Craft Beer Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve!

Friends, family, and good food and drinks have abounded around here the last few days. I'm officially on vacation for 11 days, and it feels so great to enjoy time with loved ones, eat guilty food and indulge in spontaneous cocktails, and not have to think about going back to work on Monday.

Yesterday Matt and I were invited to a Christmas craft beer tasting at our friend Forrest's house. Each guest brought 2 craft beers for the group to try, and we all voted on each of the beers - with the winner becoming the owner of a bourbon gift set. So many fun ones to try!

I brought a Black Moon IPA and Founder's Better Half, which is really rare and I happened to snag in Vermont a few months ago. It was really good; it was dark and sweet and tasted of maple syrup and coffee. A little much for drinking a whole glass, but perfect for a snifter while sitting by the fire.

Forrest had the event catered by Maureen, whose cooking classes I love, and while most of the gang were meat eaters she made a few special vegetarian dishes for me. How sweet! My favorite was the broccoli and cheese puff pastry "muffin." Portable, flaky and delicious!

Matt and I couldn't stay til the end of the tasting since I had family coming in, but we made it through the first batch of beers and it was a good time while it lasted. We booked it home around 6:30 when my sister and her new boyfriend Justyn got into town, and I had a very traditional Christmas Eve-Eve dinner planned - Nana's tomato & mushroom mac & cheese. Mmmm.

Can't go through the holidays without a pan of this goodness. After eating dinner we spent the evening sipping on Dogfish Head Bitches Brew (also amazing) and playing board games and watching Trapped in Paradise...quite possibly the funniest holiday movie ever. After Christmas Vacation of course.

Matt and I are hosting a big family dinner tonight, so now it's time to throw on the old apron and get to work in the kitchen. Have a wonderful holiday!