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Yummy Links: From Chocolate and Espresso to Cracked Crab

partysugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:45:55 -0800

Adding espresso to chocolate will enrich its flavor. - Epicurious
Ten pumpkin ales perfect for sipping now. - Chow
Meet Cookstr, the Internet's newest recipe resource. - The Kitchn
Talking turkey with Food and Wine editor Dana Cowin. - Serious Eats
Learn how to properly crack fresh crab. - 7x7

Happy Hour: Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:11 -0700

These days, my street isn't the only thing covered with pumpkins; so is my kitchen. I've been using the gourds in everything from moist pumpkin bread to chicken pumpkin stew, and so I decided it was high time I enjoyed it in ale form, too. Although it's believed early American icons like George Washington and Ben Franklin enjoyed pumpkin ales, one Bay Area craft brewhouse, Buffalo Bill's, brought the beer back into vogue when it became known for its special blend in the 1980s.The whisky-colored amber ale ($7.99 for six), which is brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins and malted barley, possesses only a delicate squash flavor, but has lingering pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg that become more prominent as the beer warms. Because it doesn't have a malty flavor or the bitter taste of hops, Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin a great find for people who aren't that into traditional beer. What's your favorite Fall ale?

Happy Hour: Harvest and Pumpkin Ales

YumSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:03:17 -0800

One of the great things about Fall is the abundance of harvest beers and ales. Sure it's part of the whole limited-edition food trend, but because the hops are harvested and created specifically with Fall in mind, I'm willing to buy into it. These ales are wonderfully festive and make for a great addition to your party bar options or while watching the big game. I've gathered up a few of the ones I've seen in my stores, such as Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale, but I know that there are a lot of regional ones in the US and the rest of the world. Do you have a favorite harvest ale? If so, tell us about it below!

Sierra Nevada Harvest ($3.69)	Hales O'Brien's Harvest Ale ($1.45)
Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale ($7.99)	Abita Pecan Harvest Ale ($8.69)
Night Owl Pumpkin Ale	Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale

What's Cooking at Slashfood

partysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:00:33 -0700

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:

Learn how to get free drinks at your local watering hole.
75 percent frosting, 25 percent cake!
Do you write notes in your cookbooks?
The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys want you to eat better when at the ballpark.
Radicchio is in season; it pairs perfectly with raisins and pine nuts.
How important is it to preheat your oven?
It's a great time to enjoy pumpkin ale.

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Come Party With Me: Potluck Thanksgiving - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:49 -0800

If your house is the location of a Thanksgiving potluck, you're hosting duties not only include making the turkey, but also preparing a cocktail. When guests arrive offer them a glass to get things started. Since the meal is a big one, serve an apéritif - something not too sweet that will stimulate the palate like these campari triple-sec concoctions.

On the flip side, when attending a Thanksgiving potluck, don't show up empty handed. Bring a bottle of sparkling wine or Beaujolais Nouveau or a six-pack of festive pumpkin ale.

To look at the campari cocktail recipe, which can be easily adapted for a crowd, read more.

Bitter Orange Kindler
From Gourmet

Ingredients

2 ounces triple sec
2 ounces campari
tonic water
orange peel, optional for garnish

Directions

In a tall glass combine the triple sec and Campari with 3 cubes of ice.
Fill the glass with chilled tonic water and stir to blend. Garnish with a strip of orange peel.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:21 -0700

Not only is my annual pumpkin carving party about creating cool pumpkins, it's also about celebrating the flavors of Fall.

To get people in the mood to party, I'll be pouring a potent punch made from pear nectar and sparkling apple cider. It's fruity, bubbly, and refreshing - what more could you ask for in a punch?

In case people want to imbibe something other than hard alcohol, I've asked my guests to bring an assortment of seasonal ales and sparkling sodas. To check out the easy punch recipe, which would be welcome at any large event, read more.

Pear and Sparkling Cider Cocktails
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 cups pear nectar, chilled
2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
2 cups seltzer, chilled
4 ounces (1/2 cup) bourbon whiskey, such as Knob Creek
1 Bosc pear, unpeeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges

Directions

Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer, and whiskey in a pitcher.
Divide pear wedges among glasses, and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately.

Serves 8-10.

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Beer Goes Seasonal

partysugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:30:40 -0800

Most of you were appalled by the increase in budget beer sales and many or you prefer to drink local microbrews, so I thought I would bring attention to an interesting website created by the Brewer's Association. Seasonal Beer Throughout the Year is your resource for limited-edition, seasonal craft brews. A seasonal beer is a special style of beer, sometimes with flavors like pumpkin, made for a certain time of year. These beers are especially popular during Oktoberfest.

From harvest ales to Christmas brews, the site has you covered. The best thing about it is that you select your state after choosing the season. Not only are the brews seasonal, but the listings are local as well! The in-depth list provides the brewery's website and phone number for simple and quick ordering.

I'm definitely going to get my hands on some of Pyramid's Snowcap Ale, how about you?

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