HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Beer Party
Pour yourself a cold one and enjoy a handcrafted American brew by hosting a Beer Tasting. A beverage for all seasons, from the Super Bowl in wintertime to a summer get-together, this party offers 2 different ways to taste and compare beer that has been brewed in the great U.S. of A.
Get the basics on Beer Styles by reading our article, Beer Tasting: Imported Beer, then head back here to give your party an All-American spin.
Almost as good as drinking beer is food made with beer! These saucy recipes are ideal for an indoor party and supreme at an outdoor event. A beer tasting is a great activity for a summer party, outdoor barbeque, or most any occasion.
Get the basics on Beer Styles by reading our article, Beer Tasting: Imported Beer, then head back here to give your party an All-American spin.
Almost as good as drinking beer is food made with beer! These saucy recipes are ideal for an indoor party and supreme at an outdoor event. A beer tasting is a great activity for a summer party, outdoor barbeque, or most any occasion.
This spicy salsa contains a nip of beer flavor, perfect for a beer tasting party!
Ingredients
- 1 medium dried chipotle or ancho chile
- 4 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 Cup diced brown onion
- 1 (3.5 gm ) beef bullion cube, mashed
- 1/4 Cup Oyster Sauce
- 1/4 Cup beer
- 1/2 Cup chopped fresh cilantro
- salt to taste
Steps
- Remove stem and seeds from chile and place in a small saucepan full of water. Bring water to a boil for 5 minutes to soften chile. Cool to touch and mince into tiny bits.
- Cut tomatoes in half and remove seeds before dicing. Add all ingredients into a bowl and stir to combine.
- Cover salsa and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature before serving to allow flavors to blend. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
This barbecue sauce for a beer chicken features Guiness Stout.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Guinness Stout
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 Cup Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups ketchup
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
Steps
- Combine ingredients in a large pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
- Allow to cool to room temperature for flavors to blend. Brush sauce on ribs, chicken or your favorite barbeque fare.Makes about 2 cups
A barbecue favorite, beer can chicken is great for a summer beer party.
Ingredients
- 1 (5 lb. ) whole chicken
- 1 (12 oz. ) can of beer
Steps
- Thaw chicken; discard the neck & gizzards from inside. Rinse chicken and rub salt & pepper on inside cavity and outer skin.
- Wash outside of beer can.
- Pop open beer can. Keeping can upright, slide it into the body cavity of the chicken.
- Place the chicken with the inner can upright on an outdoor grill 6 inches above low coals. Cover the grill with a lid or loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil.
- Cook for 3 – 4 hours keeping a watchful eye as chicken drips and can cause flames.
- Wear oven mitts to carefully remove HOT can from inside chicken. Carve chicken, and serve.
- WARNING: DO NOT USE A GLASS BEER BOTTLE WITH THIS TECHNIQUE. GLASS WILL SHATTER WHEN HEATED.
These crispy asparagus are battered in beer and pan fried.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. asparagus, washed
- 1/2 Cup cornstarch
- 1 Cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 Cup ice cold water
- 1/2 Cup cold beer
- Vegetable oil
Steps
- Trim about 1-inch off bottom end of asparagus.
- Sift together flour and cornstarch into a large bowl. Stir in egg, water and beer and mix until batter is just combined and a little lumpy.
- Fill a wok or large pot half way with oil and heat over medium-high heat to 350F (175C). Dip asparagus in batter and then drop into hot oil. Fry for 2 - 3 minutes until golden brown. Remove with a wire wok basket or slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain of excess oil.
- Serve immediately with soy sauce or tartar sauce.
America's beer brewing culture offers a myriad of choices these days from flavorful craft beer to top-selling favorites. Here are a couple of ways to host your tasting.
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Regional Tasting
Celebrate brewers from around the country by offering beer produced from different regions in the U.S.A. Some favorites by state include:
1. California - Russian River Brewing Company
2. Colorado - Great Divide Brewing Company
3. Connecticut - Thomas Hooker Ales & Lagers
4. Indiana - Three Floyds Brewing Co. / Brewery & Pub
5. New Hampshire - Portsmouth Brewery
6. New York - Southern Tier Brewing Company
7. Michigan - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
8. Minnesota - Surly Beer Company
9. Pennsylvania - Victory Brewing Company
10. Texas - Live Oak Brewery
Craft vs. Corporate Beer Tasting
Put beer companies, large and small, to the test by conducting a blind tasting of beers from both American craft brewers and the nation's brewing giants.
Setting Up Your Beer Tasting
Celebrate brewers from around the country by offering beer produced from different regions in the U.S.A. Some favorites by state include:
1. California - Russian River Brewing Company
2. Colorado - Great Divide Brewing Company
3. Connecticut - Thomas Hooker Ales & Lagers
4. Indiana - Three Floyds Brewing Co. / Brewery & Pub
5. New Hampshire - Portsmouth Brewery
6. New York - Southern Tier Brewing Company
7. Michigan - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
8. Minnesota - Surly Beer Company
9. Pennsylvania - Victory Brewing Company
10. Texas - Live Oak Brewery
Craft vs. Corporate Beer Tasting
Put beer companies, large and small, to the test by conducting a blind tasting of beers from both American craft brewers and the nation's brewing giants.
Setting Up Your Beer Tasting
- Choose 5 - 8 beers based on the type of tasting you are hosting.
- Set up bottles of beer along the table in any order.
- Place enough glasses on the table for each guest.
- Offer pitchers of water and a discard container, so guests can rinse their glasses and then pour the water into the container, or use it as a spittoon.
- Display tasting notes for the beer and a description of the brewers on note cards to help guests decide which beer suits their taste.
- For an extensive list of beer tasting notes, check out Beer Advocate and an official tasting score sheet is at Beertown.org!
Pull out your patriotic decorations for this party and pay tribute to American brewers!
Go for a sophisticated red, white and blue look for your tasting, rather than shiny stars and metallic fabrics:
Go for a sophisticated red, white and blue look for your tasting, rather than shiny stars and metallic fabrics:
- Glass beer mugs
- Plates, napkins, and tablecloths with an Old Glory motif
- Red, white and blue star-shaped candle torches
- Bunting over doorways or along the tables
- Zinc or metal tubs of ice to keep beer cold
- Classic red roses in vases around the party
Here are some suggestions for craft beers to sample at your beer tasting party.
- Port Brewing Company / The Lost Abbey
- Russian River Brewing Company
- Founders Brewing Company
- Bell's Brewery Inc.
- Stone Brewing Company
Here are some suggestions for corporate beers to sample at your beer tasting party.
- Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
- Miller
- Coors
- Pabst
- Sam Adams (Boston Beer Company) considered both craft & corporate
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