Archive for December, 2010

December 6, 2010

Infinium Champagne Beer

“Would you like some of my champagne beer?” I asked guests at a recent party.

With a champagne-like effervescence, Infinium, a collaboration between Samuel Adams and Weihenstephan, is the new new wine, or the champagne, or the new whatever, it’s downright good. It’s a lot fun: a sort of bubbly, very smooth, beer champagne.

Infinium chilling

Thanks to a sample bottle, I got the chance to serve Infinium a recent apres-ski party before it’s available. My guests, a mix of beer lovers and wine-drinkers, loved the new Infinium.

Serving up Infinium

“It tastes like if you mixed champagne and beer.”

“It tastes better than beer but not sweet.”

Infinium is hard to describe. It’s made according to German beer purity law called Reinheitsgebot, meaning it can only contain malt, hops, water, and yeast. This is the first new beer under Reinheitsgebot in 100 years, and it’s made in partnership with the oldest brewery in the world, Weihenstephan Brewery, which was founded by monks in 1040.

Enough of the beer trivia, eh? Infinium is a dark gold color (beer!) with fine bubbles (champagne!) and a slightly fruity flavor but lots of malt body (beer!). It comes in a champagne-style bottle (champagne!) and is 10.3% alcohol by volume (both!).

The companies are heavily promoting Infinium as a champagne alternative for men to ring in the New year. They cite a Wakefield Research study that reveals that the majority of men would rather toast with beer than champagne. I love my chompers, but I wouldn’t mind toasting with a little Infinium either!

Available nationwide starting this week, you can hit the beer finder feature on SamuelAdams.com to find out where to buy your bottle of champagne beer champagne. Retail is $20 a bottle.

December 3, 2010

Austin: Do You Want This Ring?

Because I love it. It’s rough yet refined. Go to new jewelry boutique Schatzelein (shots.a.line) to buy it.

Featuring high-quality materials, up-and-coming designers, and both new and vintage finds for gals and guys, Schatzelein is a must-see destination for jewelry and accessories.

1713 S. First / schatzeleinaustin.com

December 3, 2010

Austin: Scamps and Scoundrels Dog Challenge

Scamps and Scoundrels: An Urban Dog Challenge benefitting Austin Pets Alive! On Saturday, December 4th, registered teams of one dog and 1-4 humans will figure out clues to local, downtown dog-friendly businesses. Once there, the teams will be required to complete a fun task before moving on to the next location. When all tasks are complete, the teams will travel to the new Austin Pets Alive! building to check in to the finish line and join a HUGE party awaiting them.

The party (open to everyone!) will run 5-8pm and will feature Tito’s Vodka, Sweet Leaf Tea, Republic Tequila, Uncle Billy’s, Amy’s Ice Cream and a “drool-worthy” silent auction.

Blair Smith and Alesha Mathews of Dirty Dog have long dreamed of having an event for dogs and their owners in which they could do an activity together while checking out some of Austin’s favorite dog-friendly businesses. Sarah Wolf and Beth Bellanti round out the talented team of planners.

To learn more or register: scampsandscoundrels.tumblr.com/

December 2, 2010

Aspen: Pow Party

Aspen’s party season is already in full swing! Local nonprofit PowderToThePeople.org is holding its fifth annual Pow Party Fundraiser on Friday, December 3, from 5:30-8pm, at the (exclusive?) Eagles Club on Bleeker Street in Aspen.

Powder to the People is an organization dedicated to championing public access to lands. Basically, they want to snowmobile wherever they want. Which I support, but let’s just be clear on what it is. :-)

The evening will include appetizers, live music, door prizes, and silent and live auctions. Suggested donation of $20. The party will be preceded by a snowmobile and backcountry gear swap from 3-5:30pm in the Eagles Club parking lot.

May be a lot of old guys, but might be a lot of fun too!

December 1, 2010

Austin: DO IT – GO RAW at MOOJESUS!

Remember MooJesus!?

I love that place. I got the sweetest email from Pastor Gina asking me to tell all of you about the MooJesus! EJ RAW 30 FEAST program. I am so in love with the idea of the program and wish I was around Austin often enough to participate in this 30 day awesomeness. Before I get into the details, I should share a snippet from Gina’s email:

It is very paleo, since it includes raw milk, raw dairy, raw seafood and meat for those who will partake. It is a wonderful opportunity to kick chronic illness and allow the body to rest.

1) She remembered that we eat paleo. 2) Second sentence sound familiar?

Now, on to the good stuff: the really neat program that is EJ! RAW! 30 Day Feast:

  • Begins Friday, January 7th, and ends on Sunday, February 6th.

† Enrollment is limited to the first 30 registrants.

† Off-Ranch Participants: the EJ Ranch kitchen staff prepares all of your food for you. You can follow our menu suggestions or eat what you want, when you want.

† Twice per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays,off-ranch (local) participants will receive raw entrees, salad greens, raw milk, raw cheese, yogurt and butter, flaxseed crackers, Nutzola, sweet and savory nut spreads, raw deserts, gallons of alkaline water, whey drinks, salad dressings, sauces, raw snacks and smoothie ingredients packaged refrigerator ready to take home with you.

† Every Wednesday and Friday night from 6 pm until 8:30, Pastor Gina will hold a hands-on cooking demonstration with 5-course meal. A third meal is available Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Participants are always welcome to bring guests to join them for a meal, guests are $30 per person.

*During the course of each cooking demonstration, participants will learn about selecting the best dehydrator and other raw food equipment, plus how to make your own herbal teas.

† The cost per person for EJ! RAW! is $40 per day, or $1200 for the entire 30 day program. They are able to issue a $400 donation receipt to each participant.

† On-Ranch Participants: Live in the beautiful comfort of EverythingJesus! Ranch! This is like summer camp for adults in the winter. Enjoy 3 gourmet meals per day. Live, exercise, learn and play. Milk cows, cook with Pastor Gina and our kitchen staff every day, spend time in our winter greenhouse, learn how to make “raw” chemical-free soaps and laundry detergents. Enjoy Bible study, nutrition classes, pottery lessons, music lessons, power-walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Cost for 30 days live-on is $150 per day, or $4500, and includes ground transportation to and from the San Antonio or Austin airport. This includes $1500 tax receipt.

† Participants who wish to come and stay on the ranch in their RVs are welcome to do so. We have full water, electric and sewage hook-up. Cost for RV participants is the same $1200 per person off-ranch tuition, plus a $600 fee for RV hook up for 34 days.

I know this is about the longest post ever, but I think this is an absolutely awesome program and I wish I could take a whole month to do it, live at the ranch, and connect back to the earth and myself! If any of you do it, the live-on or -off program, please post and let me know how it goes!
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