Beer and Cheese – a recipe for success at holiday gatherings

Beer - the perfect match with cheese

Tired of the same appetizers year after year.  You know the sour cream onion dip and vegetables; the guacamole, salsa and chips; peanut bowl, and the whipped cheese and cracker plate.

Here’s a presentation that will brand your holiday feast as the most memorable ever.   Cheese and beer!   It’s the kind of combination that I never tire of because I’m  always discovering something new.   Not just any cheese nor just any beer.  Here are a few of my favorite styles that can offer a starting point.  The important thing is to have fun.   

Prepare a platter of selected cheeses and label them so your guests know what they’re enjoying so much.  A soft goat cheese, a sharp aged artisanal cheddar, a mild blue cheese and an aggressively flavored one (Stilton, blue, gorgonzola are just few themes to consider),  French or Israeli sheep feta, aged Parmesan pieces, a full flavored brie or camembert, a quality gruyere; these are but a few suggestions.  They explore the range of full cream, salty, sharp, fruity, tart, sweet flavors and textures cheese can offer.

Now the beer: Milk stout  or sweet stout, nut brown or American porter, smoked porter, a hoppy full flavored traditional pilsener, an Oktoberfest or Maerzen style lager, strong brown ales, bourbon barrel aged stout,  Belgian-style tripel or dubbel, a French or Belgian-style saison or French-Style Bière de Garde and if you really want to be adventurous with your guests explore the world of Belgian-style gueuze/lambic and pair it with sharp cheddar and then as a contrast with brie.   

Most of the preceding beers exhibit some degree of malt sweetness with a full body.  Some offer a welcome roast malt character that pairs well with many strong flavored cheeses.   Some of the French and Belgian style beers are more lively, and palate cleansing, perfect for goat cheese and full cream brie.

Photo: Don't forget to call your friends about beer experiences

Set the stage for fun.   Presentation is a big part of the experience.   Offer several clean small glasses or hard plastic cups suitable for tasting several beers in combination with various cheeses. 

Encourage your friends to indulge in small tastes and play the field of choices.   The fun begins when taste experiences and combinations are discussed.   It’ll be a real eye opener and sure to be remembered as the highlight of the holiday meal.