It seems inevitable that I will eternally be surrounded by beer drinkers. I always seem to be the odd vodka-soda out when I'm sitting around with friends at a bar, and if I do find myself at a brewery, I always end up staring at the seemingly endless bounty of choices without a clue what to order. That's when my friends step in, because they are determined to find me a beer I actually enjoy drinking. Their eagerness never fails when picking one for me to try.
They did me right with Wells Banana Bread Beer. Instead of ordering dessert, this beer definitely sufficed. Although it's a dry ale with a 5.2% alcohol content, for me this beer was subtly sweet and really lived up to its name. Made in the UK's largest brewery, Wells & Youngs, this beer is a great change of pace for anyone seeking a more flavorful brew.
Tip: At your next dinner party, serve Wells Banana Bread Beer with dessert or as dessert!
After a long day of snowboarding in the mountains and being outside in the snow, there is no better way to relax than to open up a Hazed and Infused, an American Pale Ale from the Boulder Beer Company, Colorado's First Microbrewery. Or, if you're like me and don't live in Colorado and avoid winter sports as much as possible, this is still the perfect beer to drink on an icy winter day. Although it's a hoppy beer, it has a mild taste with herbal and citrusy aromas.
Unfortunately Hazed and Infused is still somewhat hard to find. It began as a one keg brew in Boulder, but can now be found in twenty states, including New York. If you manage to come across it, Hazed and Infused is the perfect beer to enjoy this winter (and if not it can always be found online to order).
Tip: Haze and Infused has a low alcohol content of 4.85 %. This makes it the perfect beer to drink when in higher altitudes, since elevation increases the rate of intoxication.
If you're a newcomer to British beer (like me), you should try starting with an easily accessible and drinkable beer like Newcastle Brown Ale. This classic English ale has a malty nose with notes of caramel and floral hops. This is an extremely food-friendly beer, striking the perfect balance of flavor with its light, foamy texture and structured flavor. We pair this beer with an aged Cheddar— the strong and salty flavor of the cheese goes perfectly with this slightly sweet brew.
Tip: Newcastle is best served in a traditional pint glass or mug, and the flavors will be more pronounced if the beer is allowed to warm just slightly before serving.
Fire Island is the home to many beach houses, artists, tourists and wealthy individuals. This car-free zone is notorious for its carefree vibe, which is reflected in the hoppy ale. Like most Indian Pale Ales, also known as IPAs, Fire Island Red Wagon IPA has an earthy, bitter, yet strong flavor with a hint of citrus and pairs fabulously with cheeses like Mozzarella. Mozzarella is made from fresh, unpasteurized cow's milk which gives the cheese the slightly salty, smooth, sweet and sour flavor we all know and love.
Tip: To really get the full flavor of this New York based brewery's IPA, pour some into a white wine glass and swirl it gently to release the flavors and enhance the aroma!
My nights out start slow. I throw on some makeup and a nice dress, add some heels, sit in my living room and have a pre-party drink with my friends. Whenever I reach for my first drink of the evening, I like to begin with Guinness. It's not too fruity or sugary like many cocktails out there, and it's nice to pour into a pint glass...but carefully. The strong aromas, incredible hops and end note of bittersweetness are just what I need before venturing out for a good time in the city. And as they say "Guinness For Strength".
Tip: A Guinness is best enjoyed when poured right, so use a clean, dry glass held at a 45 degree angle. Don't pour it all at once— instead, let 3/4 of the stout settle in the glass before your finish so the head doesn't overwhelm your first sip. Nothing like a Guinness mustache to get the party started!
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