Cure For Spicy Foods

I made excellent soup tonight!  Spent a lot of time preparing all the different ingredients.  Baking the chicken in white wine and tomatoes in oil and thyme before adding them to the pot.  Also sauteing garlic, onion, and celery to bring out flavors.  BUT I put in too many jalapenos!

What will cure this?????

 

Save Wisconsin Beer!

It's been all over the beer news recently: there is a bill awaiting to be passed that will force brewers to go through distributors. This eliminates independence and hurts small and potential breweries. Not only do we live in country that should honor independence and small businesses, we live in a society that is moving towards localization lowering our carbon footprint. How does it make sense to pass a bill that will make it unlawful for a brewer to use a handcart to make a delivery to the bar around the corner?

Please, help the craft brewers of Wisconsin. Sign this petition. Help keep the independence in the craft beer world.

If you do, let us know!

Logo Tee!

This isn't exactly what the shirt is going to look like, but an idea.  The shirts are still in the works.  They will be heathered navy with the logo center front.  The blog address will be on the back.  Get one fresh off the presses!

It's Summer Time!

And more importantly, time for summer beer.  Seasonal beers are great for many reasons, for one it's exciting to see new beers at your local brewery or in the beer cooler.  Another is enjoying a beer that reflects what's going on in the world around you.  Last night I was able to sit in the "hot" Alaska summer solstice sun with 21st Amendment's High or Hell Watermelon, their summer seasonal.  HHW has a fruity tone (you guessed it... watermelon!) that works as a Sunny Time Beer, but wouldn't be as appropriate after a day of skiing.

What beers are you going to be drinking this summer?

P.S. Look at our new logo!

Happy Birthday Will!

Cheers!  I hope you get your present today!

Lagers: Regaining Respect of Craft Beer Lovers

There has been a prejudice against the watery lagers of macrobreweries since, well since there's been macrobreweries. The lagers of Budweiser, Coors, and Miller are made perfectly to deliver the same exact taste in every bottle and market to the masses; and they do a damn good job. Here's the but... What about the part of the beer market that drinks craft beers? Don't they deserve a crisp light beer that still has the complexity and innovation of craft beers? Not only do I think so, but also a widening number of microbreweries.


Thefullpint.com recently polled their readers, asking 'What the Best Craft Lager?' Full Sail Session topped the list with 18% of the votes. Session brings me memories that are quite fitting with lagers, basking in the sun, enjoying a cold brew. Sadly I have only tried 4 on the list! I need to get to work! (Also, I was confused by the inclusion of Rogue's Dead Guy Ale; I have brewed Dead Guy even and did not use lagering techniques.)

A good place to start your experimentation with craft lagers would be your local bottle shop. I bet you find a winner or two among the selection. When you're ready to get serious, head out to Colorado in August for the Craft Lager Fest. From the pictures on the website, it looks like a fun time.

Happy Father's Day!

Logo Color Tests

 Thanks Alex Harris for an awesome logo! 
Now for yet another hard decision, choosing a color!

 

Ol' Ball & Chain

We cracked open a bottle of the Ol' Ball & Chain last night.  We save these for special occasions because of their limited release.  One of the brewers, Peter Price, finally making his way up to Cordova was the perfect reason to indulge.  Ol' Ball &Chain is an Imperial IPA that the Price Boys brewed as a wedding present for Jonah & I.  Cheers guys!

Logo Contest!

The day is here!  All the logo designs for the contest are rolling in.  Stay tuned to find out the new face of Let's Talk About Beer!!!

Destination Brewfest: Great Alaska Craft Beer and Home Brew Festival

You heard it here first, I'm totally going next year!  I love Haines Alaska and Haines Brewing Company beer; I always thought if I was given a good reason to visit again that of course I would go.  But this year when our friend Ariel Rolfe invited us to go, I had to say no :(  You know, it's the same ole story of low on funds, not enough time, and the frustrating transportation in this part of AK.  But next year, I'm going!

The breweries that take part are all Alaskan brewed; most, if not all of the Alaskan breweries make the trip to the Festival.  From big to small, they have them all.
Alaskan Brewing Company ~ Juneau
Haines Brewing Company ~ Haines
Skagway Brewing Company ~ Skagway
Midnight Sun Brewing Company ~ Anchorage
St. Elias Brewing Company ~ Soldotna
Yukon Brewing Company (ok here's the exception from Canada)
Homer Brewing Company ~ Homer
Silver Gulch Brewing Comany ~ Fairbanks
Sleeping Lady Brewing Company ~ Anchorage
Kassik's Brewery ~ Kenai
Moose's Tooth ~ Anchorage
Glacier Brewhouse ~ Anchorage
Kenai River Brewing Company ~ Soldotna

If you want to experience Alaskan beer without the hefty travel costs, maybe I'll see you May 26-27th, 2012 in Haines Alaska.

Capital City Weekly article on the 2011 Brewfest.
Beer Fest Homepage.

Alaskan's Rough Draft Series

When researching today's post about Alakan's Birch Bock, I came across something of interest: Alaskan's experimental group of beers called the Rough Draft Series.  The Rough Draft Series are beers brewed in small batches, made by ANYONE at the brewery that has an innovative idea.  Alaskan Brewing Co allows all employees to put forth ideas to create one-of-a-kind beers.  I love this!  It's a great way to achieve more variety.  The only bummer is for beer drinkers not in Alaska, because the Rough Draft Series is only distributed to bars in the state.

But it's good news for me, because Adam at my favorite Cordovan bar, the Reluctant Fisherman, is keeping the Rough Drafts flowing.  The Xtratuf Imperial IPA was a great favorite at the Reluctant, both a friend and foe with an 8.5% alcohol percentage.  The Reluctant was actually the second largest consumer of Xtratuf, quite an accomplishment for a tiny town.  The Xtratuf proved its worth and got upgraded to the Pilot Series, but lost it's endorsement of Xtratuf; from now on it will be known as Alaskan Imperial IPA.  Being bumped up to the Pilot Series means bottling and a wider distribution including the lower 48 states.

When I went into the Reluctant Fisherman this weekend, the always lovely Rhea informed me of a new beer on tap and handed me a sample of Alaskan Birch Bock. Yay!  The Bock is thick and sweet, definitely a good pairing beer but not a session beer for me.  It's great to have variety available though and it would taste great with salmon.  At the moment you can find this beer at the Alaskan Brewhouse, the Reluctant, and according to the website "in bars/restaurants around Juneau."  Hey Alaskans, have you seen any Rough Drafts beers in your local pubs?

Meet the Blogger

I write what I drink.
Sometimes it's reviews of breweries across the country; sometimes it's a commentary the way beer is produced, styled, and imbibed.

I started my brew-education during college in Eugene OR with the help of my hop-headed roommates Brandy Rodtsbrooks and Amy Gurzick.  Living in Eugene gave me access to Rogue Ales and Eugene City Brewery, plus a wide-range of craft beers from many of the eccentric bottle shops in town.  During my reign in Eugene, both Ninkasi Brewing and Oakshire Brewing opened, giving me a very joyous last few years in Track Town USA.

After my time in Eugene, I headed north to the big city, Beervana, Ptown, Beertown, Portlandia.  Portland has 37 breweries in the metro city-limits, more than any other city IN THE WORLD.  Needless to say, my time in Portland was a lot of fun.

Since my awakening to the wonder of craft breweries, I made a point to seek them out wherever I traveled.  However my beer travel writing really came to life when I met my husband Jonah.  Together we've explored Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and working on Alaska.  Alaska is where we're stationed now: Cordova AK to be exact. 

I have a lot of ideas for this site and I'm glad you'd like to come along for the journey.  Cheers!

Tippin' Back Cans - Kenai River's Skilak Scottish

It wasn't the Kenai River that I was watching while drinking the Kenai River Brewing Co's Skilak Scottish, but I think the Copper River will do.  On the first day of this long weekend, our friends Mary, Weston, and Alberto accompanied Jonah out to Childs Glacier to grill brats and drink BEERS IN A CAN!  Skilak Scottish Ale is much calmer than the other scottish ales I've experienced, which works well for me.  Scottish ales in general are much too thick and sweet for me; although this beer also has a sweetness, it does not overwhelm.  Skilak works well as a session beer, a perfect quality for a beer in a can.

I'm so happy to see yet another beer can choice in the cooler of our local liquor store.  The demand in town for a recyclable option is being met by a growing selection.