Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Millennial Central for Budweiser. I received a product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

 

Budweiser, for the holidays has come out with a new variety pack.  Project 12: The Budweiser Project 12 Variety Pack:

Project 12 is a limited edition holiday pack being put on by Budweiser.  The holiday special edition pack is a 12 pack that features 3 flavors (4 of each variety)

Vanilla Bourbon Cask: (Batch No. 23185) 

The Vanilla Bourbon Cask was dreamed up by Brewmaster  Dan Westmoreland from Williamsburg, VA.  It was his goal to create a beer to define a lager beer that had the same color of premium Bourbon, The taste of aged Bourbon, and a hint of Vanilla and Oak.  The creation: Vanilla Bourbon Cask.

Tasting Notes: This is a very light amber beer, but has the taste of vanilla behind it.  A perfect baking beer (You will see soon!)

North Pacific Style Lager: (Batch No. 94534)

The creation of Brewmaster Scott Ungermann from Fairfield, CA.  (my next door neighbor!)  This creation was all about the hops.  A blend of Palisades and Cascade Hops from the Pacific Northwest.

Tasting Notes: Has a very distinct flavor, and you can really taste the hops in this beer.  A great blend of flavors.

Beechwood Bock: (Batch No. 43229)

This creation comes out of Columbus, Ohio.  The works of Brewmaster Jennifer Eckstein.  The flavors come out of beechwood chips. A sweetness is created with the beer from the Chocolate and Caramel malts.  A nice creation, indeed.

Tasting Notes: This was, by far, the favorite of the variety pack.  A pack of flavor with a darker forming color beer.  Goes down easy.

And now the fun part.  Whenever I get a 12 pack of beer I’m always thinking of different ways I can cook or bake with the product.  Things like Beer Bread, Beer Cheese Soup and Beer Bratwursts come to mind.  So, I had to try a few recipes out with the Project 12 Variety Pack:

 

One of my favorite “Beer” Creations is Homemade Beer Bread.  And DID you guys know how easy it is to create?  Seriously, just as easy as opening up a bottle of your favorite beer.

Ingredients:

3 Cups Flour

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 12oz Bottle of Beer (Vanilla Bourbon Cask)

2 TBSP Butter

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees.  In a mixing bowl, combine 3 Cups Flour and 1/2 Cup Sugar.  Pour in bottle of beer, and mix together. Pour into a bread pan then bake in the oven at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.  5 Minutes before it’s done, take out bread, melt butter on top, and cook for additional 5 minutes.

It is that EASY to make.  And it’s the perfect pairing to a beer night at home.  But, beer bread always needs a good dip to go with or in this case, a good soup:

Being from the Midwest, Beer Cheese Soup is an ABSOLUTE favorite of mine.  The mix of cheese and beer = perfect.  And in this case, it was the perfect pairing to the homemade beer bread.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Beer (North Pacific Style Lager) (more if you really love the taste of beer)

1 Can Chicken Broth

2 Beer Bratwurst

1/8 tsp Horseradish

1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard

1/4 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 Medium Size Onion

2 Carrots, sliced up or handful of baby carrots.

1 Celery Stalk

Dash of Pepper

2 Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

Cook Beer Bratwurst in Beer.  Set aside.  Fry up Onions, Celery, and Carrots together in bottom of cooking pot.  Add in Beer and Chicken Broth.  Mix in Horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce, Mustard and Black Pepper.  Cut up Bratwurst and add to soup.  Let simmer together. Add in 2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese.  Add a little at a time, stirring constantly.  Then add in 1 cup cheddar, continuing stirring. Mix together until begins boiling together.  Watch the cheese because it may clump together so constantly stir until it reaches boiling point.

One of the hardest soups to master especially when it comes to making the cheese smooth out…

Then enjoy while dipping with Beer Bread.  Trust me, it’s the perfect combination along with the beer, of course.  This has officially become a tradition in our household.

Although I enjoyed drinking the beer, I had even more fun cooking with it and enjoying these delicious recipes after.  They were a big hit in our household.

Be sure to add in the Budweiser Project 12 Special Edition Pack during your holiday get-togethers this year.  For more information about the Project and the beers visit Budweiser.