We're back in business this weekend, with food festivals from coast to coast (actually just on both coasts). And since it's finally beautiful outside, there's no excuse to shy away from amazing opportunities to consume ridiculous amounts of strawberries, artichokes and (as always) alcohol.
Savor: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience (May 16-17, 2008) - Don't be turned off by the pretentious name -- instead embrace the chance to attend a reception-style sampling (it's Washington, D.C., what did you expect?) of over 35 appetizers and 96 craft beers. The pairings look amazing, with duos like Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing's Dread stout beer with pan-seared pilsener sirloin tips with shiitake blue-cheese sauce. I'm salivating. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
The Food and Wine Festival at National Harbor (May 17-18, 2008) - And while you're in the nation's capital, check out the tons and tons of exciting foodie events down on the Potomac River. Attend lectures, panels, tastings and shows, and I definitely wouldn't miss the Maine-style clam bake either. With an emphasis on foods from across the globe (food will be divided by continent in the main tasting pavilion), this definitely seems like an all-hit, no-miss opportunity. And there are more!
Bill Bramanti loves his Pabst Blue Ribbon so much that he commissioned a custom Pabst can coffin for himself. USA Today quotes Bill as saying, "I actually fit, because I got in here."
Everything about this story strikes me as all kinds of wrong:
Entering your coffin before you die is creepy
Having a coffin designed based on a beer can is bizarre.
If you are going to love a beer that much, why Pabst Blue Ribbon?
Oh - and let's not forget about the part where he throws a party and fills the coffin with ice and beer for his friends. It was not Halloween.
Anyone else interested in a custom coffin? If so, of what? If you've got a food related one, I'll be happy to write about it, but please expect mocking.
Well, you've done it. You've made it to another weekend. It's time again to relax, have a drink, and have fun with your friends. Why don't you start things off with some words of wisdom about a favorite weekend beverage?
Here's a list of sayings and quotes about beer. All of them are great, ranging from Homer Simpson to Kaiser Wilhelm. My personal favorite, from way back, is Benjamin Franklin's phrase: Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. I couldn't agree more, Mr Franklin.
I can easily see how bottle caps that read "Try Legal Weed" could be a bit confusing. If I saw it for the first time, I might wonder if it were hemp beer or somehow could get you stoned.
As it turns out, Weed Ales and Lagers produced by Mt. Shasta Brewing are named as such because they are brewed in a town called Weed, California.
According to an associated press report in the San Fransisco Chronicle, the town has a long tradition of having fun with its name. "A sign posted on the way out of town reads, 'Temporarily Out of Weed,' while another says '100 Percent Pure Weed.'"
Federal alcohol regulators don't get the joke. They ordered that sales stop on beers with the "Try Legal Weed" caps.
Do you think "Try Legal Weed" is a cute play on the town's name or is it misleading and making light of an illegal drug?
On last night's episode of Top Chef, judge Tom Colicchio arrived at a Chicago Bears game wearing a Bears jersey, a scarf, and a beret. Honestly, it doesn't get more Top Chef than that. The show loves to engage with people and local foods of the cities where it tapes, but in the end its really just about whose pineapple is grilled to perfection and whose liver coconut slaw (don't worry -- not a real dish) doesn't have enough seasoning. You can't help but love it.
If you love beer and you love to travel, I've found the perfect thing for you. It's a list of how to order beer in 50 different languages. So just in case you were curious about how to order a beer in, oh say, Bulgarian, you now have a way t learn.
I know I don't like to be an "ugly American" when I travel. I think it's always a good idea to know at least a few phrases in the local language when you're abroad. Honestly, what phrase could be more important than how to order a glass of the local brew in the bar tender's native language?*
If you are enjoying a nice, frosty glass of beer today, take a moment to recognize the historical significance of April 7. It was 75 years ago today Americans were allowed to buy and sell beer, again.
It's the 75th anniversary of the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalized the sale of 3.2% alcohol in the district of Columbia and the 20 other states that didn't specifically ban it. Even though Prohibition didn't fully come to an end until December 5, 1933, the beginning of the end was April 7.
There are commemorative events going on at many breweries today, especially Anheuser-Busch, which was the first major brewery back in business. You can listen to the radio address of August Busch, Jr on that historic day here. See how you can celebrate in your area, as well as other important dates in beer history here and maybe raise a glass tonight.
Oh, if only I weren't already incredibly busy this summer, I would apply for this in a heartbeat. The new Chief Beer Officer (that's a real title, folks) of Four Points by Sheraton needs help this summer, and you can be that help.
It turns out that being Chief Beer Officer is hard work, but you can help Scott Kerkmans out this summer if you love beer and really want to know more about the industry. Really. All you need to do is send your resume and a cover letter via email to cbo@fourpoints.com. Make sure to include information about yourself as well as a list of your four favorite simple pleasures in life as part of the cover letter.
It sounds like a great opportunity for anyone 21 and up who is really into beer. Just be sure to get your resume in by April 26, and keep your fingers crossed.
Anheuser- Busch is really trying to get into the growing craft beer market. In order to do that, the biggest beer company in the US is spinning off the Michelob division into its own company.
The move is supposed to allow the new Michelob Brewing Company more creativity as well as a mantle of authenticity. It apparently started last year when Michelob came out with a lager. The new company already has several new beers in the works, such as a porter and an AmberBoch scheduled to come out later this year. They'll also introduce seasonal beers.
I personally wouldn't drink any beer with a big name on the label, but I know I'm in the minority. I say, more power to the new Michelob company. Maybe it'll help those who don't mind a big name on the label get more comfortable with craft beers.
Are you going to have chocolate, lots and lots of delicious chocolate, on Easter? Not everyone does, and that's ok. But if you are, what are you planning on drinking with it? Obviously the kids won't be indulging, but I say what's wrong with an Easter cocktail.
The only problem with that is sometimes its hard to pair chocolate with beverages other than wine. Wine does generally go superbly with most chocolates, but you'd be surprised to find out that beer can be a great pairing as well. Maybe a nice brandy with that chocolate bunny might be nice. You'd probably have to play around with pairings, but I suggest you do that before Easter Sunday. However, here is something that might help. This article on pairing chocolate with different beverages offers a short list of sure fire matches.
Perhaps you're not planning on gourmet chocolates this year, but it's something to think about all the same. After the kids have crashed from the sugar high and been sent to bed, you may be planning on helping them get rid of the candy. A nice glass of wine, or beer, might be the perfect companion for those chocolate eggs!
A lot of people enjoy an adult beverage now and then (some of them more than others). Did you ever wonder, though, if one was worse for you? I know that thought never has crossed my mind, but apparently it occurred to some researchers and so they set about to look into it.
In a new study published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, scientists scanned the brains of people diagnosed with alcoholism and found differences in the size of the hippocampus. That's the area of the brain responsible for spatial tasks and memory. Beer drinkers came out with the least damage, followed by those who preferred spirits and wine, respectively.
"The size of the hippocampus was largest in the healthy group – 3.85ml. In beer drinkers it was 3.4ml, while the average for spirit drinkers was 2.9ml, and for wine drinkers, 2.8ml."
Of course there are a lot of other factors that could have played a part here, and this is only very early research. The study does suggest that beer is either less bad for your brain or that it protects your brain a little more than the other beverages. What do you think? Is this all hogwash, or is beer better?
To me, it is. But I also don't care one iota about sports (though I can make exceptions for women's rugby and any sort of obstacle course competition on Animal Planet).
On that note, The Washington Post is currently featuring a fun alternative (or addition) to March Madness. The lucky participants started taste-testing 32 beers and have so far gotten the contenders down to a precious 16. But three rounds remain - the quarterfinals, semis, and finals on April 6 - before a champion is named.
Tasters downed their fair share of beers, which ranged from Miller Chill to Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout, and represent the mainstream to the microbrew; the wheat-y to the hoppy; the ale to the stout, and back again.
A few of my personal favorites in the bunch include the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (deliciously full of hops) and the Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale for those summer nights down the shore, but the Post really did choose a fine array (including a few classics - or duds, depending on your taste in beer - Schlitz, Michelob Lager, and the aforementioned new Miller Chill).
Head over to the site now to track your favorite, er, player.
Oh, those crazy stars and their baby names. According to the rumor mills the actor wants to name his as yet unborn son "Bud", after his favorite beer. Apparently his girlfriend hates the idea, so I guess we'll see. That's if you're into that kind of stuff, though.
Can you imagine naming your kids after beer? Especially a crappy beer like Budweiser. I'm not sure what my plans are as far as having kids, but I surely would not do anything like that to them. What do you think?
That's right. Rock Paper Scissors is going places, and wherever it goes Bud Light will be there. The game has been growing exponentially in popularity for years. Now it has its own league and championships, which are happening this June in Las Vegas.
The lucky winner of the USA Rock Paper Scissors (USARPS) league championship will not only win $50,000 but the opportunity to represent the US in the international competition at the Olympics this summer in Beijing.
And Bud Light will be proud to sponsor the American representative. Regional tournaments are going on now, and those winners will go on to Las Vegas. You can find out more at usarps.com.
Have you ever stashed a Coke in the freezer, hoping to chill it quickly, then forgotten all about it, only to have it explode all over your frozen peas?
We're back in business this weekend, with food festivals from coast to coast (actually just on both coasts). And since it's finally beautiful outside, there's no excuse to shy away from amazing opportunities to consume ridiculous amounts of strawberries, artichokes and (as always) alcohol. 
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Well, you've done it. You've made it to another weekend. It's time again to relax, have a drink, and have fun with your friends. Why don't you start things off with some words of wisdom about a favorite weekend beverage?
I can easily see how bottle caps that read "Try Legal Weed" could be a bit confusing. If I saw it for the first time, I might wonder if it were hemp beer or somehow could get you stoned.
Spoilers! Spoilers!
If you love beer and you love to travel, I've found the perfect thing for you. It's a list of how to order beer in 
If you are enjoying a nice, frosty glass of beer today, take a moment to recognize the historical significance of April 7. It was 75 years ago today Americans were allowed to buy and sell beer, again. 
Oh, if only I weren't already incredibly busy this summer, I would apply for this in a heartbeat. The new Chief Beer Officer (that's a real title, folks) of Four Points by Sheraton needs help this summer, and you can be that help.
Anheuser- Busch is really trying to get into the growing craft beer market. In order to do that, the biggest beer company in the US is spinning off the Michelob division into its own company. 
Are you going to have chocolate, lots and lots of delicious chocolate, on Easter? Not everyone does, and that's ok. But if you are, what are you planning on drinking with it? Obviously the kids won't be indulging, but I say what's wrong with an Easter cocktail.
A lot of people enjoy an adult beverage now and then (some of them more than others). Did you ever wonder, though, if one was worse for you? I know that thought never has crossed my mind, but apparently it occurred to some researchers and so they set about to look into it.
That's right. Rock Paper Scissors is going places, and wherever it goes Bud Light will be there. The game has been growing exponentially in popularity for years. Now it has its own league and championships, which are happening this June in Las Vegas.
A fraking amazing Battlestar Galactica cake
Iced Tea 101
Pierogies + cheese + onions + kraut = Parmageddon!
