GABF 2010 #7 - Food sessions with @HomebrewChef, @dogfishbeer, @alaskabrewing, @averybrewing, @mauibrewingco

Here's some snapshots of the food sessions I attended.   First up are photos from the Exotic Wood Aged Beers and the Foods that Love them session.  Presenters for this session were Sam Calagione (@dogfishbeer) and Sean Paxton (@homebrewchef).  I have to say, Sam and Sean certainly had chemistry and rhythm on that stage.  Sam was whipping out the naughty language ("I had wood when I saw you"), and Sean was whipping out with the tasty food.  Needless to say, this was a very entertaining session.  The theme of the session was cooking with wood-aged beers.  Sean went over some cooking with beer basics such as making a brine, grilling, and selecting the beer.  Smoked duck breast with a Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron sauce over roasted yam puree and Dogfish Head Burton Baton Brined chicken breasts cooked on a wood plank were served to the hungry attendees. Both dishes were extremely flavorful and tender.   Sean on the left, Wood in the Center, and Sam on the right.  Here's the absolutely delicious duck breast.  Photo by John Knox. A photo with Sean (@homebrewchef). Photo with Sam. Here's a photo of Hosea Rosenberg the Season 5 Top Top Chef winner and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing.  Hosea's latest venture is a food truck called StrEAT. And here's a photo of Alaskan Brewing's Curtis Holms and Maui Brewing's Garrett Marrero at their Fire and Ice Session.  Though both of these breweries are on the far opposite corners (Juneau, Alaska and Maui) , they both faced the same issues.  Shared issues for both breweries are lack of easy transport and physical distance to other breweries.  I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try either breweries' special beers: Alaskan Brewing barrel aged smoked porter and Maui Brewing coconut porter.  I'm told that the coconut porter tasted like an Mound Almond Joy.  I'll be sure to jump into their lines earlier next year.

Great American Beer Fest #9: Schmaltz Brewery and Rogue Ales

I was waiting on some information before I finished writing up my GABF posts. I have it in my email box, so let's finish up the last of GABF 2009!

Here's some photos from the Schmaltz Brewery and Food pairing. Four delicious beers were paired with some delicious meats. One of the meats was a tongue of sorts, I think. At least that's what I was told. One of the meats was a hot dog - made with Kobe beef. It was the first hot dog I've eaten in over a decade, and I'm glad that it was good. No need to break my hot dog boycott for a mediocre hot dog. It was awesome.

Cooking before the show begins.

And what's beer without a joyful toast?

Here's some photos from the Rogue Ale Chocolate and Beer pairing session.  Chocolate and beer are becoming a popular pairing, and it's easy to see why.  The roasty chocolate beers pair well with sweet chocolate.  I have some plans in mind for a Rogue Ale Chocolate Stout Lava cake served with a creme brandy sauce.  Stay tuned for that.  Following photos by John Knox.

Sebbie explains the beers.

Chocolate and Beer with Sebbie.  There's a reason why I'm so giddy!

Hanging with @TheArtofBeer. 

Chatting with @Homebrewchef