Beer

I didn't really have an alcoholic beverage until I was in College. Sure I had a "ginger tea" when I was sick as a means of home remedy (provided by my grandfather) for a cold, and I'd sipped a beer to see what it tasted like, but my experience with alcohol was academic. Like many college kids, I had a few crazy moments, and a couple more in medical school. I've grown in my old age, however, to really look past the social aspects of the intoxicating beverage, and instead look at it from a culinary perspective.

Wine, beer, cocktails, scotch, bourbon-- they all have distinct flavors, distinct properties, different uses in cooking, and layers of complexity that I've come to appreciate now more than I appreciate that warm, fuzzy feeling from having a few.

I took up home-brewing a few years ago, when a few of my bible study group introduced me to it. I know that here in the bible belt that alcohol is synonymous with drunkenness and therefore sinful, and I don't wish to have a theological debate on the subject. Suffice it to say that my appreciation of the brewed beverage might be controversial, but I thank God for the miracle that is beer.

The brew in progress.

My latest adventure is the White House Honey Ale. I've already invited controversy theologically, so let me invite more politically: I feel that this recipe is fantastic. The White House chefs did an excellent job coming up with the idea, and, at least in this regard, Obama has good taste.

Relax. Have a homebrew.