Just a little update....

Its almost time for Ameri-Can Canned Beer Festival!

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

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
4. Pack the mustard into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top.
5. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
6. 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....

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

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!

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????

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!

 

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....