Louis Glunz Beer announces 2009-10 Culinary Council and launch of Glunz Beer blog

(From left to right) Back row: Craig Fass, chef/owner of Bad Apple;
Jeff Collins, gourmet grocery manager, Binny's Beverage Depot;
Middle row: Mindy Segal, chef/owner of Hot Chocolate;
Lacey Griebeler, managing editor of Chef Magazine;
Mike Roper, owner of Hopleaf; Lucy Saunders of www.BeerCook.com;
Front row: Jennifer Glunz Faulk, director of marketing for Louis Glunz Beer Inc.;
Paul Kahan, executive chef/partner of Blackbird, Avec and The Publican;
Not pictured: Randy Mosher, faculty member of Siebel Institute of Technology & World Brewing Academy
(Photo by Ted Lacey)

Positive response to the "Glunz Beer Culinary Council" from the many Chicagoland chefs, retailers and media guests attending the group's educational and inspirational beer dinner series last year has prompted Lincolnwood, Ill.-based distributor, Louis Glunz Beer Inc. to continue the advisory panel for a second year. In addition, the company recently launched a blog: http://glunzbeers.blogspot.com, to extend the Culinary Council's reach to a broader audience and invite visitors to learn more about beer and food pairing, and to ask questions of local chefs leading the trend!

"We bring the world of beers to the kitchens of Chicago's finest restaurants and take seriously our responsibility to teach about beer and food pairing and cooking with beer, with the help of such an elite group," said Jerry Glunz, general manager of Louis Glunz Beer.

"What we're doing is very important to the restaurant industry as a whole," said Craig Fass, chef and co-owner of The Bad Apple, a new gastropub in Lincoln Square, and a returning member of the Glunz Beer Culinary Council. "Trying to get people to understand that there are just as many wonderful craft beers in the world that complement food as there are wines is a great challenge and something we're trying to tackle. Educating other chefs about craft beers enhances everyone's dining and drinking experience in the entire city."

In addition to Fass, members of the 2009-10 Glunz Beer Culinary Council include James Beard award nominees: Paul Kahan, executive chef/owner, Avec, Blackbird and The Publican; and, Mindy Segal, chef/owner, Hot Chocolate. Also among the distinguished group: Jeff Collins, gourmet grocery manager, Binny's Beverage Depot; Lacey Griebeler, managing editor, Chef Magazine and Chef Educator Today; Randy Mosher, author and faculty member, Siebel Institute of Technology; Mike Roper, co-owner, Hopleaf Bar; and, Lucy Saunders, author and founder of www.beercook.com. Culinary Council members were selected by the management team of Louis Glunz Beer, based on their expertise in beer and food pairings, their innovative use of beer as an ingredient, and their enthusiasm for craft, specialty and import beers. Glunz Beer's director of marketing, Jennifer Faulk, is the liaison to the Culinary Council.

"We are honored that the majority of members from our inaugural Culinary Council have agreed to lend their time and talent once again, and we're delighted to welcome representatives from the retail and media communities with the addition of Jeff and Lacey," said Faulk. "Already, we have two beer dinners planned with the chefs choosing the beers they'll cook with and the food pairings, and we're looking forward to welcoming more local chefs, retailers and media guests in the coming year who are eager to learn more."

For more information, visit www.glunzbeers.com.