Dark Chocolate Stout Cream Pie Recipe

Thankgiving is about the turkey, right?  Stuffing?  Of course.  Sweet Potatoes?  Damn straight!  For you, maybe, but not me.  I'm all about the desserts.  Baked goods are rare in these parts so when I get my hands on something in a pie tin I tend to overdo it quite a bit.  Like a "give me the pie, give me a fork and get out of my face" kind of thing.  Here is one of my favorites that combine my 2 favorite things to shove in my face .... pie and beer.  Easy to make, easy to eat.  Cheers - Bon

Dark Chocolate Stout Pie

Ingredients

Crust

1- Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box.

Filling

1 3/4 - cups whole milk

1/2 - cup stout beer

1 - box (6-serving size) chocolate pudding and pie filling mix (not instant)

1 1/2 - cups semisweet chocolate chips

Topping

1 1/2 - cups whipping cream

2 - tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 - teaspoon vanilla

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 450°F. Make pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell, using 9-inch glass pie plate. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• 2 Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, cook milk, beer and pudding mix over medium heat 5 to 8 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Pour into medium bowl; cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until cold.
• Drink the remainder of the stout.
• 3 Spoon and spread pudding mixture evenly into crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours until set.
• Drink another beer while you wait.
• 4 Just before serving, in chilled medium bowl, beat topping ingredients with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Spread over top of pie. Garnish with chocolate shavings, if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

Courtesy Betty Crocker

Thanksgiving Beer Pairings

You have become quite an expert in beer and don't need no stinkin' bloggers telling you exactly which beers to drink at Thanksgiving, do you?  So rather than tell you which beers we would drink, let us suggest to you a couple of beer styles to consider when chosing your holiday brews.

What do you eat at Thanksgiving?  Turkey?  Ham?  Roast beer?  Pizza?  Even though turkey is the traditional choice, it isn't really close to being the only choice.  What is traditional is that you will probably eat a huge selection of foods with wide ranging flavors, so it is quite difficult to suggest a particular beer style.  Or is it?  There are a few beer styles which are so easy to drink and so broad in flavor profile that they could easily be paired with any food type, so for your consideration:

 - Bière de garde or Saison - Look, you are going to eat virtually every animal found in a farmyard, so why not pair your dinner with a beer that has a earthy, barnyardy background.  This yeasty, lightly carbonated beer will handily compliment your turkey OR your ham.  You may wish to consider Saison Dupont.

 - German Marzen or Oktoberfest - Rich and malty, but lightly textured beer will not fill you up, preventing you from gorging on Grandma's stuffing.  Hell, this will even make dry, overcooked turkey easy to consume.  WE will be drinking Paulaner Oktoberfest with our bird.

 - Scotch Ale - Oh-so-smooth and probably too easy to drink, this beer's carmelized, malty, character perfectly complement any meat dish, and the peaty bitterness tones down the sugars in your dessert, making it easy to tolerate a 2nd or even 3rd slice of pie.  We always have Belhaven in our refrigerator and so should you.

 - Brown Ale - While Newcastle Brown Ale is probably too one-dimensional to use in your Thanksgiving pairings, American style brown ales have a chocolatey, malty, hoppy profile that will bring a pop to your tarts.  Dogfish Head's Indian Brown Ale or Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar would be our choices.

 - Dubbel - Oh come on, you knew we were going to snob it up, it was just a matter of when. It will so impress your family/friends when you whip out a bottle of Chimay Première (red label) and pop the cork.  The rich warm maltiness lives to be paired with baked goods and the significant carbonation cuts through the coating in your mouth from the greasy, cheesy goodness that Aunt Matilda brought.

 - Dessert - Two ways to look at picking a beer for dessert.  There is sweet to complement the sweet, or bitter to contrast the sweet.  Let start with sweet:  your type 2 diabetes is going to cause you to lose a limb anyway, so go ahead and pick up an English Barley Wine or a Belgian Quadruppel. Dark fruits, caramel and toffee character of these beers will pair along with any dessert, we'll just call you 'Stumpy'.  Firestone Walker §ucaba will be our poison pick.  Bitter:  Pick a beer that is as bitter as your holiday hating personality.  What?  Your wife just left you for her boss?  Choose a west coast double IPA that will make your face scrunch up every time you take a sip, so that your friends and family know just how shitty you think life really is.  Stone Ruination should fit the bill.

Firewheel Brewing Ceases Operation

You have probably heard by now that Firewheel Brewing Company has ceased to be, it is no more, it is a dead parrot. Actually, you may not have heard, so sorry to be the one to tell you.

This brings up an interesting question; why would a city that size of Dallas not be able to support a moderate number of craft breweries?  The Snobs have discussed this to some length and have come up with a couple of insights.

There are several cities that are much smaller than Dallas that support a great number of breweries with the number increasing every year.  Seattle, for example has over 100 breweries, almost 300 in Washington, with no sign of retraction.  Tampa, Florida has 40 breweries. Tampa. Ashville, North Carolina, with a population of LESS THAN 100,000 souls, has over 40 successful breweries.  So why can Dallas not support the few that are currently in operation? The problem lies in both the producers and the consumers.  Let's slam the consumers first, shall we?

Texas has a huge macho problem.  The vast majority of Dallasites love to be able to brag that they drank 24 beers the night before rather than bragging that they drank 2 delicious craft beers.  The fact that the 24 watery beers that they guzzled while watching the Cowboy lose yet again, actually contained less alcohol than the 2 delights that they could have had does not matter at all.  These are the same people that drive a Fordasaurus 4 wheel drive, duelie truck the 2 blocks between where they live and work. Unfortunately, these people will never become craft beer drinkers.  The craft beer producers in Dallas do not seem to recognize this fact.  They refuse to admit that Bubba will never drink craft beer, yet that is the market that they continue to pursue.

To be sure there are several fine beers being produced in Dallas, award winning gems scattered here and there.  Unfortunately, there are many very average to below average beers being produced as well. There is not one beer or brewery that has garnished national attention.  Why?  Because Dallas brewers play it very safe and take no risks.  We find it disconcerting that there are no breweries in Dallas willing to take any risks. The brewers in Dallas do not recognize that the kind of people that wish to be active in the craft beer movement are stimulated by genius and inspiration, and without these there is no excitement, no chatter.  Dallas brewers are, in a word, boring.  Safe = dull = death to the industry.  Every brewer in the metroplex makes a stout, an ale, an IPA, and all are very similar and while a few stand out as really good examples of the styles, they are very, very safe.

Even for a market as unsophisticated as Dallas, there is room for many more craft breweries. But there is no more room for boring beers.  In order for these to succeed the brewers and investors will need to recognize that they need to get the craft beer drinkers excited about their creations.  An amazing beer will create lots of chatter, and excitement is infectious.  While hipsters are annoying, they will jump on to any bandwagon that is creating talk, and hold on with a deathgrip, bringing other hipsters along with it.  This is what the Dallas beer market desperately needs, some excitement.

We are sad to see Firewheel go the way of Pearl and Celis, but their beers were just too dull, and they were located in an area that is far from enlightened.  Remember Dallas brewers, safe = death.

Flying Saucer NTX Beer Week events

Flying Saucer Addison

Event: North Texas Beer Week Specials at Flying Saucer

Date:  Nov. 9 to Nov. 14     

Time: All day

Tickets: N/A

Location: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 149999 Montfort Dr., Dallas, TX 75254   

Website: http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/addison/

Contact:  972-991-7093

Age: 21 and up

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingSaucerAddison

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyingsauceradd

Description:

Join Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Addison to celebrate North Texas Beer Week! Throughout the week, Saucer will have special releases each day along with representatives from each brewery. The schedule is below.

Monday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.: Firestone Walker Brewing Company rare beer release with Tyler Stickle who will share his knowledge of bother beer and the brewery.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.: Ninkasi Brewing Company release event with $3 draught specials hosted by Steve Hubachek of Andrews Distributing.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.: Deschutes Brewery’s traveling Barrel Tap House also known as Woody will be taking over the parking lot while there will be other brews available inside. Kyle Jordan of the brewery will kick off Brewery Nite at 7 p.m.with featured glassware.

Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company will have special tappings, and a flights & bites pairing will be offered. There will also be a raffle and giveaways.

Friday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.: Firkin Friday with Karbach Brewing Co! There will be a special firkin edition of Karbach’s Hop Delusion along with other rare beers. The Love Street brew will be just $3 all day.

Saturday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m.: Locals Day! Lakewood Brewing Co. and Revolver Brewing will release their newest collaboration beer. Rahr & Sons Brewing Company will release the Cinnamon Girl and Mullet Cutter brews. Several Texas craft beers will be available for $3 all day.

For more information about these events, please visit http://ntxbeerweek.com/#/events.

Flying Saucer The Lake

Event: North Texas Beer Week Specials at Flying Saucer

Date:  Nov. 9 to Nov. 14     

Time: All day

Tickets: N/A

Location: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 4821 Bass Pro Drive, Garland, TX 75043           

Website: http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/thelake/

Contact:  972-286-0725

Age: 21 and up

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingSaucerGarland

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyingsaucerlak

Description:

Join Flying Saucer Draught Emporium on The Lake to celebrate North Texas Beer Week! Throughout the week, Saucer will have special releases and events each day along with representatives from each brewery. The schedule is below.

Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.: Pint Nite ALL DAY and North Texas Beer Week Kick Off Cook Off Competition

Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.: Tap Nite & Trivia Bowl featuring Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. with Tyler Dylan

Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.: Brewery Night featuring Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. with Mel Hance

Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.: American Micro Thursday featuring Martin House Brewing Co. with Dylan Stefanos

Saturday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m.: The Luau Conclusion featuring Maui Brewing Company with Garrett Marrero

For more information about these events, please visit http://ntxbeerweek.com/#/events.

Flying Saucer Fort Worth

Event: North Texas Beer Week Specials at Flying Saucer

Date:  Nov. 8 to Nov. 14     

Time: All day

Tickets: N/A

Location: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 111 E Third St., Fort Worth, TX 76102

Website: http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/fortworth/

Contact:  817-336-7470

Age: 21 and up

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingSaucerFortWorth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyingsaucerfw

Description:

Join Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Fort Worth to celebrate North Texas Beer Week! Throughout the week, Saucer will have special releases and events with representatives from each brewery. The schedule is below.

Sunday, Nov. 8 from 1 to 6 p.m.: Big Ol' Beer Pong & BBQ hosted by Martin House Brewing Co. with $3 beers, prizes and BBQ on the patio. $20 registration fee to play that includes all beer and food tickets.

Monday, Nov. 9: Pint Nite ALL DAY with all 80 of our draught handles available for just $3.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.: Trivia Bowl Nite featuring Texas craft beer questions and Real Ale Brewing Company will be in house offering a five-beer sample flight to challenge you to correctly match up the beer and style with its name.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.: Brewery Nite and Happy Hour with Adam Avery! Only 20 people will be able to join Adam while he walks you through a five-beer sampler paired with tapas. Tickets are $50 and very limited.

For more information about these events, please visit http://ntxbeerweek.com/#/events.

Founders Brewing Events for NTX Beer Week

Here are some of the events for NTBW from the fine people at Founders Brewing.

11/6/15 - Dancing Bear Pub in Waco from 4-7pm, Uppers and Downers w/ Founders Breakfast Stout
11/7/15 - Untapped in Dallas from 2:30-10:00pm
11/8/15 - Bearded Lady in Fort Worth from 11:00 am until ..., Brunch including Breakfast Stout &                    KBS and giveaways.
11/8/15 - Pedal and Pour in Denton from 1pm, Biking event at Harvest House w/ Backwoods Bastard
11/9/15 - World of Beer in Plano from 3-7pm, KBS and 3 others on tap.
11/10/15 - Trinity River Tap House in Fort Worth.
11/10/15 -World of Beer in Fort Worth from 7pm, Tap takeover w/ 10 Founders beers on tap.
11/11/15 - Social House in Addison from 7pm, Tap takeover w/6 Founders beers on tap.
11/14/15 - Timarron Country Club in Southlake from 6pm, beer dinner.
11/18/15 - What's on Tap in Highland Village from 7pm, Pint Night with Breakfast Stout, Nitro Rubaues, Backwoods Bastard and Mosaic Promise.
11/20/15 - Grapevine Beer and Wine in Grapevine from 4-7pm, Sampling Demo.
11/21/15 - Whole Foods in Highland Village from 6pm, Pint Night w/ 5 Founders beers on tap.

Mystic Rapture from Rabbit Hole Brewing

Mystic Rapture!

Award winning beer infused with an amazing coffee!

We're excited to announce the release of Mystic Rapture (available from Sons of John Distributing on November 9th). Mystic Rapture mixes our GABF medal winning Rapture Fusion Brown Ale with Ethiopian Ardi Coffee from Mystical Coffee.

Ethiopian Ardi is grown at a towering 1850-1950 meters above sea level in the Sidama Region of Ethiopia. This Heirloom Variety coffee is hand picked by skillful farmers harvesting only the ripest of coffee cherries and sundried on raised tables for three weeks. Tastes like strawberry jam and cocoa nibs, and has a buttery body.

This is a very limited beer.  With less than 20 barrels made, it's sure to move fast!  Be sure an order yours today!

Description:	Mystic Rapture pairs Rabbit Hole Brewing’s award winning Rapture Fusion Brown Ale with Mystical Coffee’s Ethiopian Ardi offering.  The Ethiopian Ardi was carefully chosen to compliment the smooth chocolate and toasty notes of the Rapture Fusion Brown Ale and exemplify the best, brightest characteristics of both the coffee and the beer.  The noticeably amped-up nutty-chocolate and coffee aroma and flavor of this cold brew coffee-infused version of Rapture is truly Mystical. Suggested pairings: Mornings and bland days. Mystic rapture is sure to get you through your daily grind.
Style:	American Brown Ale with coffee added in secondary
Abv:	6.4%
IBU:	33 IBUs
Grain:	Pilsner, Brown Malt, Chocolate Malt, Crystal Malts
Hops:	Columbus, East Kent Golding
Similar to:	Founders Breakfast Stout, Surly Coffee Bender, Deep Ellum Oak Cliff Coffee Ale
Availability:	Limited / NTX Beer Week Special