The beer suggestioneers briefly talk about all kinds of sour beers available but spend most of the episode talking about the incredible pairing opportunities of Flanders Red sour beers. 

There is very little bitterness in this beer style, which is common in sour beers.  Instead of hops the brewers balance the malty sweetness by using special yeast and bacteria strains that will sour the beer just enough to balance the sweetness.

Food Pairing suggestions:
1.  White chocolate or caramel based desserts.
2.  Cheeses: earthy or sharp. 
3.  Light vinaigrette with dried fruit and/or sharp cheese crumble.

BJCP Style 17B.  Flanders Red Ale
Other Examples: Rodenbach Grand Cru, La Folie, Oude Tart

Serving Temp: 45°- 50°

Glassware: Tulip or Flute

Aroma: Sweet fruitiness that will remind you of tart cherries.  Some vanilla notes (from the aging barrels) and spicy phenols (from the yeast) may be present. 

Appearance: Deep red, pale tan head, clear

Flavor: sweet malt flavors (think caramel or toffee) as well as complex dark fruitiness that blends into a low to medium amount of sour tartness.

Mouthfeel: Low to medium body, medium carbonation and a sweet tart finish.


Aroma: Sweet tart fruit, pleasing vinegar.

Appearance: Brilliant clarity, deep red with short lived white head. Decent lacing on the side of the glass.

Flavor: Tart cherries and mild caramel sweetness with a cleansing acidity. 

The pints&pairings sugestioneers explore the beer pairing possibilities of saisons.

Geeky info:  Saisons originated in the French speaking part of Belgium called Wallonia.  Historically saisons (or seasonal beers) were brewed at the beginning of spring for consumption through the summer months.  These spicy, medium-light body, highly carbonated beers are refreshing and thirst quenching.

Food pairings suggestions:  
1.  Herbal salads with spinach and/or arugula.
2.  Earthy or nutty cheeses.
3   Earthy seasoned poultry and fish. 

Examples:  Saison Dupont, Bruery Saison Rue, Hennepin

Serving Temp: 45°- 50°

Glassware: Tulip Glass

Appearance: Hazy, deep golden with a pillowy white head.

Aroma: Yeast spices dominate the aroma but there is a subtle fruitiness under all that spice.

Flavor: Bready/cracker malt with tropical fruit undertones while the yeast spices help dry the beer out.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body with elevated carbonation.


General style info: Whether you are drinking a traditional strength (5% ABV or lower) or a more contemporary version (6% ABV or higher) Saisons should finish dry with very little sweetness.  Saisons aromas can be quite complex with a fruit and spice mixture reminiscent of barnyards. Typically their flavors will be malt balanced (leaning towards malt instead of hops) but peppery spice flavors from the yeast and the elevated carbonation levels create a beer with medium bitterness and a dry finish.

The beer suggestioneers explore Belgian Witbiers' subtle spice and sweet malt. 

Food pairing suggestions:
1.  Raspberries.
2.  Comfort food.
3.  Herb crusted, roasted chicken.

Examples:  Blanche De Chambly, White Rascal, Ommegang Witte, 

Serving Temp: 40°- 45°

Glassware: Tulip

Appearance: Deep Golden with some a tint of orange and a quickly dissipating white, pillowy head. 

Aroma: Subtle spice and tropical fruits

Flavor: Subtle spice and bready flavors with tropical fruit (papaya and mango) sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body with elevated carbonation.

The beer suggestioneers announce a new pints&pairings sponsor, The Beer Cave.  If you live in or are traveling the 101 through Camarillo, CA make sure you stop in and stock up.

We also discuss some really great fall spiced desserts.

Food Pairing Suggestions:
1. Fall spiced desserts
2. Zucchini bread.
3. Slow roasted pork or game.

Examples:  Sublimely Self-righteous Ale, Pitch Black IPA, Black Racer

Serving Temp: 40°- 45°

Glassware: Weizen Glass, Stein

Appearance: Brown with some dark red highlights with a foamy off-white head.

Aroma: Clove, sweet caramel malt (sugar in the raw), brown bread, wheat, some yeast. 

Flavor: Clove spice balances a nutty, caramel sweetness. 

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a palate cleansing carbonation. 

The beer suggestioneers get warmed up for another session of pints&pairings.