Confession #1: I am a lightweight.  This means that a beer or a glass of wine is about all I can tolerate (see: horribly embarrassing episode only older brother knows about – thanks for both providing the alcohol AND cleaning up!).

I do, however, like a glass now and then, particularly if it’s good Pinot or a dark beer.  I like Guinness.   In keeping with tradition, my younger brother introduced me to one of my favorites, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog. I love it not just because of the name (smut AND dogs in one!) but because it is so good.  It’s good enough that if it’s around, I will happily sip one while using another to make Beer-Battered Fish and/or Onion Rings.  Note: this recipe is good for calamari, too, but make sure to ask me for the spicy sauce recipe for dipping.

In England growing up we ate this out of newsprint wrappers.  It’s probably terrible for you but it was so yummy, and the grease made the ink slide off our fingers.  Last time I was there visiting my best childhood friend, we had this and it came wrapped in nice, plain white paper.  Lovely.