Gifts, Gizmos and Gadgets

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Christmas time is here! Time for joy and time for…BEER! No matter who you are, it’s almost inevitable that you have a beer lover in some facet of your life. Maybe it’s your husband (or wife!). Maybe it’s a work colleague. Some beer lovers are more technical – looking for that perfect gadget to make… read more »

Raise a Glass and Toast to the Beer Dinner

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I am an odd duck when it comes to beer and food. For most of my adult beer drinking life, I’ve never enjoyed drinking beer with a meal. The flavor of the beer seemed to always conflict with my food. It wasn’t until a few years ago at a Bell’s beer dinner at Magnolia’s Mill… read more »

Blurring the Line Between Grapes and Hops

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I can admit it – while I love beer, from time to time I do enjoy a great glass of wine. I’ve had the opportunity to tour several vineyards in Virginia and have found what I believe to be a very distinct difference between winemaking and beer brewing. Organic Winemaking vs. Industrial Brewing Winemaking is… read more »

The Wait is Over: New Belgium Brewing Rolls Into Town

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The longing to bring Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing to the East Coast has been a phenomenon for as long as I can remember. It seems that everyone has a different story to tell about the first time they experienced Fat Tire. I was at the poker I lost. What I can… read more »

Give Me Beer or Give Me Death: The Politics of Beer in the US

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Living in the DC area always provides ample opportunity for politics to invade the freedoms that you have come to appreciate. Whether it’s talking on your cell phone, carrying a firearm or smoking in a park, at some point your favorite vice is likely to come under scrutiny.  Since man began enjoying alcohol for pleasure,… read more »

Feestdag! Celebrating Independence Belgian (Beer) Style

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What better way to celebrate Belgium’s independence than to raise a glass of Belgian beer! Feestdag, Belgian Independence Day, is celebrated on July 21 and marks freedom from Dutch rule in 1831. Brewing in Belgium traces its roots to the Middle Ages. Today there are several styles of Belgian beer, each with distinct characteristics. Given… read more »

America’s Got (Beer) Talent: American Craft Beer Week

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MAY 2011 ISSUE – Whether you’re a novice sampler or a hardcore brewer, American Craft Beer Week is sure to bring out the best in beer lovers everywhere.  Celebrate the goodness of craft beer from May 16-22, with festivities happening all over the country. To date, 37 states are hosting celebrations, giving beer lovers the… read more »

Beer for Breakfast? Yes, Please!

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March 2011 Issue – Often overlooked, brunch is by far one of my favorite meals. Breakfast and lunch? The possibilities are endless. For me, brunch is a leisurely, relaxing meal where I can kick back and enjoy some really great food and leave the worries of the week behind. When you think brunch, you probably… read more »

Chicks Love Beer, Too.

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In truth, women have always enjoyed beer. During the 1700s it was commonplace for women to brew beer throughout Europe. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that brewing was commercialized and men began taking over what was traditionally a woman’s task. Today, women currently account for about 25% of beer consumption in the US. The… read more »

Experimental Beers: Two Beer Guys Discuss the “Unusual”

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Wood and flowers and prehistoric pottery – in my beer? It may sound crazy but new, creative (and sometimes even unusual) ingredients are showing up in new beer recipes everywhere. And beer lovers are drinking it up. The rise in popularity of these limited edition experimental releases compelled me to reach out to two of… read more »