Brew News and Notes: Potent Beers and What the Prez Drinks

A Scottish brewer thinks they have the answer to the country's binge drinking problems... beer with an 18.2% ABV! After my recent run-in with Old Chub Scotch Ale and its sneaky* 8.00% ABV I think I'll pass on serving this at this weekend's gathering of the lads from The Eurotrash Paradise. (I'd link to the original article over at The Buteman but it says "The article has been unable to display." Might've had too many Old Chubs. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Meanwhile, President Obama is returning to his roots as a community organizer and bringing together cops and alleged perps to hash out their problems. Over beers. At the White House. Seriously, "Bama!" (as Ryan calls him) has arranged an informal kegger on The White House lawn with Sgt. Crowley (Blue Moon) and Professor Gates (Red Stripe or Beck's). The President, apparently unwilling to truly embrace his Chitown roots and throw back some Old Style is having a Bud.

Speaking of Chicago, Bill Daley over at The Tribune writes about Inedit, a high-fallutin Spanish beer from Estrella Dam. Tagged as "the first beer specifically created to accompany food" (I guess they've never heard of Natty Boh) the website suggests keeping the bottle chilled in a wine cooler and served in a white wine glass. Something tells me serving this with brats, pulled pork and ribs this weekend might be a bit much.

*And I use the term "sneaky" to mean that they printed it on their cans so I would notice it.

Back from Vacation, THG #11 in Hand!

While I wish I could say I was happy to be back from our vacation on LBI, I promise I won't lie to you. The sun, sand and surf were great, providing many relaxing hours on the beach, collecting shells with Ryan, playing in the sand with her and her cousins, hanging out and having a good time.

As in past years, it seems like the food we made at the house trumped anything we ordered out, especially a phenomenal night of surf & turf featuring grilled tuna steaks, barbecued spareribs, my father-in-law's to-die-for potato salad, and a wonderful calabrese salad featuring ripe Jersey tomatoes.

Alas, I did not get back to the Terrace Tavern for my beloved Terrace Stacker, but with a couple more trips before the fall settles in I should have a few opportunities to get there for a return visit.

Today, it's back to the grind... I just spent what felt like an hour cleaning up the yard after last night's brief, but powerful, summer storm and the dentist awaits. Customer orders need to be placed, voicemails have to be logged, and a layout for a client mailer needs to be, well, laid out.

But before I saddle up and begin dreaming of my next trip to the beach (40 days, but who's counting?) I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the new (and final) issue of The Hungover Gourmet has arrived from the printer.

What you see in my hand at right – and don't worry, I was parked at the time – is our 44-page swan song, a combination mash note to and scathing indictment of coffee, plus thoughts on beer, Bud Chelada, the passing of a THG contributor, and Louis Fowler's epic struggle to feast like a king on a Big Lots budget.

Order your copy today.

Can These Orioles Take the Heat?

We all know it takes skill, determination, drive and even a little bit of luck to make it as a major league baseball player. But how well do those skills translate to the real hot stove league, the kitchen?

We'll find out on July 28th when three members of the Baltimore Orioles – pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, second baseman Brian Roberts and catcher Gregg Zaun – battle in the ESPN Zone's kitchen stadium for a chance to see their signature dish on the restaurant's menu.

The inaugural Oriole Cook-Off will take place at the ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 starting at 11:30 AM (doors open at 11). The contestants will have 30 minutes to put together their signature dish and have it judged by a panel that includes the players' wives. Dishes will be judged on taste, presentation, and creativity and the winner will receive a prize package and his signature dish will be added to ESPN Zone’s menu.

Fans interested in attending the Orioles Cook-Off can purchase tickets by calling 410-685-3776 ext. 223 or by emailing comments@espnzone.com. Tickets cost $50 for adults and $30 for kids 12 and under. Admission includes a lunch buffet, an ESPN Zone game card and autographed giveaways. Fans will also have the opportunity to ask the players questions and win assorted prizes, including the aprons off the players’ backs.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Maryland Food Bank. Guests are also encouraged to bring canned food to donate.

Look for THG's full report on the festivities later this month.

Too Old to Dew?

I am, admittedly, a man of quirky obsessions. Get me interested in or hooked on something and I'm usually in for a fairly long haul.

As a kid it was KISS and anything to do with PLANET OF THE APES, to such an extent (or so my parents thought) that our house was a KISS & APES-Free Zone for awhile. Considering all the things kids I knew from school actually were doing, the comic metal and questionable sci-fi of these two pop culture landmarks seemed pretty benign to me both now and then.

The older I got the more far-ranging my obsessions became – Atari 2600 games, JFK-abilia, drive-in cinema, LPs, vintage cookbooks and pamphlets, Klaus Kinski, the list goes on.

Typically, such fascinations followed a predictable arc as I flirted with something, threw myself into it headfirst, hit a point of critical mass and then trailed off, usually dispersing the flotsam and jetsam I'd collected along the way.

When it comes to food, though, my quirky obsessions tend to stick. Hell, every year or so I still have to hop in the car and drive down to Frederick, MD to scratch the Roy Rogers Double R Bar Burger itch I've been working for 30+ years.

Which makes it that much sadder for me to admit that at some point it all went wrong with Mountain Dew and me.

The Dew was probably my earliest romance, one-sided though it was. Discovered during the 1970s when it became increasingly difficult to find Pepsi Light (the lemon-flavored cola), Dew was readily available at the club where I swam and played tennis and while I probably didn't need a jolt of caffeine to keep me going in those days it certainly provided a little extra kick after a late night of watching NIGHT GALLERY on Channel 48 or trying to descramble porn signals on my bedroom tv.

Subconsciously, I probably also liked Dew because there was no generic equivalent for my Mom to buy. When it came to colas, our house was free of both prejudice and brand loyalty... Pepsi, Coke, Triple Cola... if it was on sale and there was a double coupon to apply that's what we were having with spaghetti that week.

The Dew, on the other hand, could not be duplicated. Forget imitators like Mello Yello or Mom's attempts to get me to consider Fresca, Dew and I soon became so inseparable, so connected in the matriarchal mind that even when I visited home long after I'd stopped drinking the stuff she'd make sure the fridge was stocked.

Or they were cans that were still left from my adolescence. Which is entirely possible.

Somewhere along the line, though, The Dew and I started drifting apart. I don't know if it was the change in can design (a traumatic moment for me if this article is to be believed) or if they actually had tampered with the formula I'd come to trust to get me through late night radio shifts and all-night movie marathons.

Oh sure, I still enjoyed my Mountain Dew Wine Coolers each summer at the shore (Mountain Dew and boxed white wine over ice) and I could count on it to get me through a night when I needed to stay awake but gone were the days when I could pound can after can with reckless abandon.

Frankly, Dew had become a young person's game, as evidenced by things like Diet Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Sport.

Recently, though, I had a chance to flirt with that first love all over again. In their infinite wisdom, the fine folks at Pepsi rolled out "throwback" versions of both Pepsi and The Dew. Replacing the high fructose corn syrup that had become the trademark sweetener in both drinks, Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback featured "natural sugar" to give the sodas the kind of sweet flavor – without that harsh chemically aftertaste – that won me over in the first place.

Frankly, this wasn't all that big a deal for Pepsi lovers. After all, if they wanted a non-fructosed version of their beloved beverage, it could be had thanks to Kosher Pepsi and Mexican Pepsi. Dew fans weren't so lucky and I was excited to try the beverage (once I found it, that is).

It's hard to imagine that a drink could instantly transport me back 30 years, but Dew Throwback did just that. One swig of that crisp citrus flavor – accompanied by the trademark kick and frisky carbonation I always loved – and I wasn't hustling around the house trying to juggle work, social life and a lovable two-year-old. Instead, I was a 12-year-old without a care in the world, downing a can in the hot sun after swim team practice, waiting for my best friend Ed so we could hit the tennis courts.

Not surprisingly, years of writing about my Dew obsession has spread the word and I recently found myself on the receiving end of not one but two packages of new Dew flavors or brand extensions.

Giddy with the recent memories of my Throwback experience but saddened by its disappearance after an all-too-brief eight-week window of availability (now I knew how Danny and Sandy felt at the outset of GREASE!), I wondered if one of these new Dews on the block would help me forget the recent past and blaze a bold, new future.

Mountain Dew Game Fuel
Given its high caffeine content and reputation for helping you stay awake, it's no surprise that Pepsi has taken the opportunity to position Dew as a drink (or "fuel" in this case) for gamers. There was a Halo 3 tie-in a couple summers ago and now Dew is available in two limited time flavors aimed at fans of World of Warcraft: Wild Fruit (Alliance Blue) and Citrus Cherry (Horde Red).

Since my own video gaming stopped the minute they added buttons to the front of the controllers, I'm not familiar with WoW. Based on the website featuring the drinks and characters from the game it looks like the blue stuff is for the good guys and orange stuff is for the bad guys. My cans (shown at right) were actually generic "test cans" featuring computer-generated labels. (talk about feeling like you've "arrived" as a product reviewer!)

Both flavors are about as brightly colored as you can possibly get for a soda, with eye-popping hues that look like somebody melted a popsicle then dropped one of those glow sticks in it.

The fine folks over at BevReview.com have confirmed that the Horde Red/Citrus Cherry flavor is actually the same formula that was used back in 2007 for the original Game Fuel/Halo 3 promotion. Given the drink's cough syrupy/crused baby aspirin flavor that's too bad. You'd think somebody would have said something or tweaked the formula in the last couple years.

The Wild Fruit/Alliance Blue, however, is – once you get past the eye-popping neon color – a far more palatable drink. Sorta like you might get if you mixed regular Dew and some kind of fruit punch. While you might be expecting a blueberry taste (I know I was) the drink is actually pleasantly fruity and quite drinkable.

Featuring 6 mg/oz of caffeine, the limited-time-only drinks feature more kick than regular Dew and – thanks to the high fructose corn syrup sweetener – a harsher, more lingering aftertaste, too. Both drinks will be available until early-to-mid August.

Mountain Dew Voltage & Mountain Dew Supernova
While getting ready to taste the WoW Mountain Dew Game Fuel flavors I remembered that I still had some cans of the "Dew Drinker Designed" flavors that were part of the election-oriented Dew-Mocracy promotion from last fall.

Mountain Dew Revolution was the third flavor but I couldn't find it in our fridge which means that I must have drunk it at some point and it left no impression on me.

Mountain Dew Supernova fared just slightly better than the drink I couldn't remember at all. The aroma – that of stale laundry – didn't call to mind the Strawberry Melon and Ginseng that the can promised, but the taste actually wasn't bad. Not great but not like stale laundry, either.

Not surprisingly, Mountain Dew Voltage turned out to be the people's choice when the balloting was finished this spring. Touting Raspberry Citrus with Ginseng flavors on the can, it actually tastes like a milder, slightly weaker version of the Wild Fruit/Alliance Blue Game Fuel Flavor described above.

I can say with some conviction that none of these new flavors is going to make me a regular Dew drinker again. In fact, the taste test gave me a little bit of a belly ache and I had to go sit down.

What they did, do, though is reinforce just how good the recent Mountain Dew Throwback was and how sad I am that the promotion is over and the product has disappeared from store shelves.

I thought about stocking up – okay, hoarding it – when it was on the shelves but feared that I'd be doling out cans to Ryan when she came home for a visit in 2034.

See FOOD, INC Free This Thursday in Baltimore

I haven't had a chance to check out FOOD, INC. yet and you may not have had the chance either. If you're interested in seeing this documentary that promises you'll never look at dinner the same way again, head on down to The Charles Theater this Thursday, July 16 for a free screening courtesy of Chipotle.

Now playing in theaters across the country, “Food, Inc” exposes America's industrialized food system and its effect on the environment, the economy and our overall health, and encourages Americans to become more conscious consumers. Directed by Robert Kenner and featuring prominent authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), it has been heralded as “essential viewing,” by the Los Angeles Times. Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers writes, “Don’t take another bite till you see Food, Inc.”

Chipotle entered into this partnership because of its commitment to serving food made with premium quality ingredients from more sustainable sources and its concern over many issues associated with large scale commercial agriculture. For more than a decade, the company has been working to find like-minded suppliers who share its vision and commitment to food that is raised right. Chipotle calls this vision “Food with Integrity” and it is one of the ways it is changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast food.

“I hope that all our customers see this film,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. “The more they know about where their food comes from, the more they will appreciate what we do.”

Through its commitment to Food with Integrity, Chipotle serves more naturally raised meat (from animals that are raised in a humane way, never given antibiotics or added hormones, and fed a pure vegetarian diet) than any restaurant in the world. In addition, an increasing percentage (currently 35 percent) of Chipotle’s beans are organically grown, it is purchasing locally grown produce when seasonally available, and all of the dairy the chain uses is made with milk from cows that are never given the synthetic hormone rBGH.

“Chipotle is a great example of a company that’s on the right track to improving our food system,” said “Food, Inc” director Robert Kenner. “Chipotle’s philosophy shares many of the same values expressed in ‘Food, Inc’ and we are very pleased with their support of our film.”

The free screening begins at 7:30 PM and seating is limited. Screenings are being held all around the country so be sure to check out the list of cities here.

THG Ends Award Winning Print Run with Super-Sized Final Issue

After a two-year hiatus The Hungover Gourmet: The Journal of Food, Drink, Travel and Fun is back with an all-new super-sized 44-page issue. Unfortunately, this will be the last print issue of the zine so that we can focus more of our time and energy on our website and blog.

And what better way to go out than with a celebration of America's favorite legal drug, coffee! Our contributors celebrate – and trash, in some cases – the morning cup of joe that helps open our eyes and make us productive, or at least functioning, members of society. Check out contributions from THG regulars like WP Tandy, Aj Michel, Davida Gypsy Brier, Tom Crites and John Taylor as well as Deborah Stultz, Dara Bujon, Catherine Harris and many more.

It's not all coffee enemas and Dunkin' Donuts as we send THG into the great zine library in the sky... Bryan Senn weighs in with thoughts from The Beer Snob while THG's editor-in-chief looks at Budweiser Chelada and explains the reasons behind killing off the print edition of the zine.

But wait – in the words of the late, great Billy Mays – there's more! THG goes out not with a whimper but a resounding BANG! as the one and only Louis Fowler takes the Big Lots Challenge and finds out if one man really can survive on nothing but Rap Snacks, Guava Nectar and Toddler Cuisine... it's a fitting coda to 12 years of the food newsletter that's guaranteed to give you heartburn! (DISCLAIMER: Heartburn not guaranteed.)

So what are you waiting for?! Pre-order your copy now and be the first on your block to have THG #11: The Super-Sized Final Issue!

Playboy.com Raves About (Sigh) Pat's

As any reader of this blog knows the subject of cheesesteaks is near and dear to my heart. And, yes, that heart may be hardening a little thanks to all of the "research" I've done over the years, but like the Curies before me I am willing to sacrifice my body all in the name of science.

I just hope that nobody will have to wear protective clothing to consult my papers after I'm gone.

The subject of cheesesteaks is so controversial, so bubbling over with gooey cheese and passionate opinion that the mere mention of it is sure to bring every card-carrying member of Cheesesteak Nation out of the woodwork.

As a member of said Nation I'm compelled to share this recent story about how the gang at Playboy.com named the cheesesteak at Pat's as one of the Top 10 Sandwiches in the country.

Don't get me wrong... I'm all about the venerable cheesesteak taking its place alongside such top-notch sandwich offerings as the Lobster Roll, French Dip, Po' Boy and Cuban. I just feel like they do the whole cheesesteak genre a disservice when they tab the lame, touristy sandwich from Pat's as "the best". Too bad they didn't venture off the well-traveled path and try Dallesandro's, Steve's, Cosmi's, Chink's, Talk of the Town, Tony Luke's or even Geno's, which – while still lame and touristy – is substantially superior to Pat's.

There is one good thing... at least they left the overrated Primanti Bros. off the list.

Singapore BK Ad Will Blow You... Away!

Got this ad from a friend of mine who knew I'd get a kick out of it. I did and what does that say about me? Apparently, this is for a BK menu offering available in Singapore for something "long" and "juicy" called The Super Seven Incher. As my pal asked, "where's Seka when we need her?".

THG Contributor Publishes Smile Hon #11

Tireless THG contributor, Baltimore man-about-town and SMILE HON publisher WP Tandy is at it again.

Tandy – who has written for the pages of THG on the subjects of Jersey Diners and Ocean City (NJ) – recently published SMILE HON, YOU'RE IN BALTIMORE #11, the latest installment of his award-winning look at Charm City.

In this issue, SIOBHÁN FITZPATRICK plants petunias in Pigtown; LISA SINGER’s anger management reserves the right to refuse service; SOMMER MARSDEN leads the way into temptation; CARYN COYLE turns heads; and PIPPY ROCKWELL considers the sociopolitical ramifications of sex-toy selection, plus a whole lot more.

From the harbor to the hills, the submission-based “Smile, Hon, You’re in Baltimore!” collects the tales of those on whom Mobtown has left her indelible mark: polished, professional essays; barroom sermons delivered from the sanctity of a favorite stool, the poet’s fleeting sentiment captured in both word and snapshot – a slice of Baltimore as told by Baltimore, presented with the time-honored, DIY accessibility of a limited-run, handcrafted zine.

“Smile, Hon, You’re in Baltimore!” is an Eight-Stone Press production and available for purchase locally at Atomic Books, Cyclops Books and Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse.

Tandy also has his finger firmly on the pulse of Baltimore's tattooed arm and hosts occasional open mic nights and zine release shindigs. Be sure to check out his blog for the latest details and for info on his Facebook and twitter accounts.

Baltimore Restaurant Week Returns August 7-16

Make your reservations now... Baltimore's popular Restaurant Week promotion returns August 6-17. Enjoy culinary delights at Baltimore’s wide range of fine restaurants – including three-course dinners for only $30.09 at more than 90 participating restaurants, not to mention two-course lunches for just $20.09.

Not surprisingly, restaurants fill up fast during this promotion so you may want to visit baltimorerestaurantweek.com for more information about participating restaurants and to make reservations.

Baltimore Restaurant Week is produced by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association. Restaurant Week is supported by Mayor Sheila Dixon and Pepsi with additional support from The Parking Authority of Baltimore City, Relax Riesling, SOBO Sports, Baltimore Eats, Baltimore Magazine, Charmed, CityPeek, WTMD, and WYPR.

Last Day for Old Bay Entries

Just a quick reminder that our Old Bay "Basket of the Bay" contest ends today at 5 PM EST. One randomly selected winner will receive a great package of Old Bay goodies including a tin of everybody's favorite seafood seasoning, an Old Bay beach towel and beach bag, keychain with bottle opener and more.

Entering is easy... just send me an e-mail with the subject line OLD BAY before 5 PM EST today.

Got a Taste for Speed? Win a Camaro Gift Package from THG, Carl's Jr and Hardee's

The reviews are in and it looks like Chevy has a winner on their hands with the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. This muscle car with retro style "blows away the competition" and "simply looks awesome" according to leading car mags. THG is teaming up with Carl's Jr. and Hardee's – in conjunction with Dr. Pepper – to make a winner out of one lucky THG reader.

We're giving away one "Taste for Speed" gift pack – valued at nearly $200 – featuring:

• remote control 2010 Camaro replica
• Meguiar's Car Care Kit (includes Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner, Gold Class Wax, tire protectant and the Quick Interior Detailer Kit)
• package of super absorbent ShamWow (8-pack including a variety of sizes)
• Carl's Jr., Hardee's and Dr. Pepper coupons for free food and drinks
• a variety of swag including a "More than just a piece of meat" t-shirt, insulated coffee mugs, antenna toppers and baseball caps.

All you have to do to enter is send us an e-mail with the subject line CAMARO before 5 PM EST on Thursday, July 9, 2009. We'll select one e-mail at random and that lucky winner will receive the Taste for Speed gift package. (If the above link gives anybody problems just e-mail editor@hungovergourmet.com but remember to include the subject line "CAMARO".)

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, Carl's Jr/Hardee's, Chevrolet, etc. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.

You can also visit your nearest Carl's Jr. or Hardee's for a chance to win one of six all new 2010 Chevy Camaros. For a limited time, customers who purchase a large beverage or large combo meal at Carl's Jr. and Hardee's will receive a "Dr Pepper Camaro" instant win game cup. Each contains a unique game code printed on the cup that may be entered at drpeppercamaro.com to reveal possible prizes, including one of six of the all new 2010 Chevy Camaro. You can also play the new game Drive-Thru Derby after entering your game code... check out the demo here.

Put your pedal to the medal, our Taste for Speed contest ends July 9, 2009 @ 5 PM EST.