In writings and suggestions on pairing food with beer, it is often repeated that hoppy beers such as India Pale Ales are good pairings for spicy food. A couple of days ago I made a venison chili that had some kick to it and decided to put this claim to the test. I paired my chili with two beers: Bell’s Hop Slam, an Imperial India Pale Ale that is hugely popular and quite hoppy, plus the Don De Dieu from Canada’s Unibroue brewery that is a Belgian style golden ale and can be described as more malty than hoppy with a touch of sweetness.

Let me first say that I don’t think there is such a thing as a “right” food pairing – if it works for you and you like it then go for it. But in this case I can say that the Don De Dieu was the winner hands down. To me the hoppy citrus/pine flavors from the Hop Slam was simply too much. It competed with the chili rather than complementing it. Plus it amplified the spice in what was already a spicy dish. The Don de Dieu, on the other hand, toned down the spice and refreshed my palate while the grainy and slightly sweet flavors added to the dish. My verdict: malty beers are better with spicy food. Try it for yourself and see what you think.

Wow, can the Mid-Atlantic chase season be far behind?”1257 PM TORNADO HUNTINGTON BEA 33.69N 118.01W 01/19/2010 ORANGE CA PUBLIC TORNADO SPOTTED ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY JUST SOUTH OF ANDERSON STREET. THE FUNNEL …

Thanks to the infamous cold air damming wedge that typically sets up east of the Blue Ridge it looks like we will have enough cold air available to create some frozen stuff for the upcoming storm…although not all the models are agreeing on this. But…

Not to cast aspersions on the weather forecasters, but my quick check of a couple of models doesn’t show much – if any – precipitation between now and Thursday. On top of that the surface temperatures appear to remain above freezing, so the prospect o…

I’m have a blast at the new job, but really, that is about the only thing that has my interest these days. Blogging will resume when I get inspired. It could be tomorrow, it could be never.

Last week, the various far-righters in the 5th Congressional District were incensed that Eric Cantor would dare to contribute $7,000 (through his campaign committee and his personal funds) to the Congressional campaign of State Senator Robert Hurt. These little tirades included throwing around words like “RINO” and whatnot with allegations that Cantor was not a […]

Finally got it done. Click on the badge in the right column to get to this pictorial walk through of the 2009 chase season both here in Virginia and in Tornado Alley. I just ordered my proof copy and I still reserve the right to make changes if the p…

Yep, it’s raining today! And with El Nino still in full swing we can look forward to milder temperatures than what we’ve felt the past few weeks, but along with those mild temperatures comes a wetter pattern. The next system will be here starting Tue…

Looks like those crazy teabaggers are trying to draft Virgil Goode according to The WaPo.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Goode decided to run since he’s been using his campaign money to pay for campaign stuff through September (the end of the last reporting period), including phone and internet service, web hosting, and photography. […]

Because you look like a dork when you do. And this is a tip that Laurence Verga needs to take to heart:
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA – It is clear from the State Senator’s [Robert Hurt’s] finance report that he is the preferred choice of Richmond lobbyists and Washington insiders. However, their support will not buy the […]