Aged Cheese And Beer: The Perfect Pairing

Beer and cheese are a match made in heaven, and with its wide flavour range, craft beer is the perfect pairing partner for aged cheese. While there are no hard and fast rules for pairing cheese and beer, there are some guidelines that can help you find the perfect match. The key is to match the intensity of the beer with the intensity of the flavour of the cheese. Lighter beers, such as pale lagers or wheats, pair well with lighter, fresher cheeses, while stronger beers such as imperial stouts and barley wines can stand up to older, more pungent cheeses. The carbonation in beer also helps to cut through the density and richness of most cheeses.

Wheat beer with aged goat cheese

Wheat beer is an excellent choice to pair with aged goat cheese. The dense, cakey texture of aged goat cheese is cut through by the highly effervescent wheat beer, which has a similar effect to that of a knife. The bright citrus notes of the wheat beer also complement the tangy, lemony flavour of the cheese. Together, these two create a flavour profile reminiscent of lemon meringue pie.

When selecting a wheat beer to pair with aged goat cheese, consider opting for French varieties such as Bucheron, Humboldt Fog, or Coupole. These beers will enhance the tangy, lemony notes of the cheese, creating a delightful flavour combination.

To elevate the experience, consider serving the aged goat cheese at room temperature, as this will allow its full flavour to emerge. Additionally, pairing the cheese with complementary or contrasting foods can create intriguing flavour profiles. For instance, try dipping pieces of hard goat cheese in honey or beer syrup for a unique treat that will delight your taste buds.

For a festive starter, fill dates with soft goat cheese and pair them with a wheat beer. If you want to take it up a notch, wrap the dates in bacon for a savoury twist. The salty, sweet, and smoky flavours of this dish will create a complex and satisfying flavour profile that will impress your guests.

When creating a cheese board, remember to consider the different textures and flavours of the cheeses and select beers that will complement or contrast with them. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combinations that suit your personal taste preferences. Whether you're a fan of mild or strong cheeses, there's a wheat beer out there that will take your tasting experience to the next level.

Sour ale with fatty cheese

Sour ales have a lot of funky acidity, which is best balanced out with lots of fat. When pairing a sour ale with a fatty cheese, it's best to avoid tangy cheeses like feta and instead go for indulgent, voluptuous cheeses that leave your lips feeling slick with butterfat.

Aged brie is a good choice, as is double-cream brie, mascarpone, or burrata. The natural effervescence of the beer will slice through the mouth-coating fats of these cheeses, prepping your palate for another bite.

Sour, tart, and funky beers have an acidity and earthiness that make them an ideal pairing for all sorts of intense flavours, particularly salty, fatty, or acidic ingredients. These beers are also strong enough to replace vinegar in vinaigrettes for salads or to give a flavour spike to barbecue sauce.

Sour ales are also a good pairing for blue cheeses, as the saltiness and creaminess of the cheese meld well with the sweetness of the beer.

American lager with cheese spread

While there are no strict rules for pairing cheese and beer, it is generally recommended to match the intensity of the beer with the intensity of the flavour of the cheese. Lighter beers, such as pale lagers or wheats, pair well with lighter, fresher cheeses like mozzarella or burrata. On the other hand, stronger beers, such as imperial stouts or barley wines, complement the intensity of aged, pungent cheeses.

American lagers are golden, easy-drinking, and effervescent with a touch of sweetness. They are a good choice when you want something simple and satisfying. To create a classic, indulgent combination, pair an American lager with a cheese spread, some Ritz crackers, and perhaps some pimento or Merkt's Cheddar. This is a great, uncomplicated option for those who want to enjoy a cheap beer with a creamy cheese spread.

When pairing beer and cheese, it is important to remember that the carbonation and freshness of beer cut through the density and richness of most cheeses. The sweet and slightly caramelised taste of some beers also goes well with heavier and riper cheeses. Therefore, a classic pale lager can bring out the caramel notes and sharpness in aged cheeses.

To find the perfect pairing, it is recommended to taste the cheese and beer separately first, taking note of the various taste notes. Then, try them together and observe how the flavours combine and interact. You can also experiment with different combinations of cheese and beer to find the pairings that you enjoy the most.

American pale ale with American cheddar

American pale ales are easy-drinking beers with a slight sweetness from their malts. This makes them a great match for tangy American cheddars, creating an uncomplicated, charming duo.

The Beer

American pale ales are medium-bodied beers with low to medium caramel notes and a toasted maltiness. They are characterised by floral, fruity, citrus-like, piney, and resinous American hops. The style was inspired by English pale ales, but American brewers replaced the English version's earthy, herbal hops with bold American varieties.

The Cheese

American cheddars are known for their tangy, sharp flavours. The sharpness of the cheddar can be matched to the hop strength of the beer.

The Pairing

The slight sweetness of the American pale ale complements the tangy flavour of the American cheddar. The beer's hops can also help to mellow the sharpness of the cheddar, bringing out its fruity notes.

Examples

Try pairing a Red Rock, Hook's Cheddar, or Shelburne Farms 2-year cheddar with an American pale ale. For the beer, options include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Firestone Walker Brewery Pale 31, or Tallgrass Brewing Company's 8-Bit.

IPA with clothbound cheddars

Clothbound cheddars are a labour of love, requiring extra care and attention during the cheesemaking process. The result is a cheese with a unique flavour and texture. The flavour profile tends to be more earthy and grassy, with hints of mustard and horseradish, rather than the sharp, acidic notes often associated with Vermont block cheddars. The texture is also drier and crumblier due to evaporation in the cellars.

When it comes to pairing IPA with clothbound cheddars, the hops in the beer are key. The bitterness and floral notes of the hops lift the cheese, enhancing its flavour. The carbonation of the beer also helps to cut through the density and richness of the cheese.

One recommended pairing is the Cabot Clothbound Cheddar with an IPA. The Cabot Clothbound Cheddar is a rich and caramelly cheese, with a rustic appearance and a crunchy texture. The IPA's hops balance the lemon curd notes in the cheese, while the beer's effervescence leaves the palate feeling clean and refreshed.

Another option is to pair an IPA with a clothbound cheddar from Shelburne Farms. The cheese has a more earthy and grassy flavour profile, which is complemented by the hops in the IPA. The bitterness of the hops also helps to cut through the fat in the cheese, making for a well-rounded pairing.

When pairing IPA with clothbound cheddars, it is important to consider the sharpness of the cheddar. A highly sharp cheddar may bring too much tanginess to the IPA, resulting in an unpleasant experience. Instead, look for a clothbound cheddar with a more subtle sharpness, such as the Westcombe Cheddar, which has a mineral character that pairs well with IPAs.

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