HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Pour me a glass!
What could be better than a frosty stein filled with imported beer at a get-together with great friends?
For a cool cocktail party, host an Imported Beer Tasting Party and introduce guests to German lagers, ales from Belgium, or a Czech Pilsner. Taste the nuances that differentiate one country's brew from another's while feasting on hearty regional cuisine.
Read all about a Domestic Beer Tasting with patriotic decor for a variation on this party. Brats, Bangers and Mash! Serve hearty regional cuisine by preparing my recipes and using the food suggestions below.
A beer tasting is a great activity for a summer party, outdoor barbeque, or most any occasion.
For a cool cocktail party, host an Imported Beer Tasting Party and introduce guests to German lagers, ales from Belgium, or a Czech Pilsner. Taste the nuances that differentiate one country's brew from another's while feasting on hearty regional cuisine.
Read all about a Domestic Beer Tasting with patriotic decor for a variation on this party. Brats, Bangers and Mash! Serve hearty regional cuisine by preparing my recipes and using the food suggestions below.
A beer tasting is a great activity for a summer party, outdoor barbeque, or most any occasion.
This sweet and hearty recipe is perfect for serving with imported beer.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 2 large Red Delicious apples, peeled, diced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 5 tablespoons butter, softened
Steps
- Place potatoes and salt in large stockpot and cover with water. Bring water to boil over medium-high and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes in a colander.
- Meanwhile, place apples, water, and sugar in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer potatoes into a large bowl and mash until smooth. Add apples and butter and beat until combined. Spoon into a large bowl and serve warm.
A tart German potato salad, this will be great to pair with German beer.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. red potatoes, washed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/3 Cup olive oil
- 1/2 Cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons grainy brown mustard
- 1/4 Cup minced green onion
- 1/4 Cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon pepper
Steps
- Place potatoes in large stockpot and cover with water and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring water to boil over medium-high and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk together oil, vinegar, mustard, green onion, dill, salt and pepper until combined.
- Drain potatoes and place in a large bowl. Pour oil and vinegar mixture over hot potatoes and toss until potatoes are completely coated. Serve warm.
A unique potato salad, this Czech recipe features peas and chopped dill pickles.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 Cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon brown mustard
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1/3 Cup chopped dill pickles
- 1/3 Cup cooked peas
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon pepper
Steps
- Place potatoes in large stockpot and cover with water and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring water to boil over medium-high and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix together mayonnaise and mustard until combined.
- Drain potatoes and place in a large bowl. Cool completely.
- Toss potatoes with mayonnaise mixture, eggs, pickles, and peas until combined. Serve cool.
Beer is a fermented beverage brewed in vats or casks. The two main categories that define most beer are lager and ale. The distinction between the categories is based on how the beer is brewed and how the yeast ferments.
Check Out More Cool Cocktail Ideas:
Cocktail
Plan Your Party with the best-looking invitations on the web.
Lager - Ferments at a lower temperature than ale and the yeast settles on the bottom of the brewing vessel. A longer brewing process than ale produces fewer by-products and results in a smooth, mild flavor. Types of lager include:
- Pilsner
- Dopplebocks
- Oktoberfests
- Porters
- Stouts
1. The brewing process for lager and ale begins with a grain, such as barley, which is "malted," meaning that it "sprouts" in moisture and is then dried.
2. Hot water is combined with the malt and other grains to produce a mash.
3. The mash is boiled and hops (pictured) are added. Hops are flowers that give beer its predominate flavor.
4. Ingredients such as fruit, spices, or honey are sometimes added during the boiling process to offset the bitter malt taste and give the brew its character.
5. The mixture cools and is transferred into a fermenter. Brewer's yeast is added and the brew ferments into beer.
Showcase a variety of beer importers when selecting the beverages for your tasting. Follow these tips for a well-rounded experience:
2. Note the beer's head (top foam) retention. A 50% collapse of the head takes away from its appearance.
3. Look at the beer's color and consider its style.
4. Give the beer a good sniff and note the aroma.
5. Taste the beer and judge its drinkability.
6. Discuss the beer's characteristics based on your tasting and its notes.
Choose 5 beers from 5 different countries. Vary beer styles from light ales to dark lagers.
Set bottles of beer up along the table from light to dark.
Place enough steins or pilsner 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 your beer and a description of the beer styles on note cards to help guests distinguish each brew's unique quality.
1. Pour a small amount of beer into a glass. See these expert pouring tips.2. Note the beer's head (top foam) retention. A 50% collapse of the head takes away from its appearance.
3. Look at the beer's color and consider its style.
4. Give the beer a good sniff and note the aroma.
5. Taste the beer and judge its drinkability.
6. Discuss the beer's characteristics based on your tasting and its notes.
Clueless about beer? Just follow our cheat notes below!
Belgium - Orval Trappist Ale
England - Fuller's London Porter
Ireland - Guinness Extra Stout (Original)
Czech Republic - Premium Lager Klá ster Svetlý Special 14%
Germany - Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
For an extensive list of beer tasting notes, check out Beer Advocate and an official tasting score sheet is at Beertown.org!
England - Fuller's London Porter
Ireland - Guinness Extra Stout (Original)
Czech Republic - Premium Lager Klá ster Svetlý Special 14%
Germany - Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
For an extensive list of beer tasting notes, check out Beer Advocate and an official tasting score sheet is at Beertown.org!
Kick-off your beerfest with a Bavarian soft pretzel bar!
Buy soft pretzels from the freezer section of the grocery store
Heat pretzels according to package directions
Serve pretzels in baskets with cloth napkins to keep them warm (similar to bread)
Offer a variety of mustards, ranch dip, and spreadable cheese in small bowls for guests to dip their pretzels.
Buy soft pretzels from the freezer section of the grocery store
Heat pretzels according to package directions
Serve pretzels in baskets with cloth napkins to keep them warm (similar to bread)
Offer a variety of mustards, ranch dip, and spreadable cheese in small bowls for guests to dip their pretzels.
Set up your buffet with sausage varieties specific to different countries. Check online resources to find the following food items and more:
- British Bangers
- German Bratwurst & Knackwurst
- Polish Kielbasa
- Swiss Cervalet
- Hot Dog Rolls
- Toppings: sauerkraut, grilled onions, mustard, ketchup, relish
Create the atmosphere of a Bavarian Biergarten (beer garden) for your party. Germany is famous for its open-air gardens where patrons sit on picnic tables and enjoy their beer in huge steins.
Add European charm to your party tables with this centerpiece:
Add European charm to your party tables with this centerpiece:
- Place a small window box in the center of the table.
- Add colorful pots of flowers into the box such as geraniums.
- Use napkins or linens that match your flower colors.
Margaritas for a
Summer Party
Summer Party
Tequila Tasting
Cocktail Party
Cocktail Party
What's the
Difference Between
Mezcal and...
Difference Between
Mezcal and...
