It was shortly after moving to Florida that we went to our first “Taste of the Nation” event in Orlando. That was a great evening and after an even better experience Saturday, I am not sure why we haven’t been going every year. Combine that with helping to raise money for two very important causes in Central Florida (helping the homeless and ending childhood hunger) and it’s a must do if you have the opportunity. I believe that those of you in the Minneapolis area (ahem, Erin and PJ, ahem) still have yours to look forward to!
Pork belly biscuit
There was certainly a lot of good food in the room (of course), but now that a few days have passed there a few dishes that still stand out in my mind from those that I tried.
- Whisky Cola Pork Belly on a Manchego Biscuit (Norman’s) – It also happened to be the first thing that I tried that night.
- Tamarind Glazed Ribs with Jicama-Cucumber Raita and Sesame (Luma on Park)
- House-made Cavatelli and Chocolate Stout Cupcakes (The Ravenous Pig)
The latter two happen to be pretty close to our house and were already favorite dining destinations for The Wife and me. They certainly did nothing to change that opinion (for me anyway).
That's right . . . pink on pink and wearing it well!
I also made sure to sample a few beverages as I strolled around the room multiple times. I am sure that a few opportunities were missed, but even with a designated driver I needed to be somewhat reasonable! Shipyard Brewing Company helped build even more anticipation for my planned visit to Portland at the end of September by having their Brown Ale and Export Ale as well as some Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale on hand. Stella Artois and Leffe had a long line, but the complimentary glassware was worth eating some desserts while we waited. I also enjoyed smaller samples of Brooklyn Local 1 (must try again), Old Chub (couldn’t resist), Avery White Rascal (I enjoy Avery very much), and some Woodford Reserve (I always enjoy a good bourbon).
We also ran into a friend of The Wife and her husband early on in the evening. So as a bonus to all of the great food and drink I also made some new friends, which elevated the evening to a much higher level of enjoyment. Thank you to Caitlin and Kristien for putting up with me for a few hours!
As promised yesterday, I have decided to pass along some of the wonderful beer glassware that the folks from Stella provided at the event in a give away on this site. Consider this a redistribution of marketing goodies. I will be giving away two identical packages of:
Don't worry, they will be clean!
Here is what you have to do. . .
1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite beer is at this moment and what makes it stand out. (Don’t think too hard!)
2. If you’re on Twitter, post the following tweet and leave me another comment letting me know you did: “What’s your favorite beer? Leave a comment on this post: http://cli.gs/tDvSZT and enter to win some beer-related goodies!”
3. If you’re on Facebook, share a link to this post and leave me another comment letting me know you did.
4. If you’re on Digg, Digg this post and leave me another comment letting me know you did.
5. If you’re on StumbleUpon, “like” this post and leave me another comment letting me know you did.
6. If you’re on any other social media sites, share this post and leave me another comment letting me know you did.
7. If you have a blog, add me to your blogroll and leave me another comment letting me know you did.
You’re allowed one entry per category, so if you’re ambitious, you can get up to seven entries. I’ll randomly select two winners from the comments at the end of the day on Friday, September 4 and announce the winners in a post on Saturday the 5th. Good luck!
[...] this blog post (by Lucas): http://nighthops.com/2009/08/31/taste-of-the-nation-and-a-giveaway/ and follow the directions for up to seven chances to win! Please show him some love — [...]
I’ll go first! My favorite beer is one that I’m missing right now. It’s called Snake Chaser from Lakefront Brewery (http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/snake_chaser_irish_style_stout.html).
A great stout with coffee and spice notes that makes me feel like I’m cheating on Guiness with a better looking, younger woman. It’s only out around St. Patrick’s Day and is made in Milwaukee. Even though that’s not far away, we have to have family bring it to us – because distribution into the Twin Cities is spotty at best. Somehow the supply never lasts very long.
PS. If you ever find yourself in Milwaukee – make sure you do the Lakefront Tour and of course, drink the beer!
Lucas – You’re now on my facebook page! Hope it helps drive some good traffic! congrats on making the playoffs! – PJ
my current favorite is delirium nocturnum. i love it because it’s the one belgian dark ale that has everything in just the right amount. sweet, not syrupy, sour but no pucker and just the right amount of fruity flavor. you’ll only ever want more….
twitter @hamuella
One of the new beers I recently discovered that I instantly fell in love with is Bell’s Oberon. A few of my friends had raved about it and when I saw it offered a recent beer festival, I knew I couldn’t pass it up.
To me, it’s the right mix of spicy and fruity. It seems like it fits the summer feel perfectly. During hazy nights, it’s light enough to enjoy while sitting outside without it bogging you down, but I can also see it fitting in well with late summer/early fall. The spiciness is just enough to keep it enjoyable for a few more months.
Here’s my tweet: http://twitter.com/nickmccormac/status/3678562028
And I took a screen shot of my Facebook page to show I posted it: http://www.twitpic.com/g1g69
My fave right now is Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat (http://www.leinie.com/sunset_wheat.html) I love Hefeweizen beers, and this one is one of the best I’ve tried – great citrus, corriander/spice… and Leinie’s is one of my fave overall brands (brewed about 20 minutes from where I grew up) Its “Big Butt” beer is also a fave but they’re not making it right now
I linked to you on FB btw…
you’re on my Facebook page too
Hope you get lots of hits – we like to drink a lot of beer here in MN and WI 
Digg post:
http://digg.com/food_drink/Taste_of_the_Nation_and_a_giveaway_A_Night_With_The_Hop
[...] This post was Twitted by OrlandoTaste [...]
local 1 was one of my first “gateway” beers that really got me into beer drinking.
local 2 is also excellent and very different from local 1.
just found out you’re not on twitter so doing the @hamuella thing was useless, but here’s a link (thanks nick!) http://twitter.com/hamuella/status/3678585614
Favorite beer at the moment, Stella. Which I had one last night
It’s just refreshing!
Didn’t put the exact tweet as above, but I did retweet Katy.
http://twitter.com/peglegpug/status/3691137730
link for facebook “entry”
http://www.twitpic.com/g3h6b
Hey, great blog! I’m a beer lover (and homebrewer) myself. I just added you guys to the list of giveaways on my site, thanks for being the first!
My favorite beer of the moment is Imperial IPA. A little high in alcohol, so it’s a commitment, but worth it. Any will do, but Dogfish Head 120 Minute has got to be the front-runner.
A favorite beer? I have a hard time choosing favorites. Being an Ohio native, I dread winter every year, though Great Lakes Christmas Ale definitely helps to chase the blues away! I’m looking forward to it already…it’s a bit spicy with just a touch of sweetness. You only need a few before the room starts to blur
Wonderful, wonderful beer!
Favorite Beer right now??!!…tough decision. You see, in the Northeast, Lucas, we have these things called seasons. It’s where the weather patterns change from hot to cold, wet to dry, etc. etc. We are in the process of switching seasons at the moment, which makes beer selection tricky.
Summer – it’s a toss up between a cold Blue Light and a Southern Tier Brewery “Hop Sun”. One is good for drinking all day at a BBQ, one is good for drinking at night sitting outside the Blue Tusk.
Fall – Another toss up between Spaten’s Octoberfest, and ofcourse, Sam Adams Octoberfest. Both great for the crisp autumn air. I’ll also throw in any number of pumpkin beers available this time of year.
As far as social networking….does Yahoo Fantasy sports count? Can it count twice for different sports with different team owners?
I have included a link to your site in my fantasy football page. I will send you an email with a PDF screen shot (since I can not post it here)
Hope you’ll count this as an entry.
[...] If you like beer and you love free stuff, there’s still time to enter the giveaway on Lucas’s blog, A Night at the [...]
Kosteritzer. It is bright, refreshing, packs a punch (in my body at least), reminds me of good friends, has great color, the head is not obnoxious, it feels like I am drinking from a cask hidden behind some fur blankets behind a tavern in some dark, Teutonic village. It reminds me of winter nights and the tears that form when a cold wind blows up into my eyes. It gives a soul-satisfying belch when gulped, it blooms the tongue sour sweet when sipped, yet avoids that stabbed tongue feeling of most sharp beers.
It is all that I want in a brewed beverage.
Shame I cannot spell it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Köstritzer
Köstritzer
Favorite beer: Sam Adam’s Blackberry Witbier…a new discovery I came across while stopping in the package store one day. It’s crisp and refreshing…perfect for summer.
Favorite beer: a Tie: Fat Tire or Stella Artois. Cannot beat either one. cannot choose between the two. That’s like asking me which son do I love most….
One of my favorite beers from many, many, many years ago is the Swiss Lowenbrau. It used to be available in the NE & got it on tap in the late 80′s in Altamonte, but that was the end of that. Don’t know how I’d feel about it now, but…. Other than that I did enjoy a Pilsner Urquell recently & Eye of the Hawk the other day.
[...] If you like beer and you love free stuff, there’s still time to enter the giveaway on Lucas’s blog, A Night at the [...]
My fave beer at the moment is Bad Penny by Big Boss brewery right here in Raleigh NC. Perfect compliment to a long hard day’s worth of work.