Beer Tasting? Yes please!

One of the perks of being friends with media people is they have fabulous events with fabulous little surprises even during fabulous recession-more-like-a-depression-times. That said, I want to tell you about the BEER TASTING Andie took me too last night at Gourmet Magazine.

Yes, you heard right, BEER TASTING. Can’t think of anything better? Nope, we can’t either.

So – the Beer tasting was in honor of/hosted by this guy named Justin Philips who has a little ”eating a drinking room” in Brooklyn called Beer Table that “serves rare and specialized” seasonal beers along with some tasty snacks. And let me just say – this dude knows his brew, and his nibbles. I had some of the best beers and best cheeses I’ve ever had last night.  For you beer and cheese lovers out there (and I know you exist, Wisconsin!) let me lay down a few faves for you:

First, the appetizers, we started with Beer Cheese, maybe the most unbelievable cheese I’ve ever tasted. Commonly made with soft cheese…and…um…beer…and…spices? It sort of speaks for itself, I guess. Anyway, the Beer Table people make their own version of it and I think I could probably eat about a pound of it if let loose in their kitchen.

Jesus God. Ok, secondly they had this homemade delicious ricotta cheese served on little lightly toasted baguettes and topped with almonds, black pepper and a little maple sugar:  unfortunately, I can’t show you a picture, but it was beautiful and it. was. DELICIOUS!!! a yummy sweet little treat which brings me to the beer:

We had six artisinal beers last night,  an assortment of IPAs, stouts, etc. made from small little independent breweries from all over the world.  They were all pretty good, flavorful and satisfying, but the one that stood out was the Hitachino Sweet Stout from Japan.

This beer was served with the ricotta appetizer and the pairing was incredible. The beer is made with lactose, which gives it a sweet sort of milky almost dark-chocolately flavor that really complimented the maple syrup. It was like having a dessert in a glass; Andie noted that it’d be a great substitute for a piece of cake or cup of ice cream after a meal and I have to say, I agree!

SO: survey says: we like beer tastings. I highly recommend attending one in the near future. So choice.

Happy weekend!

Top Chef Recap episode 20384240million

Let me start this post with the things I liked about last night, since I was oh so negative last week about this dear show that I do, actually, love quite a little bit.

OK first: I love this gal:

hoodiehoo!

GIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRL, I am so happy she finally won one! Now when she gets kicked off next week, we don’t have to feel so bad about her sticking around and never winning. Plus: she is just so fun.  A little stupid, but so damn fun. Gotta love her enthusiasm.  Also my friend Emma’s friend wrote Carla an email asking if she could take her out for a drink, and Carla said YES! Gotta love that. Last but not least, I’m glad she beat Andrew, never liked him much.

2: Andie pointed out that the show did a GREAT job last night of playing down Toby PooPooPants’ involvement with the judging. Dear  Top Chef Producers, GREAT JOB! Thank you for getting it. Toby, we no likey. The less of him the better!

3, and this is a big one, the challenge last night was great. I loved the game with the points, love playing against the “All-Stars” (although I would hardly call that sorry pack of Top Chef losers All-Stars. Miguel and Nicki, come on. Seriously?) loved the audience participation and seeing little old Ariane in the audience wearing what seemed like a huge purple Jersey dress with no pants clapping and showing off her killer legs, LOVED IT ALL. Great. Challenge!

4. Just have to mention that  Fabio said “I want to honor the Wisconsin Green Bay,” and I got a kick out of that. I have a soft, cheesy place in my heart for Wisconsin.

Now, for what I didn’t like.

1 – the guest judge: too mean. I hate mean guest judges. Unless you are Anthony Bourdain, you must play nice. It is a privilege to go on this show; it’ll get you a lot of business. Don’t push it.

2 – the oats. ENOUGH with the product placement already, Top Chef, Jesus God! I am already pulling Gladware out of my ass, I don’t need oatmeal up there too.

3-Stefan – I can’t BELIEVE you got FIRST pick and, rightly so, you picked the Dallas Cowboys, the best football team of all time, and you had to use Texas style cuisine, made of what are arguably the best ingredients of all time, and you made TWO SALADS?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?! I am disgusted: truly and horribly disgusted. And while we’re at it: when people think of San Fransisco they think of Sourdough Bread? And the contestants who had Green Bay weren’t given any bratwurst to grill???? Who made these regional baskets?

I think the right person went home last night, but I sure was sad for Jeff who said his disappointment in losing would probably last around, oh I don’t know, A DECADE. That is too long, hunny. This is reality TV, not the Pulitzer. Get up, make yourself an omelet, and move on. For all of us.