What is Sorghum?

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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!

 

Naturally Gluten-Free Foods

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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

 

Gluten-Free Candy for Your Valentine

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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.

Football Pizzas Served Gluten-Free

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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!

Gluten-Free Spinach, Mushroom and Feta Flatbread

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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.

Who’s going to win the big game? Enter to win a football goodie basket.

Are you as excited for next week’s big game as we are? New Planet Beer is teaming up with Glutino to give away gluten-free football goodie baskets! To enter*, comment below with your predictions on whose going to win football’s top honors.

Before you head out to buy your football party shopping list, check out these must have snacks and recipes for gluten-free appetizers that will go great with a bottle of your favorite New Planet Beer – Tread Lightly Ale, 3R Raspberry Ale or Off Grid Pale Ale.

 

Spinach and Artichoke dip

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded gluten-free mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free sour cream
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated & divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 roasted garlic cloves
  • One 14 ounce can gluten-free artichoke hearts (in water), drained & chopped
  • 16 ounces gluten-free cream cheese
  • 5 ounces frozen spinach, thawed, drained & chopped
  • One box of Glutino Gluten-Free Original Crackers

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, sour cream, garlic, pepper, artichoke hearts, cream cheese and spinach. Stir until the mixture is thoroughly blended. Spoon mixture into a 1-1/2 quart-sized baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese and mozzarella, then bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Take out of the oven and let cool, then serve with Glutino Gluten-Free Original Crackers.

Recipe adapted from Glutenfreeda’s Recipe Index.

 

Guacamole dip

Ingredients:

  • 2 avocados, peeled
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 jalapeno chile pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 medium cut up tomato
  • 1 T lime juice
  • 1 1/4 t sugar
  • garlic salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, optional
  • Glutino Gluten-Free Original Bagel Chips

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in a food processor and process on the pulse setting until blended. If you don’t have a food processor, mix all of the ingredients together with a large fork. Serve dip with Glutino Gluten-Free Original Bagel Chips.

Recipe adapted from Gluten Free Mom.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Recipe
Ingredients:
  • 1 16-oz. (or 14-15-ounce) can chilled chickpeas or garbanzo beans, drained
  • Juice from one fresh lemon
  • 2 tablespoons sesame tahini, sunflower seed or nut butter
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, peeled
  • 1/3 cup roasted red peppers (drain if jarred)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, roughly chopped
  • Pinch of sea salt, to taste
  • Glutino Family Bag Pretzel Twists

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in a food processor and combine until creamy smooth. Try the mixture, and add olive oil and seasoning to your preference. Serve with Glutino’s Family Bag Pretzel Twists.

Recipe adapted from Gluten Free Goddess.
*Two winners will be drawn on 1/31/2012 and will be notified by email. Good luck!

Gluten-Free Mediterranean Pesto Pizza

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Do you have any parties planned for the 2012 Super Bowl? The Gluten-Free Bistro shared one of their pizza favorites – perfect for game day. Pair it with any New Planet Beer and your guests will thank you for the touchdown!

Gluten-Free Mediterranean Pesto Pizza

Ingredients:
  • 1 10″ GF Bistro Pizza Crust
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil pesto (see recipe below) or store-bought
  • 4 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 1 roma tomato, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbs chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil)
  • 1tbs raw pine nuts (lightly toasted)
  • fresh ground pepper (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400° F. Spread fresh pesto over entire pizza crust. Top with mozzarella cheese, both tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. Bake directly on middle rack for 13-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and crust is lightly browned and crispy. Slice and serve with fresh ground pepper.
Fresh Pesto 
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 2/3 cup olive-oil
  • kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
Directions:
Combine the basil, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the pesto into a large serving bowl and mix in the grated cheese.

Join New Planet Beer at Denver Winter Brew Fest

Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend in Denver? This Friday, January 27, join New Planet Beer at Winter Brew Fest at Mile High Station!

The festival will feature craft beverages and microbrews from over 45 breweries in Colorado and all over the U.S. as well as other vendors, food, a silent auction, and live music. General admission tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door and get you a souvenir glass and into the festival, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m.

Want to beat the crowd? Consider purchasing VIP tickets ($40 in advance/$45 at the door) so that you can get into the festival an hour earlier! There will be beer and cheese tastings during this limited admittance VIP hour that will run from 6 to 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Swallow Hill Music Association, an organization that provides music classes, workshops and private lessons to kids and adults alike.

With its convenient location and the chance to ask brewers from New Planet Beer and other breweries any questions you have about their unique craft beverages, the Winter Brew Festival is the place to be this weekend! We’ll see you there.

Stay Warm This Winter with Gluten-Free Chili

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Are you looking for a gluten-free recipe that will warm you up on a cold winter day? Whip up one of these gluten-free chilis, grab a New Planet Beer, and you’re all set for a relaxing night in.

Two Bean Beef Crock Pot Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cans precooked beans, drained
  • 3 to 4 cans diced canned tomatoes with liquid (or plain tomato sauce, or mixture of both)
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cumin, approximately 2 teaspoons or to taste
  • Chili powder to taste, approximately 1/4 cup
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
  • Garlic powder to taste
  • Garlic salt, optional
  • Cayenne pepper, approximately 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Directions:

  1. In a nonstick skillet, cook onions in olive oil until softened; add to crock pot. Please note that it’s important to cook down onions before adding in tomatoes, which could hamper cooking.
  2. Add in all other ingredients, then break beef up with spoon. Cook on medium-high for 4 to 6 hours or until beef is cooked thoroughly. Stir every so often. Makes approximately 8-12 servings.

Adapted from Jenn’s Menu and Lifestyle Blog.

Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 onions, chopped
  • 2/3 clove garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 lb turkey breast, ground
  • 1/3 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch dice
  • 1/6 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 oz green chilis, chopped
  • 9 2/3 oz petite tomatoes, diced
  • 5 oz kidney beans with liquid
  • 5 1/6 oz white hominy, drained
  • 2 2/3 oz canned tomatoes, sauce
  • 1/3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/3 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1/3 tsp garlic salt

Directions:

  1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir for 3 minutes.
  2. Add in turkey, then stir until crumbly and no longer pink.
  3. Add in butternut squash, chicken broth, tomatoes, green chilies, tomato sauce, hominy and kidney beans, then season with chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and allow chili to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until squash is tender. Makes approximately 4 servings.

Adapted from Yummly.

‘Tis the Season with Chex Mix Holiday Mix

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Are you still looking for the perfect Holiday gift for a gluten-free friend? Here’s what New Plant is enjoying during this holiday season.

Gluten Free Chex Mix

  • 4 ½ cups Corn Chex Cereal
  • 4 ½ cups Rice Chex Cereal
  • 1 cup Mixed Nuts
  • 1 cup Wasabi Roasted Peas
  • 1 cup Glutino’s GF Pretzel Twists or Bite-Size Pretzels
  • 6 Tbs. Earth Balance Buttery Spread Butter
  • 2 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce (Lea and Perrin is GF)
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Seasoned Salt
  • 3/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
Preparation Instructions 
  1. In a large bowl mix cereal, nuts, pretzels, etc., and set aside.
  2. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt butter, margarine or dairy-free substitute, on high until melted.  Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.
  3. Heat oven to 250° F.
  4. Spread the uncooked Chex Mix evenly on a large ungreased baking sheet.
  5. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
  6. Spread out on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes more.
  7. Store in an airtight container.

Happy Holidays!