The yeasty, fruity, earthy and herbal flavors often found in beer are found just as often in cheese, making them perfect pairing partners. As with all pairings, the only way to know what works best is to crack open a beer, buy some cheese, and do your own experiments at home. Read these tips first, however, to get off to a good start.
- Match Flavors Identify the strongest flavor elements in a beer, and then look for a cheese that will match. Porters often have notes of caramel that pair well with the sweet flavor of aged Gouda.
- Contrast Flavors Pair a good, strong beer, like a Stout with flavors of chocolate and coffee, with a cheese that won’t fight against it. Mild and creamy mozzarella, ricotta, or a buttery Triple Crème are good choices.
- Match Textures Lighter beer can compliment lighter cheeses. A light-bodied Hefeweizen can be delicious with a mild, fresh goat cheese.
- Big Beers With Strong Cheeses Try a Stout with blue Stilton or a sweet, hoppy Indian Pale Ale with salty, pungent Epoisses.
- Regional It just seems right to drink Chimay beer when you’re eating Chimay cheese! The same goes for English Cheddar and an English brew.
