For those of you who, like me, enjoy a nice cold beer on a hot summer day, I thought I’d highlight a few fab summer beers and ciders today - as well as feature a few eco breweries!
I love that even breweries can be eco-friendly and earth conscious these days... so cool!
Is drinking beer or cider at a leisurely summer backyard party a tradition for any of you?
After doing some research, I came across a comprehensive Top 10 list on About.com that features their picks for the Top 10 Summer Beers... and while I haven’t tried many of their suggestions, my hubby and I will definitely keep these in mind the next time we’re having a vegetarian BBQ!
Their top choice for a refreshing summer beer is Bitburger's Premium Pils, what they call “an excellent example of a German Pils.” The beer is loaded with hops and has a wonderful lager snap that’s “great beer for hot summer days.”
Coming in at number two is Samuel Smith’s Pure Brewed Lager, which has a golden color, delightful floral bouquet with lots of fruity hop character and fragrance. This one has a lingering sweetness... mmm. :)
Number three is Flying Dog’s Classic Pale Ale, which is an American-style pale ale that is dry hopped with Cascade hops.
Goose Island’s India Pale Ale clocks in at number four, which About.com calls “sunshine in a bottle.”
And we all know I love sunshine - it inspired me to create my Butterfly Kisses eye shadow!
At number five we have Paulaner’s Hefe-Weizen, which is recommended with a slice of fresh lemon for a citrus twist to this classic Bavarian style wheat beer.
Berliner’s Kindl Weisse clocks in at number six, and About.com really raves about this one. They say: “This beer is a testament to the ingenuity of German brewers. It's amazing that such flavors can be coaxed out of water, barley, hops and yeast. The secret is souring. The grains are allowed to sour producing a lip smacking tang unique to this wonderfully refreshing and highly effervescent beer. Many fans of the style like to add raspberry or woodruff syrup to take off the sour edge.”
Would you try it? I think this one is right up my hubby’s alley.
Samuel Adam’s Summer Ale uses lemon zest and a peppery African spice they call “grains of paradise.” Enjoy this light beer at the beach house in the photo above? Looks like paradise to me :)
Pyramid’s Apricot Weizen Ale has a sweet, vibrant taste due to the use of apricot juice. The delicate sweetness of this beer is great with spicy grilled veggies, and why not try incorporating this beer into a sauce for your next cookout?
Bouleved Brewing Co.’s Zon is a “Kansas City interpretation of the classic Belgian witbier style.” The beer also uses coriander and orange peel.
Buffalo Bill’s Orange Blossom Cream Ale brings a big smile to my face! Rounding out the top ten, this beer is a fruity delight.
Now that you have a whole slew of new summer-approved beers to try, check out Eco Brew by Long Trail!
Eco Brew has taken sustainable brewing to a whole other level, as they are dedicated to minimizing impact on the environment with their brewing processes.
They focus on reducing the overall resources consumed by their brewery, reusing resources to achieve their maximum potential, and recycling no longer usable materials either onsite or in cooperation with their local community.
Love this so much!!
The Daily Green also has a list of the best eco-friendly breweries and organic beers.
Cheers!
FUN TASK:
For those of you beauties who love a summertime beer, what is your ultimate beer and food pairing? I’m getting hungry just thinking about this!
I’ll send my Butterfly Kisses and $20 Whole Foods Gift Cards to some of the most inventive :)
xoxoxo,
Carina
My favorites are...
3Morgan3
Gill Joseph
xxxooo,
Carina
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written by Gill Joseph, July 30, 2010
Of course you can't beat beer and barbecue, but if you have a deeper, brownish ale (as in, the traditional British type), you can make a wonderful stew with veggies, mushrooms and either beef (if you eat it) or vegetable protein like beans or seitan. Add a pinch of brown sugar and some cornflour (cornstarch) when you brown the veggies, then gently cook in the ale until deep, dark and thickened. Gorgeous autumn food - and of course, there's a natural match between the finished meal and a glass of the ale you used.
Any wheat or weiss beer goes fantastically well with light, summery food, and it should be served icy cold and refreshing.
As an aside, I brew my own beer - I'm the only woman I know who does! This way, I know it's eco-friendly, completely natural and I can adjust it to my own taste. It's really not that hard to start, and it means that on those days when only a cold beer will do, you have the satisfaction of pouring a homemade glass from your own keg. :-)
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written by janya45, July 30, 2010
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written by 3Morgan3, July 30, 2010
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written by Poohbear213, July 30, 2010
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written by Wadyado, July 30, 2010
goes well with any Porter
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written by DianK29, July 30, 2010
Well anywho it goes well with Amber Ale
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written by DiamondsRmyBFF, July 30, 2010
I think that a good pairing is Eggs Benedict and Weizen
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written by Makeup4life, July 30, 2010
I have not had that in forever. I know where I am going later lol
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written by couponmakeup, July 30, 2010
Yumm
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written by organically, July 30, 2010
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written by Leilani Olsen, July 30, 2010
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written by Ann Vance, July 30, 2010
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written by dandy, July 30, 2010
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written by Kim, July 30, 2010
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written by wingedbutter, July 30, 2010
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written by wingedbutter, July 31, 2010
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written by kathy voorhees, July 31, 2010
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written by connie, August 01, 2010
at this time of year:
I like to put together a chicken infused with oranges and rosemary. I first marinate the chicken in orange juice and honey for 2 hours or so.
I take a can and fill it with orange juice and put rosemary in the can. I take a chicken and put if on top of the can. I put a pat of butter and oranges under the skin of the chicken and stuff the cavity with more rosemary and oranges. I then put a bit more honey on the chicken and sprinkle it with rotisserie chicken seasoning.
cook for about 3 hours and it is delicious....
I like to serve this with a beer called shock top belgian white which is infused with oranges, lemon and lime.
YUMMY!!!!
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written by cristie j, August 01, 2010
It absolutely MUST be enjoyed on a bench at the end of a long trail in the mountains.
Eaten with trail mix...PB&J....those little packets of cheese and crackers....whatever has been dug up from our packs.
If we have anything left.
Mostly, a good home brewed wheat, with the setting sun and my buddy next to me, achy muscles and a job well done.
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written by Rositolina!, August 04, 2010
This is a typical Friday or Saturday night of most of Italians!
Just because here Pizza is a tradition and we eat too much of it in every place we are.
I really love also the taste of homemade pizza with a very cold beer!
Is not so Original but is very, very good! (Especially with a Pizza with wurstel and fried potatoes on it! A BOMB!)
But something really original and Tasting is BEER RISOTTO!!!
I really Love risotto, is one of my favourite dishes!
When I tried this kind of Risotto made with Beer I totally find it Unique and Yummy!!
The light flavour of the beer refreshes the palette of flavours!
Let's share the receipe with you
INGREDIENTS
- 2 medium white onions (finely diced)
- 2 celery stalks (finely diced) 2
- 3 medium carrots (peeled and finely diced)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 b carnaroli or Arborio rice
- 1 pint of Birra Moretti 1 pint of Beer (in Italy we often use "Birra Moretti" that's a famous italian beer with a soft taste!)
- 2 1/2 pints of vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme
- 225 freshly grated Parmigiani-Reggiano 225
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1.place diced vegetables into a heavy bottomed saucepan along with the butter and oil. cook over a medium heat for about ten minutes until vegatables are soft and tender but not browened.
2.add rice and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until grains are translucent
3.pour in the beet and simmer until evaporated
4.add one ladle of hot stock. stri until texture is creamy and not to liquid. Continue adding stock and stirring one ladleful at a time, until rice is tender.
This will take about 20-30 minutes
5.sprinkle risotto with herbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season with the salt and freshly groud black pepper. Stir blend and serve immediately.
Some People like also add some meat, like Sausage or Speck or something else, because that paire perfectly with this kind of Risotto!
And, why not, near to this Risotto why don't we have an ICED BEER???
have fun! xoxo
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written by jbroni100, August 04, 2010
and then enjoying the rest of it with a delicious chocolate and caramel truffle.
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written by cmonta1, August 04, 2010
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written by Michelle, August 05, 2010
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written by Ashley, August 05, 2010
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