Shock Top's Lemon Shandy - A Refreshing Beer for Summer

It's the third week of Cocktail Month for me over at the Southeast Valley Ledger and I'm here to tell you about a beer that caught my eye the other day.  I do enjoy a nice cold bottle of Shock Top Belgian White from time to time - but I saw a seasonal of theirs that peaked my interest.  Shock Top's Lemon Shandy was sitting right there waiting for me to purchase.  I was a tad skeptical, so stuck with buying a 6 pack instead of a 12 pack.

After bringing it home and making sure it was perfectly chilled, I thought it would be kinda summery to drink it out of a mason jar with a lemon slice as a garnish.

It is a wheat beer, which I like, with a touch of lemon flavor.  It wasn't bad!  The Lemon Shandy was refreshing and smooth to the palate.  An enjoyable beer; perfect for summer.  Shock Top is owned and operated by Anheuser Busch and offers both year-round and seasonal beers.  The Lemon Shandy is decent - I would suggest giving it a taste this summer!

San Tan Brewing Company's Mr. Pineapple

I featured this beer in a recent column for the Southeast Valley Ledger and wanted to make sure I had a placeholder on the blog for it as well, it is delicious.  And what a great gift for a dad who loves beer this Father's Day!

Have you tried this tasty wheat beer yet?  If not, you need to!  San Tan Brewing Company's Mr. Pineapple is one of their seasonal beers and this year it is available in a can - perfect for summer, and I mean PERFECT.

I was skeptical at first, it sounded like it was going to be sweet, just based on the name, but I was wrong.  I should know better than to judge a book by its cover.  This is a delicious German Wheat Ale that was the winner of a silver medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival competition.  I am completely sold on this can't wait to buy more to enjoy this summer.  You can visit www.santanbrewery.com and go to their "beers" menu to find out where you can buy Mr. Pineapple this season.

Speaking of which, if you haven't been to the San Tan Brewing Company yet, I'd highly recommend it.  They have delicious food and lots of yummy beers to taste.  They are located in Downtown Chandler at 8 South San Marcos Place.  They even have a pretty decent "Lil Brewer's" menu for the kids too, that always makes me happy!

Give Mr. Pineapple a try this summer, maybe even for Father's Day - I'd love to hear your feedback!  Please leave a comment here on my site or on my Facebook page at The Bubbly Hostess Facebook Page.

Cheers to my dad this Father's Day and to many more!

Candy, Cupcakes, and Beer | Photographed & Styled by Gretchen Wakeman Photography

This post is just a tad later than the actual event.....I just realized I still had it sitting in draft mode, what is wrong with me? This party was amazing!

My friend...and neighbor, Gretchen recently styled and hosted a birthday party for her little girl who was turning the big ONE! I was pretty excited when I received the invitation telling us this was going to be a birthday happy hour. The invitation read that the birthday girl's favorite things included: after-nap playtime + bottle + snack....which = happy hour!

Beer and cupcakes were served and a candy bar was available for the kids to attack and fill up their goodie bags with delicious treats. We also enjoyed chips, salsa, chicken burritos, rice, and beans as part of our happy hour.

There was a batch of lemonade for the kids and of course a tub of beer on ice for the adults. I brought a bottle of Wilson Creek Almond Champagne for my friend - one of her favorites. She was so excited she added it to the beer tub and enjoyed during the party. Oh, and I can't forget the chocolate fountain complete with pound cake, fruit, and marshmallows. This was the appetizer for the kids....at least, that's how they understood it!

Gretchen's mom made the gorgeous smash cake for her granddaughter....unfortunately, the birthday girl wanted nothing to do with it. Couldn't even get her to dive into one of those beautiful cupcakes made by my friend. The one year old did manage to eat several of the Oreo pops!

What are 5 year old big sisters for? Well, they are there to hug you when you don't want to have your cake and eat it too.....they are also there to set up an impromptu craft table for your party guests after the cupcakes are consumed and gifts are opened. They are available to walk around offering various treats from the candy bar to your guests throughout the party. It was so cute - and tough to resist her generosity. I never had a big sister - they seem pretty cool! I do have a sister-in-law who is older and have considered her MY big sister for the past 16+ years, she's awesome! This 5 year old is definitely a hostess in the making - her mom sets a great example.

I have included a few photos from the candy bar courtesy of Gretchen below - you'll have to check out her blog to see the rest. I took the photo of the wrapped gift and wanted to share, since we knew there was going to be a candy bar ahead of time, I topped off the packaging with a giant Whirly Pop in hopes that her mom will get some great photos of her with it. I love adding a little something extra to the top of a gift.

I wanted to include this party on my blog to give you more ideas for a great event! Enjoy the photos and get inspired!



photo & styling by www.gretchenwakeman.com

photo & styling by www.gretchenwakeman.com

photo & styling by www.gretchenwakeman.com



special touch tied into ribbon for birthday girl

 

Beergaritas

This year for Cinco de Mayo I wanted to focus on a couple of cocktails....no Mexican food on the blog this year for the big event...definitely next year!  Along with the Michelada I posted, this pitcher of Beergaritas had to make the blog as well.

A super easy drink to make and a crowd pleaser!  After serving to the hubby and a couple of close friends, I saw happy faces all around.  Give these a try and please leave me feedback as to what you think.  Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Beergaritas
Makes 1 pitcher

12 oz frozen lime concentrate
36 oz Corona Light Beer
6 oz silver Tequila
2 oz Grand Marnier
Juice of 2 limes (plus additional lime for garnish)
Ice
Course salt
Lime and orange slices for garnish

In a large pitcher, add the frozen lime concentrate and slowly add the 3 beers.  Stir until combined.  Next, add the Tequila, Grand Marnier, and juice from 2 limes.   Stir again.

Cut the third lime into slices for your garnish and cut part of the lime into a wedge.  Take your lime wedge and run it around the rim of your glasses.  Dip the rims of your glasses into a plate of course salt to coat. 

Fill each glass with lots of ice, pour Beergarita into glass, garnish, and serve.

Michelada

Yum.  I love a good, cold Mexican beer with tons of limes.....and with summer approaching, such a refreshing drink.   This recipe calls for Maggi which is a dark liquid seasoning that is similar to soy sauce but doesn't contain soy.  You should be able to find it in the Asian or Latin section of the grocery store or at a specialty market.  If you can't find it, soy sauce can be substituted.

Make sure you check out the Chelada I made and posted on the blog too, that's another tasty treat. 

Michelada
Makes 1 drink

1 Negro Modelo
Course salt
1 lime, cut into wedges
2-3 dashes hot sauce
2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2-3 dashes Maggi seasoning sauce (or soy sauce can be used)
Ice

Run one of the lime wedges around the rim of a chilled glass.  Dip the rim into the salt to coat.  Fill the glass with ice.  Squeeze all but one of the lime wedges into the glass and drop in.  Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi sauce.  Top with Negro Modelo, stir, and garnish with remaining lime wedge.