sure you have enough to go around.

Sam Adam's Octoberfest

Well, it’s that time of year again. Fall is among us and the cool refreshing summer beers must come to a close and welcome in full flavor and aromatic brews that titillate the wildest temptations of your taste buds.

I will start this off with mentioning that all beers are not created equal. Brew masters across the world spend countless hours researching and developing complex flavors, not to mention the time they spend picking the best hops and barely to ensure that the brew is beyond perfect. With this in mind I challenge everyone to go out and find a beer that has full flavor with complex aromas.

One of my most favorite beers is back in the stores just in time for fall. Sam Adam’s Octoberfest, maintains its place in my home as one of my top picks. This brew has distinct flavor of Bavarian Nobel hops and caramel and toffee.

Teamed up with steak and onions even a salad does this brew justice. The flavors of Octoberfest are mild enough so not to take over the flavor of complex foods. Pork chops with home fries (fried potato/onions) and corn on the cob also a good combination. But what makes this brew even better is how it can cool off your taste buds after a full plate of Hot Wings…

Pyramid Curve Ball Blonde Ale

OK, So I decided to try something new. I went into the grocery store the other day and thought to myself, just buy something that looks good. Well I ended up with Pyramids 'Summer Seasonal' Curve Ball Blonde Ale.

I might have to say, this beer was very smooth, light and robust all at the same time. The flavor combination was perfect. This beer was obviously made with some excellent choices of hops and barley.

So, what did I pair it with? Seafood which believe it or not is recommended by their website. I had crab cakes and shrimp, both of which can be somewhat strong in flavor themselves.

This beer was able to take the strong aromatic flavors of the seafood and mingle in subtle flavors of goodness to wash it down. Definitely and excellent buy, not to mention a 6-pack was only $5.99.

Yuengling Dark Brewed Porter

Steak...

Juicy, how ever you want it cooked, steak. I prefer mine rare. Seriously just cut it and let the flame singe it a little. That would be most efficient for me. Serve it with a side of sauteed onions and mushrooms (I have a yummy recipe for this) Maybe loaded mashed potatoes or even a loaded twice baked potato and you must always have a salad...


But wait there is more. Your beverage of choice. With all the flavors going around you need to taste your beverage.

So from one of the oldest beer companies out there I present to you Yuengling Dark Brewed Porter. Its not a really strong beer but it is packed with dark flavor. Deep rich flavor that can only contrast such fine pieces of meat. The smoky flavor of your steak will only intensify the sweet yet aromatic flavors of this beer. The Yeungling Porter is smooth but still has a bite to it.

Straight from the bottle or in a glass, either way this beer is packed full of flavor and can more than fulfil the beer with food challenge.

Oh and when your done with Dinner, try a chocolate molten lava cake for dessert, the beer is good with that too!

Breakfast for dinner... WITH BEER?!?!

Oh yes, I did. We had breakfast for dinner this week and I had beer with it. It was fantastic. On top of that I was trying a new beer. The meal was Eggs, Fried potatos and Steak. The Beer, Drop Top Amber Ale by Widmer Brothers.

This beer was smooth and refreshing. It gave a slight fruity flavor but nothing to dratsic. It was the perfect amount of sweet to contrast with a breakfast feast. I think I might even have to enjoy one with a breakfast one day.

Widmer Brothers has a few other selections that I am going to try. I will let you know how that goes.

Bud vs Miller

This versus that, which one. The entire nation for years has argueed and debtated on which product is superior. You know they both have there place.

Since this blog is primarily about food paring with beer I am not going to debate the flavor profile of each beer but rather give examples of how the beers pair with repective foods.

Its wing night and a football game is underway, what do you grab? In this case either beer would suffice but Miller Lite (in my opinion) has a much more smooth taste to calm down you over active taste buds after bitting in to a delicous hot wing. Now dont get me wrong, Bud Light is smooth, but pairs better with spicy foods such as chips and salsa or jalepeno poppers.

Again the two beers compete in the kitchen. Bud Light is a good beer to use to soak some brats in and give them at least two hours. Miller on the other hand, make great beer can chicken and if you have never had one, you are truly missing out.

The first thought?

Most people don't realize that beer can be paired with anything other then a nice party by a pool on a hot summer day. Although... that is a nice pairing, food and i mean all foods can be paired with beer.

For my first pairing guide I offer the likes of a mild beer. I want to start everyone on the lighter side and work my way up to the strong stuff.

Michelob has put on to the market three floavored beers. Now Im sure your thinking, what pansy is going to drink a flavored beer. Now lets not be to critical here, although this beer is probably marketed to the female market to interest them in drinking more beer, they still taste good. Further more, they pair well with food.

The flavors available are Tuscan Orange Grapefruit (TOG), Lime and Pomegranate Raspberry (PR). All of which, believe it or not, pair well with chocolate. For the TOG and PR a dark chocolate is best. 

The lime on the other hand can be used to marinate your food or baste with. How bout some brats or even the classic beer can chicken (without the can) you can baste you chicken on the grill and when eating, enjoy a glass.

Naturally the TOG and PR flavored beers can pair with most fruit, but don't pair them with the fruit flavor itself or you will basically be defeating the purpose. The TOG beer can also be used for direct cooking with things like fish and can even use a little in a fresh vinaigrette salad dressing. The PR really just pairs with chocolate the best, I'm not to sure if anyone out there wants raspberry flavored chicken.

ENJOY!

The Start of things

Ok, Here goes another shot at this... 

People for years have paired wine with food. They have wine tasting events, vineyard tours and dinners solely built upon the wines of that evening. Well I'm not much of a wine person, BUT I know a good beer when I taste one.

Now I'm not going to sit here and criticize beer in any manner. People like what they like and don't like what they don't like. My goal is to show how certain beers can be pair with certain foods just like wine can.

Please enjoy!