Mandarin Orange Cake

A few weeks ago we celebrated my husband's birthday and when asked, he requested orange cake. I had never made it before and was a little scared. I immediately called my mother-in-law and she gave me the low down. We had a little celebration at my mom's house and before the party started we baked away. My mom and I added our own little special ingredient and the result was amazing; I had to share it with you! It was a lovely summer evening filled with good food, great beer, and tasty cake!

Orange Cake

1 box of white cake mix
4 eggs
2- 11 oz cans of mandarin oranges with juice
1/2 cup coconut oil (our special ingredient, replacing the vegetable oil)
1- 9 oz carton of frozen whipped topping, thawed
1- 8 oz can of crushed pineapple with juice, strained
1 box instant vanilla pudding

Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Greece two 9-inch cake pans. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, one can of mandarin oranges with juice, eggs, and coconut oil. Beat until smooth with an electric mixer. Pour into pans and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans. 

In a bowl, combine whipped cream, strained pineapple and vanilla pudding mix. Use a bigger bowl because the mixture tends to puff up a bit while you are mixin'!

After the cakes are cooled, remove them carefully from the pans. Layer the cakes and frost between the layers and around the whole cake.  Then take the remaining can of mandarin oranges and decorate the top of the cake.  We also added some basil leaves for color, but they ended up tasting good with the cake!

The cake was a huge hit and that's a win in my book! It was also inexpensive and easy, so that helps too!  I hope you make this cake for someone you know this summer because it is the perfect summer cake.  It has lots of flavor and it's not too heavy like a chocolate cake would be. Let us know what you think!

Happy baking!

-Bethany

{BEER WEEK} My Twenty-Something Friend: Ryan Terry

Ladies and gents, please allow me to introduce my twenty-something friend, Ryan Terry.  Along with being a very good friend of mine, Ryan is also connected to The Twenty-Something's Table by his marriage to Bethany! I am so happy that Bethany met and married Ryan because it brought a great friend into my life. The Terry's have been so supportive and encouraging to me, especially this past year.

Ryan has proved to be more than just my best friend's husband.  He has stuck up for me when I needed it the most, offered kind and honest advice when others could not, and provided me with the best homebrew I have ever had.  Ryan is quiet at first but if you mention Daft Punk, socio-economic politics, his cat Delancey, the great state of New York, or homebrewing he will intrigue you with off the wall facts, funny stories, and educated insights.

I am sure that Bethany would agree, Ryan's spotlight on the blog has been well earned as he has put up with messy kitchens, girly music, lots of crying, and multiple invasions of his computer.  What better time to highlight this great guy and avid homebrewer then on beer week?  So Ry, thanks for everything... now do a blog post for us.

My Twenty-Something Friend No. 3: Ryan Terry

What has been the best and worst thing about moving to Minnesota?

The best has been a combo of all the cool stuff to do, local brews, cool people, and nice lakes in the Summer. The worst has probably been this past winter that seemed to go on forever!

#1 on your summer bucket list?

More bonfires!

Night in or night out?

Night in with friends. 

Favorite meal to make?

I make some great tacos!

Latest significant purchase? 

We got a new turntable.

Friends or Seinfeld?

I would say FRIENDS. We have all the season DVDs and it's always just hilarious when I point to them and say "look at all the friends I have!" The joke never gets old and Bethany loves it. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Young. 

Buffalo, Sriracha, or Tabasco?

Buffalo. Best served on chicken wings. 

Your twenty-something indulgence or splurge? 

Going to movies and getting popcorn.

What is your favorite beer and why?

Well that's a tough one because it really depends on the season and my ever changing interests! I'm from Rochester, New York and where I'm from, we have Genny. It's swill beer for sure but darnit, its OUR swill beer. It's an American ale with a light golden color and a bite that gives you a kick with the aftertaste. Us Rochesterians love it because the brewery is downtown and because they don't have to ship it very far you can usually pick up a twelve pack for under $6. Always a favorite.

I'm going to go ahead and call Surly Bender my current favorite, however. Bender is the total opposite of the spectrum from Genny as it is a stout and very expensive. Surly is brewed in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota and produces some of the best beer that I've ever tasted. Bender is a smooth stout with a creamy chocolate and nutty taste to it. This beer stands out to me because it has a rich aroma, a clean drink, and a polished and regal aftertaste; truly good all the way through. Usually I only go for stouts in the winter but put this stuff in a frozen glass and it makes an incredible summer night brew.

Hey all! Andy (Bethanys brother) and I have been brewing since September and have done around sixteen brews since. Our first batch was a nut brown kit and it got us hooked!

Local brewing stores carry all the equipment you need to get going, pre-made brew kits, and individual ingredients for making your own recipe. Most brewing stores will even offer workshops and classes to help you get going! Andy and I are getting to the point where we have started to graduate from following recipes to coming up with our own recipes and variations. One thing we have really enjoyed this summer is making our own recipe of hard cider. Hard cider (when done right) is a crisp and refreshing way to cool down on a hot summer night and can taste much better than the store bought stuff. 

This recipe is based on a few different recipes that we read about and made into our own. There are so many different things that can be added or tweaked for taste too!

This recipe requires a few pieces of equipment that you may not have laying around the house so I'll list them with links not only as a visual, but just in case you'd like to make a batch yourself! 

Ryan & Andy's Hard Cider

Yields 5 gallons of cider.

4% - 15% alcohol by volume

4-5 weeks fermenting time

Equipment You Will Need

Powder no-rinse cleanser 

New brewing bucket with lid

Airlock

Plastic spatula (or stirrer) with long handle 

Big stovetop pot (a gallon or more)

Stove 

Bottles and caps or 5- one gallon jugs

Siphon

Ingredients

5-6 11.5 oz containers of apple juice frozen concentrate

1/2 - 2 lbs brown sugar

1 packet champaign yeast

1 small bottle of pure maple syrup (optional)

5 gallons of Distilled water 

Recipe

The Prep

First, all of the equipment MUST be sanitized. Using the powdered no-rinse cleaner and warm water, wash the equipment with your hands. No sponges, brushes, or other soap. Every element needs to be sterile or bad bacteria could get in and ruin the brew. From the pot to the bucket and cover. From the stirrer to the scissors you use to cut the yeast packet. Sanitize it all. 

The Brew

Open the frozen apple juices, pour them into the pot, and stir over medium heat.  When the juice is liquid slowly stir in the brown sugar. It's important to continue stirring so that the sugar doesn't burn to the bottom of the pot. At this point you can roughly set the alcohol percentage by how much brown sugar you add. We have used 1 pound and gotten about 6% and we have tried 2 pounds and gotten about 15%, but you can estimate and add what you wish.

Stir the mixture until the sugar is totally dissolved. You don't want to boil this mixture so keep the heat low enough. If you'd like, add the pure maple syrup at this stage. It's not nessesary but it will give the cider a more maple taste. When the mixture is a uniform, thin liquid turn the heat off. 

This recipe is for 5 gallons of cider so pour the mixture into the bucket and fill to the 5 gallon line with clean, warm-ish water. Distilled water is great too. You just don't want the chemicals that are sometimes pumped into tap water. 

Stir the water and the mixture very well so that it blends and becomes one. 

At this point you have some really great tasting apple cider! But we want this to be boozy right!? Let's continue. 

The Yeast

The yeast should be added when the cider is at about 75 degrees. It's not super sensitive but it should be around there.  Instructions for preparing the yeast will vary by brand and will be detailed on the back of the packet. When the yeast is ready, slowly pour it into the cider and stir thoroughly. 

Post Brew

Place the cover on the bucket and seal.  Put a few drops of water into the airlock and place that into the small hole in the bucket's cover. The airlock will assure that air can escape the bucket but not get in.  Store in a cool dark place for three weeks or so. During this time you will see the airlock gurgling and hear burping noises coming from inside the bucket. 

----

At this point the brew is almost complete. Andy and I use a keg system so we siphon into the keg and use a CO2 tank to carbonate. For bottling there are a couple of extra steps to add carbonation. I'll trust the experts at homebrewing.com to walk you through that... 

Soon you'll be able to crack one open and enjoy! If you get into it, try different ingredients or extracts for flavor!

-Ryan

{BEER WEEK} Twin Cities Brewery Highlights

Before you read any further we would just like to say thank you.   Thank you to everyone who contributed this week and made Beer Week such a success! Bethany and I could not have been more thrilled for the opportunity to reach out to good friends, learn about beer through great stories and vivid descriptions, and most importantly, share the best people in our lives with our readers.  Cheers to the twenty-something's that continue to inspire us.

PS. Stay tuned for a very important Twenty-Something Friend to finish off Beer Week!

Minneapolis & St. Paul Breweries

612 Brew

612 Brew opened their tap room this February and it is a sight to see.  The fermentation tanks shining in the background and the exposed brick of the historic Broadway building create an old world nostalgia for beer.  The beer is as quality as the setting with several original recipes rotating on tap. With flights, pints, growlers, and tours you can't go wrong.

Boom Island

Boom Island is the brain child of a Belgium beer lover and expert, something evident in the beer.  While they do not have a tap room they offer tastings and sales directly on site Fridays and Saturdays.  You can find their beers on tap or in stores in over 100 establishments around the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.

Indeed

Indeed Brewing is the most up and coming brewery in Minnesota.  It could be the wonderful, free tours they offer or the food trucks they schedule outside their tap room, but something about Indeed Brewing is hip and fresh... including their beer. They have their flagship brews along with seasonals and specialties. They can't be missed

Lucid

Lucid beers are one of the more widely distributed beers out of Minnesota.  This innovative brewery was founded in 2011 by two corporate dudes turned homebrewers, turned business owners. You can find their standard IPA, pale ale, and session beers on tap or in stores across the Midwest.  Tours and growlers are also available at the brewery.

Fulton

Fulton started as four men, a south Minneapolis garage, and a lot of great ideas.  Sweet Child of Vine and Lonely Blonde have become staple brews in the Twin Cities area.  Fulton partners with many community members and local businesses (such as the lovely Peace Coffee), giving their beer meaning with good taste.  They have an outstanding new tap room that offers order-in food from surrounding North Loop restaurants and a rotating food truck schedule.  And, as if they are after my heart, they also serve as a CSA pick-up with Tangletown Garden.  On CSA days they also make growlers available.  Beer and veggies? Yes.  Please.

Flat Earth

Flat Earth is out of St. Paul and they offer quite the selection of beer.  Their five flagship beers can be found several places in the Twin Cities and when the seasons change you could be lucky enough to snag a six-pack of their rotating seasonals.  Tours are often available through out the week so head over and give them a try!

Summit

Summit is a well established brewery in the Twin Cities and one of the first craft breweries in Minnesota.  With their traditional staple, the extra pale ale, and several other regulars and seasonals, Summit has continued their legacy of good beer.  They also offer Friday brewery tours, tastings, and of course, food trucks.

Surly

Surly produces beer in a can for a glass.  Located in Brooklyn Center, Surly has become a well known and sought after brand.  With their Furious IPA being ever so popular they have contracted kegs to everyone from the Twins Target Field to Zorbaz of greater Minnesota.  They have a great new tap room, the ever famous food trucks, and highly recommended tours.  Surly is a Minnesota must.






















Name: Dain Clausen 

Location: Saint Louis Park, MN 

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: One of Whitney's best friends from college. 

Favorite Beer: Day Tripper: Indeed Brewing Co. Minneapolis, MN American Pale Ale 

How were you introduced to this beer?  I was introduced at the brewery's tap room! 

Why is it your favorite? Fell in love with the hops and crisp flavor, as well as the fact its a local. Always happy to support the local beer scene in MN. 

What do you like to have with this beer? Anything from the food truck outside.

What is your favorite watering hole? My favorite watering hole could be any of the local tap rooms, you can't beat the atmosphere and the food truck parked outside!

Name: Joy Ebel

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: One of Bethany's best friends. 

Location: Rochester, NY

Favorite Beer: Omission, Lager

How were you introduced to this beer? I love beer. Like seriously really love everything about it, but due to some recent health issues I have (begrudgingly) gone gluten free. This is a big problem for an avid beer drinker. I was seriously disappointed after I tried a few gluten free beers (just didn't cut it for me). I didn't recognize the name when I saw a six pack of Omission sitting in the gluten free section of our local grocery store. I thought I would give it a try and that I’m glad I did. 

Why is it your favorite? It tastes so close ti the yummy, gluten filled, hand crafted beers I am used to drinking. Honestly, it wouldn't be my first choice if I wasn’t gluten free, but it is a fantastic and satisfying stand in.

What food do you like to have with this beer? After an active and fun day off today I enjoyed it with a fresh salad and some rice chips and hummus. Perfect summer meal!

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? The Old Toad is my tried and true favorite Rochester place to hang and drink. It has such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They have a huge selection of beers and are always switching up what they have on tap. They carry local beer and have great food! Not to mention all of their servers and bartenders are so lovely.

Name: Peter Driessen 

Location: St Anthony Village, MN 

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Bethany's cousin. 

Favorite Beer: Right now? Bad Axe Imperial IPA, although it's a pretty fluid decision. 

How were you introduced to this beer? My dad, Jim Driessen, is a huge beer fan. He started drinking Summit Extra Pale Ale when I was young, and gradually moved on to bigger, hoppier beers. His love of hops was passed down to me, and we love exploring new beer styles and new beers and breweries together. 

Why is it your favorite? I love hops. Hops on hops on hops! 

What food do you like to have with this beer? An IPA is great with a good greasy pizza, but I love them with a Juicy Lucy as well. Many people love to pair IPA's with spicy foods, but I'm a wimp so it's not for me. 

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? I would have to go with the Groveland Tap in St Paul. It is a small, local place with an amazing beer selection. The atmosphere is very laid back, as a neighborhood bar should be, and the happy hour can't be beat. Also, it is close to the University of St Thomas, so there's a pretty big nostalgia factor for me. GO THERE NOW

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Name: Stephanie Driessen 

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Bethany's cousin-in-law. 

Location: St. Anthony, MN 

Favorite Beer: Guinness Draught (in Ireland) or Summit Oatmeal Stout 

How were you introduced to this beer? I studied abroad in Ireland my senior year of college. I had just met this great guy 3 months before I left and prior to leaving he told me I HAD to have Guinness in Ireland. So I did. It was unbelievably wonderful! The Summit Oatmeal Stout was what I replaced Guinness with in college when I returned. Needless to say I ended up marrying that great guy and I can't wait to enjoy a Guinness with him in Ireland someday.

Why is it your favorite? It is smooth, rich and bold tasting, much like two of my other favorite vices: coffee and chocolate. AND, the cool thing about Guinness is it is only 96 calories per pint which makes it one of the "healthier" beers you can drink that doesn't taste like water. "Guinness for your health." Not just a clever slogan!

What food do you like to have with this beer? Beef or a hearty stew. Also fabulous with chocolate cake or a chocolate/hot fudge ice cream sundae.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Groveland Tap in St. Paul. Great late night happy hour, they always have Summit Oatmeal Stout on tap and they know how to properly pour a pint of Guinness. It also brings back fond memories of my late college years with my best friends and Peter.

{BEER WEEK} Wheat Beer

Wheat Beer

The Gist
It is what it is, beer brewed with wheat in addition to barely. Simple as that.

Need to Know
Wheat beers are typically top fermented.  German wheat beers are called "weizen".  Wheat beers are cloudy in appearance and often pick up flavors of banana and orange depending on the type of wheat used.  This is a light and refreshing beer, typically consumed in spring and summer.

Types
Weizenbier, Hefeweizen, Kristallweizen, Weizenbock, Witbier, and Sour Beer.

Name: Adam Sattler

Location: Mankato, MN

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Whitney's bud.

Favorite Beer: O’dell IPA

How were you introduced to this beer? I’m a big fan of IPAs, and O’dell’s is one of the few that Mankato bars have on tap consistently. Tried it one fateful night and never looked back.

Why is it your favorite? It’s got the right amount of hop (60 IBUs)- not too bitter, but enough so you know it’s there. Also, I love citrusy IPAs and O’dell kills it in this category. And finally, at 7.0% ABV you don’t have to drink much to get a good buzz;)

What food do you like to have with this beer? Haven’t done much serious beer/food pairing, to be honest. I’m currently ballin’ on a budget and it goes well with most things on my menu- pizza, burgers… ramen noodles.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Time for a little shameless family business promotion. My dad, Todd Sattler and his partner, Mike Frolich started a brewpub in my hometown, Bismarck, ND this past fall. Laughing Sun Brewing Company is one of just two (?) brewpubs in North Dakota and Bismarck's first. They’ve got a bunch of awesome brews, including Feast Like a Sultan IPA (my personal fav), and it's a hotspot for music entertainment. They're also doing a residency for local artists, so it's great for the local scene. Really proud of these guys and what they're doing for Bismarck.

As far as 'local' watering holes go, I'm a huge fan of Indeed, Dangerous Man, and Fulton- all three are awesome brewpubs located in Minneapolis.

Name: Andy Kaul

Location: Minneapolis

Favorite Beer: (right now) Rocky's Revenge Bourbon Brown by Tyranena Brewery in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Bethany's friend.

How were you introduced to this beer? I first tried this beer after receiving a recommendation from the bartender at George & the Dragon.

Why is it your favorite? I have drunk this beer in the dead of winter with red meat, and in the heat of summer. I've had it with red meat and potatoes, and I've had it with a salad. Every time it is equally refreshing, balanced, and flavorful.

What food do you like to have with this beer? The best meal I've had with this beer was a braised beef rib. It was a meal that you can have about three times a year before your self-esteem really starts to tank. 

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? I've been frequenting George & the Dragon in South Minneapolis for the last year or so. It's an English-style pub with incredible food, knowledgable and friendly staff, and a really great tap selection. Like actual English pubs, they offer half-pints of their draft beers which is perfect for a night cap or with a heavy dinner. They serve homemade chocolate chip cookies and whole milk. Need I say more? The fact that it's five blocks from our home doesn't hurt either.

{BEER WEEK} Stout

Stout

The Gist
Stout is a dark beer that is made with roasted barely or hops and often has a high alcohol by volume.

Need to Know
Stout become a description for strong porters and the term quickly took over to represent most porters. The only difference between stouts and porters is argued to be strength.  After WWI stouts became popular as a part of rations in Europe because they contained a lot of calories and, depending on how they were brewed, several essential nutrients.  Guinness even advised that pregnant and nursing women should have a pint a day.

Types 
Baltic Porter, Dry or Irish, Imperial, Milk, Oatmeal, Chocolate, Coffee, and Oyster

Name: Ross Bruggink

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Friend of Bethany

Favorite Beer: Left Hand Milk Stout. On tap is the best, it pours perfectly smooth and creamy!

Why is it your favorite? It's the first stout I've had on tap and I couldn't believe beer could taste so smooth and sweet. I drink it the most in the winter. 

What food do you like to have with this beer?  Well....Cheese curds. Fried. You go all in.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Probably Republic at the moment, it has a great patio and beer selection, not to mention a friendly staff!

Name: Patric J. Driessen

Location: The Twin Cites, MN

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Bethany's Cousin

Favorite Beer: Surly Darkness

How were you introduced to this beer?  I was introduced after attending the release party called Darkness Day at the brewery. We waited outside in line for two hours to get our hands on some of it.

Why is it your favorite? It's my favorite because its extremely delicious. Russian Imperial Stouts re one of my favorite styles, with their signature roasty, chocolatey, and bourbon boozy flavors.

What food do you like to have with this beer? This beer is great with desserts like chocolate cake, but can really be enjoyed by itself as a desset.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why?  My favorite place to enjoy a beer is the Groveland Tap in St. Paul, MN.

/// Patric has a blog dedicated to just BEER called Alcohobby! You should check it out HERE. ///

Name: Andy Haugan

Location: Egan, MN

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Bethany's second oldest brother.

Favorite Beer: My favorite MN beer is Summit EPA

How were you introduced to this beer? It's a Minnesotans beer drinkers tradition if you're drinking at a bar you're drinking this, so I was introduced by the state of Minnesota.

Why is it your favorite? It's not a cheap beer or light beer, it has good flavor and I like that I can taste the hops in it.

What food do you like to have with this beer? Steak! On the grill, and I'm drinking it while I'm grilling.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Sweeny's Saloon in St. Paul, because they sponsor my softball team and it has a great atmosphere and great beers on tap.

Name: Maggie and Roger 

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona 

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Maggie is Whitney's cousin and Roger seems to like Maggie a lot. 

Favorite Beer: Lagunitas IPA  

How were you introduced to this beer? At a Whole Foods Market Lagunitas beer tasting.

Why is it your favorite? Looove the hops! Anything by Lagunitas is delish... but this IPA is our favorite. 

What food do you like to have with this beer? Good thirst quencher all by itself. But also great with some Whirley Pop Kettle Corn - Tossed by #1 Whirley Popper: Roger Trousdale.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Whole Foods Market - Northside Bar. Amazing taps that rotate daily, tasting flights, knowledgeable bartenders, and you can grocery shop with your beer.

{BEER WEEK} Lager

Lager

The Gist
Lager is fermented and conditioned at low temperatures and is the style of beer most consumed around the world.

Need to Know
History and geography together show that breweries around the world were placed near mountains and streams for the cooling process that caves and springs provided.  Even before modern refrigeration- dating back to 1865, lager out did ales in production.  The difference only increased with the invention of refrigeration tanks.  While lagers are the most popular in the beer consumer market they are not that popular in homebrewing as they require large scale and long-term refrigeration, which can be costly on the average homebrewer.

Types
Bock, Pilsner, Marzen, Dunkel, Fruit, and Schwarzbier.

Name: Philip Haugan

Location: Prescott Valley, AZ

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Bethany's youngest big brother. 

Favorite Beer: Summit EPA

How were you introduced to this beer? I probably had one for the first time at a Twins baseball game.

Why is it your favorite? It is my favorite for a couple reasons, one it is brewed in St. Paul MN so I have some home town pride. It also has a great flavor with just enough hops to give it a bite but it is not overbearing.

What food do you like to have with this beer? Summit's EPA is great with anything on the grill. It's good while grilling and even better at the dinner table.

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? In Prescott there is a place called Celts Pub, good food and live music is why I like to go.

Name: Phylicia Christian

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: One of Beth and Whit's best friends and partners in crime from high school. 

Favorite Beer: I feel like I have betrayed 10 of my other favorite beers by choosing just ONE, but I have decided on Engine 15’s Doolittle Saison (runner’s up included Fitger’s Apricot Wheat in Duluth, or Southern Tier’s Pumpking from New York).

How were you introduced to this beer? My husband, Jeremiah, and I have been frequenting a local Brewery called Engine 15 ever since we moved to Jacksonville. When we first started going, they had about 5 core brews on tap, but since then they have come out with a LOT of new beers. I first tried the Doolittle Saison a few months ago and fell in love.

Why is it your favorite? My first beer love was Leinenkugles Sunset Wheat. Although I have grown to enjoy hoppy, bitter beers, I still prefer a sweeter finish. It’s light, but still has complex flavor. The Doolittle Saison starts off sweet, creamy, cloudy, and has a subtle hop flavor with a clean, crisp finish. The beer is SUPER easy to drink, but you have to be careful because of it’s high alcohol percentage – 8.5%

What food do you like to have with this beer? Let’s be honest…I’ll eat anything

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Engine 15 is my favorite local bar. It’s a small place with a cozy atmosphere. They have small, yet delicious menu (their flatbreads are the best!). But, I think my favorite thing about the bar is Herb and Nola. They are a sweet elderly couple who spend happy hour there every day. I had a delightful conversation with Herb about his wife once. She made the executive decision to switch tables, and he looked at me and said “Have you ever heard that song 'Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets?' Well, that’s like my wife, only her name in Nola.” I was ecstatic because I DID know that old musical theater tune from “Damn Yankees”.  If you follow this link, there is a picture of Herb and Nola on Engine 15’s Facebook from Oktoberfest last year. It’s not the best picture, but I thought it would be fun to share!

Herb and Nola inspire me to grow old with my husband, Jeremiah, and drink delicious brews every day from 4:00-7:00. Cheers!

Name: Jesse Ziegler 

Location: Navarre, FL 

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: Whitney's big brother. Technically he is an in-law but he's been around too long to notice. Jesse was photo bombed by his daughter, the lovely Solveig Grace.  

Favorite Beer: Wild Blue Blueberry Lager 

How were you introduced to this beer? I don't really know. Sam Adams Cherry Wheat used to rank at the top of my list, and somewhere along the line I figured I should try Sweetwater Blue since it was another beer with fruit in it. That was pretty good, but then came along Wild Blue, and the rest is history. 

Why is it your favorite? Wild Blue is my favorite because it has a strong blueberry flavor to it, it goes well with everything and nothing, and it is 8% alcohol by volume. Some people give me grief because my beer has fruit in it, but they respect it when I point out that it is 8%. I drink what tastes good, and Wild Blue tastes great! 

What food do you like to have with this beer? Honestly, it is a good sipping beer. I like to have Wild Blue with good company, or around the grill, or while watching a movie. It goes well with all your traditional 'beer foods:' burgers/brats, chips & dip, steak, chicken... 

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? I'd have to recommend County Line Pizza as my favorite watering hole. They make great pizza, including the only good deep dish around (get the Cheese Overload Deep Dish!), but you can also drink from a vast array of choice beverages. They have 5 or 6 on tap, including your standard bar fare but also a few classier beers, but their real money is in the bottles. Their list is huge! I find its a nice place to try new beers. The bar itself does a good job of mixing restaurant and bar - you can take your kid there and not feel out of place, but you can go out with your friends and have a good time as well.

Name: Joe Carlson
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Relation to The Twenty-Something's Table: A friend of Whitney's from college and an avid follower of the blog. 

Favorite Beer: Leffe Blonde

How were you introduced to this beer? Total luck! I was trying out new beers at the Uptown Bulldog in Minneapolis. Found the Leffe Blonde and I fell in love!

Why is it your favorite? I have recently been really into lighter, easy to drink beers and the Leffe Blonde fits the bill perfectly. I feel refreshed, but not at the expense of an overly sweet beer. It's bitter, but finishes with a light and simple sweetness. I appreciate how the bitterness complements the fruits and spices in the mix. This is a beer that's perfect for anytime of year.  The color of the beer is also very appetizing, its a sunny, golden color, which makes the Blonde easy to spot from across the bar. There are no other beers that glow as brightly!

Leffe Blonde is kind of hard to find, but if a bar serves it, I get it! I prefer the tap as the head is better and it generally tastes smoother.

What food do you like to have with this beer? I'm not one to generally be concerened with food pairing with drinks, but a hearty sandwich with fresh veggies would taste great with a Leffe Blonde!

What is your favorite local watering hole and why? Liquor Lyle's It is the quintessential, perfect neighborhood bar. 70's red vinyl booths, perfect oval bar, backroom full of games, and a awesome jukebox!

Whenever I go to Liquor Lyles, I am reminded of Playboy magazines definition of a dive bar:

"A church for down-and-outers and those who romanticize them, a rare place where high and low rub elbows—bums and poets, thieves and slumming celebrities. It’s a place that wears its history proudly."

Liquor Lyle's has a never ending happy hour. Two for ones every night, including (Friday and Saturday Nights!). The service is great, and the food is about what you expect from a dive bar.