I don’t know about where you are, but here in Austin, Texas it’s decidedly beer-drinking weather. In my opinion, it’s hard to beat sitting somewhere outside in the warm sun, with a crisp breeze and a cold beer. Lucky for me, my husband and many of our friends are beer aficionados, so I can enjoy my beer in good company.What I’ve discovered is that taste in beer, much like wine, develops with exposure to new and interesting flavors. A beer that was too hoppy to me a year ago is now a go-to favorite. Also like wine, the more you learn about a brewery, their history and techniques, the more you appreciate the craft of beer making. So, it pays to be adventurous and try something new in brews!If you have a hard time stepping away from your tried and true brew or if you’re overwhelmed by the options facing you at the beer cooler, here are some picks of the month from Geof and Doug, our Wine and Beer Guys:
The adventure began in 1987 when this employee-owned, independent brewery was founded in Hood River, Oregon. The folks at Full Sail pour their passion into producing award-winning beer, and they’re always brewing up ideas to keep their business as eco-friendly as possible—such as recycling everything from glass to stretch wrap to pallets and cooking oil, and giving spent grain and yeast to local dairy farmers for feed.Crisp, smooth Session Lager is an easy-drinking beer that’s full of character, with subtle hops, delicate malt and a refreshing finish. Pair it with salads, briny shellfish or grilled seafood. Session Black Lager is a dark beer with a rich color and chocolaty-nutty flavor, but without the heaviness. Pair it with grilled foods, herbs and desserts.So go ahead and be adventurous with your beer, try something you’ve never had before and share it with friends. You might just discover a new favorite. At the very least, you’ll enjoy a beer in good company, and what can beat that?What’s your favorite beer to share with friends?
