alexgmoney via Untappd

4th Age Brewing's ¿Flan? stout

The craft beer industry starts with the act of brewing your own, at least in part, and like many homebrewers, the guys of 4th Age Brewing are taking their skills to the next level by launching a company.

Chris Campos and Danny Morales are the brewmasters behind the fellowship of 4th Age. And they are looking to stand out in South Florida's craft beer revolution.

See also:
- Misfit Home-Brewers Help Lead Miami's Craft Beer Invasion

More »

Lyall Aston

Sean Brasel is taking his skills to the James Beard House for a special sizzling dinner.

Meat Market's Sean Brasel is having one good spring. First, the chef was proclaimed a "grilling god" by Food Republic. He's also planning to open two new Meat Market locations, in Puerto Rico and Palm Beach.

Now, Brasel is headed to New York City to represent Miami Beach at a special James Beard House dinner, titled South Beach Sizzle, tonight, June 18.

We caught up with the sizzling grilling god to ask him a few questions about cooking at James Beard House and how he plans to represent the 305 in the 212.

See also: Sean Brasel Gets The 10

More »

Kraft Foods

Wanna get zesty?

Have you seen the new Kraft Zesty salad dressing ad campaign? Like so many other products mostly bought by frazzled women trying to balance work, family, and sleep, they feature a little harmless beefcake to go with your greens.

The commercials show the "Zesty Guy" making some of his favorite recipes for you ladies. He melts butter with his smoldering gaze, he cooks some hot Italian sausage, he kneads and slaps pizza dough. At some point, his shirt comes off. Sometimes his pants. All of the commercials invite you to "get zesty." There is as much nudity in these commercials as in an ad for Fruit of the Loom underwear. Plus, they're clearly tongue-in-cheek (and about as sexy as a basket of kittens).

More »

foodguru802.blogspot.com

Eat Your Feelings. Tasty, tasty feelings.

This Monday hurts more than most. Whether you were partying with daddy or crying over the Heat's loss, even a lethal amount of caffeine doesn't seem enough today. When times are tough, start eating. Nothing soothes the stresses of life like comfort food. Creamy, dreamy, fatty goodness on a plate is the best way to get over any of life's disappointments.

It's time to get up, get moving and head to the closet for your roomiest pants. From down home barbecue and bacon old fashioneds to fried chicken tacos, this week is all about comfort food and drinks. So go; splash some cold brew on your face and get moving! The time to eat your feelings has come and its going to be epic.

More »

Miguel Aguilar

Chef Aguilar heats up his home refrigerator with hot sauce.

The refrigerator is the heart of a kitchen -- the magic can't happen without the fresh ingredients that are stored below 40° F behind closed doors.

So for food lovers, getting a look inside a chef's fridge is like a fashionista taking a peak at Anna Wintour's closet. That's why for the next couple of weeks, Short Order will be taking you inside the refrigerators of some of Miami's top chefs. Do they maintain their refrigerators like a holy temple or keep them emptier than your stomach after a dainty meal at an expensive tapas joint? They'll tell you what items are essential, and what they've been whipping up at home recently.

This week we talked to chef Miguel Aguilar of Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.

More »

Courtesy Jeff Michaud

James Beard award-winning chef Jeff Michaud and his mother-in-law Pina.

Around the same time Mason jars became hip, home cooking became a competitive sport. Foodists no longer impress friends with homespun gifts: sourdough bread, strawberry jam, pies filled with Granny Smith apples, rainbows, and tears. Now, cooks must master duck prosciutto, pickled ramps, and ricotta.

But Jeff Michaud, the James Beard award-winning executive chef and co-owner of Osteria Restaurant and Amis Restaurant in Philadelphia, has one recipe to trump them all: homemade booze.

Michaud, who's popping up at Harry's Pizzeria this Tuesday, June 18, makes limoncello -- a lemon-based liquor that originates in southern Italy. The recipe is by his mother-in-law, Pina.

More »

CC license via chewthedirt.com

Will Miami become Beer City USA?

The Magic City might be getting some high-profile attention from the largest craft brewery in the United States, the Boston Beer Company, brewer of Sam Adams beer.

Is it true? If so, then this would be a huge boost to the craft beer scene in Miami, which is already on the cusp of seeing the opening of several new breweries.

See also:
- Miller Time in Miami: Miller Beer Moving Latin American HQ to Miami
- Misfit Home-Brewers Help Lead Miami's Craft Beer Invasion
- Jim Patton, Wynwood Brewing Genius, Talks Craft Beer, Abita and Anthropology

More »

All photos by Laine Doss

Huahua's opens today.

After about a year of anticipation, Huahua's Taqueria opens today. The fast casual Chihuahua-themed restaurant opens today at 11 a.m. for lunch, serving up a menu of tacos, enchiladas, and a variety of sides.

When we interviewed chef/partner Todd Erickson two weeks ago, he said he couldn't wait to "tear the paper off the windows and open the front door". Now, he says, "it's great to see the sun shining into the restaurant. It's not me working in a test kitchen anymore. Now we can look out and people can look in. It's interactive and that's wonderful. We put the menu up in the marquee and the response from people walking by has been great. I've been getting the 'thumbs up' -- and we're not even open."

See also: Todd Erickson Walks Us Through Huahua's Taqueria

More »

Oh, I'll miss the Shuckers deck.

I have spent a lot of time there eating small crustaceans. One time, I arrived early to meet friends and I was stuck in that awkward point in a bar where you just order a drink and try to sip it by yourself, pacing things so you don't get drunk before your friends show up, because that would be tacky.

A guy approached me and it was clear he was way ahead of me when it came to alcohol consumption, and not concerned much about etiquette. He was obnoxious, probably on vacation and willing to be an asshole out of town.

He was also middle-aged, fat and sweaty. I was not any of those things that evening, though I'm not pretending I was the best catch in town. I really was just out to meet up with some friends for drinks and peel-and-eats at Shuckers. I was not looking for a jerky drunk guy on vacation. I was not looking for anything.

(The deck collapsed last Thursday and about two dozen people were rushed to the hospital.)

More »

Judging by his affinity for booze, a laid back lifestyle and the occasional sexcapade, we're pretty sure The Dude would approve of Miami. So it's a fitting tribute to spend Sunday night on one of the city's best pool decks, drinking, eating and watching him in all his boozy, bowling alley-obsessed glory.

The free Big Lebowski screening is part of a new event series, Indian Creek Drive In, at the Freehand Miami. Every Sunday they'll be showing indie and cult classic flicks on their epic outdoor patio and offering themed drinks and food specials. This week, it's all things Big Lebowski.

See also: Miami's 14 Best New Eats and Drinks for Summer

More »