This book is a result of a two-year "research study, " done with many hours of Queen City beer sampling, cooking experiments and recipe creation. It is also my first in a planned series of cookbooks that chronicle My 30-Year Love Affair With Food in Vermont. After hours of long conversations about how the beers are made--while listening to Frank Zappa and eating endless bowls of pretzels--with Paul Hale, Managing Partner, Brewmaster and one of the co-founders of Queen City Brewery, I decided to put this collection of recipes into a book and do some good with it. I asked Paul and Ellen Zeman, Paul's lovely wife, what local charities and nonprofit organizations are near and dear to their hearts. Without hesitation, Ellen said the Vermont Family Network (VFN). VFN is an organization that empowers and supports families that have children born with special needs. They work to assist them in obtaining the necessary resources the need to help their children live healthy lives and reach their potential. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to benefit the VFN.I am so happy to be doing this fundraiser for a local organization with such a far-reaching impact on the lives of so many Vermonters. I feel passionate about bringing light the needs of the VFN, and organizations like them in Vermont, and the good work they are doing in their local communities. I plan to continue to support these organizations and agencies through future cookbook endeavors. Two other books are already in the works. Stay tuned for more information.