Beer Poking

 

Bierstacheln, which means beer spike or beer sting, is a German tradition that involves inserting a poker heated to about 600 degrees celsius (!) into a dark beer for a few seconds. This not only warms the beer but apparently creates a spontaneous maillard reaction that caramelizes unfermented sugar, changing the flavor and creating a frothy head. The process was invented by blacksmiths to keep their beer warm in winter when it was too cold to drink.

For their seventh birthday, Austin's Lazarus Brewing offered up a range of their St Pete's oak aged imperial stouts for poking. I tried the version called Mexican Hot Chocolate with Wartryx Hot Peppers (10% ABV) and it tasted amazing, gently warmed with a toasty marshmallow aroma and flavor. I sometimes struggle with beers that strong but the poking made it very drinkable.

Strawberry Margarita

 

I had some fresh strawberries that needed drinking and found this recipe on Reddit. I reduced the sweetness a little and added a couple of basil leaves, since everyone knows the combination of strawberry and basil is the quickest shortcut to instant sophistication.

Strawberry Margarita

2 oz blanco tequila
0.5 oz Aperol
1 oz lime juice
0.25 oz agave nectar
Pinch of kosher salt
3 dashes of Fee Brothers Fee Foam (optional)
3 strawberries - one for garnish
2 basil leaves

Muddle two of the strawberries (thoroughly) and basil in a shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients, and ice. Shake hard and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube (or serve up in a martini or Nick and Nora glass). Garnish with a strawberry.

The additions of Aperol, salt and basil make this drink more interesting than a mere fruity marg.