This series explores the beer pairing options available at the Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery. Every other month, I will be posting beer pairing suggestions for three different Wolf Creek menu items.
My tasting panel Dream Team includes Jason Hendrick, founder of Everybody's Hungry and my co-host on pints&pairings; and Lisa McKinnon, a staff writer for the Ventura County Star. Lisa and Jason are serious foodies and bring wonderful palates to the panel.
Feel free to comment on any of these pairing suggestions, especially if had another beer pairing in mind.
My tasting panel Dream Team includes Jason Hendrick, founder of Everybody's Hungry and my co-host on pints&pairings; and Lisa McKinnon, a staff writer for the Ventura County Star. Lisa and Jason are serious foodies and bring wonderful palates to the panel.
Feel free to comment on any of these pairing suggestions, especially if had another beer pairing in mind.
The Appetizer
Guacamole & Brie Crostini
Toasted sourdough baguette, topped with homemade guacamole, melted brie cheese and sundried tomatoes, served with a chipotle dipping sauce.
Toasted sourdough baguette, topped with homemade guacamole, melted brie cheese and sundried tomatoes, served with a chipotle dipping sauce.
Jason's favorite beer pairing for this appetizer was the Midnight Howl, a black IPA, with a crisp, citrus hop flavor, pronounced bitterness and subtle roasty notes.
He especially enjoyed how the rich, saltiness of the brie and creaminess of the guacamole contrasted with the peppercorn notes of the hops. Jason also appreciated how the spicy heat in the chipotle dipping sauce highlighted the citrus aspects of the beer.
He especially enjoyed how the rich, saltiness of the brie and creaminess of the guacamole contrasted with the peppercorn notes of the hops. Jason also appreciated how the spicy heat in the chipotle dipping sauce highlighted the citrus aspects of the beer.
Lisa's suggested beer pairing for this appetizer is the Midnight Howl, as well. She enjoyed how the roasty notes resonated with the smokey nature of the chipotle dipping sauce and how the hops (both flavor and bitterness) amplified the chipotle spice momentarily.
I picked the Midnight Howl as my favorite pairing for this appetizer, too and for all the reasons as above. I would also add, if the beer is too hoppy for you that you should take a bite of the crostini first. The brie and guacamole will coat your palate and mask the initial burst of Midnight Howl's aggressive hop flavor and bitterness.
The Midnight Howl comes in at 8.8%, so watch yourself while you are enjoying this beer.
The Midnight Howl comes in at 8.8%, so watch yourself while you are enjoying this beer.
Alternate Pairing
The Full Moon Stout is a wonderful pairing alternative for this appetizer. This beer has an incredible roasty flavor that resonates with the chipotle and actually makes the dip seem a little more smokey. It doesn't have any of the hop flavor or bitterness found in the Midnight Howl and the roasty notes lighten the body and dry out the finish making it a light, quaffable beer.
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