Oktoberfest at Home

Augustiner Bräu München

Augustiner Bräu – A classic German brewery with the distinction of being a true Oktoberfest brewery located in Munich. Augustiner also boasts the friendliest tent at Oktoberfest, where the “waiters/waitresses (almost) never forget to smile, regardless of how busy or hectic it gets.” Now that’s a selling point! Their beers are pure expressions of German tradition with a nutty malt profile and crisp bite of hops.

Although their festival beer can only be had at the main event, they import 2 varieties of their classic lagers that are oh-so-refreshing. Edelstoff and Maximator are light and dark lagers respectively and showcase all the subtle beauty that goes into a world class German beer.

Jaeger Schnitzel

Few things in this world are a better compliment to these delicately structured beers than the German classic Jaeger Schnitzel – fried pork cutlets smothered in a mushroom gravy. This dish is ideal for those cool fall nights when a hearty meal is the perfect blanket. Breaded pork cutlets are complimented with a sauce comprised of yellow onions, diced bacon, cremini mushrooms and beef stock. For an added layer of complexity, coat the pork cutlets with a good German mustard before breading. This will add a spicy kick and keep your cutlets moist.

Jack's Abbey: Copper Legend

One of our favorite American breweries is Jack’s Abby from Framingham, Massachusetts. Their beers exhibit great finesse, balance and are benchmarks of their respective styles. It is no surprise that their fall release, Copper Legend, is a beautiful representation of the German Märzen style. With a light, malty sweetness reminiscent of honey and the gentle piney spice of authentic German hops, this beer keeps your interest peaked while also being incredibly easy drinking. Copper Legend also features Massachusetts grown wheat for a nice creamy texture in an already quaffable lager.

Obatzda

The sweet malt character of Copper Legend is a beautiful partner for a creamy, spice laden cheese spread known as Obatzda. This spread is one of the greatest things to dip a giant soft pretzel in! It is made of a blend of soft cheese like Camembert, butter, a splash of beer, garlic, paprika and salt & pepper. This cheese spread can also be used on bratwurst sandwiches or anywhere you might normally use pimento cheese. For a richer, more decadent spread add crème fraiche or farmers cheese to the mixture.

Sierra Nevada: Oktoberfest

Sierra Nevada has long been at the forefront of the American craft beer revolution, and it is no surprise that they bring an outstanding Oktoberfest release into the mix. Inviting aromas of baked bread and honey butter rolls, this quenching lager has an almost graham cracker like quality from the specialty German malts used. A beautiful marriage of cultures, just like the original Oktoberfest celebration!

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Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a holiday celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, where participants eat richer, fatty foods before ritual fasting begins. This year it takes place on Tuesday, March 5th. We’re celebrating with:

Homemade King Cake

King Cake is a tradition over 300 years old! Our King Cakes are baked fresh in-store from a sweet Danish dough and covered in delicious icing with colored sugar on top. Inside each King Cake is a plastic baby figure that represents Baby Jesus. Whoever finds the baby figurine in the cake is said to have luck and prosperity for the year to come.

Check out the video below to find out more about the tradition of King Cake and how it’s made!

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Are you excited for Aunt Carol’s green bean casserole & Uncle Steve’s “famous” (dry!) stuffing? Yeah… we didn’t think so. The holidays are that time of year all your family gathers in one room; that is a feeling one could never live without. It’s about as much fun as the noogies & wet willies from Cousin Frankie. Last year on Instagram you saw awesome pictures from someone’s party hashtagged “Friendsgiving”… but what is it?

Friendsgiving is a time when you get to choose to spend the classic holiday with your friends, or have a secondary feast. Friendsgiving has become more and more popular over the years, where and how it started is unconfirmed, but there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. Whether you have to miss (read: skip) Thanksgiving with your family or want another reason to have a glass of wine with good friends, Friendsgiving is a must! Whatever the reason may be, this is your opportunity to hang out with your “chosen family” through good food, drinks, and music.

When it comes to Friendsgiving there are no rules, so you don’t have to stick to your traditional dishes! This can be your time to try that deep fried sriracha turkey, sweet potato and cranberry quinoa, or even those gluten free biscuits. The sky is the limit! If your culinary talents are non-existent, there is no shame in calling your favorite caterer for some help. It’s all about the fun in getting together with the family that you got to pick yourself.

Now, how can you make your Friendsgiving a successful one? Here is our fool proof formula:

Now it’s time to get organized… putting together your guest list is the easy part. Pick a date and rally up the friends that want to have a good time. Next, decide who is bringing what. Everyone needs to contribute! Make sure your friends each pick something to bring to ensure everything doesn’t fall onto the plate of the host.  Use our super handy checklist to designate what each person is responsible for and to take the guesswork out of what you will need!

For the food, you can either openly assign each friend a type of dish, or just have them run it by you before the big night. This is the best way to avoid duplicates. If you have that friend who can’t even microwave popcorn, let our Events and Cuisine team help! Have a vegan friend who can’t eat much? Put them in charge of the vegetables. They will have a slamming recipe that brings the veggies to the next level, it’s the main thing that they eat. What would any thanksgiving celebration be without stuffing!

Make sure you have your drinks covered. For the booze, this can be more than just, “Hey guys I brought a bottle of wine” (although that’s fine too!), try and spice it up… it is the fall after all. Try ideas like spiced sangrias, pomegranate cocktails, or some spiked cider. You can also incorporate some hot drinks if the weather is getting chilly at night.  For some drink ideas you can check out this awesome article: 7 Drinks to Warm You When the Weather Turns Cold

A killer playlist is a must! The music will set the tone for your Friendsgiving and setting up while listening to some great music will definitely help make it that much easier. We’ve taken the hassle of putting a playlist together out of your hands!  Check out our Spotify playlist specially curated by us for your Friendsgiving! Just make sure one of your guests brings some speakers.

Lastly this night is all about fun! You will need some type of entertainment… now now, let’s get our heads out of the gutter, talking about games here! Adding fun, new, and exciting games not only adds to the excitement and helps keep the small talk to a minimum, but is a great opportunity for some social media worthy snapshots. Some of our favorites include Heads Up, Speak Out, and Cards Against Humanity… trust us the laughs will not stop.

Now you have all the tools to execute a memorable Friendsgiving! We are looking forward to seeing how much fun you and your friends have, feel free to tag us on instagram and use our Friendsgiving hashtag #FoolProofFriendsgiving.

Remember, if you need any help The DeCicco & Sons Team is always there for you!

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If it’s a perfect summer day you’re after, there’s nothing better than cooking up a feast on the grill, to share with your favorite circle of friends. Practically anything can be perfectly cook over a flame, yet many unexpected foods are forgotten about as they live in the shadow of the BBQ champions, such as Burgers, Hotdogs, and corn. So it’s time to think outside the grill marks!

Last year we walked you down The Grill Less Traveled with interesting and exotic grilled items from meatballs to avocados & cheese to peaches. Let’s take another trip and have a look at what have we cooked up for you this year.

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DECICCO & SONS CRAFT BEER & BAR DIRECTOR

There are few pleasures as rich and fulfilling in life as a jaunt in the woods. The thrill of climbing a precipice to discover the ultimate vantage point, high above the treetops where the air seems to sit on your skin like a cool bedsheet, is a defining moment in life. The brief minutes when you can rekindle your love affair with nature and disconnect from the infinitely plugged-in life we all lead are an important recharge for the soul. Equally as important are the refreshments you bring along on your journeys – the cold drink or snack that you enjoy while bird watching on a rockface. The next time you hit the trails be sure to pack one of our favorite hiking snacks and let a waterfall be the backdrop for your perfect day or a mirror still pond reflect you in the great outdoors.

Krave Beef Jerky – Based out of the bountiful and beautiful hillsides of Sonoma County, California; Krave has been at the forefront of culinary inspired jerky since 2009. Their unique technique allows for a tender jerky that won’t feel like an exercise to eat. Their products range from a Pink Peppercorn Beef to Basil Citrus Turkey to Black Cherry Barbecue Pork Jerky. Truly something for every meat lover on the trails.  High in protein, low in fat and made with real ingredients this snack is hard to beat for a grab and go situation. Pairs well with open meadows and wild flower patches.

Clif Bar Energy Bars – One of the classic trail snacks and for good reason – these dense and chewy energy bars are not only chock full of protein and sugars from organic ingredients, but they are as delicious as a slice of birthday cake.  With a range of flavors from Carrot Cake to Apricot to Chocolate Brownie there is a bar for every hiker’s sweet tooth. Clif Bars were a labor of love for founder Gary Erickson who had an epiphany on a 175-mile bike ride – that energy bars could be nutritious AND taste good! Gary spent the next two years making a mess in his mom’s kitchen perfecting the recipe for his original Chocolate Chip energy bar. For this, we thank him (and his mom)! Easy to slip into a back pocket when you want to hit the trails but not carry a day pack.

PB&J – The taste of childhood that delights you well into adulthood, Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches are easy to make, travel well and really hit the spot after a long day of trailblazing. For something really special use Bakerly Sliced Brioche as the foundation for a great sandwich.  It’s decadent texture, egg washed crust and slightly sweet flavor profile is amazing. We really treated this bread right by giving it a healthy coating of Woodstock Smooth Organic Peanut Butter & Sir Real Red Raspberry Jam – a match made in heaven! For overnight trips, PB&J’s make a perfect meal or snack any time of day, just remember to tie your food bag up high away from camp! Bears know how good this stuff is too…

DeCicco & Sons Wasabi Wow Mix- A combination of flavors unlike any other! This mix is a burst of energy for not only you but also for your palate! Sweet golden raisins and dried cranberries come to life when complimented by the heat of wasabi peas and the crunch of peanuts and almonds. Be forewarned that this mix is so delicious you won’t want to share with your hiking pals. If heat & sweet is not your thing be sure to try our range of trail mixes, recharging hikers everywhere one handful at a time! Pairs perfectly with sunsets and warm breezes.

Natierra Organic Freeze Dried Tropical Fruits – A new edition to our hiking pack, these freeze-dried fruits are super light in weight for the climber looking to lighten the load. What they lack in heft, they more than make up for in flavor. I imagine this is the food that astronauts wish they were eating in space. These bite sized fruit pieces are crunchy but still retain the pleasing texture of fruit as they reconstitute in your mouth. They are also great in your morning oatmeal if you’re one of those hikers that always carries a camp stove.

Sabra Snackers Hummus with Pita Chips – Admittedly my favorite snack on earth, hummus always finds a way into every picnic, bbq or party. These Snackers from Sabra allow you to take this chickpea dip into the woods with you. Sabra hummus has a smooth and creamy texture and flavors that incorporate great compliments like red pepper, olive tapenade and garlic.  Served with just the right amount of pita chips to scoop up every last drop, these are trail approved. You will be the envy of every trekker passing by.

Captain Lawrence Powder Dreams – As if the climb itself was not reward enough, take that hike to the next level by enjoying a Captain Lawrence Powder Dreams as you take in a landscape as beautiful as this beer. Our favorite fermenting friends have really dialed in this juicy, citrus laden elixir. Dry Hopped with Citra and Centennial Lupulin Powder and Bravo hops, this IPA is layers of quenching flavor. A good post-hike choice is going straight to the source for your beer, as Captain Lawrence is conveniently located near a bevy of awesome hikes – Cranberry Lake Preserve being one of the favorites. There is nothing like recharging the soul with some fine ales and good people!

The next time you hit the trails be sure to load up on our favorite hiking snacks and enjoy a beautiful day in nature!  We have plenty of other snack options from our bountiful produce section to a wide array of cheese and charcuterie, allowing you to truly play up the classiness of your next adventure. Remember to always pack out what you pack in and leave no trace! See you on the trail!

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We can only wonder if Henry Hudson envisioned so many amazing breweries lining the shores of the river he explored in the early 1600s. The majestic mountains that line the river, the green foot hills and marshlands wandering inland- all the perfect backdrop for the Hudson Valley’s finest breweries. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country and even luckier to have so many top-notch breweries opening in our backyard.

Historically, the Hudson Valley was of great importance to European settlers looking for a new home and high quality water to brew beer. Our pre-prohibition beer history in New York dates back to about the same time Hudson was getting his sail on. We were home to 3 breweries by 1612 and that was just the beginning. The region continued to flourish as the country’s first commercial brewery was opened in New York some 20 years later and continued to grow as more European immigrants, primarily Germans, were looking for ways to brew the lager beer of their homeland. The Hudson River’s surrounding area provided a near endless supply of giant ice blocks used for the cold storage of said beers. Fast forward 400 years later and New York is now home to about 250 breweries with many more on the verge of opening. The Hudson Valley has continued to be a welcome home for these aspiring breweries and here are some not to miss.

Few Hudson Valley breweries have been more celebrated than Industrial Arts Brewing Company in West Haverstraw. The vision of Jeff O’Neil, a seasoned brewmaster and a figure in NY brewing, this multiple building brewing compound is truly a fermentation factory. O’Neil and his crew are masters of hop laden beer as evident by his string of rotating IPAs and hop forward pale ales. There is no style more in demand and no one putting more brewing experience into their lupulin heavy elixirs.  If you like hops, you already know who Jeff and Industrial Arts are. Visit their beautiful mid 19^th century brick compound for a truly unique brewery experience that encompasses both the ‘industrial’ and the ‘arts.’

If hops are what you crave, a journey further North will take you to the barn that houses Sloop Brewing Company, for another fix of juicy, resinous ales. Their Juice Bomb IPA lives up to the name and brims with citrus and tropical aromas that you can smell on the other side of the barn. For a truly unique day out, it’s worth mentioning that Sloop is located on Vosburgh Orchards in Elizaville. Be sure to stock up on farm fresh produce and explore the sprawling orchards after you’ve enjoyed the IPAs, sours, and stouts produced in the barn.

Farms have been an integral part of settling and developing the Hudson Valley for hundreds of years. The farming philosophy of providing natural resources from the land we stand on has been embraced by local breweries and spawned New York State farm breweries. The epitome of this movement is Plan Bee Farm Brewery located on the outskirts of busy Poughkeepsie. It is there that husband and wife team, Evan & Emily Watson, are creating thoughtfully inspired farmhouse ales with the natural ingredients they grow. Everything from a pickle inspired ale brewed with cucumbers and dill to the delightfully spiced ‘Pepper.’ Plan Bee utilizes a proprietary yeast strain derived from their apiary’s honey, if the brewery name wasn’t already a tell.

Family is another source of pride in the local brewing community that extends to yet another husband and wife partnership at Suarez Family Brewing. A self-described ‘mom and pop production brewery’ that puts out some of the most refreshing, crisp beers in the Hudson Valley. Their knack for unfiltered lagers and dry, delicately hopped ales have made this Livingston, NY brewery truly a standout in the valley. In an age of heavy handed beers competing for your taste buds, these elegantly focused beers truly shine through.

So many outstanding breweries are sinking into our soil that there is no surprise the bustling river town of Beacon is now home to Hudson Valley Brewery. When you walk in the brewery you are greeted with a wall of barrels that house future releases. The crew at Hudson Valley Brewery has made quite a name for themselves in a very short amount of time. Their ambitious beer releases and in your face wood aging process is a sign of the times here in the Hudson Valley, where breweries aren’t afraid to do their own thing and let you know there is plenty more on the horizon.

Just a short ride over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge will direct you towards Equilibrium in Middletown. Where hazy, bright orange beer brims with enough citrus character that you may convince yourself it’s good for you. In fact their Mmm….osa is a play on the brunch favorite, combining hops and fresh orange to deliver enough happiness and vitamin C to last a week. The folks at Equilibrium seem to have perfected the turbid, unfiltered juicy style that has beer hounds everywhere in an uproar.

When exploring the scenic Hudson Valley, be sure to work at least one of these fantastic breweries into your adventure. If you find yourself closer to Newburgh Brewery, Peekskill Brewery, or Rushing Duck, you are in for a real treat as well. Take a nice day hike, visit a local farm, and raise a glass of beer from any one of the Hudson Valley’s amazing breweries. Celebrate our backyard!

Check out our extensive Tap List and take a look at our Upcoming Events.

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