I’ve somewhat of a troubled relationship with the Hops & Barley Market at Food & Wine. One item that Matt loved last year was the Pumpkin Mousse with Craisins & Orange Sauce. It was the top item on his list for items to revisit, and he was disappointed when we stopped by on preview day and they didn’t have any available. We went back a couple nights later, and fortunately they had it.
It looked a little different than I recalled, but not a bit was left by the time Matt was through with it!
It was only later that I realized what was missing when I was reviewing pictures. There was no granola or Craisin topping this year, and there was only a bit at the bottom and in between the layers of pumpkin mousse.
Apart from the topping, the mousse was spilling out of the top last year. Matt ordered it a second time later in the festival this year and it was still not as full and once again missing the topping. Has anyone else had this happen to them, or did yours look like last year’s below?
2011′s Pumpkin Mousse with Craisins & Orange Sauce.
I haven’t tried the Clam Chowder this year, and I”m not sure that I will. I didn’t order another Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll as I saw it appeared the same as last year. I thought it was okay last year, but it’s still not a true lobster roll like I used to enjoy in Maine. Plus I can get a dang good one with around 4 times the meat for just over twice the price of this tiny thing and get it with two sides in Celebration!
Review: 2011′s Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll
I also skipped Linda Bean’s Claw Cuddler. Last year it was served with drawn butter, and this year it’s served with Herb Mayonnaise. The lack of butter being served with the dish is a bit of a bummer, but the disappointment I had in the claw meat itself kept me from ordering this one again this year.
Review: 2011 Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddler (served with Drawn Butter)
Did you try any of the food items from Hops & Barley Market, or do you stick with sampling the Sam Adams? Let us know what you enjoyed!
That lobster roll looks tasty…
The pumpkin mousse… I’m laughing here… I saw the picture before I read the description… What came to mind was congealed grease in a jar… LOL! I had to look away and ignore the thoughts of grease so I could even imagine the taste of the mousse!! Now it does look very good!
Only tried the clam chowder so far and it was ok. It kinda reminds me of Campbell’s but then again I compare all clam chowders to the Union Oyster House’s chowder which is the best I’ve ever had. Probably won’t try the lobster roll since I didn’t think it was worth it last year and I agree with you on how it should be made.
My mother and I truly sat watching people pay $6.50 for a single lobster claw. Now living my whole life in New England, I have been raised to only eat seafood when I can see or smell the ocean. But even the mousse looks gross! The best thing at Hops and Barley is that they are selling Sam Adams Cherry Wheat which is my current favorite beer. Go try it if you are interested in a sweeter fall beer that isn’t pumpkin flavored.
Living in Maine for 10 years, I know what good lobster is too. Frozen Linda Bean products just aren’t it! Sam Cherry Wheat is good, but one or two is enough for me as it tends to get a bit sweet.
The only things we get from Hops and Barley… Sam Adams & Oktoberfest on draft, Sam Adams Cream Stout bottled, and Sam Adams Black Lager bottled. The lobster rolls at Celebration Town Tavern are great BTW!
You can also stop by Tavern for all their varieties of Sam Adams!