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Beer festivals around the world
In any other year, summer coming to a close would mean Beer Festival Season is upon us. Alas, it is 2020; which means pretty much everything is or will be cancelled. For nostalgia’s sake, we rounded up a few of these noteworthy events…and none of them take place in Germany!
Belgian Beer Weekend: Generally held in Brussels during the first weekend of September, breweries big and small come together to celebrate their suds. Enjoy beers of every kind while taking in the gorgeous Gothic architecture of La Grande Place, central square of Belgium’s capital city.
Slunce ve Skle: This annual festival usually takes place the third weekend of September in Pilsen (Plzen), a picturesque city about 50 miles west of Prague in the Czech Republic. The name of the event translates to “sun in a glass”. Attendees can expect to only find microbreweries pouring here (no big guys allowed!) as the focus is more on artistry and quality rather than quantity.
Oktoberfest of Blumenau: Second only to Munich’s, this epic Brazilian celebration lasts over two weeks in October. Imagine all the kitsch and energy of Carnaval meets beer, lederhosen, and knockwurst. Blumenau is a city built by a handful of German immigrants in the mid-1800s. And though you’re merely miles from Sao Paolo, the architecture and spirit of the town is German through and through.
At Stockholm’s we always look forward to the various festivals and events that the good people of Geneva work so hard to put together. The Festival of the Vine weekend is one of our very favorites. And while we understand that the health and safety of community is paramount, it’s still a bit of a bummer to miss out on such a fun weekend. But as they have time over time throughout the entirety of the pandemic, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work creating a fun and safe event for the whole month of September. Sip & Sample Through September starts September 1. With the purchase of a $20 certificate from the Chamber, you can choose a food and beverage pairing experience at a participating restaurant. Of course, Stockholm’s is excited to participate. Tickets are on sale now at genevachamber.com. Stay tuned to our social media for our pairing menu!
Let there be light

Grill & Chill: A Guide to Summer Beer Pairing
​Here we are smack dab in the middle of summer 2020. While so much makes this different from summers in the past, a few important things remain the same. Enjoying the sunshine, enjoying time with family and friends (from a safe distance), and enjoying good food. And nothing says summer quite like firing up the grill!
At Stockholm’s, we are passionate about good food; and we think the perfect accompaniment to a delicious meal is a great beer. No matter what is on your grill this weekend, we have a craft beer that will pair perfectly.
Burgers and Third Street Ale: The rich malt flavor of this Belgian style brown ale complements this savory backyard classic.
Sausage and Doc’s Porter: The creamy, lightly sweet notes of oats and coffee contrast nicely with the unctuous and salty flavors of the sausage.
Shrimp Skewers and Aegir’s Ale: This English Pale Ale’s faint floral notes and gentle bitter finish will not overpower the delicate flavors of the shrimp.
Chicken Drumsticks and Viking Red Ale: No matter the marinade you use on the chicken, the creamy sweet malt and gentle hop finish of this amber ale will be a tasty pairing.
Grilled Romaine Salad and State Street Pilsner: Grilling romaine lettuce turns it into something different entirely, tender on the inside, hot and crisp on the outside. Dress it simply with lemon and olive oil and serve this easy drinking German style Pilsner along with it for a light yet flavorful summer meal.
Salmon and Older But Weisser: Salmon is a rare type of seafood that can stand up to a wide range of flavors, bold like barbeque to delicate like citrus. The coriander notes and refreshing mouthfeel of this Belgian White Wit beer is a great contrast to the richness and fattiness of this fish.
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All 14 of our handcrafted brews are available to go in one-liter growlers. And thanks to our Brewery Direct Pricing, the value can’t be beat! Pick up a beer or two for this weekend’s backyard BBQ. Join us on Facebook or Instagram and share a photo of your pairing. Skoal!
At Stockholm’s, we are passionate about good food; and we think the perfect accompaniment to a delicious meal is a great beer. No matter what is on your grill this weekend, we have a craft beer that will pair perfectly.
Burgers and Third Street Ale: The rich malt flavor of this Belgian style brown ale complements this savory backyard classic.
Sausage and Doc’s Porter: The creamy, lightly sweet notes of oats and coffee contrast nicely with the unctuous and salty flavors of the sausage.
Shrimp Skewers and Aegir’s Ale: This English Pale Ale’s faint floral notes and gentle bitter finish will not overpower the delicate flavors of the shrimp.
Chicken Drumsticks and Viking Red Ale: No matter the marinade you use on the chicken, the creamy sweet malt and gentle hop finish of this amber ale will be a tasty pairing.
Grilled Romaine Salad and State Street Pilsner: Grilling romaine lettuce turns it into something different entirely, tender on the inside, hot and crisp on the outside. Dress it simply with lemon and olive oil and serve this easy drinking German style Pilsner along with it for a light yet flavorful summer meal.
Salmon and Older But Weisser: Salmon is a rare type of seafood that can stand up to a wide range of flavors, bold like barbeque to delicate like citrus. The coriander notes and refreshing mouthfeel of this Belgian White Wit beer is a great contrast to the richness and fattiness of this fish.
​
All 14 of our handcrafted brews are available to go in one-liter growlers. And thanks to our Brewery Direct Pricing, the value can’t be beat! Pick up a beer or two for this weekend’s backyard BBQ. Join us on Facebook or Instagram and share a photo of your pairing. Skoal!
Carbonation Consternation

For example, according to a report by the Independent Commodity Intelligence Services, falling production at refineries and ethanol plants in the United States has caused a shortage of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). CO2 is used in a multitude of ways including food processing, water treatment, dry ice production, and of course making beverages like BEER! Beer is often force carbonated to give it the fizz, flavors, and aromas we know and love. Force carbonation takes place as a final step of production and is the process of directly injecting carbon dioxide into cold beer. This method works to reduce product loss due to foaming, as the beer moving from place to place during processing is not carbonated yet so unable to foam. It also reduces the time it takes to make beer from start to finish. That is, from initial brewing to your frosty mug.
Here at Stockholm’s, we’re not overly worried about this particular issue. We’ve been brewing in the Old World Tradition since our doors opened in May 2002. That means allowing the beer to condition naturally in the cask, eliminating the need for injecting Carbon Dioxide. Sure, it may take a bit longer from beginning to end; but smooth, complex, and full-flavored beer is most certainly worth the wait. Check out our current beer list here. Pair one with your meal on our patio, or liter growlers are also available for carryout. Skoal!
Hop Hop Hooray!
Beer. That magical elixir somehow brewed from only four humble ingredients: barley, yeast, water, and hops. Sounds simple enough; but the reality is much more complex, due in a large part to the hops themselves. But what are hops and what is their role in the wizardry that makes beer the beverage we know and love?
Basically, hops are a plant. And the flower of that plant is what is used in the brewing process. They contain alpha acids, which are responsible for the bitter flavor. And you guessed it: the more alpha acids the plant has, the more bitterness it can impart. There are three basic functional categories of hops: Bittering, Aroma, and Dual Purpose. Bittering or Kettle hops are used during the boil for flavor, Aroma or Finishing hops are used near the end of the process for bouquet, and Dual Purpose hops are just what they sound like. In addition to adding complex flavor and aromas, hops also act as a preservative and help to retain the head of the beer.
The majority of the hops grown in the United States come from the Pacific Northwest region. And much like wine grapes, studies have shown that hops’ characteristics are affected by “terroir” (pronounced tear-WAR); meaning climate, soil, terrain, and farming practices. Cascade hops are the most commonly used and considered the quintessential American hop plant. It is characterized by moderate bitterness and a strong grapefruit essence. Cascade hops are used to brew our Stockholm’s G.P.A. (Geneva Pale Ale), added toward the end of the boil to balance the initial caramel sweetness of the beer with citrus and piney bitterness.
Many people have heard of the term “noble hops”, which refers to varieties of hops grown in central Europe and used to brew beer for centuries. Two of the noble hops, Saaz from what is now the Czech Republic and Tettnang from southern Germany, are used to make Abbey Ale, one of our current seasonal selections. The Abbey is our version of a Belgian Tripel, which essentially means triple the amount of malt. This gives the beer a sweet taste and high alcohol content, which is contrasted by the noble hops; added at two different points in the brewing process to produce a wonderfully balanced sweet beer with mild bitterness. It pairs well with robust and flavorful dishes, like our BBQ Ribs or Seafood Diablo. Skoal!
Cheers to a healthy New Year!
The holidays have come and gone and now we’re in the throes of Resolution Season; and for roughly 55% of people who make resolutions, that means working toward better health and fitness in 2020. People everywhere are getting gym memberships and rethinking their diets for the New Year. And as you reluctantly cut out glazed donuts and pass on the fettucine alfredo, take heart: the beers you enjoy need not be on the chopping block! Research has shown there to be a slew of health benefits in a glass of our favorite frosty beverage. Of course, all this research cites moderate beer consumption, which is roughly one 12 ounce glass per day for women and two 12 ounce glasses per day for men.
Everyone has heard of antioxidants, but do you know what they do? They’re scrappy little substances that can protect your cells from the havoc that free radicals can wreak on your system, which can lead to heart disease, cancer, and more. Thanks to the malts and hops, beer has a unique antioxidant profile which is twice that of white wine. Hello Pale Ale, sayonara free radicals!
Beer can also strengthen your bones, believe it or not. According to US News & World Report, the dietary silicon present in beer boasts many benefits, including the prevention of aging of hair, skin, and nails, the prevention of atherosclerosis, and promoting stronger bones. In fact, moderate beer drinkers were 36% less likely to have osteoporosis.
In addition, beer contains more protein and B vitamins than wine, as well as important nutrients like fiber, phosphorus, niacin, and folate. Studies have also shown moderate beer consumption to help in lowering cholesterol, as well as lowering the risk of diabetes and hypertension. The hops in beer may also help fight inflammation in the body.
And not all beer is created equally. Since Stockholm’s craft brews are unfiltered, they contain more of the B vitamins, minerals, and protein than their filtered counterparts. A healthy new year and a healthy new you? I’ll drink (beer) to that! Skoal!
Holiday Beer Pairing

Complementary or contrasting?

A bit about beer pairing

Welcome!
Welcome to our brand new blog!
At Stockholm’s, the only thing we love more than great beer and great food is great beer and great food TOGETHER. Sure, most people think of wine when they think of pairing, but why should wine have all the fun? In fact, beer just may be more food friendly than wine. While winemakers have only one ingredient to work with, brewers have a vast arsenal to experiment with, including barley, yeast, different types of hops, spices, fruits, the list goes on and on. The depth and breadth of flavors that can be achieved work to complement all types of fare, from spicy buffalo wings to a delicate seafood dish.
Curious about pairing your favorite beers with food? Each month we host a beer pairing dinner. Four complementary courses each expertly paired with one of our craft beers to create the ultimate dining experience. And consider this the maiden voyage of our Beer Pairing 101 series. Fun and educational snippets of insight on how to break this art of beer pairing down to a science. We might even have a contest to get you in on the action on our social media pages, so stay tuned. And in the meantime, Skoal!