Two is Better Than One

These days, it seems that one good thing just isn’t enough. Take the donut for example, a perfectly delicious pastry that has been loved by all for hundreds of years. There was absolutely nothing wrong with this sweet delectable ring of dough until Dominique Ansel had to come along and combine the sugary perfection with a croissant to create cronut madness. Don’t get me wrong—I love the cronut. I had the pleasure of living in NYC around the corner from the Dominique Ansel Bakery when cronut madness was in full-swing and seriously debated waiting in line at 7am for a first taste (I chose sleep instead, my waistline thanks me). But since this momentous milestone in food history, I can’t help but notice the continuing trend in food mash-ups that continues to transform the food scene forever.

I’ve dabbled in a few DIY mash-ups of my own, including Slutty Brownies (seriously that’s what they’re called) with some success. But after scouring the Internet, I realize there is a whole world of funky food combos that I never knew existed. Let’s start with sweets:

Cupcake Pie

Image source TheDomesticRebel.com

I like birthday cake, I like pie. Should there be any reason to hate this mash-up? I think not. And the recipe actually looks pretty easy.

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Oreos

Image source LemonyThyme.com

I don’t even like the taste of peanut butter and chocolate together (I know, I’m crazy) but these things look pretty freakin’ awesome and delicious. A cookie/candy/chocolate covered mish-mosh of goodness.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Image source Caketime.com

Layers of giant chocolate chip cookies held together with Nutella? Yes, please.

It’s the savory, non-dessert space where the whole Franken-food concept gets ACTUALLY crazy, IMHO:

Sushi Cake

Image source NowImACook.com

I’m an adventurous eater and even I wouldn’t eat this “Sushi Cake.” I love sushi but a sushi loaf is just unappetizing and frankly pretty scary looking.

French Onion Macaroni and Cheese Soup

Image source FoodNetwork.com

Nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of onion soup on a cold winter day. Just think of the macaroni and cheese as a hybrid of the traditional bread and cheese topping morphed into one.

Guacamole Hummus

Image source MarthaStewart.com

I am a self-proclaimed avocado expert so anything that has to do with guacamole I am always down for. Mixing guacamole with hummus? The more the merrier.

Other notable food mash-ups include a ramen burger, crepe cone and Nutella covered bacon. Don’t forget to wash down your food hybrids with the drink mash-up Narragansett Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout, and you’re good to go.

Posted by Carli

Beer Cans for the Basics, Coming Right Up!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I don’t know much about beer. Besides your everyday knowledge of vocabulary and overall taste, I am a newb. When going to a bar and faced with the ultimate task of answering, “what are you having,” I freeze in fear and blurt out the first beer I recognize, which is usually Narragansett, Bud Light, or a heavily flavored beer such the obligatory fall-inspired Shipyard Pumpkin.

Image source Redditian.com

Although I don’t know much, I am aware of the colors of beer I can tolerate. Dark beers? Too strong. Light pale brews? Too bitter. I’m like the f*&king Goldilocks of beer, which is funny because golden colored beers are usually what I go for. Just call me the beer-drinking Blanche Devereaux. (Side note: according to this article, based on the beer I drink, I’m not afraid of what others think of me and I’m totally dateable. Call me, boys.)

Image source chibebrau.blogspot.com

Anyways, in typical Pantone style, they’re simplifying things for all of us basic beer b*tches. Now introducing the future of beer packaging:

Image source TXABER

Image source TXABER

Imagine going to the bar and ordering a 1217 C after a long day?

Image source Imgflip.com

In all honesty, I think it’s genius. Although the minimalist style hasn’t been picked up by any breweries, I’ll be waiting for that day while sipping out of my new set of Pantone mixed pinks mugs. Keep it coming, Pantone! Or should I saw Txaber, their Spanish creative agency… olé!

Posted by Emily B.

Shark Week Schmark Week

Once upon a time, I lived in a world in which sharks were among the pitiful ranks of spiders and snakes. I never had to hide the fact that I dislike sharks with every ounce of my soul. I hate their beady little eyes and rows of jagged teeth protruding from those huge gums. ‘Jaws’ scared the crap out of me and ‘Deep Blue Sea’ left me watching my back as I stood by pools.

I assumed that everyone else in the world felt the same way as me, and then sometime in high school everyone started to lose their marbles over Shark Week. I couldn’t look at my Facebook or Twitter feeds in August without seeing something about Shark Week. But not me, no sir. I avoided Discovery Channel like the plague and waited for everyone to come back to shark-hating reality once the week had ended.

Image source www.thefw.com

Yet, this year things have been different for me. Shark Week’s been in my vocabulary since May thanks to Narragansett’s retro ‘Jaws’ can and shark naming contest (look for the winner this Thursday, peeps!) for their adopted shark through the University of Miami’s R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program. I’ve since warmed up to the little buggers and even think they can be kind of cute. I mean, look at him…

Image source Narragansett Beer

Yes, that may be a cartoon shark but that’s okay. This year, I’m celebrating Shark Week the only way I know how: avoiding the Discovery Channel but drinking copious amounts of beer: ‘Gansett of course.

Posted by Tracy

Baseball 101: Introducing the Red Sox of 2014

If you’re like me, you love beer. And your love of beer usually leads you to bars (who have beer). And soon, those bars are going to be overrun with another kind of people who love beer: Sox fans.

Image source haveagansett.tumblr.com

Opening day is April 4^th and it’s approaching fast. And whether this blog post serves as a reminder to stay the hell away from Fenway/Kenmore that day (ugh, traffic!) or got you thinking, “Maybe I should brush up on my baseball knowledge?” I’m here to help.

Don’t know anything about baseball? Here are some basics:

1. Since we started with beer in mind, make sure to grab yours before the 7^th inning stretch – that’s when they stop serving!
2. Each team plays 162 games in a regular season. At an average of 5 ½ dozen balls per game, that’s…a lot of balls (157,950, to be more exact).
3. There are 9 innings in a regular season game. The longest game ever recorded was 33 innings long and 8 hours and 25 minutes of actual game play.
4. The first World Series was played between Pittsburgh and Boston in 1903 (Boston won!).
5. When looking at outs vs balls on the TV at your favorite bar, remember it’s in alphabetical order (BALLS-OUTS).

Was the previous list too basic for you? Here is Sox-specific knowledge for the upcoming season:

1. In case you were living under a rock, the Sox won the World Series last year. If they win again, it will be the first team to repeat championships since the Yankees won three in a row between 1998-2000.
2. Ben Cherington is going into his second year as Sox manager. With one Series title under his belt already, I say he’s doing pretty well.
3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is now playing catch for the Miami Merlins. Sigh, I always loved seeing that name on jerseys.
4.  The biggest lost in trades has been the Sox leadoff hitter, Jacob Ellsbury, and short stop, Stephen Drew.
5.  Last year the Sox ended with 97 wins and 65 losses. Not to mention, winning the World Series (although it’s hard to mention it too often).

If nothing else, I hope these lists will leave you confident enough to chat up the cute guy/girl next to you with a baseball jersey on and ‘Gansett in hand. Go Sox!

Posted by Kimmy

 

m.onday deal — Bin Ends

Who doesn’t like to save a buck, especially these days? While the premise of m.onday deals is to help you do just that for a limited time….some of our clients are actually in the business of helping you save money each and every single day.  Enter Bin Ends.

The “Filene’s Basement” of Fine Wine, Bin Ends offers consumers high-quality wines at bargain barrel prices every day. What some don’t know is that, in addition to fine wines, this big-box store located right off of the exit on 93 in Braintree also sells liquor as well as a large selection of beers — from New England favorite easy-drinking ‘Gansett to a wide selection of complex Massachusetts craft beers.  This week, just for stopping into Bin Ends, you’ll enjoy a complimentary bottle of Pretty Things or Berkshire Brewing or even a 6 pack of Narragansett — your choice! They’re even hosting a tasting of Local Brews on Sunday March 14 from 1 – 4 PM, so you can come in, try them all and then select your favorite! If that’s not worth getting in the car for a quick jaunt to Braintree, well, then we just don’t know what is.

FINE PRINT (straight from Bin Ends’ mouth):

• Offer available Monday March 8 – Sunday March 14, anytime during regular store hours (visit binendswine.com for details).
• You must be 21 or older.
• You must not be intoxicated when you arrive.
• You must be able to explain the difference between a lager and an ale upon request.
• You must worship at the alter of Marlo…. am I missing anything?
• …Oh yeah. Only one per customer.

TO REDEEM:
Simply mention m.onday deals when arriving at the register.