What is the eating season?  It is the time of year when we eat whatever we want, whenever we want, and how much we want to eat.  The eating season is about taking that 5th piece of pie when we shouldn’t.  The season runs from one week before thanksgiving to January 2nd.  The week before thanksgiving is put into place for training and stretching of the stomach so that maximum turkey consumption can take place on thanksgiving.  It is a great time to go to buffets for lunch and buy an extra tub of ice cream for dessert.  It is also a good time to double your stock of bacon in your fridge. Mmmm Bacon.

Thanksgiving marks the first major event of the eating season.  Some say this day has much to do with some pilgrims and some corn but really, we know it as football, appetizers, naps with our pants unbuttoned and lots of delicious food.  Some of our best side dishes come out on this day and they are sometimes so good, they overshadow the turkey or Turducken that is on your table.

Ahh, what is the best thing about Thanksgiving?  You got it. Leftovers and what you can do with them.  Turkey Soup, sammiches, mmmm.  The 3 days after thanksgiving are for continuing training for upcoming events.

What comes 2nd after Thanksgiving?  Christmas?  Holiday parties?  Nope, it is Repeal day.  Repeal day is December 5th and it is when prohibition was repealed so, to honor this day it is only fitting that you enjoy some good wine, beer, or some of the best scotch money can buy.  Well, that you can afford.  Drink well and with your good friends.

Christmas Parties are next on the agenda.  Just because thanksgiving is over does not mean that our eating season is downhill from here, no, we have lots of holiday parties to attend.  We also have training in between parties.  The last thing you need is to attend great parties with a small stomach again.  Keep eating like you want and enjoy.

Speaking of holiday parties and spending so much time with family and friends, I would like to take this time to talk about the importance of alcohol consumption.  For some, family is a wonderful thing, for others……….not so much.  I have been lucky enough to have an above average family but drinking still plays a large part at holiday parties.  Drinking plays a big role in parties with friends too. Hey it’s the holidays for crying out loud.  Live it up.  So far if you have a problem with drinking so much and not indulging yourself with so much food, click here.

Ahhhh. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Hopefully, most of you are not reliving thanksgiving again and having a

Turkey, mashed potatoes and the same old meal from a few weeks ago.  Christmas is a time to mix it up.  Again, alcohol is key here and home made egg nog is a necessity and you can check out drinks section for a great recipe.  Our most memorable Christmas as of late when referring to food came with a deep fried ham (again yummy – pig product), grilled salmon, a meat pie, and some roasted chicken.  Some of the usual sides did find its way to the table but who really has time for fillers when there is so much meat?  Another great part about the Christmas dinner is the desserts about an hour after dinner.  Although all three stomachs of ours have been filled (wouldn’t it be nice in that respect to be a cow?) we have to find room for dessert.  Check out our desserts section for some great holiday recipes.

The Grand Finale!!!.  New Years Eve and New Year’s Day.  Wow, much like St. Patrick’s Day is for drinking in the spring, New Years Eve takes us out of the current year with a bang.   It gives us one final night to forget about all of the grief, holiday debt we racked up and just flat out get plowed.  My New Years Eve tradition is….you guessed it…TEQUILA!!!! (and Car Bombs).  I like to have a few different kinds on hand and many shot glasses.  What fun is it to be the only one running around crazy?  Get the family and friends all fired up as well.

I hope you embrace the eating season as so many have before you.  It is a great time and a great excuse to eat like mad and enjoy food.  CookManFood is all about hanging with friends and family and even more so about drinking and eating delicious food, the holidays sort of embrace that philosophy naturally.  So, Happy Holidays and happy eating.

Wanted to post an update on this weekends event.  We have 25 Breweries from all across the country coming to this event, the most ever for the San Juan Brewfest.  We are excited about the amount of VIP’s in attendance as well and have a great menu planned for them both Friday Night and Saturday.  The stage is set for a great pre-party Friday night with the Brewers and VIP’s and the weather is looking good.   We are all hoping that this year is a record year for The United Way of Southwest Colorado in one of their largest fundraising event of the season.  We ask everyone to help pass the word and get your friends and family down to the event on Saturday.  See you all there!!!

We enjoy every San Juan Brewfest.  Last year, Todd and I were not only able to help organize the event which benefits our local community, not only got to drink awesome beer all day, but also got out to interview a couple of breweries who attended. In this interview, Todd is out talking with Erich from Boulder Beer. If you are in their area on August 27th, check them out as you will soon hear, they have been doing this for a long time.

Here is an interview we did during the San Juan Brewfest last year just outside the VIP party that was going on the night before the event at Ska World Headquarters. This time Todd talks with Cody from Colorado Native Brewing which is located in Golden, CO.

Wanted to do a post to let people know what the difference is between the VIP passes and the general admissionpasses for the San Juan Brewfest.  At twice the cost ($50) of General admission, what are you really getting for that extra cash?

• Attend the Brewers Party on Friday night, August 26th at Steamworks where you get to meet the brewers, talk beer, and enjoy some great food provided by the brewery
• Get into the event at noon instead of 1pm.  Get first shot at tasting brews before the other 1000+ people arrive
• During the event, have food in a private tent where you can sit and relax and enjoy the music
• During the event, also in the VIP area, you will have a few private kegs of beer so you do not have to wait in line for brew. 

The food alone is worth additional cost, let alone all of the other value adds.  Tickets are available online or at the following locations

1. Steamworks Brewing – 801 E. 2nd Ave.
2. Ska Brewing – 225 Girard St.
3. Carvers Brewing – 1022 Main Ave.
4. W.J. Doyle Wine and Spirits – 509 E. 8th Ave.

Remember the event benefits the United Way of Southwest Colorado

For more information check out the page dedicated to the event. 

The San Juan Brewfest is one month and ten days out.  To see what you might expect, click the link and watch the video.

We are just over two months out for the San Juan Brewfest and things are coming together nicely.  VIP tickets and general admission tickets are available  and brewers are confirming their attendance.  Mark your calendars for August 27th at 1pm.  Also check out our new Facebook event page HERE

We will post more news as it becomes available and come out to support the United Way of Southwest Colorado.  What better way to support your community by drinking amazing beer, enjoying great food, and listening to outstanding music.  Bring your friends and pass the word so we can break last years record.