Beer

We are on the doorstep of the opening of one of the world’s greatest annual events. No, we're not talking about the semi-annual Lindsay Lohan court appearance; we're talking about Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is an event worthy of your attendance and one that you would likely feel the urge to return (as opposed to Mardi Gras, Carnival in Brazil and your last family reunion). The event takes place 15 days before the first Sunday in October and the festival lasts for two weeks.

 

In Pennsylvania Breweries 4th Edition, Lew Bryon takes you on a guided tour of the states Breweries and much, much more. To be sure, this is a book about Beer but that’s just a clever disguise for the amazing travel guide that lies underneath. Lew takes the reader to historical places of interest, local attractions, lodging, and restaurants and bars as well. Even those with just a vague interest in Beer (can’t imagine such a person) would be highly entertained by this book.

I love a great Session Beer and luckily it appears that I am not alone. These days there are a greater number of Beers being created in the Craft Beer world that are designed to reach us outliers who seek proportion over heft and subtlety over sheer power. To the obliging brewers I say, thanks!

Ho, ho, ho, and a bottle of brew - 2009 version. One of our favorite food and beverage traditions of the holiday season is the release of the various holiday, winter, and Christmas beers from around the world.

Thanks to greater interest and a far more sophisticated import network, we in the US now see a greater number of holiday beers than ever before not to mention the growing number of fantastic brews made in the USA.

Ho, ho, ho, and a bottle of brew. One of my favorite food and beverage traditions of the holiday season is the release of the various holiday, winter, and Christmas beers from around the world. Thanks to greater interest and a far more sophisticated import network, we in the US now see a greater number of holiday beers than ever before. Additionally, a greater number of US breweries are offering special beers for the season.

The mention of cider in the US takes most Americans’ thoughts to the cloudy, amber, delicious, but decidedly non-alcoholic beverage found in groceries and farm stands in the fall. Ask for a cider in the UK and Ireland and you will be presented with a very different drink. Here cider is most often clear, carbonated, and most definitely possessing alcohol. Many in the states still refer to this variety as hard cider.

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Recently I had the opportunity to sit down to dinner with Samuel Adams founder Jim Koch at David Burke's Primehouse in Chicago. David prepared a tremendous meal pairing his creations with a selection of Samuel Adams beers. The meal was topped off with the introduction of the latest release of their Utopias. Utopias is an extreme beer that dwarfs all other extreme beers.

Updated December 2, 2008