Beer & Me

It all started with He Said Beer She Said Wine by Sam Cagalione and Marnie Old. They promoted the popular book with a series of dinners that compared his beer pairing suggestions with her wine pairing suggestions.

The idea has caught on and similar events are beginning to show up all over the place. The latest is a dinner scheduled this week in St. Louis. Wine from Majestic Wines and beer from Schlafly Beer will by paired to various dishes and compared by the participants. Benefits from the event will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

For more information check out the press release Beer vs. Wine? You Make the Call.

In case you haven’t been paying attention this is the season for beer festivals. I’ve noticed from keeping a beer festival schedule on my About site that June, July, August, and October seem to be the most popular months for beer festivals. Consequently there’s probably one near you sometime in the next few weeks. Do yourself a favor and go.

If you’ve never been to a beer festival it can be a real treat. In most cases attendees are given a smallish glass at the gate and are then turned loose on the festival grounds where dozens or sometimes even hundreds of different ales and lagers are available for tasting at 2 to 4 ounces each. American beer festivals have evolved in recent years from simple free-for-all tastings to full on beer events. There are often educational opportunities where participants can learn about cooking with beer, pairing beer, how beer is made, etc. And quite often there are brewmasters and other beer professionals there ready to answer questions.

So get out the sun block and find a beer festival near you; you’re gonna have a great time!