Beer + Food Pairing, Nothing New to Belgians

 There has been much talk recently about pairing food and beer as a new trend.  For example, this recent article in GQ.

However, this is something the Belgians have been doing for centuries from a production standpoint, especially in Trappist monasteries like Chimay and Rochefort, which produce cheese as well as beer. 

Belgian beer, especially dubbels and tripels, pair remarkably well with cheese as well as other savoury foods like prepared meats.  It is no wonder then that there is a movement to enjoy Belgian beer with the cheeses produced from the same abbey.

For example, you can enjoy Chimay Trappist beer along with Chimay Grand Cru cheese.

It is more than possible to pair Belgian beer with a variety of foods as we found when PALM brewery recently held a beer pairing master class at the Old Shades pub in London where PALM beers were paired with the food that complimented them best.  Here are a few of the pairings:

Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin with slow cooked ox cheek,
braised red cabbage & celeriac cream.

PALM beer with devilled kidney vol au vent.

Rodenbach with confit salmon with red lentil dahl.

PALM Royale with banana cake with vanilla cream.

Boon Kriek with a dark chocolate tart with glazed cherries.

The following are some general beer and food pairing suggestions:

Blond ales:  Try drinking blondes with spicy food, their light and refreshing taste will balance the strong flavour of the food, as well as cool down the mouth.

White beers:  Witbier is a light and subtle brew and is best paired with light and subtle foods, specifically light and fruity desserts.

Amber ales:  Drink amber beer with savoury meat dishes like chicken, with or without sauces like gravy. Amber ales are also said to pair well with pizza and beef.

Fruit beer and lambics:  Try these sweeter beers with green salads, and fruity and sweet desserts like tarts and pies.

Why not mix it up and treat your guests to a beer and cheese tasting as an alternative to a wine tasting at your next dinner party?