Seasonal Brews Gift Baskets

Along side cold weather comes rich comfort foods and balmy spices. Visualize your favorite holiday snacks: cookies, hot toddies, Bailey's and coffee, flavored lattes, and apple pie. Every one of these share the warm, heavy aroma that we often associate with the holiday season. As the seasons transform into autumn, bakeries and coffee shops bring out their seasonal menu items. On a crisp, cold morning, nothing curbs a craving like a mug of hot apple cider or a hot pumpkin muffin. When we typically think of sweets and hot beverages when we think of seasonal foods, another favorite that springs to mind is seasonal beers. While a coffee fan might look forward to the return of their favorite pumpkin spice latte, a beer lover may wait faithfully for the reintroduction of their favorite oktoberfest beer. In 2008, seasonal beers were the number one selling craft beer in the nation. There is definitely something to be said for the impression seasonal food and beverages may have on our holiday spirit. The concept of beer and food pairing is especially significant with holiday and seasonal beers, since they are often seasoned differently than their year round equivalents. To recognize the best way of pairing seasonal beers, it is important to know the assorted varieties that are offered. Oktoberfest beers are usually aged and as a result retain a stronger flavor. These pair best with hearty meat dishes such as steak and potatoes. Harvest ales are created with seasonal spices and ingredients. These bold tastes pair well with the bold, rich foods the holidays are known best for. I’m sure you can place a few bets on which foods pair well with a pumpkin beer. Pumpkin is actually a very neutral ingredient and offers itself to making for a good ale or lager. These beers pair well with lighter meats such as pork and chicken as well as seasonal vegetables such as corn and squash. It also pairs well with pumpkin pie. At Baskets By Rita we understand a few things about pairing good beers with fancy foods. Any of our seasonal beer baskets come with a variety of cheese, crackers, chocolates, and sausages paired to ignite your taste buds. Take for example our Beer Gift Basket. This is the perfect Beer gift for that special guy or gal who enjoys great beer. Our heavy willow basket is filled with a 6 pack of your favorite Colorado Micro brew, chip and salsa, assorted nuts, beef jerky, snack bites, trail mix, crackers, beer cheese and more. Send our Beer Gift Basket filled with everything needed to celebrate their special day.. If you would like to give a one of a kind, custom person this holiday season, why not think of sending a beer basket? I can’t think of a better treat for cuddling up by the fire place and savoring good foods than cracking open a cool, Oktoberfest beer and taking in the bliss and warmth of the season. Happy holidays! If you found this article informational or know of someone else who might find it useful, please don’t hesitate to pass it on via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Thanks a bunch!  http://www.basketsbyrita.com/assets/images/beer-gift-basket.jpg http://twitter.com/basketsbyrita http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baskets-By-Rita/138008009558273