Birthday Beer Inspiration
It’s my birthday. Not just any birthday–THE birthday where I feel justified to buy a Ferrari convertible, get my ear pierced and grow out that ponytail. Yes, it’s the midlife crisis birthday. Luckily I started writing for Under the Tuscan Gun just in time to keep me occupied and delay that transition. Here’s a video from my birthday two years ago, at Andres Carne de Res in Bogota, Colombia. I just wanted all of you to know I really know how to party like it’s 1999!Anyway, that was 38. This is the big 40. Let me tell you about some beers that are perfect for celebrating birthdays. Now say you’re having a party, and mostly family and a handful of friends are coming over. None of your guests have really been exposed to more than skunky Heineken and the Miami blech favorite Presidente. And even though it’s your birthday, you plan to change all of that. Their futures are in your hands, after all. Big responsibility.
What better way to ask for suggestions than find people that share your birthday and then pair beers with their personalities or something about them, probably stretching that connection by a lot. That’s exactly what I plan on doing here. LOL.
Let’s start with the incomparable Britney Spears, born on my birthday in 1981. I immediately thought of the very tart La Roja brewed by Jolly Pumpkin. Oops!… I Did It Again. Tart cherry meets Granny Smith Apple sourness in this ultra flavorful wake-up-the-palate beer. This isn’t your ordinary beer, but take a few sips and you will be hooked. And don’t just take my word for it. Iron Chef Michael Symon told me that this is his favorite beer, too. Oh, and jot this down now–one day I’ll be an Iron Chef judge. It’s on my bucket list! If you’re planning your menu, I’d serve this with some cheese or seafood. Mmm. Oysters and scallops, or some cheese and smoked salmon!
Aaron Rodgers, born on my birthday in 1983, is currently lighting up the NFL as the Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback. But I’ll look to his birth place, Chico, California, for inspiration. That’s where this next beer was brewed. Be sure to grab at least a 12-pack of seasonal favorite Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale for your birthday party. Sweet orange and bread dough maltiness are crushed by a piny, citrus-rind-driven hoppy bitterness. Aggressive yet flavorful. Serve this with any spicy dishes or hors d’oeuvre on the menu. Yes, even if they are those frozen ones.
Georges Seurat is one of my favorite French Impressionist painters. He was born on my birthday in 1859. “So how can you possibly find beer inspiration from a long-dead foreign artist?” Excellent question! I just thought that such an awesome artist would really get a kick out of the beer labels that Flying Dog brewery has done for them by the famous Ralph Steadman. I picked out Raging Bitch as a favorite. This beer is a Belgian-Style IPA. The orange and citrus bitterness is not as aggressive as some IPAs while the “Belgian” part refers to the yeast used in the brewing process. You end up with a very flavorful and distinct beer. Trust me. This is a very versatile beer you can drink with anything on your menu, from simple to rich. Or alone, as I prefer!
Finally, I went to the world of music to get you one last unforgettable beer. Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage was born on my birthday in 1960. Follow me here. This is complicated. Rick’s band mate, singer Joe Elliott has his own Pilsner that is apparently made in Ireland. I decided to pick an awesome pilsner that will show you that real pilsner flavor isn’t any of that crap you see marketed during Sunday afternoon football games. I am choosing the awesome Prima Pils brewed by Victory Brewing. Fruity, clean, light, flavorful, refreshing. Try it. You’ll like it! Honestly, you should make your guests mow your lawn and mop the floor since it’s your birthday, but offer this liquid refreshment as a reward. Again, truthfully, it’s very versatile and should be fine with most dishes.
Finally, there are a few others that share my birthday, but I thought I’d leave politics off the table since I’m new here (Harry Reid, 1939); and I couldn’t think of any inspiration from Monica Seles (1973), though I do certainly appreciate how she made grunting in tennis acceptable for women. I’m not much of a fashionista (Gianni Versace, 1946), but I do love the circus (Charles Ringling, 1863).
This was a fun exercise, and unless your birthday is also December 2 and I ruined this for you, give it a try with your birthday! Yeah, go do that right now and leave your answers in the comments!
