I'm in favor of education and proper labeling. When it comes to GMO, I'm still going to eat it, but I think everyone has a right to know. My personal belief on GMO is that it's no more dangerous than the tailpipe smoke I'm forced to suck down on my daily bike to work, or the non-GMO crap that gets passed through the drive-through window.
I do take issue with the corporate greed from Monsanto and the like that has crush the independent Iowan farmer, but that's a different thread and way off the topic of corned beef.
As for the wine, can't say I drink much of it, but people sure go nuts over what we produce here. Now, beer is another story. I love the stuff and no body does it better than Oregon, which isn't to say that other regions and the whole of Europe haven't done it well for centuries, but for every 300 year old recipe that has withstood the test of time, I will put up an Oregon beer no more than 30 years old that will stomp on it.
None of those beers are mine though. I do like that stout, but in truth, I overdid the roast and bitter (not to mention that it's ~9% ABV) and it's a bit too much to have more than 1. And, it's gotten over-carbonated with age. Cooking though, it's perfect for corned-beef.
If you're ever in the area, let me know and we'll have some drinks and food.
Marshall, I know you're in Oregon, but if you have friends in Washington you may want to let them know about this.
Yes on 522: The campaign to label genetically engineered foods in Washington state
By the way, some of my favorite wines come from Willamette Valley. You don't how bad I want to try to convince you to send me some that roasted stout you used in this recipe.