Welcome to this installment of Beer & Cheese Pairings. I’ve chosen these delicious French imported cheeses to pair with Coronado’s Idiot IPA. Let’s jump right in!
BEER:
Idiot IPA from Coronado is loaded with hops. A generous blend of Nugget hops and the four C's–Cascade, Centennial, Chinook and Columbus–brings for a myriad of tropical fruit flavors and a brawny, persistent bitterness. That complex flavor profile should make for some fun pairings.
CHEESES:
Pont L'Eveque is a delicious French cheese imported by Tony’s Fine Foods from the Basse-Normandie region of France. It is made from cow’s milk and features a pale yellow color with a white-orange rind. It is soft and rich with full-bodied flavor and taste. When it comes to the pairing, the IPA enhanced those flavors nicely for a long, smooth eating experience.
Marcel Petite Comte is aged in the Fort Saint Antoine in Jura and is imported by Murray’s Cheese. This Comte is produced by one of 13 high altitude cooperatives ("Fruitiers") approved by affineur Marcel Petite and is aged for 2 years, which is the longest the affineur will age any cheese. The enormous wheels of raw cow's milk have a firm texture, leaving flavors that can range from dense, with hints of smoke and onions, to sweeter, with notes of chocolate and hazelnuts. This was my favorite pairing of the day. The rich flavors in the cheese were highlighted beautifully by the strength and bitterness of the beer.
Brillat Savarin is a delicious triple-creme also imported by Murray’s Cheese. It is 75% butterfat, and has a thin, edible, snowy rind with nary a whiff of ammonia. It has fresh, lactic flavor that edges of mushroomy for a balanced bite. This was personally my favorite cheese of the day. Unfortunately, its own balance was thrown off by the beer.
Make sure to tune into the next installment of Beer & Cheese Pairings!
