December 30, 2011

A Tasty Twist on a Traditional New Year’s Day Feast

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For many people, New Year’s Day means braised pork and sauerkraut. I distinctly remember the smell of the roast and pungent cabbage permeating the house, enough to open the eyes of all of us who stayed up too late to watch the ball drop in the company of family or friends as counted down by Dick Clark. Honestly, I always hated the sauerkraut part. This was until I became a culinarian  (and consequently how to appreciate really awesome beer!) Little did I know in my younger years that it was possible to enhance the flavor of many things by exchanging water or broth for beer. I am here to offer a recipe for pork and sauerkraut that may just turn into a tradition for you:

Drunken Pork and Sauerkraut  (6-8 servings)

2 lb sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 Tbsp sugar

2 tsp caraway seeds

sachet (tied cheesecloth bag) of 5 juniper berries, 10 black peppercorns, and 2 bay leaves

salt and freshly ground black pepper

paprika

garlic powder

1/2 lb potatoes, cut in 1 1/2″ dice

one medium onion, sliced thin

8 oz kielbasa sausage, cut into 2-3″ chunks

3-4 lb boneless pork shoulder or pork butt roast

2 bottles each of a good dark ale (I’m using Gulden Draak this year)

  • Rub pork roast with paprika, garlic powder, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Place sliced onions on the bottom of a 5 quart slow cooker.
  • mix sauerkraut with caraway seeds, sprinkle in some salt and pepper.
  • add sauerkraut mix to slow cooker. Tuck sachet of seasonings into the sauerkraut.
  • layer potatoes over sauerkraut.
  • place seasoned pork roast on top of potatoes in slow cooker. Arrange kielbasa pieces around pork.
  • check quality of your beer choice. Drink one bottle, add the other to the slow cooker.
  • cook on high, covered,  for 6-7 hours.
  • to serve: remove pork onto a large serving platter. Remove sachet of seasonings. Arrange sauerkraut. potatoes, and kielbasa around the pork.
  • Pour yourself a wonderful Belgian beer. You deserve a Happy New year!

 

October 23, 2011

Become An Official Ambassador For Gulden Draak!

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Election Day for U.S. citizens is quickly approaching. Being an “off year”, the majority of the choices ahead for the voting public will be for the election of local representatives to the state legislature, municipal seats, and, as in the case for only four states this year, a gubernatorial election. *yawn*   Since the real excitement will be another year’s wait, I think it is possible to create a complete fervor in the politics of beer: make your own run for office to become an ambassador for one of the most fabulous beers available on this rock we call Earth….Gulden Draak.

Judging by the amount of people I know that absolutely worship this beer, I am 100% certain that the cult following of Gulden Draak is more than just a flash in the pan. What better way to express your devotion than to become an honorary representative of your favorite liquid manna? According to their website, there are currently almost 100 candidates from around the world vying for the top spot. There will be ambassadors chosen for every state in the U.S., for every province in Belgium, and one for every other country in the world. The catch? You have to not only write a small blurb about why you should be chosen, you need to collect votes for your entry! So, my fellow devotees of the Draak, you MUST network yourself like a politician on the road and rock those votes!

So, what do you get for being elected your local ambassador? Well, for starters, you get a sweet personalized shirt with the Gulden Draak logo on the back, your name on the front with the word “Ambassador” emblazoned on it. You will also receive a certificate certifying that you are indeed an ambassador. And should you find yourself in Belgium and in the town of Ertvelde, you will have a VIP tour of the Van Steenberge brewery! How’s that for drinking directly from the fountain of awesome?

Now, if you have properly motivated your constituents and you have swayed the masters of the beer universe at Van Steenberge, you could be chosen to represent the entire Draak-loving planet! Not only do you have bragging rights (and perhaps political sway), you will be whisked off to Belgium and treated like royalty…flight, accommodations, VIP tour of the brewery, a trip to the Augustijn monastery, a tour to Ghent with a canal boat ride, tasting and dinner, your own personalized bottle of Gulden Draak (see below for an example of the biggest bottle of Gulden Draak I have ever seen), and of course, new glassware and an assortment of beers to take home with you.

Two thumbs up for a big bottle of Gulden Draak from Cassandra Lusso!

Now is your chance to become famous. Reach for the stars, become politically active in the world of great beer. Start drafting your manifesto. If you’re feeling really confident, start writing an acceptance speech and pack your bags. But first, you need to enter. Click here to get rolling on the road to heavenly rewards.

Cheers, and may the best representative win!

P.S…If you want to remain anonymous, vote for our tour guide and friend for the Global Beer Network tour, Regnier De Muynck, at his application space here.

 

August 3, 2011

There’s More to Cooperstown Than Baseball?

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Over this past weekend, I found myself in a Paradise that didn’t require an overnight flight or a passport. In the rural outskirts, stands the Belgian-style farmhouse that represents Ommegang Brewery-the sight of this year’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown Festival 2011.

As an esteemed fan and companion of Global Beer Network, I was invited along with the Lusso crew to play the part of spectator and of course, to lend a helping hand in setting up the table and handing out prizes to festival attendees sporting our temporary tattoos. What made this event for Global Beer awesome were 2 factors: the first time using the new portable Gulden Draak tower, and premiering a new beer..Gulden Draak Quad.

Public fascination with the Draak tower was so epic, it was like fighting Papparazzi for the best shot.

Little did I know  that our “volunteers” for pouring draft for  us would vanish after only 30 minutes. Ah, so it was time for me to keep the taps flowing for the thirsty crowd of beer lovers. Although I was manning the tower tap with Gulden Draak triple, Piraat, and the new Gulden Draak quad, we actually had 6 beers for sampling, including Wittekerke, Troubadour Magma, and Wittekerke Framboise.  The funniest moment I experienced was when an obviously drunk young woman approached the Draak, and inquired ever so politely, “Do you have any light beer?”, to which I replied, “See that water fountain over there? I hear they have light beer available”. She trotted off determinedly on a mission to find what she was searching for.                                                                                                                                                   After 4 1/2 hours of pouring, chatting up the tasters, enduring random marriage proposals from alcohol-fueled patrons, sipping some fabulous beers, and generally getting bathed in Draak and Piraat (I can think of worse things to smell like!)–it was time to pack up the leftovers for the campsite we carved out the night before. The campsite was one BIG party, with lots of people stopping by with their own beers to share while we traded our leftover Wittekerke and Troubadour Magma in the spirit of free love for beer. In the background I could hear the sounds of a cover band doing their rendition of “Ace of Spades” while we sat back and enjoyed the fireworks display towards the end of the night.

Sadly, we packed up our sleeping bags, tent, and gear the next day to weather the 4 hour drive back home. This was truly the greatest weekend I have experienced outside of a week full of brewery tours and tastings outside of Belgium, and I can’t wait to participate again next year!

Like father, like daughter: Cliff and Cassandra Lusso celebrating in style.

 

May 30, 2011

Perfect idea for Father’s Day

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They say that variety is the spice of life. What better way to live that famous idiom vicariously than to have six different beers in your 6-pack? Gone are the days of being limited to just one brand or style in your fermented beverage offering: Belgian Beer lovers, I present to you the exclusive Browerij Van Steenberge Sampler Pack:

The individual histories of these beers are as interesting as the beers themselves. Gent St. Stefanus, founded in 1295 by an Augustine order, saw centuries of war, revolution, reconstruction, and revival. With only 7 monks left to manage the Abbey, Van Steenberge was licensed over 20 years ago to produce their fine beers with an over 100-year-old yeast strain.

Augustijn Abbey Ale (8% ABV) is a fine accompaniment to semi-firm cheeses (Emmental, Gouda, Rodenbach), perfect for steaming mussels, or simply to savor the full-bodied flavor in your own Augustijn glass. Augustijn Dark (7% ABV) would be perfect with roast pork tenderloin or as an apertif with its dark caramel color and hints of raisins and chocolate. Augustijn Grand Cru (9% ABV) is as special as the name suggests–try this pleasant, straw colored dry-finishing beer with a plate of gorgonzola and sliced Bosc pears.

Leute Bok (7.5% ABV) with it’s deep red hue and caramelized head might leave you wondering which country you’re in. It’s officially designated as a double bock, which originates in the Einbeck region of Germany. Wonderful compliment to any hearty stew (can’t wait to try this in Carbonnade a la Flammande!) or try it with a juicy Porterhouse steak at your next barbeque.

Piraat (10.5% ABV) is a pale, strong ale that hearkens back to the time of high-seas hijinks and the search for treasure. Pirates often drank a pint (or a few) to keep themselves healthy and in high spirits for the long voyages ahead of them. Try this dry and slightly sweet ale with your Surf and Turf, or as a nightcap with a good cigar.

Finally, there is the Draak. Gulden Draak. Named after the famous golden statue that guards the top of the Belfort en Lakenhalle in Gent, this golden sweet beer is a match made in heaven for a piece of Belgian bittersweet chocolate. After personally witnessing my sister and many of my friends spontaneously becoming Draak disciples, this one should not be missed.

Courtesy of Jennifer Czarnecki and Pudge, who prefer Gulden Draak.

Periodically, Global Beer Network will change the lineup of beers to keep things interesting for us. This is the second incarnation. The original pack, which may have been the first beer sampler pack to ever grace the shelves of your local beer distributor, was designed in 1996 by Claudine Van Massenhoue– one of the co-founders of Global Beer Network. It included some of the beers you see here: Augustijn Blond, Piraat, and Gulden Draak.

Whether you’re a beer geek, budding beer geek, or casual connoisseur of fine beers, I cannot stress enough the diversity of beauty and flavors represented in this sampler. Should you buy this? &%$# YEAH! Why should you try this? Because YOU CAN.

 

December 24, 2010

Gulden Draak and a Cigar

Posted by Global Beer Network under Brouwerij Van Steenberge, cigar pairing, Gulden Draak | Tags: , , |
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Before you settle in for your long winter’s nap, heed the words of our resident cigar expert, Bruce Hackmann. He’s got the rundown on pairing Gulden Draak with a Perdomo Reserve Cabinet La Tradicion Oscuro. Consider it an early Christmas present.

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I am basing this pairing on the word description of each of these products. The cigars main profile is earth and dark roasted coffee, while the ale has a toasted toffee and milk chocolate sweetness. These two should complement each other.  Read the full review of the cigar on Cigar Postings 2.

The sweet style of the ale seems to control that slightly dry mouthfeel of this cigar. That touch of sweet cedar on the cigar plays off the sweet malts of the ale. The robust earthy notes and roasted coffee from the cigar circulate with the rich milk chocolate and toffee notes of this triple ale. I think this makes the ale feel a little thicker because the earthy notes are transferred. The rich flavors of the ale really seem to elevate this pairing.

Overall, I have to say this is one yummy pairing. This would be a wonderful way to end the night after one of those Holiday dinners.

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Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season from your friends at Global Beer Network! Cheers!

 

September 2, 2010

Gulden Draak Tower

Posted by Global Beer Network under Brouwerij Van Steenberge, Gulden Draak, history and tradition | Tags: , , , |
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Boston’s world-renowned beer bar Sunset Grill & Tap is the first to install the Gulden Draak Tower. This beer tower is designed to serve fresh Gulden Draak to the thirsty masses, but its primary objective is to just look badass.

The story behind Gulden Draak, and the reason this tower was created, is due to its storied history as a guardian of the Belfry of Gent, located in Flanders. Belgium, like the rest of Europe, featured these types of creatures on top of their towers as a symbol of protection, most notably for the gold kept inside. Hence, the dragon now protects the liquid gold of Gulden Draak!

If you happen to be in the Boston area, I highly recommend visiting Sunset Grill & Tap. The obvious reason is to check out the new Draak tower, but with over 100 taps and nearly 400 bottled beers, how can you go wrong?

 

March 5, 2010

Using Word Descriptors for Your Beer and Cigar Pairing

Posted by Global Beer Network under Augustijn, cigar pairing, Gulden Draak | Tags: , , , |
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Here, Bruce Hackmann follows up on his numbers method of beer and cigar pairing with an example of how to use word descriptors. By combining these two approaches, you should be able to successfully pair an exquisite Belgian beer with any cigar.

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In the last installment, I showed you how to play the numbers game, so let’s look at the words used to describe your Belgian beer.

The words used to describe a beer are very important when reading up on tasting notes, especially when you have not had the beer before.  The Augustijn is described as spicy, malty and fruity.  When I opened my 750 mL (aged a few years) bottle I was picking up an aroma of tropical fruit.  Then, the first few tastes, yes, it was citrusy up-front with an underlying sweet spice taste.  I could think of some flavored cigars that would go nice with this ale, but I don’t do flavored cigars.  Something from Drew Estates or Acid Cigars could work well with this particular beer.

Here is another good tip – when you have not had the beer before, take a few sips before lighting a cigar up so you can pair them better.  The key word description here was ‘fruity.’  The day I had the Augustijn I was at my vacation place so my cigars were limited.  I usually carry 20 to 25 different cigars with me to spend the week-end or week.  I selected the Man O War Torpedo for its ‘full spice and woody undertones.’   With the citrus ale taste, I was thinking that an oak smoked cheddar cheese would go well with this and that got me to the Man O War with its oaky woody notes.

Can the Gulden Draak Tripel stand up to a cigar? Yes!  You often hear about toffee or caramel sweetness when this delicious ale is mentioned. Well, coffee-like flavors should pair well.  A medium to full bodied ale needs a medium to full bodied cigar.  The point system needs to work but, we are also playing the word game.  I go to my humidor and select a Padilla 68 Salomon, a beautiful 7 X 58 cigar.  This cedary-woody but, sweet, yet earthy cigar, with a hint of coffee should do the trick. After trying them together, I can tell you it’s a perfect match!  For some, drinking this ale all by itself can be overwhelming with the sweet, dessert-like flavor notes.  So, a quality cigar should take the edge off – and it does.

Now, let’s review.  Using the point scale to chart your taste on fine Belgian beers and cigars will help you to maximize your pleasures.  Using the word description approach will help you to find compatibility.  Respect your beer and cigar.  Don’t set yourself up for that collision in taste.  By matching up the taste you will maximize your pleasures in life.

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Be sure to look right here for more tips from Bruce on the best beer and cigar combinations.

 

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