Fall is my favorite season. This might seem odd since my adventures tend to slow down at this time of year, but I find it to be a peaceful transitional season of reflection and preparation. It’s time for me to unwind reflect on the past summer, while also dreaming of future adventures before the craziness of the holiday season sets in. Slowing down also lets me do more home cooking, and nothing says autumn to me more than the smell of one of my mom’s soup recipes simmering away on the stove, especially when walking in the door after a nice cool fall hike.
But now I don’t have to wait for that deliciousness until I get home! Stanley was kind enough to send me the 3 Qt Adventure Vacuum Crock which can keep food warm for 12 hours. Now, not only can I have a tasty home cooked meal waiting for me at the end of a cool hike, I can even bring enough to share. And if there is one special thing about a big pot of mom’s soup – it’s meant to be shared!
If you know me, you know my other favorite post-hike tradition – a tasty refreshing local brew! Well, guess what? I also have a 64 oz Vacuum Insulated Steel Growler and a set of the Adventure Tumblers to try out!
This collection of Stanley Brand gear has inspired this post. Three great hikes, three great recipes from my mom, and three great craft beers that you can put in your Stanley Growler! So, make some fresh soup, put on your hiking shoes, fill your growler, and find some friends for a fun fall day of Trailgating! Yes, trailgating – what else would you call it?
Pairing #1: Mount Diablo Tarantula Season, Mom’s Minestrone, and Faction Brewing Puddy Porter
Hike: Mount Diablo State Park Tarantula Hunting
October is Tarantula mating season and the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association offers several guided hikes and events so you can see these critters up close and personal. Check out their events page to sign up for an arachnid adventure.
Soup and Beer Pairing: Minestrone and Faction Brewing Puddy Porter
After your hike, head over to Alameda to Faction Brewing. Since they don’t have a kitchen you can bring your own food, so pack a picnic! Fill the Stanley Crock with my Mom’s Minestrone and bring along some good crusty bread.
Faction has a unique location at Alameda Point among the ruins of the old Alameda Naval Air Station. The old runways will be familiar to fans of Mythbusters, and the view of the city and the Bay Bridge are fantastic. Faction offers several terrific brews, but I recommend pairing the Minestrone with their Great American Beer Festival bronze medal winning Puddy Porter. The roasty yet light and carbonated body pairs nicely with the rich tomato and beef broth of the minestrone.
Recipe: Mom’s Minestrone
1 lb beef stew meat
oil
4 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
7 C water
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 c chopped celery
2T parsley
1t salt
1/2 t thyme
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
4 x 8 oz of tomato sauce
2 c shredded cabbage
1c thinly sliced zucchini
1 c thinly sliced carrots
15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained
1 c dry macaroni
pepper
Parmesan for garnish
In a large pot, brown beef in oil. Stir in bouillon, water, onion, celery, parsley, salt, thyme, a dash of pepper, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Cover, summer over medium heat 1-1.5 hours. Add cabbage, zucchini, carrots, beans, and macaroni. Simmer covered until veggies are tender and macaroni is done, about 20-25 minutes. Serve garnished with parmesan. Serves 8-10. Travels well!
Pairing #2: Byrne Milliron State Forest, Mom’s Vegetable Tortellini Soup, and Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Hike: Byrne-Milliron State Forest Loop
Byrne-Milliron is a quirky little park in the Santa Cruz mountains above Corralitos. It’s a perfect place for a short, quiet, dog friendly hike among the redwoods. For a perfect little loop to enjoy a cool fall morning, check out details of my visit here.
Soup and Beer Pairing: Mom’s Vegetable Tortellini Soup and Anything from Sante Adairius
After the hike, head down to Capitola and find a parking spot at Sante Adairius (if you can!). Like Faction, they don’t serve food so you are free to bring your own. Sante Adairius brews a wide variety of styles, so I picked a soup that could pair with several things. My mom’s vegetable tortellini soup has a nice rich beef based sauce, but is still a light meal. It can be made spicy or mild (I prefer spicy) and would be good with just about any beer off of Sante’s menu. Many soups take forever to cook, but this one is a quickie you can throw together before you head out. My preference? I make my tortellini soup spicy and I would pair it with a growler fill of their 831 West Coast IPA. The strong citrus characteristic of the hops in this beer can bring out the spicy flavors. If you’re not into heat, go for the one of their malty porters to tame the heat.
Tip: Since their selections and growler fill taps are frequently rotating, check out Sante’s Instagram or Facebook page for a daily peek at what they have to offer.
Recipe: Mom’s Vegetable Tortellini Soup
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T olive oil
3 cans condensed beef broth
14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes
1/2-3/4 c picante sauce (pick your level of spicy)
1 t dried basil
7 oz package cheese filled tortellini
1 green pepper, diced
Parmesan for garnish
Cook onion and garlic in hot oil until tenter. Add broth, picate, basil, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then stir in tortellini. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir in green peppers and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Serve garnished with parmesan cheese. 4-5 servings.
Pairing #3: Lamarck Lakes Fall Colors, Mom’s Bean Soup, and Mountain Rambler Venusian Blonde
Soup and Beer Pairing: Mom’s Vegetable Tortellini Soup and Anything from Sante Adairius
For today, we’re doing things in reverse. we’re going to start down in Bishop at the Mountain Rambler brewery where we’ll fill up our growler with their Venusian Blonde. In the Stanley Crock? Mom’s bean soup that you’ve gently simmered all day.
Recipe: Mom’s Bean Soup
This bean soup is the best kind of family recipe where the instructions are vague – you’ll know it when it’s right!
Wash and sort 1 lb great northern beans. Place in pan with more than enough water to cover. Cover pan and let beans soak overnight. Drain and rinse; put back in pan. Add ham hock, ham bone, or other base bone and meat. (works great with leftover ham bone). Add sliced onions, peppercorns, and more water. Cook for 3-4 hours. The trick is to cook with enough water so the beans don’t soak everything up, but not so much that the soup is watery. By look, maybe cover the beans twice with water. Season to taste.
Hike: Bishop Creek Fall Colors Exploration to Lamarck Lakes
Nothing says a fall hike like meandering through the changing aspens. Head up highway 168 along Bishop Creek. Turn towards North Lake, and feel free to take your time – the soup will stay warm in the crock and there are lots of fall colors to see!
Park at the main trailhead parking and head up towards Lamarck Lakes. The trail starts among a beautiful aspen grove and you’ll be up close and personal with the colors.
As you gain elevation, you’ll not only find yourself at a beautiful lake, you’ll have a look back down on the colors you’ve been admiring around North Lake. It’s a beautiful short hike to experience fall color and the beautiful alpine lake views of the Eastern Sierra!
Back at the trailhead, open the crock to a hearty meal of soup and a refreshing pour of the Venusian Blonde from Mountain Rambler. The lightly sweet and crisp blonde pairs so nicely with the rich bean soup! Don’t forget a loaf of bread from Great Basin bakery to dip in the soup!
To me, there are three things that are the best things to share with friends: food, craft beer, and the outdoors. Autumn is the perfect time to bring all three together and Stanley has put together a perfect set of products to support your fall celebrations. Enjoy!
