Beer and Cheese Pairing

Kickass · 09-13-2009, 09:41 PM

I was thinking it might be fun for my wife and me to host a beer and cheese evening. Obviously all the beer would be home brew. I’d like to do a 4 or 5 cheese platter with a complementing beer for each cheese. I’d like to start fairly light and finish with a heavy full flavored beer (RIS or barley wine) and cheese. Therefore, I’m asking for suggestions regarding what brews and complementing cheeses I should serve.

carnevoodoo · 09-13-2009, 09:44 PM

Any beer can have a cheese that will compliment it nicely. I would say make a list of the 5-10 beers you'd like to drink for this, and we could narrow it down.

Evan! · 09-13-2009, 09:44 PM

Best beer/cheese pairing I have ever had was when Garrett Oliver came out to our store and paired a Stilton (a british Bleu cheese) with his Monster barleywine. There are others, but a blue cheese/barleywine pairing is king.

Kickass · 09-13-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnevoodoo

Any beer can have a cheese that will compliment it nicely. I would say make a list of the 5-10 beers you'd like to drink for this, and we could narrow it down.

Here are just a few in a loose order. I’m open to all suggestions though so don’t let this list stifle the creativity

Belgium wit
English mild Bitter
American Amber Ale
Belgium Dubbel
Kahlua brown ale
Vanilla porter
RIS
Belgium dark strong ale

Thanks for all the help

**passedpawn** · 09-13-2009, 10:56 PM

Everytime I taste my Rauchbier (smoke beer) I think of cheese. You might consider this. I made a lager with 3# smoked weyermann and it is the bomb. I'd pair it with a soft white mild cheese, i.e., Gouda. Oooh. I'm hungry!

SavageSteve · 09-13-2009, 10:59 PM

I know it's kinda vague advice, but I would imagine softer cheeses go better with beer (or wine for that matter). My thinking being that a softer cheese will coat the palate, then the beer with its carbonation will pick it up, provide an intermingling of flavors, then wash it away.

Disclaimer: this post is a WAG.

-Steve

SavageSteve · 09-13-2009, 11:01 PM

Oh, and the October 25, 2007 episode of Basic Brewing Video talks about beer and cheese: Basic Brewingâ„¢ : Home Brewing Beer Podcast and DVD - Basic Brewing Videoâ„¢

-Steve

Sedge · 09-13-2009, 11:59 PM

There is a good book co-authored by Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head called "He Said Beer, She Said Wine" that is all about food/drink pairings. There was a section about cheeses and beers (and wines) as well as all kinds of other food types.

Amazon.com: He Said Beer, She Said Wine: Impassioned Food Pairings to Debate and Enjoy -- From Burgers to Brie and Beyond (9780756633592): Marnie Old, Sam Calagione: Books

I found it in my local library. Some basics are the stronger the cheese, the bolder the beer can be. So soft brie like cheeses might be better with a fruitier beer, like a lambic or hefe. IPAs need a cheese with a higher salt content. Brown ale will do nicely with cheddar, or other melty cheeses. Try throwing a fondue together with the brown ale, it might be delicious.

Those are some of the combos I like. Speaking of Garret Oliver, he put this handy little n00b list together

# Sharp Cheddar with Pale Ale
# Feta with Wheat Beer
# Mascarpone with Fruit Beer
# American Cheese with Pilsner
# Colby with Brown Ale
# Gorgonzola with Barleywine
# Gruyére with Bock Beer
# Swiss Cheese with Octoberfest Beer
# Parmesan with Amber Lager

**passedpawn** · 09-14-2009, 12:57 AM

American Cheese with Miller Light. That is, never.

SavageSteve · 09-14-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passedpawn

American Cheese with Miller Light. That is, never.

Two things that never taste great, together or not!

-Steve