Harry Potter fans delight – have I got a beer for you!!
After a boring working afternoon followed by an hour walk followed by my FIRST shower of the day (ahhh!), Matt and I sat down to our Wednesday night treat:
Witches and wizards, may a present …Butterbeer
The Pumking by Southern Tier is no ordinary pumpkin ale.
It is:
…Buttercream frosting
…Luscious butterscotch sauce
…Liquid toffee
…A sweet vanilla-pumpkin cupcake
…A beer with the most delicious buttery nose you can ever imagine!
I kid you not.
While we drank, dinner cooked.
We made Emily’s Indian Lentils with Eggplant
In the crockpot. Minus onion. Plus red curry powder. Plus tomato paste. Minus spinach. Plus kale.
All the ingredients were set to high for 3 hours while we went for a walk and sipped our butterbeer.
DEElicious. I loved the big chewy kale bites! Wish we’d use as many mushrooms as Emily did. They were the best part!
About 25% of the way into my bowl I thought "I am already filling up quickly." 50% later, I passed the last 4th on to Matt. It was really filling!
But my tongue was not done – had to sample a bit of chocolate before we closed down the kitchen.
These chocolatey treats came from Love Street Living Foods. Organic chocolate and fudge bars made with really cool ingredient lists, including Ecuadorian cacao, Indian vanilla bean, cayenne, Indonesian coconut crystal sugar.
- The Chocolate Super Fudge was super rich and fudgy with almost a honey taste from agave sweet
- The Maple and Coconut Crystal bars were CRUNCHY – just a tad – from the crystallized sugars. My crunchy palate LOVED the texture!! The flavor was great too – nice and buttery!
- The Goji bar was creamy, chewy AND crunchy – more texture love.
I loved the true cacao flavor of them all. And just a taste was enough to satisfy the after-dinner palate. (Matt said they might be the best chocolates he’s ever had and kept asking for more.)
If you so desire, you can receive 10% off any order plus 2 free samples of your choice with the coupon code LSKATHEATS. (Please note in the "Order Comments" box on the Checkout page which 2 samples you would like from the list below the box). Expires: Saturday, September 18 midnight.
Look how these rubber bands just happened to fall on my desk!
Just started The Help last night and love it so far! [American Wife was not my favorite. I felt like each section that passed lost momentum and my interest, and it took me forever to finish.]
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
That beer sounds incredible!
I can’t believe you weren’t a huge fan of American Wife. I loved it! I am reading The Help now too but just can’t get into have. Have been at the beginning for a month now and it’s hard to continue!
Evan Thomas says
Beers have noses?! I hope they don’t grow nose hair…
Christine says
Those chocolates looks fab!
I passed on the Southern Tier Pumking when I saw it the other day. Might have to give it a try now!
Laura (Starloz) says
harry potter references, lentils & chocolate … this is why i come back
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
Out of curiosity, where do you find your beers? You seem to find a good variety!
Kath says
Beer Run here in Cville. The most amazing beer store/bar/restaurant!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
Oh! I’ve read about your adventures there. Brain malfunction.
I’ve been going to BevMo, but their Pumpkin selection was really disappointing. Just at this very moment, however, I realized that I live in San Francisco, and there probably is someplace better to go…I’ve just never looked! =P
eleanor says
alexa- city beer is fantastic, and they let you sample things! it’s on folsom, in soma.
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
Yes! I just saw them on Yelp and I’ve been asking everyone if they had been and none of my friends or co-workers had. I am so hitting it up! 😀
Hannah says
Ohhhh, that maple and coconut crystal chocolate sounds amazing! I clearly *need* it for my chocolate blog… but I can’t get it here in Australia 🙁
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Your too cute. Mmm I loved those chocolates. So rich!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
“maple crystal chocolate bar” sounds so delicious.
And I love the “pumking” with his little crown and everything!
Enjoy your night Kath!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
I’m going to have to look around for that beer… it sounds lovely!!
Elizabeth says
I loved The Help – just finished it last week. American Wife was slow, I agree, but I still enjoyed it. My current reading is a stack of “Everyday with Rachel Ray” magazines which are surprisingly good!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Mmmm eggplant and lentils!! that sounds incredible 🙂 My lentil soups always end up looking like that (even though they usually come from a can..) but I mean with all the greens and extra veggies in there! Gotta load it up somehow 😛
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
i don’t even like beer, but want to drink down all that buttery deliciousness STAT! When I’m not pregnant, of course 😉
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
Everyone seems to be breaking out their crockpots… I must partake.
Lindsay says
That beer sounds awesome!
I just made lentil soup for dinner. Lentils were popular tonight 🙂
Amanda (The Nutritionist Reviews) says
I love eggplant! That recipe sounds delicious and so does your beer.
stacey-healthylife says
I love a crock pot meal so much, especially this time of year. It also gives you time to enjoy the day.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I loved the Help… I could barely put it down while I was reading it!
Jessica @ JJsVinBlanc says
The Help is so good, you will finish is quickly!
Brittany says
I’ve been in love with Pumking since I sampled it as a tasting a couple years ago – I like to describe it as liquid pumpkin pie. I always request that Isaac buy it for me once the season starts. We have 5 bottles in our pantry right now!! It’s really cool that it has actual pumpkin puree in the ingredient list- gotta love real foods, even in beer. 😉
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I never did get into American Wife either. I ended up giving up on it part-way through.
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
The lentils and eggplant look really good! That’s a recipe that I would like to try.
steph @ goeatapeach says
AHH Kath that Butterbeer looks amazing! My inner Harry Potter nerd is seriously freaking out. Do we get to sample this at the housewarming?! Please please 🙂
Kath says
Well considering it’s $7 per 22 oz, probably not, But hopefully Matt’s homebrew is just as good!
steph @ goeatapeach says
For some reason I thought this WAS Matt’s home brew- don’t know why the label didn’t clue me in. I’ll definitely grab some from Beer Run that weekend though! And I’m sure his home brew will be fab 🙂
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
I really want to read The Help. Let us know what you think!
Simply Life says
oh those chocolates look fun!
Alyssa says
I’m so glad to see you drinking Southen Tier beer!!! It’s a local beer where I’m from and they have a lot of great brews. I have a Southern Tier Harvest Ale waiting for me in my fridge for when I get home. Keep up the beer sampling, I love that you include a vast range of beer and wine into your healthy style. Love the balance!!!!
Eileen says
Local for me too (formerly). I am a huge champion of the Southern Tier, and I loved seeing this great review. Gotta get some soon, and I agree about their Harvest Ale … very yummy!
Sophie says
The Help was great and such an easy read! I’m from Jackson and I get questions all the time if the social setting is still like that and I have to tell them it is definitely NOT like that anymore!
Jen says
Did those rubber bands really fall there like that? I loved The Help, it was a great story and a quick read.
Natalie says
The Help is sitting on my bedside table in the “TO READ” stack! I’ve heard it’s great.
Chelsea @ healthsea says
I’m so excited a real butterbeer might exist– I’m a BIG HP fan, reading the books now for the first time!
And your dinner looks AMAZING. I’m definitely going to have to try that!
Kristen says
I’m wondering how butterbeer’s caloric stats compare to other brews. I wish calories were available on adult beverages. I’m not rigid about calories, just curious!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ATaleOfTwoThrifties
Kath says
I’m sure it’s comparable. Beer is kind of like peanut butter – the density and consistency don’t vary enough to really matter. 180-200 Kcal/tbsp peanut butter. 150-200 Kcal/pint beer.
barefootgirl (our first CSA) says
dinner looked wonderful!!!
I had to chuckle on the title of your post.. my boxer pup, Fenway, got a hold of 1/4 stick of butter this morning and ate it :/ (mad face)
anyway.. we’ve been calling her butterbutt all day long
no side effects yet, but whenever she can find herself some butter, she will defy all odds & find a way to get it in her possession.
can’t wait for the weekend & another pumpkin ale….
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
Wow, that sounds like an amazing beer!
I’d be all over that coconut crystal chocolate! Mmmm
Wei-Wei says
That beer sounds soooooo amazing. (I don’t drink! I’m underage!)
Kath says
Ha!
Erin says
The Help was one of the best books I’ve read over the past year. If you haven’t read Water for Elephants yet, you might enjoy that, too.
Kath says
I actually started that and never finished. Something was just not interesting to me. Perhaps I should try again…isn’t there a movie coming out?
Janet says
Yup…read the book and loved the story and the characters, so I’ve been keeping track of when it will be coming out. Next Spring. And Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon are the leads.
I also thought American Wife dragged at the end and decided life is too short to bore myself, so I put it down and moved on.
Kath says
Love both of them!!
Julia @ Brit Bride says
If they are in it, I better order it!
Tina says
Did those rubber bands really just fall like that? I can be gullible!
Those chocolates sound great.
Anne says
Wow, I don’t even like beer and I want to try that one!
I loooooved The Help – it’s a really, really great read!!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
Same – dont like beer but this one really sounds intriguing. ALso, I love these chocolates. So good 🙂
Amanda says
Those chocolates sound delicious 🙂
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I want to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park just so I can try butterbeer… and go on all the rides, and get caught up in all the magic 😉
jess says
the southern tier brewery is literally down the road from me. They make a lot of amazing beer but even the locals get extra excited when it’s pumpking time. Sooooo good!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
Aren’t mushrooms always the best part?
Okay, actual question: based on your description, I would think Pumking is sweet? Is it? We’re not really beer people, but I would be interested in trying something on the sweeter side.
Kath says
It wasn’t sweet – just vanilla fragrant
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I just made it through 4 years of university, and I STILL can’t stand beer, but that one sounds like it might actually be good!!
Kath says
Sounds like you were drinking the cheap college flavors!! Have you explored craft brews?
Ellen @ Undercover Runner Eats says
You should make actual butterbeer! There are recipes out there.
Those lentils look amazing, I want to try it! If only I had something to make it in :-/
Shenan @ Iambs and Ales says
Yaaaaaay Pumking! It’s my absolute favorite beer of autumn! I’ve often said that pumpkin beers are no place for subtlety (in my opinion). When I drink a pumpkin ale, I like it to smack me in the face with flavor 🙂 Which Pumking certainly does!!
Sara says
I felt the same way about American Wife! At first I liked it, but as I got into it I totally lost interest. I also read The Help. I liked it a lot better than I thought I would like it. I usually don’t like reading dialect. However, the story kept me interested. Btw, I love, love your blog and save it for last on my daily reads.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I am loving on that dinner. I thought the same thing about my chili tonight when I was eating about how full I was after eating half the bowl – but I kept on going nice and strong.. and am now enjoying an evening snack.
The Help is a FABULOUS book! YOu’ll love it!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
oooh yummo – that dinner looks wonderful! And i love that you guys can dine alfresco!
Natalia @asideofsimple says
That brew sounds amazing. I bet it would taste even better dressed in Harry Potter robes!
Dana says
Great post. Those chocolates looked delicious. I’m a chocolate lover myself so they caught my eye right away. Just wanted to let you know I really enjoy your blog and it has (in part) inspired me to start my own over at mylittlecelebration.com. Keep doing what your’e doing! You’re a talented blogger and writer.
Dee says
Pumking is totally added to my have to taste list. 😉 I love your glass! I want one. LOL… Ooh, your dinner looks delicious!
Cara Craves... says
I am not a huge beer drinker, but I think I could love that kind.
I sounds delish.
Sarah says
I do agree Pumking is great beer, however it’s aroma was better than its taste. But it can be dangerous at 9% alcohol! That being said, I’d buy it again:). And I bought it at Whole Food for any that were wondering.
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
You had me at Butter;)
Stephanie says
We LOVE Southern Tier brews!!!! Their crème brûlée Imperial Milk Stout is absolutely to die for, like dessert in a bottle! And their IPA is top notch, my boyfriend loves it!
Camille says
Oh my gosh! Butterbeer!
My sister and I tried to make it once and it wasn’t good. I am prepared to buy it bottled if it is guaranteed good!
helen says
I LOVED The Help. Great book….I couldn’t put it down.
I’m trying these lentils tomorrow with my curried chickpeas. I’m a vegan and Indian food is my absolute favorite. This is going to be incredible!!!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
I want that beer SO BADLY!
Amy says
That beer sounds amazing! I didn’t care for American Wife either. I thought I was the only one. I ended up quitting halfway through. “Eat, Pray, Love” was waiting for me so I figured half of American Wife was enough for me.
Julia @ Brit Bride says
loved Eat Pray Love too
Theresa says
Loved the EPL BOOK, didn’t care for the MOVIE 🙁
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
I’ve had that beer, and I agree, it’s pretty good. Didn’t get so much of the toffee/buttery flavor though. Just sweet pumpkin for me!
Emily says
Ugh I so wish I could drink beer…the idea of butterbeer is my Harry Potter dream come true!!
Chelsea says
Kath, have you and Matt watched A Very Potter Musical (and it’s sequel)? It’s hilarious! Here’s the youtube link to part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_AKeMCk
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
I wanna try that beer so bad! Sounds so good. I love beer. 🙂
Are you a lefty by the way? Just noticing that your spoon is on the left side of the bowl..
Kath says
Yes!
Caitlin (EatFeats) says
What an adorable cup! Perfect for Pumpkin Beer!
Kate says
I remember visiting Southern Tier before their beers were anywhere outside of Jamestown, NY. I eventually moved to Portland, OR and even though this place is SATURATED with awesome microbrews Southern Tier is still one of my favorites, it was a happy day when we found some in a store here. I’ve NEVER had a bad beer of theirs!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
The Help is SO GOOD!!! 🙂
Nicole says
The beer sounds great, will definitely keep my eye out for it!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
can’t wait to get my crock pot cranking again! where did the summer go?!?!
Kristen @ Kristen, Sweetly says
That is a mighty high recommendation! 🙂 Love you winking back at your glass, by the way.
In college, some of my friends came up with a butterbeer for our Halloween party – butterscotch schnapps in creme soda. No one could handle more than several sips, but it tasted just like I would have hoped from Hogsmead.
crystal @ chipped nails & all says
1) love the new/different placemats 🙂
2) absolutey loved “the help” when i read it. one of my fave books.
3) made kale chips last night from your recipe. holy bajole..they’re good! i didn’t share w/ jeremy though cause they were gone before they could be plated 🙂
Kath says
🙂
Barbara says
If you like The Help, you ought to read Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Another excellent book.
Amelia says
Great suggestion….I found myself saying outloud “this is such a good book” while reading The Help and have been looking for something to follow it up with. I look forward to checking Wench out.
Bee Goes Bananas says
Your glass is so adorable! That beer sounds amazing!
Katie says
I am choosing to believe you wrote this post for me, because I love pumpkin beer, and because I am currently re-reading all the Harry Potter books! Oh, and I just bookmarked that recipe. Would you believe I went to the store and bought all those veggies? It must be fate.
Lauren says
I was also not a fan of American Wife. I wanted to like it, but it was just so boring by the end that I was forcing myself to finish it.
Gracia says
As a Harry Potter fanatic, I must say I’m VERY jealous that you get to drink butterbeer. That’s soooo cool! Oh, and do you think I could adapt this recipe to cook it on the stovetop?
Joanna @ landanimal.wordpress.com says
Oh my gosh this beer looks fantastic! I am trying to figure out where to buy it in my area. I will be so excited if I can find some!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
No way!!!!!! Butterbeer! This is so cool.
Heidi xo
Jean says
Kath,
As one of your way-older readers who was raised in the South, I’ll tell you “The Help” rang very true and explained why we had a bathroom in the unfinished basement of our little six room house that had two and a half other baths! The basement also had an outside entrance via creepy stairwell.
Liz, RD says
The Help is a great read, couldn’t put it down!!
Liz says
I loved The Help! You’ll fly through it! Also, I’m too scared to leave a crockpot on while I’m gone. My dad growing up was pretty strict about turning off any and all appliances when leaving the house. Thoughts?!
Kath says
The crockpot is the ONLY thing I’d ever leave on – because they’re designed to be left alone all day.
mangocheeks says
I don’t drink beer at all, but the flavour of this one is calling to me. But it is very unlikely I will see this flavour in Scotland, may have to wait a little while…maybe a long while. I’ll just watch you enjoy drinking it instead 😀
bethany says
that pumpkin ale looks so amazing!
Kath (Eating for Living) says
That lentil dish looks amazing!
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
That lentil dinner looks awesome! I love adding greens like kale and collards to stews and soups – the chewy bites are divine!
Ahh that beer is going on my “When I turn 21” list!!
Julia @ Brit Bride says
I am reading The Help now. I think it might be one of the best I have ever read.
Karen says
I agree with your sentiment re. American Wife…mediocre, dragged on, poor ending. The only real intriguing aspect of the book was guessing whether certain plot lines were fact/fiction as it relates to the Bushes.
You will LOVE The Help…a completely rewarding, feel-good read. Enjoy!
Sarah R says
I thought that The Help was a little over hyped for me. It was a wonderful book, but I think others talked it up so much I was a little disappointed. Still a great read though!
Joanne says
26.. hmmm… does that mean a marathon in your future? Did I miss something?
Kath says
No it’s my lucky number + birthday
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
that chocolate looks so fun! and yummy 🙂
Alaina @ The Jogging Concierge says
Yum, that beer looks good!
Cliff Glickman says
Kath – Haven’t talked in ages since we both left EMA, yet we’ve wound up in the same part of the country (I’m in Lynchburg). I might have an opportunity for this blog, if you’re interested. Don’t want to overpromise – it’s for a client I haven’t landed yet who might have their own ideas. But if you’re interested in learning more, send me an e-mail, and maybe we can arrange to talk.
Kath says
Hey Cliff!! SO funny you’d stop by – I just left a comment on Rick’s blog last night! I’ll shoot you an email.
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
This beer sounds absolutely increeeedible! I know my best would flip over it!! 🙂 Oh and the Indian lentils look amazing. I’ve seen Indian food all over the blogosphere lately … perfect crisp, fall day food!
Sportsgirl says
I LOL’d at the winking picture…haha
Oh man I wish we could get that beer here in New Zealand!
Nic says
I would trade my morning coffee for that beer! Does that make me sound like I have a problem 😉
Lisa says
We tried that beer on Sunday night to kick off football season–delicious!
MonsteRawr says
1) That beer sounds divine. Let the search begin.
2) Everything needs more mushrooms. E. Ver. Y. Thing.
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
I’m not a beer fan, but that looks REALLY good!
Mary says
I recently read, or listened to, The Help and I also loved it! If you don’t mind listening to books, then I suggest you do it because I thought it was so much better with all of the Southern accents. Enjoy!
Kelsey @ CleanTeenKelsey says
Oh wow, that Indian Lentil dish looks so good! I wish I ate more lentils, because I really enjoy them when I do.
Yay for Love Street Living Foods. 🙂
Susan Mc says
Your/Emily’s lentils look amazing, that will have to go into our rotation!
I finished American Wife last week… had to force myself. I was too long and really did get bogged down. I think since we all “know the ending” it just lost its punch.
Lauren says
I don’t drink, but I love Harry Potter! 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I hate beer, but that beer really does sound good! I always was curious about how the butterbeer in Harry Potter tasted. 😀
Amanda says
Just read The Help myself about a month ago – LOVEDLOVEDLOVED it. One of those “can’t put down” books. Enjoy!
Sandy says
I read The Help this summer, couldn’t put it down, thoroughly enjoyed it
Alison says
Hey Kath! I love your blog! I just bought my first jar of coconut butter thanks to you!
Two quick questions:
1) do you need to refridgerate coconut butter?
2) how much tomato paste did you put in?
THANKS! 😀
Kath says
Don’t refrigerate it – you need it to be liquidy and spreadable! If it’s too solid, heat it in a pot of hot water.
1 can of paste