Tap Into Your Inner Beer Lover, Part Three: The Breakfast Lover

I have this habit.

At first, I didn't think it was that weird. Heck, I still don't think it's that weird.

But for some reason, whenever I tell people about it, they either look at me like I'm crazy or verbally express that I have indeed lost my marbles.

...more often the latter. Usually a pleasant mix of both.

I'd like to think that it's a lost art, that maybe it's not just something that people older than 60 do. You tell me.

Here it is:

I wake up at the crack of dawn every single morning and take at least an hour to cook and eat a hot breakfast.

Yep. At least an hour. Every. Single. Morning.

You see, if there's anything I love more than chocolate, it's a homemade, fresh, stick-to-your-ribs, delicious breakfast. Is that so crazy? Is that so nuts?

Think about it:

Warm, buttery pancakes.
Fluffy waffles with authentic maple syrup.
Crispy, delicious bacon.
Fresh yogurt piled high with a mountain of blackberries & crunchy granola.
Huge egg omelettes with all the fixings covered in sharp cheddar.
Homemade buttermilk biscuits smothered with thick sausage gravy.

All accompanied by a huge mug of piping hot coffee.


...who's the crazy one now?

Lucky for me (and my fellow breakfast fanatics), there's beer that pays homage to the best meal of the day.

Friends, I give you: TIYIBL Part Three: Beers for the Breakfast Lover.

Let's begin with the most basic staple of anyone's breakfast, whether you've got an hour or five minutes: coffee. For the coffee lover, try a Stout or Porter.

I'd like to begin with one of the first craft beers I tried and fell in love with: Mocha Porter by Rogue.

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This is a great beer for people like me who love both chocolate and coffee. It pours a delicious dark brown and smells chocolatey and hoppy with a hint of coffee. It's very sweet and very smooth and leaves you with a kick of espresso on the back of the palate. This is a great "starter" beer for someone who doesn't omit the whip when they order from Starbucks (we all know the type!). I've mentioned Rogue brews before, as they really do offer something for everyone, and they're accessible here in the Midwest, which I love. Stay tuned for more from Rogue Ales.

If you're looking for something that packs a bit more of a punch, look for a Coffee Stout. As I've mentioned before, the difference between porters and stouts is that porters tend to be a bit lighter (both color and ABV) and in most cases, a bit less sweet. Stouts are not for the faint of heart, but fall in love with a good one and you'll never go back.

The coffee stout that's been on my wishlist since the beginning of my craft beer obsession is the Bourbon County Coffee Stout by Goose Island.

This is another brew that's earned a score of 100, or "world class" on Beer Advocate. The taste has been described as revealing hints of vanilla, hazelnut, dark cherry, and of course a powerful punch of coffee and bourbon. Pay close attention to any beer with "bourbon" in its title, as that more often than not indicates that the beer has been aged in bourbon barrels. This gives the beer an intense, rich flavor that's not to be missed. If you're lucky enough to snag a bottle of this, tread lightly -- it packs a powerful 14.3% ABV.

After your first (or third or fourth) cuppa, you're going to need something to eat. For those of you who love a huge, warm bowl of oatmeal to fill you up in the morning, I have great news. There is an entire style of beer dedicated to oatmeal. Oatmeal stouts were huge in Medieval times, but went out of style when people found them too bitter. Nowadays, the oatmeal trend is back with a vengeance in the craft beer world, as adding oats to the brewing process produces a smooth, creamy beer. 

For the oatmeal fanatic, try an Oatmeal Stout.

I'm so excited about this category because I get to introduce you guys to some of my absolute favorite beers. Let's start with the stout that holds a special place in my heart, my first stout love: Buffalo Sweat by Tallgrass.

I love this beer. It has a warm, "roasty" flavor that has a certain subtle nuttiness which hides coyly behind huge flavors of coffee and cocoa. Now, be warned: it's not like you're going to take a drink of this and think, "Oh, wow! Tastes like a big ol' bowl of Quaker Instant!" Rather, the oat flavor is going to come through in a roasty, nutty note. If you're a fan of those flavored instant oatmeal packets, or you just love a deep, sweet, delicious beer, give this local (Kansas City) stout a try!

Now, for those of you looking for something a little less sweet and a little more oatmeal-y, try Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout.

Yum. This oatmeal stout is a little less sweet but equally as delicious. While this brew promises a hint of dark chocolate and a little coffee, the big flavor here is roasted malt. What makes this beer especially appealing is how incredibly smooth it is. I'd recommend this one for someone with a bit more of an experienced palate.

I've met people who aren't a fan of coffee (also known as "criminally insane") and I know more than a handful of folks who'd pass on the oatmeal. But I've very seldom met a person who doesn't love some form of simple carbohydrate (whether it be in the form of pancakes, french toast, or waffles), drenched in warm maple syrup. Mmmmm. For you lot of sweet-tooths here in Small Town-ville, I recommend the Double Maple Nut Brown by Wooden Legs Brewing Co.

Let me just take a quick sec to rave about how much I love the fact that there are breweries popping up all over SmallTownVille. I was able to sample this beer a couple times throughout the brewing process and oh man, it was delicious every time. It was incredible to taste the flavors mature and the finished product is oh-so-yummy. This double brown ale (an English beer), is brewed with authentic Canadian maple syrup by an American brewer (hence the cheeky logo). You'll find a brown ale to be a little less "intense" than the porters and stouts I've talked about, but this beer is no less flavorful: it packs a rich sweetness reminiscent of a stack of fresh pancakes drenched in liquid gold (also known as maple syrup). If you're in the Brookings area, snag a pint (or growler) of the good stuff -- it's a seasonal, which means it'll be gone before you know it!

Remember the times before bacon was huge, when Nutella was the "next big trend" in food? I do. In fact, some nutcas-- (ahem) folks overseas (and some here in the U.S.) spread the chocolatey-hazelnut deliciousness over toast every morning. For those type, I've got a special one for you: Hazel Brown by Sam Adams.

This is another seasonal offered only in the Sam Adam's Harvest Variety pack. I've never had a Hazelnut beer before but this one is super yummy. It's another brown ale, which means you're going to get the same sweetness in a bit of a lighter package. This beer smells and tastes chocolatey and nutty, and to me, it is directly reminiscent of Nutella. Try it yourself and let me know if you feel the same!

As much as I wish Nutella still held the same popularity as crispy fried bacon, I have to come to terms with the fact that the breakfast meat-candy is the new king of trendy food. That being said, there's a beer that does pay homage to this. Of course, I'm speaking of the one and only Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale by Rogue.

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Yup. There's a beer expressly dedicated to a doughnut, specifically the Bacon Maple doughnut by Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, Oregon. WARNING: I've heard from numerous sources that this beer is possibly the grossest beer in the whole world. One review on Beer Advocate describes the taste as "artificially flavored burnt maple water," which I personally find hilarious. I'd never buy this for myself, but doesn't it look fun?

Whew. That's a lot of breakfast brews. If you've stuck with me through this uber-long (and rather overdue -- my apologies) post, you're about to be rewarded. I am about to gift you with the knowledge of the best breakfast beer in the whole wide world. The king of the hill when it comes to stouts. The motherload. You guys, I'm not joking when I say it's probably one of, if not the best stout I've ever had: Founders Breakfast Stout. (another 100 on Beer Advocate).

*swoon*

Unfortunately, Founders is not available in SmallTownVille and thus I had to settle for gazing at it longingly atop my wishlist for many, many moons. Add that to the fact that it's a seasonal release and I'd basically given up hope of finding it. Until a blessed moment a few weeks ago: 

I was in downtown Minneapolis, adventuring around after an incredible concert, and wandered into the last pub of the night. I cozied up to the bar and let my eyes scan the tap pulls. Lo and behold, my gaze fell upon the sacred image of a fat little child gobbling up what appears to be porridge from a spoon entirely too big for his mouth. 

I'd found it. The Breakfast Stout. On Tap. 

Guys, I nearly cried. It was kind of embarrassing. (In my defense, this wasn't my first, second, or even third beer of the night, sooo...). I ordered one right away for myself and my friend. The pitch black stout was poured in a beautiful little flute and it was love at first sip. The flavor is huge, deep, and complex, with the standout taste being freshly-roasted coffee beans complemented by a kick of chocolate. The coffee flavor hits every last bit of your mouth, from the intense first sip to the smoky, chocolatey (with a hint of vanilla bean) flavor left at the back of the palate. Believe me when I say that if you EVER come across this beer, you simply must try it. You won't be disappointed.

Yum.

Thus concludes my suggestions for the breakfast lover in all of us. There is, after all, a reason it's deemed the most important meal of the day. Yet, for some reason, many folks seem to skip this daybreak delight. But not anymore. Now you can have your breakfast and drink it, too. 

Cheers,

Rach

p.s. Stay tuned for a post about seasonal (think Oktoberfest and Pumpkin) craft beers as well as the next installation of TIYIBL: Brews for the Foodie Adventurer! Prost!

p.p.s. Follow me on Twitter (@BigPalateBrews) for more frequent updates and news about local craft beer events!

Tap Into Your Inner Beer Lover, Part Two: The Chocoholic

Let's take a quick second to talk about stuff that everybody likes.

Birthdays.
Free stuff.
Puppies.
Sleeping in.
And most importantly...


Chocolate.

Everybody loves chocolate. And if you don't like chocolate, sir or madam, I apologize on behalf of your sad existence.

At least you still have birthdays.


I love chocolate. It's no secret. This summer I had chocolate literally every day and I was a better person because of it. Seriously. Ask my co-workers.

I love chocolate, and obviously, I love beer. But when beer and chocolate coalesce...

People. It's a beautiful thing.

Which brings us to part two of the beer-beginner guide: craft beers for the beginner to beer but the seasoned chocoholic. (click for Part One: the Fruity Drink Friend)

For the "chocoholic" friend -- Try a Stout.

Those who know me best know that I am a Stout girl through and through. Stouts are the darkest of the beer family, chock full of roasted malts. They're typically higher in alcohol content, (averaging 7 or 8% ABV, which means Alcohol by Volume) and are generally more of a "sipper" beer that pairs well with dessert. 

Perhaps the most recognizable stout to most folks is a Guinness.

If you're a chocoholic or have a friend who's new to beer, I would NOT suggest starting him/her on a Guinness. Guinness is an Irish Dry Stout, which means it's a bit less sweet than its dark brethren. As a self-proclaimed stout fanatic, this beer ranks low on my list of favorites.

So, if you're trying to convert a chocoholic to the world of craft beer, I'd suggest starting with a Milk Stout, or a Sweet Stout (the name is basically interchangeable).

One of my all-time favorites is the Young's Double Chocolate Stout.

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This beer is dessert in a bottle (or can). It's readily available at any beer bar that's worth its salt and good liquor stores as well. It's very sweet and smooth, almost like if beer and a delicious chocolate milkshake had a baby. Alcoholic chocolate milkshake. Does it get any better than that?

"But wait!" you cry in your chocolate-beer-ecstasy induced anxiety attack, "What's a MILK stout? Is it made with milk?"

The answer is, kinda but not really. It's brewed with lactose, which is an unfermentable sugar added to the brew kettle to give the beer some sweetness and body. Keep that in mind when you try another one of my favorites, Brau Brother's Moo Joos

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There are several things that I like about this beer. The first and perhaps most important is that it's local. The Brau Brothers brewery is located just a hop skip and a jump away in Marshall, Minnesota. This small town girl loves her small town brews and Brau Brother's is one of my favorite local breweries. The Moo Joos is wonderful because it tastes like milk chocolate, almost reminiscent of chocolate milk. The aroma is magical with just a little bit of cinnamon spice to it. It's technically a milk/sweet stout, but has been described as a crossover milk/oatmeal stout. (But let's not get ahead of ourselves -- I'll talk about Oatmeal Stouts in TIYIBL Part Three: The Breakfast Lover. Stay tuned.)

Let's hop across the pond for one last delicious (and unique) Milk/Sweet Stout: Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout

Samuel Smith's is an English brewery located in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. They brew their beer with well water and ship it over here for our enjoyment. One thing that I love about this beer is that it is 100% Vegan certified as acceptable for consumption by vegans and vegetarians. Add that to the fact that it's organic and you've got a pretty unique brew. Now, I'll admit that I have yet to try this one myself (though I've enjoyed a few other Samuel Smith brews), but I've heard such raving reviews from friends that I had to include it. I've been told that it's rich, smooth, and deliciously chocolatey. 

Bring it back over to the good ol USA and I'll introduce you to another type of stout: the Russian Imperial Stout (also known as Imperial Russian or just Imperial Stout). As a woman, I am 100% justified in saying that this beer will put hair on your chest: a typical Imperial Stout is about 9% OR MORE ABV. Don't let that scare you, though...these are some mighty tasty brews. My personal favorite is Old Rasputin by North Coast Brewing Co.

Man oh man, people. It just doesn't get any better than this. If you haven't tried this beer yet, put it on your bucket list. (It has received a "world class" rating on Beer Advocate). This stout is rich, with hints of chocolate and a bit of coffee, but nothing overpowering -- all of the flavors mingle beautifully together. It has a beautiful, creamy head (aka "foam" -- but we'll talk about this later), and a creamy, velvety mouthfeel (if you don't know what that means, don't worry -- we'll talk about that later too!) Once you've honed your craft beer chops a bit, you've just gotta try this bad boy. Top notch.

But what about a beer for the friend who doesn't care about head or mouthfeel or trying to detect hints of coffee or cinnamon aromas? "Rachael!" you demand, "I wouldn't be able to find my way out of a wet Bud Light box. Just give me a beer that tastes like a chocolate bar." 

Don't worry, young grasshopper. In time, you will learn. Until then, there's Rogue Chocolate Stout

This beer is an American Stout that's just about as friendly as the gal on its label (Roguester Sebbie Buhler). It's not too dark, easily drinkable and quite sweet. When I think of chocolate beer, this is what I think of. Rogue is one of my favorite breweries (I'll mention their Mocha Porter in Part Three: Breakfast Lovers and another in Part Four -- the theme of which I'm not announcing yet). This beer is chocolate through and through and an excellent beginner beer for someone with a supreme sweet-tooth and a special place in their heart for everything chocolate.

I've saved one of my favorites for last, for a few reasons. Reason number one: it's a Bock, not a Stout. Reason number two: it's a seasonal, only available in the winter. Reason number three: it holds a special nostalgic place in my heart. Friends, I give you Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock

A bock is a brown lager that is lighter than a stout but typically just as sweet (or sweeter) than a stout. The Chocolate Bock by Sam Adams is one of my absolute favorite seasonal beers (another future blog topic). It comes around once a year, nestled in one of my all-time favorite seasonal samplers: The Samuel Adams Winter Classics Variety Pack. Though it's one of my favorites, I'm kind of glad it only comes around once a year. There's just something about snuggling close to a loved once by the Christmas tree or next to the fireplace and enjoying the sweet chocolatey goodness that is Chocolate Bock. It's a bit dry but incredibly sweet, with a delicious cocoa flavor and just a hint of caramel. Yum.

Well, I've successfully given myself a case of the sweet-tooth stout cravings, and I hope you feel the same. If I didn't, check your pulse, and/or check out my Fruity Beer blog, and/or stay tuned for Part Three of the Tap Into Your Inner Beer Lover series, which will feature brews for the lover of all things breakfast. I've got Part Four in the works and Part Five is on the horizon as well, so if you haven't found your perfect craft brew, don't worry -- I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.

Until then, Choc-- I mean, Cheers!

Rach

Tap Into Your Inner Beer Lover, Part One: The Fruity Drink Friend

...see what I did there? TAP into...? Ok.

One of the best parts about my new blog/hobby is that I get to share my love of beer with others. I especially like to chat with my friends who are utterly against beer, because I am 100% convinced that there is a beer out there for everyone. Some folks take more convincing than others, but I've yet to run into a person for whom I cannot find a match made in brew-heaven.

So, what's the first step when it comes to converting a beer-shy buddy? Find out what he/she does enjoy to eat and/or drink.

This week I've decided to begin a series of suggestions for the beer-beginners based on their go-to eats/drinks. Today's blog is dedicated to the most timid of beer-beginners, those who may think beer is too "bitter," or who cringe at the sight of a Guinness: The fruity-sweet-tooths.

For the "fruity drink" friend -- the one who orders a White Zin or a Cosmo: Try a Wheat Beer.

Now, when it comes to wheat beer, there are many names which mean basically the same thing (Weizen, Weiß, Hefeweizen, Lambic -- all varieties of wheat beer), but for the purpose of the "beer beginner," focus more on the other words in the title -- for example, names of fruits. For the beer novice, the flavor of the fruit is going to be a bit more apparent than the wheat flavor.

For the wine lover, I'd recommend a  lambic such as Brouwerji Lindemans Framboise. 

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The Framboise is a raspberry lambic that's sweet, but not too sweet. It'll likely illicit a "this doesn't even taste like beer!" reaction.  Lambics are usually a good choice for wine-os because of their dry, cidery taste. Be warned, though: make sure to choose a fruit lambic -- a pure, unblended lambic is incredibly sour. Some buzzwords to look for when choosing a lambic:

• Framboise (Raspberry)
• Pêche (Peach)
• Cassis (Black Currant)
• Druif (Grape)
• Aardbei (Straberry)

For the friend who's hooked on fruity martinis (think Cosmos and Lemon Drops), go for a wheat beer which is described as "fruit beer." One of my go-tos is Berry Weiss by Leinenkugel

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There are a few things that I like about this beer. First and foremost, it's readily available in my area and can be found in grocery stores and even gas stations. This may seem trivial, but to a beginner, it's critical. Searching for a specific type of craft beer in a specialty liquor store can be intimidating. Secondly, it pours a light ruby color, which is also a little less intimidating for a beer beginner. I'd recommend buying this as part of a Leinenkugel's sampler pack, which also includes the Sunset Wheat, another wheat beer that actually tastes incredibly similar to Fruity Pebbles.

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The sunset wheat is more of a citrus-y flavored wheat beer, and I'd venture to say that it is even sweeter than the Berry Weiss. 

There is a beer for almost any fruit out there, and one of my most recent discoveries in the world of fruit beer is the Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat.

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This beer has an incredibly prominent cherry flavor with hints of honey. It's very sweet and would appeal to someone with a major sweet tooth. 

Now, this blog post would not be complete without mentioning the ever-rising popularity of hard cider. 

Look familiar? (source)

It is becoming increasingly common to see hard apple ciders (think Angry Orchard, Woodchuck, or Cider Boys) offered in restaurants nowadays. While these ciders are usually found on beer lists and served alongside beer on tap or in bottles, don't be deceived: cider is not beer at all. The difference between cider and beer is the source of the alcohol. Cider is made from fermented apple juice while beer is made from malted barley. 

But fear not, cider-lovers! All hope is not lost. For the friend who loves her cider but wants to explore beer, there is a readily-available stepping stone: Redd's Apple Ale

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Redd's is technically an ale, but tastes strikingly similar to a cider.

All in all, there are lots of options for our fruit-fanatic, sweet-tooth, cider-savvy friends to try. If you've still got a sweet tooth but none of these beers appeals to you, fear not, for there are many more "sweet" beers to try. Tune in to my next blog which features "The Chocoholic Friend."

Cheers! 

Rach