Category Archives: Beverage

Smoked Cheese Will Certainly Please

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In my previous post Smoked Cheddar Cheese, I showed you my first attempt at smoking cheese. At the end of the post, I said that I’d get back with you after two weeks.

Well, it’s been a bit longer than that, but the cheese is absolutely marvelous!

The picture below is actually from my third attempt. This time I was able to smoke the cheese for a full two hours, without the blocks melting down into domes of cheese.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before, but if the inside temperature is too warm, just move the barbecue cover slightly off to the side. A small gap, say one inch is all that is needed.

I guess I figured the smoke had to go out the top vent to smoke the cheese – not so. The smoke can go out the side and the top. Believe me, the cheese will absorb the smoke.

One more tip, I said that you needed to put the cheese block in a baggie after it cools and wait two weeks. I waited three days and then couldn’t wait any longer to try it. You don’t need to wait two weeks. Even after one day it seemed perfect to me.

Here’s an ‘official’ presentation and tasting. A simple plate with the smoked cheese and crackers, but I also added some pickled garlic (a future post), almonds, and Kalamata olives. Oh yes, and wine. Gotta have the vino!

The wine, Bogle Vineyards 2018 Petite Sirah at only $10 dollars, is simply wonderful. It pairs excellently with the smoked cheese. Let me just say that this is a fantastic, bold, dry wine full of flavor! I have not found a better wine at this price!

Try smoking some cheese – you will be pleased!

Brew Hauler

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If you are looking for a different gift idea for a beer drinking friend, then consider this Brew Hauler build.

I built the wooden carrier all from scrap that I had around the house.

I bought a plastic toy truck at the thrift store for about $2.00. I used a hack saw to cut off the truck’s cab and screwed it to the wooden carrier.

I purchased a bottle opener and bottle top collector bin from the local hardware store. It came as a set and was labeled with Coca Cola, which I removed.

Make sure that you use a piece of hardwood for the back end. That way, when the bottle opener is screwed into the wood, it will be very secure.

I finished up by stenciling Brew Hauler on each side. You could also add the person’s name too.

A simple, inexpensive and cool gift for your brew guzzling friend. Cheers, Saluti, Kanpai, Prost, Lkheym, Salud, or Tchin Tchin. Beer brings people together!