SACRAMENTO, CA
For this week’s Beer & Cheese Pairing, I chose three cheeses that have strong flavor profiles to pair with Mission Brewing’s intensely hoppy Shipwrecked Double IPA. With these great offerings, let’s get started!
BEER: MISSION BREWING’S SHIPWRECKED DOUBLE IPA
The Shipwrecked Double IPA has intense hoppy character that comes from the use of Cascade, CTZ and Centennial hops. Its depth and malt character compliment the hop and open the door for pairings with stronger cheeses.
CHEESES:
Queso Idiazabal from Murray’s Cheese is made from the raw milk of Laxta and Carranza sheep from Basque, Spain. It is lightly smoked and aged for 2-3 months. Idiazabal has a buttery texture that is complimented by an intriguing gamy character that comes from the milk rich and fatty milk. It paired well with the beer, but was slightly overpowered.
Valdeon from Cowgirl Creamery is a hearty blue made with a blend of pasteurized cow and goat mild. It is produced by La Caseria in the province of Leon, Spain. This beautiful cheese is wrapped in giant sycamore leaves and aged for a minimum of two months. It has hints of spice, chocolate, roasted meats and crusty baked bread. It struck a rich balance with the double IPA that complimented the flavors of each. This was my favorite pairing of the day.
Le Delice du Jura is imported from Jura, France by Tony’s Fine Foods in Sacramento, CA. This washed rind cow’s milk cheese is turned every two days and washed with brine or whey to speed the aging process. It has a creamy texture with a nutty aftertaste. It also paired well with the strength of the beer, but I found it to be fairly unbalanced next to the hops.
Be sure to check back for more delicious beer and cheese pairings.
