A suitcase of Pilsner? You bet- Steam Whistle Brewery brings you a twelve pack, a recipe and some news that will send you reeling!
So you’ve got a beer lover on your hands and don’t know what to get him/her this holiday season? Here’s a gift that will put an end to any re-gifting notions quickly: a 12 Pack of crisp and refreshing Steam Whistle Pilsner in its own festive “suitcase.” The clever folks at Steam Whistle have created a handy dandy suitcase-like pack (which has by the way been nominated as one of Canada’s Greatest Inventions), complete with built-in gift tag and pull up handles to make your holiday season merry and bright.
“The market is ready for a premium gift of beer that also takes the worry out of wrapping and purchasing a card,” said Cam Heaps, President of Steam Whistle. “There won’t be many people re-gifting this present. Chances are most people will pick one up for the host of their festive gathering and perhaps another to bring back home,” he added.
Founded in 1998 and opened in 2000, the brewery was named Steam Whistle, drawing from the inspirational sounds of steam rushing from factory whistles, signalling the end of a fulfilling workday and a time for personal reward. The brewery is housed in The Roundhouse, once home to the steam locomotives that helped pioneer Canada. Steam Whistle Pilsner is one of Ontario’s top ten selling brands.
Retailing for $22.45, the Steam Whistle Holiday 12pack will be available mid-November at most Beer Stores across Ontario.
NEWS, SOME TIPS AND A RECIPE:
Now for those of you who may want to partake in some merriment yourself, here’s some nifty news for you:
A recent University of California study, reported in The New Scientist shows that wine and cheese are incompatible since cheese dulls the taste of red wine making it difficult to discern different flavours! Dr Hildegard Heymann, who led the research, found that after eating cheese, wine tasters could not tell the difference between expensive wine and cheap plonk. Although wine and cheese is a popular pairing, Heymann said she carried out the study to bring a more scientific approach to food and wine combinations. The solution? BEER and Cheese. Yep, beer!
It seems the bitterness of hops, the sweetness or breadiness of the malted barley and the carbonation of beer are all complimentary flavours to the salty, savoury notes of cheese. So what better way to celebrate this new perfect pairing than with a sturdy, cold-weather worthy cheese and beer fondue developed by Afrim Pristine of my favourite cheese shop- The Cheese Boutique. Here’s the perfect excuse to gather a group, crack open some quality pilsner and dig in!
Swiss Cheese and Steam Whistle FondueRecipe serves 4 people:
3 oz Steam Whistle Pilsner
400 gr Swiss Gruyere, coarsely grated
400 gr Vacherin Fribourgeois, coarsely grated
1 oz Potato Starch
1 Garlic Clove
Preparation:Rub fondue pot with garlic while on medium heat. Add Steam Whistle Pilsner – the alcohol will evaporate leaving just the beer flavour. Add entire amount of grated cheese into hot Fondue pot. While CONSTANTLY stirring the pot, add 1 oz potato starch. Stir until cheese is completely melted with ripe, liquified consistency.
Dip quality crusty bread, cured meats and roasted potatoes into fondue. Have fun!
For more Steam Whistle recipe ideas, perfect for year-round entertaining, click here! And if you want other Festive Beverage suggestions, click here!
