Beer and Artichoke Dip

Excite your taste buds with a twist on a classic: artichoke dip! This quick and easy Beer and Artichoke dip from Brooklyn Brewshop is the perfect snack for any get together because it looks great and tastes even better.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.brooklynbrewshop.com

Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan
• 1/4 cup beer (Tip: Anything will do except for super hoppy brews!)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 cup Dried Spent Grain, coarsely chopped (or Panko)

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
2. In a mixing bowl combine artichoke hearts, shallot, mayonnaise and shredded Parmesan.
3. Fold in beer and spices.
4. Transfer to oven safe baking dish.
5. Top with dried spent grain (or panko).
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Let cool for 5 minutes.
8. Serve with crackers or bread.

Dobrou Chut’!

Top 5 Beer Beauty Products

Beer is more than just a drink. Women (and men) have used beer for skin and hair health for centuries. Some studies indicate that these traditions are more than just an old wives tale. Here are my Top 5 Beer Beauty Products. Cheers!

1. Double IPA Lip Balm ($6.50): This moisturizing lip balm from Atlantic Farms Lip Balms is made with organic hops flower essential oils, beeswax and enriched with vitamin e. Hello luscious lips!
2. Stout Shampoo ($10 – $30):  Quench your thirsty locks with this organic, vegan stout shampoo from Cynthia Sylvia loaded with proteins to give you soft, shiny voluminous hair.
3. Pale Ale or Porter Body Wash ($10): Cleanse your skin with B vitamins, proteins, minerals and natural silicon found in beer with this body wash from BRÖÖ available in Citrus Pale Ale and Oatmeal Porter.
4. Bohemian Lager Spray or Solid Perfume ($9 – $40): Evoke your senses with these scents infused with rich aged lager blended with nuances of creamy pumpkin, dark patchouli, oak resin and subtle spice. Plus, the packaging is so cute you’ll want to show this off everywhere you go! I like the spray, but the solid perfume is great when you’re on the go.
5. Pivní Beer Body Lotion ($16): This Czech “body milk” will  moisturize your skin with makadam oil, palmitoleic acid and the compounds, allantoin and panthenol, found in beer. This lotion is only available for purchase from a company  based in Cyprus. They will ship to the U.S., but shipping costs may vary. Double check your order total before purchasing.

Beers of the Week: Victoria’s Golden Ale and Nut Brown Ale

This week’s Beers of the Week were brewed by J.J. Bitting Brewing Company in Woodbridge, NJ. Click here to see what I thought about my visit.

Victoria’s Golden Ale (4.5% alcohol): This American Blond Ale pours muted yellow with a thin, white head that evaporates fairly quickly, but does leave some lacing. The aroma consists of light malts, hops and a bit of citrus. Victoria’s Golden Ale is light, crisp, smooth and refreshing. I picked up some breadiness and a subtle sweetness in the overall flavor. I was disappointed at how thin this beer was, but it’s a good session beer that will easily pair with anything on the menu.

Nut Brown Ale (4.5 % alcohol): This English Brown Ale pours a toffee brown with a frothy tan head that lingers. It has a sweet, toasted nutty aroma with some molasses and malt undertones. The same sweet, toasted nuttiness carries over to this brew’s overall flavor, but is balanced out with a slight bitterness from the hops. Nut Brown Ale is a bit rich and filled me up somewhat. If you’re coming to chow down at J.J. Bitting, you may want to opt for a different brew.

Tip: I sampled the W.H.A.L.E.S IPA and it was incredibly smooth. I will definitely order a full pint of this the next time I’m in Woodbridge!

J.J. Bitting Brewing Company

J.J. Bitting Brewing Company is located in downtown Woodbridge, NJ. The 100-year-old building once belonged to J.J. Bitting Coal and Feed Depot, but was restored to house the brewing company in 1997.

Fun Fact: J.J. Bitting  was the first brewery to operate in Woodbridge Township since the repeal of prohibition in 1933!

The staff was friendly and at ease even on a busy Saturday night. Plus, the place was packed, so that’s always a good sign. The brew pub  has three distinct areas: the bar, main dining room and outdoor patio. J.J. Bitting has about 8 different beers on tap at any given time.  Note: Only beer brewed on premises is served, so don’t expect to purchase any name brands here.

I sampled two different brews during my visit: Victoria’s Golden Ale and Nut Brown Ale. Click here to read my review.

The menu has a nice selection of traditional bar food plus a few unexpected items. I’d recommend the tater tots – available with about a dozen different toppings –wings and pot stickers.  Also, I enjoyed the Bittings Steak Baguette: tender NY strip steak piled high on fresh bread and served with tasty au jus. Our waiter recommended the ribs, which were nothing to brag about; so, don’t hesitate to pass those up.

I enjoyed my visit to J.J. Bittings and will definitely be back to try their summer beer line up while taking full advantage of the patio. Plus, it’s only about 20 minutes away from the nearest shore point. Cheers!