Archive for January, 2006

Beer a better match for cheese

Friday, January 20th, 2006

The New Scientist tells its readers: “Next time you are organizing a cheese and wine party, don’t waste your money on quality wine. Cheese masks the subtle flavors that mark out a good wine, so your guests won’t be able to tell that you are serving them cheap stuff.”
Of course, we can tell you something [...]

Does price equal quality?

Monday, January 16th, 2006

A story by Paul de Grauwe in the Financial Times last week included this interesting study on the effects of pricing:
A few weeks ago an interesting experiment was undertaken at the Brussels food fair, a yearly affair where food lovers wander around among the many stalls stuffed with all imaginable delicacies. A stall was put [...]

In defense of hops: Part I

Tuesday, January 10th, 2006

Dear Abby:
I love hops, but my local brewpub is currently serving an IPA dry hopped with Simcoe and I’m wondering if it is polite to tell the brewer his beer smells a bit too much like a litter box badly in need of cleaning.
Yours truly,
A Hophead
I didn’t mail the letter. Not only because [...]