Spec’s celebrates all opportunities for perfect pairings. The time-honored tradition of wine and cheese tasting is always awesome, but the recent rise in well-crafted beers make it easier than ever to experience another perfect pairing: cheese and beer. Here are Spec’s suggestions for beer and cheese pairings that are sure to please a range of palates!
Hard, aged cheeses like Cheddar and Gouda are great with IPA-style beers. The floral, hoppy flavor of an IPA stands up to the stronger flavors of the harder cheeses and brings out the creaminess of the cheese. Pedernales IPA, a new entry to the Texas beer market, is a perfect pairing option with a classic Cheddar wedge.
Soft, ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert have a creamy flavor with a bit of a funky edge. For balance, such cheeses blend well with smoother, less-hoppy beers with a bit of sweetness, like a Belgian tripel ale. Real Ale Devil’s Backbone is a great local selection that will pair perfectly with a wheel of Brie.
The sharp flavors of blue cheeses like Gorgonzola and Stilton are perfect with stouts. The rich, smooth, roasted flavor of the stout complements the tangy, salty blue cheese bite. Match up some bites of blue with Buried Hatchet Stout, from Southern Star Brewing Company.
With the huge selection of specialty beers and delicious cheese selection at Spec’s, it’s easy to stop by and pick up a new tasting experience to toast!
