Skeptical about hard cider? Today's tipples, Strawman and Iceman from Angry Orchard Hard Cider, just might surprise you.
Modeled after traditional European and Canadian cider-making processes, these small-batch brews are higher in alcohol — 10 percent, as opposed to the five that's common for the cider category — and are much rounder than we've come to expect in a cider. Keep reading for our tasting notes.
A quick preface: we get it; cider isn't exactly a beer, but hard cider has been going through a bit of a renaissance lately. No longer is it simply a last resort on tap for those who eschew beer; it's something to prize and seek out. Arguably, few places are doing it better than Wandering Aengus in Salem, OR, whose fruity brews are helping hard ciders shed their reputation as candy-sweet. If you're new to the hard-cider category, then Wandering Aengus Ciderworks Wanderlust ($8) is an excellent introduction. Made from organically farmed heirloom apples and fermented with a champagne yeast, this libation has all the seeds necessary for those looking to branch out.
Editor's note: Get excited! Our favorite party guru, Colin Cowie, is back. This time he's here to help us handle the holidays. The event planner extraordinaire is a fan of buffets, especially for large food celebrations like Thanksgiving. Below he shares his recipes for the perfect turkey day buffet.
A Thanksgiving buffet allows each guest to help themselves to what they like, skip what they don't favor, and go back for seconds and thirds should they wish. You can place serving platters in the warming drawer until ready to be used (if you don't have a warming drawer, set the oven to 200°F and place the platters inside for 5-10 minutes). After a leisurely dinner, clear the buffet and set it for dessert — an apple tarte tatin, coffee, and cognac. And remember, the best part about Thanksgiving is enjoying the leftovers the following day!
Get Colin's recipes for roast turkey, haricot verts, baked apples, and warm spiced cider after the break.
No Halloween is complete without a good old fashioned punch. Often times, folks will use dry ice as a way to create a spooky effect. However, dry ice can be quite dangerous, so I found a recipe that will evoke the same feeling without any of the risk. This recipe for a Witches' Brew starts off with a chilled apple cider and ends with a dollop of sweet vanilla ice cream. To get the recipe, read more
Fall is coming, which means so are fall yummies. In fact the chills of the evening lead me to mash up a side of red potatoes last night with dinner, and they were delish. Turns out, mashed potatoes made MSNBC's list of the eight most fattening foods of Fall. Damn.
Here's the complete list of things you may want to stay away from (or at least eat in moderation):
Do you know what "turducken" is? Tell me what you think it is in the comment section below!
