Confessions of a Beer Geek: 04/01/2011

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Busy as a bee-r & Buckshot Boogaloo

The word "busy" is seriously overused in our society. We've come up with all kinds of lame ass excuses as to what constitutes "busy." Busy isn't surfing the web, playing video games, drinking beer, writing blogs, watching movies, or going out for sushi. Busy is working two jobs, raising kids, going to school... doing things that matter and/or better your life in some meaningful way.

With that said... I've been "busy." Surfing the web, playing video games, drinking beer, writing blogs, watching a lot of baseball (the Giants kicked the crap outta the Rockies 2 out of 3 games!)... and yes, eating sushi. But mostly I've been "busy" with the relaunch of BeerTapTV.

The new website (and new name - DrenchNetworks) launched on Monday and we've released two butt spanking new shows: Buzzed on Sports is an irreverant sports lifestyle show where WhopTbird Jones and myself poke fun at anything and everything that encompasses sports... with a heavy dose of beer in our guts. In our first episode we drink a beer inspired by Evel Knievel while dissecting the tasing of a Pirate's fan, discuss the 'roid problem in baseball (sayonara Manny!), break down the playoff scenarios for the NHL and NBA... and a lot more!

Today we aired the first episode of What's on Tap, a weekly party with Romey and his pint slammin' sidekick Fake Dante. This week the Drunk Duo visit the Star Bar in Downtown Denver, Colorado. They talk to the owner about what makes a great bar with great beer, sing Karaoke with a few hotties and another n00b gets owned in the open throat pint pour.

Next week we roll out another new show called "Beers With Boles"... a revamped one-man version of our old show "Taste Buds." The week after that... yet another new show we're keeping under wraps for now. Check 'em out and let us know what you think!

So ya, I guess you could say I really am "busy." Maybe.

Before I sign off I wanted to point you to a blogger/teacher/writer/craft beer fan/Dodger fan... Jesse ~~Gold~~ Gloyd (where did I get Gold from?) of the blog, Buckshot Boogaloo I know. I'm a Giants fan. He's a Dodger fan. By the laws of nature we're supposed to hate each other. But I really like this guy's take on beer and baseball. A few weeks ago he posted a great interview he did with Brewmaster John Legnard of Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field in Denver. Be sure to give it a read!

Until next time... Zivjeli!

Monday, April 11, 2011

The Mad Man's Epic Beer Time: Czech'n up on Redhook's Pilsner

Hey there and welcome back to the latest episode of whatever this train wreck happens to be! This week on Epic Beer Time (which is 100% a name steal from Epic Meal Time and nowhere close to being as good as that epic show)...

I slug down a Pilsner from Redhook. This bad boy used to be the seasonal formerly known as Rope Swing, but it was so popular they made it a full time brew. And I give the BBbarfly bottle opener a try. Are you ready for some beer-fu? If not... grab one today!

The Beer: Pilsner from Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville, Washington.

From the Brewer: Pilsner is brewed in a traditional Czech style and is the first pilsner Redhook Ale Brewery has ever released. It offers a very soft palate and malt flavors that are offset by a medium dose of destinct Czech hops to bring out its authentic flavors. The refreshing beer finishes with a clean, bright, thirst-quenching quality. Pilsner pairs nicely with barbecued chicken, bratwurst, spicy food, fresh fish, and green salad.

The Beer Box Score

Style: Pilsner
ABV: 5.3%
IBUs: 25
Malts: Pale, Carapils, Caramel, Munich
Hops: Saaz
Yeast: Strain biologically goes back to Czech Republic
OG: 12.7
Extras: Aged at near freezing temps for four to six weeks.
Distribution: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington
Availability: Year around
Beer Advocate: B- from users; B+ from brothers
Rate Beer Score: 31% overall, 41% in style
Beer Tap TV Rapid Classification: Class I (Pure Flatwater)

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Beer is the elixir of the gods. A refreshing beverage made of hops, barley and a pantheon of other delicacies that when looked at properly - through beer goggles perhaps, has quite literally changed the entire course of human history.

Confession is good for the soul... along with a good beer or two. Come join me in the confessional, won't you?

Since 2007 Eli Shayotovich has been writing about the craft beer world for various online and print publications. Besides writing this beer blog, he serves as the Colorado Springs Beer Examiner, writes the "Lower Front Range" column for the Rocky Mountain Brewing News and is the VP of Content & Programming for Beer Tap TV. Needless to say, when he's not imbibing great craft beer, he's writing or talking about it somewhere.

Contact Eli directly at: Eli@ConfessionsOfABeerGeek.com

When you drink... Drinkwel!

You know I'm not a shill. So if I endorse a product it's because I've personally tried it out and know that it works. Like all things, results may vary, but I can tell you that Drinkwel works great for me! Formulated by a Ph.D in Biomedical Science and a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, this 30-ingredient multivitamin is full of stuff that combats dehydration and replenishes nutrients, supports healthy liver function, and helps process the toxins associated with drinking alcohol. If you've been looking for something that really does get rid of that awful hangover... Drinkwel is what you've been searching for! Give it a try and see if you don't feel fantastic after a night of chugging kegs of good brew. Cheers!

Mad Beer Man Tested! Mad Beer Man APPROVED!

Beer Quote of the Day

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy," is a quote that's been widely attributed to Benjamin Franklin. However, Ben never actually uttered this line. Ole Ben actually loved wine, not beer. In a letter to his friend, Andre Morellet Franklin said: “Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.”

*For more info on this topic, see famed beer historian, Bob Skilnik's website, Beer(& More) In Food.

Liquid Engineering

If there's one thing I like almost as much as beer, it's a good Bloody Mary. Which usually goes hand in hand the morning after drinking beer. Or days that end in "y." With that... this lil segment will host the best of the best recipes for that favorite hangover elixir.

At the Blind Tiger Alehouse you can get Louise's Famous Bloody Beer, which is the bar's version of a Bloody Mary. Instead of vodka, Louise's uses a strong ale, plus tomato juice and secret spices. It is garnished with celery, olives, pickles and other treats.

The Mark Bar serves a mean Michelada. The cocktail is similar to a Bloody Mary, but it's made with Mexican beer instead of Russian Vodka.

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The Smoked Jalapeño and Cilantro Bloody Mary by Brian Marcotte (from Riley McDermott's in Florida)

Recipe:

1 gallon V8 juice
5 cups (40 ounces) vodka (Roberto Cavalli recommended)
3 ounces canned chipotle
1 bunch finely chopped cilantro
3 ounces horseradish
1 teaspoon celery salt
Juice of 3 limes
Cracked black pepper and salt to taste

Mix all ingredients, except vodka, together. Then blend two ounces of vodka with six ounces of the mix and pour into an 8-ounce glass. This recipe should render about 20 servings. Garnish each with a lemon wedge and a spear with okra and olive.

* "Liquid Engineering" name borrowed from City Link Magazine

Today's Beer/Food Recipe/Pairing

From Samuel Adams

Grilled Skirt Steak Tacos

* INGREDIENTS:
* 2 pounds skirt steak cleaned
* For Marinade:
* 1 bottle Samuel Adams Boston Lager
* 12 oz coca cola
* 3 cloves garlic
* 1 onion
* 2T soy sauce

* FIXIN'S:
* 8oz prepared guacamole
* 2 limes quartered
* 1 red onion diced
* 1 bunch cilantro chopped
* 24 corn tortillas
* 1 pound Monterey jack cheese grated

PREPARATION:
Marinade: Combine ingredients above (except the meat) blender and puree until smooth. Pour mixture over skirt steak and let marinate minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight. Light grill to medium heat. Dry steak and season with salt and pepper. Grill to medium rare. Set aside and slice across grain.

To Assemble: Heat tortilla for 30 seconds on grill. Top with cheese, guacamole, steak, onions and cilantro. Serve with lime.

Grilled Summer Vegetables with Summer Ale Vinaigrette

Recipe by Chef David Burke

* For the Vegetables:
* 1 bunch asparagus
* 8-10 pc. Peeled baby carrots
* 1 red pepper
* 1 yellow pepper
* 1 medium zucchini cut in 1/3 inch slices
* 1 medium yellow squash cut in 1/3 inch slices
* 1 red onion cut in ½ inch slices
* 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
* sea salt & fresh ground pepper

* For the Marinade:
* 1 tsp fresh thyme
* 1 tsp fresh oregano
* 1 tsp chopped fresh chive
* 1 tsp minced shallot
* 1 tsp Dijon mustard
* 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
* 1 cup canola oil

* For the Summer Ale Vinaigrette:
* 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
* 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
* ½ cup white balsamic vinegar
* 2 tbsp Samuel Adams Summer Ale
* 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (chive, tarragon, parsley)
* Salt, pepper to taste

Instructions:
Separately blanch asparagus & carrots in boiling, salted water. Cut carrots in half lengthwise. Whisk together all ingredients for marinade and coat zucchini, yellow squash, and red onion. Lightly coat peppers in olive oil with salt & pepper and grill, turning frequently until pepper is charred all around. Wrap each pepper in paper towel and set aside. Season vegetables with salt & pepper and grill on both sides until warmed through. When peppers cool slightly, carefully remove stem & seeds. Using back of a paring knife, carefully remove skin. Whisk together all garnish ingredients and lightly dress vegetables

Want to learn more about cooking with Samuel Adams beers and Food & Beer pairings? Head to www.samueladams.com and go to "Food & Beer" and start exploring.

Cheese 'Burker' Sliders
(recipe yields 3 mini sliders)
Recipe by Chef David Burke

* Ingredients:
* 6 oz. English muffin
* 6 oz. ground beef
* ½ bottle Samuel Adams Boston Lager
* Sliced Pickles
* 6 slices American Cheese, cut in 1 x 1 inch pieces
* 3 Tomato Skewers

Instructions:
Slice English muffins in half. Scoop out ½ of the bread on the bottom portion. Fill with two oz ground beef that has been tossed with Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Place on sheet pan upside down (on meat side) to brown meat for 3 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove from oven and top meat with cheese and thinly sliced pickles and top of English muffin. Heat in oven for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from heat and skewer with tomato. Serve immediately.

Want to learn more about cooking with Samuel Adams beers and Food & Beer pairings? Head to www.samueladams.com and go to "Food & Beer" and start exploring.

From Widmer Brothers Brewery

Broken Beef Stew (Serves 6)

Ingredients:
# Broken Halo IPA
# 2 pounds stew beef, cut in 1-inch cubes
# 4 medium carrots, sliced
# 4 medium potatoes, cubed
# 3 small onions, peeled and quartered
# 10 ½ oz of beef broth
# 1 tsp salt
# ½ tsp black pepper
# ¼ tsp dried thyme
# ¼ tsp dried basil
# 1 medium bay leaf
# ¼ cup all-purpose flour
# ¼ cup cold water

Preparation: In a large skillet, brown meat. Add Broken Halo, beef broth, herbs and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 90 minutes.

Add vegetables and continue cooking 30 to 45 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Taste and add salt if needed.

In a small bowl, mix the flour and water until smooth; stir into stew until hot and thickened.