After a long break, been brewi…

After a long break, been brewing in 2011 and 2012. Time to get these updates back to regular.

ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-09-30

• In South Bend, drinking a blue moon from a kegerator I set up. It’s pretty foamy, but I think we have the CO2 pressure right. Any thoughts? #

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ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-09-16

• Just finished a beer at Twisted Pine in Boulder with @mel_mayhem. The expresso stout is excellent and the Hoppy Man a pleasant palate killer #

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ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-09-09

• Chitownbeer is planning a triumphant return to the blogoverse. Stay tuned… #

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ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-07-08

• RT @WBEZ Classical Music with a Beer Chaser http://tinyurl.com/lgy7vl #
• Just got back from Fort Wayne, IN. I’ll tell you what, those people at Mad Anthony know a think or two about stouts. #

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ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-06-17

• Half acre = delious #
• Checkin’ out Lez Zep and the beer list at La Salle power co. What are you drinking? #
• I’m hosting a beer party. What are some of your favorite beer/food combos? #

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ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-06-10

• Is this manga for beer? RT @MetroBrewing: Time for some beerga. #

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ChiTownBeer Weekly Tweets for 2009-06-03

• I can hear/see the #Belmont/Sheffield festival from my house. Going to check it out… #
• About to experiment with #BeerMargaritas. Anyone know any good recipes? I have tequila, grand marnier, and some Modelo especial. + water. #
• Medill Reports finally tackles worthy topics. http://bit.ly/gRVlJ #
• Finished the last of my Oaked Arrogant Bastard last night. When will Stone make enroads to Illinois? #
• Stag’s 5th annual Beer Chugging Contest this Saturday. Reggie’s Music Joint. I’ll be there. Here’s a taste: http://tr.im/mJHz #
• Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #blogger #beer #Chicago #

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Drink your gallstones away!

It may not be as fun (i.e. disgusting) as it sounds, but having two units of alcohol every day can help prevent gallstones, reports the UK’s Daily Mail.

Imbibing the units (which The Mail defines as a pint of beer, medium-sized glass of wine or double shot of whiskey) can help reduce your risk of gallstones by 33 percent. The University of East Anglia study followed the dietary habits of almost 26,000 people for 10 years.

That’s not all. The Mayo Clinic says alcohol can also help reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke.

The key is, of course, moderation, but the next time someone questions why you’re popping open a cold one at 1 in the afternoon, tell them you’re just toasting you health.

Beer Margaritas? Yes, please.

So, I was going to start drinking Saturday night. I reached into my fridge and found tequila, Grand Marnier, Modelo Especial and Kosher salt. (Not true. I went to a store to buy these things for tonight). This was all I had because I’m low on cash but high on party. (Party being my name for boozes).

I was hanging out with Erin (True.), and she brought to my attention the existence of beer margaritas. We had the ingredients. We had the time. We had the power.

How To:

We grabbed a recipe from someone else. So, without much ado, here is what we proceeded to mix:

• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen Margarita concentrate
• 8 fluid ounces tequila
• 4 fluid ounces of Grand Marnier
• 12 fluid ounces water
• 12 fluid ounces Modelo
• ice

We blended everything but the beer until it was soup-y. Then poured in a beer, stirred until everything was well mixed and filled a couple Kosher rimmed glasses.

Was it any good?

As far as taste goes, if you like margaritas, you’ll probably like this. The carbonation from the beer makes the margarita seem more like a spiked punch… but instead of Sprite, you’ve added good ol’ beer! And more alcohol!

The beer also has the effect of adding a bit of bitterness to the margarita, which I enjoyed, and cuts down on some of the harsher citrus flavors. Because of this, I don’t recommend adding salt. Salt is normally used to cut down on the sweetness of the margarita and harshness of the tequila. The beer does both of these jobs for you.

Bottom Line: I like beer margaritas. Some beer people don’t like the idea of beer cocktails, but this is definitely one to bring to your next summer party or evening gathering. Hooray beergaritas!