Sacre Bleu! The Best French Beers for Thanksgiving May Be Made in America

I’ve said it before (for instance, here) but it bears repeating: Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday. I love everything about it, from the mythology to the mashed potatoes; from my family’s adherence to our culinary traditions (like this regional requisite) to the outlandish reinterpretations I’ve encountered elsewhere (like this ghastly gallinacean); from the nearly non-secular… Continue reading Sacre Bleu! The Best French Beers for Thanksgiving May Be Made in America

On Valentine’s Day, Say Cheese (and Beer)!

Not too long ago, I had to face a harsh reality: lactose no longer tolerates me. And not the other way round, either. I’ve got nothing against the disaccharide sugar component of a glass of milk. We were BFFLs, in fact. Milk helped sweeten a lot of unpleasant and otherwise bland foodstuffs, like oatmeal. And… Continue reading On Valentine’s Day, Say Cheese (and Beer)!

A Seven-Pack of New Beers Selected in Honor of a Special Week That Wasn't

The inaugural Baltimore Beer Week came to a close this past weekend. Some of you, I know, will wonder, “It did? When did it start?” And you won’t be out of line for thinking like that. I haven’t seen any official attendance numbers yet, so it’s hard to know if the turnout was strong or… Continue reading A Seven-Pack of New Beers Selected in Honor of a Special Week That Wasn't

Isn't It Romantic to Be a Romantic, at Least Once a Year?

Don’t hate me because I’m a romantic. Pity me, maybe. I’m a hopeless case, after all. Consider this: While other people were sitting around the pool last summer, page-turning their way through the latest John Grisham thriller, I could be found nosing into Li-Young Lee’s new book of poetry, one line at a time. Or worse — composing… Continue reading Isn't It Romantic to Be a Romantic, at Least Once a Year?

Wines for Beer Drinkers

Normally, when someone asks me what kind of wine would I like with my meal, I answer, “beer!” Of course, just to show that I know it’s proper etiquette to leave my loincloth and club at the cave door, when in good company, I always ask for a glass. But recently I was introduced to several… Continue reading Wines for Beer Drinkers