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Christmas in January

I’m going to a company Christmas party in January with my husband.

There will be approximately 500 people present at a posh Italian restaurant in Grand Rapids.

No one is Italian at the company.

It is one of those deals when you have to “Suit up, show up,” otherwise you’re fighting the wind.

In the years past, the dilemma was the food. We always got a turkey dinner only two weeks after having it at home for Thanksgiving.

The company spokesman said it was because of religious reasons they couldn’t serve beef.

The Canadian based company has a diverse employee base, and a big human resources department.

This year the issue are adult beverages, and not for religious reasons.

I’ve been thinking about the stagnant beverage sector lately.

Watch for next post “Slim pickings. ”

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Budweiser wants to completely rebrand itself to ‘America’ this summer

Budweiser stole the trademark from Czech Republic. Stay tuned for a story on http://emmapalova.com

authoremmapalova

Well, I am not surprised considering the fact that they stole the trademark Budvar or Budweiser from Czech Republic. Stay tuned for a story on http://emmapalova.com

Budweiser wants to cement its reputation as the quintessentially American beer, by rebranding itself simply as “America” this summer.

Source: Budweiser wants to completely rebrand itself to ‘America’ this summer

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The Wine Chateaux of Gironde. 3. Château Rochemorin

This gallery contains 6 photos.

Check out these chateaux in France. Photos by redstuffdan.

New brew coming KDaLE

Beer and wine at the KDL library.

Beer at the library

Tags

Bell's, Bell's Brewery, Emma Palova blog on WordPress, Josh Bernstein., Kent District Library, microbrews, Pauly's, Stacey Faba, wine tasting

Beer at Kent District Library, new brew coming KDaLe

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Lowell, MI-What do beer and books have in common? Well, there are books about beer and home brewing at the libraries. And the Kent District Library Englehardt branch supports creative partnerships, according to library director Josh Bernstein.

Stacey Faba of Pauly’s presented four microbrews from their store in Lowell at the tasting event in January.

This was the second event of its king after wine tasting last fall. What is more complex beer or wine? Well it depends on who you ask. The French would say wine, the Czechs would say beer.

Stacey Faba at Kent District Library talks about beer.

However, due to the recent invasion of microbrews it’s not as straight cut as it used to be. That’s why KDL held the sampling event.

“How do you navigate the sea or ocean of microbrews?”

Well, you can start by pairing microbrews with food, and sample Michigan brews. “If you’re used to Budweiser, don’t start with IPAs,” said Faba. “I don’t have four favorite Michigan beers. It changes daily. You wouldn’t have meatloaf for dinner every day either.”

Pauly’s has been at East Fulton since 2008 with 650 different beers, a wine set and a liquor set.

“We sample everything that comes into the store,” said Faba. “I am a fan of fresh beer and lively. But, that changes daily.

Faba presented four beers in a first time collaboration for beer tasting. The event is per registration only, and it is kept down to 30 people.

Now, in deep winter we’re in the Stout season with its full body and foam. In general, according to Faba, dark beers are better in colder temperatures, while light ales are great to quench the summer thirst.

Books about beer and brewing

So, we had some Vanilla Java Porter, which is a stout. We also sampled a Belgian style Belgian Red with fruity characteristics.

“It is hoppier than average,” said Faba.

Although complex, the basics of beer are simple. Every beer starts with malt, hops, water and yeast. The result is only as good as the ingredients, just like culinary creations.

However, the taster of different beers, can change in a matter of days, according to Faba.

“In two weeks the beer starts evolving in the bottle as the acid settles,” she said.

A true seller temperature is 58F. However, for storing 50F is best. The lighter beers require cooler temperatures, while the heavier beers require warmer temperatures.

Most craft beers should be stored under four months. As in the case of Kentucky Breakfast Stout, nothing good is going to happen to it with longer storage.

Also barley wines should be kept fresh and young, although the high alcohol content holds them longer.

Spring beer release is in February such as Big Foot from Sierra Nevada. It goes well with zucchini or banana breads or marsalla sauce.

However, beware Faba warns:

“Light is a huge enemy of beer and it begins with the decap of beer,” she said. “Try side by side beer in a bottle and beer in a can.”

Corona in white bottles is a typical example of light penetration. The beer acquires a “skunky” flavor, that’s why lime is used.

“In 20 minutes it has a different taste,” Faba said.

More and more beers are being canned even by breweries like Sam Adams, who put Boston Lager in cans.

“You can carry more cans than bottles,” Faba said.

Cleanliness is paramount in beer making; and not just washing but sanitation.

Aging depends on the beer. Pauly’s does age beers and releases them when the time is rights.

Sours (beers) provide a link between wine and beer, and they go well with fatty foods like pulled pork, because the acidity cuts through it.

Craft beer movement is on the rise as tastes and palates evolve, and who doesn’t like to experiment with new stuff?

Water is just important to beer like cleanliness to your kitchen.

“At Bell’s you could eat off the floor,” Faba said.

Dark beers are also good for floats and with desserts. Beer is also more flexible than wine for pairings. Vanilla Java Black goes well with cannoli or a hearty stews.

But, always know what you like. Be flexible. Ask for a sample. Whether wine or beer, price is not always of quality or your particular taste.

“They can appreciate or depreciate at any price point,” said Faba. “It’s a matter of personal preference. Watch for the memories in your head, the company you had.”

Taste the samples in the right order. And remember, as Faba puts it, “No two beers are the same.

“Libraries are where people come to find out about part of our culture,” said Bernstein. “We have 100 titles on beer.”

KDL will host a wrap-up party on Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Gravel Bottom Brewery at 418 Ada Drive in Ada with a brewery tour and the release of the new KD aLe beer.

For more information visit www.kdl.org

or Pauly’s at http://www.paulys.net

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At home in Uruguay

Read about Tamela Spicer’s travels to wine country Uruguay.
Email Ed at ejd5454@gmail.com to advertise on Emma Blogs LLC

E Travel & Food

Uruguay attracts with beaches and vineyards

Note: This is the second account of Tamela Spicer’s recent travels to Uruguay in South America.

By Tamela Spicer

EW Emma’s Writings

On my recent trip I had the pleasure of indulging in many of Montevideo’s finest pleasures, including a stunning Opera at Teatro Solis and a world-class ballet led by the infamous Julio Bocca from Buenos Aires. I also discovered something new, the wine road. Created in 2005, Los Caminos del Vino features a variety of small boutique vineyards along the southern region of Uruguay, many of them within 30 minutes of Montevideo. Wine making has been part of Uruguay for several decades, but it has only been in recent years that the wines have gained international attention.

For me there is something magical about vineyards. Of course, I enjoy the wine, but more than that, I love the peacefulness of miles of…

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Uruguay attracts with beaches & vineyards

Stay tuned for a full account of some of the Uruguay wineries.

E Travel & Food

Uruguay – A Place Called Home

By    Tamela Spicer

Tucked beneath Brazil on the South American continent, Uruguay is a country filled with vast ranches, hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, amazing boutique vineyards, and a large metropolitan city that offers all the culture you might find in New York City, but with the warmth of a Midwestern community. I visited Uruguay for the first time in 1980, living in the capital of Montevideo for one month and in the northern city of Salto for three months. It would be years before another visit in 2008.

Uruguay capital Montevideo in South America

My connection to Uruguay began during my junior year of high school when my family hosted an exchange student, Adriana. After high school I spent four months living in Uruguay with Adriana’s family and it has been a second home ever since. Today, technology makes it…

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Toast the Season

Toast the season in Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan.

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Leelanau wineries toast the season

By Sarah Harmon

EW Emma’s Writings

EW writer Sarah Harmon in Paris

Leelanau Peninsula, MI-Between family gatherings, shopping, holiday baking, this time of year can get extremely hectic. However, the first two weekends of November, the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula have the perfect antidote for all that holiday stress. Toast the Season features tastings and pairings at 25 wineries throughout the area and showcases the incredible diversity among reds, whites, rose, and cherry wine, not to mention hard cider, all made in the same region. At $50 per person or $75 per couple, you can hardly afford not to embrace your inner sommelier. Tickets also include a bag with a Toast the Season glass to be used for sampling wines, a Christmas ornament, and other goodies.

Toast the season in Leelanau wineries

Even on a dreary, wintery day, it’s impossible not to be…

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Wedding travel

ebridesandfashion

Fall wedding destinations

Go near or far for your perfect wedding

By EMMA PALOVA

EW Emma’s Writings

Lowell, MI-There is no such thing as a bad location for a wedding. I’ve been to weddings as far as France and in former Czechoslovakia, which was my own, and as close as to Alto and Hastings.

And I will be going to a true pioneer international wedding at the Saint Patrick’s Church in Parnell and later to a nearby reception at the Wabasis Lake Lodge north east of Grattan.

We’ve considered Black Star Winery in Suttons Bay in Leelanau Peninsula or Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey.

Sometimes the travel for that many people becomes too complex. We even thought of getting a bus. But, our international family is already flying in from France and from Czech Republic.

The perfect wedding cake

I can’t imagine burdening them with more travel after crossing the…

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