Introducing....Food and Beer Pairings!
We thought it would be fun to pair up with a fellow CSA member and local beer enthusiast, Curtis of www.hopheadsaid.com to bring you some ideas of what brew would compliment the produce you are receiving in your box as well as the recipes that Chef Jeff and The Culinary Fairy post! So without further ado, I give you two posts, yes two posts for the price of one! Here are last weeks and this weeks suggested food and beer pairings. Cheers and enjoy!September 20th
(Peppers and Summer Squash)
Beer: Woody Creek White
Brewery: Flying Dog
Style: A Belgian style wit beer
Serving: a tulip glass at cellar temps (40-45 degrees)
General suggestion and description: The spicy yeast character and the subtle fruity esters in Woody Creek White complement sauteed bell peppers nicely. The spicy yeast accentuates the bell pepper bitterness while the subtle fruity esters (especially as the beer warms) enhance the pepper's sweetness. The elevated carbonation in this beer "scrubs" the savory saute flavors out and refreshes the palate.
Specific suggestion: Sauteed bell peppers, diced yellow zucchini and garlic piled high on goat cheese and salted baguette slices.
September 27th
(Corn, Red Pepper, Jalapeno)
Beer: Firestone Walker's Union Jack
Brewery: Firestone Walker
Style: American IPA
Serving: a tulip glass at cellar temps (40-45 degrees)
General description and suggestion:
Pair a spicy corn salsa with an American IPA. American IPA's have a more pronounced bitterness, citrus hop aroma and higher alcohol than their English IPA cousins. That means this is a great beer for hop heads and spice (as in hot) heads. The hops and the carbonation can intensify the hot spices initially by picking them up off the tongue and dispersing them throughout the mouth. At the same time the elevated malt sweetness and alcohol help to tamp the initial spike in spiciness before it becomes too intense.
Specific description and suggestion:
This was an easy week for pairings with all the fixings for a delicious spicy corn salsa in our box! My suggestion is to prepare a corn salsa as spicy as you can handle and pair it with Firestone Walker's Union Jack. The elevated hop levels and carbonation will spread the hotness of the salsa toward the mid and back part of the palate in an even spice coating. Then the sweet malty backbone of this beer will help to neutralize the spice as you swallow. The carbonation and the alcohol in Union Jack help to cleanse the palate getting you ready for that next chip full of salsa!
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