When you think of pairing cheese with a drink, you can’t help but think of wine. The problem is, not everyone likes wine. Some people prefer a cold, refreshing beer to even the best wines. Yes, the wines complement each other beautifully with the right kind of cheese, but if you pair them incorrectly, one will trump the other or there could be a conflict in terms of flavour. Beer, on the other hand, was enjoyed with cheese long before the “cheese and wine” craze began. Many years ago farmers were served lunch with a refreshing pint of beer. Lunch consisted of ham and cheese. Even today it is possible to find this food on the menu of many pubs or simply order the “Labrador lunch”. Like wine, you need to pair your beer and cheese. Here is a list to help you impress your friends and guests with your knowledge of cheese and beer:

  • Feta and Goat cheese : Wheat beers
  • Mascarpone : Fruit beers
  • Gorgonzola and similar cheeses : Barleywines
  • American cheese, Monterey Jack and similar cheeses : Pilsners with a moderate amount of hops (like Stella Artois)
  • Cheddar, Gloucester and Colby : Brown Ales
  • Swiss cheese and Emmental : Dark Lagers or Bock Beer
  • Roquefort and strong cheeses : Equally strong Belgian Ales to stand a chance against the strong flavours of the cheese
  • Parmesan : Amber Lager

Bread selection

Since you’re trying to focus on the flavours of the beer and cheese you’re serving, you need to be careful when choosing your crackers or bread. They should have very little flavour of their own. Plain crackers and flatbread are safe choices no matter what type of cheese you’re serving. While some of your guests are perfectly happy to eat cheese without bread, others may find it hard to digest. That’s why you need something to break up the richness of the cheese and support the flavour with some texture.

 

It is also important to remember that cheese should always be served at room temperature. Beers can taste wonderful when they’re ice cold, but cheese doesn’t taste as much when it’s cold as when it’s left out for a few minutes to come to room temperature. Whenever you need to fill your plates, be sure to let the substitute cheese stand out for a few minutes before adding it to the rest or replacing the plate entirely. In many cases it is best to replace the pot with a full one when it runs out. It gives a more elegant look and saves time. This way, you don’t have to spend the whole night serving. You can enjoy some beer and cheese along with your guests