The road to SoBe, Pt. 7


With the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival less than a week away, Jennifer Miller shares with us another Blue & Gold Blog entry on her experiences leading up to “SoBe.”

Week of Feb. 15, 2010

Jennifer Miller will debut two beers of her own brewing during at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Feb. 25-28.

The 2010 SoBe is just around the corner, and I think we are almost ready.

My beers, which I told you about a couple of weeks ago, are resting in their kegs ready for their big debut. I still can’t believe I get to pour my own beer for thousands in just a week. Wow!

My two beers making their debut are the “The Hop Grenade,” which is very bitter, and “The Little Belgian,” a sweet little American Amber with some nice Belgian overtones.

You might be wondering what the difference is between an IPA and an American Amber, because all beer is beer, right? Believe it or not, there is more than just the selection of “lite” or “full-bodied.”

IPA stands for “India Pale Ale,” a beer created to survive the journey from Great Britain to the troops stationed in India. As part of their rations, British troops would receive a portion of beer. These beers tend to be very “hoppy.”

Hops are flower; they are used in beers for aroma and flavor and act as a preservative. While this beer style was started in Great Britain, I really feel that the American craft brewing industry has taken IPAs and have really run wild with them.

I understand that the Wine & Food Festival is more for the wine connoisseur, but I feel that the bitter tannins of my IPA will appeal to those who love a dry Rioja or Cab Sauvignon.

But for those who have a bit more delicate of a palate, there is my Little Belgian. A Belgian-style beer is a beer that can range from light to dark in color but has hints of spice and maybe a little sourness to it. An American Amber is a traditionally malt beer that can range from light to dark in color as well. My little Belgian is a beautiful amber color and has a light spiciness to the taste. It is not going to be as heavy as the IPA, but it will still have lots of flavor.

This weekend, I am braving the cold New England weather to attend the Extreme Beer Festival in Boston to sample some great brews from some amazing breweries.

One day I would love to pour some of my beers at one of these large festivals. The fact that next week I am lucky enough to pour at SoBe is a great start on my road of brewing accomplishments.

Cheers!

To read more blog entries from Panthers working on the 2010 South Beach Wine & Food Festival, click here.

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