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The Magnificent Seven

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The Magnificent Seven of the Pioneer ValleyIn July 2012 we explored the Microbrewers of the Pioneer Valley, and managed to secure 7 bottles representing 7 local microbrewers.

I sampled them over the following week, most of them with some meal or snack that complemented the ale.

The report is on the pages linked under this one. The reports are in the order in which they were sampled. Each report includes a brief description of the ale, where I got it, links to the brewers, and descriptions of what made for complementary dining with each ale.

My Favorite Blue SteinThere are photos that show the whole ensemble. In most cases I am drinking from my favorite blue stein so you can't see the color, but I do like that funny German mug! I think a favorite glass or stein can be an important part of enjoying a fine ale, nearly as important as seeing the color of the beer.

Each report also includes a link to a BeerAdvocate review of the ale, if a review is available on the encyclopedic site.

If you have an account on this site, you can post your own reviews and thoughts. I am especially interested (as you will see) in pairing foods with each craft beer.

  • By John at 07/20/2012 - 13:21
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Ale Catalogs and Menus

I got into a somewhat spirited late-night Twitter discussion with a good friend at Element Brewing, and between us we came up with the germ of an awesome idea:

You can see from the seven posts of the Magnificent Seven that a key element (no pun intended) was what to eat while drinking each brew. Our Beer Elemental pal had some suggestions for Element ales to accompany some of the foods that I enjoyed with other Pioneer Valley microbrews. I am sure it was all good-natured competition with no desire to appear churlish...

So here's the idea: IMO, if you produce a line of seven interesting, different ales, then I and my FoodiePilgrim friends can come up with a week's worth of menus to highlight those brews. 

For example, if our non-churlish friend at Element has seven brews (not a sure thing...), can they accompany seven dinners worth eating? Yeah, yeah, it's awesome and rich and ethereal and a deep spiritual experience, but...what's for dinner?

Can your brews properly nourish a New England locavore foodie for a week?

I am willing to take that challenge for any Pioneer Valley microbrewer with seven different ales.

NOTE: seven different ales is NOT the same as seven differently dry-hopped IPAs.

  • By John at 07/20/2012 - 23:28
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to clarify

To Clarify

This is for no other reason than to stimulate competition among a cooperative gang, and to see if us foodies can actually live on your product line. I am sure to buy many of your products in my travels, but your interest will elevate the priority.

If we do this right, it may be a magazine article.

  • By John at 07/20/2012 - 23:40
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