A Judge's Life

Cooking with Saint Arnold beer: One Pot Showdown brings out Heisman Pie & MudderFudders

Saint Arnold's One Pot Showdown was high on characters — and alcohol content.
Photo by Caroline Gallay
A huge crowd turned out for the Saint Arnold One Pot Showdown.
Photo by Caroline Gallay
The trophies were handmade and awesome.
Photo by Caroline Gallay
This is a crowd that knows what good beer really is.
Photo by Caroline Gallay
A crowd that knows how to have fun.
Photo by Caroline Gallay

The weather couldn't have been more welcoming to the sold-out crowd of 500 samplers and chefs who turned out Sunday for Saint Arnold's 2012 One Pot Showdown.

Forty seven teams began cooking at 9 a.m.; each team was required to use at least one Saint Arnold beer in their recipes, which had to be prepared in only one pot and for which nothing could be prepared in advance. (Such rigorous rules made the creation of say, Hungry Birds' deviled eggs, made with Saint Arnold Santo, all the more impressive and delicious.)

Judges (including this lucky lady) divided into teams, with each group sampling the wares of a 10-booth block. I was a rookie, but the vets all agreed that the job's gotten tougher each year as the entries get better and better. Once finalists were selected, I joined with Ben Fullelove of Petrol Station, KPRC Channel 2's Courtney Zavala, the Houston Press' Katharine Shilcutt, the Chron's Ronnie Crocker and the Sugar Hooker, Rebecca Masson, in the war room to narrow it down to a top three.

No feelings were spared: Opinions were rebuffed, notes were critiqued, and beer was demolished, but in the end the home cooks took home trophies.

No feelings were spared: Opinions were rebuffed, notes were critiqued, and beer was demolished, but in the end the home cooks took home trophies. Baylor-inspired group Bears Gone Drinkin' took home top honors (and an awesomely absurd trophy crafted by brew crew members Frank Krockenberger and his girlfriend, Leslie) with their Heisman Pie, a Shepherd's Pie made with Saint Arnold Winter Stout and Elissa IPA.

Second place (and a slightly smaller, but equally awesome homemade trophy) went to Dr. Biggenbottom's Amazing Healthy Tonic, a crawfish spinach curry bisque made with Amber Ale, while third place (and a box of Hamburger Helper in an oven mitt) went to the Guzzling Gourmets and their Santo-monious Red Chili.

Some of the other standouts included a Surf n' Turf lobster mac n' cheese, the Mudder Fudders' (the group competed in Austin's Tough Mudder last weekend) braised short rib with a jicama slaw, and spirit award-winners Give Peas a Chance — with whom Fullelove seemed to especially bond.

The fifth-annual event raised more than $5,000 for Noah's Kitchen. For information on entering next year's Showdown, visit the Saint Arnold website.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists