New pairings for Beer:
Once again, I would like to challenge the maxim that beer does not pair well with food.
IF you are having a REAL beer with your meal, it can be the same as pairing it with a great wine, and that way beer lovers are not forced to live with something lesser than they could have.
Here are some pairings from simple to more complex flavors. Many times, the same theory applies to beer/food pairing as wine/food pairing: Match the weight of the food to the weight of the beer. Keep this in mind and experiment!
I.P.A. Pairing:
I.P.A. is a bitter beer, and is an acquired taste. It varies from Uber-bitter to more of an aromatic quality. you will need to be objective in your own critique of your favorite I.P.A. and put it on a scale of bitterness.
Locally, some of the most recognizable I.P.A.'s would be produced by: Sierra Nevada, Long Hammer, and Rogue. My favorite pairing with a beer like this is....
PIZZA! That's right, the good 'old Friday night meal. The difference here is that you won't be trying to wash down your favorite pie with some "little yellow fizzy" swill. NO LIGHT BEERS...I think you will all recognize the difference in the taste of your pizza when matched with an I.P.A.
Your pizza order should probably be one that will allow your breath to wilt flowers after eating, bt I promise the flavors will pop together. A nice pepperoni with onions and/or garlic or other spicy toppings will be complemented perfectly by your I.P.A.
Hefeweizen Pairing:
I want to offer a pairing that is not a standard pairing. This is more of a brunch pairing, for those lazy Sunday mornings.
Hefeweizen is a wheat beer, that is best served with NO LEMON OR ORANGE WEDGE. It will detract from the flavor of the yeast that makes Hef what it is.
Upon waking your next Sunday morning, make sure you have a Hef ready to go. Then, get the waffles cooked, because that's what you'll be accompanying it with!
Waffles are not necessarily as heavy as a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, etc...and when paired with a good Hef, a new flavor match will be noticed. Even with some syrup, the weight of the beer will match the weight of the waffle and it should make for a perfect Sunday brunch.
Please be sure to visit some of the sponsors of HWL to pick up a quality brew of these categories. If you are not sure, ask. The staff at any of the stores will help you find the right one for you.
Cheers!
| WAIPIO BEER TASTINGS! |
For the last couple of months, I have joined forces with my good friend, Dawn. She is the owner of Wine by Numbers, a charming wine shop in the Ka Uka Center in Waipio Gentry. Dawn saw the logic in offering quality beer to her customers, seeing as how there are many wines her store is known for. In discussing this, we decided to offer beer as one of the regular drinks at her "2nd Saturday" tasting events. Customers may come and sample the quality brews available from yours truly and then elect whether to make their own "barrel" of beer. The recipes are brewed by Oahu Brewcraft. The brewing portion of my business. Many times recently, I have brewed for the attendees in order to give them a better idea of what the process entails. We begin with the grain...depending on your recipe, this will determine the weight and type of the beer. Then, there is the addition of malt extract, and a variety of hops, depending on the recipe. Finally, the wort (liquid that becomes beer) is cooled and the yeast is added. This is where the beer actually begins to achieve an alcohol content. Take a look below, and see a small sample of the brews that are available for you to make! *South German Hefeweizen *Voyager, I.P.A. * Monk's Ale (Trappist style) *Brown Ale *Scrapyard Stout *Bahston Ale The cost is $175 for your own "barrel" of beer, regardless of the style. This is an authentic brewing process and will take about 4 weeks from the date of brewing until the day you may drink it. The yield is 5 gallons, or 24, 22 oz. bottles. Call: 688-7770, Or email:Oahu Brewcraft
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The Beer Line
Ben & Ken
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