The Beer Czar

Just a little update....

2016-04-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Its almost time for Ameri-Can Canned Beer Festival!

2016-03-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

I've made it perfectly clear, I am an HUGE fan of the Ameri-Can Canned Beer Festival.

Everything about this festival makes it great! The Venue (Scottsdale Civic Center) is fantastic, outdoor, open air, shade, lots of grass, live music and enough room so you are bumping elbows with everyone there. The lines are always reasonable as well. I've never had to stand in line for very long at all at this festival (something that makes it VERY different from most good beer festivals). However, what I like most about this festival, this is all CANNED beer! So, for the most part, its all flagship beers and popular seasonal brews. No standing in mile long lines for 3oz of barrel aged infused goodness that you sadly, and likely will never even sniff again. This is all beer you can pick up at most any good bottle shop. If you love a beer you find at this festival, the most trouble you will have getting your hands on it, is that if that beer may not be sold here in AZ. Just need to find a friend from a state that they distribute too, offer a trade, and there you go. Easy as that, and its yours.

The festival is coming up, May 14th, Noon to 6. 1 pm entrance for non VIP I believe, but I will clarify that.

So, mark your calendars, get there early, and look for me, I will surely be there!!

Get all the info at their website here.......

I really hope to see you there!

Until next time

Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

Cooking with Beer - Cuban Sandwich

2016-02-02T13:00:00.004-08:00

One of my favorites, grilled cheese and tomato soup!

This "beer" recipe is going to be a bit different. So please, bare with me...
Who doesn't love a good sandwich? I know I do! It may just be the ultimate comfort food. Who doesn't remember downing countless numbers of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or for you New Englanders out there, fluffanutters! Or having that grilled cheese with a bowl of tomato soup after playing in the snow all morning on a snow day? I could go on! I have a lot of "favorite" sandwiches, however, of all the sandwiches in the world, the Cuban Sandwich is probably my second favorite of them all (2nd only to the grilled cheese, tomato and bacon sandwich).
Its a fairly simple sandwich, that is easy to make. However, if you want to kick up your Cuban a bit, and make it a lot more fun, and rewarding, and something to impress your company, try making it like I do. This is a collection of beer recipes that I combined to make one terrific sandwich.... a sort of beer lovers Cuban Sandwich! My advice, start making it now, because it takes at least 2 weeks to make it like this.

For those that don't know, a traditional Cuban sandwich (traditional American version anyway) is a sandwich, on a roll (normally a pinni), with pork, ham, cheese, pickles and mustard. This recipe, contains beer recipes for the pork, and mustard. Lets get started, shall we. We will make the mustard first....since that takes the longest.

Start at least 2 weeks before you want to eat your sandwich......

You will need;

3/4 cup Brown Mustard Seed
1/4 cup Yellow Mustard Seed
1 cup Beer (I like to use a nice, flavorful brown ale)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbs Dark Brown Sugar
1tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Canning Jar(s) (this recipe makes about 1.5 pints)

Directions

Soak brown and yellow mustard seeds with dark beer in a large bowl set in the refrigerator for 24 hours. If the seeds soak up the beer too quickly, add more beer.
Transfer the soaked mustard seeds to a food processor along with garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until desired consistency is reached. I normally pull a few tablespoons worth of seeds to add back to the mustard after you have reached your desired consistency.
Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
Pack the mustard into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top.
Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
Refrigerate the jars of mustard for about 2 weeks before using.

Now, lets make the pork tenderloin.

First, lets make a brine for it.

You will need....

1 cup Kosher Salt

½ cup Sugar, Organic

2 tbsp White Pepper

8 each Garlic Cloves, peeled and minced

8 each Bay Leaves

¼ cup Sage Leaves, chopped

2 Lemons, sliced thin

¼ gallon Water

½ gallon Beer (something more malty then hoppy, like an Oktoberfest, or nice Brown Ale

In a large pot, add the salt, sugar, white pepper, garlic, bay leaves, sage, lemons and water. Turn heat to medium, stir occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit, to infuse the flavors, and cool to room temp. Add cold beer and mix well. Make sure the brine is below 45°, as you want to keep the pork cold. Add the brine to a large container that will hold both the brine and displacement of the pork. I like using the extra large, 2 gallon zip lock bags. Add the pork tenderloin to the bag. Make sure all the air is removed from the back, ensuring the entire loin is submerged in the brine. Place in fridge overnight, up to 24 hours. The general rule of thumb is to brine 12 hours per 1 pound of pork. If you brine longer than that, you can risk having an over salty piece of pork.

While the tenderloin is soaking up the brine, you can make the rub. For that, you will need....

1 tbs smoked paprika

1 tbs dark brown sugar
1 tbs sea salt
1/2 tbs chile powder (I like using Chipotle Chile powder)
1/2 tbs ground black pepper
1/4 tbs Allspice

Mix all above ingredients in a bowl.

Remove the tenderloin from the brine after desired time. Allow it to sit out until it has reached room temp. Apply a lite coat of olive oil over entire tenderloin, then add rub to tenderloin till entirely covered generously with the rub. Allow to sit for at least 10, up to 30 minutes at room temp before grilling.

To grill, place on indirect medium heat until it has almost reached the desired temp (internally about 125, 130), then place over direct heat for a few minutes either side allowing for slight charring on both sides. Remove from grill, and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes at room temp before slicing into medium/thin pieces.

Now, to assemble your sandwich...you will now need.

Your favorite type of sub roll
Butter

Previously made Mustard
Previously Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Deli Sliced Ham
Provolone or Swiss Cheese
Bread and Butter (or dill) Pickles

Preheat oven to about 350 degrees
Slice your roll length wise, in half, place halves opened on a sheet pan. Butter each half. Place deli ham slices on one half of the bread, place pork slices on top of the ham. Then place desired about of cheese on

top of the pork. Place in oven until cheese is melted, and bread starts getting a little crispy (but not darkly toasted). Remove from oven, place pickles on top of the melted cheese, and spread mustard over the open top half of bread. Put both halves together, slice in half, and there you go!

One of the best, most flavorful sandwiches you will ever eat!!!

If you make it, take some pictures, and send them my way!! I'd love to know what you think of it!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

Buy a Pint, Honor a Vet....

2016-02-01T12:07:00.002-08:00

I received this press release regarding a month long fund raiser at Scottsdale's Brat Haus, and Grand Canyon Brewing Co.
I'll just paste the release below....I'll make sure all the appropriate links are attached as well...

Thanks!

Brat Haus and Grand Canyon Brewing Team Up to Fundraise for WWII Honor Flights, One Pint at a Time!

Scottsdale, AZ (February 1, 2016)—This February, Brat Haus in Scottsdale is teaming

up with Grand Canyon Brewing Company in a month long fundraiser to benefit the Honor Flight Network—a charity organization that sends war veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials built to honor their service to the nation.

“It’s important for us to show our appreciation for the sacrifices these veterans have made,” Dave Andrea, owner of Brat Haus said. “Partnering with the Grand Canyon Brewing to benefit this charity gives me the opportunity to show my support to the men and women that fought for our country.”

During the entire month of February, Brat Haus will donate $1 to the Honor Flight Network for every pint of Grand Canyon beer sold at the restaurant. Grand Canyon Brewing Company, which is veteran owned and operated, plans to match every dollar raised by Brat Haus to benefit the charity.

“As a war veteran myself, I understand the importance of the Honor Flight Network,” said John Peasley, owner of Grand Canyon Brewing Company. “I know firsthand how much our military veterans deserve to be honored. I’m glad we can work together with Brat Haus to raise money for this fantastic opportunity.”

Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor America’s veterans. Donations to the organization help transport veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials that recognize the sacrifices and accomplishments of soldiers who fought during WWII, The Korean War and The Vietnam War. For more information, visit: www.honorflight.org

About Brat Haus

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Brat Haus features Arizona's most welcoming beer garden with 28 craft beers on tap. The menu features made from scratch cuisine inspired by European food craftsmen, offering a wide variety of brats, burgers, salads and sides. The open air patio paired with delicious grub and genuine hospitality from friendly servers, makes Brat Haus the perfect Scottsdale spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Elevate your merriment by enjoying one of the patio games including bag toss, ping pong, darts and life-sized Jenga. The patio is also a dog friendly zone – so be sure to bring Fido along for the fun. Brat Haus is located at 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 and is open on Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Visit Brat Haus online at www.brathausaz.com to view upcoming events and for the full in house and catering menus. Also, be sure to give us a “like” on social channels at www.facebook.com/brathausaz.

About The Grand Canyon Brewing Company

The Grand Canyon Brewing Company is located in historic downtown Williams, AZ at 233 W. Route 66. This family owned and operated microbrewery produces a dozen different specialty craft brews each year. While in the Williams, AZ area, patrons can enjoy Grand Canyon Brewing’s hand-crafted beer at the Cruisers Route 66 Café located next door to the brewery. For more information about the Grand Canyon Brewing Company, visit online at www.grandcanyonbrewery.com and be sure to “like” us in Facebook at www.facebook.com/grandcanyonbrewery.

3rd Annual Blind Pumpkin Beer Tasting

2015-10-26T12:16:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, we held our 3rd Annual Blind Pumpkin Beer Tasting! Every year, I like to select between 6 to 8 pumpkin beers, and invite a "panel" of friends and beer fans to come try them all, blindly, and score them to let me know which ones they liked the best. I then take their scores, and use them to compile a list my "best pumpkin beers" of that year.

This years contenders.....

Well, this past weekend, I gathered my small but honest, lively panel of friends to check out 2015's offering of pumpkin beers. Every year, I try and have a completely new group of beers to try, aside from the one that came in first the previous year. Last year, Southern Tier's Warlock Pumpkin Stout was our winner. so Warlock returned this year to defend it's title. The only other rule I try to have is at least one local beer to add into the list as well, which, this year, turned out to be a big deal!

This year, we tried 6 beers. Those beers were the aforementioned Warlock, Lakefront Brewing's
Pumpkin Lager, Tommy Knockers Small Patch Pumpkin Ale, Shipyards Smashed Pumpkin Ale, Anderson Valley's Pinchy Jeek Barl and Arizona's own Mudshark Brewing's Peaceful Pumpkin.

So, we gathered around my kitchen table, in the lavishly appointed Beer Czar Manor in Gilbert Arizona, snacked on some great pumpkin snacks (pumpkin banana bread, Pumpkin dip with gingersnaps and graham crackers, pumpkin whoopee pies, and pumpkin yogurt covered pretzels) and put about the difficult task of try, and rated the 6 beers. Here are the results with a few notes I took from the ranking sheets.....

#6. Anderson Valley's Pinchy Jeek Barl , Anderson Valley CA - This beer is aged for 6 months in Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel. This beer was pretty easily identified by more than a few of the panelists as barrel aged, even bourbon barrel aged. The poor showing by this beer was partly due to one of the guests almost disdain for this beer, and after smelling it, and taking a tiny sip, refused to even score, giving it a 0! (she obviously is not a fan of barrel aged beers!) However, even if she had scored this beer the average the rest of the guests did, it only would have moved it up one spot. It was a pretty low scoring beer all around, despite the fact that it was actually my second favorite beer we tried this evening (I am admittedly a HUGE fan of bourbon barrel aged beers)

#5 Tommy Knockers Small Patch Pumpkin Ale, Idaho Springs CO. - This beer was universal
described by all our guests as either thin, watery, and in a few cases "boring". Not a bad beer, but nothing to get real excited about it. Very slight pumpkin flavor with little other flavor to back it up. Had the Anderson Valley beer not gotten a 0, this beer would have been the lowest scoring beer of the evening, by a fairly large margin.

#4 Shipyard Brewing's Smashed Pumpkin Ale, Portland Maine.- This one comes from Shipyards "Pugsley's Signiture Series" of beers, named after their original Brewmaster Alan Pugsley. This is a sort of "spicy" complex beer that seemed to have the greatest variation in scores among the guests. Seemed a sort of "loved it or hated it" kind of beers. The good news, this beer is now available in 12 oz. bottles so you can buy a single to find out if you like it before committing to a bomber!

Tied for #2
Lakefront Brewing's Lakefront Lager, Milwaukee, WI One that surprised me, and a lot of the guests when I told them it was a lager. I asked before people knew what they were drinking, if anyone could pick out the lager, and no one could on their first try. A surprisingly flavorful, full bodied lager, with nice pumpkin spice flavors.

Southern Tier's Warlock Pumpkin Stout, Lakewood, NY The winner of last year's event, it tied for 2nd this year, so it defended its title honorably. This was universally agreed to have the best aroma of any beer we tried. It has a very sweet, spicy aroma that smells a lot like I would think someone making pumpkin candy would smell. All in all, a great pumpkin beer, and one of my favorites still.

And the winner is......

Mudshark Brewing's Peaceful Pumpkin, Lake Havasu City, Arizona! The thing I noticed most
about the scores for this beer, it was no ones highest scoring beer, but everyone scored it very well! A solid, flavorful, yet incredibly drinkable pumpkin beer. This beer smells like pumpkin pie! This beer strikes a great balance between tasting like pumpkin and spice, but still maintain it's identity as a beer. I was extremely excited to see a local beer take the top spot this year!!

I want to thank everyone that took part in this years tasting, this is always a fun event, that I think seems to get a little better every year! Hope to see you all in 2016!

I always want to congratulate the fine folks at Arizona's own Mudshark Brewing, for being the first Arizona beer to take the stop spot in this event! That is awesome, well done!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Lets see your home bar!

2015-10-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

OK, we are collecting more pictures again! This time, we want to see pictures of your home bar!!! You don't have a home bar, well, you surely have a favorite spot to drink when your home. Be it your couch, your back patio, wherever you find yourself drinking, we want to see it! Send your pic's to thebeerczar@gmail.com or post them to our Facebook page. When you do send us a photo, just make sure you include at least the state you are in, and if you want, the city.

We don't care if you have an elaborate 4 tap handle drinking shed out back, or just a comfy "Dad" chair in your living room, and everything in between, we want to see where you drink your beer! Lets see those pics!

Until next time
The Beer Czar

Where have I been you ask????

2015-09-30T09:47:00.002-07:00

I've had a few folks contact me, concerned something was wrong with me, or that I was no longer doing the blog. I assure you, I am just fine, and that is not the case at all. I have, however, slowed down considerably as of late, obviously. Why you ask? Ok, I'll fill you in.

Sadly, and to many peoples shock, this is not my "job". In fact, I really don't make any money at all doing this. I do this because I just like doing it, its fun, I get to go to places, see things, and meet people I normally would never have had the chance otherwise. That means I must do all these things in my free time. Since I also have a family, and a "real" job, my free time is not always as conducive to writing as much I would like. I have 3 lovely daughters and a wife that come first in my list of how I prioritize my time. While I am normally able to find time to get out, and write, lately, things around here lately have been very busy. My wife has been studying to take her series 7 General Securities exam. Anyone that has taken this test, or knows anyone that has, knows this requires a huge commitment of time to study and prepare. She is scheduled to take this exam in just a few weeks, so hopefully, after that, things will return to "normal".

Until then, I am happily spending my time, taking care of the girls so my wife can study. Just know, this is a very good thing, and will most likely allow me more time in the near future to spend writing, tasting and further "researching" the awesome beer scene here in Arizona.

In the mean time, I have a favor. If you find yourself having an amazing, odd, fun or otherwise notable beer experience, be it here in Arizona, or elsewhere, and want to share your story, by all means, let me know, I would love to post it, and share it with everyone. Reach out to me, send me an email at thebeerczar@gmail.com and we can discuss the details.....

Until then, you will see me from time to time, and I thank you all for your patience, and support while we get ourselves past through this, and onto much bigger and more exciting things in the VERY near future!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar!

Summer Beer Pics! 2015 edition!

2015-09-28T13:25:00.001-07:00

Well, the leaves are changing, the nights are cooling off, the kids are back in school, that can only mean one thing, summer is over. Summer officially ended last week, so lets take a minute, and look back fondly at just about everyone's favorite time of year, and remember the summer that was 2015....with beer.

So, without further ado.......here they are!

Any beer tastes great in this setting!

They didn't leave a name, or location on this one, but I loved the pic, so I used it!

Facebook Fan Robert left this pic, of Mrs. Czars favorite beer!

A great Michigan beer, on the shores of Lake Michigan!

Old College friends Amber and Becky, doing a little catching up, in a perfect spot! Taken in Maine!

Charles let me post this pic, take at Mansfield Hollow Park, in CT.

David, enjoying a beer at Bedderton Beach, MD

One of my very few personal hero's, Les Stroud, aka Survivorman, was in a bad accident in while scouting locations for Survivorman in Mongolia earlier this summer. He suffered some pretty serious injuries (he flew back from Asia to Canada with a collapsed lung!). Here he is with a friend in the hospital, enjoying a beer! Glad to see you well Les!!!

Cheers to you!

Another one of my favorite people on the planet, my dear friend Tanya discovering craft beer at the Rockyard Brewery in Castlerock Co....

Here is another pic from Tanya, this time on Martha's Vineyard, enjoying a beer on the beach with her friend Barb

This is Stevie C, in Texas, enjoying some of her favorite local brews.....

Sydney S enjoying a showerbeer to cool off in the hot Arizona summer!

What's not to love about this picture? (aside from maybe their beer choice? (I kid....))

Not sure what the lovely Kayla is doing here in this picture, but whatever it is, I have no doubt she was having fun doing it. This was from her trip to Vegas in Aug.

This one is from my trip to Maine earlier this summer. This is me enjoying a nut brown ale at Sea Dog's pub in Topsham.

Here is another one from my Maine trip. Enjoying a Baxter Brewing's Window Seat Coconut Brown Ale, while taking in the amazing Green Falls, deep inside Baxter State Park.

Thanks Tyler for this beautiful shot!

A great shot from Mike, at the Aspen Cabin near Blue Ridge AZ (yes, there is a beer on the seat of the bike!) Great pic!

My old College friend Laura, enjoying her parents peaceful backyard in CT.

Robert enjoying an outdoor beer!

Below are a few great pic's from Mother Road Brewing, in Flagstaff Arizona.

Charles took this stunning photo from Mansfield Hollow Park, CT.

This might be my favorite pic from this years set....Tim took this out on Hingham Harbor, in Mass.

The following set of photos were sent in by my friends at Beast Brewing Co right here in Bisbee, AZ!

Facebook fan Farrah sent these in from Mass.....

This is from Chris, taken at Fairy Falls, in the Columbia River Gorge, WA

Another one from the Columbia River, this one taken by Justin, on Beacon Rock

My parents dog Payson, enjoying a Mr. Pineapple poolside.

College friend Jackie, I am assuming somewhere out on the Chesapeake Bay

Dave, Duck, NC

These two are from Eric, in Destin FL

A classic summer beer pic! Brian took this in St Thomas!

Emily in Phoenix!

Chris sent this from Drake's Island Maine.

Sandra, finishing off a cold one while watching The Nationals! (this is probably the most expensive beer on this years post! )

Brian sent us this great, early summer beer pic from House Mountain, Lexington VA

Sunrise Beach beer!

Resident Parrothead Chris, and his wife, probably at a Buffett show!

Below are just a few random, but awesome beer pic's, from anonymous submitters....

Icicle River, Leavenworth WA

Nice grouper!

OK, you have been warned!!!! Scroll down at your own risk!

Some of you may recall this pic, submitted by someone that said this was his wife, on their honeymoon in Mexico. Well, turns out, it was not his wife. However, the young lady in the pic somehow saw it posted, and reached out to me to let me know this was in fact, not the case. I was afraid she would be upset, but turns out, she was really cool with it. She is quite a fan of topless sunbathing it seems, it does it whenever she can. She was even kind enough to submit a pic for this years set. In keeping with her "theme" she of coarse sent in another topless summer beer pic (my favorite kind of summer beer pic!) Here is her latest!

Here is a video slideshow of this years pics....

Not Your Fathers Root Beer......not mine either.

2015-07-23T11:15:00.002-07:00

OK, its everywhere right now. Not Your Fathers Root Beer. A "beer" made to taste like root beer,
with a 5.9 percent ABV. This stuff seemed to just come out of no where, and is suddenly stacked on the floors of bottle shops, and even on end caps at grocery stores. Its been out for a while, but still, I am having friends, family members and readers ask me if I've had it, for my opinion on it, and why I haven't done a review on it, or talk about on here.......

I've resisted it up till now, mainly because I don't think that this particular brand has any place on my blog. However, since just this morning, I had a couple of messages about it, and a couple people tag me in their picture of it, asking "dude, have you tried this shit, its fucking AWESOME?!?!" (exact quote from one such "tag" I have since removed.....sorry, you know who you are)

This post will be my reply to any inquires I receive about it from here on out. I will try and answer the questions posed to me about this "beer".

Yes, I have tried it.

I did like it, it wasn't bad, but I also like root beer, so it would stand to reason. It is super sweet, and about 6 oz. was all I really enjoyed, the last 6 oz. I kind of choked down. The most common "justification" I get for this stuff is "it makes a great root beer float"! Yes, it does, as does Hires, A&W, Dad's, those brands make it for a fraction of the cost.

Why haven't I done a review on it? Well, first off, if you have paid any attention to this blog, you will know I don't do reviews, even on beer. Not your fathers root beer, in my opinion, is not beer, it's soda, or maybe more accurately, "alco-pop". Bud Light Lime a Rita is more beer then this stuff. I'm not even sure if actually brewed, and quite honestly, I would be surprised to find out that it is. I am assuming it isn't, just like Hires, A&W and all the other brands of Root Beer out there.

You MAY be able to make a flimsy case that its an actual "beer", however, it certainly is not a craft beer. And why is that important? I was trying to explain it, when I saw this article just this morning, that sums it up perfectly, and far better then I could, so check this out here "Not Your Fathers Craft Beer.". This article explains perfectly why if you are one of those people that does care to at least know about who makes your beer, as am I, this is stuff you need to know, and should know.

I'm not saying don't try this stuff, or don't buy it, or don't drink it. Its fun, I get it, it tastes good, and if you can stand the viscous layer of sugary syrup you have to ingest, it might actually get you a little buzzed (if the diabetic shock doesn't get you first). I'm just saying, if you care, inform yourself, know where it comes from, who makes it, and why it matters.

This really goes for ALL beer, not just this one. It is ignorant to claim you only drink craft beer, while sipping a Blue Moon, or Shock Top. That is like telling people you only buy American Cars when you drive a BMW. So, just inform yourself, enjoy what you are drinking, drink what you like, but please KNOW what you are drinking, and why that is important. That is all that I ask, because it does matter, at least it should.

Now please, stop asking me about it!! I tried it, it was ok, I will not drink it again!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Its hot out, stay cool at Craft 64!

2015-06-19T10:17:00.002-07:00

Well, one look at the thermometer, or one quick step outside, and it will be obvious, that summer is upon us. Time to take a break from the outdoors, and find some cool, air conditioned places to hang out till the end of Sept or so. If you are looking for just such a place, that also has great food, lots of wine, and some amazing local beers, check out Craft 64, in downtown Scottsdale!

In addition to their standards, such as great wine, 36 taps of locally brewed Arizona beers, and a fantastic line up of handmade, wood fired pizzas, and salads, and boards, they will be adding some items for summer visitors.

All summer long they will have various happy hour and drink specials, (happy hour ALL DAY on Wednesday!) as well as some new menu items to look forward too. Among them, new and exciting pizzas (Craft 64's stand out menu item if you ask me)! You can also expect an array of locally sourced, cool summer salads that taste great when the temp outside is topping 115+ degrees! You can try the Market Salad (pictured to the left), an absolutely delicious pile of peaches and pecans, greens, tomatoes and a sweet peach-and-honey vinaigrette. Or the colorful Kale Pear salad, made with rainbow kale, creamy pumpkin dressing and pumpkin seeds, and craisens, to name a few!

James at Mudshark, brewing Road Zoda!

Also coming to Craft 64, their collaboration brew with Mudshark Brewing, the return of Road Zoda!
The Orange Horchata Wheat beer you might remember from a few years back, makes it return to Craft 64 on July 2nd! If you didn't try this beer before, you need to go check it out. A crisp, flavorful summer brew that is pretty much a cool version of an Arizona summer in a glass! Its fantastic!

Stay tuned for more exciting news from Craft 64 in the coming weeks, you won't want to miss it!

Until next time
Bottoms up, (and stay cool) my friends!

The Beer Czar

Check out Craft 64 on Facebook, or check out their website here...

Also, don't forget, we are still collecting "Summer Beer Pic's". Click this link to get more details....

Its time for Summer Beer photos!!!

2015-06-15T09:18:00.004-07:00

Can you believe it, its time to start collecting those summer beer photos!!! Things are heating up, and its time to hit the pool, beach, boat, mountains, wherever it is you choose to spend your summer and enjoy your beer!

1. There must be a beer in the picture.....you can be in it, or not, as long as you either take it, or are in it, and there is a beer, that's good enough for us....doesn't have to be a craft beer, just a beer you enjoy.

2. It must have a "summer theme" to it. It doesn't have to be outside, at the beach, it just has to be taken while you enjoy summer. At a restaurant, on a beach, by a pool, on a hike, in your back yard mowing the lawn, as long as it is taken while you enjoy summer.

That's pretty much it, everything else is fair game. Nudity is fine, as are other "adult" themes, as long as its legal, we will post it. We are open to everything... We are even accepting short video clips this go around!

Send your photos to " thebeerczar@gmail.com " and we will post them.

We will be collecting photos through out most of
the summer. If we get enough photos, we may even break them up into separate posts.

Check out other summer beer photos here and here... These are some of the most popular posts that we do, so be a part of it!!!

Thanks
Until next time
Bottoms my friends!

The Beer Czar

I am going on Vacation!

2015-05-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Russell Pond, Baxter State Park, Maine

Just wanted to let you all know, I will be out of town for the next 10 or so days starting this weekend.
I'll be heading home to Maine to visit with my brothers, and my dad is coming as well. We will be spending a fair amount of the time backpacking into, and camping at Russell Pond in the middle of Baxter State Park. The rest of the time I am hoping to, along with catching up with my brothers, and their families, spend some time at a brewery or two, or maybe three, and take in the local Maine Beer culture. So, I'll be out of touch for about the next 2 weeks, but hopefully afterward, I'll have plenty of updated, photos and reviews for you!

Take care all, here, enjoy a few pic's of where I will be for the next few weeks......

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Russell Pond bunk house, my home next week!

Falls, just east of Russell Pond

River Crossing on the trail into the Russell Pond

Mom and Baby, enjoying Russell Pond

My good friend Scott, and I, atop Moose Poop Island, in the middle of Russell Pond.

Reasons to have a shower beer....

2015-05-12T14:20:00.002-07:00

A while back, I did a post about a recent phenomenon I had discovered, the shower beer (you can see it here). Yes, its a real thing with reedit and Facebook groups dedicated to it, blogs about it, products developed for it, and so on. Well, recently, I was talking to a few folks about it, and they thought it odd, why drink in the shower they said? They looked at showering as a necessary step in the completion of the days activities, a way to avoid offending others with your foul body odor, and nothing more. Well, the shower is one aspect of our day when we are truly alone, (especially those of us with kids), relaxed, comfortable....why shouldn't there be a beer involved? To me, it seems like the perfect place to enjoy one, so, I came up with a number of reason why I think you should enjoy a shower beer. If you have more, by all means, please share them, Also, if you have any shower beer pictures, please, by all mean, send them along, we would love to see them, and share them!

So now, the top reasons why I think everyone should enjoy the occasional shower beer.

1. Its refreshing!

It really is! Be it a nice hot shower on a cold day, or a nice cool shower on a hot day, it adds comfort to an already very comfortable activity! I did a sort of informal poll on my Facebook page, and just about everyone said the reason they love shower beer "its relaxing". So there, 500+ Facebook fans can't be wrong.....

See how relaxed he is.....

2. Not much relieves the stress of a long day better than a shower beer!

Again, can you think of much more the will help brush away the stresses of the day, like cracking open a can or bottle of your favorite brew, letting the water massage your body, and just let the stress of the day almost literally wash away. I'm not overstating this, its true! This was the second most popular answer on my Facebook page...

3. Makes a boring, menial, everyday task very enjoyable

Adding beer to almost any task makes it better, so why not add beer to something so mundane, so routine it is literally part of almost everyone's routine every morning. So, add a little spice to it, add a beer, especially for you folks like me that prefer to shower in the evening.

4. It can (and should) be shared with a friend or loved one

While any shower can be shared, adding beer to your shower, it almost makes having company required! It just seems right.....trust me, try it, you'll agree.

5. Its just sexy!

Its a shower, with beer....its sexy! See, you can't even argue with that.....

...had to get a little local love in here!

6. Forces you to slow down a bit

One of the reasons I like shower beers so much, is one of the reasons I love smoking cigars so much. It forces you to take some time, slow down, and just relax, and enjoy some quite time, or time with a loved one, either way, its hard to stress out when you are holding a beer in the shower. Now shower cigars? I may have to try that....

7. Its hygienic!

I mean you are cleaning yourself, while drinking....I can assure you that you have never come out of a bar cleaner then when you went in, have you? This is just not so with a shower beer.

Growlers are also "green".

8. Environmentally friendly!

I have no idea if this is the case or not, but it seems like it belongs on this list. Besides, don't they always say, "save water, shower with a friend, and a beer"? OK, I may have added that last part, but still, one shower, instead of two, seems logical....We're looking at you California!

Even Bon Jovi does it!!

9. It will make your friends jealous, so share it!

Take a picture of you, enjoying a shower beer, and post it on Facebook (it can be PG), I can assure you, it will make more than a few of them very jealous, and may even convince a few of them to try it....(I will warn you, a few of them will think your crazy, but screw them!)

...and drinking while naked is GREAT!

10. Your drinking NAKED!

I mean, unless you've spent significant time at a nudist resort, or maybe Spring Break, or at Mardi Gras, its probably not something many of us have done, and it seems like something most of us would want to try, at least once, so now's your time!

11. It's just FUN!

Do you even need another reason? If there is no other reason at all, if everything you just read doesn't register with you in the slightest, well, this should. Its just fun, plain and simple! What other reason do you need?

There you have it, 11 reasons to drink beer in the shower. I am sure there are many more, do you have any? Let us here your reason, or share your shower beer picture with us, send them to thebeerczar @gmail.com with you reasons, or photos, or both!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

Cheers from MY shower!

Introducing "EV Brew Co.".......

2015-05-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

This article is going to be the first part of a continuing series that plans to introduce to you, and follow a new brewery here in the valley. EV Brew Co, in Gilbert. I thought it would be fun to follow a group of home brewers, as the make the switch to hobbyist, to professionals. They are in the very beginning stages of the process (still working on a license), so we have no idea where this road will take, or how long, but we want to tag along, and bring you along with us.

My good friend Danielle will be the one bringing you the details of the guys. In the opening bit, we want to meet the guys, and take a look at what they are doing currently. In the coming weeks and months, you'll see interviews, backgrounds, plans for the future, maybe a video or two...we aren't sure ourselves, but we are excited to bring this to you, and excited for our good friends at EV Brew Co....so, I'll shut up now, and let Danielle bring you the rest.....

Three close friends and fellow beer lovers are breaking into the craft brew scene “Arizona Style”.

Meet Arizona Natives Matthew Rawlins, Anthony Rawlins and Eric Rawlins of East Valley Brew Co. or EV BREW. Matthew and Anthony are Twin Brothers and Eric is their cousin. With a strong family connection these guys have set out to create a fun, rewarding business with AMAZING BEER.

EV Brew is local to Gilbert Arizona. Currently home brewers with a high potential to rock the craft brewery scene.

And YES ladies, they are all single! The line forms here.

I have been fortunate to follow these fellas on their beer journey over the last year. It’s exciting to watch, and learn.

I find the process quite fascinating, so much trial and error in the pursuit for the perfect beer. Anthony brings a degree in culinary arts, which is helpful for flavor combinations. Matt and Eric are heavy drinkers (kidding) so, they are the perfect package for brewers.

Incorporation of local flavor is an important goal of East Valley Brew Co. “EV BREW” From their

Prickly Pear IPA to the Orange Peel Ale you will see an abundance of local flavors including local honey.

Hours of harvesting and preparing Prickly Pears for the IPA- Is certainly a labor of love. The Prickly Pears are currently harvested by hand in Tucson Az.

These cousins are some pretty talented guys, from years in restaurant industry, retail, banking and finance, promotional marketing, comedy and musical abilities this is going to be an exciting journey I look forward to the ride.

I was recently invited over to brew a few batches of beer for the Top Hops Beer Festival in Tucson. I brought my husband for any heavy lifting.

We had a great time. The pains they go through to get the richest flavors is fascinating.

For anyone who is familiar with brewing, you know its hours of boiling, stirring, temperature taking, measuring , and watching. Lots of hours on your feet.

They have a Bayou propane burner allowing them to use a larger kettle. Currently using a 17 gallon kettle but are still brewing in 5 gallon batches. For the time being anyway.

We were brewing their Toasted Coconut Milk Stout "Hydra". They toasted the coconut the night before- I have to say one of my favorite parts was fondling the coconut balls- bringing them to my nose and breathing in the rich woody flavor- I promise even the manliest man would love to join in the fun of fondling coconut balls… Ok ,OK, so it’s really a hop sock. Not to be confused with sock hop. But my way is more fun.

They use one hop sock of toasted and one of raw coconut. Letting them boil for 45 minutes. These flavors are added at the same time as the hops and malts.

Selecting the right hops and malts is important for their flavors and balance.

Once all the flavor has been extracted from the coconut balls, you remove the balls and transfer the

brew to the fermenter. I know, its sad. Removing the balls is the saddest part of the story.

From there they siphon the liquid into the carboy.

Waiting nearby is a 31 gallon galvanized trash can with 5 bags of ice. Shaking the carboy in a circular motion helps speed up the cooling process- the brew needs to cool from 150 degrees to 75 degrees- Once 75 degrees is obtained they can test the ABV using a vile and hydrometer – then they add the yeast. When the yeast is added you can consider it beer. YAY, but you’re not done yet. This beer needs to be kept at about 75 degrees, free from light and heat. This is a difficult task in Arizona- From this point the time in the carboy will vary from approximately 2 days to two weeks- depending on whether you are bottling or kegging it. For this brew we were kegging.

The Rawlins boys have been sharing their brews at some fantastic beer tasting parties for family and friends. Everyone is invited to give their feedback and reap the benefits of being friends with these awesome dudes. Not all have been lucky enough to play with toasted coconut balls though.

EV Brew participated in the Top Hops Festival this month, they were very pleased with the response. They received great feedback and met some great folks.

I'm excited and very privileged to bring their story to you, Look forward to great things from EV Brew Co.

Some of the beers they have produced

BALTIC (Tan Banana)

AMERICAN (Walk Off) Porter.

AMERICAN Two IPAs(202 and The Zonie)

AMERICAN The Hydra Milk Stout

AMERICAN The Orange Peel Pale Ale

ENGLISH STYLE “The Dookie” Brown Ale

BELGIAN STYLE Raspberry Saison

Please make sure to follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook.

Here is their website...

For a complete set of photos from this brew day, as well as others from the guys of EV Brew, check out this album on our Facebook page...

May love and laughter light your days.

Bottoms up my friends

Danielle

It's BACK! AmeriCAN Canned Beer Festival!! (here is the beer list!)

2015-05-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Well, for me at least. Its almost time for one of my favorite Arizona Beer Festivals. Now in its 5th year, the festival is returning to the Scottsdale Civic Center to celebrate and showcase some of the best craft beer to be found in cans! I'll just add, if you are one of those people that still insists beer just isn't as good in cans, you can stop reading now, and continue to deny yourself some of the best beer in America!

Doors open at 1 (VIP opens at Noon), tickets are $35 presale ($45 day of) that includes your adorable souvenir 4 oz. can, and 20 4 oz. pours!

What I love about this event, its canned beer, so for the most part, you are getting a breweries core line up, their flagship brews, and some seasons offerings. There aren't these special, super limited, once in a life time barrel aged, sour beers that people stand in line for days for. Not that there is anything wrong with that, those beers are wonderful, but for me, this festival showcases what makes the breweries who they are. This is a great festival for the beer snob in you to find new favorites, and a wonderful festival for the person that may just be getting into craft, and still trying to find those styles they love. Its a great time, with great people, great beer, wonderful food, and a great location. This one has it all....

"Ok Beer Czar, but what beers can I expect to find there?" Only 300+ canned beers, representing not only Arizona breweries, but breweries from all over the country, and some that aren't in regular distribution here in our state. What's that, you want me to be more specific? Ok, well, here is a list of the beers you will find next weekend.....

Abita Brewing, Purple Haze, Strawberry Lager and Jockamo IPA

Alameda Brewing, Klickitat Pale Ale, P-Town Pilsner and Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA

Alaskan Brewing, Amber and APA

Anchor Brewing, California Lager, IPA and Summer Wheat

Anderson Valley Brewing, Hop Ottin’ IPA, Summer Solstice, Kimmie, Yink and Holy Gose

Austin Beerworks, Black Thunder, Fire Eagle, Peacemaker, Pearl-Snap and Heavy Machinery Half IPA

Avery Brewing, White Rascal, Ellie’s Brown Ale and Avery IPA

Ballast Point Brewing, Longfin Lager, Pale Ale, Sculpin IPA and Big Eye IPA

Barrio Brewing, Barrio Blonde, Barrio Rojo and Barrio Blanco

Bell’s Brewery,Two Hearted and Oberon

Big Sky Brewing, Moose Drool, Big Sky IPA, Trout Slayer, Scape Goat, Pygmy Owl and Summer Honey

Black Market Brewing, Hefeweizen, Deception, Rye IPA and Aftermath

Borderlands Brewing, Noche Dulce

Boulder Brewing, Hazed Hoppy Session Ale, Mojo IPA, Buffalo Gold and Singletrack

Caldera Brewing, Caldera IPA, Pilot Rock Porter, Hopportunity Knocks, Lawnmower Lager, Caldera Pale Ale and Ashland Amber

Cigar City Brewing, Jai Alai, Maduro, Invasion, Florida Cracker and Tocobaga

College Street Brewhouse & Pub, Big Blue Van and Fraternity Of Hops

DC Brau Brewing, The Public Pale, The Corruption India Ale, The Citizen Belgian Style Pale, El Hefe Speaks, Penn Quarter Porter and On the Wings of Armageddon

DESTIHL Brewery, Vertex IPA, Hoperation Overload Double IPA, Abbey’s Single and Wild Sour Series

Epic Brewing, Escape to Colorado and Lil’ Brainless Raspberries

Firestone Walker Brewing, Union Jack IPA, Pivo Pils and Easy Jack IPA

Fort George Brewery, 1811 Lager Quick Wit, Sunrise Oatmeal Pale Ale and Cavatica Stout

Founders Brewing, All-Day IPA

Four Peaks Brewing, 8th Street Pale Ale, Sunbru, Hop Knot, Peach Ale and Kilt Lifter

Golden Road Brewing, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Point the Way IPA and Wolf Among Weeds IPA

GoodLife Brewing, Descender IPA, Mountain Rescue Dry Hop Pale Ale and Sweet As Pacific Ale

Goose Island Beer, 312 Urban Wheat Ale, 312 Urban Pale Ale and Goose IPA

Grand Canyon Brewing, White Water Wheat, American Pilsner, Sunset Amber Ale and Black Iron IPA

Hops & Grain Brewing, Greenhouse IPA, Pale Dog, PorterCulture and The One They Call Zoe

Huss Brewing, Scottsdale Blonde, Magic In the Ivy and That’ll Do IPA

Joseph James Brewing, Hop Box and Fox Tail

Lumberyard Brewing, Diamond Down Lager, Flagstaff IPA, Lumberyard Red and Knotty Pine Pale

Ale

Marble Brewery, India Pale Ale and Pilsner

Maui Brewing, Bikini Blonde Lager, Coconut Porter and Mana Wheat

Mike Hess Brewing, Claritas Kolsch, Grazias Vienna Cream, Jucundus Orange Honey Wheat, Solis Occasus IPA and Habitus Rye IPA

Mission Brewing, Cortez Gold, IPA, El Conquistador and Shipwrecked Double IPA

Moab Brewery, Johnnys IPA, Red Rye IPA, Rocket Bike Lager and Squeaky Bike Nut Brown

Mudshark Brewing, Full Moon, Desert Magic IPA, Wild Water Melon Wheat and Upriver Light Lager

Nebraska Brewing, Brunette Nut Brown Ale, EOS Hefeweizen, Cardinal Pale Ale, India Pale Ale and Alestorm Blonde Ale

NOLA Brewing, NOLA Brown, 7th Street Wheat, MECHA, Irish Channel Stout and Rebirth Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Brewery, Dales Pale Ale, Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Old Chub Scotch Ale, G’Knight Imperial Red IPA, Deviant Dale’s, Pinner and Gubna Imperial IPA

Papago Brewing, Orange Blossom

Phoenix Ale Brewery, Camelback IPA, Watermelon Ale and Biltmore Blonde

Prescott Brewing, Achocolypse, Ponderosa IPA and Liquid Amber

Rahr & Sons Brewing, Rahr’s Blonde, Pride of Texas and Bucking Bock

Revolution Brewing, Anti-Hero, A Little Crazy, Bottom Up Wit and Eugene and Fist City

Rogue Ales, Rogue American Amber Ale

Saint Archer Brewing, Blonde Ale, White Ale, Pale Ale and IPA

Samuel Adams, Boston Lager, Sam Adams Summer Ale and Rebel IPA

Santa Fe Brewing, Happy Camper IPA, Black IPA, Java Stout and Freestyle Pilsner

SanTan Brewing, Devil’s Ale, Mr. Pineapple, HopShock IPA, Hefeweizen, SunSpot Gold and Fat AleBert

Sierra Nevada Brewing, Pale Ale, Torpedo Extra IPA and Nooner

Ska Brewing, Modus Hoperandi, Mexican Logger and True Blonde

Sleepy Dog Brewery, Red Rover Irish Amber Ale, Wet Snout Milk Stout and Tail Chaser IPA

Snake River Brewing, Monarch Pilsner, Snake River Lager, Snow King Pale Ale, Snake River Pale Ale, Pako’s IPA and Zonker Stout

Sun King Brewing, Sunlight Cream Ale, Wee Mac Scottish Ale, Osiris Pale Ale, Fistful of Hops, Indian’s Lager and Afternoon Delight

Traveler Beer, Curious Traveler

Two Brothers Brewing, Wobble, Ebel’s Weiss, Outlaw, Dog Days and Side Kick

Uinta Brewing, Ba Ba Black Lager, Hop Nosh IPA, Wyld Pale and Sum’R Ale

Upslope Brewing, Upslope Pale Ale, Upslope IPA, Upslope Brown Ale and Upslope Craft Lager

Victory Brewing, Summer Love

Worthy Brewing, Worthy IPA, Lights Out Stout, PreFunk Pale Ale and Easy Day Kolsch

If you can't find something you like in this list, well then you are a first rate beer snob, and I can't

help you.

ALSO, local restaurants and food vendors will serve up some delicious grub including Brat Haus, Honey Bear’s BBQ, Craft 64, Arizona BBQ Club, Burgers & Fries, and Treatery.

There is live music too! The entertainment lineup includes Two Tone Lizard Kings, Dry River Yacht Club, Catfish Mustache and DJ Slippe.

This is a 21 and older event, no exceptions.

For more information on this event, go to the official event website here.....

If you go, keep en eye out for me, I get there early, so expect to see me there as the gates open, and stop by, and say hello, I'd love to meet you!

Until next time (or next Saturday!)
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Cooking with Beer Cinco de Mayo Edition "Stout Beef Barbacoa Tacos"

2015-05-05T12:07:00.001-07:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! While I have never been a fan of just about every Mexican beer I have had (ok, before you get offended, I'm not saying there is no good beer in Mexico, I'm simply saying I haven't had one yet.....) I love Mexican food more then just about any other "ethnic" cuisine....(second to only Caribbean food!).

One of my favorite Mexican dishes is tacos. Now, if you say "I don't like tacos", hear me out. Saying you don't like tacos, is a very broad statement, like saying "I don't like sandwiches" or "I don't like juice". Contrary to a lot of what people think here in America, tacos are not simply a hard shell tortilla, with shredded lettuce, tomato, taco seasoned beef, with cheese and taco sauce. If that is what you think a taco is and should be, then please stop reading now, and go enjoy your Taco Bell. What I love about tacos is they can be literally almost anything you want them to be. If you like it, you can make a taco out of it.....seriously. Don't limit yourself to just a few basic fillings! One of my all time favorite meals is a good, authentic Baja style fish taco. However, I also love beef, chicken, veggie tacos, you name it, wrap it in a tortilla, and enjoy it.

Ahhhh, The Beeroness.....

For this Cinco de Mayo/taco edition of cooking with beer, I turn once again to my online cooking with beer crush, the lovely and talented Beeroness, and her Stout Beef Barbacoa Tacos!! SO amazing, and pretty easy to make.....
recipe for

So, crack open your favorite beer, and prepare some of these for your dinner tonight!!!

Stout Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Ingredients

1 dried Chile Negro pod
1 dried Ancho chili pod
1 tbs olive oil
1 white onion, cut into large sections
1.5 lbs pounds chuck steak, cubed
3 chipotle peppers in adobo
1 tbs adobo sauce
1 cup stout beer
1 cup beef broth
4 cloves garlic, peeled
juice from one lime
1 tbs apple cider vinegar
12 homemade corn tortillas
1 red onion, chopped
½ cup cilantro, chopped

Directions

Heat oven to 300.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the dried chili pods, toasting on each side until warm and slightly crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove and allow to cool, tear into pieces and add to a blender or large food processor.
In the Dutch oven heat the olive oil, add the onions and cook until slightly charred on each side. Add the onions to the blender along with the chipotle, adobo sauce, beer, broth, garlic, lime juice and vinegar. Blend until smooth.
Return the Dutch oven to heat, add the beef cubes, cooking until seared on all sides, about 6 minutes.
Add the blender sauce, reduce heat to a simmer, stirring for about a minute.
Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Cook at 300 until the beef is falling apart, between 3 and 4 hours.
Remove from oven, shread in the pot using two forks.
Transfer to a serving bowl along with all the sauce.

Serve with corn tortillas, onions and cilantro.

There you have it folks! I can't miss, delicious and fairly simple taco recipe that will impress your friends!

Until next time

Bottoms up my friends.....

and remember, Drink Local

The Beer Czar

That time again, the Great American BBQ and Beer Festival!

2015-03-18T15:53:00.005-07:00

Its that time of year again folks, for The Great American BBQ and Beer Festival!

One of my favorite events of the year! Combines 3 of my favorite things, beer and BBQ of coarse, but also, great music.
This year, its The Eli Young Band!

The event is this Saturday, in downtown Chandler. Gates open at noon, Eli Young Band till take the main stage around 8!

You will also experience some 60 pitmasters, cooking up over 20,000 lbs. of their award winning bbq! All washed down with some of Arizona's finest brews from SanTan. What isn't to love about this event?

For more information, tickets, times, directions, etc, check out the event website here.....

I really hope to see you there!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Cooking with Beer: Beer Brined Corned Beef with Pickled Cabbage Sliders

2015-03-17T10:49:00.001-07:00

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!

One more recipe for this day, I turn once again to my on-line crush, The Beeroness, for this
AMAZING recipe for Beer Brined Corned Beef and Pickled Cabbage Sliders!!

I am actually making this tonight for the family! I'll report back to you, how it is. While its too late to brine your own corned beef, you can still make the sliders! (check out her complete write up on this recipe here.....)

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!

Beer Brined Corned Beer with Pickled Cabbage Sliders

Ingredients

Corned Beef

3.5 lb beef brisket
1 cup brown sugar
3 tbs kosher salt
3 tbs whole allspice berries
1 tbs whole cloves
1 tbs ground ginger
2 tbs mustard seeds
2 tbs whole peppercorns
1 yellow onion, quartered
2 cups water
3 (12 ounces) bottles of stout
8 cups ice

Pickled slaw:

2 cup red cabbage, shredded
2 cup savoy cabbage, shredded
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 tbs kosher salt
3 tbsp sugar
¼ tsp groung ginger
2 tbs whole dried allspice berries
2 tsp whole cloves
2 tsp black peppercorns
_
12 soft potato dinner rolls, split to resemble hamburger buns

Directions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, add brown sugar, 3 tbs kosher salt, 3 tbs allspice berries, 1 tbs cloves, ginger, mustard seeds, 2 tbs peppercorns, along with 2 cups of water.
Cook on high just until the salt and sugar dissolve, remove from heat. Add 2 bottles of stout (reserve the last bottle for cooking) and 8 cups of ice, stir until ice has melted and brine is cool.
Add the brisket, cover with lid and refrigerate for 3 days and up to 10.
Remove from brine and rinse well. Discard the brine and clean the Dutch oven well.
Place the brisket back in the cleaned pot, along with the onion, pour the remaining bottle of stout and then cover with cold water until the brisket is fully cover with one to two inches of water above the beef.
Bring to a low boil, cover and reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 3 hours or until the meat if fork tender. Move to a carving board, thinly slice against the grain.
While the brisket cooks, make the pickled slaw. In a sauce pan over medium heat, add the lemon juice, vinegar, salt, sugar, ginger, allspice, cloves and peppercorns in a pot. Bring to simmer just until the salt and sugar dissolve, remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, add the cabbage and onion. Pour the cooled pickling liquid over the cabbage and onion, refrigerate for one hour.
Slightly warm the buns, fill with corned beef and slaw before serving.

Hope you have a safe and happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone!!!!

Until next time

Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

St Patrick's Day is coming up...a few things.

2015-03-13T16:50:00.001-07:00

Hey there

Saint Patrick's Day is coming right up, and I have a favor to ask you....If you would, please, send me your pictures of how you are celebrating this great day! It helps if you have a beer, but not required by any means...

You can email me your pic's at thebeerczar@gmail .com, or post them on our Facebook page, whatever is easiest for you.

Also, can't decided what to eat? Here are some great recipe's for you to check out....

Saint Patrick's Day Recipes

Grilled Corned Beef and Cheese Sandwich with Guinness Caramelized Onions
(if you want to make that sandwich super good, maked your own Corned Beef! Click the link below to find out how)

Beer Czar's Older Brother shows you how to Corn your own beef.

And for dessert, Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes!

These look just fantastic!

Do you have a favorite Irish, or St Patrick's Day recipe? We would love to share it, email it to us at thebeerczar @gmail.com, and we will add it to our list!!!

Thanks!

So, there you go, a few things to think about this weekend, and next Tuesday!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

Craft 64 is Opened for Business! (and you really need to visit!)

2015-03-11T08:35:00.001-07:00

You may recall, a few weeks back I wrote about my good friend James Swann's new adventure, the soon to be craft beer and wine bar "Craft 64". Well, I was lucky enough to be in the area this afternoon, so Mrs. Czar and myself paid James a visit, to see how things were going. I am so glad we did.

They had a sort of "unannounced" soft opening this past weekend. Despite virtually no press, aside from an announcement on social media, I am told it was pretty successful. Despite not being completely up and running yet (most noticeably, the 30 more taps that still need to be installed by next week (ish). (So, please note, if you do plan on going in the next few days, or week, there is a limited (albeit very good) tap selection as well as beer in cans and bottles.)

Now, before I talk at all about my impressions of Craft 64, I will admit, from the start, I was excited about the concept. A scratch kitchen, with artisanal, wood fired, hand crafted pizza, homemade breads, fine wines and most importantly (at least to me) an "All Arizona", local only tap list. That is why I was so excited when they finally opened their doors, and I got a chance to check it out. Here is what I found out....

James greeted us upon walking in (we were the first one there this day), and excitedly advised me to check the
place out, walk around, take pictures, explore whatever. Craft 64 has a small, cozy front patio, as well as a larger, equally cozy patio in the back. The day we were there, it was a beautiful, 80 something plus degree's out, the kind of weather patio seating was designed for! Despite this, we elected to sit at the bar so we could listen to James proudly boast about their kitchen, their wood burning oven, his partners, their team working for them, and especially their food. The dinning room is good size, and features quite a few tables, a large community table, and bar seating. James made sure to point out there is no high top seating. This is a restaurant, not just a bar, he is proud the food they serve here, and we soon found out why.

James went over the menu with us, consisting of about 7 different pizza's, various boards, bruschetta, and about five or so salads. Despite being a smaller menu, trying to decide what to have was still an issue, since just about everything I saw on the menu looked very appealing.

On James recommendation, we decided on the "Fico" (fig) pizza with prosciutto. This was a pizza made with fresh mozzarella (made in house, every morning by the way), buratta, parmigiano, truffle oil, and fig sauce topped with arugula. I know what you are thinking, fig, on a pizza? HELL YES! This is a very unique, savory pizza that has a sweetness to it that is just to die for.

Chef "Lachos"

While we were enjoying our own pizza, we where also enjoying watching the various items leaving the kitchen bound for the diners that had been slowly making their way in while we chatted at the bar and enjoyed our beers. From the mounds of colorful salads (one made with rainbow Kale) to the impressive, ample sized bruschetta, and out of this world pizzas, everything that left the kitchen was beyond impressive. The man behind the impressive menu at Craft 64, is Chef "Lachos", who has spent the last 17 years perfecting his craft at the famous, and renowned Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix (voted the best pizza in the country a few years back...).

OK, so say you are just out shopping in Scottsdale or something, and just want to swing in for a glass of wine and some dessert? No problem. Craft 64 has a small dessert menu as well, and by small, I mean it only has 2 items currently. However, on of those items prominently featured the words "Nuttella", so I didn't get any further then that (I am told the other item is a classic tiramisu). We got a "Nuttella Sandwich, which is more like a large calzone, stuffed with Nuttella, plantains, butter and topped roasted hazelnuts. Plenty big enough for 2 or 3 people to share (I would say, too large for just one person), this dessert is just a decadent, delicious pile of goodness.

While we were there they only had 6 beers on tap. As I previously stated, they will be installing 30 more next week (ish).
The tap list will include nothing but local craft beers all brewed here in the state of Arizona. When asked if he had any criteria as to what kind of beer he will serve there (batch, brewery size, region, style etc.) James simply stated, "if its brewed in Arizona, and its good, we will serve it". Pretty simple criteria. James told me a few of the kegs he has waiting in the wings, and, while I won't give anything away right now, I will say, its the kind of stuff people have been known to line up and wait for. You can always expect something special on tap here, as well as the local favorite "go to" beers. So there will be something for everyone, of every taste.

Its not just for beer folks either. A large portion of their menu was dedicated to wines. While it may not be the largest selection of wines you'll find (its by no means small, don't get me wrong), the ones they serve are carefully selected. If you can't decide what wine to have with your food, they even have a sommelier in house to help you out!

Fresh made bread, made in-house,
every morning.

So, come for the beer and wine, stay for the food. Like I mentioned before, its a scratch kitchen, there isn't even a freezer in the whole place (aside from the ice machine). As much of their ingredients they use are sourced locally and organic (whenever possible). Everything from honey, to sausage, to flour, all made here in Arizona. The bread and pizza crust, all made fresh daily, in house, as is, like I mentioned before, the mozzarella cheese, which, I will say, is just wonderful.

So, if you find yourself in Old Town Scottsdale, craving a beer, or wine, or some incredible pizza, check out Craft 64 (right next to the Old Tortilla Factory Restaurant on Main St.). It is, already a great place to do just that.

To view the entire photo album from my visit there, click here.....

Craft 64 is located on

6922 E Main St,
Scottsdale, AZ
480-297-6572

Craft 64's Website
Craft 64's Facebook Page

Cooking with Beer: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

2015-03-06T08:24:00.001-08:00

Just in time for St Patrick's Day, here is a wonderful dessert made using all the ingredients of an Irish Car Bomb (Guinness, Baily's and Jamison). All amazingly combined to make a delicious, pretty easy to make dessert!

Recipe is from the site "Brown Eyed Baker" (all credit, for the recipe, and photos, go to that site! Check out the complete write up on the recipe here....)

So, here are cupcakes, inspired by the drink (well, shot) "Irish Car Bomb", check it out!

Guinness, Whiskey & Irish Cream Cupcakes (aka, Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes!)

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
For the Whiskey Ganache Filling:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskey
For the Baileys Frosting:
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream

Directions:

1. To Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring the Guinness and butter to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream on medium speed until combined. Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until completely combined. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Cool the cupcakes on a rack.

3. To Make the Whiskey Ganache Filling: Finely chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined. Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped.

4. To Fill the Cupcakes: Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or the bottom of a large decorating tip), cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Transfer the ganache to a piping back with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.

5. To Make the Baileys Frosting: Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar until all of it is incorporated. Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes, until it is light and fluffy.

6. Using your favorite decorating tip, or an offset spatula, frost the cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container.

OK, that sounds amazing, and just in time for St Patrick's Day!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar

Friends and Fan's Winter Beer Pic's!! 2015!

2015-03-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, amidst seemingly never ending weather reports and news stories about the constant barrage of freezing cold wintery weather blasting most of the nation, I asked people to send me their photos of how they are dealing with all the snow, and cold, school delays and cancellations, and everything that comes with life in winter.

The response I got was nothing short of awesome! I want to thank everyone that sent in their photos, or allowed me to use their photos for this piece. This group of photos is just proof that beer is fun, and people that enjoy beer, know how to make the best of a difficult situation, and enjoy their favorite beverage, regardless of the weather outside! So, whip up a cup of some Stout Hot Chocolate (with ice cream) and enjoy!!

This is John, my ex-wife's cousin. This was the photo that inspired me to ask for your photos! John doesn't seem bothered by the snow or freezing temps in the slightest.

This set of photos was sent to me by Roger, in CT. Roger always sends in some great photos, and these are certainly no exception!

At least your beer won't get warm!

Probably my favorite photo of the bunch! I found this posted on a beer page on Facebook by Matt, on his summit trek up Mt Rainer! Amazing photo!

This next set of photos was sent to me from a few "friends of a friend" in Hanover MA.

The old "Irish Yard Stick"!

What a great snow cave!!! I love this picture as well!

I thought the above pic was pretty much the ultimate beer drinking snow cave, until Kodi, in Norwalk CT sent me this set of photos. Kodi wrote me and said "My Landlord plowed a full 1 story high pile of snow in my parking spaces, so we made the best out of it. Built a fort and threw a party. Word spread fast around town and people are begging to come drink in it too."

It was 15 feet deep, and held over a dozen people!

Thank you Kodi!!! Awesome pictures!

Marc, Warminster PA

Another Mark, this one in NE Ohio

This was taken off the Green Flash Facebook page, taken while they were visiting NYC!

Harry, in East Berlin Conn, finds it easier to stay warm inside (I couldn't agree more!). A bottle of Backwoods Bastard doesn't hurt either!

Jannine, in my home state of Maine, making the most of it for sure. Just looking at this picture makes me chilly......

Jenna, in Indianapolis, keeping the beer chilled is easy!

Thomas, in Fredricks MD, probably needs this beer to cool off!!

Stephen, in Worchester, MA

Trent, in Cody WY. All the snow is making that very large bottle of (wonderful) beer look pretty small!

I liked this pic too. Taken from Mother Brewing's Facebook page.

(Springfield, MA)

Actually, even here in Arizona, we are not without snow (at least some of us). These pic's come from just up the hill in Flagstaff. A picture of Mother Road's patio, and the entrance to Beaver Street Brewery.

However, not all of us in Arizona have snow. I took this picture while trying measuring the amount of snow we got so far this winter......

Pretty much the same amount as it was last time I checked......

What would a "friends and fan's" post be without a picture of the lovely Kayla? Here she is either heading out for the evening, or coming home.....

We here in Arizona are not the only ones that get off easy in winter......

Enjoying a beer in Florida.....

Dwayne, in Llwaco, WA needed a beer to help him get through a little landscaping...

..and to finish it off, probably THE BEST way to enjoy a beer in the winter, let Jan from Playa del Carman show us how!!!

Again, many thanks to everyone that sent in, or allowed me to use your photos for this set. These are always fun posts, and I you seem to enjoy them almost as much as I do!

Not sure what the "theme" for the next Friends and Fan's photo post will be, I'm open to any suggestions....send them to me.

Until next time

Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Beer recipe to warm you up.....Stout Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream!!

2015-03-02T07:24:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of our very soon to be posted "Winter Beer Pictures" I wanted to share a recipe a friend sent me. Here is a little something you can easily whip up to help warm you up from the inside, and looks absolutely amazing, and sounds more than a bit delicious. I have yet to try this one recipe myself, but my friend assures me, it is every bit as great as it looks, and sounds! (click here for the complete write up on this recipe from "The Floating Kitchen" )

.

Photo credit "The Floating Kitchen"

Stout Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream

Ingredients

12 ounces chocolate stout beer (I used Rogue Ales Chocolate Stout)
2 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
About 2/3 cup vanilla ice cream

Instructions

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the chocolate stout to a simmer. Cook until the stout is reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a separate sauce pan, warm the milk over medium heat, being careful not to bring it to a boil. Add the cocoa powder, chocolate and sugar, whisking until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the reduced beer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Divide the ice cream between two mugs. Pour the stout hot chocolate over the ice cream. Serve immediately.

Photo credit "The Floating Kitchen"

Was a right? Looks and sounds just amazing! I can't wait to try this one out myself!

In the meantime, to all my friends and loved one back east battling this crazy, cold winter, hope this helps just a little! Stay warm!

Until next time

Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Winter Beer Pictures!

2015-02-16T08:00:00.002-08:00

OK, so, from what I hear, all my friends and family back home (in Maine) are up to their chins in snow, and suffering temps that are struggling to reach anything in the positive range.....

So, I say, if you can't enjoy the weather, at least enjoy a beer! We are looking for your pictures of you, making the most of the snow and cold with a (most likely) ice cold beer!

Send us your pic's at thebeerczar@gmail.com @gmail.com, or go to our Facebook page (here) and post them on our wall. We just want to see you enjoying a beer, despite the snow up past the roof and the temperature that starts with a minus sign.

You can be outside waist deep in it, or inside, next a to a warm cracking fire, however you choose to pass the time this winter, with beer, we want to see how!

Stay warm!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Looking for work? Craft 64 is hiring....

2015-02-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

Are you, or anyone you know looking for work? Are you looking for get your foot in the door of a
beer community? Well, Scottsdale's soon to be newest beer bar is looking for help!

Craft 64 is having a "hiring fair" this coming Wednesday, the 18th, from 10am to 6pm.
They are hiring servers, cooks, prep cooks, bus/bar backs, host, just about everything.

Apply in person. Craft 64 is located at 6922 East Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ.

Tell them The Beer Czar sent you!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar