The #beersuggestioneers go light weight, broadcasting with an iPhone and two microphones from Barrelhouse 101.  We enjoy 5 sour beers from Port Brewing and all of them hold their own against the barrel aged beers.

The #beersuggestioneers go light weight -broadcasting with an iPhone and two microphones- @ Barrelhouse 101.  5 barrel aged beers from Lost Abbey and not one of 'em is lower than 12.5% ABV!

The #beersuggestioneers go light weight -broadcasting with an iPhone and two microphones) and get primed for two flights of Port Brewing and Lost Abbey beers at Barrelhouse 101.  But, before they get started they need to decompress a bit after a heavy weekend of beer festivals that included the Firestone Walker International Beer Festival and the Casa Pacifica Wine, Food & Brew festival. 

Jason and I finish our #cpbestinfest episodes and highlight the inaugural Best in Fest winner, Institution Ale Co.  Shaun Smith, takes time out of busy schedule to visit with us about Institution Ale Company's growth and guides through a tasting of Restraint, the winning beer.

Food Pairings for Restraint

Kevin
Chinese Cuisine: Soy Duck
French Cuisine: Duck la Orange
Italian Cuisine: chanterelle Risoto
Japanese Cuisine: Roast Trunips
Mexican Cuisine: Pork Tomale
US Cuisine: Deer/Elk
Breakfast: Bangers and mash
Dessert: Tiramisu

Zach
Us Cuisine: Any kind of BBQ




Andrew
Dessert: Wafer cookies, caramels

Jason
Us Cuisine: Roasted pork loin with thyme and a light berry glaze

From Institution Ale Company's Website:
An American Brown Ale aged on hard maple. This beer balances complex flavors of nuttiness, chocolate, roasted coffee, and sweet maple. A full bodied yet refreshing dark ale.

ABV: 6.0%   IBU: 34   SRM: 21

This is the 21st year of this annual event and to celebrate its coming of age, beer has been "officially" included in the title of the event.  Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & BREW Festival kicked off its 2014 festival with a commercial beer competition on May 3rd.

To make the introduction of beer something really special, we added a commercial beer competition to the mix to highlight local and regional breweries. We thought this would be a great way to bring attention to the growing craft beer movement and give you a chance to explore new beers or beer styles and plan your beer tasting experience once you step through the gate. 

What makes this competition something special is the judging panel was asked to provide food pairing suggestions for each of the beers that were entered into the festival.  Below you will find their food pairing suggestions for Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company's, Paradise Rd. Pilsner. You might not be able to find all of their food pairing suggestions at the festival -some of them are pretty exotic- but use the suggestions as a guide to enhance your beer experience.

Food Pairings for Timber Wolf Bourbon-Oaked Red Ale
Kevin
Indian Cuisine: savory or spicy Tandoori
Korean Cuisine: Shabu Shabu Beef
US Cuisine: Smoked ham, beef ribs
Jason
Dessert: Bourbon Bread Pudding

From Wolf Creek Brewing Company's Webpage

TASTING NOTES: Our American-style Red Ale that’s aged for a month on Buffalo Trace soaked American Oak with flavors of bourbon, caramel, and toasted oak that’s balanced by citrus hop flavors.

The Judges
Jason Hendrick, Zachary Rosen, Andrew Carter, Kevin Prat

The beer suggestioneers explore the vast possibilities of wood aged beers, specifically Firestone Walker's DBA. Your mileage will vary depending on the beer's base style.

Food Pairing Suggestions
1. Dependent on base style
2. Shellfish dishes
3. Pot pies
4. Sugar and Cinnamon cookies

Firestone Walker DBA
22 C.  Wood Aged

Serving Temp: Variable, based on style (45°- 55°)

Glassware: Variable, based on ABV

Aroma: Caramel and toffee smells with some light woody/oaky notes. 

Appearance: Pours a clear copper-amber color with lots of carbonation bubbles and a healthy finger of frothy off-white head.

Flavor:  Caramel malts, nutty flavors and light woody notes dominate but are balanced with an English style pale ale, bitterness. 

Mouthfeel: Medium light body with a prominent carbonation.