Regional breweries earn national recognition
Local and almost-local breweries earned a fistful of awards at the 2014 Great American Brewery Festival last week for everything from fruit wheat beer to oatmeal stout.
Durango-based Ska Brewing Co. brought home honors for its True Blonde Ale in the English-style summer ale category. Meanwhile, Steamworks Brewing Co. racked up yet another award for its popular Backside Stout, a moderately hoppy oatmeal stout.
A little further afield, Pagosa Brewing and Grill enticed the judges of the national contest with its Peachy Peach in the fruit wheat beer category. And Telluride Brewing Co.’s Face Down Brown was recognized for being a fine American-style brown ale.
The festival is the largest commercial beer competition in the world, run by the Brewer’s Association in Boulder, this year judging 5,507 beers from 1,309 breweries.
Try these creative ideas for baked potato toppings
Fall also brings in an abundance of Americans’ favorite vegetable – the ubiquitous, ever-lovable potato. While the grocery stores carry them year-round, you can get them now from local farmers at the Durango Farmers Market until it closes Oct. 25.
Rowher Farm, Stubborn Farm and Mountain Roots Produce, as well as others, specialize in different varieties, from plain ol’ russets to Yukon golds to purple fingerlings. You can buy in bulk and store them in your garage or cold cellar.
Nothing beats a baked potato with dinner on a cold day, and New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman suggests 15 toppers you might not have thought of: salsa, chutney, soy sauce, flavored olive oil, garlic mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard vinaigrette, bacon or sausage, cheddar cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and unsweetened whipped cream.
Here’s to the spud.
Chocolatier prepares Halloween treats
It’s fall, and not just the leaves are changing. Carly Snider, owner of Animas Chocolate Co., is preparing heavenly treats like a caramel apple cookie – very fall-inspired – to celebrate the season at her North Main Avenue shop. She bakes a different sweet each week – for Halloween, expect a pumpkin chocolate cheesecake.
Speaking of that devilish holiday, Snider already has spider bites (chocolates with Halloween designs like pumpkins, spiders and ghosts on top), owl lollipops and, soon to be on hand, pumpkin fudge and pumpkin spice truffles. She swears they all go well with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate that she serves in her store.
Pamela Hasterok
