Daily Loaf

A reader sent me a “garden variety” dream.  A dream that basically rehashed his day’s events.  He dreamed he was flying a plane and wanted to land it to go home and have a beer.  Luckily, before I got all analytical, I asked him what he did for a living.  He was a pilot.

So, there are many types of dreams.

The BIG dream is a dream you keep remembering, chewing over, and can’t get a handle on.

The repetitive dream is the dream that keeps coming back over and over again.  It can drive some people nuts, to the point they don’t want to go to bed.

The nightmare is well, a nightmare.  We’ve all had one or more.

Next time, I’ll write about dream themes.

Will someone please send me a dream?

Dream Momma

Thursday, May 7: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
This weekly tasting features wines and cigars. $10 (includes glass and $5 coupon). 6943 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa (813-884-3792)

Thursday, May 7: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Wine guide Charles Visalli will cover the ins and outs of wine in this six week series of classes. This week — Elements of Wine Tasting. $25. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, 813-664-1430

Thursday, May 7: Vino 100 St. Petersburg
This weekly tasting features wines picked for mom. Free. 5-8 p.m., 5056 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)

Friday, May 8: Uncorked
This weekly tasting will focus on female winemakers in honor of Mother’s Day. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 4th St N, St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Many more after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, April 29: Avenue Cellars Wine Bar
Avenue’s Red Wine 101 class features an overview of the dark side of the wine world, with a tasting of about ten examples. Reservations necessary. $25. 9662 Linebaugh Ave., Tampa (813-920-9991)

Wednesday, April 29: ABC Fine Wines & Spirits (New Port Richey)
This weekly tasting features wines and cigars. $10 (includes glass and $5 coupon). 6115 US Hwy. 19, New Port Richey (727-842-7749)

Friday, May 1: Vintage Wine Cellars
This week’s tasting features wines rated 90 points and higher by leading authorities. $25. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931)

More after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, Apr. 22: Cork and Olive
At the Single’s Sizzle and Swirl Cooking Class, learn how to create your own dish and pair wine with your new invention. $45. 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., 10019 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa (813-868-3733)

Thursday, Apr. 23: Kuba Cigars
At this wine tasting, sample dark chocolate, snacks and an assortment of cheeses. There will also be door prizes and a fine wine giveaway. $10. 7-9 p.m., 243 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa (813-258-8191)

Thursday, Apr. 23: Toasted Pheasant Bistro
Enjoy a four-course Chilean dinner complete with wine paired for each course. $45. 7-10 p.m., 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa (813-265-6700)

Many more after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

The Tampa Bay Derby Darlins have always been known for their super athleticism, rough and tough exterior, and bringing fun to the sport of skating in Tampa. Even though you don’t want to necessarily meet these girls in a dark alley, you can better believe when it comes to taking care of the environment, they are just as passionate as when they are on the rink.

With the onset of the new Green Committee established in the league by members Lunch Lady and Ninja Monkey, the girls are grouping together to bring recycling bins to their home games, planting trees to offset their travel cost emissions, and obtaining volunteers for green efforts such as the Great American Clean Up in Tampa. They are setting a good example for local sports leagues across the nation to do their part for the environment with a few fun and simple ideas. All of the girls are very excited to participate in the national effort to save the environment and hope that their example will stick with a few of their fans and fellow sports leagues alike. Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, Apr. 15: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits
Join wine lovers and experts at this tasting and sample from dozens of wine selections. Each guest will receive a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $5 any purchase that night. $10. 1405 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon (813-685-4832)

Wednesday, Apr. 15: Whole Foods
Learn how to pair cheeses with different wines at this class and tasting. Free. 6-7 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-874-9435)

Thursday, Apr. 16: “Beer Wars”
For one night only, seven local Tampa theaters will be playing this documentary, followed by a live discussion with brewers and beer experts. 8 p.m., click here for a list of theaters

Many more events after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Do you hear the bag pipes in the distance? Or was that angels singing? What ever it was, you will hear glorious music when you bite into this casserole.
Many a years I have been completely drunk at the Irish Pub for St. Patty’s, insisting on eating the shepherd’s pie they plop on my plate. And to be honest it is usually bland and nasty. But I still feel the need to order it. I suppose it is some sort of tradition.
A few years back I was on a mission to make a more flavorful version of the gruel. And I think I hit the nail on the head with this one, folks. Try it and I think you’ll agree, it is fabulous. And if you don’t agree, well, then you have serious issues!

Recipe after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

I love a good microbrew, and the last decade has brought hundreds of exceptional contenders to the table. A lot of these operations are just a couple of guys in a basement experimenting with new flavors. Some of them are future Sam Adams, preparing to take a place amongst the big boys both in distribution and recognition.

Cigar City Brewing Company is the brainchild of Joey Redner, with Wayne Wambles as head brewer. After a year-long wait, they’re finally open for business. Cigar City put together a dozen new tastes for their launch party, held on Saturday at the Oldsmar Tap House (300 State St. E. #107, Oldsmar, FL 34677), drawing a crowd that packed the place with beer lovers of every form.

Many pics after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, Mar. 25: Whole Foods Market
Every Wednesday in March, stop by Whole Foods for the Wine Down Wednesday tasting. Free. 4-6 p.m., 1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435)

Wednesday, Mar. 25: Whole Foods Market
Join Elaine Robert for a lecture on Gaia herbs. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435)

Wednesday, Mar. 25: Belleair Grill and Wine Bar
At the Northern Italian Wine Dinner, enjoy a five-course meal and wines from the Piedmont and Lombardy regions of Italy. $69. 6:30 p.m., 1575 S Ft. Harrison, Clearwater (727-449-2988)

Wednesday, Mar. 25: Tampa Club Young Member Wine Dinner
Members of the club part of the under 40 crowd are invited to this wine dinner, at which Chardonnay and Pinot Noir will be paired with a filet mignon meal. $29. 6:30 p.m., 101 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa (813-229-6028)

Many more upcoming events after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

Garrett Oliver is the man; the philosophy reflected in his book, The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food, speaks to my holistic sensibilities and makes my mouth water for fine brews and food prepared in the old school tradition — from scratch with fresh ingredients and no preservatives or other modern food science. But Garrett Oliver doesn’t just write rousing books; he also brews exceptional beer. Since becoming the brewmaster in 1994, he has propelled Brooklyn Brewery to high status among the top 40 breweries in the nation.

I love Brooklyn’s year-round lineup; the seasonal Oktoberfest Marzen is on par with the authenticity of Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest and the buttery, peppery Local 1 is the definition of Belgian strong light ale. The Brewmaster’s Reserves and Limited Releases — Black OPS, Blast Imperial IPA, Flemish Gold, Manchester Star, and Savoir Faire — are all crazy delicious. So are the innovative collaborations with Schneider Brewery — the Brooklyner- Schneider Hopfen-Weiss and the Schneider-Brooklyner Hopfen-Weiss.

A new addition to the Brooklyn lineup — Local 2 — is a dark ale crafted from German pilsner malt, English chocolate malt, Belgian dark sugar, New York state raw wildflower honey, citrus peel, Belgian yeast, and hopped with Perle, Aurora, and East Kent Golding hops. After brewing, a secondary fermentation takes place inside the corked, 25 ounce bottle. Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, Mar. 18: Whole Foods Market
Every Wednesday in March, stop by Whole Foods for the Wine Down Wednesday tasting. Free. 4-6 p.m., 1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435)

Wednesday, Mar. 18: Whole Foods Market
Join the specialty cheese buyer at Whole Foods for a British Isles class and tasting, paired with some wines from the store. Free. 6:30-8 p.m., 1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435)

Wednesday, Mar. 18: Culinary World Tour
Join in on this cooking discussion group at the Tarpon Springs Public Library, where the focus is on foods and cooking styles from various countries. This month’s country is Greenland. Free. 7 p.m., 138 E Lemon St, Tarpon Springs (727-943-4922)

Thursday, Mar. 19: Whole Foods Market
Join Dr. JE Williams for Health Happy Hour and learn about important supplements for your body and products from the store that emphasize vegetarian eating. Afterward, the Prime Time Sisters Program will be hosted. Free. 6-8 p.m.,1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435)

More upcoming events after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

People have been documenting their thoughts on beer since the development of written language. In my quest to gain higher levels of brew appreciation, I’ve undertaken extensive data digging, which has yielded many timelessly relevant snippets of beer wisdom. So break out your email options and get ready to snazzy up your signature line.

Behold — a collection of my favorite beer related quotes, after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

By Ben Luongo
Daily Loaf contributor

Ben Luongo is a USF political science graduate student. He will be graduating this spring.

Everybody catches themselves daydreaming while at the office or at school, usually at some place where we’re supposed to be productive. You might imagine yourself on a great adventure, maybe some place exotic discovering ancient artifacts. You might be more creative and imagine yourself with special skills. For instance, if you were the fastest person alive you could finish all of your work at the office so you can go home early and enjoy the day.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, Mar. 6: The Wine Shop of St. Pete Beach
Join Dr. Julie Gatza at the “Five Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger” seminar and learn how to eat and live healthy. Free. 6 p.m., 401 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach (727-363-9463)

Friday, Mar. 6: Andrea’s Sip for Life Wine Tasting
Sample tapas from The Columbia Restaurant and over 250 wines from Spain, California and South America at the third annual Sip For Life tasting. Proceeds from the event at the Tampa Bay History Center go to support finding a cure for pediatric sarcoma. $100 donation. 7-10 p.m., 801 Old Water Street, Tampa (813-248-3000)

Friday, Mar. 6: Belleair Grill and Wine Bar
Friday wine Happy Hours at Belleair continue this week. Free. 5-8 p.m., 1575 S Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater (727-449-2988) Read the rest of this entry »

For some reason, pseudo beer drinkers everywhere have become enamored with a certain amber ale that goes by the name Fat Tire. As a beertender, I couldn’t go one night without being on the receiving end of some nonsensical harangue about how Fat Tire is the best beer ever made and every bar in the world should have it on tap. Folks, I’m here to tell you, and I might catch a fair amount of sass for this, Fat Tire is the Schlitz Malt Liquor of the New Belgium product line.

Before I begin, I’d like to point out that the company responsible for brewing Fat Tire demonstrates admirably sound environmental practices and crafts outstanding beer masterpieces like Le Terroir, La Folie, and Abbey Grand Cru. Let me make this perfectly clear; I’m not dissing on New Belgium Brewery. This diss is directed specifically toward Fat Tire Amber Ale. It is, perhaps, the least good beer produced by New Belgium, yet it’s wildly fashionable even in areas where it isn’t available. I am convinced the popularity of this foul brew is purely a result of the want what we cannot have phenomenon coupled with euphoric delusions brought on by travel situations. Read the rest of this entry »

Thursday, Feb. 26: Mise En Place
Monthly meetings at Mise En Place include seminars, demonstrations and tastings that feature light appetizers and cocktails. This month’s cocktail is the Manhattan. $35. 6-8 p.m., 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813) 961-8388

Thursday, Feb. 26: L’Eden
Stop by L’Eden for a tasting tour through the Mediterranean, featuring food and wine from France, Italy and Spain. $25. 6-8 p.m., 500 N. Tampa St., Tampa (813-221-4795)

Thursday, Feb. 26: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Women on Course is hosting a happy hour inspired by the golf lifestyle. The event offers networking oppurtunities, food, wine and tips on how to select the perfect wine. $25 for guests, $10 for members. 5:30-7:30 p.m., 4322 West Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa (703-268-5078)

Thursday, Feb. 26: Bern’s Fine Wines
This six-course wine dinner features Terra Valentine Winery from Napa, with winemaker Sam Baxter on hand to discuss his creations. $125. 6:30-9:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave, Tampa (813-250-9463)

More upcoming events after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special 16 Reserve
Whiskey barrel aged old ale, 8%
Scotland

Old Engine Oil, produced by the Scottish brewery Harviestoun, is definitely among my top ten favorite beers produced by humans on planet Earth. It looks and tastes like it sounds: dark, slick, and chewy. The body’s density and combination of burnt, bitter, and slightly sour flavors can be too much for the mainstream domestic beer drinker. However, since I am a professional, I pine for a more extreme version of this delightfully acidic, oily sludge of a brew.

Harviestoun Ola Dubh is Old Engine Oil after it has been matured in whiskey casks. Highland Park single malt scotch barrels, to be exact. Harviestoun turns out 12, 16, and 30 year batches. If your beer preferences lean toward light lagers that lack strong flavors, Ola Dubh is not for you. Now, please excuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin because this beer is most definitely for me.

Read the rest of this entry »

Terra-Rye’Zd
Rye Schwarzbier, 6.6%
Left Hand / Terrapin Collaboration

It’s true, I am perpetually harping on the awesomeness of Left Hand Brewing. I’m totally, shamelessly on their jock, and I’m ok with that. When most thought it couldn’t get any worse, Left Hand went and did a limited release collaboration beer with Terrapin Brewing out of Athens, GA. If that wasn’t enough to send me into rare beer frenzy, this collaborative concoction just happened to be the synthesis of two beer styles that make my pulse race with joy: rye grain brews and black lagers. Good lord, are they trying to give me a heart attack?

When poured into a pint glass, Terra Rye’Zd’s Read the rest of this entry »

Nøgne Ø Brown
English Style Brown, 4.5%
Norway

Norway: home of freaky death metal, smoking hot models, and user-friendly light lagers. Who knew they could produce such multidimensional ales? The Nøgne Ø (pronounced non-yay) brewery truly breaks the typical Scandinavian beer mold, turning out a line of big, bold beers, all of which I find thoroughly satisfying. It was hard to pick one brew from Nøgne Ø’s extensive line, but after careful consideration and extended scouring of distributor product lists, I chose the Brown Ale.

The grain recipe combines a little bit of everything: wheat, Maris Otter 2-row barley, chocolate malt, brown malt, amber malt, and caramel malt. Imagine the head brewer sweeping his arm across all the grain-littered counter spaces at the brewery — “let’s just put all this in the mash.” But this mad mixture works, as the sheer maltiness of this brew is pure heaven. Read the rest of this entry »

Mr. Dunderbak’s owner J.B. Ellis closed his doors at the dying, sad University Mall on January 26th, leaving lovers of his Germanic bar food and extensive beer selection dry and hungry for the past two weeks. Thankfully, Tampa’s long beerless nightmare is almost over. Read the rest of this entry »

“Let me show you my new implants,” announced a half-drunk wench Saturday at Tampa’s annual Gasparilla pirate invasion.

“Alright,” I said. It was the only logical response.

From my limited experience with breasts, I’d guess that she was lying about her healthy knockers being artificially enhanced, but I didn’t care. Her boobs could have looked like a dog’s ass and I’d still have been interested. Boobs are just plain intriguing. I wasn’t surprised by my inability to decline such offers, but I was taken aback by how many pirate lasses wanted to show off their cleavage or strike a sexual pose for CL’s cameras.

Having grown up in an age of reality TV, Girls Gone Wild, and YouTube, this generation has few apprehensions about acting rowdy on tape. It wasn’t just the women. Entire crowds reacted to the camera like the fake audiences on MTV’s spring break shows. Wherever the viewfinder swung, crews of pirates hoisted beers and gave genuine “Arghs.”

“Chicks love video cameras,” cameraman Clint informed me. Read the rest of this entry »

Having a Super Bowl party? With the Bay area hosting the big game, you’re going to have a lot of competition. If you don’t serve more than the usual finger sandwiches and frozen wings spread, you might not get the attendance you’re looking for.

Thankfully, the blogosphere provides you a full array of ideas and recipes to amp your snack table for the big day. And we pulled a lot of them together for you, after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Common wisdom would tell you that the big game and the sudsy brew go hand in hand. Sure, up to a point.

But when it comes to holidays and events, Super Bowl is way down the rankings in terms of beer sales, eighth on the list.

Why? Well, most Super Bowl celebrations don’t start until just before kickoff, probably not before 5 or 6 p.m. Holidays are day-long celebrations. Heck, our family Easter tradition is to tap the keg when we start the egg hunt and keep it flowing until we pass out from ham and beer overload. On Christmas, we drink to deal with our in-laws. On Father’s Day, well … that’s just depressing.

Check after the break for the complete list of top beer holidays:

From Kasper on Tap -

According to data from the Nielsen Co., consumers bought a mere 51.7 million cases of beer in the two weeks surrounding last year’s Super Bowl. That trails the 68.1 million cases bought during the top beer holiday, the 4th of July.

Our nation’s top beer holidays are as follows:
1. July 4
2. Labor Day
3. Memorial Day
4. Father’s Day
5. Christmas
6. Thanksgiving
7. Easter
8. Super Bowl

Sure, a plane crashes, a man gets ready for the biggest job in the land, and Gruden gets a pink slip. All big stories, but where’s the love for a pot of beans and greens, or a jab at Jasmine Thai? Here’s your chance to relive the week that was, without all that pesky news in the way:

• Creative Loafing debuts its new food section! World celebrates!
• Brian reviews Jasmine Thai’s new location and pronounces it “a safety date.”
• Taylor pens a sonnet of middling quality on the pros and cons of oak. She’s well versed on the subject.
• A waiter rants about customers — “If you were to say hello to me in your office I wouldn’t say: ‘pro forma balance sheet!’ or ‘digital rectal exam!’”
• Grapefruit Avocado Salad, plus more great grapefruit recipes.
• How do West Indian ex-pats spend a Christmas in Miami? Like everyone else, but with better food.
• Tampa wins caffeine trifecta — Most Caffeinated City, Least Addicted, Most Pain Killers!
• People get drunk at Tom Pritchard’s charity roast!
• Impromptu pasta: easy Spinach and Gorgonzola Pasta.
• North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner helps a dark beer girl remember lighter days.
• Taco Bus to host cookbook author and Mexican food maven Diana Kennedy.
• White Bean and Kale Stew will, apparently, “warm your nubbies.”
• CL announces the first of many Monthly Recipe Contests.
• Capital Grille hires new sommelier.

Scrimshaw, North Coast Brewing, California
Pilsner, 4.4%

Those who know me as a beer drinker know, first and foremost, that I’m a dark beer girl. It’s nut browns at baseball games and schwarzbiers on the beach for me, please. I also require a healthy dose of hops here and there, along with the terrible brettanomyces funkiness of sour ales.

Although I gravitate toward big, bold, deep, dark, extreme beer, there are certain occasions when a girl needs the refreshing goodness of a clean pilsner. In those times I turn away from my muddy brew fixation, yet I am not afraid. North Coast Scrimshaw fulfills the need for a light bodied, European-style pilsner without leaving me wanting for flavor.

Scrimshaw pours into a tapered pilsner glass with exuberant and rapid carbonation. Yet, after half a minute, the bubbling brew has subsided and the two inch crown of head has reduced to a thin white ring.

A brilliant orange body gives off earthy aromas of fresh cut grass with the slightest traces of baking bread. The initial flavors are fresh and unaltered, like healthy organic cereal. Read the rest of this entry »

Otter Creek Otter Mon
Jamaican Style Stout
Vermont, ABV ?

I feel compelled to experience all the goodness beer has to offer, from near ethereal to utter schlock. I tend to seek out vintage, extreme, or limited brews; the fleeting moments of beer-making. Enter the Otter Creek World Tour, a series of one time releases from Otter Creek/ Wolaver’s Brewing in Vermont.

According to Otter Creek’s website, “the brewery’s resident Otter travels the world in search of unique, interesting and unusual brewing styles. Whenever he finds something new and exciting, he teams up with Brewmaster Steve Parkes to produce Otter Creek’s interpretation of the world’s best beers” And I thought my job was cool.

Otter Creek’s Otter Mon is a colonial Jamaican delight, fermented with English ale yeast and raw cane sugar, British Goldings and new world Liberty hops, and barley roasted to Jamaican coffee-style perfection. After scouring the internet and making numerous phone calls, I still have no idea what the abv is for this beer. The flavors and sensations suggest the beer falls somewhere within the 7-8% range, but I’ve been fooled before.

Poured into a pint glass, the opaque brown body emits subtle aromas of coffee and bitter chocolate mixed with slight traces of alcohol. A crown of khaki colored head leaves impressive lacing for its diminutive size.

Initial flavors are deliciously bitter espresso with a slightly burnt, almost acidic crispness that adds a smoky tone to the drinking experience. The sugarcane presents itself as a mild boozy warmness, similar to good Jamaican rum, heating my nose, cheeks, and throat.

Since Otter Mon is brewed with cane sugar, I expected a slick, tongue coating mouthfeel, something like a black patent malt cough syrup. To my delightful surprise, the body was rather light, with very little carbonation. It reminds me of those weekend occasions when I put a little splash of dark liquor in my coffee instead of milk and sugar. Cheers!

Left Hand Rye Bock
Rye Doppelbock, 7.6%
Left Hand Brewing, Colorado

Left Hand beer rules. Seriously, everything that emerges from this Colorado brewery’s vats is pure gold. One offering from Left Hand’s seasonal Big Mo’ Series is Rye Bock Lager. It’s a doppelbock, which is a fancy word for a strong beer that uses bottom fermenting yeast and dark malts to create a lager with the appearance and flavor characteristics of an ale.

Facilitating this masquerade, the recipe for Rye Bock combines malted rye with roasted munich and carafa malt. These hearty grains are balanced by the bitter spiciness of northern brewer and perle hops. Translation: this range of ingredients suggests an epic flavor adventure is about to transpire. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t know which is better: Joe Scarborough saying “fuck you” live on MSNBC or Mike Barnacle’s mouth-agape expression right after it happens. Keep up the good work, Joe.

• Obama starts measuring the drapes as Bush looks on.
• The only different between AIG and common thieves is sometimes thieves have honor.
• Wither the South in national politics.
• More crappy economic news leaves Wall Street mired in a funk.
• Who the hell is M. Thomas Eisenstadt?
• Online poker players unite: Bush is about to ban your favorite game.
• Good news Tatangelo: Genetically modified beer might extend your life.
• Rays Evan Longoria a unanimous vote for AL Rookie of the Year.