It is time to start planning your "Big Game" (AKA Super Bowl) beer and food pairings. Below you will find two fantastic beer pairings and links to other themed beer pairings that are sure to make your party epic!
I will be adding a few more as the week goes on so be sure to stop back and to see what has been added. I will also be posting reader suggestions below so if you have a suggestion let all of us know about 'em.
May the best pairing win!
I will be adding a few more as the week goes on so be sure to stop back and to see what has been added. I will also be posting reader suggestions below so if you have a suggestion let all of us know about 'em.
May the best pairing win!
Heavy Seas has a huge portfolio that boasts 7 year 'round beers, 20 specialty beers and that doesn't even take into consideration their cask program! Click here for some more Heavy Seas beer pairings. |
One of the "craft beer in a can" (that's right, cans.) pioneers, 21st Amendment Brewery has 9 canned beers in their portfolio. Their three core brands would be enough to keep any beer geek happy but keep your eyes open for their seasonal (Fireside Chat)or any of their collaboration beers. Click here for Sully's 21A beer pairing suggestions. |
 Photo and recipe from allrecipes.com Beer Pairing Suggestion: Crab cakes & Pale Ale This pairing works because the toasty, nutty malt flavors in the pale ale resonate with the cracker crumb mix. If you use an English Pale Ale, the earthy hop flavors will resonate with seasoning. If you use an American Pale Ale, the citrus hop flavors will contrast against the crab meat. Either way, their light body, hop bitterness and carbonation all help to cleanse the palate of the savory crabmeat. |  Beer Pairing Suggestion: Ghirardelli & Imperial Stout This is a chocolate lovers dream beer-pairing! All you have to do is unwrap the chocolate and eat it, but I would suggest you make double chocolate brownies with Ghirardelli chunks. The bitter chocolate and coffee-like flavors in the beer will resonate with the brownie while the warming alcohol and light carbonation will cleanse and refresh your palate so you are ready for another chocolate explosion. |
 Photo and recipe from my recipes.com Beer Pairing Suggestion: Soft shell crab and pilsners This pairing is sure to be a hit with craft beer enthusiasts and the "Budmiloors" drinkers. Craft beer enthusiasts will appreciate how the delicate malt flavors in the pilsner resonate with the toasted fried batter. They will also appreciate how the spicy herbal hop flavors resonate with the seasoning, mustard and red onions. Both groups of beer drinkers will enjoy the light body and crisp dry finish that cleanses the palate after every drink. |  Beer Pairing Suggestion: Mussels with Witbiers The yeast-derived spices and saline flavors of the mussels create a complex, resonating base layer. The mild wheat malt and subtle spices (coriander and bitter orange peal) will add a contrasting layer of complexity to this dish. To deepen this complexity, try steaming the mussels in the same beer. The beer’s flavors won’t overpower the mussels, although, the elevated carbonation and dry finish will cleanse the palate. My favorite 805 pairing suggestion for this dish is Telegraph Brewing Co.’s White Ale. |
 Photo and recipe from americastestkitchenfeed.com Beer Pairing Suggestion: Baltimore Pit Beef Sandwich and rye beer This pairing will work with either rye lagers or rye ales. The dry, spicy rye flavors will resonate with the raw onions and the horseradish sauce. The crisp dryness of either rye beer will accentuate the horseradish sauce momentarily before it cleanses the palate. That crisp, dry, spiciness will also cleanse the palate of all the savory beef flavors and mouthfeel. |  Beer Pairing Suggestion: Oysters/clam chowder with Stouts The intense roasty flavors (coffee, bitter chocolate) in these stouts can briefly intensify the saline, sea tastes in the oysters while the subtle chocolate flavors and perceived bitterness cleanses the palate. Examples: Guinness Draught, Beamish Stout, Oyster stouts are a double whammy (Rogue, Dogfish Head) |
 Photo and recipe from americastestkitchenfeed.com Beer Pairing Suggestion: Smith Island Cake with porters or stouts (especially espresso stouts) A cake like the original or any of the other varieties, needs a beer that can stand up to all the rich flavors and fudgy goodness. That is why I am suggesting you pair big roasty beers like porters or stouts with this cake. Of all the Smith Island Cakes to choose from I would pick the double chocolate, raspberry and pair an espresso stout. The bitter chocolate flavors in the beer and cake will resonate with each other while the espresso notes add a layer of complexity and buzz to the pairing. The roasty flavors in both beers (porter or stout) will counteract with the sweet, mouth coating, chocolate fudge and help cleanse the palate. To see some Smith Island Baking Company specialty cakes please visit their website. |  Beer Pairing Suggestion: Oysters with Stouts The intense roasty flavors (coffee, bitter chocolate) in these stouts can briefly intensify the saline, sea tastes in the oysters while the subtle chocolate flavors and perceived bitterness cleanses the palate. This beer pairing can and should change depending on how you prepare the oysters. If you are enjoying raw oysters then you should choose lighter more delicate beers like pilsners or blonde ales. If you are drizzling a sauce over them pair them with light and complex Belgian or Trappist style beers (wits, ambers, blondes, golden strongs) that will resonate with the sauce. Examples: Guinness Draught, Beamish Stout, Oyster stouts are a double whammy (Rogue, Dogfish Head) |
I was looking for a specific sourdough bread pairing but I couldn't decide on which dish from above to include it with so I say add sourdough bread to all of them. Use it as the bun for the sandwiches and definitely use it as dippers for the chowder or the mussel drippings.
Vote for your favorite craft brewery.
| | Polls are closed! We didn't do too bad of a job prognosticating last week. Leading up to the Big Game we are 7 and 3; and the regular season record was 93-72-1 |
