Supertaster

Dead Shellfish Ale

This week’s mission: low-grade beer mixed with Clamato. (By James Norton)

CHOW Tip

All Beer Is Ale or Lager

Know the difference to get what you want.

Field Trip

Giant Pumpkins

You’ll never believe how big they can get. (By Eric Slatkin and Blake Smith)

You're Doing It All Wrong

How to Make Pumpkin Pie with Boris Portnoy

Nutmeg bombs, begone! (By Meredith Arthur and Eric Slatkin)

The Ten

Autumn in a Glass

Ten beers for harvest moons. (By Kurt Wolff)

The Perfect

The Perfect Beer

Lessley Anderson gets into the yeasty details of Russian River Brewing Company’s Supplication ale. (By Meredith Arthur and Eric Slatkin)

You're Doing It All Wrong

How to Make a Flaky Thanksgiving Pie Crust with Roxanne Webber

You’re not making bread dough. (By Meredith Arthur, Blake Smith, and Roxanne Webber)

You're Doing It All Wrong

How to Pour Beer with Dave McLean

You’ve got to stay aware. (By Meredith Arthur and Eric Slatkin)

CHOW Tip

How to Quick-Cook Steel-Cut Oats

They are a weekday breakfast option.

The Perfect

The Perfect Pesto

As chosen by Marcia Gagliardi of Tablehopper.com. (By Meredith Arthur, Eric Slatkin, and Blake Smith)

Feature

Approaching the Cheese Counter

How to choose cheese for a dinner party, sports night, and every day. (By Meredith Arthur and Blake Smith)

Q&A

And I'd Like to Thank ...

The Vendy Awards give New York street vendors their night to shine.

Feature

Will This $20 Change Your Mind?

Bribing the host or hostess for a table. (By Helena Echlin)

Supertaster

White Lotus Vodka and Alouette Berries & Cream Spreadable Cheese

This week’s mission: a spirit that’s supposed to prevent hangovers, and middlebrow holiday cheese. (By James Norton)