Happy Anniversary Good Dog!!!!

Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of one of my favorite bars.
I love everyone that works there. I love the eats. I love cans on Wednesdays.
I love the work ethic of the owners. (I realize that's a weird thing to say but I mean it).
I love their fries.
And I love the dressing on the g dog salad.
It's the bar where I sat across from Lance at that front table almost nearly three years ago when we first started getting to know each other.
Here's a pic of us at the birthday party last year>>>


Come join them for a birthday party tomorrow 4 till?
It's the annual judging of the dog photos...Im honored to be a judge this year-=

Stop by say hi, drink beer, eat cheese, and win prizes.

Enjoy this Snowy saturday-=

suz

t o n i g h t - a few suggestions

A few happenings around town-=
What ever you do-= I hope you're as happy as my sister Michelle is in this here wheat field.

1-=It's first Friday

2-=Troegs is hosting Mad Elf Event at Grey Lodge 6-? Joe Sixpack will be there signing Christmas Ale books

3-=Bridgids kicks off 1/2 way to beer week with Ommegang night .. You might get a chance to try their holiday release: Adoration. Stay tuned for more info on half way to beer week events.

4-=YARDS is at Prohibition Tap Room with a firkin of a Belgian-roofied Thomas Jefferson-=-= (13th and Callowhill- then hit the Institute at 12th and Green while in the area)

5-= Devil's Den is having a Duvel Green promo. Ms. Megan Maguire will have to clone herself to be at Bridgids and Devil's Den at the same time...

6- There's rumblings of the P.O.P.E. having and keg of 1809 Berliner Weisse on tap.

This week on PW online: Big Bottle Mix-A-Six

With at 2 to 3 least holiday parties to attend this month-= you will be responsible for a couple of host gift bottles. Why should it be wine? This week I pick 6 big bottles o' beer- some classics, some novelty, to bring to that holiday party.

A glance at National Restaurants Association "What's Hot for 2010" survey

Top 5 TReNDS in Alcohol and Cocktails according to the "What's Hot" 2010 National Restaurant Association Survey

1 Locally-produced wine and beer
2 Culinary cocktails (e.g. savory, fresh ingredients)
3 Micro-distilled/artisan liquor
4 Organic wine/beer/ liquor
5 Food-beer pairings

And out of 208 items that will be "Hot" here's the beer stuff
Keep in mind this hot list is so broad - it covers everything from fiddlehead ferns to "Superfruits" and children entree salads- not just beer topics

#5 Locally produced beer and wine
#28 Food and Beer Pairings
#30 Craft Beer
#38 Gluten free beer
#42 Specialty Beer as in seasonal, spiced and fruit
#52 "Beer Sommeliers"
#53 Wine or beer flights
#97 Low-calorie beer
#125 Beer based cocktails

#209 is marshmallows ;)

Creamed Corn a la Suz

I won't tell you what I ate for dinner on the road. It's embarrassing. I will tell you that it made my car smell, that it satiated me, and that it wasn't Mcdonald's or Burger King.

But a few hours later after my evening tea, I got a bit hungry. I didn't have a lot of the fridge.
I found some Shitakes, corn and skim milk and I was inspired.
Creamed corn! One of my favorites. Last year I made some for Jennie Hatton's New Year day brunch. Unfortunately I only made enough for 4 people. It ended up being kind of a joke. Now every time I think of those creamy kernels I have to laugh.

Tonight I sauteed the mushrooms in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and smoked paprika. I added corn.Then I whisked up some skim milk and corn starch- added that to the pan and finished it off with some tarragon. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Jerz

I headed into West Deptford and Glassboro, NJ today. I drove around lost for at least 45 minutes for the second time this week.

I stopped by Monster Beverage to see Sal...This is Sal and manager Derek right here >>>>>>>Monster is a big store not too far from Rowan university.

They have a rather monstrous selection and already have the Sly Fox Christmas in stock if you are in that area.


I then headed to Hops and Grapes. This store is as pretty as they get. As you walk in- there is a coffee bar to the left. They also sell cheeses and gourmet foodstuffs like cornichons and preserves.

While I was waiting to say hi to Brian- I was surveying the store. I overheard two ladies discussing Russian River and Captain Lawrence.

I decided I would introduce myself. They were shopping for their brother/son for christmas. I took a looksie at the list----

Jolly Pumpkin, Deschutes, Captain Larry, Avery, Russin River, Lost Abbey and others were on it. No Sly Fox but after chatting for a bit they also ended up buying a bottle of Saison Vos.

Hops and Grapes also had one bottle left of my favorite- our Gang Aft Agley (scotch ale) from last winter. I scooped it up. Almost bought a bottle of Odyssey as well but wanted to leave it there so H and G customers could do a vertical tasting in a few weeks if they wanted to.

I didn't get home until 10 this evening. And I am back there by 10 tomorrow. The car is acting up though. It was making this weird noise while I was driving...then when I went to rest it for the night- it wouldn't turn off.
I had the keys in my hand and I was out of the car and it was still running. I thought for sure it was going to explode. Right then this really handsome guy was walking by and told me to make sure it wasn't overheating. I don't think that was it. I think it's an ignition thing. Off to Mike Jr. the mechanic first thing in the morning. ugh. Just in time for Christmas-= I am gonna get hit with a $200 car bill- I just know it.

Happy Hour at Dibruno Brothers recapped <<<

Yesterday Dogfish Head Beer Gal Wendy Domurat and I worked alongside the Dibruno guys.

From 5 till 7-= I sampled Sly Christmas, Dunkel and Black Raspberry. Wendy sampled Midas Touch, Pangea, and Palo Santo Marron.

There was enough of a crowd that we kept busy pouring. But even if we weren't busy -Hunter and Zeke are so delightful it wouldn't be a bad way to pass the time.

I was under the weather most of the day. I think I have a cold of some sort. But I perked up once I got there.

Jennie Hatton came through, as did some other friends. Robin from Flyin ng Fish also made a stop- thus giving us the photo opp above.

Hunter had created cheese pairings for the beers. He gave me some stilton to try with the Black Raspberry. I told him I wish I like bleu cheese but I just can't get into it...he explained that this was the most accessible bleu out there. It was still a no go.

Next Wed- they are hosting Bill Covaleski and Victory beers. I think Bill likes cheese as much as he likes beer.

Santa Fest @ Sugar Mom's Sat. Dec. 12

Santa Fest is always a good time.
Sip on some Winter seasonals and buy stuff from independent artisans.
I'm not quite sure why its sponsored by Pabst. Im willing to bet they don't have a holiday ale.
Maybe because its the weekend and they do $1 PBRs all weekend. hmm. curious.
That's also the day of the P.o.p.E. Chili cook off . So plan you're day wisely to hit both.

A smile for every song: Josh Ritter at the TLA

Last night I went to my first concert by myself. I wasn't feeling well all day and probably should have gone home after my Dibruno's sampling but duty called. joy called. I felt it was my duty to go and feel good. Whenever stress is written on the walls of my day- live music is the best eraser. I saw Josh Ritter at World Cafe Live years ago. He was talented. He was jovial with a one of a kind smile.

Last night he practically skipped on to the stage. He greeted us with "Hi guys- we're gonna have fun tonight!" He played for hours smiling all the while. I had written a whole blog about the show in my head but after a little liquid love from chico, Ca the thoughts have escaped me... I hate when I can't write them down. The thought that did stick with me is TLA has the worst beer selection of all time.

Josh Ritter-=- one of the best American songsters strummin' today.




or Open Doors


Or Kathleen

Another good holiday deal from Chicks Cafe

Chicks-= is having their Christmas shindig on
Thursday, Dec. 10th - 8pm

It'll be a Buffet Dinner with:

Roast Beef with Garlic & Rosemary
Apple Cider Glazed Carrots
Twice Baked Cheddar and Chive Potatoes
Penne Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes & Basil Pesto Cream Sauce
Apple Pecan Salad


Plus
Holiday Cocktail Specials Seasonal Beers from

Italy and France
Piano Stylings of Tom McClatchy
Chicksmas Quizzo and

Name That Carol - with prizes!!!

Reservations

215.625.3700
chickscafe@gmail.com

$35 per person
(plus tax and gratuity)

Cash Bar