BRBA Meeting and Brew Tasting Summary
Notes and Additional Comments on food pairings from Sharron,
the group's resident "foodie" expert
Cranberry Wheat Ale (brewer - Kevin)
This has a light, refreshing, slight tart after- taste from the cranberries. This beer would pair well with chicken summer dishes, Waldorf salads, apples, cucumbers. It would also pair with roasted chicken.
RPA - Rausch or "smoked" pale ale (brewer -Dan)
Smokey taste balances the light taste. This batch was crafted using Rich Wasmund' donation of 2 row, lightly smoked, malted barley. This would pair well with winter squashes, root vegetables, especially turnips, grilled starchy vegetables-corn, potatoes, squash.
Holiday Ale (brewer -Tim)
This has a hint of warm spices with a light taste. It would pair well with salads of stronger tasting lettuces, macaroni and cheese made with a light cheddar or combination of mild cheeses. It could also go with uncooked tomatoes and fruit salads.
Black Lager (brewer-Tim)
This has a creamy, slight chocolate taste, a comfy beer. It could be a sipping beer by itself or it could go with any dish or snacks-great all purpose beer.
Double IPA (brewer-Josh)
This has a smooth, slightly rich, and well hopped flavor. This is definitely a deli sandwich ale- a Super Bowl, sports-watching and eating-nachos and/or soft pretzels with mustard ale.
Hop Back Ale (contribution from Bill from Troeg Brewery)
This is a light, warm tasting, all purpose ale that would pair well with traditional meat and potato meals-meatloaf, steak and mashed potatoes.
Smoked Porter (brewer- Christine)
This has a smooth, slightly sweet malty flavor. Again this batch was brewed with Rick Wasmund's malted barley donation. It would pair well with chocolate desserts, custards, marinated game meats and oily fish dishes. It could also be added to ice cream to make floats.
Cherry wood Smoked Porter (brewer - Josh)
This has a mild smoky, sweet and spicy taste. This would pair well with Mediterranean style meat and vegetable meals that use oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon and olive oil-a really good porter to drink with antipasto.
Irish Stout (brewer - Tim)
This has a smooth, slightly sweet, warm fruity taste- a sweet-tooth lovers’ stout-the perfect drink with apple pie, peach cobbler and apricots.
Java Head Stout-(contribution from Bill from Troeg Brewery)
This has a warm, creamy, smooth and coffee taste-perfect winter, non citric fruit brunch. It would pair well with quiche, sweet glazed ham or pork, desserts with a caramel sauce-a coffee lovers’ drink.
