Beer and cheese are a match made in heaven, and stouts are no exception. In fact, stouts can be even better paired with cheese than wine, as the tannins in wine can dull your palate, preventing you from tasting the complex flavours in the cheese. So, what cheese goes with stout? A general rule of thumb is to find a balance so that the intensity of one does not overwhelm the other. Stouts are hearty beers and can carry heavy nuances of roasted coffee, dark cocoa, or even peanut butter, so they pair well with mature and funky cheeses. A sharp blue cheese can stand up to a heavy black stout, and sweeter stouts such as oatmeal or chocolate stouts go well with creamy, salty blues. For a drier, less salty blue cheese, try a dry stout, and for heftier blues like Stilton, go for a roasty stout. If you're a fan of cheddar, a stout will smooth out a sharp cheddar, and a sweet ale can counter an especially salty blue cheese.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
General rule of thumb | Find a balance so that the intensity of one does not overwhelm the other |
Stouts | Can carry heavy nuances of roasted coffee, dark cocoa, or even peanut butter |
Best cheese pairings | Mature and funky cheeses, cheddar, blue cheese, Camembert-style cheese, firm cheese like cheddar, shallot and white pepper cheddar cheese |
Blue cheese | Salty and creamy, pairs well with sweeter stouts like oatmeal or chocolate stouts |
Best beer pairings | Pale lager, brown ales, heavy barley wine, black stout, fruity beers |
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese and stout
A sharp, salty blue cheese can handle a heavy black stout, which can otherwise easily smother other flavours. The stout's dark maltiness and hints of chocolate and coffee can provide a pleasant contrast to the cheese, creating a harmonious pairing. The roasted malt flavours and creamy texture of an Irish stout, such as Guinness, can complement the creamy richness and slight tang of blue cheese.
Aged and full-bodied blue cheeses often go well with heavier beer types, like stouts. A rich and robust stout can stand up to the bold, creamy, and tangy characteristics of blue cheese. The dark roasted malts and hints of chocolate or coffee in the stout can enhance the cheese's earthy undertones and rich and slightly sweet flavours.
When pairing blue cheese with stout, it is recommended to seek complementary notes. The bitterness and floral notes in beer can lift the cheese to new heights. The carbonation in beer works well with cheese as it cuts through the density and richness of most cheeses.
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Cheddar and stout dip
Cheddar and stout make for a great combination, with the sharp cheddar smoothing out the intense flavours of the stout. This dip is a perfect snack for a Sunday evening, or for a game day. It can be served with pretzel pigs in blankets, nachos, chips, or any other salty snack.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (12 oz/375 g) of grated extra sharp cheddar cheese (yellow)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 5 ounces of evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon of dry English mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
- 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 oz of room temperature cream cheese
- 1 to 3 teaspoons of sriracha or other hot sauce to taste
- Kosher salt to taste
- Stout beer
Method
- In a medium bowl, toss the cheese with cornstarch until coated and set aside.
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium heat, stir together beer, milk, dry mustard, garlic powder, turmeric, and Worcestershire sauce until simmering.
- Lower the heat to low and add cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring until completely melted, bubbling slightly, and thickened.
- Stir in sriracha and season with salt to taste; serve immediately.
Tips
- Look for the sharpest, most flavorful cheddar you can find. While yellow cheddar adds more colour to the dip, using white cheddar won't affect the taste.
- The addition of mustard and turmeric will add colour and flavour to the dip.
- You can also add some cream cheese to thicken the texture and give it extra silkiness.
- If you want to make the dip ahead of time, you will need to stir it when reheating to break up any skin that forms.
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Stout and Alpine-style cheeses
When it comes to stout and cheese, it's all about balancing the flavour intensity so that neither overwhelms the other. Stouts are hearty beers with strong nuances of roasted coffee, dark cocoa, or even peanut butter, so they pair well with mature and funky cheeses.
Stouts and blue cheeses are a perfect match. The salty and creamy experience of the cheese goes well with the sweetness of the stout. A sweeter stout, such as an oatmeal or chocolate stout, will typically pair better with these creamy, salty blues than a very bitter or roasty stout. For drier, less salty blues, a dry stout is a good choice. Roastier stouts pair well with heftier blues such as Stiltons.
For Alpine-style cheeses, which have complex, lasting flavours that can range from nutty to floral to grassy, a farmhouse ale is a good pairing. Farmhouse ales have a funky, earthy flavour that can complement the intricacies of Alpine-style cheeses and bring a dry crispness to refresh the palate. Try pairing an Alpine-style cheese with a Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Comté, or Gruyère.
When pairing stout with Alpine-style cheeses, it's important to consider the specific flavour profiles of both the beer and the cheese. Look for complementary or contrasting notes that will enhance the overall tasting experience. For example, a stout with strong roasted coffee flavours might pair well with an Alpine cheese that has nutty or grassy notes, creating an interesting contrast between the two.
Remember to taste the cheese first, then the beer, and then try them together to fully appreciate the complex flavours that each brings to the pairing.
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Stout and goat's cheese
Stout and Goats Cheese
Stout and goats cheese is a classic combination, with the carbonation in the beer cutting through the density and richness of the cheese. The bitterness of the stout also works to highlight the tangy, earthy flavours of the goats cheese.
Goats cheese, or Chèvre, is a versatile cheese with a wide range of flavours and textures. It can be crumbly or creamy, mild or tangy, with a soft, spreadable texture. Its intensity means it can stand up to the strong flavours of a stout, without being overwhelmed.
When pairing goats cheese with stout, it is important to consider the different types of goats cheese and how they will complement the beer. For example, a soft, creamy goats cheese can be spread on toast and paired with a Saison beer. The carbonation and slight bitterness of the beer will cut through the richness of the cheese, while the tanginess of the cheese will be highlighted by the beer's sweet notes.
For a harder goats cheese, try dipping the cheese in honey or beer syrup and pairing it with a Tripel beer. The sweetness of the honey or syrup will be a delicious contrast to the bitterness of the stout, while the hard cheese will provide a textural contrast to the carbonation of the beer.
Another option is to create a dish that combines goats cheese and stout, such as stout-soaked mushrooms with herbed goat cheese crostinis. The stout adds a depth of flavour to the mushrooms, which are then topped with the tangy, creamy goat cheese. This combination of flavours and textures is sure to delight your taste buds!
So, whether you're enjoying a soft or hard goats cheese, don't be afraid to pair it with a stout. The two complement each other beautifully, creating a delicious and complex flavour profile that is sure to please any palate.
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Stout and soft cheeses
When it comes to soft cheeses, there are several options that pair well with stout.
Stouts are known for their robust and intense flavours, often carrying notes of roasted coffee, dark cocoa, or even peanut butter. When pairing cheese with a stout, it is important to find a balance so that neither the intensity of the beer nor the cheese overwhelms the other.
Blue cheese, a popular choice for its salty and creamy texture, pairs exceptionally well with stouts. The sweetness of the stout, particularly those with notes of chocolate or oatmeal, complements the saltiness of the blue cheese. For a stronger flavour profile, consider pairing a drier, less salty blue cheese with a dry stout, or opting for a heftier blue cheese like Stilton with a roasty stout.
For those who enjoy soft cheeses like brie or other double crème varieties, a classic pale lager can be a good choice to bring out the caramel notes in the beer. However, if you're looking for a stout pairing, an oatmeal stout or a chocolate stout can provide a delightful contrast to the creamy texture of these soft cheeses.
Additionally, soft and creamy Camembert-style cheeses can be a wonderful match for stouts. The stout's flavour notes can emphasise the earthy mushroom flavours found in these cheeses.
When creating your own pairings, remember to consider both taste and texture. Start by tasting the cheese and beer separately, noting their individual flavour profiles. Then, experiment with different combinations to discover the pairings that work best for your palate.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is a popular choice to pair with stout. The salty and creamy texture of the cheese is said to meld well with the sweetness of the stout.
Yes, a mature and funky cheese with a strong flavour can complement the intensity of a stout. A sharp cheddar can also be paired with a stout, as the beer smooths out the sharpness of the cheese.
Stouts are said to go well with bold and savory foods. Red meat, stew, chilli, and bolder cheeses are all good pairings. Stouts also tend to complement desserts, especially those with a salty-sweet combination like chocolate-covered pretzels or salted caramel.