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I have had the distinct pleasure of having the Home Brew Chef, Sean Paxton designing a beer dinner that I attended. And I always read, with interest his recipes in Beer Advocate magazine. And (last “and”), I try to remember to link to his site for Thanksgiving recipes.
So, HERE it is. Try a craft beer recipe this Thanksgiving!
This was the event that I was waiting for, the famed Sean Z Paxton, the Home Brew chef paired with Firestone-Walker’s 15th Anniversary Ale. Welcome to Deconstructed….
Mark off this bucket list item. Dinner created by Sean Paxton. And this was in grand style. All 8 beers that make up the XV anniversary beer from Firestone-Walker. Plus Pale 31 and/or Unfiltered DBA to start with some malted cashews or Moroccan themed popcorn.
The event was held at the Avalon theater across from the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. Great space with old timey movie theater architecture. The downstairs portion got real hot so beer buddy Richard and I hightailed to the more AC friendly upper space to enjoy the evening.
The food (as these photos will show) was plated with care and artistry and the food was just great. Even the items like scallops or peppers that I don’t usually like were done so well that you had to tip your hat even if it wasn’t your thing. 
The winner for me was the lamb tenderloin that was presented on a spoon and was just delicious. Second place goes to the chocolate covered bacon that was so rich and savory.Neither of which are pictured because I still want them all to myself.
So you had great food and then Matt Brynildson walked around and talked to everybody about the beers, David Walker (yes, the Walker) was pouring beer and Sean Paxton made the rounds. 
But let’s briefly get down to the beer:
Sticky Monkey – Big and brassy. Almost whiskey in it’s own right.
Double Double Barrel Ale – mellower but strong in different ways
HellDorado – dark golden gem that was my favorite other than XV
Double Jack – really excellent IPA. Paired well with the sausage
Bravo – another dark, big and bold beer
Bourbon Barrel Aged Velvet Merkin – I still prefer the regular of this
Good Foot – similar to Sticky Monkey but lighter and brighter to me.
Parabola – my least favorite of the night. too medicinal
Then the XV was unveiled. And if you are a fan of the Anniversary ales, this one will surprise you. The Double Jack cuts through the barleywine and barrel aged flavors to make for a demanding brew that is hoppy and hot and rich. I really enjoyed it but it is a huge beer and is best sipped in small portions.
LA Beer Week. The bar has been officially raised.
One of the people that I really would like to meet from the world of beer is the HomeBrew Chef, Sean Paxton.
Just go to the recipe page to see some delicious ideas. Wit braised chicken or garlic IPA mashed potatoes. And, if you get the chance to attend one of his special dinners. TAKE IT!
Another new (to me) brewery but not to Sacramento beer geeks is Odonata Beer Co..
Two of their newest and intriguing beers are “Water Witch, a rich, dark brown brew with red highlights. The beer recipe itself is for a Belgian Dark Strong Ale. What deviates slightly from the ‘official’ style guidelines is the maturation in red wine barrels, which lends a slightly acidic note to the finish.
Our first collaborative beer – made with the help of the Homebrew Chef, Sean Paxton! This is called Beersel, a name that pays homage to the place our yeast culture originated – in the bowels of the famed 3 Fonteinen brewery! This is a true Sour Ale, but not technically a Lambic (which is a spontaneously fermented beer) or Gueuze (lambics, blended). The grist and hopping is pretty much what the Senne Valley brewers use to make their lambics, however, with raw wheat, pale malted barley and whole flower hops aged 10 years.”