Radishes with beer?

[HandsomeRyan]

I work as a professional horticulturist for a local plant nursery. Yesterday I was walking through our seed room and noticed a pack of radish seeds that states "Popular snack with beer and dip". I've never heard of this before. I tried a google search but didn't find much about what type of beer radishes go with or what type of "dip" you use (dip for the radishes or made from radishes?).

Can someone educate me about radishes as they relate to beer culture?

► What kind of beer do you pair radishes with?
► How do you prepare them? (raw and sliced?)
► What is this dip the seed pack refers to?
► Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JetSmooth]

I don't have anything to back this up. But I would assume with the sharpness and bite of radishes, you'd want a sweet or malty beer to balance. Something lighter like a Pilsner or Hefe to cool down the tongue after a bite of radish?

As for the dip, that's probably something with a good amount of salt to it, to bring out the radish flavor. Frankly, the old standard ranch or even onion dip would probably work. A dip made of radishes may be too much, though you could put a little wasabi (another radish, I believe) to kick it up.

Come to think of it, a Japanese beer with radish might be a natural pairing. So Asahi or Sapporo maybe?

 

[jgourd]

Maybe I'll try a Radish Ale!

 

[Homercidal]

Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City once had a "Wasabi Horseradish Kolsch" that was surprisingly good. The flavors were there, but were pretty mild. It was suggested to pair with sushi. I imagine the effect would be very similar. A radish ale might go well with certain foods for sure.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

White radish is a traditional Bavarian thing. They eat it raw lightly salted. It usually comes with a Helles and some Brez'n and Obadza (sp?).

It is really good.

 

[pjj2ba]

From a seed catalog

Radish Munchner Bier
They call this the 'German Beer' radish. This is a favorite snack in Germany. Crisp white flesh, oval shaped radishes are highly prized. This is an heirloom from Bavaria. Very poplar. Plant in soil 50-80F, 1/2 inch deep, rows 8-12 inches apart. Thin to 2 inches. Radishes are best grown quickly need plenty of water, harvested promptly as ready cause they do not 'keep' well in soil.

 

[HandsomeRyan]

Thanks for all the info. I might give them a try and report back.

 

[reggie9698]

Beer radishes are traditionally black round radishes that you can slice thinly and salt. My father called it crying when liquid from the radish pooled in the bowl. They never lasted long in our house especially if there was limburger cheese. The cheese and a radish on good rye bread with mustard and a cold beer is utter heaven.

 

[pjj2ba]

Beer radishes are traditionally black round radishes that you can slice thinly and salt. My father called it crying when liquid from the radish pooled in the bowl. They never lasted long in our house especially if there was limburger cheese. The cheese and a radish on good rye bread with mustard and a cold beer is utter heaven.

Welcome to the forum. That sounds like a tasty snack. What I've like even better was canned sardines (mustard sauce) and onions on rye, served with a smokey Aecht Schlenkerla

 

[HandsomeRyan]

I'm going to plant some of these between the peas I just put out in the garden and hopefully I'll be able to report back by next month about how they did. Thansk for all the replies.