Drink of the Month: Michelada

With Summer winding-down I am moving on from the citrus cocktails of summer and into fall-spiced ones.  But, Texas is still hot, so I can't help but crave Micheladas.  

A Michelada is the product of a beer that married a bloody mary.....but so much better.  With a small addition of bloody mary mix, lime juice, worcheshire, and hot sauce, it gives the beer a tang and a kick.  

Served over ice, a Michelada is refreshing, spicy, and too easy to chug within two minutes of making it.  

Michelada, serves one

• 12oz beer, preferably a Kolsch, Lager, or Mexican Lager 
• 2oz Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
• 1oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz worcheshire
• 1/2 oz hot sauce 
• ice
• garnish: lime wedge

The Collective Brewing Project: Your Craft Beer Hangout

I have been awaiting this post for a very long time now.  Aside from having a baby on the way, the husband and myself have been quite preoccupied the past few years with The Collective Brewing Project.  

Back in 2012 the hubs, Ryan, and one of our best friends, Mike, decided to open a brewery.  Three years later that idea is a reality; a brewery and taproom in the Near Southside district of Fort Worth known as The Collective Brewing Project. 

It was a long process to go from an idea to an actual working facility, but we have officially been open over six months now and business is booming.  

The Building

We didn't want just another warehouse brewery like most Texas breweries are; we wanted a unique space that was comfortable year-round (thank you air conditioning) with a fun vibe.   Being a taproom in addition to a brewery we needed a space that was inviting, a place that you could bring the family to and enjoy a cold beer at.    

After nearly a year of looking for the perfect space we found it in the Near Southside District of Fort Worth, just a few blocks South of downtown and North of Magnolia.  The building was built in the 1920's, which we loved, and has a history of being a paper mill, a church, a tannery, and more.  

The space had been sitting empty for a few decades so it was a mess when we found it.  We spent the long hot summer of 2014 renovating the space by ourselves, which was not easy.  We destroyed, built, and re-modeled the 4,700 square foot building. 

The bar was meticulously built from the ground-up using a combination of steel, metal, and old ship-lap, that we re-purposed from a closet within the building.  The exposed brick walls were cleaned-up and all the old broken windows were replaced.  

As you enter the building you find yourself in the taproom; bar to the left and plenty of seating ranging from handmade high top tables to stained picnic tables.  Edison bulbs hang from industrial cords wrapped around wooden beams, the taproom wall is covered in a selection of beers handwritten on chalkboards, and string lights lace in and out of the exposed ceiling beams and air ducts.  

As you walk past the taproom you are greeted by the brew-house, where the magic happens.  The walls are lined in beautiful stainless steel tanks and dozens of re-purposed barrels, housing fermenting beer (Please Don't Touch Our Bungholes).  Complete with a puppy friendly patio out back, it is the perfect taproom/brewery for the neighborhood.

The Beer

The reason to have a brewery in the first place...the beer.  My husband Ryan, the head brewer, makes some of the best beer I have ever had.  No, I am not saying that because I am biased, I truly believe it.  His beer is damn good!  

We have three 'beer concepts' at The CBP, Standard Pours, Taproom Projects, and a Funkytown Series.  

The Standard Pours are our everyday beers that started us off.  We most always have our Mustache Rye'd Rye Porter, Tropic Thunder Green Tea Saison, and Pale Galaxy Session IPA.  Other Standard Pours at times have been our Apes in Space Apricot IPA and Fantastikolsch.  

As we move into the Taproom Projects we get a little bit more creative and selective.  These are our experimental beers that are brewed for a one-time limited edition release, or brewed multiple times because of overwhelming demand.  Our Brown IPA has made its way onto the projects board more than once.  We have also offered beers such as the Citra Citrus Elderflower Wheat, Mr. Green Pale Ale, and What's the Angle of Your Galangal?  Thai Spiced Wit.  

The Funkytown Series is what we have made our mark on the town with.  Making a name for Sour beer in the DFW Metroplex, the Funkytown Series is all about wild yeast, brettanomoyces, and barrel fermentation.   Our Petite Golden Sour is our most popular beer; both at the taproom and in local beer watering holes around DFW.  Our most recent 'baby' is our Sour Red aged in Cabernet Barrels, as well as our Farmhouse Belma Brett Saison Dry-Hopped with Belma.  These beers are very limited and AMAZING. 

Ryan and Mike (with a little bit of me) have been friends for over twenty years and share a love for craft beer.  What they have created in the heart of Fort Worth is a craft beer experience like no other.  They have put their blood, sweat, and tears into The Collective Brewing Project, and it does not go unnoticed the second you take a step into the taproom or a cold CBP beer touches your lips.  

With the help of Ben, our cellarman, as well as an amazing taproom staff of friends, The Collective Brewing Project is a brewery that will long indulge craft beer lovers. 

Come out to the taproom for a few beers with friends or family, or even by yourself, and enjoy the atmosphere.  Whether you want to sit at the bar and strike-up a conversation with the bartenders about our Crowler machine, play a round of giant jenga with your best friend, or sit on the patio with a few half pints and a bag of kettle chips, The CBP is a great hangout.  

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Follow The CBP on facebook, twitter, and instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest events including:

Trivia Night

Yoga & Beer

Live Music and Food Trucks

Festivals

Bikes- Beer- Donuts- Coffee

#funkytownbeer 

Road Tripping: Rocky Mountain Vacation

This summer was the first vacation the hubs and I have taken in years, and it was wonderful and relaxing.  It was actually a family vacation with my side of the family, and that was the first we had been on.  We were to be renting a cabin in Durango, Colorado for three glorious days, the downfall, the 14 hour drive there, and the 14 hour drive home, with just a three day break.

The Journey

We were packed and ready to leave the night before, the car was loaded, breakfast and lunch for the drive was prepared, and my GPS was programmed.  We were beyond ready to get the drive started so it would be over quickly.  I knew the drive was going to be long and ugly, but I didn't realize that 13 of the 14 hours were ugly.  My butt was so numb, I swear it was bruised.

Sadly, with all the excitement and planning, the drive didn't exactly go as planned.  It started with me getting a speeding ticket about 20 minutes outside of town, wah-wahn.  Then we had to throw away all the food I prepared for breakfast and lunch, because the ice in the cooler melted into it and it became a soggy mess.  My asthma was also acting up for about six hours of the drive because of the constant change in altitude.  Haha.  Of course I forgot about it all once we finally reached the cabin that night.

The Cabin

It was beautiful, more than I expected.  The cabin was nestled about 25 minutes outside of downtown Durango in the valley.  It was in this adorable dirt road "neigborhood" of about 10 homes.  Completely surrounded by trees and a peaceful stream, we slept with our windows open every night; falling asleep to the sound of the mountains.  We even had a cat adopt us while we were there.  Sipping coffee in the mornings, and wine in the evenings on the back patio with Mr. Pinecone Kitty, was the greatest thing about the entire trip.  I didn't think it was possible for my body to be so relaxed.

Morning Hike

The first morning we were there, we slept in of course because of the drive, but after coffee and breakfast we took a nice family hike up the side of the hill the cabin was on.  An uphill two mile hike to overlook the tips of the trees in the morning was the perfect way to start vacation.  

Downtown Durango

The drive to downtown is a quick one, and it is so charming.  Not overcrowded with the perfect mix of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.  We walked around town a few times.  The best part was our one dinner out at Elous.  Elous is THE rooftop restaurant in Durango; the view, the food, the service was impeccable.  

Whitewater Rafting

I have always wanted to go White Water Rafting, but in all my years of growing up in Colorado I never got to.  The rafting trips fill-up fast so we had to take the only place in town with four spots open for us 'kids'.  We had a lot of fun, but I do wish the rapids would have been more challenging.  The most exciting part was when our fearless leader lost his oar twice and we had to go on a rescue mission for it, right before the biggest rapid of our trip.  I didn't fall in the freezing cold water, so it was a success.  

Mesa Verde National Park

Do you remember going to Mesa Verde as a kid?  I do.  However, it was different from what I remembered.  It was neat being able to visit a place that held a childhood memory of mine.  The drive was a long one; an hour from Durango to the park entrance, and another hour up the mountain.  With two strollers, those things are hard to push on sharp inclines, we went to Spruce Tree House.  The Indian Cliff Dwellings are beautiful, but I wish we could have crawled around in them.  Oh well, I guess they will just have to stay preserved for future generations.  

The Beer 

Well of course the hubs and myself had to visit all of the breweries/brewpubs in Durango.  I had a plethora of tiny beers from Ska, to Steamworks, to Carver, and beyond.  My favorite brews were those from Carver, the hubs was Ska.  

The Evenings

The evenings were perfect.  Sunset hikes (yes, that is bear paw print) followed by dinner on the cabin patio with a glass of wine in hand, was an entirely new level of relaxing.  The last night we were there the hubs fed sticks into our fire pit while we talked and told stories.  It was complete with S'mores, the best S'mores I have ever had. 

Trail Hike

The last day we were in Durango us 'kids' took a trail hike a few miles down the road.  We accidentally veered off the trail but we saw a family of gobbling turkeys and a few deer along our path.  

 The Family

I have to admit I did not take as many pictures as I wanted to, this is the only one I have of the gang (the babies were in bed).  I love family vacations.  

I'll be seeing you Durango...

Backyard Dinner Party

With all of our friends at the stage in their life where babies are popping-out left and right, it has become nearly impossible finding time to see each other.  Friends that we once saw a few days a week for years, have now become friends that we try our best to see every month or two.  It has been a hard transition, but so exciting at the same time. 

In an attempt to reunite with our wonderful friends the husband and myself decided to throw a casual dinner party in the backyard.  

I started planning two weeks in advance when I sent out the invite and got all 'yes' replies; I was so excited.  I knew it needed the look of a nice dinner party, but be comfortable, casual, and baby friendly at the same time.  I set-up a long table in the backyard and covered it with a simple tablecloth.  To create a 'runner' I used citronella candles (darn bugs) and beer/wine bottles as vases.  

My absolute favorite part was creating the menu cards.  A simple project of hand-writing the menu on miniature brown paper bags, and using laundry clips to attach them to napkins.  Not only was it cute, but it kept the menu and napkin from blowing away in the wind.  

As far as the menu went, most of it turned-out great.  I was going with simple dishes with sophisticated twists, and that would be nice in the hot weather (high 90's that evening).  I prepared everything a day in advance so I could hang out and participate in conversation; instead of being in the kitchen the entire time.  All I had to do was assemble plates as the night progressed and everything was ready to be served. 

• Sweet Corn Gazpacho
• Lemon Vinaigrette Salad with Shrimp
• Fig Jam & Arugula Pizza with Chicken Sausage
• S'mores Banana Ice Cream Pop

Starting the night with a cold soup was very refreshing, however the kick of Cayenne in the soup could have been toned down a notch, my mouth was on fire.  Thank goodness for wine to wash it down with.  My favorite course was actually the salad.  The Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette is a favorite of mine that I make quite often this Summer, and the addition of the shrimp, avocado, and parmesan created the perfect bite.   While my handmade-by-me pizza dough turned out perfect, the pizza, or should I say flatbread, was a little on the sweet side. Next time I will use less jam and add more cheese and sausage.  Oh, and of course the caramelized onions, yum.  The dish that I was most excited about was oh so good, however the 'popsicle' turned into ice cream in a bowl because it didn't exactly set in the mold.  Wine to the rescue again. 

Overall it was a successful, fun, and relaxing evening.  I wish our friends could have stayed longer, but babies had to be put to bed after all. 

Backyard dinner parties...fun to plan...easy to put together...a great way to spend time with friends.  

I cherish my friends dearly and wait anxiously for another dinner party, but until then, wine...more wine.  

Styling for a Texas 4th of July

Here in Texas we are proud of our booming craft beer scene, and our state of course, so when I found a Texas Beer tank I jumped on buying it.  Lucky for me it was red, so not my color, but perfect for the 4th of July. 

 Every year for the 4th of July I make sure I wear my red, white, and blue outfit.  Typically I go for a dress and/or shorts and cute top combination, this year, being in the process of opening a brewery, I knew my awesome new tank was the winner.  

To dress the tank up a bit I wore it with my black maxi skirt...love, love, love...and added accents of gold accessories.  I thought the final masterpiece was perfect.  

I love how the maxi skirt took a simple printed tank and turned it into a unique dressier outfit.  Previously I had paired the tank with a pair of navy blue shorts and my corral cowboy boots.  I loved that look just as much, it was kind of the more relaxed and laid-back 4th of July outfit. 

Now go grab a beer and... 

Happy Independence Day!  

Drink of the Week #4: Bitter White

I love beer and now it's being used in cocktails.  

 

Beer in a cocktail takes on a whole new dimension in the cocktail world.  Think about it, we love adding a splash of champagne or soda water to a drink to  make it a little more refreshing and bubbly, well guess what?  Beer does the same thing and adds a layer of flavor to boot.  

Beer is a complex creature, more complex than any wine or hard liquor on the market.  From the steps involved in the brewing process, to the array of ingredient that could be used, to the styles of beer available...the world is your oyster when it comes to a 'beer cocktail.'  

 For my Bitter White I chose to use a White IPA(India Pale Ale), which is a slightly bitter beer with a punch of citrus. I personally like White IPA's more because they offer a creamier mouth feel with less of the bitter bite.  Adding citrus and agave to the White IPA created an effervescent citrus sipper with a hint of sweetness and bitter hops.  Yum.  

Bitter White (yields 2 cocktails)

• 2oz Grapefruit Juice (1/2 a grapefruit)
• 2oz Orange Juice (1/2 an orange)
• 1oz Lemon Juice (1 lemon)
• 2oz Vodka
• 1/2oz Agave Nectar
• 1 bottle of Deschutes White IPA 

1. Combine the juices with the vodka and agave nectar.  Shake and strain over ice.  
2. Top with IPA.
3. Drink.

 

I see more 'beer cocktails' in my future.

Cheers!