Of Ganache & Grain

Beer & Chocolate have been a major theme for me in February: a point of press, pairing, study, & enjoyment I've borrowed my Dad's sweet tooth for this whitewashed second month of ours. I've tasted through a grand amount of really great truffles, chocolates, caramels, & fruit pastes and had great beer to sip along with them every step of the way. At this point halfway through the month the result of some of these tastings have come to light, others have been training grounds or practice runs for the beer & chocolate that await later in the month. Here's the rundown:

Tasting Beer & Chocolate at Aux Petits Delices:
A morning of pairing hosted by Chef Patrick Gauthron and led by Matt Guyer for the always up for beer time local website AroundMainLine.com - check out the story HERE.

Friendfest's Elite Pairing Study:
Preparation (i.e. tasting, making notes, tasting again, making more notes) with the chocolates of Gail Ambrosius which will be paired with beer from New Holland Brewery at a special presentation during Friendfest at the Kutztown Fairgrounds in Kutztown, PA on 2/27. I'll be guiding the tasting session and speaking on both the chocolate and the beer. (Tickets available but moving quickly. Tickets for the Festival as well as tickets for the pairing available HERE.) To learn more about Friend Inc's community service efforts check out their website.

Savor 2009 Beer & Chocolate Salon:
So finally in preperation for Friendfest I've been listening to the Ambrosius Chocolate & New Holland Brewery beer and chocolate Salon from Savor 2009 courtesy of our friend Jeff Bearer at Craft Beer Radio. You can listen to the Salon HERE, and while you're on the site check out a few episodes of Craft Beer Radio. The Savor Salon was hosted by Gail Ambrosius & The Beervangelist, Fred Beultmann.