BEERSICLES!

You knew it would happen sooner or later. Well, it’s true - they’ve arrived. Click photo for deets.

New England Descends on New Amsterdam

Another beer to add to your to-drink-before-summer’s-end list. Perhaps a lovely start to labor day weekend, or something to spearhead a midweek scavenger hunt. Either way, I look forward to tasting.

Maine Beer Company can be found on the shelves of Bklyn Larder, Whole Foods Bowery, Good Beer, Eastern District, and Spuyten Duyvil Grocery. And soon, my fridge.

Have you tried it yet?

Look at these fools! This is how you throw a backyard bash. Or, an amazing roadtrip. Or, a pop-up beer garden. Also, this lovely cocktail is another suggestion to add to our growing summer beer cocktail list.

Backyard Michelada
Recipe adapted from Jim Meehan of P.D.T
Makes one drink

1½ ounces Black Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
½ ounce white grapefruit juice
½ ounce honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
¼ ounce dill pickle brine, plus 1 pickle spear
¼ teaspoon Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard
Black pepper
Ice
6 ounces Captain Lawrence Pale Ale

In a mixing glass, combine the whiskey, grapefruit juice, honey syrup, brine and mustard and stir to combine. Rim a pilsner glass with black pepper and fill with ice, then fine-strain the contents of the mixing glass into the pilsner glass. Top with the beer and garnish with a pickle spear.

Click photo for story.

2011 = Year of the Beer Garden?

Tasting Table just informed me that there are over 1,500 craft breweries in the US. The good news is that means even if you’re usually a watery-mainstream-lager type, there’s sure to be something out there for you that is NOT commercially made (yes Mom, even you - put down the Coors Light). Now, don’t be intimidated by the big number. Here is a handy chart for visual learners, and sweet website for those who prefer to have their fortune’s told.