So Long Blogging

It’s been great blogging about beer. Over the last few years I haven’t had as much time as I would have liked to keep up with this blog, and I have had some health issues which prevented me from drinking enough beer to write about.

I will be graduating in 2 weeks with my B.A., and then this fall will be beginning graduate school in New York state. This will not give me any more time for blogging. So, I am shutting down my blog. The old posts will remain, but I will not be making new ones, and will not be paying for my domain any longer (poor college student needs to save as much money as possible).

Thank you for the years of support and fun. It has been very special. I will still be on Instagram, Pinterest, and sometimes Twitter.

Sarah

Dinner at Pig Minds

I freely admit that I have been  focused on the upcoming Rhythm and Brews Fest (May 16th in Woodstock, IL get your tickets here), and have not been writing about anything else beer related. Since I am officially in remission for my Pseudo Tumor Cerebri, I have been enjoying beer again without a crippling fear of debilitating headaches, well at least less fear.
Recently my husband suggested we check out Pig Minds brewing in Rockford, IL. I was shocked, because they only serve vegan food, but since he loves me (or didn't read the online menu) he wanted to go for dinner.

Like Father like daughter at the track

We dropped the peanut off at Blackhawk Farms Raceway where my in-laws were working that weekend and camping out.


So off to dinner we went. We had met the two brewers a few weeks earlier at a tap takeover at Chain O'Lakes brewing, which is conveniently located 10 minutes from our house. The guys were very friendly and I had heard some really good stuff about their vegan menu so I was excited. The beer at the tap take-over was good so we had high hopes.


I immediately decided that I wanted a flight. 10 5oz pours was enough, I was assured by our server, for both of us to share... so I begrudgingly shared.

Our flight and coaster (which I took home)

Pig Mind's Exterior

The beers that we had in our flight were: Southy Bitch Slap, Vanilla Bitch Slap, Mellifluous, Old Man Withers, Cold in the D, Barrel Aged Flame Thrower, Sweep the Leg, Wild Sour Series: Here Gose Nothin' From DESTIHL brewery, and Serpent's Stout from The Lost Abbey. (You can check out Pig Mind's beers here)

I have to say, the beer were good, we bought two bombers to take home. But the food was the star. I mean look at these garlic fries! That is garlic, not cheese, GARLIC!

Garlic Fries-- So good!

And the peanut has decided on her future career... Bad-ass race car driver.

 It was nice to get out, and to check out Pig Mind's. I hope to go back for more beer and another round of garlic fries and Korean BBQ tacos (with grilled cabbage, I didn't know I liked cabbage so much). It is for sure on my list of places to check out if you are in the area.


And because I can't resist plugging the brew fest, Look at our awesome glasses that you get upon entrance. Fancy aren't they?

Rhythm and Brews Fest

We are now three weeks away from Rhythm and Brews Fest!!
I don't know how it got here so quickly. And I have been so busy that I haven't been updating my blog either.
Well I wanted to be sure that you saw all of the breweries that have signed on to be at Rhythm and Brews Fest May 16th in Woodstock. You can also get your tickets here.

Happy National Beer Day!!

Just wanted to say Happy National Beer Day! Hope you are enjoying a tasty one, or two, or whatever today.

April 7th is the anniversary of the first part of prohibition being repealed. National Beer Day is a celebration of the Cullen–Harrison Act being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 22, 1933. Only beer with an ABV under 4% could be purchased though...

So enjoy that tasty beer!

Rhythm and Brews Fest- Brewery Line Up

Hey party people, are you ready to check out the line up for Rhythm and Brews Fest? We have a ton of great breweries. Make sure you get your tickets here!

Finally, Beerfest News

I am happy to announce that we are ready to start selling tickets to Rhythm and Brews Fest!

So, go buy tickets, the fest is May 16th. We are working on getting breweries to commit, but are expecting 25 to 30 breweries to be pouring. We will be updating the brewery list on the ticket page, and on the Event Page.

What makes this so special is that all proceeds are going to Free Guitars for Future Stars

So stay tuned for more info. I hope to see you all there!

Craft Beer in London

I know that everyone is talking about the "Big Game" today. I have been out of things for too long to feel like I would contribute much to the discussion that hasn't already been said.

I do however have an interesting infographic for you today, provided to me by LA Stretch Limo. They asked me to share the following with you to help inform you of the pubs in London that server craft beer.

Now I don't know when I will be able to check any of these out... Have you ever had a chance to?

BTW, I am calling this my comeback... though I suppose that isn't very gangsta.

Hey There

So, It is JUNE already! Did you notice? I am taking a summer class, and "enhanced" class that I have to do graduate level work in, but for undergrad credit and within the shortened 8 week semester. I feel like my brain might run away.

Oh and I have bridal shower and birthday party and beer fest stuff to keep track of too. Maybe I can hire an intern for a few weeks... Anyone out there want to work for free and help me? No? Didn't think so...

Well I miss you guys... I have beer fest stuff, and beer stuff that I want to write about.

Veteran's Beer Company

I received an email (oh it was a while ago now) asking me if I had checked out Veteran Beer Company. I hadn't, but immediately went online to check it out. Veteran works hard to employ veterans in all aspects of their business, which is really awesome. According the the Veteran Beer Company, the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is near 20%, this is a seriously disturbing statistic. 

It took me about as long as you just reading that to decide that I wanted to try the beer, so we went out and bought the Blonde Bomber.

This is an easy session beer with a nice blonde color, and wheaty taste. I would say that we had no problem sipping our way through it. It was not quite as yeasty as I have been used to lately, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Overall I think that Blonde Bomber is a good solid session beer (at 5.0% ABV you can have quite a few in a night).

I think that perhaps my favorite part of buying the beer was the fact that Veteran Beer Company donates ten percent of all sales to support Veteran's causes. Now that is a beer that makes you feel good in a couple of ways.

Beer Glasses (Not Beer Goggles)

I am sure I know what you are thinking... That Sarah, she sure is awesome. Thank you, you.

I have some more awesome stuff to share with you actually; it's an infographic on beer glasses. Trust me it is much more fun that that sounds.

I received an email from Red Envelope asking me if I would take a look at the infographic, and I liked it so much I thought I would share it with you.

If you are looking for gifts for anyone who likes wine, beer or bar stuff, check out Red Envelope's Beer and Wine store. There is some really cool stuff. I am thinking about ordering the vintage coasters.

Happy Happy Belated Birthday to Me!!

So, I turned 30 waaay back in January. It came, and it went. What can I say? I was lucky to have dinner at the Wild Onion Pub in Lake Barrington (across the street from my neurologist actually) for my birthday. Let me tell you, that was one AMAZING dinner, so good in fact I am writing about it two months later!

I have been trying to get to the Wild Onion for a long time, because I love the Onion’s brews (If you don’t live in the area, you are missing out). I love the Summer Wit, Hop Slayer (it might be my favorite), and I just could not wait to try more. I hadn’t really even thought about the food aspect of it to be honest.

But the food. Omigod! The FOOD! We had the sausage appetizer, a plate of sausages grilled and served with sauerkraut and Hop Slayer mustard. AMAZING. I don’t know what they did to get those sausages, where they got them, or if they made them themselves, but they were amazing, and have launched a subsequent bratwurst binge in my house (that is a euphemism). Both of our entrees were fantastic, and we even ordered dessert (something which I never, ever do) where we shared a slice of euphoria inducing bourbon pecan pie (and then promptly ordered a second slice). If you don’t care about beer (why are you reading my blog?) you will LOVE the Wild Onion. End of story.

BUT, if you like beer, even a little bit… this place will blow your mind and make your taste buds extremely happy. The Onion Brewery makes some very awesome beer (I am repeating myself I know). I had Drago, which was incredible. It is a Russian Imperial Stout (one of my favorite beers) and this would be one I would hand to somebody to make them fall in love with this sort of beer… and then immediately take it back so I could finish it myself.

Of course I also had a Hops Slayer Double IPA

I do give this one out as a gift, because it is so good. Seriously, good.

There are a lot of other beers, seasonal and year-round, that I want to try; and of course there is the sausage plate… so I think I need to go back, maybe when I go for my next neurologist appointment, or this weekend, and next... Who wants to come with me?

PS Do you want to see what I am drinking? Send me a friend request on Untappd, I am hoppybeergirl. You could send one to Blake too… he is addicted to Untappd. 

Planning a beer fest?

More exciting stuff (it sounds like I am exciting suddenly)!! I have joined up with Free Guitars for Future Stars to plan a beer fest to benefit their program. This program, can I say, is very awesome. Free Guitars for Future Stars has been working to fill a void that is left when schools have budget cuts, and cut their arts programs, namely their music programs. They are a group of truly caring, talented, and wonderful people, and now I am lucky enough to put my name with theirs!

So a beer fest... Where to begin? I am super excited. We have a bunch of ideas, and are starting to pick out the particulars of where and when. Do any of you have advice? Want to help? Words of encouragement?

Music and beer, seems like a partnership that was just meant to be!

Good News-But Not Beer News

You guys, I had some fantastic news last night from my ophthalmologist! She said that my optic nerves are significantly less swollen than they were in August. That is great because is means that the neurological issues that have been giving me so many troubles over the last year actually are starting to get better! I know it is not a clean bill of health, but it is a step in the right direction.
I am seeing my new neurologist on Monday, and I hope that this news leads to more good news.

My Take on Take The Black Stout

I have not hidden the fact that I am very much a fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, I even like the HBO version of it, now that I can say that I haven’t read (or reread as it were) the books in several years. I LOVE the books.

 It of course is natural that I would get all crazy when Ommegang announced the beer series they are making inspired by A Game of Thrones. I have now made my wonderful husband stand in line to purchase both the Iron Throne Ale and the Take the Black Stout  (did I mention how wonderful he is?). Of course, I am also a beer fanatic so I have been torn on whether or not to open the beer and drink it, or to cellar it and stare fondly at it imagining what it would taste like.

Eventually Blake had enough of my indecisiveness and grabbed a bottle of Take the Black Stout for us to crack open for International Stout Day, and to help celebrate some very positive news from my neurologist. I may have “over” documented the pouring of the beer, but like I said, it was a big deal to me.

The Take the Black Stout has an extremely rich coffee smell; Blake called it “Omigod good” smell (I think this should become a technical term). It was a gorgeous dark stout, which one would expect from a Take the Black Stout. The malt flavor is so strong, but there is also an even balance with the hops. This is not a weak beer in any flavor area.

 It was a wonderful dark stout, and I look forward to having our second bottle in the future.

A Rant- About Fitting into a Box

In the last week I have been called a feminist beer blogger, and a "forgetter"; so ignorant to the work of feminists the world over and the work they have done, all they have suffered... I certainly don't feel like either one of those names fits who I am. I work very hard in my life to promote equality of genders and embrace the differences between people. I want to believe that the strong role models I have who support me or inspire me to be a strong and successful person will also help inspire and support my daughter. I want my daughter to be strong and happy, but so secure in who she is the world of naysayers and categorizers will tremble at her glance. Maybe that makes me a feminist? Maybe the fact that I signed up for women and gender studies as my minor gives me some sort of ability to call myself a feminist? I really don't think that fits...

Of course on the other hand I do on occasion think of issues without considering the gender or minority aspect involved; I am able to separate those issues of equality from other issues on occasion. I am sure some of you have seen this article which has gone wild from the Daily Mail on "The History Girls", if not you should read it. I could pick apart all of the things which I find wrong with the article (and there are many) and you could all agree or disagree with what I say. I however want to discuss the fact that these women have PhD’s, should be addressed as Doctor, and all of them have extensive knowledge in their field. My issue is not how they dress, I don’t really think that the clothes you wear should decide how you are perceived by society, but I understand it does; I also don’t think that all of these women are dressed up like sexual objects.

 No, my issue is the lack of respect for their intellect, both on the blogs which I read that are condemning the stylized versions of historians (these doctors allowed themselves to be photographed like that), and within  the article itself. The questions which are being asked are AWFUL! But the interrogated makes the best of it that she can. Why is it okay for society to be up in arms over the way in which a magazine (a magazine guys, not a journal or a recognized media outlet, a magazine) portrays the physicality of these women? Shouldn’t the main issue be why are we focused on what they look like, and not the questions that were asked? Why is this magazine so sure that it’s audience wants to know a bunch of phony BS like who would you go back in time to see? Is it because we can’t focus on real issues? What about women who actually take bullets for their beliefs, like Malala Yousafzai? I am well aware of the fact that women the world over cannot get education, cannot get medical care, cannot vote, cannot drive, cannot earn enough money to support themselves or their children… to me THAT is what the issue of modern feminism should be, not what someone who is smart enough to make up her own mind decides to wear or say. I am not forgetting the past, I am only trying to look forward to the future because there are millions of women who still don’t have any sort of equality, and if a puff piece in a UK magazine brings a wider audience to a field where people can learn empathy and compassion for fellow humans, then is that so bad?

Here is a good link to a blog which I love where the writer picks apart the article: How Did We Get Into This Mess?

If you want to know more about women in the beer world, your first stop should be : Women Enjoying Beer

And if you want to learn more about helping women and girls around the world build a better future: Because I’m a Girl

This lady here has some fantastic ideas on raising strong and fierce girls: Dr Frankenbaby’s Monsters

Just Checking in

I have to admit that lately, I have been very focused on my school work. I am really enjoying the classes that I am taking this semester, and since I am getting closer and closer to graduation, I am becoming more and more obsessed with my grades...

That said, I have been trying to drink beer and write, but it turns out that either I drink beer and write for school, or I drink beer and fall asleep. I have reached a new level of cool... that is what I will call it anyways. With my 30th birthday less than 3 months away, I am very antsy to grow my blog, grow my career, excel at school, be an awesome mom, and the coolest wife ever.... the reality is something far less exciting I am afraid.

Craft Beer Infographic (makes me thirsty)- Guest Post

I get a lot of emails for this blog. It surprises me every day, but I do. I get emails from talented and not-so-talented people. One of the recent emails I got was asking me to share an infographic on the growing business of craft beer. This is a subject that has recently been under discussion a great deal, both in my private life, and in my beer life. I thought that this was a nice contribution to share with you all, so I hope that you enjoy!

The rise of craft beer has been a noticeable trend throughout the last decade.  More and more people seem to moving away from the big 3 light beer companies in favor of locally brewed craft beer.  Those big 3 still have a strangle on the marketplace but the craft beer industry is on a steady rise. John Laloganes and Phil Mott, both Assistant professors at the Kendall College School of Hospitality along with the students at Kendall College helped to provide valuable insight into the craft beer industry as a whole which resulted in the infographic seen below:

Some key takeaways from the study and info graphic are as follows:

·         Craft brewers provide an estimated 103,585 jobs in this United States alone which includes serving staff in brewpubs.

·         Sales of craft beer nearly doubled from 5.7 billion in 2007 to 12 billion in 2012.  That number is expected to triple to over 36 billion in 2017. 

·         There are 2,403 breweries in 2012 which is the highest amount since the 1880s.

·         Irish Red’s pair well with burgers while Stouts pair well with deserts like Chocolate cake.

·         Nearly half of consumers would be interested in trying more craft beers if they knew more about the beers and where to find them.

·         Baby Boomers (32%) don’t enjoy craft beer as much as Millenials 43%

·         A total of 36% of consumers enjoy drinking craft beer.

The numbers don’t lie.  Get out and enjoy a craft beer with your fellow craft beer fans.  Cheers!

Beer Brined Smoked Turkey-Cooking with Beer (and fire)

I did something amazing. I smoked an ENTIRE turkey. I was afraid… very afraid. But it wasn’t like I was competing in a cook off or trying to do anything that crazy, and I have a pretty good track record with smoking meat… so I gave it a try.

I came across the Home Brew Chef’s website (which is awesome and you should check it out) and searched his website for a beer turkey recipe… which I found (here it is)

Beer Brine Ingredients:

Beer (about 6 cans is what I used, because that is what I had)

Ice and Water- enough to cover the bird completely and keep it cold while brining

2 Cup Kosher Salt

1 Cup      Sugar

4 Each    Bay Leaves

3 Bunch Thyme, fresh

3 Each    Yellow Onion, peeled and chopped

3 Each    Carrots, sliced

4 Each    Garlic Cloves, peeled and sliced

A few big dashes of liquid smoke (I am addicted to using this no matter what)

1 Turkey (suppose you could use a chicken)

A clean cooler or 5 gallon bucket (or cauldron if you have one I suppose) with which to bring the turkey in. I bought one of these bad boys at Home Depot

Mix together the brine ingredients well (excluding the water and ice). Make sure the water and salt is dissolved well. Then add the bird and enough water and ice to cover it completely.

Turkey is covered with brine, water and ice (yes those are flower shaped ice cubes)

Place in the refrigerator or ice cooler for 24-48 hours. My five gallon bucket didn’t fit in my fridge, so I packed ice around it and in it every 4 hours for 24 hours (I was very tired, but food safety is worth it)

Bucket in my sink

You can cook this in the oven just like a regular turkey, and I am sure it would be gorgeous, and delicious. But you know I want to use the smoker as much as I can.

Flaming hickory chunks

I used chunks of hickory to smoke this turkey, I thought I had apple wood as that was one of the recommended woods, but you have to make do with what you have. If you are using chips and not chunks of wood, make sure you soak the chips (Home Brew Chef suggested soaking in the beer you brine in which I thought was genius! So really check it out!)

Bird on fire

My 14 pound turkey took me 9 hours to smoke on low heat (I don’t have a thermometer on the smoker) I pulled it off when the meat thermometer read 165* F. If you don’t know, you need to check the temp of a turkey and chicken in the meat between the leg and breast, which is the densest part of the bird, and takes the longest to cook.

Then I let it rest for about 20 minutes before carving.

The finished product

It was one of the best turkeys I have ever made, and I make a mean Thanksgiving turkey

I used Summer Shandy, I thought that the citrus would make up for the lemon that the recipe called for that I forgot to buy… it was light but still gave the bird a great flavor. I think next time I might try something with a little more oomph, like an Oktoberfest (or even a pumpkin beer!!). I think I would stay away from dark beers; don’t want to overpower the turkey.

Let me know if you try it, and what you think. I have to tell you, I ate my turkey with the New Belgium Pupkick (pumpkin and cranberry) beer.

 I was hoping for a pseudo Thanksgiving thing in my mouth, but the beer fell a little short. It was good, and a bit sour from the cranberries, but not like Thanksgiving…

Winner, Winner, Something, Something

I have to say, I feel like I am getting the hang of this blog thing (maybe). I have been sent a book to do a giveaway with, and I successfully gave it away. Now I have been sent another book to review, and I am actually reading it! Next I will have some beer sent to me to drink. Life is good people, life is good!

Do you want to know what won the book giveaway? The following tweet did: the Garfagnana Velle, Tuscany where my dad is from. He can't do the trip anymore but I would have loved one last drink

My super secret judge thought it was a great place and a great reason to take a trip, and win a book. So congrats Jamie!

Jamie is on the Donkey.Banana.Show AND is in an awesome band, 13-Monsters. So go check Jamie out, and show him some love.

The best part of this, I get to deliver the book in person and be on the Donkey.Banana.Show!! WOO!

The Wet and The Dry- Book Giveaway!!!

I have a book to give away!! Well not a book that I wrote, but one that I read. It is a very interesting book too! The book is, "The Wet and The Dry: A Drinker's Journey" This book follows the authors travels around the world, and how different cultures use (or don't use) alcohol as part of their society.

Here is an excerpt from the book, "I am taking a few months off to travel and wander, drinking my way across the Islamic world to see whether I can dry myself out, cure myself of a bout of alcoholic excess. It is a personal crisis, a private curiosity. I am curious to see how non-drinkers live. Perhaps they have something to teach me."

Sounds like something you want to read, doesn't it?

Want to win a free copy of the book?? (I hope you do!!) All you need to do is tell me where you would go if you could take a wet (or dry) trip. Leave me a comment here on the blog, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@HoppyBeerGirl). Heck, you can even email me!! (Sarah@hoppybeergirl.com). Just tell me where you would like to go. I will randomly select a winner on Friday July 26, 2013 (that gives you a week).

Want another taste? Here is the synopsis I got on the book, "A rich Merlot with dinner. A fizzy mimosa during Sunday brunch. A tumbler of amber whiskey after a harrowing day. There are so many simple alcoholic indulgences our Western society takes for granted. For millions around the world, however, drinking alcohol is a strictly forbidden practice. As an acclaimed travel writer and author, Lawrence Osborne has traversed the globe and witnessed first-hand the complex relationships that exist between cultures and alcohol. Intrigued by the starkly contrasting views on drinking—specifically the Western tradition of permission versus the Islamic East’s culture of prohibition—Osborne set off on a personal journey through the world’s dry countries for a look at life untainted by the “demon drink;” a journey chronicled in THE WET AND THE DRY."

For more information on Lawrence Osborne, visit his website LawrenceOsborne.net or follow him on twitter at twitter.com/lawrenceosborne

This giveaway is a way of thanking my current readers.