Opening Day Petition

Anheuser-Busch is hoping to make Opening Day for America’s national pastime a national holiday this year. In collaboration with “The Wizard” Ozzie Smith they are working on gathering enough petitions to bring to the White House in order to get the day nationally recognized as a holiday. It is literally like Mr. Smith Goest to Washington, except IRL and with more entertaining campaign.

This would mean no more faking sick, sneaking off or simply not show up to work/school every year to catch the first ball toss. If the petitions garners a minimum of 100,000 petitions by March 26 the motion will be put under review by the White House, meaning we’re one step closer to an awesome holiday. Think about it, even for those who don’t closely follow the sport (myself included) there is no reason not to get behind the idea of watching a game and cracking open a Bud.

If you haven’t signed the petition yet you have until March 26 to get behind the movement – just click here. www.bit.ly/BudOpeningDay

Stella Artois Valentine's Day Pairing

For some, a heart-shaped box of chocolates is good enough to show your love on Valentine’s Day. But to go the extra step, beer is needed to seal the deal in have a special valentine. Coincidentally, beer also makes the perfect substitute for an actual Valentine.

Whatever the case, to make the night special  you can turn to Stella Artois and show up with a pair of bottles, a couple of chalices and a box of chocolates. Better yet, try out the following recipe that cooks with beer to create a beery themed Valentines.

Herbed Lamb Chops

Directions

• Remove the lamb from the fridge 1 hour before you plan to cook it.
  
  TIP: bringing meat to room temperature allows for even cooking. If the meat is cold when you cook it, the outside will be overdone by the time the inside is cooked.
• Using a mortar and pestle, pound garlic with ¾ teaspoon salt.
• Add several grinds of pepper, rosemary, and lemon zest and 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Slice your lamb into chops, like so.                                  
• Rub this mixture on both sides of the lamb chops, place in a glass bowl.
• Let the lamb marinate in fridge for several hours, or overnight.
• eat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat for 2 minutes. Swirl in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sear the lamb for 2 minutes on each side. (Do this step in batches).

• Mint Herb Sauce (Optional)
  
  In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse to combine mint, scallions, lemon zest and juice, ½ teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
  
  While the blade is spinning, drizzle in the olive oil.
  
  Taste for seasoning.

Serve the lamb alongside your mint-herb sauce. It  pairs perfectly with Stella Artois and a candle lit dinner.

Over the course of last week RateBeer came out with their annual best ratings. Our brands that we sell here in Grand Rapids (and in Barry County, as is the case with Goose Island) did quite well on the RateBeer  Best lists for 2013.  Although it's just a list, it is fun to see how tastes evolve, year to year and it is especially exciting to see some personal favorites on the list, as well. Below are the results.

The Top Brewers in the World

• Boston Beer Company
• Brooklyn Brewery
• Goose Island Brewery
• Oskar Blues Brewery
• Smuttynose Brewing Company
• Stone Brewing Co.

The Best Beers in the World

• Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine
• Goose Island Carolus Cuvee Van de Keiser Blauw/Blue
• Sam Adams Utopias
• Stone Brewing Co. Enjoy By IPA
• Stone Brewing Co. Russian Imperial Stout

The Best Beers by Style Category

• Double IPA: Stone Brewing Co. Enjoy By IPA. 7^th place
• Stout: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. 3^rd place
•             Goose Island Bourbon County Stout – Coffee. 9^th place
•             Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s 2013. 13^th place
• Strong: Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine. 1^st place
•                 Samuel Adams Utopias. 4^th place
• Imperial Baltic Porter: Smuttynose Baltic Porter. 6^th place

Top Releases of 2013

• Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine
• Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s 2013

Breweries by Subregion

• Illinois: Goose Island Brewing – Best Brewery. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout – Best Beer
• Maryland: Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter – Best Beer
• New Hampshire: Smuttynose Brewing – Best Brewery. Smuttynose Baltic Porter – Best Beer

The Seattle Seahawks may have trounced the Denver Broncos but Budweiser came out as the real winner of the Super Bowl with their nostalgic and touching commercials.

A Hero’s Welcome served as the other commercial put on by Budweiser, which featured the real-life surprise and welcome home for Lt. Chuck Nadd. The famous Clydesdales once again made an appearance in the parade in his hometown welcoming him home.

The Puppy Love ad brought back one of my favorite childhood movies, the Fox and the Hound, with the unlikely friendship theme. After catching myself singing along to the song and gaping at the Clydesdale jump fences the ending came as a humorous and sweet surprise when the other Clydesdales came together to keep the best buds together.