March 2010
9 posts
2 tags
Legendary Brews
My pals over at Beers of Legend sent me a little taste of the east coast. In the midst of my excitement, I checked out their site and noticed an absolutely amazing contest they’re having: you can win—for absolutely free—a six-pack of Westvleteren beers!
Yes, this six-pack includes Westvleteren 12, the beer considered by many to be the BEST BEER IN THE WORLD, not to mention...
3 tags
Brown Bread Experiment #4: The flour is here!
I finally received my King Arthur flour and in celebration I baked a loaf of brown bread to go with dinner. There is nothing like a solid ploughman’s platter to highlight a rich, nutty loaf of deliciousness.
To put it simply, the flour is banging. I’m in bread heaven.
3 cups King Arthur Irish Flour
1 cup wheat bran
3 tablespoon wheat germ
1/2 cup white flour
1 tsp salt
1...
3 tags
Brown Bread Experiment #3
Brown bread experiment #3 had a greater purpose in its baked life than the previous two experiments. This brown bread was destined to be part of a meal with both an Irish gal and a British transplant. The pressure was on.
The previous breads left me satisfied but there was something lacking in their longevity. I love toasted day-old brown bread, but the bread lost all its moisture...
2 tags
Brown Bread Experiment #2
Despite my lack of legit Irish flour I’ve been inching closer towards authenticity with my brown breads. (Pleas note that by authentic I mean I give a slice to my Irish-bred girlfriend and get a nod of approval or a look of disgust.)
Experiment #1 look good, but it became too dry after the first day and lacked the characteristic nutty crunch of real brown bread. I chalked up the texture...
2 tags
Taste Test
We had a little St. Patrick’s Day taste test. When it comes to Guiness at home—until I can afford my own personal nitro tap, of course—nothing beats the can.
3 tags
Brown Bread Experiment #1
I still don’t have Odlum’s flour—or anything closely resembling the course grind of the stuff—but I decided to soldier on and bake my first loaf of brown bread.
Upon inspection of my girlfriend’s family I realized that in addition to not having the right flour, my iron skillet is way to big and without a lid. I’m still going to fiddle with this recipe, but I wanted my first loaf to be edible. ...
3 tags
Quest for Irish Authenticity
The advent of St. Patrick’s Day has me hankering for a taste of legitimate Irish goodness. Although I love a fresh pint of Guinness, the abundance of unsavory frat types, overly sloppy drunkenness and a general overkill of green attire at the pub really dampen my enthusiasm to go out and party on the 17th.
That being said, I have no qualms about rampant festivities in the comfort of my own...
2 tags
I'm Jonesin' for Some Brooklyn Brew
Oatmeal cookie beers; beers resembling a Manhattan cocktail; beers brew with…bacon?
Brooklyn Brewery is by far one of my favorite breweries. While I enjoy crazy concoctions such as those mentioned above, I feel that I always gravitate towards something “bold, but smooth” at the end of the day. For me, it’s nice to sip a brew from Dogfish Head or another more experimental brewery, but...
2 tags
Moonshinin': Month 2
I tried my whisky this evening. It’s not even close to being done, but I’ve undertaken the task of tasting it every month to monitor the changes my tasty liquor is undergoing.
This month, I’m happy to report that my booze no longer tastes like straight rum. After one month in the oak barrel, the liquid has changed from a crystal clear booze to a pee-yellow, well whisky looking...