The Melting Pot (TMP) fondue blogger: What are some trends you have seen in the craft beer industry?

Paul Brown (PB): Craft brewers have never been afraid to think outside of the box and this is demonstrated in a few new industry trends. One fun concept is collaborative brews, where two or more breweries work together to create one very interesting beer. Another is the fairly new practice of breweries combining two extremely different beer styles to create one unique beer. For example, combining Belgian-style ale with a stout or combining a wheat beer with an IPA (India Pale Ale). This creates some exciting flavor profiles.

TMP: What are some trends in craft beer within the restaurant industry?

PB: I believe we have reached a tipping point with craft beers. No matter where you are, you can usually find great craft beers and people enjoying them. Craft beers are appearing on more and more menus at a variety of restaurant concepts.

TMP: Are there any popular craft beers at The Melting Pot?

PB: Absolutely! We not only offer some great national brands like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Rogue and Stone, but each location serves some of the best local craft beers from its region.

TMP: What are some of your personal favorites?

PB: Whenever I travel, I take the opportunity to sample some of the local favorites. It is hard to beat fresh, local brews. That being said, I always welcome the opportunity to get back out to Washington state and enjoy a Deschutes Black Butte Porter or an Obsidian Stout. I have a great fondness for the craft brewing industry and enjoy visiting breweries whenever my time and travel allows. I also highly recommend trying cask-conditioned ales. These rich, creamy beers are naturally carbonated and poured without the use of gas. This allows the subtleties and nuances of the beer to shine through.

TMP: What about beer and food pairings? Any recommendations?

PB: Craft beers pair remarkably well with a wide range of foods. At The Melting Pot, we took the opportunity to showcase this with our craft beer flight. We’ve paired a different craft beer with each course of our limited-time four-course Big Night Out America feature menu. I find it hard to beat a flavorful craft beer paired with one of our delicious fondues.

TMP: Do you have any tips or insights to share with those looking to get into craft beer?

PB: Do some research. Craft beers come in a variety of tastes and styles. If you try a beer and don’t like it, don’t be afraid to try some other styles. Chances are you are going to find a beer you like. Check out a local brewfest for a fun experience and an opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers.

We hope you (responsibly) enjoy American Craft Beer Week, fondue fanatics. Whether it’s in your kitchen, paired with fondue or just with a group of friends, have fun toasting to American-made beer!

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate that fabulous woman in your life than with a leisurely fondue experience. It’s the perfect way to enjoy your two great loves: fondue and your mom!

After all, the fondue dining experience is more than just delicious food for Mom. It’s about sharing the experience with those she loves most. Everything you do melts her heart. The burner just speeds up the process.

Planning to host a more intimate affair at home? You can still make her heart melt by tenderly preparing her favorite chocolate fondue! Mom doesn’t have a favorite? No worries! You’d be hard pressed to find a mom who doesn’t enjoy our Flaming Turtle Chocolate Fondue.

No matter how you celebrate, make it a day your mom is sure to remember. Go make it count, fondue (and mom) fanatics!

Here are two ideas to help you celebrate the holiday some of you never knew you always wanted to celebrate:

Why not whip up some Zesty Cheddar Cheese Fondue? You can savor every gooey bite of your cheese-covered bread, veggies, apples or any other fondue dipper you fancy! We haven’t found too many foods that don’t pair well with cheese.  Especially on a day where we think everything should be covered in molten cheese!

Secondly, TODAY ONLY (April 11, 2012), when you join Club Fondue, you’ll receive a FREE small cheese fondue in celebration of the cheesiest day in America! Sign up for Club Fondue at www.NationalCheeseFondueDay.com to get your cheesy reward while supplies last! Can you think of a better way to celebrate National Cheese Fondue Day than with free cheese fondue? We sure can’t! Come in and experience the Cheese Fondue Effect!

So, cheese fondue fanatics, go into the world and share your cheesy love with everyone! Have a gouda day!

Contrary to popular belief, the pot at the end of the rainbow isn’t filled with gold; it’s full of delicious cheddar cheese fondue! St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to discover the delicious rewards of the fondue pot at The Melting Pot.

Celebrated internationally on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day commemorates one of Ireland’s patron saints. Over the years, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular celebration of Irish culture associated with shamrocks, green attire, leprechauns and, of course, pots of gold!

At The Melting Pot, we think it’s what happens around the pot of gold that makes it valuable. Come experience the Fondue Effect this St. Patrick’s Day as you celebrate luck, happiness and bountiful portions of cheddar cheese fondue.

Can’t make it to The Melting Pot this St. Patrick’s Day? Create your own pot of gold at home with our Irish Aged Cheddar Cheese Fondue recipe. Chef Shane shares how to whip up this Irish-inspired fondue in our St. Patrick’s Day Chef’s Corner video.

Do you have any special traditions for this fun-filled holiday? Do you search for the perfect four-leaf clover? Pinch people who aren’t wearing green? Make mischief like a leprechaun?

We’re taking the romance a step further this Valentine’s Day by sharing the love on Facebook through our Cupid’s Fondue Forks Facebook application that gives fondue fanatics a chance to win dinner for two at The Melting Pot with their special someone.

Our Cupid’s Fondue Forks application available on The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. Facebook page and all local Melting Pot Facebook pages from Jan. 23 – Feb. 17, gives you the opportunity to enter to win one of 10 $100 Melting Pot gift cards. All you have to do is share the love by hitting your special someone with Cupid’s Fondue Forks. Or two. We won’t judge.

Ten randomly-selected winners will be announced on The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. Facebook page on Feb. 21 and each winner will be notified via email. Winners will have the opportunity to experience the Fondue Effect and ignite romance even after Valentine’s Day has come and gone during The Melting Pot’s four courses – cheese fondue, salad, entrée and the romantic chocolate dessert fondue finale.

Don’t forget to make reservations if you’re planning to experience the Fondue Effect this Valentine’s Day! To make reservations, find locations or view local Valentine’s Day specials, please visit our website.

Making a stop in Boston, the first course features an original American beer with Boston Lager Cheddar Cheese Fondue. In this course, Samuel Adams Boston Lager ® and cheddar and emmenthaler cheeses are accented with Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon, onion, Dijon mustard, Tabasco® and scallions.

Next, the road trip heads to the Midwest for the Wisconsin Wedge Salad, an iceberg wedge accompanied by Roma tomato slices, Emmi Roth USA gorgonzola, Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon and peppercorn ranch dressing.

The entrée course features fresh meats, seafood and pasta with influences from various regions like the Chesapeake Bay with Old Bay® shrimp. Other highlights include Buffalo chicken, Memphis-style barbecue pork tenderloin, seasoned black Angus sirloin and wild mushroom sacchetti pasta.

For dessert, Chef Shane concludes the tour of America with a take on the timeless American classic peanut butter and jelly known as Chocolate Wildberry Crunch Fondue. This version of the childhood favorite combines milk chocolate, crunchy peanut butter and a purée of blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.

To make reservations, find locations or view the complete menu, please visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

As part of our long-term partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. will host its second annual Melting Pot Golf Classic on Nov. 14 at Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club in Tampa, Fla. to support St. Jude in the fight against childhood cancer.

Not a golfer? The event will also feature two cooking classes with Front Burner Brands (restaurant management company that supports The Melting Pot) Corporate Chef Shane Schaibly and GrillSmith Corporate Chef Joe Guli. With six locations in the Tampa Bay area, GrillSmith, an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, is a refined-casual, chef-inspired restaurant concept that specializes in innovative and creative interpretations of classic American dishes that surprise the palate, engage the mind and excite the senses.

The Melting Pot Golf Classic will feature Meredith Walusek from “The MJ Morning Show” on 93.3 FLZ playing golf in the tournament and a hole-in-one contest for the prize of a Lincoln MKX two-year lease donated by Parks Lincoln of Tampa. Captain Fear, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ mascot, will also be on hand.

Other tournament highlights include player gifts from golf’s leading manufacturers, raffle drawings, a live auction, a wine and cheese reception and an evening program including dinner and awards. The tournament will be open to all players starting at 10:30 a.m. with lunch sponsored by Front Burner Brands’ restaurant concepts Burger 21 and GrillSmith to be held from 11 – 12 p.m. followed by a 12 p.m. shotgun start.

Media sponsors include Brighthouse Networks, Clear Channel Radio and Clear Channel Digital.

The Melting Pot’s goal is to raise $100,000 through sponsorships and players for St. Jude. The registration deadline is Nov. 4, or when all spots have been filled.  For more information and to register, please visit www.meltingpotgolfclassic.com.

Vacation…the beach…no school?

We know that fondue doesn’t often come to mind but here at The Melting Pot, we think that should change.

After all, summer is all about spending time with family and friends while school is out. A family fondue night is the perfect addition to the repertoire of summer fun activities that the whole family can enjoy together. At The Melting Pot, we deliver a unique, interactive fondue dining experience that provides opportunities for families to connect and create memorable moments around the fondue pot.

Maybe you decided against taking the big family vacation to the beach this year. Why not grab the kids and take a mini summer escape to The Melting Pot? Before you know it, school will be back in session and you’ll wish that you’d taken more time to savor precious summer moments with your family.

Visit the locations page on our website to see if The Melting Pot location nearest you is featuring any fun summer events. Specials and events vary by location.

1. Read the Declaration of Independence. Have you ever read the Declaration? Take a moment this year to review the document that declared our nation’s freedom.
2. Tour a historic site in your town. Visiting a battlefield, fort, historic landmark or another site that has ties to our country’s revolutionary past can help make Independence Day come alive for you.
3. Watch a patriotic movie. Pop some popcorn and gather your friends and family to watch a film that involves the theme of freedom. Try “Saving Private Ryan,” “Independence Day” or “Air Force One.”
4. Get the party started with a patriotic playlist. Get in the spirit with songs like “God Bless the U.S.A,” “American Girl” and “Born in the USA.”
5. Send a letter or care package to a soldier. There are a number of organizations that ship care packages to soldiers serving in remote areas of the world. The Melting Pot restaurants in the Tampa Bay area have developed a partnership with Treats for Troops, an organization based in Tampa Bay, to collect items ranging from toothpaste to beef jerky to send to our armed forces. This simple act is a great way to encourage our troops and thank them for their service.

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

Here at The Melting Pot Restaurants, we know firsthand that this saying is true.  We love having the opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day with many dads as they enjoy a unique fondue dining experience while spending quality time with their families. We look forward to seeing many of you fondue fanatics and your fathers very soon.

While we know food is always a hit with dad, we’ve put our heads together to provide a few other suggestions for melting dad’s heart this Father’s Day.

1. Recognize the irreplaceable, fearless leader that he is. (No. 1 Dad mugs never go out of style.)
2. Take the time to tell him how much you care.  Express your love through a simple card or go all out with a sonnet in Shakespearean style or a full musical number.
3. Do something nice for him. Let him take a break from some of the mundane tasks that break his back. Mow the lawn, wash his car, clip his toenails?…
4. Surprise him with a special delivery. Why should the florist only knock at the door for mom? Send Dad his own bouquet complete with his favorite things (hint: food works well here).
5. Join him in practicing his favorite hobby. Whether it’s fishing, golf, building model airplanes or vegging out in front of the TV, do it with him and do it with a smile.