These homemade lamb meatball appetizers were a great snack to serve during the Kentucky Derby this past weekend! While the bourbon based Mint Julep is the traditional beverage of “The Run for the Roses”, there are plenty of wonderful beer selections to enjoy while watching the first leg of the triple crown. The refreshing botanical mint flavor in this beer went will with the stronger flavors in the lamb meat for a time-honored pairing (think lamb chops with mint jelly); proving that beer based interpretations of conventional cocktails are an exciting option to sip while watching “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”!

Spring may have officially “sprung” according to the calendar, but today’s cold snap required some piping hot leek and onion soup to warm everyone up! The soup was made from homegrown garden fresh leeks and sprinkled with diced thick cut bacon; while the open faced sandwiches were perched atop home baked bread fresh from the oven. Served with a delicious chamomile flower saison that contributed some tea-like floral accents while still withstanding the anchovies’ meaty texture and rich flavor to take the meal to new heights!

“Deep-dish Pizza”, “Deep Pan Pizza”, “Chicago-style Pizza”, “Stuffed Pizza”; no matter what you choose to call the food, it makes for a deeply filling meal; and this homemade pizza was a great way to celebrate National Deep Dish Pizza Day yesterday!

This spiced, sweet bun is a great (and seasonally appropriate) snack (or even a dessert!) to celebrate the coming Easter holiday; and pairing it with an St. Ambroise Biere’s Apricot Wheat Ale compliments the homemade apricot glaze coating on the buns, while the spices go well with the lighter wheat style!

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Perfect time of year to enjoy another classic soup and sandwich pairing: bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich on home baked bread with homemade Chicken Noodle Soup!

Not much beats a tasty soup & sandwich combo to warm up with on a cold day; and this was no exception! The slightly crisp apple and bacon grilled cheese (on home baked bread) provided a good counter point to the velvety smooth soup; and the beer pairing brought this meal to another level!

Had a great time sampling some great beer and learning from the brewers at this year’s Extreme Beer Fest (EBF) this past weekend! It was great seeing some familiar faces (digitally at least) when hanging out in the pre-game and after party video streams; can’t wait to see everyone in person next year! Much thanks to BeerAdvocate for finding a way to make this happen and bringing everyone together in a safe way.

Not much beats a homemade pizza hot out of the wood fired brick pizza oven!

Sweet cream cheese with an IPA is a classic combination; this pairing throws pumpkin and seasonally appropriate spice into the mix for a holiday dessert so delectable, everyone will want a second helping!  

If you’re still yarning for Thanksgiving flavors this year, this dish of sage brined chicken and quinoa will satisfy your cravings! Served with Against the Grain and Stillwater Artisanal’s Little Did We Know; a brett saison brewed with sage smoked malts that proved to be a perfect complimentary companion.