What you need to know about craft beer and cheese
Look out wine, beer has something to say! Yes, the ever so popular cheese pairing has a new partner and they make an amazing couple. Craft beer and cheese is a wonderful experience and, in my opinion, an underrated one at that. To some this combination may seem quite odd but to others it’s a match made in heaven so we’re going to break down exactly why we are big advocates for craft beer and cheese. Let’s go!
Now don’t get me wrong this isn’t a piece to bash wine and cheese, I am just going to highlight some of the reasons why we are pro craft beer and cheese. Yes, I am a little biased because I love craft beer but hear me out. First, think of the variety! In any food pairing the goal is to find 2 items that pair well together and you have a better chance (and more fun) finding a perfect pair when you have many options to choose from. Enter craft beer. The craft beer industry these days is teeming with different styles of beer and countless brewer variations within those styles making for a more than adequate supply of pairing options. Now, if you are not aware, there are also a vast amount of cheese varieties in the world today as well. Ipso facto, with countless options of craft beer and cheese there are bound to be a few, if not many more, wonderful options to pair together.
A pair that was meant to brie
Another great reason why these two delectable items go well together is simply because of how similar they are. Beer and cheese are both created from the use of simple raw ingredients which have undergone a procedure of fermentation to create a finished product that can be extraordinarily unique every time. This process is where the artistic prowess of brewers and cheese makers shines, allowing them to produce a wonderful variety of each. Even the basic raw ingredients themselves seem to work in harmony. Cheese made from milk contains a lovely fat which pairs quite well with the carbs from the grains used in beer, think bread and butter! Similar harmonies exist in the finished product as well since hops tend to cut through the creaminess of cheese while carbonation helps cleanse the palate creating a balance as you consume both alongside each other. These harmonies are everywhere to be found when pairing different craft beer and cheese varieties.
Sweet dreams are made of cheese
OK. Yes, I want to try out this seemingly wonderful duo of craft beer and cheese but which ones should I try? Great question, I’m glad you asked. A quick google search will yield you many results regarding which cheeses pair best with certain beers but I bet you may find some conflicting results (since I have done this already). The rule of thumb I have come to know is to try matching intensity; this is simply referring to the intensity of both beer and cheese. If you have a lighter variety of cheese, such as a mozzarella, provolone or swiss, then look to pair it with a similarly light flavoured beer such as a blonde ale or craft lager. If you have a stronger flavoured cheese, such as an aged cheddar, blue or any washed rind cheeses, then look to pair with an equally strong beer like a flavour packed west coast IPA or imperial stout. My best advice when looking to pair craft beer and cheese is to try as many as you can! The fun of these pairings is in the experimentation of different beers with different cheeses because at the end of the day there is no wrong pairing. Who knows, you may try a very uncommon pairing that turns out to be extraordinary. If you would like somewhere to start, I have added a few pairings below which I have tried personally and found to be quite delicious.
Smoked gouda + ESB or brown ale
Friulano + craft pilsner
West coast IPA + aged cacciocavallo
Creamy blue cheese + coffee porter
Goat cheese + belgian wit
I can only hope you give craft beer and cheese a try for yourself, I’m sure you will find something new and exciting. This pairing can be a fun exploration for yourself or with others especially if you already enjoy craft beer and cheese on their own. Cheers to taking your taste buds on a journey of new flavours and enlightenment!
P.S If you live in the GTA and have an interest in a virtual craft beer & cheese tasting, just shoot us a message HERE. We’ll set it all up and get you some great pairings to experience.
Craft beer is here.