After weeks of planning, hours of tasting, and an unknowable number of phone calls to brewers confirming their beer would be there, the “Mostly Barrel Aged Beer Dinner” went off without a hitch.  As usual, Scala’s Bistro and The Sir Francis Drake pulled of this huge feat without breaking a sweat. “Enough preamble, get to [...]

Welcome back to Cooks & Kegs – where local chefs present a beer pairing that represents their unique beer and food perspective.  In this edition, we’re visiting Jen Biesty, executive chef of Scala’s Bistro in Union Square.  Chef Jen is no stranger to beer and food pairings, having helped put on a not too shabby [...]

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, [...]

      Wow.  Just… Wow. The dinner exceeded my wildest expectations.  The beer was plentiful, the food impeccably prepared, and the company was joyous and exuberant. The final menu really reflected the kind of beer dinner experience I hoped to craft. Let’s dive right in, shall we?