life as we eat it

Jubelale 2010

2010-10-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

Jubelale is here, and it is delicious. This year's label art is incredible. The 2009 label was very forgettable, and strangely enough so was the beer. I always enjoy the beer, but I almost think I anticipate the label art more than the beer. Well, 'tis the season to drink winter warmers. Enjoy them!

Introducing: Maow-Peeng Pale Ale!!

2010-05-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

That's right everybody! Now fermenting is the special edition Maow-Peeng Pale Ale, brewed specially for our annual trip to Bend! It's a NW style Pale Ale brewed with Centennial and Cascade hops! We took some pictures to document the process!

All ingredients purchased from
B ader Beer & Wine Supply!

Here we are steeping the crushed malted grains!

Smellin' good!

Shaby adding the Malt Extract.

Hops!!!!

This is what I was drinking while we were brewing!

Chillin' that wort down!

Now we wait!

Well, that's what we did today! Hopefully this one turns out. And hopefully it is ready by the time we get to Bend! I consulted with Aaron Kayser on the spelling of Maow-Peeng. I think it just rolls off the tongue. Maow-Peeng Pale Ale!

Good People Drink Good Beer-Hunter S. Thompson

2010-04-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Why have I not posted since November? Is it because Shay is pregnant? Is it because I was aggressively pursuing a new career to only be shutout at the last minute? I don't know. I can't tell you why. But don't think I have not been experiencing excellent craft brew. As we speak I am enjoying a Horn Dog Barleywine from Flying Dog Brewery in Denver, CO. It has been aging in my fridge since last year and it is delicious (Aaron Kayser left it at our house, thank you sir). I have really been re-evaluating things as of late. I don't want to be a cop, which is essentially what a park ranger is, unfortunately. My dad gave me a great piece of advice, "Bloom where you are planted". I have been planted right in the heart of "beervana" and why would I want to leave? I know this post has no particular direction or theme, but hopefully it will get me back on track. Life is too short not to drink good beer. And I think that applies to much more than just beer. Cheers!

2008 "Our Special Ale"

2009-11-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

I decided to crack open my last "Our Special Ale" from Anchor Brewing Co. in San Fransisco.

This is one of my favorite holiday beers. And probably one of the "spicier" beers of the season.
There is definitely a "figgy" component to the beer (I'm sure figgy is the technical term!). I can't really detect too much of a change from when it came out last winter. Although the beer sits at 5.5% abv, it is definitely able to be aged. I was listening to "Holiday Beer 4" from the Beer School podcast and they were sampling Our Special Ales from the late eighties, and it sounded like they held up beautifully. Well the beer is gone now. Goodnight!

Zucchini Fritters

2009-11-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

I have started and deleted five different introductions to this post. I just can't really seem to get words flowin' this morning. I guess all I would really like to say is that even though I just ate these for dinner last night, I wish I had all the ingredients in my kitchen so I could make some up for dinner again tonight! Or even lunch. I modified this recipe from one that I found in How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman.

I started out with five zucchini and trimmed the ends and then grated them on a box grater. Then put them all into a strainer and sprinkled a big pinch of salt over the top and let it sit for about an hour.

After the hour, rinse the zucchini and put it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze all of the water out. I even got Cody to help me with this part.

Then I put the zucchini in a large bowl and mixed egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic, green onion and some parm cheese.

Fried them up in a little oil and BLAM-O!!

Wonderful on a plate. We put our fritters on top of brown rice and topped them with fresh tomatoes, basil and horseradish.

Zucchini Fritters
Modified from Zucchini Fritters recipe by Mark Bittman

5 zucchini grated
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
2-3 cloves of garlic
2-3 green onion chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Grate zucchini and put in a strainer. Sprinkle with a large pinch of salt and let sit for an hour with a towel under the strainer. After that hour rinse zucchini and then put zucchini into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out all of the liquid.

Put squeezed zucchini into a bowl and throw in all other ingredients.

Liberally coat the bottom of a skillet with oil and keep it at about med-high heat. I used a cookie scoop to make sure each fritter was about the same size and before I put them in the oil I flattened each one. The browner they get the easier they are to flip so I let them brown up quiet a bit, about 2 minutes on each side.

**A note about the parmesan cheese-The first time I made this I used shredded parm in the little tub, and this last time I used the Kraft parm cheese with the green top (just because I forgot to buy the other at the store) and both times it turned out great!

2009 Abyss Hour Long Tasting-In Real Time

2009-11-17T20:03:00.001-08:00

7:56 p.m.-Shay demonstrates the magnitude of the moment by wearing white gloves while displaying The Abyss.

8:00 p.m.-I finally open the beer, after spending 5 minutes on the demolition of the wax covering.

8:02 p.m.-Finally I take a sip, after spending a couple of minutes admiring the absence of color in this absolutely gorgeous beer. This just might be the finest brew ever crafted (excuse the hyperbole, but this beer deserves it).

8:21 p.m.- This beer is dangerously delicious. Even though this is one of my favorite beers of all time, I'm always taken aback at how good it is when I drink it. Though this beer is incredibly heavy it still presents a strong hop character.

8:28 p.m.-This is the fourth version of The Abyss in my collection. The question is...when do I drink them? I think I will collect the first 10 editions of this beer and then hold a vertical tasting with a group of my closest friends. Probably during the holidays. So you have that to look forward to. If that is what I indeed decide to do, it will take place in 2016 and I will be 32 years old. That is crazy to me.

8:36 p.m.-Working my way through this 22 oz bottle like a champ. Shay has enjoyed the several sips she has hawked from me. Ahh, this beer is delicious.

8:38 p.m.-I am kind of kicking myself for not going to the Abyss launch party at the Portland pub. But to be honest, I forgot about it. I guess they had 2007, 2008, and 2009 all on tap at the same time. That would have been fun to sample.

8:43 p.m.-I may or may not be listening to xmas songs. Okay, I am. I can't help myself. But I must say the best xmas album of all time just might be A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi. Aaron Kayser, I am giving you credit for legitimately introducing me to this album.

8:45 p.m.-Damn, keeping this going for an entire hour is getting difficult.

8:48 p.m.-A cool pic of the Deschutes Portland pub. Just thought I would throw that it in. I once compared the atmosphere of the new pub to that of a Red Robin. This may have been an overreaction (damn, this Trans-Siberian Orchestra song I'm listening to sucks!). It is really cool inside. I guess it just doesn't feel as authentic as the public house in Bend.

8:52 p.m.-One more sip in the glass. Ahh, all gone. Ooh, I could really feel the alcohol burn in my nose on that last drink. Even though IPA's are my favorite beers to drink, I think this beer still remains at the top of my favorite beers list. But ask me again this spring when I am drinking a fresh Pliny the Elder and my answer might be different.

8:56 p.m.-Well it's been an hour. The Abyss has been consumed. I am listening to another crazy Trans-Siberian Orchestra song (you know, the majority of their songs aren't very good). Ahh, that's better. Harry Connick Jr. can sing christmas songs all day. Aight, good night!!

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

2009-11-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

The most anticipated seasonal craft beer is finally here! THE ABYSS!!

I picked a couple of bombers from By the Bottle, one for drinking, and of course, one for aging. This is the Imperial Stout brewed by Deschutes Brewing Co. This beer is battling it out with Pliny The Elder for the designation as my favorite beer! The Abyss, 11% abv, is brewed with licorice and molasses, with 33% aged in oak bourbon barrels. According to the bottle, "It's dark. It's deep. It's mysterious. This imperial stout has immeasurable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich complex profile. The flavor of this special brew draws you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey."

My collection now includes the Abyss from 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009!

I won't open this beer until later this week, so look for a post including tasting notes and pictures of the brew exposed and awaiting consumption.

Now, these aren't the only beers I picked up from By The Bottle. I also picked up the inaugural (in bottles) batch of Sleigh'r from Ninkasi Brewing Co.

According to the bottle, "A delicious northwest seasonal brewed with winter in mind. A dark double alt, malty, and delicious, it's sure to keep the winter at bay, and yes, Sleigh'r does rock!" I first had this beer last year at the Portland Holiday Ale Festival and loved it. I am so stoked that they bottled it this year. A great winter beer, and at 7.2% abv it is substantial, yet very drinkable.

Time for a quickie

2009-11-14T10:12:00.000-08:00

Well I have once again forgot to update this blog. Something that I actually love doing, but you would never know it. I am constantly taking pictures and making new and exciting foods that I really want to share, but there is so much that I have not shared yet that I feel like I can't share the new stuff without sharing the old.

So here is a quickie recap of old adventures and if anyone REALLY needs more info on any of them then please let me know and I will elaborate accordingly.

HONEYMOON!! These pictures are just a few of my faves. They include a steak salad that I had on our first night in Victoria, BC. Flowers from Buchart Gardens. Cody and I at afternoon tea at the Empress. Fish and chips from Barbs. The Empress the night of our ghost walk. Whale Watching!! And quite possibly the best food item that I had on the whole trip...a Belgian Waffle from a food cart.

Wonderful soda from POP CULTURE here in Vancouver, WA. My Fave was the ginger ale and the Creamy Red Birch Beer from Boylan's.

GO COUGS!! This was our first attempt at tailgating. We had fun but we already have a long list of things that we will do differently next year. Maybe if we tailgate right the Cougies will win.
The GARLIC FRIES were good too.

GREEN DRAGON. This is one of Cody's favorites places!! I have no idea what beer he was drinking, but they have a huge selection and Cody always takes like 5 minutes oooing and ahhing over just the beer menu. And more fries. But these are serious fries. They have some kind of seasoning that I think makes them wonderful, but the guy would not tell me what it is. a secret i guess.

VOO DOO DOUGHNUTS!!! Yes that is a Bacon maple bar. The peanutbutter and jelly one was mine and was superb. I dream about it.

Last tomotoes of the season. Turned into Salsa and Guacamole.

Fingers. butternut squash. and the BEST SANDWHICH in the world-the goofyfoot from Surfer Sands in Long Beach, WA. I PROMISE there will be another long post about this sandwhich. Explaining exactly how to make it at home and what is actually in this veggie delight!!

Our first annual Halloween party was a total success and while there were many pictures taken that night I am only going to share this one of Code and I. Dracula and a witch.

For our next HUGE adventure Cody and I are going down a different path. We have desided to try out a pescatarian diet. No meat or meat products except for seafood. I have been cooking up a veggie storm in the kitchen and have lots of new dishes to share. But you will have to wait for next time for that.

Saturday Night Dinner

2009-10-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

We picked up some soup from La Bottega in downtown Vancouver! It is a cheese and ale soup made with Laurelwood Amber Ale, chicken stock, mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, potatoes, and spices. The soup was amazing! Since the soup used beer from Laurelwood, I decided I would drink a Laurelwood beer with the meal! I picked up Prevale, an IPA brewed on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This beer was amazing! I don't know how Laurelwood does it. Their IPAs are so incredibly fresh and then they refresh! Amazing! We also bought a baguette, and sliced up some radishes, Shay's new favorite vegetable! We enjoyed our dinner while watching a classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Rope. One of my favorites. I don't think Shay liked it as much. Now I'm blogging while listening to Jazz! This is what Saturday nights are like after marriage. I love it!

Dinner and beers at Widmer

2009-10-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

Shay and I went to the Widmer brewery on Friday night for dinner and some beers. We took some cool photos to document the evening!

I really respect what the Widmer Bros. have been able to accomplish in the field of brewing. They have been around for 25 years and are going strong. But I'm sorry to say that their beer is sub par to many other breweries in the Portland area. Don't get me wrong, on a national level they are probably still ahead of the curve, but it is tough to keep up here in Beervana. Although their beer set a benchmark for many other breweries I feel like they have gotten too big to consistently put out a good product. The other night I had their Oktoberfest beer and a specialty IPA they brewed. I was underwhelmed with both. And while their brewery configuration is amazing and their location is prime, the atmosphere of the pub is lacking. It just feels like I am in a Red Robin.

Their food on the other hand is very good. Shay and I had a delicious fondue appetizer and they also serve a mean steak salad. But I am afraid the food is not reason enough to make the trip. Despite the somewhat negative comments I will continue to enjoy a select few of their brews. Their Hef is a great summer beer. Broken Halo IPA is no slouch. And their winter warmer Brrr was quite enjoyable. I really don't mean to dog on Widmer. I recognize their importance in the microbrewing scene of Portland. They just don't stand out anymore.

Fall has officiall arrived!

2009-10-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

How do I know Fall is here? Because I am drinking Pumking from Southern Tier Brewing Company! This is one of my favorite beers of all time! It is an imperial pumpkin ale that sits at a ghastly 9.0% abv. This ale is quite literally a dessert in a glass. The beer has an exquisite "biscuity" character to it that reminds me of pie crust! It finishes off with delicious pumpkin pie spice flavors! The beer has a sweet, thick aromatic quality to it. Makes you think the beer is much thicker than it really is.

A Beer Loyalist's Dilemma

2009-09-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

DESCHUTES HAS RELEASED JUBELALE!!

This is one of my top ten favorite beers and I look forward to its release every fall! The dilemma is that they release it too early. I am weak so I buy it, but I wouldn't mind if they waited till at least October or early November. I am just now getting ready for fall and here come all of the delicious winter warmers. I would like to concentrate my efforts on more of the fall style beers before moving into winter. (Although at this instant I am enjoying a 2009 Jubelale in an elegant 2006 Jubelale pint glass!)

Another reason to look forward to this seasonal release is the fact that they pick a different local artist to design the label every year. I am enjoying this year's design, though it doesn't stand up to the classic labels of 2005 and 2006!
It isn't quite the same enjoying Jubelale in 80 degree weather, instead of a dark, frigid night in December. But I am excited that it has arrived and look forward to great fall/winter seasons and great beers!

MAKE THESE NOW!!!!!!

2009-09-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

Sea salt caramels.

Who knew I could love something more than Cody?? Just kiddin' bear! But really these are so wonderful with the coarse salt and sweet buttery caramel. I just had to take a deep breath! I saw the recipe on Shutterbean awhile ago and I have had them in the back of my mind to make, but I just had one tiny problem. I did not own any sea salt. The original recipe calls for flur de sel but said sea salt would work fine. I looked all over and finally found some salt that was to my liking at HomeGoods of all places! (If you have never been there-it is definitely worth the trip! Lots of stuff for decorating and some just overall weird items)

With my new salts and a good hankering for caramel I went home and got to work.

I even took a few to each of my neighbors. I got many many thanks and yesterday was garbage day and when I got home my garbage can and recycling bins had already been pulled back under the carport! SCORE!!!!

WARNING- the recipe just says to wait until the sugar mixture is "the right color" and then add the milk. Well the second time I did this I waited until the mixture was a dark golden brown-Think deep beach tan-and the end result had a twinge of burned flavor. The first time I only let the sugar mixture get a light golden brown-Think sunkissed beach tan-and they turned out perfect!!

The only variation I made from the recipe is I added melted chocolate to the top of mine and then sprinkled them with the salt. Heaven.

Just For Fun!

2009-09-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

Random Food Adventures!!!

2009-08-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

The wedding is done. The honeymoon is over. Back to normal life. My new adventure is food!!

While I received TONS of awesome kitchen gadgets as wedding presents-I have not been able to use them all and really we have been so busy that I have not had any time to even clean my kitchen, let alone cook in it. I daydream of a time where I have so much free time that I can organize, cook, clean, try out new recipes...

Here are some of my resent post-wedding food adventures. enjoy!

Cody and I found this crazy little candy bar at Whole Foods in the meat department. At first glance we laughed, then we were a little grossed out, then we thought we should not judge a candy bar by its ingredients and decided to try it. Sweet and savory. The bacon was in big enough pieces that you could taste it, but it wasn't overpowering. And as an added bonus as I was taking a bite I noticed some letters, so I pulled the candy all the way out of its wrapper and saw this great message. I am not sure why I had to close my eyes, but I did. it was worth it.

Sometime last week I wanted to make dinner, but was short on time. I took a look in the fridge and freezer and found everything here to make this beautiful meal! The adventure on this plate was the couscous. I had never made it before this meal! It was super easy and really good with all of the extras I through in! This couscous came from a box mix-and I really think when I make couscous again I will definitely NOT do this. The only reason is because the boxed mix was kinda spendy and the seasoning packet kinda boring. I would rather make-up my own. I loved the cucumber salad (just cucumbers with a little dressing) because it was good and uncomplicated.

The last adventure is a new take on an absolute favorite in our house! These personal pizzas are made by using the Middle Eastern flat bread from Trader Joe's, spaghetti sauce, and then toppings. This time we used carmelized onions and peperoni. Usually we do red onion, mushroom, sausage, basil and mozzarella. I am getting hungry just thinging about them!! I got the recipe from a blogger I LOVE! Shutterbean is always fun to read, and she inspires me to get my bum in the kitchen and try one of her amazing dishes. (and as an added bonus, her baby Cooper is SUPER CUTE!!! -check out the picture of him in his crib when he was just tiny!! He looks like a bean!)

But back to the pizza...They are so easy and I always have mine with a glass of red wine. I really want to have someone over for dinner and make these just so we can talk about how good they are! any takers???

Plenty Of Mohicans: The Pursuit of the Perfect Spread

2009-08-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Kat and Aaron's housewarming party weekend extravaganza. We had a great time! But there were a few photos taken that will provide proof of the most extensive, impressive, and delicious Spread I have ever seen. But let us not get ahead of ourselves.

Here we have "Master Spreader" Aaron Kayser starting the preparatory process. Kayser is at the forefront of bringing Spreading back into America's collective consciousness. His hard work and innovative style allow him to create Spreads like none have seen before. His knife skills are unparalleled and he has the presence of a... Morimoto, or Bobby Flay in the kitchen. The Iron Kitchen that is. Aaron's "Us versus the world" mentality is awe-inspiring and must be experienced in person to truly appreciate his presence in the kitchen.
But before we get to the final product, let's talk about what else happened. We stumbled upon a new drinking game that we coined "Coaster Flip" or "Flippin' Coasters". The object of the game is to flip a beer coaster from the table to the top of an object, pint glass, growler, etc. And when you succeed everyone has to drink. It may not be a very effective drinking game because, depending on your coaster flipping abilities, it can be a difficult task to complete. Amazing how easily entertained some college graduates are these days.

So by this point the party is in full swing. We had a delicious lasagna dinner and watched the Seahawks pre-season game. Everyone having a great time. A couple hours go by...and its time for the 10 o'clock Bite. The Spread. All of Kat and Aaron's hard work had paid off. They were about to present us with the greatest spread ever created.

The Spread was life altering. I couldn't believe my eyes. I can only imagine the crazed look in my eye as I aggressively moved through the crowd toward the table. I made my seat as close to the food as was possible. From there I ate...and ate...and ate...and ate...and ate. I could not get enough of the homemade hummus. At that point, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

The party continued on into the night. We kept eating. We kept drinking. And simply enjoyed the company of those around us. This was an indulgent weekend. It was a fantastic weekend. I feel extremely fortunate to associate with people who want to enjoy life as much as I do. Through delicious food. Well crafted adult beverages. And lasting friendships.

I HAVE FOUND MY BEER FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER!

2009-07-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

The beer is...Hell Or High Watermelon Wheat from 21st Amendment Brewery in San Fransisco! It just might be the perfect summer beer. I have been aching to try this beer ever since i started listening to Beer School, the beer podcast authored by John and Motor! I finally found it at
Belmont Station in Portland. I bought a couple watermelon wheats and 21st Amendment's IPA. And both beers come in cans!! Very exciting. At 4.9% abv, this is a perfect session beer for any summer activity, like maybe...a couple rounds of golf at the world renowned Long Beach Golf Course! Can't wait for that! Also, while at Belmont Station I had a Blind Pig IPA from Russian River Brewing Co. on draft. Very delicious. I wish I lived closer to the station. It's a wonderful place!

Listening to: Minus the Bear-Patiently Waiting, Stanley Jordan-Impressions, J Dilla-Workinonit, Sufjan Stevens-Chicago

I earned these beers!!

2009-07-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

*Listening to: Derecho-Machiatto, Larrabee, After The Deception Passed, Secret Beat #5, The Dynamic, Leave It Behind (AK Remix)

So today I worked a 9 hour day in 95 degree weather. Let's just say I felt obligated to enjoy some fine craft brews tonight! I started the night off with Anchor Brewing's Liberty Ale! I forgot how great this beer is! It was the perfect beer to enjoy on a ridiculously hot evening. Great hop flavor and carbonation. This beer was actually first brewed in 1975 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Paul Revere's legendary ride. Well in 2175 I'm going to brew a beer to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this beer!

The next beer I enjoyed was the Hop Devil Ale from Victory Brewing Co. in Downington, PA. I have always seen this beer around, but have never gotten around to trying it. Well, it was worth the wait. This hoppy, yet refreshing ale sits at 6.7% abv.

The 3rd beer of the evening is near and dear to my heart. Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale! This beer is absolutely delicious! Sour ales are definitely an acquired taste, that I have acquired. When I first tried this beer last fall I couldn't comprehend what I was tasting. I didn't like it. Now I can appreciate it for what it is. Amazing. The beer has a sour aroma, almost like vinegar. But the finish is an intricate inter-weaving of sweet and sour. Sour ales are great. This is your introductory sour ale. Go find it. Go drink it. Let me know.

Black Butte XXI: Another beer to add to the collection!

2009-07-14T20:43:00.001-07:00

I picked up a bottle of Deschutes' Black Butte XXI tonight from By the Bottle in Vancouver, WA! I also got to sample it before I purchased it. According to the bottle, "Porter brewed with chocolate beans and coffee added with 20% aged in bourbon barrels. This robust beer sits at 11% abv. The beer had an intense coffee bitterness, but will definitely open up and mature with some aging.

And while I was posting this, I was enjoying a Green Flash West Coast IPA. One of my favorites!

Fort George Brewery, Astoria, OR, July 3, 2009

2009-07-13T22:09:00.001-07:00

These are pics from July 3rd, 2009, when Shay and I ventured to Long Beach for 4th of July weekend. We stopped at the Fort George Brewery in Astoria, OR. This was the second time we had been there, but the first time we tried their food. Shay had a hamburger and I had some kind of chicken sandwich on flat bread. Both were delicious. I also had a couple Vortex IPAs, my favorite beer from Fort George. I love the fact that the craft beer culture has found its way to Astoria. Can't wait to go back!

Saturday Night, Ninkasi Night Cont'd...

2009-07-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

So in between the Ninkasi beers I enjoyed a pale ale from Caldera Brewing Co. Another amazing canned beer from the folks in Ashland. Shay and I got Pad Thai for dinner and we ordered 3 stars, but I'm pretty sure we got 4 stars! It was so insanely hot, we couldn't finish it. My mouth was on fire, so it was hard for me to enjoy this beer, but I did anyway!

And last, but certainly not least, is the Tricerahops Double IPA from Ninkasi Brewing Co. One of my favorite IPAs!! This beer was already on my top 10 IPA list, but I think I am going to have to go back to that post and move it up the list! This succulent double IPA sits at 8.8% abv. This well crafted ale has a subtle sweetness to it, making it very enjoyable on a balmy summer's evening. As I sit here and finish the last few drops of this sweet nectar, I can't help but think...Ninkasi, just might be producing my favorite beers!!

Saturday Night, Ninkasi Night

2009-07-11T17:53:00.001-07:00

Tonight I am enjoying a couple of "bombers" of Ninkasi's finest craft beers. I am starting off with their delicious Believer Double Red Ale. This DRA (Double Red Ale) sits at 6.9% abv. It is built upon a robust malt backbone, and supported by trusses of crisp hop flavor. This beer is extremely well-balanced and a great reason to publish a new post on your beer blog. 'Nuff said.

July Beer Escapades

2009-07-11T13:25:00.001-07:00

Radiant Summer Ale, a seasonal release from Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, OR is the perfect compliment to the rest of their stellar beer selection. At 6% abv the summer ale was extremely drinkable yet flavorful. I highly recommend searching this beer out this summer!
The next beer was an IPA from Caldera Brewing in Ashland, OR. This refreshing craft brew has a prominent spot on my top 10 IPA list! At 6.1% abv, this IPA has a prominent hop character yet deliciously drinkable. Caldera Brewing actually distributes their brews in cans, which preserves their freshness, ensuring that you get a fresh beer everytime! This beer and Hop Monkey from Laurelwood Brewing have been my mainstay IPAs this summer!

long time comin'

2009-06-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have neglected you little blog. and for that i apologize. I will do better. BUT I do have an excuse..Last Sunday morning around 1:30AM I had horrid pain in my lower abdomen. Horrific pain. The night before was my bachelorette party and so when I got sick I thought that I had just drank too much. That was not the case. It turns out I had appendicitis and had to have my appendix taken out! I went into surgery at about 11:30-ish on Sunday night and went home Monday at about 10 AM!! I am still recovering, and kind of enjoying my scars. Like a badge of honor.

So, while still feeling a little tired and worn-out, Cody and I went to the Recycled Arts Festival at Ester Short Park in downtown Vancouver. Vancouver maybe just "another suburb of Portland" but they have so many awesome summer events! We have been super busy every weekend just checking out what is going on a few blocks from our house.

Here are some high-lights in picture form:
This chair is covered in beer caps. It was so funny to look at these because I couldn't help but think of all the beer this guy had to drink to make it-and how in about 3 months I could probably make the same chair with all the beer Cody drinks! :) Just kiddin' Code.

Here is a school of rock fish that I LOVED!!! (Sorry for the underlining...I must have hit something and now I don't know how to turn it off. grrrr...)

The metal mermaid. She kinda freaked me out but was also really cool. We saw a lot of other things like funny dolls, stained glass, other sculptures. Overall it was a great experience and we plan on going back next year with a little cash to spend!

Blog, (and Readers if there are any other there) I promise it will not be that long until I post again. And why is the underline on again??? **sigh

My Beer Weekend!

2009-06-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

The beer that started it all off was Bridgeport's Stumptown Tart. A wheat beer brewed with cherries. This beer is part of Bridgeport's "Big Beers" series. 50% percent of the beer was aged in oak barrels and the other half was brewed with cherries. This created a big, crisp beer that sat at 8.3% abv. I was expecting an aggressive sourness and "big beer" quality, but it fell disappointingly short. It was highly carbonated and just slightly sour. It just tasted like a poorly done fruit beer. I was so excited for this beer because some friends and I toured Bridgeport's facility last weekend and we were able to see these bottles before they were released. Unfortunately, it was a painful experience having to get through the entire 22 oz bottle.

The next beer took the weekend to an entirely different level. The beer was 90 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head. This is an imperial IPA that sits at 9% abv. There was a strong hop bitterness, but it was there was a "nuttyness" to it that really grabbed me. As the name suggests this beer is a happy medium between Dogfish Head's 60 and 120 Minute IPAs.

The next beer changed my beer life forever. It was the West Coast IPA from Green Flash Brewing in San Diego! After only one sip the beer automatically vaulted onto my top 10 IPAs list! As said on the bot tle, this beer is "extravagantly hopped". It is 7.3% abv and achieved 95 ibus (international bitterness units). This beer rang true to its name, definitely a west coast IPA. By the time I finished the 12 oz beer my tongue screaming obscenities while gasping for air. For sure, I will seek this beer out again and again!

I finished up with a beer I have been aging for almost 6 months. It was Doggie Claws Barleywine from Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., a bottle conditioned ale that weighed in at 11% abv! After chilling out for 6 months this beer lost all of its hop presence and was very sweet. Very decadent and difficult to finish after all of the beers during the weekend. Overall it was a very productive weekend of discovering new craft beer.

Hop Monkey-Laurelwood Brewing

2009-06-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite IPAs. Its got great hop character while also being extremely drinkable. I would have to say so far, my favorite beer to drink this summer. Others also being Bridgeport IPA and Cinder Cone Red from Deschutes.

A Nice Belgian...DAMNATION!!

2009-06-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

I am drinking a nice belgian from the innovative brewers at Russian River. Damnation. A golden ale that resides at 7.75% abv. In my opinion Russian River can do no wrong, and Damnation falls rigidly into line with that thought. Aside from the complex flavors, the carbonation is what grabs my attention. The brew assaults the front of my tongue with the force of a pack of shock tarts soaked in Jack Daniels. Wow, I have no idea what that means, but it sort of makes sense. Kinda.

Steak dinner and deliciously aged beers!

2009-06-13T21:46:00.001-07:00

So we spontaneously made a steak dinner tonight! We got a couple of Top Loin New York strips (two inches thick!) and fried them in a pan. I liberally seasoned them with salt and pepper and cooked them to a nice medium rare. They actually turned out really well. The last time I attempted to pan fry steak it was a disaster.

Preceding the steak dinner; I opened a couple of beers from my collection! First was a 6 month old Scaldis Noel, which was delicious.

Next was an Anchor "Our Special Ale" which was also tasty. It tasted like Christmas in June!

Top 10 IPAs

2009-06-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Pliny The Elder-Russian River Brewing Co.
Tricerahops Double IPA-Ninkasi Brewing Co.
Hop Henge-Deschutes Brewing Co.
Racer 5 IPA-Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Hop Monkey-Laurelwood Brewing Co.
West Coast IPA-Green Flash Brewing Co.
Brew Free Or Die IPA-21st Amendment Brewing Co.
Majaraja IPA-Avery Brewing Co.
IPA-Caldera Brewing Co.
Inside Passage Ale-Boundary Bay Brewing Co.

*Honorable Mentions
90 Minute IPA-Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales
Inversion IPA-Deschutes Brewing Co.
Hop Czar-Bridgeport Brewing Co.
IPA-Bridgeport Brewing Co.
Celebration-Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (pretty sure, style wise, this is considered an ipa)

*120 Min IPA-Dogfish Head...this is in a class all by itself. It's not a conventional IPA but is labeled as such.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I'm so disappointed with you...

2009-06-11T20:07:00.001-07:00

Widmer Drifter Pale Ale. I was really diggin' on this beer when it first came out. But the last two times I have bought it, it has been off. I think the first six pack might have been past its prime, but I don't have an excuse for this last one. It was flat and tasted almost skunky. I had such high hopes for this beer. I don't know if I can buy it again for fear that it will be bad. R.I.P. Drifter

Sturgeon Fishing!

2009-06-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

I went sturgeon fishing on the Columbia with Burt and Bob today. Long day, and this is what we had to show for it. 58 inches of prehistoric fish monster splendor. Bob caught it. He was due. Now Shay is fryin' up our portion in a Widmer Drifter beer batter. Dee-Lish!

Bridgeport Hop Czar

2009-06-09T19:18:00.001-07:00

Hop Czar from Bridgeport. An Imperial India Pale Ale that resides at 8% abv. This is a great beer. I love their traditional IPA, but this one steps it up a few notches. Super hoppy, but also incredibly drinkable. I will enjoy this!

Top 10 Beers You Can Actually Find...Sometimes, Some Places

2009-06-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

WARNING: I am going to attempt to rank these beers, but rankings are subject to change at any time!

1. The Abyss-Deschutes Brewing Co.
2. Consecration-Russian River Brewing Co.
3. Pliny the Elder-Russian River Brewing Co.
4. Pumking-Southern Tier Brewing Co.
5. Firestone Walker XII-Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
6. Scaldis Noel-Brasserie Dubuisson
7. Hop Henge IPA-Deschutes Brewing Co.
8. Sang Royal-Cascade Brewing
9. 120 Minute IPA-Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales
10. Jubelale-Deschutes Brewing Co.

*Revision at #10. Nate and Kayser talked some sense into me and I had to add Jubelale to the list. I don't know what I was thinking.

Plant Family!

2009-06-08T19:27:00.001-07:00

Here are is our family of plants in our back yard! From left to right: Lettuce, Tomato, Basil, Chives, Red Pepper, Hot Pepper, Pine Tree and some kind of wildflowers! We have already started eating the lettuce and it is very tasty. And we just got our first tomato!

Beer Collection

2009-06-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

These beers are the major highlights of my beer collection. These are high alcohol beers that will age similarly to wine. The flavor profiles will evolve and most of the hop bitterness will even out for a smoother finish. From left to right: 2006 Jubelale, 2008 Jubelale, 2006 Abyss, 2007 Abyss, 2008 Abyss, 2008 Scaldis Noel, 2008 Anchor "Our Special Ale". The Jubelales and Abyss are seasonal selections from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR. The Scaldis Noel is a holiday seasonal from Brasserie Dubuisson in Belgium. And the "Our Special Ale" is from Anchor Brewing in San Fransisco.
The Abyss is one of the most intriguing beers I have ever had. It is a Russian Imperial Stout that sits at an intimidating 11.0% abv (alcohol by volume). It pours out of the bottle like motor oil and coats your glassware like molasses. Definitely in my top 5 favorite beers! Oh, one random statement. DRINK YOUR CRAFT BEER FROM A GLASS!

Chicken Success and Dessert Disaster

2009-06-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

First food blog! woot woot! Lately I have been looking at a bunch of different blogs about food and cooking and feeling totally inspired to try some of the amazing things I read about. I will put links to some of my favorite blogs up once Code shows me how. (I'm new to all of this, so just be patient.)

SO after going to the store and getting a few ingredients I came home ready to make a wonderful meal. Oven roasted chicken, potato salad, and dill, red onion, and cheese drop biscuits AND for dessert some kind of tart using a new tart pan I got at Goodwill.

First I must say the biscuits are amazing. I took one look at them on everybody loves sandwiches and knew I had to make them. The recipe is simple and the end result is nothing short of a masterpiece. I WILL make these again. In fact I plan on getting up early and making poached eggs to top these babies off for tomorrows breakfast!

My first time roasting chicken and I have to say it was really good. I tend to think less is more in the seasoning department, so all I really did was rub the chicken with some melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Oven at 375 and cook for about 50 minutes.

My potato salad was kind of a catch-all mix of things in the fridge.

ALRIGHT....now to my total disappointment:
Really there is NOTHING good about this dessert. I started with a oat meal crust (oat meal, melted butter and brown sugar-mixed together and then pressed into the pan and baked for 15 minutes at 350) then a boxed mix of pudding which I added a little dark rum to, and top with strawberries. I really had such high hopes which all came crashing down once I took one bite.

It just sort of bums me out because I was hoping for a great sweet treat. Maybe I'll make Cody go to the store for some ice cream...

Beer Post

2009-06-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

Over the course of this blog the majority of the food posts will probably come from Shay, and the beer posts from me. I have a healthy obsession with craft beer. I'm a little fish in the giant pond of beer that is Portland, OR. It really is beervana. At any given time you can find me shopping at By the Bottle in Vancouver or enjoying a robust gathering of craft beers at the Green Dragon Brewpub in Portland.

First Post!

2009-06-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is our first blog! We are going to use it to display our adventures with, food, beer and life!