beer -

by snebbu

Endless Beer: The Focal Banger

If you know craft beer, you know the Alchemist out of Vermont. They brought us the famous Heady Topper and now this. The Focal Banger brings with it claims of superiority even over the Heady Topper. It is an American IPA with TONS of hops jammed into each pint-sized can. Thanks to a good friend, I was able to try a can of this out myself. Otherwise, take a trip up to New England and find out when they hand this stuff out. Here are our thoughts:

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Close your eyes and think of the senses of walking through a hop garden. That’s what this smells like – fresh hops surrounding you.

Appearance: The can says “Drink from the can!” so I have no idea.

Mouthfeel: CRISP. A very refreshing, clean, and crisp mouthfeel from start to finish.

Taste: HOPS. Then some more hops. Some sweet malts, and finally more hops. But these are flavorful hops. Juicy citrus hops lead the way, followed by pine and other earthy hop flavors. This is the hoppiest beer I’ve had without losing the integrity of the beer of tasting too bitter.

Overall: Find this beer! It’s true – this is better than Heady Topper. Focal Banger gives you everything you want in an IPA. It is crisp and refreshing, has fresh, juicy flavors, and tastes like the can is actually filled to the top with hops. Try it for yourself.

Endless Pairings

Cheese: Aged gouda with dried apricots, fig jam, and crackers.

Appetizer: Truffle fries.

Main Course: Fish tacos with a side of guacamole

Dessert: Key Lime Pie

Cigar: Gispert Toro

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by snebbu

PUMPKIN Gone Wild! 10 Ways to Use That Pumpkin on Your Porch

80% of Americans have at least one pumpkin still sitting on their porch – FACT. Well, not definitely, but you get the point. Many of us toss the pumpkin in the woods, others in the garbage. But why not EAT the pumpkin (or drink out of it)? Even though Halloween is over, you can still find a handy (and edible) way of using that pumpkin before throwing it out. These are recipes that require the real thing – pumpkin puree, real pumpkin…not pumpkin pie filling. You’re welcome.

10. Cauliflower-Pumpkin-Ricota Gratin

Total veggie dish…so it’s totally healthy. With one pumpkin and a large serving of cauliflower, you can feed a full family!

9. Warm Kale Salad w/Pumpkin Seeds and Sweet Potato (or PUMPKIN)

I’m sorry to even say this…but yes, I like Kale. UGH. I understand the disappointment. But even if you don’t like Kale, adding in the pumpkin seeds for a good crunch, and substituting the sweet potato with pumpkin may finally get to you the “basic” status that you’ve been aiming for. If you don’t know what that means, clearly you aren’t cool.

8. Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes

Yum. That’s all.

(Reluctant Entertainer)

7. Tomato-Pumpkin Soup

Tomato soup is the perfect meal for a cold winter day. But we have not reached winter yet! Clearly, the only way to make it a seasonal dish right now is to….add pumpkin!

6. Bacon, Egg, and Goat Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin

This is not for the faint of heart. But need I remind you of the FIRST word….BACON!

5. The Pumpkin TAP

Personally, I believe this is the most useful.

4. Pumpkin Fried Rice

Try your own “fake out take out” night and impress the fam with this adorable dish.

(Judy in Her Natural Habitat: The Kitchen)

3. Pumpkin Ricotta Ravioli

Cheese, pumpkin, and pasta. Need I say more?

(My Kitchen Addiction)

2. Kaddo Bourani

While I love sweets, and overall American values like over-eating, it’s always fun to embark upon different flavors. This is a completely different way of using a pumpkin – put the pie crust away.

(Tiny Urban Kitchen)

1. Pumpkin Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

Ooey, gooey, pumpkin-y. Screw Cinnabon.

(Wild Yeast)

by Emily

Guinness Makes an IPA! We Approve.

About a month ago, I received a very intriguing email from my friends at Guinness. They invited me to a beer dinner at the ultra-delicious Fixe here in Austin… a beer dinner featuring their brand new boozy offering, an IPA. Yes, an IPA from Guinness! And I promise this isn’t a joke, unlike our Guinness Crystal April Fools post of yore.

Obviously I accepted this beer dinner invite, and I’m happy to report that I was able to try lots (…and lots…) of the new Guinness IPA during that feast. Guinness IPA retains a bit of the hoppy nose and a tinge of that pleasantly bitter flavor you’d expect from an IPA, but also boasts the signature smoothness that Guinness is known and loved for – thanks to the nitro. Mmm, nitro.

But seriously, this beer is good for people who enjoy an IPA and also people who complain that they don’t like IPA. It’s an equal-opportunity beer that is almost dangerously easy to sip. Perfect for pairing with your fall cooking. And probably the only IPA I would ever call “creamy.” If you’re a total hop-head you might not be in love, but for everyone else, it’s a welcome addition to the Guinness line.

Right now, Guinness IPA is only availably in the USA, not Ireland (where Guinness is made, duh). So if you’re in the American beer market, you’re in luck! You might start seeing it in stores soon, keep your eyes peeled.

Oh, and one more pro tip courtesy of Fixe… turns out Guinness IPA pairs wonderfully with southern biscuits, steak, and seafood potpie. You learn something new every day.

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by Emily

Cinco De Mayo Necessity: Ultimate Beergaritas!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!! Probably my favorite day of the year. For those of you who aren’t familiar with my proclivity for drinking mass amounts of tequila on Cinco, well, buckle up.

One of my essentials for any Cinco de Mayo is a good beergarita. You can drink a lot without realizing how much you’re actually imbibing, and it actually tastes delightful! (PSA: I don’t care what holiday you’re celebrating, never drive drunk yo. Call yourself an Uber, Lyft, taxi, sober friend, or unfortunate booty call and make them deal with your drunk ass.)

Anyway, make these. Tonight. Or today. Or right now.

Dayna y Emily’s Classic Cinco Beergaritas

4 12oz cans of your favorite Mexican beer (or, if you really want to get “authentic Emily” just load up an unused coffee pot with keg beer)
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
Enough silver tequila to fill up 2/3 of the empty limeade can (or 1/2 can’s worth of tequila if you aren’t trynna get crazy)
2 limes, sliced

Combine the first three ingredients into your drink dispenser. (What do you mean, you don’t have a professional-grade drink dispenser?! Get one immediately, what is the point of your life right now?!) Squeeze the juice from the limes into the mixture then drop the rinds in. Fill a Ziploc bag with ice and seal it tightly, then drop it into the jug as well. (This way the ice doesn’t water down your drink… smart, eh?) Get a keg cup – because beergaritas are always best consumed out of a keg cup, and you know it – write your name on the cup so you can keep track of it, cause it’s gonna be a long night. Pour a hearty serving of beergarita in, and get this party started!

ENJOY, AMIGOS!

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by snebbu

Top 10 Foodie Gifts

Ah yes, Christmastime is here. Christmas music is playing at every department store in the nation, fathers and husbands are crankily rushing around to strings of lights, Christmas trees, and other gadgets that are used for one month out of the year, and yes- – we are all searching for gifts to please those special people in our lives. There are so many things to choose from. But what about for those of us who love food the most? What are you going to get them? A fruit of the month club? Another cookbook that will sit on the shelve to collect dust? NO! How about something that is different/unique but also enjoyable? Well, we’re here to help. Here are our 2014 suggestions:

10. Raaka Chocolate Subscription

Raaka now offers a subscription service that offers two limited edition bars and one of their “classics” sent directly to your doorstep. The limited edition bars are only available through subscription. We were in Bryant Park and got a chance to sample their Pinot Noir Salt and Pink Peppercorn bar which was very tasty. A neat idea for any chocolate lovers out there who also appreciate a twist on some original flavors.

9. The Original Bacon Kit

If you don’t like bacon, you most likely hate America as well. This kit would be fun for ANYONE to try out themselves and pride themselves on serving their own bacon on Sunday morning.

8. Handpresso Auto

You already know how I feel about this product. If you have an espresso lover in your life, I guarantee they will enjoy this. Fresh espresso in your car – what else is there to say? I mean, other than the fact that it also ensures your car will always be smelling like Starbucks!

7. Spiegelau Craft Beer Tasting Kit

Spiegelau is known for their high quality glass and practical designs, enhancing the flavors of the beverage poured into the glass. We’ve already tried the IPA, Stein, and Stout glass, but this kit gives the beer lover a glass to drink each beer they have in their fridge. I’ve been doing some in depth testing of the kit that Spiegelau sent us and I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by the way each glass enhances the aroma, flavor, and sometimes carbonation of the beer. If you know someone who loves beer, invest in two of these kits as a gift – they need to have enough glasses to share with you!

Endless Pairings: Negra Modelo

Mexican beer and fall-themed food. The perfect complement? Well, that’s what were determined to find out when Negra Modelo sent us a “pairing kit” to put it to the test. When presented with the opportunity to taste test, my answer is almost always yes. Negra Modelo sent us a box full of spices from The Spice House, two tulip glasses, a wooden cutting board, and a $50 Visa gift card to purchase the goods. Challenge accepted. Think of it as the at-home version of Chopped. Being seasonal food fans (mainly fall), we began planning a menu of fall foods that would highlight the spices (follow The Spice House recommendations) and pair well with a Vienna (dark) lager. Yes – a European beer style from Mexico. Here’s the menu:

Aged Cabot Cheese with apples, fig jam, balsamic glaze, and crostini
Spiced roasted brussels sprouts
Sweet potato puree with nutmeg and cinnamon
Ribeye steak with Quebec beef spice
Cornish Hen with bicentennial seasoning
Pork with bavarian style seasoning

We had a friend over and made a beer pairing tasting menu. Negra Modelo was served with the appetizer, followed by a taste of each protein with the sides. The beer and food was judged based on the flavor of each, whether the spices complemented the food, and if the beer paired well with each “course.” On to the tasting notes:

Negra Modelo (ABV: 5.4%)

Appearance: Dark caramel with a red hue

Aroma: Sweet scents with subtle scents of toast

Taste: Sweet malts give caramel flavor, biscuit flavor with light herbal and earthy tastes

Mouthfeel: Clean and crisp with lingering sweetness

Overall: A pleasant surprise, Negra Modelo provides more character than expected. While it is an InBev beer, I can forgive that if the brew offers some flavor. For a lager from Mexico, it offers the basic profile of a lager with extra sweetness of caramel and a toasty flavor as well. Tastes like it would pair well with fall foods. So here we go!

Endless Beer: the Spiegelau Refresh Stein

Man, sometimes writing here is hard. I had to test several different varieties of beer for this one. The Spiegelau “Refresh Beer Stein” is touted as an everybeer glass. While many beer enthusiasts believe there is a specific glass for a specific style beer, this glass is calling: “BS. Pour anything in me.” The company that brought us the IPA glass and stout glass continues to design glass for literally any beer. The Refresh Stein has a molded turbine design at the bottom of the glass. This turbine is meant to “recharge” the beer, releasing more aromas and increasing the carbonation. The only thing you have to do, is swirl the glass in order to activate the recharging of your beer. The glass also tapers to “enhance aroma.”

The challenge here was to test the glass with the various fall flavored beers. I tried the glass with a pumpkin porter, pumpkin belgian, various pumpkin ales, a kolsh, an IPA, wheat, stout, and more pumpkin beers. I was testing the glass based on several criteria:

It’s a Stine – is the design convenient for drinking?
Does the beer “re-carbonate” when swirled?
Is the aroma enhanced?
Is the flavor enhanced?
Does the glass enhance ANY kind of beer?