Beer…the other pairing

Hosting events is much more than the glitz and the glamour of sparkling wine.  A crisp, cold, and refreshing brew can also be a welcome addition to your next affair.  Recently, we hosted a beer tasting dinner with a couple friends and the results were fantastic.  With a little planning and a foodie mindset, your own beer dinner can be a success.

First course:  Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges with Fresh Chopped Chives paired with Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale

A fun finger food to start as your first course.  Use as an hors d’oeuvres on a passed tray, or an appetizer at the table.  Salty, smoky, with a light onion bite, pairs perfectly with the hoppy bitterness of the Kona Fire Rock.  The addition of 3 different hops give it a wide range of characteristics that helps it pair with several different styles of food, but hold up to the rich and bold flavors of this first course.

Second Course: French Onion Soup paired with Pike Kilt Scotch Ale

Not only perfect on a chilly fall day, but also a perfect pairing with Pike Kilt Scotch Ale.  Substitute part of the veal stock for this recipe with your malted beverage to reflect more of the flavors paired together.  Pike Kilts’ dry features help breakdown the rich fat from the layer of Gruyere cheese on top while also having a light body with caramel notes to pair well with the long cooking process of the caramelized onions. 

Main Course: Bratwurst with Sauerkraut paired with Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar

German classic paired with a not so classic beer. A European beer that has had an American twist, Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar pairs perfectly with pork or beef sausage with its rich subtle notes of hazelnut and toasted malt.  A diverse beer, it can stand up to the flavors inside bratwurst while also pairing perfectly with the acidic bite added by sauerkraut.  Great to also use while cooking, Rogue’s brown nectar can stand to the long cooking time of bratwurst while adding rich flavor that will be reflected in your meal.  

Dessert Course: Cranberry Apple Tortes paired with Samuel Adam’s Cranberry Lambic

The Fall Season’s Best highlighted in this delicious dessert pairing.  Fruity, tart, spicy, with a touch of sweetness; these words perfectly describe both the Cranberry Apple Torte and Samuel Adam’s Cranberry Lambic.  A rare find that one can only find during the holiday season, so take advantage of it while you can.  The sweet and flaky pastry pair perfectly with the notes of cranberry, nutmeg, and clove that interlace this delicious malted beverage.

Post Published on November 9, 2011. Guest Blogger: Jay Cosico