"The New Yorker" news and stories

As much as I attempt to pander to the populous, and despite amplifying ubiquity on local store shelves and pub draft dockets alike, proper craft beer appreciation still seems to be relegated to the realm of "beer snobbery." And gosh darn it, articles in the freakin' New Yorker aren't going to help anything!

But all kidding aside, I was turned on to this extensive article in The New Yorker discussing "The rise of extreme beer." Hmm... If the X-Games eventually garnered mainstream acceptance, maybe xtreme beer will have its day in the sun. [Writer's note: This officially marks the first and last time I will write the phrase "xtreme beer." You're welcome.]

My suggestion: Print this article out and hit the couch for a leisurely weekend read. Maybe have a bottle of Dogfish Head nearby: The Delaware brewery is used as the framing example and you may be salivating to make yourself a primary source by article's end. Most interesting, however, is the interspersed history lesson packed full of wonderful tidbits such as "In 1873, the country had some four thousand breweries, working in dozens of regional and ethnic styles." Craft beer revolution? Maybe it's more like the craft beer renaissance!

[via Madison Beer Review] [Photo Credit: The New Yorker]

When I cook for friends and family, I like to try out new things. I regularly put together strange recipes, attempt bizarre cooking methods, and generally have a lot of fun stretching my friends' (and my) horizons. Of course, sometimes these attempts fail, and the tale of my Polish lemon soup is notorious, as is the story of a Mexican lime/chicken dish that was borderline inedible.

Still, even in my worst culinary moments, I can proudly state that I have never, ever deliberately sabotaged a meal. Then again, this piece convinced me that there might be a lot to be said for using a meal to attack one's nearest and dearest. I especially liked the recipe for faux tofu:

Another one for the vegetarians. If they think they like tofu, wait until they sample your delicious mock tofu -- all you need is chicken fat, pureed pork loin, and five cups of piping-hot tallow. Cheryl will never know the difference.

I'm going to stick with cooking as means of showing love, affection, and concern. Still, I can't question the effectiveness of using it to destroy your friendships and alienate yourself!