Category: Product Reviews
Christmas At Shisler’s Cheese House
It’s amazing how fast the year passes by. It feels like just yesterday that we were picking up our Easter chocolate and gift boxes from Shisler’s Cheese House.
With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about what gifts would be ideal for our family and friends.
A lot of the time, it can be extremely difficult to think of gift ideas year after year, but here at our store, we feel that we have something for everyone with our wide selection of gift boxes.
Check out our high quality, affordable gift boxes here:
Gift Box #1: Baby Swiss Cheese: $25
This gift box includes a 4 lb. wheel of our signature Baby Swiss Cheese. Our Baby Swiss is one of our local selections that is made in Charm, Ohio by the original producer Guggisberg Cheese. It is a young, semi-soft whole milk cheese which is distinguishable by its myriad of small holes. Although Baby Swiss is closely related to Swiss Cheese, the holes are smaller and it has a milder flavor which is delightfully creamy and delicious.
This gift box makes a perfect gift for pretty much anyone who likes cheese as the flavor is not as acquired as some of our other complex cheeses. It also comes with assorted chocolates that you can find!
4 lb. Baby Swiss Wheel
Assorted Chocolates
Gift Box #2: Troyer’s Trail Bologna and Cheese: $25
This box contains a mixture of meat, cheese, and chocolates- what an amazing combination!
For three generations we at Shisler’s Cheese House have prided ourselves on providing the best examples of local fare to tourists and locals alike. Troyer’s Trail Bologna is one of the best examples of local fare we can recommend. Our Trail Bologna comes from the fourth generation of the Troyer family. Don’t be fooled by imitators. There is only one Troyer’s Trail Bologna, made in Trail, OH and sold exclusively by Ohio retailers so this gift box will be a one of a kind gift for your family or friends!
Also in this box comes two of our delicious cheeses Farmers and Colby. Farmers Cheese is a mild unripened white cheese made by adding rennet to cow’s milk. When the milk coagulates it separates into solid curds and liquid whey, which is drained off. The result at this stage is sometimes referred to as pot cheese. Further pressing out of the moisture results in a more firm and crumbly Farmer’s Cheese. It is often enjoyed in a sandwich with delicious bologna from our store, which is why it why this gift box is an amazing combination.
Colby cheese is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese native to the United States. But today Colby cheese is made in other regions of the world as well. It is often compared to cheddar cheese since the two both typically appear orange or creamy yellow. But two kinds of cheese taste very different. The flavor of Colby cheese is much milder and creamy. Washing the curds reduces the acid content, making Colby cheese less tangy when it is finished. Colby also has a higher moisture content, and it tends to be much softer than cheddar. Colby often goes well with rye bread, pears and apples. It can also be used as a table cheese, the possibilities are endless.
Like gift box #1, the box also comes with assorted chocolates, because who doesn’t love chocolate at Christmas?
1 Lb. Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Colby
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Farmers
Assorted Chocolates
Gift Box #3: Cheese Lover’s: $23
This is the ultimate cheese lover’s collection. With a selection of some of our most amazing cheese, this gift will not be forgotten this Christmas!
It comes with 3/4 wheels of 4 kinds of cheese:
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Cheddar
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Cojack (Marble)
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Farmer’s Cheese
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Pepper Jack
Orange Cheddar is traditional white cheddar with Annatto, an extract from the tropical achiote tree, and oleoresin paprika added. These added ingredients give the orange cheddar its orange color and a milder flavor. Many connoisseurs claim that White Cheddar is slightly sharper than orange cheddar, but that is more dependent on aging than color.
Marble Cheese is so named because of its two-toned color. It is made by taking the curds from Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses or white and orange Cheddar curds and pressing them together into a Longhorn. Because Marble Cheese is made from Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, it is sometimes called “Cojack.”
Farmers Cheese is a mild unripened white cheese made by adding rennet to cow’s milk. When the milk coagulates it separates into solid curds and liquid whey, which is drained off. The result at this stage is sometimes referred to as pot cheese. Further pressing out of the moisture results in a more firm and crumbly Farmer’s Cheese.
Pepper Jack Cheese is just one of our selection of many spicy pepper kinds of cheese. Pepper Jack Cheese is a cow’s milk cheese which blends the creamy, buttery flavor of jack cheese with the intensity of spicy peppers, most notably jalapeños, but also includes some serrano peppers and habañeros. Pepper Jack Cheese is used in a wide variety of recipes, and it is particularly popular in the American West, where people have an acquired taste for spicy peppers.
This gift box also comes with assorted chocolates.
Gift Box #4: Amish Cheese and Goodies: $50
With Amish country being a big part of our store production and community, we had to include a gift box packed full of amazing goodies:
1 Lb. Baby Swiss Wheel
1 Summer Sausage Link
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Colby
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Pepper Jack
Shisler’s Private Label Mustard
Home Style Amish Jam
Carr’s Crackers
Assorted Chocolates
6oz. REACH Coffee
Baby Swiss is a young, semi-soft whole milk cheese distinguishable by its myriad of small holes. Baby Swiss is closely related to Swiss cheese, made by substituting water for the milk’s whey to slow bacterial action, Baby Swiss has smaller holes and a milder flavor. Baby Swiss is often made from whole milk. Baby Swiss has a delightfully creamy and mild taste, a delicious favorite!
Summer sausage is a type of sausage that can be kept without the use of refrigeration. It earned its name from its ability to be kept during the summer without electricity.
Colby cheese is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese native to the United States. But today Colby cheese is made in other regions of the world as well. It is often compared to cheddar cheese since the two both typically appear orange or creamy yellow. But two kinds of cheese taste very different. The flavor of Colby cheese is much milder and creamy. Washing the curds reduces the acid content, making Colby cheese less tangy when it is finished. Colby also has a higher moisture content, and it tends to be much softer than cheddar. Colby often goes well with rye bread, pears and apples. It can also be used as a table cheese, the possibilities are endless.
Pepper Jack Cheese is just one of our selection of many spicy pepper kinds of cheese. Pepper Jack Cheese is a cow’s milk cheese which blends the creamy, buttery flavor of jack cheese with the intensity of spicy peppers, most notably jalapeños, but also includes some serrano peppers and habañeros. Pepper Jack Cheese is used in a wide variety of recipes, and it is particularly popular in the American West, where people have an acquired taste for spicy peppers.
Gift Box #5 – Baby Swiss Cheese and Troyer’s Trail Bologna: A Classic Amish Country Combination: $50
This box gives a classic combination of Amish county, with a well-rounded selection of each of our special delicacies. This can be a perfect give for a family, neighbors or to bring along to a Christmas gathering. There’s plenty of delicious food to go around and enjoy while supporting not only Shisler’s Cheese House but our very own Amish Country.
The box includes:
4 Lb. Baby Swiss Wheel
Large Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring
Shisler’s Private Label Mustard
Carr’s Crackers
Assorted Chocolates
6oz. REACH Coffee
Gift Box #6: Amish Country Sampler Gift Box: $75
This gift box is the biggest gift packed full of a huge selection of all Shisler’s Cheese House has to offer. This is the ultimate gift for people who are passionate about fine foods and complex tastes.
The best that Amish Country has to offer!
Our Amish Country Sampler Gift Box includes:
Large Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring
1 Lb. Box of Heggy’s Chocolates
Home Style Amish Jam
Shisler’s Private Label Hot Jalapeno Mustard
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Cheddar
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Cojack (Marble)
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Farmer’s Cheese
3/4 Lb. Wheel of Pepper Jack Cheese
Baby Swiss Cheese Wedge
Summer Sausage Link
Townhouse Crackers
6oz. REACH Coffee
Other Gifts
If you would rather leave the choice to your family member or friend, you can always purchase them their very own gift certificate to be used at Shisler’s Cheese House so that you can be sure they get exactly what they desire.
These gift certificates are valid for one year and can be used all at once or for multiple transactions. We’ll just subtract the amount spent!
You will be provided with a Gift Certificate code immediately after checkout. Gift certificates can be mailed via US postal service on the following business day if selected.
Select from these set amounts:
$25
$50 (+ $25.00)
$100 (+ $75.00)
$200 (+ $175.00)
Easy-Cheesy Halloween Recipes!
Halloween is one of the best times of the year. What better way than to enjoy it by exploring all the different ways you can make spooky Halloween snacks. Be it for a Halloween party for your kids, an adult get-together or a spookily themed dinner with the family, these extra cheesy recipes- with a twist will be a cheese lovers heaven this Halloween!
Not only are these Halloween recipes for cheese lovers, but they are quick and easy to make. So, if you have work on Halloween, you can quickly whip them in a short amount of time so no one misses out!
Halloween Cheese And Crackers
Cheese and crackers are a quick and easy snack to add to a party platter of spooky delights. What makes this recipe even better is that you can have some fun with the kids making these. All you really need is a few different Halloween cookie cutters which you can purchase from your local craft store and some delicious cheese from Shisler’s Cheese House.
Cheddar would be the best cheese for this, at Shisler’s Cheese House we have a range of different cheddars to suit your palette:
– White Cheddar
– Orange Cheddar
– Garlic Cheddar
– Smoked Cheddar
Now you just have to cut some thin slices of your cheese and use your cookie cutter to form the spooky shapes and then place them on your crackers! It is as easy as that! Don’t throw out your outline leftovers, you can just save the cheese for a topping on a family dinner or just for a snack! Enjoy.
Halloween Cheese Board
Everyone loves a cheese board! If you are attending a more sophisticated event this Halloween but you would like to add a twist, bring a spooky Halloween board! Just cut some slices of your favorite cheese and use cookie cutters to make pumpkins and ghosts out of the cheese. Don’t forget to bring the wine!
Check out our website to see all the delicious cheeses you can get for your board.
Crescent Roll Witch Hats
This recipe is something different but equally delicious. With Halloween being very much geared towards a sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know that this recipe is more on the savory side for those who love Halloween and savory foods!
Again, this recipe is super easy to make and creative!
What You Need
1 package of Crescent Rolls (original)
Shisler’s Cheese House Bologna
2 types of cheese with contrasting color (Cheddar and Havarti from our store)
Basil
What To Do
1. Open and unroll one package of Crescent Rolls.
2. So hats maintain their shape, use a knife to separate segments.
3. Cut salami slices and a portion of cheddar cheese into thin strips.
4. Place bologna and cheese strips on top of the widest part of the roll.
5. Roll it up to create the hat brim.
6. Cut cheddar cheese strips and cheese squares to make the hat band and buckle.
7. Arrange cheese above the brim of the hat.
8. Lightly sprinkle basil over the entire roll.
9. Bake according to package directions.
Have You Ever Tried Brie Pie?
This rich and luxurious pie is not your average pie. In fact, pies in the U.S are usually eaten for dessert, but Brie pie is more of an appetizer or entree.
Luckily, like a lot of the delicious appetizers on offer, this one is fairly simple to create and has an amazing payoff. It may look quite difficult, but it only entails wrapping a wheel of brie in a thawed sheet of puff pastry and cooking it until golden. Even if it was difficult to create, the combination of warm melted cheese inside of a crispy pastry is impossible to resist and worth every effort.
The type of Brie you get isn’t too important, a rule of thumb would be to buy one that fits your hand and looks good to wrap in pastry.
Let’s get right to it and create this cheesy masterpiece!
Recipe
What You Need
8 oz of Brie
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
All-purpose flour
1 large egg, beaten
What To Do
Firstly, preheat oven to 400 F, making sure the oven rack is in the middle of the oven. Now line a baking sheet with parchment and set it aside.
Start by rolling out the puff pastry, using the flour to dust out on the counter and then sprinkle some more flour on top to the pastry to aid rolling further. Roll the pastry so that it measures around 11 x 11 inches to make sure it fits around the Brie.
Now it is time to wrap the brie in pastry. Place the wheel of brie in the middle of the pastry and fold the corners over the brie, creating a neat package. Press against the edges gently and neaten the sides up.
Brush the pastry over with the beaten egg, making sure you get the sides and transfer the pie to the baking sheet.
Bake the pie for around 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Now allow cooling for 5 to 10 minutes which will give the hot cheese time to firm up.
Transfer it to a serving platter and serve it warm.
Try Something Deliciously Different: Baked Tomatoes Stuffed With Goat Cheese Fondue
This simple recipe is perfect for the summer, combining fresh goat cheese and mascarpone in a fondue melt with ripe, juicy tomatoes. Just imagine sitting out in the sunshine having a cookout with all your friends and family, this will be the perfect dish to bring! It is different, impressive and easy to make, so give it a try and enjoy!
Recipe
What You Need
3 large, firm tomatoes
3 tbsp. mascarpone
3 tbsp. goat cheese at room temperature
Kosher salt
1 tbsp. virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 anchovies, chopped finely
2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
Ground black pepper
1/4 cup panko or other bread crumbs
What To Do
Firstly, preheat the oven to 500 F.
Now slice a thin layer off the bottoms of tomatoes so they will easily stand upright and then remove the insides of the tomatoes, carving them out to up to about 3/4 inch from bottom and sides. Be careful not to take out too much of the insides so that the tomato will stay upright when cooked.
Now, using the salt, season each tomato. After this, mix the goat cheese and mascarpone together in a small bowl.
It is now time to prepare the topping. Firstly, melt the butter with the oil over medium high heat. Add the anchovies, garlic and cook for 30 seconds while stirring. Now stir in the bread crumbs and cook for 2 minutes. Season with pepper.
Fill the tomatoes with the mascarpone mixture and top them off with bread crumbs. Now place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and bake them for about 10 minutes or until golden.
Which Cheese Is Best? Grocery Store, Locally Purchased, Or Purchased Online?
Even though shopping at a grocery store is extremely convenient, who can truly say they enjoy shopping at grocery stores? The one main reason we all shop at them is because they house pretty much everything you need under one roof. Depending on the quality of the grocery store, there are usually 4 counters worth going to- cheese, meat, fish, and cooked meats.
Grocery Store Cheese
If you are lucky, there may be some cheese which isn’t drowning in vacuum packed, plastic wrap and actually resemble real cheese, not scrunched up chamois leathers that have been left in a water bucket overnight. You may even be able to smell and sample the cheese at the store to make sure you want it!
It all depends on what you expect to pay and what you want from your cheese. Although there are cheap and unpleasant options available, there are some options on the more expensive side that will satisfy your taste buds, you just have to shop around and try to sample some.
It is important to read the labels, it may have a sticker that indicates where it was made, but organic cheeses will have a separate logo to certify that they are organic. Vegetarian and vegan cheeses will also show the correct label. If they do not contain stamps of certification, you cannot trust how the cheese was produced. There will also be information on where the product came from, ingredients used, nutritional information, allergy warnings, use by date and storage instructions all there for our careful consideration.
The choice is entirely down to you when you’re buying cheese off the shelf of a grocery store, but if you are lucky enough to find a knowledgeable cheese counter assistant, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Locally Purchased Cheese
If you are lucky to have a specialist cheese shop nearby and have never been in, make sure you do and compare the experience and quality with your usual cheese source. Just walking into the store is a whole different experience, it’s as though your senses are reawakened. Farmers markets especially are great places to try before you buy and specialist cheese stores might be willing to let you try the cheese before you buy it. The people who work in these stores are also bursting with the knowledge to help your every cheese need, with a lot more option and variety. They can introduce you to so many cheeses you didn’t even know existed.
If your cheese store is far away, make it an exclusive day out and slow down and enjoy the experience.
Online Cheese Purchasing
Online is a good way of having the best of both worlds. If you have previously visited a cheese store and know exactly what you like, online makes it so you don’t have to go anywhere and you can access the best cheese, no matter what. Shisler’s Cheese House has an online store as well as physical stores to ensure our customers get the best of both worlds. Whether you are looking for a little something for yourself or a gift for a fellow cheese lover, online mail ordered cheese can make the process so much easier and better. With there being thousands of different varieties of cheese, online gives us the chance to access them all, from our very own devices.
Delicious Cheeses of Mexico and The Caribbean
Although the Hispanic cuisine is usually hot and spicy, the cheeses of Mexico and the Caribbean are far from it. The most popular cheeses of the region are the fresh white varieties. They may be quite mild, but they add rich, creamy flavor to the huge number of local recipes available.
Cheesy Mexican and Caribbean dishes like queso Frito, enchiladas, and chile Rellenos are famous all around the world. It’s almost impossible to imagine that before Spanish colonization, the inhabitants of Mexico lived largely on a diet of fruit and vegetables. The art of cheese making wasn’t even known until the Spaniards brought cows and goats to the area!
Cheese is still being produced in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, from the milk of cattle who originally came from Europe all those years ago. In other famous cheese making areas like Queretaro, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, cheese monger stalls are full with cheeses packed into baskets, wrapped in corn husks or rolled like twine.
The best cheeses from these regions are completely different in every way to Amercian or European cheeses, and they are very worth experiencing:
Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a pale yellow cow’s milk cheese which can also be named Queso Menonita because of the Mennonite communities of Northern Mexico where it was first produced. The flavor is mild, slightly sour and salty, but actually turns sharp and tangy and very similar to Cheddar, with age. People often use it to make fundido, which is Mexican fondue.
Queso Quesadilla
This smooth, soft cow’s milk cheese has a creamy, milk flavor and a slightly elastic texture. It is a family favorite for snacking on and melting into savory dishes such as quesadillas. A variety of this is called Queso Jalapeno and it has bits of jalapenos mixed into the paste for more spice and zest.
Cotija
Cotija is sharp, aged cheese that is known as the “Parmesan of Mexico”. It gets its name from the town of Cotija Michoacan where it came from originally. It is made with goat or cow’s milk and has a firm texture and strong flavor with distinctive salty notes. It makes for a good garnish for salads, chili, or pasta.
Queso Media Luna
Also known as Queso De Papa, this Colby-type cheese with its firm, moist texture and orange color has a smooth mild to a tangy flavor. It is a popular cheese in Puerto Rico and is from the Caribbean. Perfect for snacking on or baking with.
Fresh Cheeses
These fresh white cheeses of Mexico and the Caribbean can become warm and soft, without melting when they are heated. They were traditionally crafted by local artisans and delivered to market wrapped in banana leaves.
Queso Oaxaca (Asadero)
From the Oaxaca region, this famous cow’s milk cheese is a stretched curd variety which is similar in texture to Provolone. It is either white or pale yellow and is kneaded and wound into balls before being plunged into brine for several minutes. This semi-soft cheese has a mild to a buttery and sweet flavor.
Anejo Enchilado
This cheese is firmly pressed and rolled in mild chili powder or paprika to give it a distinctive red coating and slightly piquant flavor. It is made with skimmed cow or goat’s milk, with a hard, dry texture that softens under heat but does not melt. It makes a delicious snack with a tequila or spicy Mexican beer cocktail.
Queso Fresco (Adobera)
Queso Fresco is the most commonly used Hispanic variety. It is a soft and spongy white cheese which is made from a combination of cow and goat’s milk. The flavor is mild and salty with fresh acidity. Because of its fine-grained texture, the favored use for it is crumbling it over enchiladas and taquitos for added flavor.
Panela (Queso de Canasta)
This is the most popular fresh cheese in Mexico. It is white, mild cheese which retains the unique imprint from the basket it is made in. The texture is soft and crumbly, with many different varieties being produced, Panela can be found wrapped in toasted avocado leaves or coated with garlic and chili paste.
Queso Blanco
It is traditionally fresh cow’s milk cheese which is flavors cross between Italian Mozzarella and salty cream cheese. The process of creating this cheese is done by Artisans who coagulate the curd with lemon juice, giving it the creamy, but crisp citrus flavor.
Queso Para Freir
This cheese is popular in the Caribbean and throughout South America. It is a mild, white cheese and a variation of Queso Blanco, but a lot saltier and firmer. Queso Para Freir is great for fried dishes such as the popular Queso Frito because it resists melting.
All About Organic Cheeses- Are They Better For You?
If you are a cheese lover, it is already hard enough to choose between your favorite Mozzarella, Stilton or Cheddar. Not only that but in recent years, creameries have created another delicious choice for us: Organic.
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Organic cheese is very much like many other organic agricultural products on the market, organic cheese is produced without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or dangerous pesticides. The milk used to produce the organic cheese comes from all organic farms where cows only eat organically grown grasses. The cheese is also free from artificial coloring or flavorings, and a lot of the time, enzyme rennet, which is used to curdle the milk, is not made from animals or genetically engineered. In place of them are naturally occurring enzymes, making organic cheese not only delicious but safe for vegetarians too.
Why You Should Buy Organic
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It is always the case that when you buy food, it is important to find something that tastes good, and is generally good for you. The good thing about organic cheese is that they are often superior in taste and quality and have received many rewards from cheese connoisseurs and professional critics.
While organic cheese is great for your taste buds, the benefits of buying it stretch farther than just your body. Buying it positively affects everything from your personal health to farm animal welfare, to even the earth’s endangered environment. To put it all into perspective:
Organic Cheese Affects On Your Health
Organic cheese contains all the goodness from regular cheese, including the high levels of protein and calcium. However, research has proven that due to cows having a natural pasture-fed diet, cheese made from organic milk is much higher in nutritional value.
– Research has shown that there are more Antioxidants in organic cheese, with it being 2-3 times higher in antioxidants such as lutein. It is also proven that organic milk is up to 50% higher in vitamin E and 75% higher in beta-carotene. They all fight damaging free radicals and can perhaps aid the prevention of cancer and heart disease.
– Studies have shown that there are more Omega-3s, containing up to 71% more than non-organic milk. Omega-3s are vital for maintaining a healthy heart, strong bones and teeth and flexible joints.
– Organic cheeses also lower the exposure to the toxins and pesticides that often come from factory farming practices. This is very important for children in particular because their rapidly growing nervous systems are more sensitive to the effects of these harmful compounds.
The Welfare Of Animals
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Another great thing about organic farming is that organic dairy farmers are also committed to the humane treatment of farm animals. Cows are not pumped with protein or antibiotics to force them into producing more than their natural capacities. They are kept in good health, fed an organic diet and have access to fresh air, natural light, and open pasture as much as possible.
Also, another important part of organic farming is that if the cows become sick, they are treated holistically with homeopathic medicines whereas, at non-organic farms, cows are routinely given antibiotics to prevent infection, even when they are healthy. While antibiotics are useful for fighting disease, they become less effective when used excessively. This has an onset effect for humans as we are being exposed to the antibiotics and they may lose effectiveness in treating humans too.
The Effects On The Environment
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You wouldn’t think that organic farming would have an effect on the environment, but it actually does. Organic farmers are not permitted to use chemicals that pollute the air, water or food. Instead, organic farmers use non-toxic pest control methods and sustainable farming techniques like crop rotation and composting. These methods ensure rich, healthy soils while conserving water and fossil fuels. They also are encouraging to wildlife, which has drastically declined over the last 50 years.
How To Know If It’s Organic
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Labeling is definitely important when cheese buyers are seeking higher nutritional value, toxin free and humane farming practices. In the U.S. it is the law to have certified organic labeling. There are numerous standards which are enforced by organic certification authorities. If you are in doubt, it is best to check your cheese packaging for organic accreditation. When cheese is labeled organic, it must contain at least 95% organically produced raw or processed agricultural products. Labels will usually contain the standard USDA certification.
Jetting Off For Summer? Find The Airline With The BEST Beer List!
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Summer is fast approaching, this is the time to be getting ready for our summer vacations, but what better way to kick start them than with an ice cold beer? Let’s really think about it- at what point does a vacation really begin? Some say it is when you finish your last day of work, some might say the morning of, but let’s be real… You’re not really on vacation until you’re on that plane, sitting back, relaxing and cracking open that first ice cold beer of the vacation. This being said, which domestic airline really does have the best beer list?
A lot of airlines sadly only cater a good beer selection to the more premium classes on board, so in order to win, the airline must serve a great selection to every passenger in every class. It is often that when airlines are awarded for best food, best service, or best drinks, only the premium cabin is considered, which is ridiculous. The majority of people on board are sitting in coach, and they deserve a good drink just like everyone else. This is why flying with Virgin America is the way to go!
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For all those who already fly Virgin America, congratulations- you have the best in-flight beer list in the U.S. Alongside your staple beers Bud Light and Heineken, Virgin America serves up a wide selection of craft beers, including 21st Amendment Sneak Attack, Die IPA, and Anchor Steam. That’s not even the best part! Customers in the main cabin select section, as well as first class, don’t have to spend a dime on their booze because as well as soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquor are all included in their airline ticket!
Again, that’s not all; Virgin America’s snack list is amazing, too! Obviously, your staple nut mix and chocolate chip cookies are on the list, but if you are craving something a little more ‘fancy’, sea salt popcorn, veggie chips, kettle chips and even jerky sausage is available! Because who wants to drink an ice-cold beer without a salty snack on the side? Still not impressed? For those with a sweet tooth, M&Ms and Vanilla Bean Caramel Popcorn are also available! Can’t decide whether you’re craving sweet or salty? Dig into the mouthwatering Hail Merry Salted Brownie!
Can’t find a flight with Virgin America? Don’t worry, Delta comes in at No. 2. While some might say that Delta takes first place in having the best beer list, it is found that the full selections weren’t always available on flights. In fact, on a lot of the trips, even though they advertised Sweetwater craft beer on board, the flight attendants stated they rarely have it on board, which is why it is only fair Delta takes second place. Jet Blue takes third places because of its offerings from Brooklyn Brewery and Harpoon.
The Perfect Wine For Every Beer Lover
If you are a beer lover and refuse to drink wine, you are totally missing out. It is understandable that beer and wine are two very different drinks- with beer being brewed all year-round with lots of different starches and wine being produced only once a year from different kinds of grapes. Beer is also seen as a more casual drink compared to wine.
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However, just because beer and wine are completely different, it doesn’t mean you should limit yourself. And, while wine and beer are made in different ways, from different products, they still are both fermented, alcoholic drinks which can truly share flavor similarities.
If you are still in doubt, you won’t be after looking at these 6 popular styles of beer and their wine equivalents:
For Stout drinkers- Try Merlot
For those who drink stouts, generally enjoy the comforting richness of the beers roasted, malty flavors. They often give hints of chocolate, coffee, and even toffee. They are quite exceptional beers and tend to be less heavy and bitter than the average beers.
Red wine is definitely the way to go when pairing Stout with wine. Reds particularly in the region of Merlot, Malbec and Shiraz Triangle (all often confused with each other). These wines have a softer approach, with a richness of fruit, yet a balanced acidity that stout drinkers look for.
For the Pale Ale drinkers- Try Grüner Veltliner
For those who enjoy tasting the hops in their beer, but don’t want them dominating the flavor, pale ales are always preferable. Hops give a fresh greenness to the beer, being grassy and slightly bitter, but complimented by bright citrus at the same time.
The best match for this type of beer is Austria’s Grüner Veltliner wine, which has that same green quality as a pale ale. The best way to describe it is the flavor of chive alongside a bitter and spicy flavor like pepper or radish, all brought together with a citrus like lime or grapefruit.
For the Lager drinkers- Try Verdejo From Rueda
Larger is one of the most misconceived styles of beer there is, being thought as boring, unnotable and suitable for mindless drinking at bars or cookouts. The mass production of this style of beer really takes away how awesome Lager actually is, with its crisp, refreshing, savory taste.
Verdejo contains all the qualities that lager drinkers crave in an alcoholic beverage. Verdejo may seem simple at first, but it has hidden savory qualities of good lagers, with its clean drinkability and bright citrus flavors.
For Wheat beer drinkers- Try Albariño From Rias Baixas
Somehow, in a country such as America, who enjoy super bitter beers, have come to love wheat beer and it has come to be the most polarizing style of beer in America. Wheat beer is extremely thirst quenching and intensely fruity with orange and coriander flavors and close flavors of a traditional hefeweizen.
This fruit-driven beer is closely matched to the delicious Albariño From Rias Baixas because it is intensely fruity, with aromas of tropical fruit such as peach and meyer lemon, but with zippy lime flavors and lots of texture. Like wheat beer, the acidity removes any illusion of sweetness, leaving your mouth refreshed and ready for another sip.
For Sour beer drinkers- Try Loire Valley Whites
The popularity of sour beers has definitely grown over the years. Sour beers tend to be tart, earthy and noticeably high in acidity. This generally means the sour beer is inherently very wine-like. The good thing about this being a wine-like beer is there are plenty of high acidic, savory, white wines to choose from.
The Loire Valley selection of wine is mineral-driven, savory whites. For lovers of salty, tart beverages should definitely look to the Loire region of Muscadet near the ocean. For more ‘out there’ sour beer lovers, you should move inland, where Chenin Blanc has funky flavors of cheese rind, toasted nuts and much more.
For IPAs drinkers- Try Sancerre
While a lot of IPAs reside within the pale ale category, a lot of pale ales are less hoppy than IPAs. IPAs are definitely dominated by the flavor of hops, making it greatly bitter and green. You can definitely not mistake this beer with its bold flavor.
Sancerre has intense hop quality and is also citrus-driven in flavor, making it a perfect match to IPAs. Rather than a bell pepper green type flavor, Sancerre’s flavor is more like fresh cut grass or herbs like basil and parsley. With this wine also being acid-driven, the grapefruit and lemon citrus make Sancerre slightly bitter, but refreshing.
Is Cooking With Expensive Wine A Good Idea?
We all know the rule that when it comes to cooking with wine, there’s one for the dish, and two for the chef! (Am I right?!) Us wine lovers have also heard the true advice to not cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink, but then again… it can seem like such a waste cooking with an expensive wine, so let’s see if there is a happy medium.
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Now, we all know about those “cooking wines” readily available at grocery stores, but you definitely wouldn’t want to drink those from the bottle. An excellent alternative can be found at any wine store- a value driven alternative, at that. It doesn’t matter if the recipe calls for red or white wine, the key things to look for are light- to medium- bodied, fruity, acid-driven wines; and to avoid heavy wines with lots of tannin or oak because they will clash too much with the flavors of most dishes. The best way to tell if a wine is any good other than those tips will be the price. The sweet spot lies between $10 to $15 dollar, ensuring both value and quality.
What are we waiting for? Let’s throw on our aprons and get cooking with these favorites!
Domaine La Montagnette ‘Sinargues’ Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône Valley, France
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For those who enjoy full-bodied wines will enjoy this wine especially. Similar to wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, it contains familiar grapes for a delicious cooking or drinking wine (or both!) You must take caution and avoid picking up tannic wines as they can be quite bitter when added to a dish. This wine remains low in tannin, but has a darker structure, with blackberry, black cherry, and wet-earth flavor set.
NV Castillo Peredlada ‘Blanc Pescador’, Catalunya, Spain
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Not only is this a popular drinking wine throughout Spain, it goes perfectly with practically any dish. With blends of Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada, this wine is close to sparkling, making it similar to Cava. Don’t worry though, this won’t affect your dish because the bubbles flatten as the wine gets cooked, but drinking wise, it will definitely perk up the chef! This perfect sous-chef wine is clean and fresh, offering lemony notes with a touch of rocky minerality.
Esporao ‘Monte Velho’ Branco, Alentejo, Portugal
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Countries that are not known well for winemaking provide excellent sources of cooking wine because they typically offer better quality for a lesser price. This wine offers a delicious fruity taste, without a bit of body without the oak. It’s a perfect blend of Roupeiro, Antao Vaz and Perrum is a Portuguese staple. It is a richer wine but still retains its freshness.
Leyda ‘Classic’ Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, Chile
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Pinot Noir is the perfect drinking wine, but it can also be an amazing cooking wine. It comes in lots of different forms and prices. There’s definitely no reason to waste $50 glasses of wine when a lesser-known Pinot Noir producer exists in Chile, offering a decent bottle for a good price. The Chilean producer specializes in a balance of fruity flavors with an affordable price tag.
Le Cantine Di Indie ‘Polpo Rosso’, Sicily, Italy
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Most dishes will want a red or a white wine, but sometimes a rose is preferred. This light red wine is a ‘go to’ when it comes to those times. It is organically farmed in Sicily, made from Nerello Mascalese. Its fresh flavors, raspberry, and red cherry is the fruity delight that is craved and will pop even more in cooler temperatures, so feel free to chill it before use!
Weingut Josef Leitz ‘Leitz Out’, Riesling, Rheingau, Germany
