Pumpkin Beer Tasting and Lentil Barley Chili Recipe

Many weeks ago I said I was going to get into pumpkin beer tastings this fall. Finally, finally, it happened.

Three of my girlfriends and I went to our friend Kate’s house last Thursday night for a big harvest-themed feast, and to try out the beers.

I picked up Cape Ann Fisherman’s Pumpkin Stout and Southern Tier Imperial Pumpkin Ale, and my friend Allison contributed a growler of Watch City Brewing Company Pie Eyed Pumpkin Ale.

Three things I realized that night?

1. I’m not that good at picking out the differences between similar beers.
2. My aim for a beer tasting was much more about the social part than the beer part.
3. I don’t really like pumpkin beers that much. At least these three didn’t do it for me.

We definitely had fun eating and trying them out though. And doing something different is always good. Here are a few of my thoughts…

Watch City: Lighter (lightest of the three), and sweeter than the others. The favored beer.

Southern Tier Pumking: Malty, with a spicy clove flavor. A little bitter.

Cape Ann Fisherman’s Stout: Heavy (of course!) with a spicy kick at the end.

For dinner we went potluck style. I made a lentil barley chili (the recipe’s below), and the others brought quinoa kale salad, spaghetti squash, pumpkin pie, and apple crisp. Yum.

While I may not do another pumpkin beer tasting, I think some other kind of similar evening will need to take place soon…maybe a hard cider tasting?

Lentil Barley Chili (Vegan)

Ingredients

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes
• 1 10-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cup dried lentils
• 1 cup barley
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• pepper, to taste
• 2 cups water

Directions

1. Sauté onion and peppers in oil until soft.
2. Add tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, lentils, barley, water, and spices. Cover with lid and simmer for 40 minutes.
3. Add more water if you need it. This chili is thick!

Enjoy!