(Photo by Mike Lucia)
A pair of amazing things happened to me the other day. I read a great article in the Oakland Tribune (that's one) about making pancakes with beer (that's two). But not just any beer will do. For "The Best Pancakes in the World," it's got to be Olympia.
That's right, Olympia, the pride of Thurston County, Washington and the Offical Beer of 18-year-olds Walking Through the Door, Hoisting a 12-Pack Overhead and Shouting "Woo-Hoo!" The notion of beer pancakes in general sounds like something from the Boris Yeltsin meets Billy Carter Cookbook, but Steve Dulas, who penned the Trib article, claims he used to fry them up every year for 70 hungry campers. Either charges are pending, or Dulas is on to something.
Well, there's no two ways about it. You readers deserve the best. You need me to go to 11 liquor stores before I can find Olympia (Dulas swears other beers don't work as well). You need me to buy Krusteaz mix like Dulas says (if he can discern between Olympia and Schlitz, I'm not taking any chances on the mix). You deserve it and -- you got it!
The only modification I made to Dulas' recipe was to cut down on the portions; I don't have the 82nd Airborne Division to cook for or a desire to make an Uncle Buck-sized pancake.
In the interest of science, I made two batches of pancakes; one with Dulas' beloved Olympia and one with similarly light (and Northwestern) Henry Weinhard's Blue Boar Ale. When the beer hits the mix, it emanates an odor reminiscent of greasy floors and half-empty bottles strewn everywhere the day after a huge party. I love that smell. It makes you feel like you've really accomplished something.
And the verdict? Both beers produced incredibly fluffy pancakes nearly half an inch thick. But I have to hand it to Dulas -- Olympia was superior. The cakes had a hearty, grainy taste I've never noticed in Olympia on its own. The Henry's batch was a bit more sour, but still better than almost any I've ever made.
Of course, for an enquiring mind, the possibilities are endless. What'll happen with Pyramid Apricot Ale or Bass Peach Ale? What about Cranberry Lambic? Hell, what would happen if you used Guinness Extra Stout?
Arthur Guinness would come back from the dead and stop you, that's what! --Joe Eskenazi.
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