The National Homebrewers Convention went out with a bang, with a massive beer dinner coordinated by the Homebrew Chef. The dinner was sponsored by Rogue, who provided all the beers, including a very special surprise for the last course. We started with a salad.

You’ve really got to give it to Chef Cosentino – he doesn’t do anything halfway.  When he says “I’m going to serve offal and make it delicious” he really means it, and when he says “I’m going to cook with beer,” he jumps in to the deep end of the pool. At the Incanto & [...]

After Pro Night and Club Night, on the Saturday of the National Homebrewer’s Conference I was finally able to attend some educational sessions.  Let’s dive right in, shall we?  Below you’ll find pictures and notes from sessions on Champagne beer, brewing with chocolate and brewing with anything else Tomme Arthur can get his hands on. [...]

GreatBrewers.com has introduced a new tool called “Beer Sommelier” that has been making its way around the web via instant message, blog posts, and Twitter.  This elegant web 2.0 application is well designed, nicely illustrated, fast and straight forward.  You simply tell it a little bit about the dish you have in mind, and it [...]

This past weekend Santa Rosa hosted it’s own local beer festival.  This small festival was a delight to attend – the weather was perfect, the crowd energetic but respectful, the beer plentiful, and food included in the ticket price.          Pictures and tasting notes after the jump…

    “Beer is meant to be drunk” is an axiom I’ve tried to really take to heart when it comes to beer. With my homebrew, I figure I can always make more, and there are new and exciting recipes and styles to try.  Just about every person who enters my apartment is offered the perfunctory first pint, as well [...]

I’ll get strait to the point: foie on a stick!     Actually it’s not just foie – there is also a duck heart and mushroom on there too. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s go back to the beginning.  This week, MSF played host to Jordan Grosser and Ted Fleury, the [...]

Mission Beach Cafe specializes in local, sustainable and seasonal food, prepared simply but elegantly.  They’re the ideal sort of San Francisco neighborhood restaurant, with large architectural art, and polished wooden tables with arts and crafts style construction. Everything about the place prays at the alter of Slow Food. In addition to the fine savory creations, they have [...]

Note to Cinda, Elianna’s Mom:  Cinda – I think it’d be best if you looked away.  Remember that time we made your latkes? Maybe you should just read that again instead. This post… well, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with you seeing it. Down this road there lies a lot of pork, which is I know [...]

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend the Taste of the Nation Reception at AT&T Park in San Francisco (thanks Foodbuzz!)  The reception was a who’s who of the San Francisco restaurant scene, with local chefs (and bartenders) onhand to share samples of some of their finest foods. Some of my favorite bites included the pork croquettes from Maverick, [...]