Pair Away

Cabernet Savignon at the wine tasting.

In case you didn't know, I have close family that has ownership in Teddy's Restaurant and Lounge just off of the Irwin exit (Pennsylvania Turnpike) along Route 30. Last Wednesday, I was there for the first big wine tasting the restaurant has ever had. To say the least, it was awesome. I was full of awesome gourmet food and sampled some great wine.

The restaurant is going through a transitional period and this was the first step in that direction. It wants to incorporate drinks and plates that are featured in tastings such as these in the future on a full-time basis. The next scheduled tasting features nearby Full Pint Brewing.

It will feature five brews and four meal courses. I've been given a copy of the menu and have written it below. Tickets are limited and are going like hotcakes. If you're interested Teddy's phone number is 724-863-8180. Cost is $45 per-person.

Greeting: Hobnobber

First Course: White Lightning - Orange, ginger, garlic, honey and thai chile marinated chicken breast skewered then drizzled with an orange, red pepper, and soy glaze atop white rice and minced onions.

Second Course: All In Amber - Amber Oysters cooked with spinach, bacon Amber beer cheese and seasoned bread crumbs.

Third Course: Chinookie IPA - Orange, rosemary and almond crusted chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes, lemon cream sauce over an orange juice reduction wild rice and dried grapefruit garnish.

Fourth Course: Perc E Bust - Porter float of vanilla bean ice cream, drizzled hot fudge, coffee beer and garnished with pirouline artisan-rolled wafers.

Flowing Locally

I'm sure that many of us that live here in the Pittsburgh area are proud of the local breweries that offer some outstanding stuff on the market. I'm certainly not the most accomplished in terms of trying as many beers as I can, but there are a few beers that are brewed locally that I always find myself coming back to. It's kind of like that first love of your life. Alright, maybe I'm exaggerating. We still have some great stuff to drink around here. Here are the two I enjoy the most.

East End Monkey Boy

Whenever I get to a Pittsburgh bar, this is one of the first beer's I look for on a tap list. If I see it, I almost always grab a pint of it. Recently, I've started frequenting the new East End Brewing Company digs in Larimer to grab a growler or two of it. Unfortunately, you won't find cases or six packs of this beer. So, keep on the lookout in bars. You can also get the aforementioned growlers at the brewery location and at its growler shop in the Strip.

This is an awesome hefeweizen that's a hazy gold with a  foamy white head. It's nice and spicy and tastes like banana. It also has a very sessionable ABV at 4.8 percent. According to its brewer, this beer doesn't actually have banana in it. That just adds to the luster of this beer. Not only is this my favorite beer brewed in Pittsburgh, it's one of my all-time favorites.

Rivertowne Hala Kahiki Pineapple 

I keep telling you that I really enjoy fruit beers. Pineapple is an unlikely fruit that's used in beer. At least I haven't come across many that use pineapple. This beer also has an ABV of 4.8 percent and goes down nice and smooth.

This beer is somewhat spicy, but it its own unique way. There's a decent hop presence too. Oh and the fruitiness of the pineapple is fantastic. Rivertowne recently just started canning this beer. So, it's very accessible. I'm glad I got myself a case.

There are many more where these came from. We can't forget about other beers such as Rumplepilsen and White Lightning (which recently won a GABF award) from Full Pint as well as Pious Monk Dunkel from Church Brew Works.

Beer Review: Full Pint White Lightning

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 5.5 percent

Appearance: White Lightning is a very attractive beer. The body appears really gold with plenty of carbonation. The beer looks very thick and hazy. The head is very creamy and white. Not too thick, not too thin and will remain atop the brew the entire time down.

Smell: It smells just like you'd expect a good Belgian style witbier to smell. I got a lemony scent with a hint of wheat behind it. Very appetizing.

Taste: The citrus mixes quite well with the wheat. The taste is both zest and crisp at the same time. Goes down very, very smooth. Leaves a tart aftertaste.

Overall Rating:   

Full Pint Brewing Company hit the nail on the head with this one. Some beers this style end up being to zesty or not enough. This seems to have a very good balance.