Brews in the news

Sea Dog and Shipyard are getting props for their hops. The Maine-based breweries won top honors in the Commercial Beer Competition at the 83rd annual Los Angeles County Fair, which runs through Oct. 2. Sea Dog’s India Pale Ale took a gold in the English-Style Pale Ale

category and its Wild Blueberry Wheat took a bronze for Fruit Beers for the second year in a row. Shipyard won a gold medal in the Herb and Spice Beers category for its Pumpkinhead Ale, while its Blue Fin Stout took a silver in the American-Style Stout category and its Old Thumper Extra Special Ale took a silver for Extra Special Bitter. In 2004, Old Thumper won Best in Show at this competition and also took home the gold award in the Extra Special Bitter category. For information, visit www.seadogbrewing.com or www.shipyard.com.

Lovable leftovers

It’s tailgating time, which means the grill is all fired up. But what to do with all that leftover chicken? Try Tabasco’s Spicy Cobb Club. To make, combine 2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce in a small bowl. Stir until blended and smooth. Cut 2 boneless grilled chicken breast halves in half horizontally; brush with 1 1/2 teaspoons Tabasco. Spread 6 slices toasted sourdough bread with blue cheese mixture. Place lettuce leaves on 2 bread slices; top with chicken and sliced tomato; top with 2 bread slices; arrange sliced avocado, sliced egg (1 hard-cooked) and 4 slices cooked bacon on bread. Top with remaining bread slices. Cut each sandwich in half and serve.

It’s about time

Burned baked goods will be a thing of the past with Crate & Barrel’s stainless timers. They’re small, colorful and have a strong magnet that holds the timer fast to your stove or refrigerator. They cost $9.95 each and are available online at crateandbarrel.com or by calling 800-967-6696.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.