Dec 1, 2011 Posted by Bean

Old Wooly 2011

Does anything say December like Big Time Brewery’s Old Wooly Barley wine? A gorgeous mahogany color, this is a hearty beer for the darker days of December. Smooth and hoppy, it shows the best aspects of both malt and hops. The nose is more malty caramel than hoppy but this isn’t a sweet candy beer. That caramel is chased by the hops, giving the caramel taste but not sweet syrupy coating you... read more

Nov 11, 2011 Posted by Nancy

Pairing Chocolate with Beer

Last April we asked the question, “Is pairing wine with chocolate like having sex on the beach?” Well, what about pairing beer and chocolate? The Finkels of Pike Brewing celebrate the pairing of beer and chocolate each year right before Valentine’s Day with their Chocofest that they like to bill as “foreplay before the big day.” So maybe this is the pairing we should be romanticizing. The... read more

Nov 3, 2011 Posted by Bean

Stout in and with Food

In preparation of the first International Stout Day, November 3, 2011 we gathered to celebrate Washington stout beers and delicious food. Schedules dictated that we do our main celebration on Sunday evening but today we share the adventure! Washington Stout Beers American Brewery Oatmeal Stout- dense, dark with a dense tan head for a bottled stout, the American Brewery Oatmeal stout is chewy chocolate... read more

Nov 2, 2011 Posted by Bean

Stout, Pumpkin and Mushroom Risotto

Autumn brings vivid colors and flavors before the rain and gray take over. Stout is a dark and strong beer, well suited to the earthy and savory flavors of fall. In celebration of International Stout Day, we planned a meal highlighting foods that pair with stout and/or are made with stout beer. This recipe makes a lot but it is so creamy and yummy that it was gone in a hurry! Ingredients: 1/4 c. butter 1... read more

Oct 31, 2011 Posted by Bean

Halloween Treat for Adults

Need an adult treat this Halloween night? get your chocolate fix via a chocolatey stout instead of a candy bar. Try some devilish dark stout beer with spicy pumpkin seeds. The spicy pumpkin seeds are a great contrast to the malty sweetness of your favorite Washington Stout beer. Sip and savor this tasty treat in between answering the door for trick and treaters tonight. Spicy Roasted Pumpkin... read more