Thrilla in Brazilla - Peticolas Brewing

Thrilla in Brazilla

Rating:

Star

Star

Star

Star

Star

June 21, 2014

By: http://www.examiner.com/review/peticolas-gives-us-a-thrilla-for-the-world-cup

In sports, it's World Cup time again as Brazil plays host to the 2014 soccer championship this summer. Media everywhere are attempting to be current and topical as they tie content to this event, the athletic competition or to thehost nation in general. Unfortunately, for craft beer this usually means some stale coverage of Brazil's Xingu dark lager, a decent but unremarkable import now found almost anywhere in Texas.

However, Peticolas Brewing has saved us from this fate by brewing a new beer specifically for the World Cup, the Thrilla in Brazilla. It was officially released on the first day of the contest for the Brazil vs. Croatia game, and early access was heavily tied to pubs showing and celebrating the opening match. This should surprise nobody as Michael Peticolas personally oozes soccer fandom from his pores.

The Thrilla in Brazilla is a light blonde/gold American-styleIPA with a thin head but good lacing down the glass. The aroma provides some preview of the taste with dry, floral hops, and the flavor follows suit with light blonde malt and more earthy, grassy hops on top of the more familiar citrus. As usual for Peticolas, the not unpleasant bitterness is very well-balanced with a tiny malt sweetness and a more dry, lingering floral finish.

At a more traditional 7.5% ABV and 75 IBUs, Thrilla is a much more approachable and sessionable beer than his potent Sit Down or I'll Sit You Down. This is the IPA Peticolas should be making year-round, not just to round out his standard portfolio of beers but because it would fit well into the developing landscape of Dallas IPAs. Thrilla contrasts well with Deep Ellum's full, robust IPA and Community's fruity, citrusy Mosaic, showcasing the more bitter and dry side of the hops spectrum.

With its bitter balance, Thrilla would pair well with heavy foods like steaks, burgers or anything from the grill to cut through those rich flavors. It's almost light enough to be called a summer beer, and should be enjoyed long past World Cup season.

Cheers!
paul@scientist.com
twitter.com/craftbeerusa

Something New is Brewing in Addison

When people think of Texas, many things come to mind: awesome barbecue, horse ranches, and country music.  However when people think of what Texan’s like to drink, beer is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.  A good beer can be a serious matter for many Americans, but for Texans, a good beer is more than just a drink, it is a culture. 

While businesses of all kinds continue to pop up around the Lone Star state, one can’t help but notice that breweries are quickly becoming new welcome additions to many Texas’ towns.  Addison, Texas, while known for its amazing restaurants and fun local bars, has never housed its own brewery. Bitter Sisters Brewing Company will fill that empty void and become the first brewery operating in Addison.  The brewery will be located on Surveyor Blvd. and is in the finishing stages of renovations so that the beer can begin to flow.

While the idea of a hometown brewery is exciting, it is the story behind Bitter Sisters Brewing Company that will have people from all over rooting for the company’s success.  Many would say that the idea for this brewery has been in the works for a while.  Matt Ehinger, owner and brewmaster, states that he and his family have been talking about this plan for at least 10 years.  Ehinger and the family finally decided that there was no better time than the present and thus Bitter Sisters finally became a reality.  The name comes from the three sisters in Matt’s wife’s family.  His wife, along with her two sisters and their husbands, are all deeply involved in the brewery making this a true family owned and operated place. 

Bitter Sisters is shooting for a late summer opening and will be draft beer only at first. Their beer will be sold at local bars and restaurants as well as in the brewery's tasting room.  The company considers themselves different than most breweries in that half of their portfolio will be lagers. Lagers are brewed at a cooler temperature for longer periods of time compared to other ales, so it isn't uncommon that most breweries only offer one lager choice.  Bitter Sisters will include German style Helles, Marzen, Irish Red Ale, and an India Pale as a year round offering. 

So Addison’s eagerly awaited Bitters Sisters Brewing company will represent more than just good beer; it will represent the family inspired dreams that all Texans can say they hold dear.  Look for Bitter Sisters big debut in late August and go have a beer with your own family, and become a part of theirs.

  

Do214.com - DFW Music, Food, Charity & Happy Hour Events

Do 214 Logo

Do214 is the place to find out what to do in DFW. From the coolest concerts to happy hours, charity and food & wine events, Do214 is your first stop to plan your week. Not only will you find great events all in one place but there is also great giveaways and exclusive events for Do214 subscribers. Signing up is easy and free - sign up today and be the first to know about all of the awesome things happening in DFW!

While Do214 is part of the DoStuff national network, they believe you can't fake local. Do214 is locally owned and operated with offices in Deep Ellum, Texas.

The Easy Slider Food Truck

To launch their Do214 brand, they hosted an event at Trees Dallas, in Deep Ellum.  The screaming Eagle of Soul, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires headlined the night with RC & the Gritz and DJ Rerog opening up the event.  There was ice cold tall boys from PBR and tasty grub from Easy Slider & Bombay Street food trucks.  Hand-drawn shirts by Tumbleweed TexStyles and inked by Pan Ector were available for purchase as well.  There was also a live mural and photo booth by Photomadic.

The Delish Dish Dallas: Chino Chinatown

Dallas is home to an array of delicious cuisines and each speaks to the different palates of the various customers. Chino Chinatown’s executive Chef, Uno Immanivong, creates a uniquely colorful Latin Asian dining experience in the hopping Trinity Groves area. My husband, along with a pair of our closest friends, had a wonderful time from start to finish. Parking, which we all know can ruin the dining experience before it starts, was no trouble and before we knew it we were all sitting comfortably at the bar having red wine suggested by the bartender. As the night progressed, we found the bartender and our server could provide a wealth of knowledge about the drinks and food at Chino Chinatown. Each wine suggested paired perfectly with our food and we were asked to taste the wines before we committed. We all found this to be a welcome request and one that made us feel that our satisfaction was a priority. When we dove into the menu, the whole table was excited to see a plethora of choices. My friend that was joining us is gluten free. Not only did she have a ton of gluten free options to choose from, but the waiter also informed us that most of the entrees could be easily manipulated into gluten free versions. We started out with the duck fat yucca fries and chicken lollipops. The fries were crispy on the outside and had a soft inside; the texture that any respectable fry should have. The dipping sauce was a siraracha ketchup mix that generated the perfect amount of kick without our party reaching for water after every bite! The tasty chicken lollipops also delivered a crispy texture and married both a sweet and savory quality that kept the whole table talking about their deliciousness. Next up was the duck fat fried rice. This is not your everyday fried rice and I mean that in the best way possible. It is full of bountiful shrimp, roasted pork, and a sunny side up egg that the server slices up and tosses into the dish. Who knew a side dish could be such a vital part of a meal?! Finally, our main courses arrived each with its own personality and flair. My girlfriend and I both had the sweet chili glazed sea bass which were cooked perfectly and paired with a Chinese broccoli. My husband tried the steamed buns which were pillowy soft, light, and delicious. My friend’s husband had the short ribs and by the look of his emptied plate, I would say he thoroughly enjoyed every bite. At the closure of our meal, I noticed Chef Uno busy in the kitchen. When our server came back I asked if it was possible to snap a quick photo with her and thank her for such an amazing meal. Just like her cooking Chef Uno was warm and delightful and jumped right into our photo like a long lost girlfriend. Before she left our table she asked if we were having some dessert and when she found out we had not ordered any she sent one over to our table. The cheesecake she sent over had a small kick of jalapeno and a bruleed topping. It really was one of the creamiest cheesecakes I have ever eaten and satisfied the sweet tooth of all. With summer quickly approaching and meal times become a bit less rushed, head out to Trinity Groves and try out Chino Chinatown, the food and service will be well worth the visit. Chino Chinatown at Trinity Groves #110 3011 Gulden Ln. Dallas, TX 75212 469-513-7457

It's All Good

Outside the cafe admiring the view

The All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum (2934 Main Street, Deep Ellum, Dallas TX) was an overall great experience. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at this location with a variety of menu options that ranges from peppered bacon to Big Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes, to Chile Verde Pork Stuffed Sopapillas. The service was amazing with most, if not all the waiters and waitresses were laid back, hip and undeniably trendy.

Austin made its mark in a cafe all the way in Deep Ellum 

The vibe at this cafe was without a doubt had that one-of-a-kind "weird" Austin influence. They even displayed an Austin bumper sticker on on one of their glass cases. Anyone who has ever lived or visited Austin knows that walking down the streets of the city is an experience in itself. Seeing the variety of individuals and tastes in food, fashion, and music is what makes that city so influential on different parts of the state and even the country.

The ceiling from our seats

The ceiling was covered with various colorful origami swans hanging from the ceiling. It gave the place a nice unique flare because it is seldom seen in the average corner cafe. It would make sense because average is not in the vocabulary of the All Good Cafe!

The O's Thunderdog

We ended up meeting one of the employees, Taylor Young who is part of the two-man-band called The O's. This band definitely has a pleasantly unusual sound all their own that even The Dallas Observer can attest to. They had the band's song "Outlaw" featured as number 4 in "Ten Best Texas Country Songs of 2013 (so far)." We love their authentic style of music and their spin on Texas Country!

Post cards from around the world 

The cafe had a collage of post cards from places around the world displayed near the front. It is always very cool to see all the different places and various affects they have on the laid back environment. Even at the busiest points of the lunch hour the All Good Cafe holds business down as well as keeping that trendy relaxed vibe. But of course the food that the All Good Cafe serves was amazing and far from the generic bland menu of a regular cafe. All the produce that they purchase for preparing the plates are locally grown. One of their primary providers is the Dallas Farmer's Market.

Food Trucks

Have you ever tried deciding on a restaurant to go eat at with friends, only to have WWIII break out on what kind of food to have that day? Well, if you’re tired of battling it out, and you happen to be in Dallas, you should check out the food truck scene at KlydeWarren Park, and at the Dallas Arts District. 

Food trucks are great alternatives to traditional restaurants since they tend to be more unique in terms of menu choices, and they are generally located in groups, so every one of your friends can order something that’s to their liking. We went to Klyde Warren Park to take a look at the growing Dallas food truck scene, and we were impressed by what we found. Klyde Warren Park is located in downtown Dallas, across from the Dallas Museum of Art. It hosts multiple food trucks, with food ranging from ice cream, to sushi, to burgers. We ordered a burger from Relish, and we sat down at some tables by the trucks to enjoy our meal while we listened to live music that was being performed in front of us on a small stage. The park was very clean, the food was excellent (you have to get the truffle fries), and overall atmosphere was extremely laid back, urban, and family friendly. So if you are ever in the mood for sushi, ice cream, a burger, or all three, Dallas food trucks are the way to go. 

The Daytripper with Chet Garner

Have you ever wanted to take a vacation, but felt like you could not afford it nor had enough time to take off from work?  In the great state of Texas, there are so many incredible opportunities and locations that allow for weekend and even day trips.  If you have no idea where to start, you need to check out "The Daytripper" to help guide you to your next adventure.

Chet Garner and his Daytripper crew have set out to conquer the great adventures of Texas, one day trip at a time.  Chet hosts the television show "The Daytripper" which airs in most major markets in Texas and of course on the internet.

On their website, the About Us page states:

It’s no secret that Texas is big.  Alright, more than big.  Texas is HUGE!!  And exploring Texas ain’t no small vacation, it’s a lifetime endeavor.  But what if you only have one day?  Well that’s where we come in.  From the well-known landmarks to the completely obscure dives and hideaways – and all within a day’s reach.

We created The Daytripper to inspire folks to get out and explore the Lone Star State.  Sure, national travel shows are entertaining, but that’s where they stop.  The Daytripper is all about destinations in Texas for Texans, which means you can visit whenever you want.  So, I’ll see you on the road.
This is THE DAYTRIPPER!

You need to check out all of their episodes at thedaytripper.com/episodes