P.O. Box 632 Findlay, Ohio 45839 Phone: 419-420-9327

Food
Cheers to Beer
By Lindsey Shafer
Nov 30, 2007, 12:28

Can you guess this beer?
 
   1366 - Den Hoorn Brewery pays its' first taxes in Leuven, Belgium
   1708 -  Sebastian Artois is given the coveted title of Master Brewer
   1717 -  Den Hoorn Brewery is purchased by Sebastian Artois
   1926 -  A  Belgium Christmas beer is created that is exceptionally "clear   & sparkly"
   1930 - This "stellar" brew is so popular it is brewed year 'round &    exported to other European countries
   1999 - This Premier Pils is finally introduced to the United States
   2007 - The brand of "Supreme Quality and Worth" becomes the best   selling Belgium import in the world

The correct answer is...Stella Artois!

Crisp, refreshing, pleasantly bitter and unique - Stella Artois is easy to enjoy and satisfies the thirst of the most discriminating of beer drinkers.  Elegant is another appropriate descriptor for this beer - not only does Stella have its' very own gold rimmed signature chalice, the Belgians also follow a 9 step pouring ritual to ensure a perfectly poured Stella every time.

          1. The Purification: The signature chalice is cleansed and rinsed in cold    water

          2. The Sacrifice: The tap is opened to release the first burst of foam

          3. The Liquid Alchemy: The chalice is held at a 45-degree angle to create   the perfect balance of liquid to foam

          4. The Collar of Foam: Created by straight   ening and lowering the chalice

          5. The Removal: The tap is closed & chal  ice removed quickly so no drops spoil   the raised collar
 
          6. The Beheading: Using a Belgian "head   cutter", the bartender gently cuts the   raised collar at a  45-degree angle.    This helps remove bubbles that may    cause the collar to dissipate quickly

          7. The Judgement: The bartender makes sure  the collar is exactly two fingers thick

          8. The Cleansing: The bottom and sides of the filled   chalice are rinsed so that glass is sparkling

          9. The Bestowal: The perfectly poured Stella is pre  sented to the consumer

This ritual may be a little much for our fast paced American lives, however I encourage all of legal age to take a moment, grab a chilled Stella Artois, pour it into a glass & enjoy what many call "liquid perfection".  You'll notice that Stella's crisp bitterness pairs wonderfully with a range of entrées ranging from Thai and Indian dishes to filet mignon to delicious cream based dishes such as Fettuccini Alfredo.  Experiment with food pairings and enjoy responsibly during your upcoming celebrations.  Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season - Cheers!