Untappd

If you like to experiment and try new beers, like I do, then you definitely need a way to track what you liked and didn't like for future reference.  For me, there is no better way to do that then by using Untappd!

Untappd can be used a few different ways.  You can use the free mobile app for smartphones or go directly to the website.  Either way you get the same experience and it's all free.  You do need to create a login.  It is a type of social network but it is what you make it.  If you don't want to be social about it and 'friend' people then don't.  If you do, it can be fun to see what your friends like to drink and follow other breweries.  Another fun aspect about it is earning badges.

Untappd can be used to:

• Discover the most popular local bars and beer wherever you go.
• Share your beer reviews and photos with your friends
• Personalized beer suggestions help you find your favorite brew.

Personally, what I like about it is how it's a way to keep track of what I've had to drink.  Not in an 'I'm an alcoholic type of way' but in a 'Hey, what was that beer I got in Ohio that I liked to much' type of way.  I usually only check in when I'm drinking a new beer so I can track it and review it.  

Untappd is also very home brewer friendly.  I've been able to add our little home brew company to Untappd so even when we, or our friends, have some of our home brew we can add it on there as well.

If you are interested in following me on Untappd and seeing what I like to drink you can find me at: KellyMiller

Beer Lovers Unite!
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"Too busy 'tasting' to be social.'

Ale and Cheddar Soup

Now that we all survived the 'polar vortex' and are in the heart of winter the idea of soup is really appealing! As an avid Pinterest user, more often than not I pin something but never get around to actually doing it.  This past fall, with the weather turning colder I was in the mood to make soup for dinner.  I mean I love soup!  I have a whole board on Pinterest devoted to it.  So at the end of my work day I went online to find what recipe I wanted to make, made a grocery list and hit the store on the way home.

From Closet Cooking Blog Post

So what did I end up making?  Ale and Cheddar soup of course!  Beer and cheese...how can you go wrong?  This was the perfect choice since I knew we had some beer in the fridge that no one wanted to drink.

Not only was the soup delicious it was a GREAT way to use up some gross beer we didn't really want to drink...we are talking to you Natty Boh Ice!

Lesson Learned: Gross beer is undrinkable but great to cook with!




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"You can make this soup whenever you wish!"

Chemistry of Beer MOOC

With my real job being an instructional designer for online courses in higher education I was really intrigued when I came across a Chemistry of Beer MOOC.  Having just finished leading our own institutions first MOOC in forensics I know how much time and effort comes with an endeavor like this.  For those who haven't heard this buzz word before, MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course.  Basically this means that it's a free course that anyone in the world can take for fun but no credit.

This particular MOOC is being offered by The University of Oklahoma, starts on January 13, 2014 and lasts 16 weeks.  It does look interesting but also sounds like it might be pretty hard...I mean it does have the word chemistry in it.

If you have any interest in this MOOC I can tell you from experience it is worth it for you to check it out.  It's very common in MOOC's for there to be a big enrollment with participants serving many roles.  Some people are in it to totally complete the course fully, some are voyeurs and just like to observe what is going on and others sign up and do nothing.  All of these roles are totally fine and you aren't hurting any feelings.  So if you are curious...check it out!
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"I'm down!"

Beer Dinner - Flying Fish at Issac's

'Tis the Season...for travel for us.  Every holiday season we schlep around to both of our families for Christmas and New Years.  It is a good combination of SNL's skits 'Do It On My (Twin Bed)' and 'Your Hometown'.

This year we hit Lancaster, PA first for a longer than normal stay.  Not that we don't love it here, WE DO and hope to live here someday soon! However, we came up earlier than we normally would because of a rescheduled beer dinner at one of our favorite Lancaster restaurants, Issac's.  This deli is a local chain with an old school Miami theme and amazing soups and sandwiches.  When their beer dinner for the weekend before was cancelled due to snow we jumped at the chance to go when they rescheduled for this weekend.

We didn't know what to expect since we had never had any of the Flying Fish beers and we have never been to the downtown Issac's location, the only one with a bar (Pickle Bar).  My mother in law tagged along as our 'DD'.  When we arrived we went to the bar area, which was much smaller than we expected.  A group of tables we pushed together so everyone could sit together.  It was a smaller group than expected but it was perfect company given the space provided and atmosphere.

It was a wonderful evening with surprisingly good beer!  Not that I expected bad beer but it was light and hoppy beer which usually isn't my style.  As you would expect, the four course Issac's meal was specifically paired with a certain beer to compliment the food.  The food and beer was great!  The Flying Fish brewery team couldn't make it since it was rescheduled but the Issac's staff did a great job giving us a history of Issac's, facts about each beer and why it was paired with each food item.  Each course was timed really well with not a lot of down time but you also didn't feel rushed.  Tim and I also did a great job of sharing the courses we liked and didn't like (me being vegetarian and him not eating seafood or cheesecake).  The great extra surprise at the end of the dinner was our choice of a pint of whatever beer we liked best.  We both picked a pint of Exit 4.  For $25 each, we definitely felt satisfied.

So overall GREAT evening!  Would totally recommend Flying Fish and Issac's if you are in the area.

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"What will Flying Fish Brewery do when they run out of Jersey Turnpike Exits to name their beer after?"

The Importance of Vibe

Last night my husband and I went to the C.R.A.B.S. (Chesapeake Real Ale Brewers Society) Christmas party.  While the event itself was fine (aka great potluck), what I came away with most was how important vibe is to a brewery.

The event was held at Heavy Seas Brewery in Baltimore, MD.  (Which now that I am linking you to their website I am also annoyed by their web address, sorry tech nerd in me.)

I feel that Heavy Seas is one of the bigger players in the area in terms of local craft beer.  It's easy to find in stores and restaurants.  I am sure I have tried there beer before but sadly it must not have been memorable.

We've been to a lot of breweries.  Big, small and all over the country.  One of the things I most enjoy about going to the brewery is feeling their vibe!  Every brewery I've been to has a vibe whether it's decor, food, games to play while there, atmosphere, location etc.  The beer they create has a personality and the brewery itself becomes an extension of that.  You can have crap beer but if your brewery has a great vibe then you'll have business.

Sadly, Heavy Seas has zero vibe.  There was nothing going for it, nothing to bring me back or even make me want to order one of their beers in the future.  They have a cute logo and beer names they could totally play off of but there was none of that.  I have never felt this way about a brewery before, which is why I think it is bothering me so much.  To their credit they are apparently going to do some remodeling in the near future so hopefully that will help.
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"The bathrooms were rather large and nice"

And We're Back...

I started this blog a few years ago when my husband and I first got into craft beer and home brewing.  Life got busy, I quit blogging.  Since then we have really experienced some great beer, breweries and festivals and have expanded our home brewing knowledge.

I blog regularly for a work project I do and really wanted to start this blog up again.  With inspiration from my co-worker (view her amazing blog here) I decided to give it another try. Sadly, I deleted this blog fully so my posts from years ago are gone so we are starting from scratch.

What is this blog about you may ask...well beer!  From a girl's perspective.