Pyramid Curve Ball Blonde Ale

OK, So I decided to try something new. I went into the grocery store the other day and thought to myself, just buy something that looks good. Well I ended up with Pyramids 'Summer Seasonal' Curve Ball Blonde Ale.

I might have to say, this beer was very smooth, light and robust all at the same time. The flavor combination was perfect. This beer was obviously made with some excellent choices of hops and barley.

So, what did I pair it with? Seafood which believe it or not is recommended by their website. I had crab cakes and shrimp, both of which can be somewhat strong in flavor themselves.

This beer was able to take the strong aromatic flavors of the seafood and mingle in subtle flavors of goodness to wash it down. Definitely and excellent buy, not to mention a 6-pack was only $5.99.

Yuengling Dark Brewed Porter

Steak...

Juicy, how ever you want it cooked, steak. I prefer mine rare. Seriously just cut it and let the flame singe it a little. That would be most efficient for me. Serve it with a side of sauteed onions and mushrooms (I have a yummy recipe for this) Maybe loaded mashed potatoes or even a loaded twice baked potato and you must always have a salad...


But wait there is more. Your beverage of choice. With all the flavors going around you need to taste your beverage.

So from one of the oldest beer companies out there I present to you Yuengling Dark Brewed Porter. Its not a really strong beer but it is packed with dark flavor. Deep rich flavor that can only contrast such fine pieces of meat. The smoky flavor of your steak will only intensify the sweet yet aromatic flavors of this beer. The Yeungling Porter is smooth but still has a bite to it.

Straight from the bottle or in a glass, either way this beer is packed full of flavor and can more than fulfil the beer with food challenge.

Oh and when your done with Dinner, try a chocolate molten lava cake for dessert, the beer is good with that too!

Breakfast for dinner... WITH BEER?!?!

Oh yes, I did. We had breakfast for dinner this week and I had beer with it. It was fantastic. On top of that I was trying a new beer. The meal was Eggs, Fried potatos and Steak. The Beer, Drop Top Amber Ale by Widmer Brothers.

This beer was smooth and refreshing. It gave a slight fruity flavor but nothing to dratsic. It was the perfect amount of sweet to contrast with a breakfast feast. I think I might even have to enjoy one with a breakfast one day.

Widmer Brothers has a few other selections that I am going to try. I will let you know how that goes.

Bud vs Miller

This versus that, which one. The entire nation for years has argueed and debtated on which product is superior. You know they both have there place.

Since this blog is primarily about food paring with beer I am not going to debate the flavor profile of each beer but rather give examples of how the beers pair with repective foods.

Its wing night and a football game is underway, what do you grab? In this case either beer would suffice but Miller Lite (in my opinion) has a much more smooth taste to calm down you over active taste buds after bitting in to a delicous hot wing. Now dont get me wrong, Bud Light is smooth, but pairs better with spicy foods such as chips and salsa or jalepeno poppers.

Again the two beers compete in the kitchen. Bud Light is a good beer to use to soak some brats in and give them at least two hours. Miller on the other hand, make great beer can chicken and if you have never had one, you are truly missing out.

The first thought?

Most people don't realize that beer can be paired with anything other then a nice party by a pool on a hot summer day. Although... that is a nice pairing, food and i mean all foods can be paired with beer.

For my first pairing guide I offer the likes of a mild beer. I want to start everyone on the lighter side and work my way up to the strong stuff.

Michelob has put on to the market three floavored beers. Now Im sure your thinking, what pansy is going to drink a flavored beer. Now lets not be to critical here, although this beer is probably marketed to the female market to interest them in drinking more beer, they still taste good. Further more, they pair well with food.

The flavors available are Tuscan Orange Grapefruit (TOG), Lime and Pomegranate Raspberry (PR). All of which, believe it or not, pair well with chocolate. For the TOG and PR a dark chocolate is best. 

The lime on the other hand can be used to marinate your food or baste with. How bout some brats or even the classic beer can chicken (without the can) you can baste you chicken on the grill and when eating, enjoy a glass.

Naturally the TOG and PR flavored beers can pair with most fruit, but don't pair them with the fruit flavor itself or you will basically be defeating the purpose. The TOG beer can also be used for direct cooking with things like fish and can even use a little in a fresh vinaigrette salad dressing. The PR really just pairs with chocolate the best, I'm not to sure if anyone out there wants raspberry flavored chicken.

ENJOY!

The Start of things

Ok, Here goes another shot at this... 

People for years have paired wine with food. They have wine tasting events, vineyard tours and dinners solely built upon the wines of that evening. Well I'm not much of a wine person, BUT I know a good beer when I taste one.

Now I'm not going to sit here and criticize beer in any manner. People like what they like and don't like what they don't like. My goal is to show how certain beers can be pair with certain foods just like wine can.

Please enjoy!