Ceremonies: May 2009 Archives

Pairing food with booze is an age-old tradition birthed from the hallowed halls of kings and queens; but nowadays it's standard -- shallow even -- and a resounding noise reverberates like old Wendy's ads (no really, 'where is the beef?'). In hopes of modernizing the shit, and elevating our beverage of choice (BEER) above the tradish (fucking grape juice), we have made a point of pairing our food with beer for the four years since someone was dumb enough to give us an online password. Now we're putting our money where our mouth is!

This weekend ye old Hot Knives will be presenting from the bully pulpit our 'Do's and Don'ts' of cheese and beer pairing at the Los Angeles Craft and Artisan Beer Appreciation League's (...whoooh, deep breath...) First Annual Craft Beer Fest. So. Many. Caps. Here's the deal: 15 California breweries will be pouring 2 handcrafted beers each while we, and several other beer-friendly restaurants and caterers sling free gourmet grub. On top of our cheese power point, some of the region's coolest beer peeps will be scattin'.

Craftsman Brewing Co.
Telegraph Brewing Co.
The Bruery
Hangar 24 Brewery
Blind Lady Alehouse
Port Brewing Co.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
TAPS Brewery
Green Flash Brewing Co
Ballast Point Brewing Company
Stone Brewing
Sierra Nevada Brewing
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Coronado Brewing

So what cheeses will we be cutting? Glad you asked grasshopper, because we have a little game for you. We'll name the dairy and the beer and you try to pair them. Watch our brain-logged brains try to come up with tasting adjectives describing the characteristics of each. The first person who comes up with the pairings we feel are most appropriate will get a free ticket to the Craft Beer Fest L.A., which we've sold out pre-sale anyway.

Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous Ale
Lagunitas Gnarley Wine
Ballast Point's Big Eye IPA
Green Flash Trippel

Cana de Oveja: Soft Ripened Ewe's Milk from Spain.
Tastes: bright, lemony, slightly sour, and because of its age its super milky.
Promising Pairs: wheat beers, Belgian triples, lambics and sours.

Chaubier: Washed Rind Semi Firm Cow/Goat blend from France.
Tastes: slightly acidic, slightly swiss, meaty but smooth.
Promising Pairs: pale ales, IPAs.

Beemster X.O: 3 Year Aged Cow's milk from Holland
Tastes: deep; butterscotch with umami pop rocks.
Promising Pairs: stouts, porters, anything aged in oak.

Fourme D'ambert: Wine and Mold Injected French Blue. Cow's Milk
Tastes: sweet, salty, funky and smooth.
Promising Pairs: scotch style, porters, strong ales.

So, people, what's the pairy?