Monthly Archives: July 2011

The Thirsty Thirty : Day Three – Wells and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout

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“Luxurious and at the same time with a hint of decadence, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout has it all, delivering a satisfying, indulgent taste without ever becoming overly sweet.” from Wells & Young’s

All in all Ahhmazing. Can I have several more of these please? Though I like almost any beer, I’m not one who goes for the stout or porter right off the bat. But this? This? This just makes me happy, and I wish that I had the rest of this six pack. Dark without being too bitter. Chocolate-y without being syrupy. Malted just enough to round it off. Thank you Mr. Wells and Mr. Young. It’s love.

And by the way, it is absolutely delicious with some dark chocolate. Just splendid.

Recommend to a friend? Absolutely. I’ll buy you one next time we go out.

Safe for lightweights? 5.2% A-okay.

Check plus!

Labeling? Loving the purple and the solid lettering. Not much to say here, just still thinking about how wonderful this beer was.

The Thirsty Thirty : Day Two – Two Brothers Dog Days

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“Brewed in the style of Dortmund, Germany, this golden lager has a delicate carmel malt character balanced by a light body and mild German noble hops, creating a spicy, crisp, and refreshing beer that makes you want the dog days of summer to last forever.” - Two Brothers Brewing

All in all Mehh. I think my facial expression says pretty much that. Marie was a lot happier about the Oberon I brought from yesterday. (see below) Seeing as Muncie is getting the dog days of summer early (supposed to hit 99 tomorrow), I thought this would be a nice refresher today, but I was a little disappointed. I’d agree that it has the light golden body and mild German noble hops, but spicy? Crisp? Mmm not so much.

Recommend to a friend? Not really. I’d always try any beer once, but your money would be better spent elsewhere for now.

Safe for lightweights? At 5.1% we’re good to go.

One gold star.

Labeling? Well I just realized my hand completely covers the label in the picture, and unfortunately the pool staff had us throw away the glass bottles. (I would not recommend having to drink it from a plastic cup…yuck.) Anyways, labeling was pretty average though the yellow tone that Two Brothers uses makes me feel all nice and cheery inside.

 

The Thirsty Thirty : Day One – Bell’s Oberon

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“Oberon, our summer ale. An American wheat ale with the color and scent of a summer afternoon.”

I don’t know all the fancy schmancy lingo for talking about beer, or how to talk about the “hints of coriander, orange…” yadayada, but as I no longer live right above my favorite bar in town, I need to find a way to keep trying new beer and somehow nerd out about how much I love the good ones. So here’s the the Thirsty Thirty (and hoping that I can stick with this one for thirty continuous days).

Ah Bell’s…home of the Hopslam (!).

All in all Oberon is definitely a solid sunshiny summer ale. No surprises (good or bad).

Recommend to a friend? You bet, and it is enjoyed best outside by a pool or on a picnic blanket.

Safe for lightweights? Absolutely. At 5.8% ABV it’s nothing wild.

Thumbs up. 

Labeling? Don’t get me wrong, the labeling is pretty good overall. The sun is happy. But they prooobably could have put just a picture of Rupert Everett as Oberon from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on the front. Except without Stanley Tucci…

Sinfully Chocolate Cupcakes

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Sinfully Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes

*adapted from The Joy of Baking Brownie Cupcakes.

Now these cupcakes have a ridiculous amount of chocolate, so they are not for the faint of heart. I think the brownie cupcake may be better with a white cream cheese frosting, and the frosting may be better with a white vanilla cupcake, but that will have to wait for next time.

Cupcake Ingredients

4 oz dark chocolate, chopped into pieces
1/2 C unsalted butter, in pieces (if you only have salted butter, just use a pinch of salt below)
1/4 C granulated white sugar
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 C AP flour (all purpose)
1/4 teaspoon salt (or just a pinch if you’re using salted butter)

Frosting Ingredients

4 oz unsweetened Baker’s chocolate
2/3 c unsalted butter at room temp (or salted if necessary)
1 1/3 C confectioner sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

What to do:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Line muffin/cupcake tins with liners.

Create a double boiler, and melt the chocolate & butter. Stir until all melted and combined.
Set aside and let cool to room temp.
Pour into large bowl and whisk in sugar & vanilla.
Whisk the three eggs in, individually until just mixed in. (Don’t over mix)
Stir in flour and salt. (Again, mix until just combined)
Pour batter into 12 cupcake liners equally.
Bake 23-26 minutes until a toothpick put in center comes out with just a few sticky crumbs. (Normally done cupcakes will come out clean, but the brownie cupcake should be more moist)
Transfer to cooling rack and let cool all the way before frosting.

Frosting:

In another double boiler, melt chocolate.
Let come to room temperature.
In mixer, beat butter until smooth.
Add the melted chocolate and vanilla extract.
Add confectioner sugar.
Beat on low until all combined and smooth. Spoon into piping bag.
Using a star shaped tip to frost the cupcake, start in the center, working outwards toward the edge.