The planning of the event is still pending. But it was only the following weekend that my good lady was preparing a three course meal for us both for valentines day, and with this came the idea to match each course with a complementing beer specially selected. To be honest not all the beers used were 100% adequate for the pairing, but I would class it as a good attempt.
The starter.
Sear scallops with king prawns on a bed of salad and a lemon wedge.
The Beer: Celis White, Belgian wheat beer.
To a certain level this pairing was a shot in the dark as I had never tried Celis white but had an idea that seafood and fish paired well with Belgian wheat beer and this was the only example of the style I had available. Overall the match was quite good with the yeast texture picking up on the scallops a little. The intensity of both beer and food was also well balanced however I felt the beers lively citric flavors and racy acidity really longed for something to dance with or lift from the palate. I would recommend this beer to be paired with something a little more lively, Mexican food maybe?
The Main.
Venison Steak and cherry sauce served with potato wedges, broccoli and asparagus.
The Beer: Badger poachers choice.
This was a bottle I had kept for awhile just waiting for that game dish to go with. It even advises on the bottle to serve with game. As some will know this a very rich malt balanced beer, brewed with liquorish and damson to make it truly individual. The flavors of the beer seemed to purposely mimic that of the cherry sauce and the beer harmonized well with the meat whilst leaving a rugged sweetness and warming alcohols in the mouth. A success!
The Dessert.
Chocolate pear and ginger pudding.
The Beer: Baccus Frambozenbier
This was chosen from the supermarket earlier in the day after the realization that I had no beer in the house that would match this dish adequately. The rational of choosing the raspberry variety over the cherry was simple, raspberry is a more intense fruit so would stand up to the ginger. As things turned out, I was right, and the lively fruits and spritzy carbonation of the beer seemed to marry superbly with chocolate and pear whilst the ginger seemed to ride alongside, bringing that extra complexity to the piece. This was defiantly the best pairing of the evening.
Something for after dinner.
Kasteel Triple.
Was by coincidence a beer very suited for valentines day with bold apricot and pear like sweet malty flavors and generous warming alcohols. This one rounded off a perfectly splendid evening of quality food and company (thanks to the lovely Helen my wife to be) with well chosen quality beers. Cheers.
2 comments:
Rob, I always find that Toilet Duck & Peperami make a rather refined match which sears away the throat lining a treat...only joking - its good for morale. Good article. Serious question now - whats the best food to go with Daleside Blonde?
Yours,
Ian Beer
That, from what I have heard would be lobster salad. As reccomended by the owner of Daleside. Pale zesty beers can often complement seafood of that type
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