Join New Planet Beer in two events supporting our environment in Boulder: an Earth Day 5K and a microbrewery festival. This Sunday, New Planet Beer is a sponsor of the Center for Resource Conservation’s 10th Annual Earth Day 5K Run/Walk. Proceeds from our 3R Raspberry Ale (the 3 R’s stand for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) for 2011 were given to the Center for Resource Conservation for their work engaging and educating Coloradan’s on conserving our natural resources like water, energy and waste.

The Earth Day 5K is also walking it’s talk. It is promoting a “cup free“ race and offering participants a ”virtual swag bag”. Please join us and help make CRC this race as green as possible.

 When: Sunday, April 22nd ~10 a.m. Race starts

Where: University of Colorado Research Park 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder

What: Support CRC’s mission to empower our community to conserve natural resources

Use your time from the 10th Annual Earth Day 5k to qualify for the first 29 waves of the 2012 Dick’s Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER!

Then join the fun for the 20th annual Microbreweries for the Environment on Friday, April 27th at 8 PM at the Boulder Theater. We’re excited to be returning to the Microbreweries for the Environment benefit: “Think Globally, Drink Locally: 20 Breweries, $2 Pints, 3 bands, 6 causes, 1 Planet”. This marks the 20th anniversary of the event which has raised over $130,000 for local environmental causes. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample some of Colorado’s best beers (especially ours!) for $2/pint or just $12 for a sampler glass. The benefit is a zero-waste and carbon-neutral event and everyone is encouraged to walk, bike, or bus to the event. Doors open and beer tasting starts at 8:00pm, and music will run to 1:00am.

Register here >

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Nowadays, people with Celiac’s disease aren’t the only ones going gluten-free. Over the last few years, gluten-free diets have grown in popularity because of the wide array of resulting health benefits.

On the most basic level, gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and any mixture of these grains. But did you know that most processed foods also contain gluten? By cutting out fatty, sugary or fried foods that contain gluten, you’ll be more likely to make healthier mealtime choices that include fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, gluten-free whole grains, and lean meats. Maintaining a low-carb diet can lead to weight loss, increased energy levels, better digestion and even possibly lower bad cholesterol levels. Following a gluten-free diet can also eliminate bloating and other uncomfortable digestive symptoms.

Trying to come up with gluten-free meal ideas? Check out our list of naturally gluten-free foods.

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Looking to adopt a gluten-free diet? We’ve compiled a basic list of products and ingredients to avoid.

1. Grains: Gluten is found in barley, rye, wheat, and any mixture of these grains. Gluten-free grains include corn, millet, rice, wild rice and quinoa.
2. Cereals: Any cereal that has barley malt and/or sweetener listed on its ingredients label contains gluten.
3. Pastas: Avoid pastas that are made from wheat or semolina, both of which contain gluten.
4. Baked Goods: Many breads, bagels, cookies, cakes, sandwich or hot dog buns, pizza crust, and other baked goods are prepared using wheat contain gluten.
5. Pre-cooked or processed poultry or meat: Although meat and poultry are gluten-free in their natural state, gluten is usually added as these foods are prepared. Any time a food is breaded or fried, gluten is added. Also be wary of products like hot dogs, which sometimes utilize gluten as a binding agent.
6. Sauces and soups: Avoid soups or sauces made with wheat-flour or ones that contain barley or pastas that aren’t gluten-free.
7. Spices: Spices that contain wheat starch or wheat flour aren’t considered gluten-free.
8. Products containing triticale: Triticale is a cross between rye and barley that contains gluten.
9. Wheat starch: While most products contain corn starch, which is considered gluten-free, check a product’s label to make sure it doesn’t contain wheat starch, which contains gluten.
10. Beer and other fermented beverages: Wheat and malted barley are commonly used in preparing beer and other fermented beverages. Gluten-free beers like New Planet Beer are an easy-to-locate, delicious alternative.

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St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Have you figured out what you’ll be serving for dinner alongside your favorite flavor of New Planet Beer? Check out this delicious, quick and easy recipe for gluten-free beer-battered fish.

Gluten-Free New Planet Beer-Battered Fish

Ingredients:

• Peanut oil, coconut oil , or any oil designed for high heat frying
• 2 lbs fresh fish fillets
• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour mix
• 1 tsp gluten-free baking powder
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cayenne powder
• 1 tsp gluten-free garlic powder
• 1 tsp gluten-free onion powder
• 1 12-oz bottle New Planet Beer or 12 oz club soda

Directions:

Combine gluten-free all-purpose flour, gluten-free baking powder, sugar, salt, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, sugar, gluten-free garlic powder, and gluten-free onion powder in a large, plastic zip lock bag. Shake bag in order to throughly mix all dry ingredients. Pour mixture into a medium-sized bowl. Add New Planet Beer or club soda, then mix until batter is smooth and not too thick or too thin. If batter is too thick, add more liquid. Next, dip fish fillets in batter so that both sides are coated, then hold above bowl in order to let excess batter drip off. Fry fish fillets in hot oil until golden brown. Add your favorite vegetables as a side dish.

Adapted from About.com Gluten-Free Cooking.

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Are you as excited for March 17th as we are? To honor St. Patrick’s Day, New Planet Beer is giving away swag to help you celebrate! To enter to win a New Planet Beer T-shirt, pint glass or bottle opener, comment below with how you plan on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year.

Not sure how you’re celebrating, yet? Here are 10 suggestions to help you celebrate the fun Irish Holiday:

1. Have a Green Feast. Add green food coloring to bread dough, a New Planet Beer, milk, or other parts of your meal. You can also supplement green foods as part of the meal, such pasta with pesto sauce or salad. Then, enjoy a festive dessert of shamrock cookies or cupcakes with green frosting – all gluten-free of course!
2. Wear Green. Looking for a way to show your Irish pride? Wear a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt, or if you’d rather take a more subtle approach, wear a green shirt, tie, scarf, or accessory with a funny Irish saying on it. The options are endless!
3. Listen to Irish music. Use your favorite search engine to search for radio stations that play Irish or Celtic music. Visit their sites to listen live and sing along. Or, look up the lyrics to popular Irish folk songs.
4. Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Many cities hold parades in honor of St. Patrick’s Day! Watch your local news station or check the newspaper to find out if and when a parade is being held in your city. Or, check out this list of St. Patrick’s Day parades that are taking place worldwide.
5. Eat Irish food. Go to a restaurant that serves traditional Irish cuisine like corned beef, cabbage, bangers and mash, lamb stew, and potatoes, or prepare the food yourself by looking up recipes online.
6. Take step dancing lessons. Search online for Irish step dancing classes being offered in your city, or check with a local Irish-American organization to find out where classes are offered.
7. Watch a movie. Pick up some New Planet Beer and invite your friends over to watch a movie that’s set in Ireland or is Irish-themed. Some popular suggestions include Michael Collins, In America, Once, The Field and Intermission.
8. Irish Quiz. Test your Irish trivia by taking a quiz like the one found on http://www.irishtrivia.com/. You can also put together your own quiz to test your friends’ knowledge by looking up facts about Irish culture, tradition, and history, then writing out questions.
9. Throw an Irish-themed party. Serve green food and beverages, quiz each other on Irish history and culture, or celebrate with a glass of whiskey.
10. Do a New Planet Beer pub crawl. Create your own gluten-free pub crawl by visiting our beer locator and map out the restaurants and pubs that serve New Planet Beer in your area.

Don’t forget to enter to win New Planet Beer swag by commenting below with how you plan on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year. Three winners will be randomly selected and contacted by email on March 16th by 5pm MST. Good luck!

Have a happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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As you might know, gluten is found in many grains, which is why those maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle avoid drinking beers that are made with wheat and barley.  But did you know that not all grains contain gluten?  Sorghum, rice and corn are three grains that are commonly used in gluten-free products. We brew our Tread Lightly Ale and 3R Raspberry Ale  with sorghum and Off Grid Pale Ale with brown rice rather than wheat and barley.

What is sorghum?
Sorghum is a grass that is grown in warm, dry climates around the world.

Where is it grown?
Sorghum is grown in many different countries around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Mexico, the United States, and Sudan.  In the U.S., sorghum is mainly cultivated in a crop belt that runs from Southern Texas to South Dakota.  It’s considered the fifth most important cereal crop in the world.

What products is it used in?
As a grain that doesn’t trigger gluten intolerance, sorghum is used in many different products:

• In baking, sorghum flour is often used or mixed with gluten-free flours to make cookies, cakes, breads, and other gluten-free products
• One type of sorghum, sweet sorghum, is used in sweeteners such as sorghum syrup
• Sorghum is used to make fermented beverages

What industries is it used in?
Sorghum is also utilized in the production of:

• Floral arrangements
• Brooms
• Fences
• Building materials
• Pet food

Enjoy your gluten-free beer!

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On it’s most basic level, maintaining a gluten-free diet means cutting out grains like wheat, barley, and rye, and any mixture of these grains. But eating gluten-free doesn’t have to be as difficult or unhealthy as one may think! Here’s a  breakdown of twenty foods that are naturally gluten-free. Share this with someone who recently discovered their gluten intolerance or who’s experimenting with a gluten-free diet.

1. Butter
2. Eggs
3. Water
4. Fresh fruits
5. Fresh vegetables
6. Juices made of 100% fruits or vegetables
7. Lentils
8. Peanuts
9. Seeds (such as flax seeds)
10. Tree nuts (such as almonds)
11. Corn
12. Fresh fish
13. Fresh shellfish
14. Honey
15. Milk that isn’t flavored using ingredients like malt, which contains gluten
16. Soy
17. Plain rice (glutinous or sticky/sweet, black, polished white, long-grained basmati, or whole-grain brown rices).
18. Gluten-free flours made from rice, soy, corn, potatoes, or beans
19. Raw Quinoa
20. Tapioca

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Almost everyone loves getting candy for Valentine’s Day! Before you set out to buy your gluten-free valentine some sweets to enjoy after dinner and a flavorful 3R Raspberry Ale, check out some of our suggestions.

Necco:

• Necco Sweetheart Conversation Hearts (Valentines only)
• Necco Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses
• Haviland Thin Mints
• Haviland Peppermint Patties
• Haviland Wintergreen Patties

For more information, please visit Necco’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Nestle:

• Nestle Baby Ruth
• Nestle Bit-O’-Honey
• Nestle Butterfinger Bars (does not include Butterfinger Hearts, Butterfinger Crisp, Butterfinger Giant Bar, Butterfinger Snackerz, Butterfinger Medallions, Butterfinger Jingles, or Butterfinger Pumpkins)
• Nestle Milk Chocolate
• Nestle Nips (both regular and sugar-free)

For more information, please visit Nestle Consumer Services’ list of gluten-free products (updated 12/22/11).

Tootsie Roll:

• Tootsie Rolls
• Tootsie Pops
• Charms Blow Pops
• Sugar Daddy
• Caramel Apple Pop
• Junior Mints
• Cella’s Chocolate-Covered Cherries

According to their website, all Tootsie products are gluten-free with the exception of Andes cookies.

For more information, check out the Gluten-Free Candy List provided by the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness and Sure Foods Living.

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Looking for more food to pair with New Planet Beer and serve at your football party? Here are two more game day pizza recipes that The Gluten Free Bistro shared with us.

Football Pizza for a glorious gluten-free Super Bowl

Ingredients:

•  The Gluten Free Bistro Dough
• Muir Glen Pizza Sauce
• Pepperoni
• Thick Shredded Mozzerella
• String Cheese

Directions:
Before you start cooking, pick up a Gluten Free Bistro Frozen Dough Ball at your local Whole Foods Market in the Rocky Mountain Region; it’s delicious and whole grain. Next, be sure to watch The Gluten Free Bistro’s dough handling video. The Dough can be sticky so you will want to watch for quick tips.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using olive oil, oil your hands and the baking sheet like in the video. Cut the dough ball in half, and shape each half into a football shape directly onto the baking sheet, with the longest part of the football being about 10 inches across. Bake the football crusts, without any toppings, for 6 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven and add toppings, adding the pepperoni last.  Reserve the string cheese for later. Place back in oven on baking sheet or slide onto your pizza stone, then bake for 12-15 minutes.

For the laces: On a piece of parchment paper, use the string cheese to shape the laces of the football, then bake on parchment for 3 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool before placing on the pizza.

Mexican Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 Pizza Crust from The Gluten Free Bistro (available at select Whole Foods, Lucky’s and Alfalfas’s Market) www.theglutenfreebistro.com
• 1/2  of yellow onion
• 5 mini peppers
• 1 can green chilis
• 1/2 can refried pinto beans
• 1/4 can enchilada sauce
• Shredded mozzarella and monterey jack cheese

Directions:
Chop yellow onion and a handful of mini peppers. Saute onion and peppers in olive oil until onion becomes translucent. Top frozen crust with red enchilada sauce (beware that most enchilada sauces contain wheat. Frontera is a good gluten-free sauce). Add organic vegetarian refried pinto beans over the enchilada sauce. Spread shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese mix over the sauce and beans, then add 1 can of green diced chilis and saute mix of onions and peppers over the cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and pepper, then place on a warm grill set at low to medium heat for 7-9 minutes. When it’s done, the bottom should be crisp with grill marks. Remove from grill, slice and enjoy with a BIG BOMBER of New Planet’s 3R Raspberry Ale and hope your team wins!

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Looking for another easy-to-prepare, yummy appetizer for your the Big Game this weekend? Try out this Spinach, Mushroom and Feta Flatbread recipe that The Gluten-Free Bistro shared with us. Serve it with any New Planet Beer and you and  your guests will be all set to watch all the tackles and touchdowns!

Gluten-Free Spinach, Mushroom and Feta Flatbread

Ingredients:

• 10″ Gluten Free Bistro pizza crust OR 1 Gluten Free Bistro dough ball, rolled out and par-baked (according to package instructions). For information, visit www.theglutenfreebistro.com.
• 7 garlic cloves chopped
• 3 tbs. olive oil
• 6 cups of spinach, add more as needed.
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 – 1 cup feta cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté garlic cloves in olive oil for 3 minutes. Add spinach and chopped mushrooms, then cover and cook for 5 minutes. Drizzle olive oil on 1 10” Gluten Free Bistro pizza crust. Add the garlic, mushroom and spinach mix on top of the gluten-free pizza crust. Add the feta cheese, then bake in the oven right on the rack or use a pizza stone for about 12-15 minutes. Use a pizza cutter to cut into square appetizer size pieces, then serve with a New Plant Tread Lightly Ale Beer.

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