From keggers to tastings: fun with friends over beer
Think beer is just for pizza and burgers?
Think again.
Sushi, fish tacos, game meats, pasta, cheese and cookies. There’s a beer for that.
“Lighter meals call for a lighter beer,” says a Beer Store spokesperson. “Heavier for darker.”
Choose a white or rice beer to have with sushi. The composition of the beer mimics that of ginger which is often used to cleanse the palate after each course of sushi. It works well to clear the buttery taste of raw fish.
With fish tacos, a cold, refreshing Amber beer works well with milder tacos while an India Pale Ale compliments spicer, bolder tacos. Pairing any taco with a cerveza will allow the beer to cut through the fried batter and act as a palate cleanser, making every bite as good as the first.
“The heavier ales, rich in malt, pair best with red meats and game. If they’re extremely dark and heavy, you can enjoy them on their own after a meal as dessert. Basically, the greater the intensity of cooking the food undergoes, the heavier the beer that can be served with it.
And, yes, beer goes well with cookies.
Ginger and spices found in gingerbread cookies go well with hoppy beer like an India Pale Ale. The maltiness of the beer helps balance the sweet and spice of the cookie.
Classic shortbread cookies work well with a traditional style beer, like a Scottish Ale or a Porter. The subtle flavours of the cookie are complemented but not overpowered by the dark and fruity notes.
A light Belgian blonde ale, with its fruit and spice tones, neutralizes the icing and sugar in sugar cookies while the carbonation cleanses the palate for the next round of treats.
Try a little nostalgia for New Year's Eve
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party for friends you’ve had since college? A keg party would be a great way to bring back the feel of college days without all the homework.
The Beer Store offers draft balls in 20L, 30L and 50L sizes so anyone can enjoy draft on tap at home just like at a keg party.
And for the serious kegger, Home Depot has full-sized keg coolers for about $500 - $700. Some of them come with double taps. A draft ball fits in these fridges and your guests will never know they are drinking from a ball rather than an authentic keg.
Satisfy your curiosity with a memorable gathering
A beer tasting is a great way to find a new favourite beer and leave an impression on friends.
The Beer Store has an excellent tool to help you organize a tasting with friends.
There is an incredible variety of craft beers available in Ontario and, in Sault Ste. Marie, you can find locally-brewed beers at Northern Superior Brewing Company, Outspoken Brewing, Soo Brewing Company, and at Union Jack Brewing Company
In Barrie, you can find locally-brewed beers at Redline Brewhouse, Flying Monkeys Craft Breweries and at Barnstormer Brewing Company
In Timmins, you can find locally-brewed beers at Full Beard Brewing and at Compass Brewing.
In Guelph, you can find locally-brewed beers at Grand River Brewery, Royal City Brewing Company, Two Brothers Brewing Company and Ale House and at Wellington Brewery
In North Bay, you can find locally-brewed beers at Bay Brewing Centre and New Ontario Brewing Company
If you’ve been wanting to get to know different brands of beer but just haven’t gotten around to it, why not host a beer tasting? Not only is it an easy way to sample different types of beer, it’s also a great excuse to get together with friends.
To get started, pick a date and invite your friends (seven to nine is ideal). Visit The Beer Store's Beer Finder section to view over 400 brands available.
Tips from The Beer Store for a successful beer tasting evening:
We recommend you get three bottles for each style. Our rule of thumb is to pour 3 oz samples for your guests. This means you’ll get four samples per bottle (with some left over for you after the tasting).
Purchase some clear 5 oz tasting cups. These are easily disposable and result in very little clean up. (You can find them at most party supply shops.) A clear cup will also allow you to appreciate the great colours in all of your beers.
Learn about each brand. Before your guests arrive, try to find some background information on each brand such as brewing history, brewer's tasting notes and where it's actually brewed.
Have plenty of water on hand. This helps to cleanse the palate in between samples and lessen the effects of alcohol.
Last but not least, no discussion about beer would be complete without a mention of beer as an ingredient in food preparation.
There are classic recipes using beer - batter, dips and sauces but, it can also be used in brownies, Mac and Cheese, Hummus and Fritters
