06.22.07
The Hopsicle Saga Begins
Perhaps some of you have actually heard of my restaurant in the news as of late. It is amazing how a little story has blossomed into something so big.
When I came on board at Rustico, Frank (the executive chef) told me that one of the main focuses of the restaurant was to find unique ways to combine beer and food. Well, it seems he has done that, and the result is a story that has brought every major network to our restaurant in the past few days.
 Our chef - Frank Morales - with a collection of his hopsicle creations. (AP Photo) |
The “Hopsicles” as he calls them are basically beer popsicles (there is a little bit of cooking involved, it’s not just beer on a stick) and while this is a neat idea (and a tasty one as well!) who would have guessed this invention would have garnered so much attention?
We use fruit flavored beers and combine them with fruit (no way am I giving out any recipes here - sorry!) to create a neat way to beat the summer heat for adults. The problem is, this creation is possibly illegal since beer is supposed to be served in its original container, or immediately after it is poured. In short, the paper-pushers of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) don’t get that this is not just frozen beer, but rather a recipe for a food item - a popsicle - that contains beer. We have every faith though that this misunderstanding on their part will be cleared up soon enough.
 Ahhh… would that it were just this easy. |
But the controversy that this has created has inadvertently drawn widespread attention to our restaurant. How surprised were we today to see Frank on Fox News today - and he has more interviews pending! (Ugh, I can’t believe I just gave a link to Fox News…) Funny side note about the video - the “customer” he serves the hopsicle to over and over again in the video is actually one of our managers at the restaurant. We got a kick out of that…
Anyway, with all the press about the hopsicles, needless to say, the people were beating us down to try them this evening. The only problem - we hadn’t made them simply because we weren’t sure if we were allowed to sell them yet. Even if it is much ado about nothing, we have to make sure we are on the right side of the law, but the masses are already clamoring to try these things.
I can only hope we have them ready to go soon. The crowds are getting restless. I just hope they are enjoying our new summer menu that we happened to launch today. (As if we weren’t crazed enough as is…)
Stumble it!
Eize said,
June 23, 2007 at 9:29 am
How in the world can the state of beer cause a bone of contention?!? If you can have soda gummy candy, why not beer pops? Weird!
Olivia said,
June 25, 2007 at 8:38 am
I love this idea! It sound delicious, albeit sticky (legally, that is). I would agree with you that this is a recipe, though maybe the bone of contention lies in the etoh not being “burned” off (i.e. I’ve made plenty of beer cheese soup). But then again, (hiccup), who the hell cares. The Hopsicle truck is here! The Hopsicle truck is here!
Olivia said,
June 25, 2007 at 8:41 am
P.S.
I actually threw up a little at your Fox link . . . but then it didn’t work . . and I felt better.
Chef Matt said,
June 25, 2007 at 9:34 am
Eize - It all has to do with the great puritanical blue laws that we have in this state - and many others - concerning alcohol. These hopsicles are much more likely to kill you from brain freeze than alcohol poisoning, but since booze is an ingredient, that means the government has to get involved apparently.
Olivia - They really are astounding, and there really isn’t that much booze in them because we cook them. And it is funny you mention a beer-cheese soup, since that is one of our soups at Rustico. Our cheddar-ale soup of course has beer in it as well, but nobody seems to be fussing over that. Weird, huh? And while I am ashamed that I had to link to Fox, the link works for me, and is a pretty good interview for Frank. (Though the interviewer on Fox of course sucks…)
john said,
June 25, 2007 at 11:31 am
they made the local news here in chicago. i was only half paying attention, so i missed that it was your place.
Boutros said,
June 25, 2007 at 1:50 pm
have i mentioned yet that i think Chef Morales is hot?