"seasonal" news and stories

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Hoboken, N.J. spends a lot of time in the shadow of New York City. For many people, Hoboken is best recognized as "the last place your frat brother who was planning on going to business school" resided. But though many of its residents travel across the Hudson for work, Mike Farley, manager of Hoboken's the Mile Square, believes people shouldn't have to travel into the Big Apple to find a good beer.

"We have 30 taps," says Farley, speaking with pride about Hoboken's largest tap selection. "And we rotate about 17 of them constantly with all craft beer." He admits they have to keep on some of the standards -- Miller Lite, Guinness, Stella -- Hoboken is still a somewhat conservative place compared to, say, Brooklyn. But Farley believes their selection stands up to even some of the best bars in New York.

"Last month, we had 11 different Octoberfests," Farley points out. "People are already coming in asking for Christmas beers."

See the yesterday's complete draft list after the jump. ...

Mmm, seasonal punch, fall cider, apple-related-alcohol, whatever you want to call it, it's good. Warm or cold, alcoholic or non, even spicy or streudelly, there are a number of ways to enjoy a good autumnal apple drink. Here are links to eight delicious recipes!

1. A solid booze-free basic
2. Classic brandy with cider
3. Heat up some apple juice and put rum and a cinnamon stick in it. No link required!
4. A whiskey version
5. Cider with tequila!
6. An ultimate indulgence with hibiscus and cayenne
7. Decadent cider streudel (streudelly)
8. Chilled and sparkling!

Click here for more things you can do with apple cider.

The end of the summer can be distressing and sad. There are those of us who go back to school, and others who must say farewell to Summer-Fridays. There'll be fewer berries, nectarines, peaches, and plums. However, while we feel a nostalgia for summer produce, we can look forward to the colorful and delicious autumn harvest.

Below are 8 fruits and vegetables to anticipate this fall:

1. Figs - All year, we can enjoy dried figs. But, from now until early fall, markets sell the fresh tender succulent inverted flowers. The juiciness of these fresh figs tastes remarkable. And, from the perspective of a nutritionist, they have an extra high fiber content.
2. Pomegranate - The fruit alone looks gorgeous as a centerpiece. They can last up to three months if stored in the fridge. Its seeds are deliciously sweet, savory, and tart. And, they can be thrown into a salad or made into a sauce.
   
3. Grapes - We take them for granted the most since we can purchase them year-round. They're harvested in the fall. And so, you'll find a variety of different plump fragrant kinds, such as Thompson seedless, red globe, and Concord during fall.
   
4. Apples - Ah, the variety of apples we're about to see! There's 2,000 types grown in the U.S. My favorite are McIntosh. Besides savoring them plain, you can enjoy them in a pie, sauce, pancake, or cake.
   
5. Pears - Like apples, there are several varieties. Warm and soft poached pears are one of my favorite autumnal treats.
   
6. Squash - Thinking of the fall harvest conjures up images of dark green acorn squash, butternut squash, and of course bright orange pumpkins. I adore the sweetness butternut squash adds to a dish.
   
7. Parsnips - They are scrumptious in any roast vegetable mixture. Parsnips look like a white version of their orange springtime cousin, the carrot. Their flavor is brought out by being roasted, baked, or fried.
   
8. Cauliflower - It's in abundance during fall. Besides cooking it in boiling water and eating it plain with butter, you can transform it into a creamy sweet mashed vegetable dish.
   

What sorts of images of fruits and vegetables does autumn evoke for you?

Have you ever wondered why goat's milk cheeses often taste grassy?

For a foodie, especially a Slashfoodie, one of the best things about winter is that it signifies a changing of the guard, so to speak, when it comes to produce. Apples, pears and citrus replace the berries and melons of summer, opening up a whole new season of possibilities. Capogiro Gelato expresses all these possibilities with their seasonally changing menu, now geared up for winter. I was fortunate enough to sample some of the flavors from their summer line earlier this year and, this week, had the opportunity to indulge in a few of their winter offerings, as well.

While they still have their classic Italian and chocolate flavors available, Capogiro's holiday table menu is extensive, including Apple Cider with Clove Sorbetto, Castagne (Chestnut) Gelato, Cannella di Saigon (Cinnamon) and Melograno (Pomegranate). The flavors I tried were Zucca (Lancaster County Neck Pumpkin), Apple Cider with Clove, Sweet Potato with Pecan Praline, Meyer Lemon with Vodka, Moro (Blood Orange) and Pure King Leo Stracciatella.