The #beersuggestioneers go big and dark with Island Brewing Company's Starry Night Stout and we don't even get 2 minutes into the video before we start flinging #beerpairings! 

Food Suggestions:
1. Oysters
2. Croc monsieur sandwich
3. Coffee substitute 
4. Great for passing the time while you are doing your chores, such as laundry.

From IBC's Website:

Starry Night StoutOne of our most decorated beers to date. The Starry Night Stout is an intensely rich and robust foreign-style stout balancing intense malt character and hoppy bitterness: Dark, roasted specialty malts meet Magnum hops, with flaked barley added for the creamy head this style is known for.

7.4% Alcohol by Volume.
50 IBUs.

Available:
Fall/Winter

Awards:
Gold 2012 GABF
Gold 2012 World Beer Cup
Silver 2012 LA International Beer Competition


First Place Gold Medal 2012 California State Fair

With a beer as big and malty as the Island Brewing Company's Jubilee Ale the #beersuggestioneers have plenty of #beerpairing suggestions!  

And, no matter how many times I say it - Jubilee Ale is a Scotch Ale, not a Belgian beer!-)

Pairing Suggestions:
1. Portobello Mushroom with blue cheese sandwich
2. Gourmet Grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions.
3. Winter holiday cuisines 
4. Sitting and relaxing by a campfire.

From IBC's Website: 

Jubilee AleThis beer falls into the Old Ale class of beers, a tradition of beers and brewing style emphasizing rich malt flavors, caramel sweetness, and a balanced finish. On the rare occasions we run out of this one at the tasting room, the locals give us an ear full. We can't blame them.

6.8% Alcohol by Volume
36 IBUs 

Awards:
Gold Medal: 2013 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal: 2012 LA County International Beer Competition
Silver Medal: 2002 GABF
Third Place Medal 2012 Cal State Fair

The Czech Republic has its share of classical composers and beautiful classical music. However, it's the Beer Barrel Polka that is arguably the best know song from the Czech Republic. 

Source: http://www.czechsite.com/czechs.html

I know you'll enjoy any of the books below even more if you are imbibing at the same time!

Pilsners deserve a glass that is designed specifically to showcase their brilliant clarity and one narrow and tall enough to enjoy the line of bubbles lazily drifting up from the bottom of the glass.  All of the glasses below meet the aforementioned criteria. 

Click the images to learn more about each glass!

I was not expecting to discover the Czech classic Closely Watched Trains when I was producing the Pilsner edition of A Bunch of Stuff You Should Know About Beer, but maybe that is what made this movie so great. Closely Watched Trains is a great movie pairing for that six pack of Pilsner Urquell you picked up the last time you were in Trader Joes, too.

If you're not a Hulu subscriber you can still watch this movie for free.  A web search will give you several options. Enjoy!

The #beersuggestioneers enjoy Island Brewing Company's Honey Avocado Ale.  Some great #beerpairing suggestions from both sides of the microphone for this beer!

After researching the beer I learned that avocados were not used in this beer instead it was honey gathered from an avocado orchard.  This explains the very subtle avocado flavor in the beer!-)

Pairing Suggestions:
1. Cheeseburger with quality fix'ns.
2. Truffle fries.
3. Grilled squash, zucchini lightly coated with olive oil. 

Serving Temp: 40°- 45°

Glassware: Pint Glass, Mug, Tulip

Frome IBC's website:No Avocados were harmed in the brewing of this beer. Instead, we add Avocado Honey: the bees go out into the Avocado orchards and return with a gourmet, amber color honey. We add this to the boil while brewing resulting in an ale that quite literally has the taste of sunlight in every sip. Honey malt and Sterling Hops combine for a uniquely smooth and a slightly sweet finish. 

4.9% Alcohol by Volume.
19 IBUs.

The #beersuggestioneers catch-up with each other and get primed for a flight of Island Brewing Company beers.

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

Beer blending two honorable mentions and some other stuff.

Well crafted Double IPA's are no strangers to the Best of Show round, so it isn't any surprise that King Tide from Island Brewing Company was one of three beers that made it to the BOS round in the inaugural beer competition for the 21st Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew festival. 

Island Brewing is no stranger to the accolades, either.  Visit their website to see a complete list of their award winning beers which include gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions.

Food Pairings for
King Tide: Double IPA

Kevin
Greek Cuisine: Lamb
Italian Cuisine: charcuterie/salamis
Vegetarian Cuisine: Grilled Asparagus
Cheese: Camembert, Humbolt Fog Bleu, Matag Bleu


Jason
Italian Cuisine:  Alfredo & grilled fish

Description from Island Brewing Company's website: 
On the odd chance you don't already know it, your new favorite beer has arrived here at Island Brewing Company. The King Tide, as we are calling it, has many beautiful things about it, the glinting and gorgeous copper color, that delicate lace producing head, the inscrutable Double IPA regalness. We're talking about 85 IBUs with Centennial and Zythos hops surging in to buoy your taste buds. The 9.8% ABV is sure to have you rummaging through some interesting parts of your brain, and sharing the finds with your friends. 

Among the uber-beer geeks, there is some discussion about Session IPA's.  Is it a true stye or just hopped-up APA?  Jason and I discuss the origins of the word session and how it applies to this new and super-hip beer style.

Jason and I get warmed up for a session of best of show beer from the 21st annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival.  We talk about the event and how it raises almost $500,000 for battered women and children in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.  

Best of show round, discussions.

Semantics aside, Jason and I dive head first into Firestone Walker's session IPA called Easy Jack.  This hop forward (bitterness and flavor) beer is light and refreshing, but will hold it's own against a variety of flavorful cuisines.

Food Pairings for
Easy Jack: Summer Session IPA


Kevin
Indian Cuisine: Anything with potato
Italian Cuisine: Pasta
Jewish Cuisine: Knish
US Cuisine: Burgers
Cheese: Stilton

Zach
Indian Cuisine: Savory dishes
Thai Cuisine: Chicken, lime curry
Dessert: Carrot, raison, honey and cinnamon salad

Andrew

Chinese Cuisine: Orange Chicken
Italian Cuisine: Chicken Marsala
Mexican Cuisine: Street tacos
US Cuisine: Thin crust pizza

Jason
Japanese or Thai Cuisine:  bamboo shoots with a sweet/spicy glaze

Best of show round, discussions.

This interview features a new pints&pairings segment named unfiltered. Unfiltered features an interview segment (finings added but no flavor stripping filters used) that was just begging to be included in the pints&pairings family.

In this episode, Jason and I enjoy a very special tasting of the yet to be released Bretta Rose' with Jeffers Richardson and Jim Crooks at the Firestone Walker, Barrelworks program in Buellton, CA.

This is the shortest segment in part because we spend most of the time talking about the food we should be eating with this beer and feel the need to go and eat!

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 Ladyface Ale Companie's IPA

Kevin
French Cuisine: Cassoulet
Greek Cuisine: Loukaniko sausage
Japanese Cuisine: Grilled eel
Mexican Cuisine: Chicharrones 

Jason
Other: Grilled sweet peaches with a honey drizzle and mascarpone /basil garnish.

LADYFACE® IPA - ABV 6.9%
An adaptation of an English Pale Ale reflecting indigenous ingredients and West Coast flavors. Moderately hopped, showing a citrus hop character with medium-bodied balance.

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

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

This is the 21st year of this annual event and to celebrate its coming of age -so to speak- 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 in the title 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 Surf Brewery's County Line Rye. You won't 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 
County Line Rye


Kevin
Chinese Cuisine: Kung Pao
French Cuisine: Creamy Cheeses
Korean Cuisine: Fish curry
US Cuisine: Grilled Corn
Breakfast: Chorizo & Eggs



Zach
US Cuisine: Burger topped with bacon and sunny side eggs.

Andrew
Mexican Cuisine: savory 
US Cuisine: savory

Jason
Other: Rich/savory meaty stew

From Surf Brewery's Webpage

INSPIRATION: Named after a surf spot bordering Ventura County & LA County. 

TASTING NOTES: Brewed as an American Pale Ale with a twist, a healthy dose of rye adds a subtle spiciness and frothy white head while generous amounts of pleasantly spicy and floral American hops compliment the gentle rye character. Pairs well with a sloppy burger at the beach! Gold medal winner in 2012 and Silver medal in 2013 at the LA County Fair Commercial Beer Competition.

14.0°-Plato  41-IBU  7.0-SRM  6.0-ABV

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

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 Paradise Rd Pilsner 


Kevin
Chinese Cuisine: salt baked prawns, Mushu Pork
French Cuisine: roasted duck
Indian Cuisine: savory or spicy roast fish
Mexican Cuisine: Carnitas

Zach
Mexican Cuisine: spicy chicken enchiladas
UK/US Cuisine: fish and chips

Andrew
Thai Cuisine: savory pad Thai
US Cuisine: beef stew

Jason
Jewish Cuisine: zucchini (or potatoes) latkes 
with dill sour cream

From Figueroa Mountain Brewing's Webpage
PARADISE ROAD PILSNER
ABV 5.5% • IBU 20 STYLE:BOHEMIAN PILSNER

INSPIRATION: Paradise Road is the namesake of our clean and crisp Bohemian style lager. Our golden pilsner is inspired by Paradise Road’s natural elements of refreshing streams and waterfalls and a place where you want to relax and drink a beer. 

TASTING NOTES: The epitome of simplicity and delicacy: brewed with only the highest quality European lager malt and a German noble hop. This beer derives all of its character from the very delicate balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness, and the procedural perfection exacted in creating it. Medium-bodied and malt-forward, the flavor of this beer is reminiscent of honeysuckle and fields of grain with a soft background of hop aroma.

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

This interview features a new pints&pairings segment named unfiltered. Unfiltered features an interview segment (finings added but no flavor stripping filters used) that was just begging to be included in the pints&pairings family.

In this episode, Jason and I enjoy an impromptu tasting of Feral One with Jeffers Richardson and Jim Crooks at the Firestone Walker, Barrelworks program in Buellton, CA. 

As all beer conversations go, it gets a little derailed but the content is gold!

This interview features a new pints&pairings segment called unfiltered. Unfiltered features an interview segment (finings added but no flavor stripping filters used) that was just begging to be included in the pints&pairings family.

In this inaugural episode, Jason and I enjoy an impromptu tasting with Jeffers Richardson and Jim Crooks at the Firestone Walker, Barrelworks program in Buellton, CA. 

The pictures above illustrate how a new batch of Lil Opal makes it from the primary fermentor to barrel for aging.

The Dudes' Brewing Company in no way endorses this episode, anything said in this episode, anything done in this episode and is in no way affiliated with this episode.  Do not watch this episode!