It may not officially be summer yet, but it’s past Memorial Day and its hot enough to make a hen lay a hard boiled egg; so a tall glass of Radler and a refreshing lemon-fennel flavored summer beer pairing is just the thing to cool you off. This soup is made with tender fresh homegrown asparagus, lemon juice, and fennel seeds, for a refreshing tart pick-me-up; while the slaw contains sliced chilled fennel bulb for a mildly lemon-ish liquorish-like flavor, sugar snap peas for their cool vegetable sweetness, and the whole thing is drizzled in dressing made with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Complementarily paired with (Heineken’s) Amstel Light’s “Amstel Radler” a revitalizing lager-lemon juice blend perfect for summer sipping (if don’t believe me, Bon Appetit’s June issue has some Radler suggestions on page 30).

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It’s National Hamburger Day, and around here that means it’s time for a beer pairing. These juicy, melt in your mouth sliders were made with 100% bison meat for a lean, yet flavorful burger; served riding astride tender, fresh out of the oven, home baked sesame and flax seed buns with a hefty side of homemade potato chips, it’ll make you wish every day was Burger Day. Paired with Against the Grain Brewery’s “Brett the Hipman Hop”, a well balanced wild IPA with a floral, sweet, citrus-like hop profile married with all the funk that three different strains of brettanomyces could kick up.

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Strawberry Panna Cotta, Streusel-topped Rhubarb Cake, and Strawberry Jam for Memorial Day:

The 4^th of Julys and Memorial Days of my youth were always filled with striped patriotic Jell-O’s and toothpick flag flying cupcakes; so in homage to those childhood treats, this scrumptious summer-time adult version of those desserts plays on the time honored relationship between fresh summer strawberries and rhubarb. The sweetness of the sun kissed strawberries contrasts with the tart stalks of the rhubarb plant making for a complex and delicious summer flavor. Served with New Glarus Brewing’s Strawberry Rhubarb to keep the dance between the flavors going strong.

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Cinco de Mayo Pizza Party

Pork Carnitas Pizza and Chicken Taco Pizza:

Cinco De Mayo is here, and that means it’s time for a Mexican themed pizza party! A delicious (and healthier too!) variant of pork carnitas pressure cooked in a blend of flavorful homemade stocks (rather than the heavier, traditional animal fat) and a light, fresh-tasting chicken “taco” pizza with fresh tomato, crisp tasting cilantro, and cool avocado are both on the menu for this fiesta (along with plenty of cerveza to pair with them). Accompanied by Flying Dog Brewery’s “Agave Cerveza”, a lager brewed with lime zest and agave nectar, to complete the atmosphere.

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Roasted Lamb Meatballs with Sweet Pea and Mint Tortellini in Lamb Broth:

While a mint julep might be the traditional beverage for the Kentucky Derby, to celebrate American Pharoah’s win at the Derby yesterday I toasted him with Flying Dog Brewery’s “Mint Chocolate Stout”! When paired with a meal of handmade whole wheat tortellini filled with a cheesy blend of sweet peas and homegrown mint, home ground oven roasted lamb meatballs, all immersed in a delicate homemade lamb broth, this beer pairing brings all the tastes of the Derby to you. The roast-y quality of the dark malts in the stout complemented the roasted lamb, while the refreshing light mint flavor in the tortellini and mint chocolate stout washed it all down.

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