Better with Brew

Fall is in the air. Football has started and chefs across the country are digging out the pumpkin spice. To wrap the Summer in true "Sunday Funday" fashion, our team headed to Miami Beach's Lou's Beer Garden this past weekend to support an old friend. 

Andres Barrientos (our former Sous Chef and Brian's partner on 24-Hour restaurant battle) returned to Lou's on Sunday to defend his winning tittle from last year's first annual Micro Brew Cook-Off. 

This is how it worked...close to 12 chefs from South Florida staged poolside a dish made with a craft beer of their choice. Judging was based on the opinions of 5 local foodies and the popular vote of 100 people in attendance. The efforts were 

awesome and our boy, naturally, killed it with a pork belly topped with Arrogant Bastard Ale air. Great name, we know.

 

Andres' Pork Belly with a pipette of Bastard Sauce and Ale Foam took third place

Another contestant used 4 different beers to create this donut topped with coconut and bacon

It got us thinking....forget your go-to marinades and the cliche A1 this fall. Grilling and chilling is always better with brew! Take a look at these craft beers that are great for cooking...

Brewed in Boulder Colorado, Sweaty Betty is a Bavarian-style wheat beer with hints of clove and bananna. This brew will keep you dreaming of summer! Try it with: Grilled Snapper

Out of Delware's Dogfish Brewery, Pumpkin Ale tastes like it sounds. Infused with allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon, this full-bodied brown ale is very season appropriate. Try it with: Squash Bisque

Don't forget dessert. The guys from Imperial have created a Creme Brule Stout. The beer is made with notes of vanilla and caramel. Try it with: Fresh Raspberry Salad

Bottoms up!...and remember to eat responsibly!