From Humble Beginnings, Mighty Beer Knurds Grow

As an early birthday present, the Sammy's presented me with this auspicious gift.  It is an old empty can of Buckhorn beer with an attached saying, "From humble beginnings, mighty beer knurds grow"

Back in the late 1970's in Amarillo, Texas, I often drank Buckhorn beer.  A beer which my father noted that a picture of the brewery was on the can.  Why would I drink such a beer?  Because it was cheap!  Back then it was cheaper to buy a six-pack of Buckhorn than it was to buy a six-pack of Coke.  In fact, it was just 99 cents! If you put the beer in the freezer so that it slushed up when opened, it was just fine.

It wasn't an exemplar of a good beer, but it was one that fit my pocket book.

I wouldn't mind trying one again though ... just for old times sake.

After all, from such humble beginnings, mighty beer knurds grow :)

All American Badge

If you follow the blog with any regularity, you know I am on Untappd.  I have become a total badge junkie now.  One of the badges is called the "All American" badge.  To earn it you must drink: Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors, Budweiser, Miller High Life and one of the Bud Platinum beers.  On Saturday night, I had a Miller Lite which earned me the light badge and put me "in sight" of the All American badge.  So, I went to my local bar called "A Step Up Lounge" and finished off the badge.

Interestingly, the order of beers I drank turned out to be interesting.  It was: Coors, Budweiser and Miller High Life. Each beer had more of a hops flavor as I went along.  I am not saying that Miller High Life is a hop monster ... or even rates on the craft beer hop continuum.  But, there is slightly more hops in each beer.

So, if you are stuck drinking American commercial beers, try a Miller High Life.  You won't be impressed, but it is the "better" bad choice :)

Beer & Biodiversity

So, this post/video isn't totally about beer.  But, it does use craft beer in an analogy about biodiversity.  So, grab a beer and watch this short entertaining and educational video.

Beer & Biodiversity

Hmmm, entertaining and education ... that would be edutainment!!

Stout Flouts with Cocoa Syrup

This was yesterday's entry on our Beer Calendar.  Sounds like something I can't wait to have!

What you'll need:

Chocolate syrup
1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons Kahlua
Chocolate ice cream
Three 12-oz bottle of chilled stout
Six 10-oz. glasses

Using an electric mixer, beat cream and vanilla until peaks form.  Pour 1 tablespoon of Kahlua and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup into each 10-oz glass, then put 1 scoop of ice cream on top.  Add stout, pouring gently to avoid too much head.  Spoon a dollop of whipped cream into each glass, drizzle with chocolate syrup and serve immediately.

Um.  Okay.

Mac n’ Dreams Come True: Craft Beer Mac n’ Cheese

At one of the beer dinners at the Addison Flying Saucer, Kevin made a mouthwatering Cotswold Mac 'n Cheese.  Luckily, they have made it a couple of times since for special occasions.

So, you may be asking yourself, what if breweries/brew pubs made Mac 'n Cheese and where are the best ones?  I have the answer in the link below ... plus a recipe you can make at home :)

Mac n’ Dreams Come True: Craft Beer Mac n’ Cheese

Thank you Kristen Kuchar for your article at CraftBeer.com!

Pilsner Urquell

I was reading an article about craft beer and there was a link to a video.  So, being the curious sort that I am, I watched and was fascinated by the history and brewery that makes Pilsner Urquell.  If you have ever toured a modern brewery, this video will open your eyes to the old ways!  Since this is just a piece of a longer video, you have to watch for a minute or so to get to the part about Pilsner Urquell.

The Beer Hunter - The Bohemian Connection Part 2

Now, I am going to try another Pilsner Urquell and enjoy it for its old world charm and craftsmanship.