Pair Cheese & Beer like a Pro

Craft beers and artisan cheeses make a very tasty pair. You might not associate the two until you think about how great cheesy pizza and beer go together. All you need is the right beer and cheese pairing and you can bring out the flavors in both. Here we will play matchmaker and present pairings you will love.

Pale Ales & IPAs, Hoppy Beers, Pale Ale, IPA, Red Ales

These days, hops are king. This common flower offers a bitter counterpoint to balance out the sugary malt in beer. In IPAs and other hoppy brews, the flavor of hops is the focal point. The taste can range from grassy to citrusy depending on which hop varietals are used.

American Pale Ales are among the most popular offerings by craft breweries. Usually these brews have plenty of up-front hop aroma, without being too floral or piney. They are briskly bitter and very drinkable. A great way to try out a variety of craft beers is to join a beer of the month club such as The Original Craft Beer Club or The Hop-Heads Beer Club. There you will find pale ale options like Alewerks Pale Ale, Potosi Amber Ale and many others. While Pale Ales play well with most cheeses, some cheeses really help to enhance their flavors. Firm cheeses such as Cheddar and Manchego are full flavored and work very well with most Pale Ales.

IPAs and Red Ales

India Pale Ales (IPAs), were first crafted by the British during the colonial era. Today American IPAs are extremely popular. West coast brewers tend to create IPAs that are more piney and dank. East Coast IPAs often offer a softer mouthfeel and more citrusy hop notes. A couple good examples of craft IPAs are Upland and Mason Ale. The upfront bitterness of most IPAs goes well with creamy fatty cheeses or aged hard cheeses like Gouda. You can find plenty of varieties of both types of cheeses at charcuterieclubs.com cheese clubs.

Blonde Ales, Amber Lagers and Pilsners

All these brews are refreshing malt-forward beverages. Blonde ales are easy on the palate and their finish is fresh without much, or any hops aroma. Some fine examples are Deschutes

Twilight Summer Ale or Russian River Brewing Aud Blonde. Since they are light to the taste, they pair best with lighter cheeses like feta, fresh goat cheese and Burrata. Amber Lagers and Pilsners are also malt-focused brews with a hint of sweetness. They pair with mellow cheese as opposed to sharp or tangy cheese. Think Gruyere, Muenster or Havarti on a crisp table water cracker. Combine them with a cold refreshing brew, and you have a perfect summer eve’s snack.

Stout and Porter Beers

If you like your beer dark and full of rich aroma, then Stouts and Porters might be your drinks of choice. You can check out The Original Craft Beer Club and taste Brickway American Stout (out of Nebraska), or go to BeerConnoisseur.com and check out their review of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.

While the flavor profile of Stouts and Porters can be all over the map, in general, cheeses with nutty, or brown butter aromas, can help bring out the best in these type of brews. Aged Gouda, some Cheddars, Beaufort and Gruyere cheeses are all excellent options.

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No matter what your beer preferences are, there is a delicious cheese to go with your favorite brew. Helping you explore these combinations and put together the perfect cheese board can be easier and more fun if you join an artisan cheese club, or craft beer club. We let you look over all the best options of a wide variety of clubs, then you can shop directly from the club sites you like the most. Check out CharcuterieClubs.com’s site, they list only the best of the best for you to choose from.

Find the best monthly gourmet cheese clubs arranged by price. Every gourmet Cheese of the Month Club on the list, is curated by expert cheesemongers with access to a world of options. Monthly Club selections include a variety of Artisan International & or Domestic Cheese. Monthly selections vary. Click Here >

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