Old Bay Turns 70, THG Reader Gets Present!

As we get set to flip the calendar from June to July and embrace the summer holidays, I can't help but think about the wonderful tastes and smells that define the season: the aroma of hot dogs and hamburgers as they sizzle on the grill; the salty sea air drifting off the ocean and mingling with suntan lotion; the refreshing splash of an ice cold Yuengling Lager.

But few things really get my mind thinking about summer treats like shrimp steamed in beer, the mallet-cracking goodness of Maryland crabs, and even state fair comfort foods like the smell of Old Bay seasoning. Heck, I've even been known to enjoy the occasional bowl of Old Bay Ice Cream!

Created by Gustav Brunn, a German immigrant who luckily for us settled in Baltimore, Old Bay started as "Delicious Brand Shrimp and Crab Seasoning". Eventually, the secret blend of spices got the name Old Bay from a steamship that traveled the waters near Brunn's spice business in Baltimore's Market Place.

Packed in its distinctive yellow and blue tin, the seasoning is still made right here in Maryland and shipped to stores nationwide. As an unofficial Old Bay ambassador I've even been known to ship tins of it to friends overseas who sampled it at one of our backyard crab feasts.

This year Old Bay celebrates its 70th birthday but a lucky THG reader will be the one getting presents. We're happy to be able to give away an awesome Basket of the Bay Gift Package featuring:

• Old Bay Seasoning
• Old Bay Seafood Steamer bag
• Old Bay Beach Towel & Beach Bag
• Old Bay Keychain with bottle opener
• Temporary Old Bay tattoo
• And some great new Old Bay-inspired recipes

All you have to do to enter is send us an e-mail with the subject line OLD BAY before 5 PM EST on Friday, July 10, 2009. We'll select one e-mail at random and that lucky winner will receive the great Old Bay gift package. (If the above link gives anybody problems just e-mail editor@hungovergourmet.com but remember to include the subject line "OLD BAY".)

Only one entry per e-mail address, please. E-mails will only be used for drawing of winning name and contacting the winner. You will not receive any marketing or other communication from either The Hungover Gourmet, Old Bay, etc. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.

For more on Old Bay check out their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Good luck!