MNP Week 15

With the clock ticking down and the potluck slipping away, Kathy Munger's Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding was staring defeat in the face. 

A huge performance by two main courses, Jake Sklanka's Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit (which, amazingly, is exactly what it sounds like) and Spencer's Leek And Gruyere Gratin, set a high potluck bar. But with the potential potluck-winning drive on the line, Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding showed the confidence and poise of a savvy veteran. 

Using a time-tested combination of vanilla wafers, gooey, bananaey goodness and a splash of nostalgia, Banana Pudding (33 points) surged into the end zone and past Leek And Gruyere Gratin (32 points) and Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit (31 points) for the victory in what was the tightest podium finish in potluck history. 

"Banana just looked us in the huddle and said, 'Fellas, we got this,'" Vanilla Wafers said after the potluck. "He's gotta be in the conversation with Montana and Brady as the greatest of all time."

And truly, it was one of the greatest potluck fields of all time, as Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding conquered not only Gratin and Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit, but also Monday Night Potluck veterans Rick and Maria's Sweet And Spicy Smokies (which, I might add, were hot dogs wrapped in bacon and brown sugar) and Heather Wickstrom's Parmesan Broccoli Bites, which finished with 28 and 25 points, respectively. 

The victory extended a streak of excellence for Kathy Munger and her husband Brian, who claimed their unprecedented third MNP victory and fifth podium finish, moving them into the conversation with Bill Russell's Celtic teams of the 60s and Michael Jordan's Bulls teams in the 90s as some of the greatest dynasties of our time. 

As always, a huge thank you goes out to all who brought food and good cheer to our 15th Monday Night Potluck. Everyone's dishes, for your perusal:

Bob McCullough - Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff
Kathy Munger - Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding (1st Place)
Kim Haller - Coconut Curry
Erin and Sara - Caribe Pepper, Bacon And Cheddar Cornbread
Diana and Bradie - Kale Salad With Bacon And Goat Cheese (it's 19 points making it the best performance ever by a salad)
Nancy - Delish Rib Sliders
Kyle Venz - Chili Con Kyle (prepared and delivered by our youngest potlucker ever!)
Melissa Chiella - Organic Gluten Free Brownies
Heather Wickstrom - Parmesan Broccoli Bites
Melissa Chiella - Stuffed Mushrooms
Jake Sklanka - Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit (3rd Place) (and truly, a revelation)
Clay Stoner and Luminous BrewHouse - 9 Pepper Hot And Spicy Chili
Spencer - Leek And Gruyere Gratin (2nd Place)
Allie Ellwood - Pigs In A Blanket
Johnny Newman - Fruit Salsa With Sugar Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
Diane Ahern - Dulce de Leche Rice Krispy Treats
Bridget Babcock - Buffalo Poppers
Rick and Maria - Sweet And Spicy Smokies (which, I reiterate, were bacon wrapped hot dog morsels of goodness)

Monday Night Potlucks will pick back up next week (Feb. 9), with eating commencing at or around 7 p.m., but we recommend showing up early to get a table. We can't wait to see what you bring next!

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

The winners: Spencer, Kathy and Jake

Cody and JJ perform to a packed potluck

MNP Week 14: A Potluck Fit For A King

It was a potluck of epic proportions.

(And we are not just talking about the size of my swollen stomach in the potluck's aftermath. What's that? No, stop it. You definitely did not see three plates of food in front of me at the same time.) 

Tables creaked under the weight of a record-setting 25 dishes. Stomachs stretched to capacity from the valiant attempt to sample every dish once (and some multiple times. I'm totally not talking about myself here). Minds blown by the sheer difficulty of choosing three dishes to vote for from the aforementioned incredible 25. 

But when the dust settled, it was Shervin Aghili's Saffron Chicken With Jeweled Rice that claimed the top spot with 28 points, outlasting Sam Heindel's Fruity Fluff (17 points) and Nick Shaffer's Pad Thai (16 points) as well as 22 other excellent dishes. Tatonka Tater Tot Casserole and Grandma Dororthy's Cheesecake (which is a recipe that I desperately, desperately need. Please Grandma Dorothy, call me) narrowly missed the podium, finishing with 14 points apiece. 

On a night when the votes were spread evenly among the masses of food, Saffron Chicken With Jeweled Rice refused to be denied. Facing an onslaught from 24 foods (quite literally. Saffron Chicken's manager, Aghili, expressed concern when he saw the amount of food jostling for spots on potluckers' plates and mixing in with the delicately prepared Jeweled Rice), Saffron Chicken simply executed on a higher level than the rest of the competition, its chemistry with Jeweled Rice honed over years of collaborating in foods more apparent than ever. 

"I don't know what I'm eating anymore, it's all ******** delicious," a delirious potlucker said. "But this Saffron Chicken is a dish fit for kings."

I could ramble on for pages about the qualities of all the foods at the table (no literally, for pages. All my foreign friends think Americans think and talk about food all the time because of me. And we haven't even started discussing desserts), but I'll turn it over to the foods themselves and let them do the talking. 

Once again, thanks to all you terrific potluckers for all the terrific potlucking. Everyone and the dish they brought:

Mason Kelley - Chocolate-Covered Bacon
Brian Munger - Spanish Cocktail Meatballs
Linsey Kach - Veggie Pizza 
Shervin Aghili and Lyndsey Brozyna - Saffron Chicken With Jeweled Rice (1st Place)
Sam Heindel - Fruity Fluff (2nd Place)
Joe Napolitan - Southwest Burrito With Beer
Seth Cohen - Chocolate Coffee Stout Pulled Pork Sliders With Breck Bourbon Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Janet Stanley - Chili
Michael Meloy - Graham Cracker Dessert
Rob Clay - Chops And Cheese
Janelle Hess - High Country Cornbake
Rory, Fish and Alysa - Chunky Funky Munkey Cookies
Sarah Paris - Tatonka Tater Tot Casserole
Matty Ice - Crackers and Cheese
Samantha - Sweet And Spicy Potato Crusties (sorry for the spelling errors, handwriting semi-unreadable)
MIke Macri - Texas Caviar
Shira Ellenson - Fried Rice
Nick Shaffer - Pad Thai (3rd Place)
Johnny P - Dank Drizzle (not nearly as gross as the name sounds, in fact, delicious)
Diane - Grandma Dorothy's Cheesecake (a winner in my book. Anytime a recipe with "Grandma" in the name doesn't manage to win, you know it was a good potluck)
Johnny N. - Nachos
Austin H. - Man Dip
Evan N. - Sloppy Joe's
Dave J. - Chicken Enchiladas
? - Dark Chocolate Milk Chocolate S'More Bars

Monday Night Potlucks will pick back up next week (Feb. 2), with eating commencing at or around 7 p.m., but we recommend showing up early to get a table. We can't wait to see what you bring next!

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

The winners, and some photobombers

The busiest potluck yet

MNP Week 13: Bacon Crashes and Burns

An unlikely hero emerged from potluck Monday night, laying claim to the 13th Monday Night Potluck title. 

In a shocking victory, Madeleine Tayer's Breck Brussels vanquished challenges from 17 other excellent competitors, including three separate bacon dishes, on its way to 38 points and a potluck victory. Brussels eked out the win over another healthy dish, Nick Schaffer's Yammyons (sliced sweet potatoes with onions and (maybe other vegetables?) on top), who finished with 37 points. Perennial potluck power Brian Munger's Sticky Wings finished third (26 points), preventing a never-before-seen sweep of the potluck podium by healthy, vegetable-based dishes. 

It was a classic David vs. Goliath tale, with 2014's potluck king, Bacon, throwing everything it had at Breck Brussels. But when the smoke settled, neither Candied Bacon, Chocolate-Covered Bacon (yes, this exists) or Open-Faced Jalepeno Grilled Bacon Cheese was able to mount any type of comeback in what may be the end of a bacon-flavored era. 

"I think we just witnessed history," one anonymous potlucker said. "This could be a changing of the guard that forever changes the potluck landscape."

In a remarkable performance, Breck Brussels (which I'm not entirely sure how they were cooked since I was shoveling each delicious bite into my mouth too fast to think. But I think there were cranberries involved. Definitely cranberries) also defeated various deliciously unhealthy options like Buffalo Chicken Dip, Sausage Dip, 7-Layer Dip and Tres Leche Cake on its way to title (the carnivore inside me is crying right now).

It remains to be seen whether Vegetables can continue this run of potluck supremacy, but for one week at least, Breck Brussels and Yammyons earned the glory and adoration of potluckers everywhere. 

Broken Compass would once again like to thank every awesome potlucker who brought food this week. It was another epic turnout, with 18 dishes tying a potluck record. Here's the awesome people and the food they brought. 

Brian Munger - Sticky Wings
Jake and Erin - Turkey Sandwich Bites
Jake and Erin (these awesome potluckers brought two things) - Blueberry/Pumpkin Muffins
Mason Kelley - Chocolate-Covered Bacon (which, again, exists)
Dave and Rob - Fudge-Brownie-With-White-And-Milk-Chocolate-Chips-Peanut-Butter-Chips-And-Oreos (this...this was amazing)
44-Red Feather (I think that's what the sign-in sheet said?)- 7-Layer Dip (we had 5-Layer Dip last week. I'm expecting at least a 9-Layer Dip next Monday)
Nick Schaffer - Yammyons (2nd Place)
Arjun - Candied Bacon
Madeleine Tayer - Breck Brussels (1st Place)
Redner - Open Faced Jalepeno Grilled Bacon Cheese
Seth Cohen - Grown-up Cracker Jacks With Coconut Porter And Bacon
Warren and Samantha - Puffy Pesto Pocket Pillows (easily wins the award for best named dish)
Rick and Maria - Penne With Breck Distillery Vodka Sauce
Andy and Hannah - Buffalo Chicken Dip
Kaitlyn and Marc - Sausage Dip
Lyndsey and Vin - Tres Leche Cake
Katie and Christina - Cornbread
Mark Stone - Garlic Chicken And Couscous

Monday Night Potlucks will pick back up next week (Jan. 26), with eating commencing at or around 7 p.m. We can't wait to see what you bring next!

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting  around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

The victorious potluckers: Madeleine (middle), Nick (left) and Brian  

Ullr Fest parade hours

Broken Compass will close today from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in celebration of the mighty Ullr. Check us out at the parade in our Viking ship float that Ford captaining in full Ullr attire! 

MNP Week 12: Battle of Titans

Some potlucks just taste different. 

That was the case Monday night, as the 12th edition of MNPs delivered a truly special spectacle to eaters in attendance. 

In what was the most tense, tight food fight to date, potluck veterans Kathy (and Brian) Munger, Rick (and Maria) Galgas and Ben Redner (shout out to Nancy too) battled it out for the top spot. 

Rick's Jersey Chili With Corn Bread broke out to a commanding early lead, convincing the committee (of one...me) that they had all but wrapped up first place. The Redner's Broken Compass Chili Pepper Pale Ale Sloppy Joes (BCCPPASJ) hung tough, however, refusing to back down in the battle of foods that, quite simply, were made for cold winter nights.

Occupied as they were in their battle of heartiness, neither Jersey Chili and BCCPPASJ saw Kathy Munger's Caramel Espresso Bars coming. In the true manner of desserts, Caramel Espresso Bars made a massive late push. Its insanely delicious, sweet, caramelly middle made a huge impression on voters (It's hard to put into writing how truly scrumptious these bars were. Imagine biting into something slightly crunchy and coffeeey (shut up, that's a word), which slowly transitions into a soft, creamy, caramel center). 

When the smoke cleared, Caramel Espresso Bars stood atop the MNP podium, squeaking out a victory with 37 points over second-place Jersey Chili (34 points) and BCCPPASJ (31). 

"We witnessed history here tonight," said basically everyone in attendance. "Three juggernauts at the top of there cooking game going head to head...it's not something you see every day. Everything I put into my mouth for the next week is going to pale by comparison." 

The spectacular battle for the top three spots overshadowed what was one of the deepest fields in MNP history. A delicious Mexican food contingent arrived in the form of Beef Enchiladas, 5-Layer Dip and Mexican Madness, while Kielbasa and Inari Zushi made sure North America wasn't the only continent represented. 

The victory was the Mungers second straight MNP win, a feat not seen since the early stages of the event (when the competition was significantly less tough). The Galgas's, for their part, continued to collect hardware (aka beer), with their third second-place finish (to go along with one third)

The food bar for 2015 has been set high, thanks to all of these fine potluckers and their delicious dishes: 

Alison/Angelina - Kielbasa
Kathy Munger - Caramel Espresso Bars (1st Place)
Same Heindel - Cheesy Potatoes
Diane Ahern - Inari Zushi (google it, these are awesome)
Alli Ellwood - Gingerbread Cookies 
Ben Redner - Broken Compass Chili Pepper Pale Ale Sloppy Joes (3rd Place)
Rick Galgas - Jersey Chili With Corn Bread (2nd Place)
Warren Rixon - Pretzels And Spicy Mustard Sauce
Genia and Ike - Mexican Madness! (Mexican casserole)
Alex and Grant - Taste of Michigindid (I swear that's how it was spelled on the sign in sheet. Not that Grant is known for his accurate spelling...chili with two Ls anyone?)
Mason Kelley - Beef Enchiladas
Arjun - 5-Layer Dip
Brewmaster Ford - Guacamole (he's not just a wizard at making beer!)

Thanks again to everyone for coming out. Monday Night Potlucks will continue next week, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m., hope to see you all there!

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting  around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

From left to write, Brian and Kathy Munger and Rick and Maria Galgas 

Shout out to Grant for his ever entertaining, no-longer-anonymous voting ballots. Here's his latest 

MNP Week 11: It's A Pulled Pork Party

The first Monday Night Potluck of 2015 kicked off with a bang, as various foods struggled against each other to stake their claim as the most delicious food of 2015. 

And if 2014 was the Year of Bacon, it didn't take long for bacon's cousin, Pulled Pork, to take the driver's seat early in 2015. In a week rife with parity, Brian Munger's Pulled Pork Sandwiches held off the other contenders, eventually running away with a victory with 40 points. Two pasta dishes, Matt and Arielle's Brat Pasta and Dave Johnston's Lasagna, put up 25 points to tie for second place, while the 2014 favorite, bacon, could not be denied a podium spot, as Even and Crew's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers recorded 23 points for the third place finish.

But, on a night when it was firing on all cylinders, nothing could outshine Pulled Pork Sandwiches (who were, in this author's humble opinion, aided mightily by the assistance of Hawaiian rolls. Nobody anywhere ever has disliked a Hawaiian roll. It's a fact). It was a hard-fought victory for Munger, a potluck semi-regular, and could propel him to his most successful potluck year yet. 

Broken Compass would once again like to thank all the chefs and potluckers  who brought food for yet another amazing potluck. Here are all the awesome people and the dish they brought:

Isaac and Genia - Mountain Pizza (what is Mountain Pizza? I still really don't know. Just know that it's delicious)
Cindy and Andy - Bella's Bacon And Beans (And Purple Potatoes)
Brian Munger - Pulled Pork (1st place)
Matt and Arielle - Brat Pasta (T-2nd)
Mike and Malia - Cornbread
Evan and Crew - Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers (3rd)
Dave - Lasagna (T-2nd) (Let's be clear, this lasagna included Italian sausage instead of plain, non-interesting ground beef. Which is how all lasagnas should always be made. I'm looking at you Mom)
Diane - Quiche - Hopefully It's Done (Diane's words, not mine)
Peter - Greenbean Casserole
Koz - Chips 
Nick Shaffer and Grant - Coconut Porter Ice Cream Floats
Jay Haggerty - Chili

Thanks again to everyone for coming out. Monday Night Potlucks will continue next week, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m., hope to see you all there!

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting  around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

MNP Week 10: 2014 Is The Year Of Bacon

After repeatedly dominating Monday Night Potlucks, it was only fitting that at the final MNP of the 2014 season, bacon continued to reign supreme. 

(But not the last potluck of 2014! Come out to our New Year's Eve potluck/dance party combo! Dress code: Breckenridge "Black Tie" aka Sequins and Sorrels. First place potlucker receives $100, second place $50 and third place $25. Dance off winners receive the love and respect of the masses. More details here: http://ow.ly/GoEDy).

On a night where attendance was held down by a wicked storm dumping almost three feet of powder on Breckenridge, Grant Robinson and Nick Last Name Unknown's Tekilya Shrooms (mushrooms, wrapped in mouth-watering bacon, dipped in a spicy "Tekilya" mustard sauce from our friends our Mountain Madness. And oh yes, I should mention again, wrapped in BACON, which is quite conveniently sizzling on my stovetop as I write this) outpaced the competition, taking first place with 33 points. 

The ever-steady Rick Galgas made records and waves in potluck cirlces by reaching his third straight podium with a second place finish by Broken Compass Chili Beer Potato Cheese Soup, while Michael Cliff Cardone (he of the phenomenal, MNP-winning ribs http://ow.ly/GoICR) busted out a Broken Compass Beer Chili to take third. Both BC Beer Chili and BC Chili Beer Potato Cheese Soup put up hearty fights but could not withstand the bacon onslaught. 

The real winner on the night, however, was everyone who had the fortune to witness one of the great ballots of our time. The voter, who shall remain anonymous, chose to nominate, in order:

1. Cookie
2. Shroom Shit
3. Chilli (spelled with two L's)

While writing in a style some might compare to a serial killer's. Pure, unadulterated, enjoyment. Thank you Anonymous Voter (please see attached photo for details).

Broken Compass would once again like to thank all the chefs and potluckers who braved the elements Monday night. Here are all the awesome people and the food they brought:

The Redner Bunch - Assorted Christmas Cookies
Dan Rabin - Salami And Cheese
Rick Galgas - Broken Compass Chili Beer Potato Cheese Soup (2nd)
Michael Cardone - Broken Compass Beer Chili (3rd)
Grant Robinson/Nick - Tekilya Shrooms (1st)
Tom Valentin - Latkes
Amelia/Lindsey - Cookies (which, to Amelia and Lindsey's credit, were totally unburnt this time and actually relatively delicious)

Monday Night Potlucks will be OFF this coming Monday (Dec. 29th), as potluckers near and far (including yours truly) will be celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Come party with us for our New Year's Eve potluck dance party! For those who survive, we will return to our regular MNP schedule in 2015.

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting between 6:30 and 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

The winners, from right to left: Nick/Grant, Rick and Mike

The infamous ballot

New Year's Eve Dance Party Potluck: Canapés, Sequins and Sorrels

It's almost party time at Broken Compass!

Broken Compass will be throwing a "Sequins and Sorrels" New Year's Eve party (perhaps more commonly known as "Breckenridge Black Tie") (and while we're at it, prepare yourself for a bunch of words in this post that you don't understand. I'm not even sure what half of them are. Don't get mad, I'm just the messenger). 

Starting Wednesday, Dec. 31st at 8 p.m., we'll kick off a combo Canapé potluck (told you) and dance party. For the uninitiated, canapés are a type of hors d'oeuvre (I give up). Point is, bring some awesome finger food, appetizers and desserts and the like. 

As with our Monday Night Potlucks (go read the blogs! Seriously, I'll wait) first, second and third place winners will be determined by a people's choice vote. Unlike our Monday Night Potlucks, our Sequins and Sorrels potluck winners will receive $100, $50 and $25 of credit on gift cards to use as they see fit. 

Winners will be announced at 12:02 a.m. on Jan. 1st as we celebrate the New Year with many cheers and beers. You must be present to claim your prize, although not necessarily awake (we have an excellent dog bed that is a prime spot for tired legs and eyes). 

As for the dance party, expect to groove out to some phenomenal disco music (if you attended the disco party held  in honor of our esteemed boss, Ax, you know exactly what I'm talking about), followed potentially by some classic 90s hip hop. Any and all types of dancing are encouraged, particularly the awkward kind. So break out your best moves, canapés and New Year's spirit and join us in celebrating! 

Quick dog bed naps are strongly encouraged. Please drink responsibly.