SACRAMENTO, CA
This week I decided to explore cheese pairings with Abita Amber Ale. The three cheeses I chose have very distinct flavor profiles lending to a diverse set of pairings.
Beer: Abita Amber Ale
Abita Amber Ale is a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops in Louisiana. I chose it for this week’s pairings because of its smooth and malty flavor.
Cheeses:
Left to Right: La Tur, Black Mountain, Roquefort
La Tur comes from Caseificio dell'Alta Langa and is a delicious fresh cheese made from cow, goat and sheep milk. It is a creamy and delicate cheese with a slight tang. This cheese was delicious on crackers but its light flavor profile was washed out by the Amber Ale.
Black Mountain is a creamy English cheddar from Somerdale Cheese made with white wine, garlic and parsley. It has a sharp bite with a strong kick of garlic. This was my favorite cheese of the day. It paired nicely with the Amber Ale because the beer was able to tame the flavor of the garlic.
Roquefort is imported by Tony's Fine Foods and is visually characterized by the generous streaks of intense blue that color the otherwise white surface of the cheese. Its flavor is rich and deep. With a drizzle of honey, this cheese took on a well-rounded flavor profile that paired the best with the Amber Ale.
Be sure to check back for more delicious beer and cheese pairings.
