Serves 10-12

1 pound mascarpone

3 tablespoons Kahlua

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/4 cup brewed espresso

1/8 cup heavy cream

16 ladyfingers

1 cup Mavericks Paddle Out Stout or similar stout beer

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Whipped cream garnish, optional:

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon sugar

1. In an electric mixer or food processor, mix the mascarpone, Kahlua, sugar, espresso and cream until ingredients are combined, thick and fluffy enough to spread. Be careful not to overwhip.

2. Soak the ladyfingers in stout. Arrange half in the bottom of a large rectangular -- 15-by-10-inch -- glass baking dish. Spread a layer of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers; repeat with a second layer of ladyfingers and a slightly thicker layer of mascarpone. Dust the top with cocoa powder. Let set in freezer overnight.

3. For the optional whipped cream garnish, whip the cream, vanilla and sugar until stiff peaks appear. Cut the beeramisu into squares; serve chilled with a dollop of cream and dusting of cocoa powder.

-- Gaston Alfaro, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company