Cold Brew for Cold Feet

Next month will mark the 4th year anniversary with my loving and beautiful wife Anne. Since then, I have developed an obsession with craft beer and she has developed quite the patience and tolerance. Unquestionably, one of the hottest topics that must be dealt with when planning a wedding reception is what alcohol (if any) to serve and how much to buy. Your budget and moral beliefs should play a major role in that decision.

Typically, your caterer will run your bar. Most provide everything from glassware, bartenders, and nonalcoholic drinks to mix with the spirits. What they serve, however, is negotiable; as is the amount you'll spend.

We had an open wine and beer bar at our reception, no liquor. If one goes to a wedding and there is wine being served, the choice most often is simply "red or white." Why can't there be a choice for beer, "ale or lager?" People don't abstain from drinking wine because it's not specifically Caymus or Chateau Guiraud ; they're there for the event, and the occasion, and they're going to drink what's presented to them. Beer is easier to splurge on than wine and will allow for a bit of spark and uniqueness to your reception. Your wedding planner should be versed on beer as much as they are versed on wine, but most aren't.

Ale:
Hoegaarden White Ale 5.28G $80.27
Saint Arnold Elissa IPA 5.18G $80.27
Harpoon IPA 5.29G $71.21
Dogfish Head 120 minute DIPA (21% ABV!) 5.25G $219.99
(Prices and volume found on SpecsOnline.com. Ask your favorite/neighborhood beer retailer about ordering craft kegs.)

Your wedding is probably the biggest party you and your spouse will ever throw, so don't skimp on the beverage selection. Allow your guests to have a great time so they'll dance and stay longer...and refuel to do the 'worm' on the dancefloor.


PS - Rethink about the buying the wedding beer koozie. Nobody wants to stand around at parties, post-reception and drink beer out of a koozie emblazoned with the slogan "Love Is All Around" or "Love Nick and Jessica 4-Ever." A friend of mine, Tyler Coco has quite the affinity for these stubby, personalized insulators with a collection of roughly 30 wedding koozies. Email me pictures of your favorite/hilarious wedding koozie.
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Lone Star
Lone Star Brewing Company
San Antonio, TX
LoneStarBeer.com

Appearance: 2
Smell: 1
Taste: 2
Mouthfeel: 2
Drinkability: 3
Overall = 1.9 (D-)

Style: American Adjunct Lager
Alcohol By Volume: 4.65% Availability: Year Round
Sample Size: 12oz. dark brown bottle
Pairings: Cuisine: Fried Chicken, BBQ
Cheese: Monterey Jack, Asadero
Glassware: Not recommended – drink out of the bottle or can
Average Price: $4.99 six-pack

When ordering a Lone Star bottle, ask for the cap – underneath is a picture puzzle, which may spark conversation or simply allow you to waste time instead of watching little kids dance with all the best looking ladies.

The 1.5” white foam quickly disappears from the transparent, pale yellow liquid. At first draw, Lone Star brings strange aromas of processed canned chicken broth, corn adjuncts, and wet grain sack…better drink this from the bottle. When the fizzy brew hits the lips, alcohol is most prominent with a slight metallic tinge which allows flavors of purple grape peel, canned cream corn, and bran cereal to dominate - zero hop profile. Thin carbonation somewhat creamy from the adjuncts. If I was at a bar and they had $1 Lone Star (Thursday's at Pacesetter), I could drink a few of these – from the bottle.

Now I understand why I never thought to sample Lone Star from a pint glass before this review. The saving grace of this beer is the price and ultimately the picture puzzles beneath each cap. See below and try to figure out each puzzle. Lone Star winning 2 gold medals at GABF is beyond me.
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Hoegaarden Original White Ale
Brouwerij van Hoegaarden
Hoegaarden, Belgium
hoegaarden.com

Appearance: 4
Smell: 4.5
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 4
Drinkability: 4.5
Overall = 3.75 (A-)

Style: Witbier
Alcohol By Volume: 4.90%
Availability: Year Round
Sample Size: 11.2 oz (330ml) light brown bottle

Pairings:
Cuisine: salad, seared scallops, mussels & fries
Cheese: Edam, Pepper Jack
Glassware: pint glass
Average Price: $8.99 six-pack

Pronounced ‘WHO-Garden,’ this Belgian White Ale can be consumed quickly – chugged. Pierre Celis, famous for brewing the first batch of Hoegaarden beer in 1966 in Belgium, founded the Celis Brewery in Austin Texas, which was bought out by Miller in 2001.

The rich frothy collar rests atop the yellowish cloudy brew and suggests a white aurora towards the bottom of the pint glass. Aromas are reminiscent of orange Creamsicle, coriander, and some faint Big League Chew original bubblegum in the back. Citrus (lemon and orange) flavors, pale wheat, clove, and a clean hop profile to create a wonderful and refreshing beer, perfect for a wedding or a day in the backyard with friends.