Beer and Cheese pairing

[Drtanglebones]

OK folks, I want to do a beer and cheese pairing some time in the future for one of our meetings. I'd like to have some tested combo's to start from, so feel free to try a few and post any that work or that DON'T, so I can not waste as much time and money on prep!
I'll throw one out there to start: Maytag Blue and Smoked porter. I think the smoke and astringent malts hold up to the pungent blue.

[Dave M.]

I know I have an old issue of All About Beer at home with a great article about beer and cheese with several suggested pairings. I'll hunt for it. I think a beer/cheese tasting is a great idea.

[Drtanglebones]

Craft Beer Radio podcast had coverage of the Savor event and you can download a specific 1 hour lecture by Garrett Oliver (of Brooklyn Brewery) doing a beer and cheese pairing. His descriptions of both the beers and the cheeses are impressive and really educational. He knows a lot about the history and process of both. I was listening while gardening though, and not taking notes...so if anyone listens, take notes!

[Drtanglebones]

Hoppy Barleywine and Stilton
Belgian Red (sour cherry wheat) and Chevre (Goat Cheese)
Smoked Porter or Russian Imperial Stout and Gouda
Imperial IPA and Gorgonzola or other Blue
Dry Stout and Parmigiano Reggiano
English Pale and Cheddar

I did find that All About Beer issue still at Midwest and really enjoyed the beer and cheese info. I'll be testing some of these combo's soon to get a pairing ready.

[Drtanglebones]

Just tried Humbolt Fog (an aged goat chevre) very pungent and strong with goaty and almost blue cheese character. Went really well with a double IPA, and pretty well with Rogue American Amber. I bet the Rogue Imperial Red would have been wicked good with this.

[Drtanglebones]

Rogue Smoky Blue (very strong blue with smoke character) and Stone Ruination IPA. Yum!! I can barely drink the beer on its own, but with the cheese...a great balancer.

[Drtanglebones]

Chimay Grand Cru cheese with Victory Imperial Stout. I like this combo a lot.

[Drtanglebones]

Had a trio of cheeses with Rock Bottom's saison. It worked very well with the boucharon (sp?) goat cheese. I bet it would be good with any of the lighter colored belgians.

[Drtanglebones]

Goat gouda and IPA. I really liked this pairing...smoothed out the hoppiness of the IPA and then the beer helps cut the pungent strong goaty flavor of the cheese. Some people complained that it took too much hop out of the beer though.

I think the creamy blue (Cambazola) went really well with barleywine.

[translucent]

I know this wa a while ago but I'm going to keep adding stuff to this post as I find them. I don't know if i was on the forum when this post was started. Eric, maybe we can do another tasting down the road, I will definately help out and provide some cheeses.

Belgian Tripel with ripe brie and proscuitto.

[Drtanglebones]

Yup that is what the thread is for! Good job!