Beer and Cheese: The Ultimate Pair

Brewmasters all over the globe have been spreading their strange-but-secret pairing: beer and cheese. We all know the classic pairing of wine and cheese, but beer has now arrived to take center stage in the cheese world.

You may think swapping out wine for beer is a surprising take on the internationally classic wine and cheese pairing, but experts say beer and cheese come together to make an undeniably perfect pair. If you think switching the wine out for beer is a new trend, think again. Cheese has been enjoyed with beer for centuries ever since it was eaten as peasants' lunch on farms.

In general, beer obtains its flavor from two main ingredients: malted grain and hops. The malted grain consists of barley, wheat, oats or rye. The hops serve to provide bitterness of the beverage and balance out the sweetness. The hops are also the main aromatic component of beer. With its diverse and wide range of flavors, beer makes an absolutely rich companion for the endless varieties of cheese.

Traditionally, wine is paired with various types of cheese based on the textures of each. According to professional beer experts like brewmaster Garrett Oliver, beer and cheese make an even tastier, more compatible pair. Its lower acidity and bubbly fizz are held most accountable. According to Oliver, the carbonation of the beer (an attribute that wine lacks) actually engages the taste and texture of the cheese. Beer bubbles also help to lift fats of the tongue, serving as an effective palate cleanser between different cheeses. Some beer enthusiasts even say that when wine and cheese are paired, the acidity of the wine ruins the chance to taste the cheese. Instead of the sharply opposing tastes of wine and cheese, beer and cheese make for a blending flavors and a harmony of taste.

When choosing a cheese to enjoy with your beer, it is important to pair the right flavor of beer to the right selection of milk used to craft the cheese. For example, goat cheese's high salt content and creamy texture coats your tongue upon tasting. This type of cheese calls for a wheat beer, such as Weihenstephan Hefe-Weizen (hard to pronounce, but worth the taste). Dark beer, such as Sam Adams Octoberfest, may even satisfy your sweet tooth when paired with a Gruyère or Swiss cheese. The nutty and sweet caramelization of the dark beer smoothly matches the taste of the cheese.

Top Three Beer and Cheese Tasting Tips:

1. Use a wine glass meant for tasting to drink beer with cheese. Before tasting, swirl beer and enjoy the aroma. It will add to the fullness and taste of the brew.

2. Always serve cheese at room temperature.

3. Never over-chill beer! Remove from fridge and serve a few degrees warmer (about 45 degrees Fahrenheit).

Garrett Oliver's Top 10 Favorite Pairings:

1. Sharp Cheddar with Pale Ale
2. Feta with Wheat Beer
3. Mascarpone with Fruity Beer
4. American Cheese with Pilsner
5. Colby with Brown Ale
6. Gorgonzola with Barleywine
7. Gruyere with Bock Beer
8. Swiss Cheese with Octoberfest Beer
10. Parmesan with Amber Lager

— Written by Lindsay Rubin

Photo credit: Howsaboutabeer.com

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