The 101 on Beer

call me a late bloomer. i am just beginning to discover the magnificent complexity of beer

i've never liked beer…that is until recently. moon beer put me on a path of educating myself on the difference between a beer and a really beer. it's time don't you think

this pizza

speakerswagon pilsner

buk rye rock

wines: sauvignon blanc

beers: lager

wines: merlot

beers: ale

heavy body

wines: cabernet sauvignon

beers: stout

pizza

another rule of thumb is if you're pairing a meal

so where was i through all of this when the beer revolution was quietly brewing in portland and finally took hold in the 1980's? turning up my nose on the way to the wine department

i've been making this beer cheese soup recipe

this recipe came from my mom's high school friend johnny glick.the gluek name has been part of minnesota brewing history

many drinkers maintained that it had a higher than average alcohol contents

gluek's beer cheese soup

butter

flour

half-and-half

beer

chicken broth

cheddar cheese

pepper

heat butter

add cheese and stir to melt

that second step of dunking them in guinness and flour was the brilliant extra that made them really crunchy

p.s. i only use vidalias

guinness beer battered onion rings

vidalia onions

buttermilk

flour

garlic pepper seasoning

kosher salt

extra stout beer

canola oil

separate onions into rings

combine flour

combine flour and beer in bowl and whisk to blend

deep fryer to 350°f

working in batches; remove onions from buttermilk and drain. dredge in seasoned flour; shake excess. dip in beer batter; drain excess

carefully lower onion rings

repeat process

i thought that these short would be so much better braised in the oven but to my surprise

serve

braised hoisin beer short

dave lieberman via food network

beef short ribs

salt and pepper

vegetable oil

garlic cloves

ginger

ale

rice wine vinegar

hoisin sauce

preheat the oven degrees f

pour the hoisin sauce over the move the pot to the oven

remove and ginger from sauce. strain fat from the top of the pot so that you're left

this was an interesting drink and a perfect lead in

i used apple cider instead of the applejack. i also used my recipe

buffalo trace bourbon

pumpkin syrup

cinnamon tincture

stegaier pumpkin ale

i discovered chicken bratwurst at my butcher shop a year ago and haven't had a “real” one since they are that

remember to closely monitor the addition of vinegar and mustard to the mix as it is definitely a matter of taste

grilled bratwurst

bratwurst links

vegetable oil

hot dog buns

crock of grain mustard

baking potatoes

salt

bacon

onions

pepper

up apple cider vinegar

grain mustard

hardboiled eggs

green onions

preheat the grill

lightly brush the sausages

remove the sausages from the grill

who doesn't love mac and cheese? this version adds the great flavor of beer and be sure to use the panko crumbs. i didn't think i had any and the ends of my e ows got a slight bit

beer mac and cheese

elbow noodles

butter

flour

milk

beer

cheddar cheese

parmesan cheese

paprika

pepper

nutmeg

panko bread crumbs

complicating matters even worse

generally you pair dishes

yes

ga i.p.a

perception i.p.a.

i enjoyed all of them but to my surprise

body

body

go

an always rule of thumb: if you don't feel risky

but…on second thought

bon appetit

photo: mnbeer.com

make sure you coat them really

season

lot

laird's applejack

adapted from emeril lagasse

beers

in a saucepan

in the meantime

i found them a week later. do you think it's time to clean out my boards