Tumblr, don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve made a new blog.
It’s called The Bake & Brew.
And it’s all about, well, brews, baking, and the incredibly amazing combination of both of them. I hope you like it.
Here’s a sneak preview of today’s feature (pomegranate cupcakes & celis white) ooooh yumm
“Bell’s Octoberfest Beer is a smooth, highly drinkable lager that opens the door to the coming autumn with a light, dry toasted malt note.” from Bell’s Brewery
Summer isn’t over nooooo! I’m not ready to let go, no no no. September is late summer. So what are all these Oktoberfests and Pumpkin Ales doing in the stores and at the bar? Tempting me. That’s what. I can’t face the fact that fall is coming, but I just can’t resist Oktoberfest and Pumpkins.
I’m pretty sure this is the first time I haven’t been ready for fall since, well since I was a kid. (Okay so I’m still a kid in a lot of ways…cookies for breakfast? totally a kid) Anyways, I think it’s because I haven’t been in school in a while. When classes started back up again every year, we would be walking around in the sweltering August heat from class to class, growing frustrated with every moment at the weather. Arriving at class with crazy hair, wanting just to lay in front of an air conditioner with minimal clothes on, really doesn’t put you in the mood for learning. For over a year now I’ve had a 9-5 job with air conditioning, so…I don’t really have to deal with that. I get to reap the benefits of coming home at 5, and actually enjoying the heat afterwards during a sweaty bike ride, round of golf, or a run later during the warm twilight. I love fall, I really do, but that means months of cold cold weather is coming. Maybe these fall beers will help me be nostalgic for some fall goodness soon.
All in all…I haven’t had enough Oktoberfests to compare this to any others yet, but I’m very much enjoying this and it’s gorgeous copper color. I’m not jumping for joy, but this is going to become a fall staple this year.
Recommend to a friend? I’m looking forward to seeing if there is another Oktoberfest I’d prefer, so we’ll wait and see about this.
Safe for lightweights? 5.8% I had one of these, as well as that Southampton last night and was okay to drive home after an extra hour and several glasses of water.
When and where? An all occasion. Last night and today’s weather was H.O.T.T. but this was still refreshing and light. I cannot…cannot wait to have some fall beers at a park, and over a campfire. (Flashback to a four-pack of Punkin’ ale and camping last fall awmann good times)
Plus one? See above.
I totally missed yesterday - Tumblr for the iPhone was not cooperating & I couldn’t get a picture worth anything in the Heorot. Anyways, had my first pumpkin ale of the season (even though it was 95 degrees yesterday). Nom Noms.
“But Paris was a very old city and we were young and nothing was simple there, not even poverty, nor sudden money, nor the moonlight, nor right and wrong nor the breathing of someone who lay beside you in the moonlight.”
- A Moveable Feast
Got yelled at all day by customers, am so sore I couldn’t bend down to tie my shoes…all I needed was item #10 (to get you to hockey season). Now I feel much better.
30 Things to Get You to Hockey Season : #9 - a bucket of golf balls & blisters
1. Sidney Crosby & Andy Samberg - Can you imagine how awesome their lovechild would be? Sick hockey skills, hilarious, can somehow look like every great tennis player…
2. Evgeni Malkin & Nick Jonas - okay I don’t think this one is quite spot on, but hey he’s crazy awesome. I have to get him on here somewhere.
3. Andrei Markov & Mr. Bean - BAHHHHAHAHA
4. Alexei Kovalev & Sean Bean - Boramir!!
5. Alexander Ovechkin & Richard Kiel…oh dear
30 Things to Get You to Hockey Season : #7 - practice your short game
It’s Saturday. It’s sunny. I made meringues for the first time, and have beer to go with them. There’s an adorable kitty napping on the bed. (How do they make napping look so comfortable?) There’s chocolate pie in the fridge, and I’m going out for a girls night tonight. Life is good right now.
The bake & brew:
Wunderbar. I was a little nervous that the almond & lemon flavor of the meringue plus the apricot flavor of the ale would be too much all at once. But it turns out they play off of each other really well, and one doesn’t overpower the other at all. To me, the meringue on its own had a little too much lemon, and this Pyramid brings out more almond to help balance it out. I bought a Sunset Wheat just in case the Pyramid didn’t work out, but I’m really glad my first instinct worked out well.
The lowdown on the brew:
All in all…“Boldly going where no apricot has done before.” This is another light & airy fruit ale with a very obvious apricot flavor (as it should). The apricot flavor is good, but no other flavors really come through beside it. Apricot. Beer. Done.
Recommend to a friend? Yeahh…I’m not really sure at this point if I would recommend having it on its own. With the meringues, yes. If you’re going for a 100% fruit beer, I’d go with something a little more dynamic. If you’re going for something citrusy, I’d go with something more like Sunset Wheat or an Orange Blossom Cream Ale.
Safe for lightweights? 5.1% Yes ma’am. Especially if you are stuffing your face with meringues.
Plus one? I still have a bunch of meringues left. I need something to drink with them.
The lowdown on the bake:
Ah nom noms. I haven’t been a fan of meringues in the past. I’m pretty sure I just started disliking them when I was in 2nd grade, because they had a funny texture. Boy have I been missing out. Be prepared though, these have the potential of being a gigantic mess to make. Meringue is super sticky, but if you’re willing to put up with the mess it’s actually very easy. Almonds are always a little pricey, but the other ingredients are pretty basic.
Lovelyfluffy Lemon Almond Meringues from Joy the Baker
Makes about 2 dozen small meringues
1/4 C finely ground almonds (I ground slivered almonds because it’s easier)
1 T cornstarch
2 large egg whites
pinch of salt
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/2 t lemon juice
1 t lemon zest
1/3 C sliced almonds
1/3 C powdered sugar
1/8 t cream of tartar (optional)
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
Using a food processor, finely grind almonds. Slivered almonds are easier, but whole almonds are much much less expensive. Once you have ground them as finely as possible, measure out 1/4 cup. Spread ground almonds on one of the lined baking sheets and toast in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Mix in a small bowl with cornstarch and set aside.
With an electric mixer (this time you do really need a real mixer), beat egg whites, pinch of salt, and the cream of tartar on medium speed. It may seem too fast, but it does need to be on medium speed. You will see it transform from the egg whites swirling around to a smooth, fluffly white. Increase the mixer speed to medium high while gradually adding sugar. Pour in the lemon juice and beat until glossy and it holds its form.
Remove the bowl and add ground almonds and lemon zest. Fold in until mixture is thoroughly incorporated. Using a large piping bag, or using a spoon to drop onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper, create 2 inch cookies.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and more almonds.
Bake for 50 minutes at 200 F. When done, turn oven off, open the door a little, and let meringues cool. Transfer to wire rack when cool, and after a few hours store in airtight container. They should keep for about a week in the fridge.
Soooo pretty. Thank you to PG Web Designs for providing this awesome list.
