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The KegWorks Blog

Archive for August, 2011

Buffalo’s Own HeadStone Heat Hot Sauces

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

HeadStone Heat Tequila Lime Hot Sauce

Born in the city that introduced the world to Buffalo Hot Wings, HeadStone Heat artisan hot sauces are making waves. Created with love by vivacious Val Meli, HeadStone Heat Hot Sauces are made with only the freshest, most vibrant ingredients and offer a perfect balance of heat and flavor.

HeadStone Heat Mexican Aftershock Hot Sauce

HeadStone Heat presently features three unique and excellent flavors; Mexican Aftershock Hot Sauce, Tequila Lime Hot Sauce and a personal favorite, Mango Orange Hot Sauce, but rest assured, there are more to come. Each one of the current offerings treats the taster to such an explosion of flavor, you’ll find it hard not to smother all of your favorite dishes in hot sauce. Whether you’re using HeadStone Heat hot sauces straight from the bottle, as a glaze on your favorite meats or as a barbecue sauce replacement, you’ll fully embrace and appreciate the deliciously fresh habanero, cilantro and specialty ingredients bursting from every bottle.

HeadStone Heat Mango Orange Hot Sauce

If you fancy yourself a hot sauce connoisseur of sorts, like myself, you’ll want to get your hands on the HeadStone Heat Hot Sauce 3-Pack so you can experience and experiment with all three. For lovers of spice, heat and flavor, these hot sauces are a must.

Cheers to Val at HeadStone Heat! We’re stoked to have her hot sauces here and can’t wait for the rest of the world to have a taste.

TAGS [ HEADSTONE HEAT | HOT SAUCE | BUFFALO ]

Quality Time with a Raging Bitch

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian IPA

This Friday, I spent some quality time with good friends and one particularly Raging Bitch. I picked up a six-pack of this little honey on a whim, and I’m sure glad I did. Flying Dog Raging Bitch is one from their Canis Major line up, created to commemorate the brewery’s 20 year anniversary. Even before getting into the meat of the review, I can tell you that this is one brew I look forward to enjoying again.

Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian IPA

Dubbed a "Belgian-Style India Pale Ale," Raging Bitch weighs in at 8.3% ABV and pairs well with foods that can stand up to its American hops and Belgian funk. Think heavy Asian or Mexican inspired flavors if you’re serving this beer alongside food.

Appearance
Pours a slightly hazy, deep copper color with copious amounts of dense, creamy, off-white head. Great retention on this pour.

Aroma
Citrusy and lightly floral hops pair well with the Belgian yeast’s spice. Sweet caramel scent is rounded out well by notes of pepper and orange. Quite complex and rather seducing.

Taste
The flavor of Raging Bitch matches well with its nose, but puts more focus on the floral, piney hops than on the citrus. The hops are nicely rounded out by that bubblegum flavor from the Belgian yeast, resulting in a well-balanced honey sweetness mid-sip and a medium bitterness in the finish.

Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian IPA

Mouthfeel
Probably the most significant aspect to me, the body of Flying Dog Raging Bitch is nothing short of creamy. I was happily surprised by this, as it was much creamier than most IPAs I’ve enjoyed. Smooth, medium to medium-heavy body with a perfect amount of carbonation, the mouthfeel is absolutely the star for me.

Overall
I am positively in love with the marriage of Belgian yeast and American hops in Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch Belgian IPA. Balanced, complex and intricate, I absolutely recommend this brew and plan on picking up another six-pack for my fridge.

Cheers!

TAGS [ BEER REVIEW | BIPA | BELGIAN IPA | INDIA PALE ALE | FLYING DOG | RAGING BITCH | CANIS MAJOR ]

How Did Lager Come to Be, Anyway?

Friday, August 26th, 2011

LagerAfter searching for the missing yeast species that is responsible for the crisp, cold-brewed and stored lager, scientists have finally found the elusive organism. Their investigation lasted about five years, finally ending on an Argentinian beech tree. [bendbulletin.com]

The newly discovered wild yeast strain is called Saccharomyces eubayanus and, when hybridized with S. cerevisae, the organism created can ferment at lower temperatures, perfect for lagering. The found strain is 99.5% identical to the non-ale side of the S. pastorianus genome, proposing it to indeed be the long lost ancestor.

Scientists are still uncertain as to how S. eubayanus made its way 8,000 miles from Patagonia to Germany, but if I can be so bold as to speak for them and those of us invested in beer, I’m glad it did.

TAGS [ LAGER | YEAST | ARGENTINA | PATAGONIA ]

The Vodka Drink Rachel Ray Loves

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

Food Network sweetheart Rachael Ray first enjoyed this drink on her honeymoon at the Singhita Game Safari in South Africa. It was served before a 4-course meal and like many of Rachael’s favorite dinner ideas it’s not only delicious, it’s simple enough that anyone can make it at home.

Rachel Ray Vodka Cocktail

1 tsp Angostura Bitters
2 shots chilled vodka
6 to 8 oz ginger ale

Place bitters in a tall glass and combine with vodka using a cocktail spoon. Add ice to glass then fill with ginger ale and stir again. Serve with a straw.

This is one I’m going to have to try mixing up – I’m thinking it’d be great with some of the flavored bitters as well. Any suggestions?

TAGS [ COCKTAIL RECIPES | DRINK RECIPES | RACHEL RAY ]

The Ultimate End Table for College

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Dee Henderson wins Dad of the Year. He created this mosaic style table lamp for his son and we’re quite certain it made him one of the most popular kids at college.

Beer Lamp
Beer Lamp
Beer Lamp

After finding a couple of old kegs on Craigslist (2 for $15), Dee ran pipe with electrical inside and installed a light fixture on the top. The "shade" is made from a bar promotion sign and the tabletop is simply ¾" plywood with beer bottle caps attached and then grouted. While that’s all very cool, the best part might be the tap handle pull chain.

Cheap, creative and awesome. Nice work Dee!

TAGS [ BEER LAMP | KEG LAMP | CORONA LAMP | DORM ROOM LAMP ]

Studs with Mugs (the Greater Groomsmen Gift)

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Pretty much every guy I know who has been in a wedding has received a pocketknife, a watch or a flask as their "thank you for standing up in the wedding" gift. These things all make very thoughtful (and practical) presents but if you’re the type who likes to defy conventions, this Oak Barrel Mug is a little bit different and a whole lot of awesome.

Wooden Barrel Mugs as Groomsmen Gifts

When my friend Louis (the groom on the right) decided to order these mugs for the guys in his wedding party a couple of weeks ago, I had a feeling they might be pleased with his selection. When I heard that he’d acquired a case of Heavy Seas Loose Cannon to fill them with after the rehearsal dinner, I realized just how lucky his wedding party was.

With a capacity of one full liter, these distinctive handcrafted mugs are large enough to catch peoples’ attention and get them talking. Made from premium quality American White Oak that’s been air-dried for two years, they’re crafted without glues or nails – just black steel bands. You should cure them with hot water before use to give the wood a chance to swell (which prevents leaking and limits the amount of alcohol absorbed by the barrel) but other than that, they’re ready for wrapping (and drinking!)

An integral part of the wedding day, the mugs made it into a few photos and took part in the reception as well. As you can see here, Jonathan Mervine (best man and brewer at the previously blogged about Roc Brewing Co.) looks rather pleased.

According to my sources, it might be wise to do a few practice runs before the big day, just to make sure your guys can handle their beer by the liter. If the bartenders at your reception are kind enough to forgo the pint glasses and fill the mugs, it won’t hurt to be prepared.

Congrats to Lou on his gift giving ingenuity, successful wedding and beautiful new wife. Cheers!

TAGS [ BARREL MUGS | GROOMSMEN GIFTS ]

Digging That Beer Mat? It’s Probably From Buffalo.

Friday, August 19th, 2011

The Queen City has more than Buffalo wings, beef on weck and sponge candy to be proud of. Not only is Buffalo home to some of the most delicious (albeit greasy) food, but the paper coaster that’s under your pint probably came from here too.

According to an article by S.J. Velasquez on Buffalo.com, 65% of the world’s beer mats are made by the Katz Group. This means there’s a major possibility that your coaster came from our hometown… that or the company’s Germany or Tennessee locations.

Hello My Drink is Gone Coasters

Many beer branded coasters and even our rad KegWorks "Hello My Drink is Gone" coasters are made by the Katz Group, here in Western New York (that’s right, Buffalonians refer to our area as Western New York, not Upstate). And if you dig scoring free drinks, you’ll want to consider the IITYWIMWYBMAD? coasters, too.

Next time you’re imbibing in a frosty, cold brew, have a little toast to Buffalo and the company that very likely made the coaster on which it sits.

TAGS [ BEER MATS | COASTERS | KATZ GROUP | AMERICAN COASTER COMPANY ]

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