The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Hefeweizen Beer

Hefeweizen is a German-style wheat beer with a cloudy hue and a lasting head of foam. It has a unique bouquet, with banana, clove, green apple, lemon, and bubble gum flavours. When it comes to food pairings, hefeweizen is quite versatile. It can be enjoyed with richer, sweeter seafood dishes, pork, roast chicken, or even just classic pretzels. When it comes to cheese, hefeweizen pairs well with light, fresh cheeses such as creamy burrata and mozzarella di bufala, as well as tangy cheeses like feta and chèvre.

Fresh, light cheeses

A classic pairing is a young, fresh goat's cheese, like a soft chevre, with a German wheat beer. The clean, citrusy flavours of the beer complement the similar flavours in the goat's cheese, and the beer's carbonation keeps the combination fresh. A pilsner can also work with these cheeses, as the floral notes of the cheese are echoed in the herbal hop flavours of the beer.

For fresh cheeses like mascarpone or burrata, fruit beers can offer an interesting contrast. The acidity and carbonation of the beer can cut through the buttery richness of the cheese, and the fruit flavours can complement the cheese to create a berries and cream combination. Sour cherry beer is a good choice to pair with burrata.

Hefeweizen also pairs well with tangy cheeses like feta or chèvre. These cheeses work well with the beer's tangy, citrus notes.

Lobster and avocado salad

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 3 cups arugula
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon shallot, chopped
• 1/4 cup lemon vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup microgreens (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 2-pound live lobsters
• 1 cup finely chopped green onions or scallions
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
• 1 tablespoon imported mustard
• 1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup peanut, vegetable, or corn oil

Instructions:

• Steam the lobster tails for 8-10 minutes, or until the shells turn bright red and the meat is opaque. Remove from the steamer basket and allow to cool.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the avocados, arugula, cilantro, and shallot. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Carefully toss to combine.
• Remove the lobster meat from the shells and rinse under cold water to remove any shell pieces. Chop the meat into bite-sized chunks.
• Divide the dressed salad among four plates and top each with a quarter of the steamed lobster meat. Drizzle with additional vinaigrette and top with microgreens, if desired.
• Serve the lobster and avocado salad with a glass of Hefeweizen to enhance the flavours of both the dish and the beer.

Enjoy your delicious lobster and avocado salad with a refreshing Hefeweizen!

Ricotta crostini

To make the ricotta crostini, mix the ricotta with a touch of milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper until light and creamy. This can be prepared a day or two ahead of time. On the day of serving, spread the ricotta over garlic toasts (toasted baguette slices) and top with your desired toppings.

• Black olives, lemon zest, and mint: This combination is especially recommended to pair with a hazy wheat beer like Hefeweizen.
• Roasted vegetables, such as roasted delicata squash with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Honey (regular or truffle) with a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Roasted mushrooms with baby arugula, shaved Parmesan, and a drizzle of truffle oil.
• Pomegranate molasses with pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts.
• Sliced figs (or peaches) and truffle honey.
• Slow-roasted peppers and onions.
• Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar.
• Roasted beets with sauteed greens.
• Grilled eggplant and Parmesan.

For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free baguette.

Crab salad

Ingredients:

• 1 (6 oz.) can white or lump meat crab, rinsed and drained
• 2 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. chopped chives or green onion
• 1/2 tsp. shredded lemon peel
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 slices oatmeal or egg bread
• 1 Tbsp. butter or canola oil

Method:

• Combine crab meat, mayonnaise, chives or green onion, lemon peel, and pepper; mix well.
• Layer 2 slices of cheese over 2 slices of bread; top with crab salad, remaining cheese, and bread.
• Melt butter or heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add sandwiches; cook 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cheese is melted.

For a lighter option, you could try a crab salad with celery and a hint of lemon, served with crackers. This recipe includes:

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces imitation crabmeat
• 8 ounces fat-free cream cheese
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Method:

• Blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, and lemon juice.
• Chop crab meat into bite-sized pieces.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Enjoy your crab salad with a refreshing Hefeweizen!

Skewered shrimp

Preparing the Shrimp

Before cooking, the shrimp should be peeled and deveined. You can choose to keep the tails on or remove them. Removing the shell before grilling allows for a quicker, more impactful marinade, and they're also easier to eat this way. However, leaving the shell on can help the shrimp retain moisture during cooking.

Marinade

A lemon and herb marinade is a great choice for shrimp skewers. The citrus and garlic flavours complement the beer well. The marinade should be prepared in a bowl large enough to fit the shrimp, and the shrimp should be coated evenly. It's best to use your hands to ensure the shrimp are fully covered. The shrimp should be left to marinate for at least 15 minutes, but no more than 2 hours, as the acid from the lemon juice can cook the shrimp without heat if left too long.

Cooking

Skewers can be bamboo or metal. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for an hour before grilling to prevent them from burning. The shrimp should be cooked on a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are pink and opaque. Broiling is also an option if you don't have a grill. Place the skewers on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper and broil for 2-3 minutes on each side, watching closely to prevent over-cooking.

Serving

Shrimp skewers can be served as an appetizer or with sides. Good side options include Mediterranean potato salad, Greek salad, shredded red cabbage slaw, spinach salad, grilled corn, and potato salad.

Cheese Pairing

Hefeweizen pairs well with light, fresh cheeses such as creamy burrata and mozzarella di bufala, especially when served with ripe summer tomatoes. It also goes well with tangy cheeses like feta or chèvre.

Frequently asked questions