SIX Layer Cookie S’mores Bars

photo

You know how we like marshmallows. And chocolate. And peanut butter. And sweets. Well, ML invited the fiance and I to a dinner party and requested that we provide the desserts. We wanted something quick and easy, but something complicated that will make you go “whoa.” The interwebs weren’t giving me a “whoa” AND quick and easy. Onward to the cookbook library and I found this recipe in Peanut Butter Comfort.

Thank goodness I own a cookbook dedicated entirely to peanut butter. Really. It came down to three recipes in the book, and believe it or not, this one was the easiest. It paid off. Once the oozing marshmallow-stuffed, graham cracker-wedged, chocolate bar and cookie sandwich came out of the oven, the fiance and I just stared, smelling it and salivating at the finished product.

I started wondering which was was best to serve it. Hot or cold? Do I want gooey marshmallow and chocolate to end up in my man beard for later enjoyment? Or do I want to enjoy the crunch of the hershey bar in the middle of the cookie, surrounded by peanut butter and marshmallow? If hot—a la mode? Is ice cream necessary on top? Or is it going to be just as good without? We went with serving warm. The verdict: dog ear that son of a bitch, because we’re doing this again. It’s settled.

Peanut Butter Comfort’s Six Layer Peanut Butter S’mores

Read More

Sons of Liberty: Single Malt of the North

SOLPic

Craft Whiskey. I’ve never heard of it until a box containing two bottles of Sons of Liberty whiskey arrived at my door. I’ve enjoyed the occasional bourbon, a scotch here or there, but I’ve never tried this kind of whiskey. Most people think of whiskey as the stuff they mix with Coke while clubbing. Others consider it the burning liquid that they would live with during the college years “as long as it gets the job done.” Well time to wake up, people!  Read on, while I enjoy a glass myself.

Sons of Liberty was founded by Mike Repucci after years of making wine as a family tradition and learning more about the spirit of whiskey abroad. Repucci started in finance and along the way, said “fuck it — I’m doing what I want to do.” The name came about during conversation with his friend about the American Dream. Sick of worrying about taxes, the man keeping you down, and the game we all play from 9-5, Repucci realized that Sons of Liberty encompassed a lot of that feeling. Wanting to “revolutionize whiskey,” he decided that Sons of Liberty not only captured his journey for the American Dream, but also the American tradition of whiskey. The whiskey is American—in a bold way that us northerners have grown to know and love.

Sons of Liberty crafts their whiskey using the malts yeasts used to craft your favorite beers. After all, as their website explains—“whiskey starts with beer.” For instance, their Uprising was created using the grains used to brew stout beers. Using chocolate malt, roasted malt and much more, the distillery created a recipe that brings out caramel, chocolate, roasted flavor in the whiskey.

Read More

Endless Beers: Bourbon County Brand Stout

GooseIsland_BCS2013

The holidays are over. Bring on the dark, cold days of gray. I’m still stuffed from the new year, but I have found time to explore the 100 Beers of Winter list. Of those 100, there are a few particular beers that stand out. The Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout doe so because it is so rare. This suds are brewed every year—but with different flavors and a different taste each year. It is a rarity worth picking up before they are off the shelves.

I’ve mentioned this drinking strategy before, but if you haven’t paid attention—you want to get a case. Half of the case is for you to enjoy now. Impress your friends with your brew knowledge, and enjoy every last drop. As for the other half of the case: store away in the cellar to compare with next year’s…and the next…and the next.

How it tastes:

Read More

100 Beers of Winter

With New Year’s around the corner and the Winter season ahead, why not find resolve in a good winter brew? Hence I bring you one of my favorite lists: the beers of winter. I think this is one of the more diverse lists because it includes so many styles of beer: winter warmers, christmas ales, white IPA’s, Stouts (chocolate, vanilla, imperial, coffee, PEANUT BUTTER), porters, red ales, doubles, and so much more!

Happy Holidays – Bottoms Up!

OldDominion christmas_ale_2013 celebration-nodate2 biggruesome_logo
 fullsail6pack  troegs-beer-mad-elf-ale  brrrbon_ginger-product  firesidechat_can_022113-230x409
abbey-glass_1280 rude-elfs-reserve-poster  s-portervanilla-bttle22 Vanilla_BCS
brand-Pranqster 1331741592decchoc  OBS_oval collab-suede-bttle22
Vinter-Glass1 Noel FaLaLaLaLa2012 104
 hibernationale  winter-storm-122x470  20139918578_maple_mistress  troegs-beer-dead-reckoning
th DCS_GlassBtl.tif lagunitas-brown-shugga Breakfast-Stout-Bottle-256x790
056e074bc1f7fdcf6c26763aa76a64c7 Jubelale2013Oval juniperipabottlelg--en--8fdc9d25-0642-40f8-ba2f-c6ddb170a022 winter-warmer-pump-clip
ind_bp_oldman iso-bottle-glass beer_ac_prod  avery-old-jubilation-ale
winter-ale-no-warning-300x258 NHCabinFever  wp38c4070b_05 WinterCheers_BottleGlass_2013-web
whiplash_resize CMWA_litre quelquechose1 nb
christmas_group cohoho wintertable2 newgift_bottle
label-ipa ParrotIAPTBottle christmas snowcap
silent-night 310x535_Christmas-Banner santas-reserve-label irs-pair
maple-porter1 YuleTide118x470 merrymakerlg--en--bb682dbb-bbe5-46f9-901c-21a40bd4bc14 Harpoon-Winter-Warmer-Bottle-Glass
ninkasi-sleighr-dark-double-ale-e1380064704199-200x200 winter FANTOME-Noel-bottle-e1373109701437 GWP_B+D
k92013  ind_bp_label_2xmas RYE_WEB_FINAL  beer_tb_prod
juniperipabottlelg--en--8fdc9d25-0642-40f8-ba2f-c6ddb170a022 heartofdarknesslogosmall Toboggan_web 4Elf
beer-vanilla-porter 6geese_bottle Rasputin-Brand-Image-2012 maplechocolatelogosmall
TJA_B+D TheAbyss_Oval sugarplum_bottle header_barleys_xmasale
bolshevik winter_warmer brrr-product gthinglogosmall
ichor_btm PRS_B+D 75billboard Boris2
brew-christmas-ale BAGBOTTLE 10_image_black-chocolate-stout_large quad-label-no-warning-150x150
st_top Arcadia_Ales_Imperial_Stout_LG_4be5b600b65555e38e4f22519894e387 kujo2013 xmas_btm
fezziwignewbottlelg--en--27198faa-fa8c-449b-936d-b9fef5b3d821 WinterWhiteGlassBttle.tif shiner_white_wing.jpg.728x520_q85 snowmageddon

Endless Beers: Anchor Christmas Ale

Vinter-Glass1

ABV:5.5%

Ah yes, the most wonderful time of the year. As you may know from last year, for four decades now, Anchor Brewing releases a new version of their Christmas Ale every year.  Each time, the brew is made with a new, original recipe, along with a new image on the label. The recipe is new every year and will not be reused. As you can imagine, I was pretty excited when I received a bottle of this at my doorstep. The brew will be available until mid-January.

Anchor seems to aim for the same feeling of a winter warmer each year. Typical flavor profile of this delish beer includes notes of spices, sweetness of the malt, and a bit of a boozey pokies online taste to it. However, you never know what the current year is going to taste like. The anticipation (for us beer dweebs at least) to opening the brew is similar to opening a gift—you know it”s going to be good, but you don”t know exactly what will be inside. Turns out this year”s is one of my favorites. PLUS my sister got me the 2011 brew, so I was able to compare to even another year! Get them while they last and save a few for years to come.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Dark brown, nearly black with a thick light brown head.

Aroma: Smells like…Christmas. Sweet and spicy—scents of cinnamon and even pines and spruces. Deeper scents included a malty smell similar to that of a brown ale.

Taste: The brew begins with sweet and malty flavors, immediately followed by some spice flavors like nutmeg, cinnamon, and even ginger. A little bit of brown sugar taste as it ends.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth. Goes down easy and has good carbonation that complements the spices.

Overall: I”ve had the 2011, 2012, and 2013 of these brews now. I think the 2013 is my favorite so far. The flavors really stand out without taking over the brew. It”s a great drink to have while sitting around the fire with family and friends, or after dinner.

100 Beers of Fall

We’ve got 29 days of fall left. Think we can sample each of these before winter comes?

You’re welcome.

Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale 2013-09-17_2036 2013-09-17_2043
 Ichabod

pumpkin punkin-ale bottledetaillargefatjack--en--701bc24c-fb61-4272-bf67-c0070d70fe94
 goodgourd_bottle  FrogsHollow-PumpkinAle-justFront
 Elysian
 2013-09-19_2200
 pumpkin  rh_tap_pumpkin_002  available_now_pumpkinale3  punkn
 FESTBIER  SYCTHEANDSICKLE  ind_bp_warlock1  yuengling-oktoberfest-250
 bottledetaillargeoctoberfest--en--69dead09-7704-45a5-81e9-a7f57eacf0d8  obdsix-2  oktober 978ec4e6014138e60a3620996a1fc854
 BridgePort-Witch-Hunt-Spiced-Harvest-Ale  oktoberfest_6pk__large  pecan_group 8_image_brooklyn-oktoberfest-update_large
350x350_sly-fox-oktoberfest  ind_bp_harvest  BBP_oval  harvest
310x535_Nosferatu-Banner weizeneisbock_bg Jolly-Pumpkin dogtoberfest2013
Pipeline_Bottle_Pour1 2_our_beers_VELVET_MERLIN brew-autumn uinta-pumpkin-ale
big_sound_bottle AUTUMN_MAPLE_v02 BuffaloBillsPumpkin-500x500 beer_dw_prod
stashbottle autumnation_glass G-P-259x1024-118x470  seance
oktoberfest DOACB kaiser11_300dpi-128x500 oktoberfest
Brand_Bobs_47  oktoberfest-bottel hoss bitch203
Staghorn rogue_mocha_porter_650_ml southern tier brewing company big-leaf-maple-bio
untitled Rasputin-Brand-Image-2012 GratefulHarvest2013-Modal pumpkinsix-2
bottledetaillargehazel--en--6eb60325-60a1-493d-a068-180b71262869 fest_bottle sahtea southerncharred
Freundeskreislogo bg_oktoberfest Barktobefest-Sell-Sheet original_of_usa
hofbrau label_oktoberfest_maerzen  three-floyds-munster-fest bottle-dba
beer_lof_cc_prod brew_label_l_hoptrip Product-Specific-750ml-Earl-Grey-IPA  oktoberfest_bottle_glass_455525842
ourbeers_header_1 red-and-white wh_ode_new GNP
beer-CopperLegend-med rumble Wee_Heavy_bottle_190px thorss-bottle-logo-narrow
250x92xe62d4ee58ff1f250465cd990647544c4_png_pagespeed_ic_Edry6aydro pumpkin short straw pumpkin_wheat_main3
Pumpkin-Ale-Sell-Sheet jacko-packaging Boxcarr_wCAP_thumb caramel
dfh_hellhound_bottle newlat48lgdetail--en--3de4ba28-3297-4eca-a008-7922819691de smashed_pumpkin elysian_night_owl

Missed one? Let us know what you would include!

All of Endless Simmer’s 100 Ways…found here.

 

 

The Pumpkin TAP

photo

Now is the time to give thanks. What to I give thanks for? Amongst other things: pumpkin, beer, and booze. Well now I need to give thank to Kegworks for the PUMPKIN TAP! Some of you may have seen it on your pinterests or facebooks, but how many of you have had the opportunity to USE it? The pumpkin tap comes in a few simple pieces that you screw together. Then, in three simple steps, you have a working pumpkin tap:

– Step 1: Hollow out pumpkin

– Step 2: casino online Cut small hole in bottom of the pumpkin & screw in the tap

– Step 3: Fill with boozy beverage of your choice

Read More
« Previous
Next »