This intimate but elaborate dinner was highly unexpected, so I didn't bring my camera. All photos were taken with my Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus. No, I'm not promoting the Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus. I don't even know why I keep saying Galaxy Ace Pl... phone. Anyway, check out San Miguel Lifestyle Brews' facebook page for more photos of the event.
We're on a perpetual quest for that something perfect. The perfect pair of shoes for a dress, the perfect bag to go with the shoes, the perfect shade of lipstick to match the shoes. It's almost a disease, really, a minor insanity festering in all our heads. At least, I think so, but that could be the disease talking.
With beer, though, it's a different story. You don't change your personality to match the beer. One day, you just walk along, and blindly stumble upon a beer that you know captures your personality. All you have to think about is what food best goes with the beer, and everything else falls into place. The beer works its magic - the conversations, the moments that it makes possible, the works. When you find the beer that matches your personality, everything becomes perfect.
And that's exactly how I'd describe my dining experience with the folks at San Miguel Lifestyle Brews. Perfect.
When Nuffnang Philippines announced that I won a three-day two-night stay at Sofitel complete with a buffet for two at Spiral through the blogging contest that San Miguel Lifestyle Brews ran, I was beyond ecstatic. I expected to receive an e-mail informing me that they'd either send the gift certificates to my mailing address, or have me drop by their offices to pick up the prize. That's how winning contests usually go.
Apparently, that's not how the people at San Miguel roll. Even after being informed that the San Miguel Lifestyle Brews crew wanted to meet up with me over dinner to give me the prize, I thought it would be a very quick dinner where we'd eat, chat for a bit, and then scoot.
Again, that's not how these people roll. When San Miguel Lifestyle Brews says they want to have dinner with you, they mean business. They go all the way. In our case, it was a five-course meal prepared by Chef Edward Bugia at Pino Bar and Restaurant along Jupiter St. in Makati.
It was a beer enthusiast's dream come true. Aside from the courses specially prepared to match the different San Miguel Lifestyle Brews (which was overflowing that night, by the way), Brewmaster Alan Sienes gave a presentation on the history of beer and how different types of beer are made. He also taught us a lot about beer including how to check if a glass is "beer clean" and how to pour beer properly.
I was starstruck by Brewmaster Alan Sienes. His knowledge of beer is a tad intimidating I was almost afraid to touch my beer lest he come over to me and tell me I wasn't handling my beer properly.
First two courses were perfect with the Super Dry. Above right: Cheese soup with bacon and grapes. Below right: Frisse Salad with pig ears and six-minute eggs.
'Third course went best with the Premium All-Malt: Fried chicken with Korean breading. Sides include carrots, squash, sweet potato, corn flake crumbs, and butter.
Roasted lamb with yogurt, gravy from drippings, and apple mint, went best with Cerveza Negra.
'Dessert was donut with truffle filling and Irish cream. 'Perfect with Cerveza Negra.
I was so full (and giddy) by the time dessert was served, but I couldn't resist the donuts with truffle paired with Cerveza Negra. Of course I had to go all the way. After all, these perfect dining experiences don't happen everyday.
Left: With the evening's host Sherwin Santos, San Miguel Group Product Manager Anna Gimenez, and Brewmaster Alan Sienes. Right: What I won from San Miguel Lifestyle Brews and Nuffnang Philippines for my
entry: two-night stay in a superior room with breakfast for two at Sofitel Manila, lunch/dinner for two at Spiral, and two Power Deal vouchers which include an hour of massage, a haircut, and lunch buffet at Spiral. Oh yeah!
With Jeff, my date, who was just as ... let's put it this way, so full we need a new word for full.
Labels: Beer, San Miguel Lifestyle Brews
