SACRAMENTO, CA
Welcome to Beer & Cheese Pairings. I’m excited to share these cheeses, which are as equally delicious as they are diverse. For this week’s pairings, I’ve chosen Port Brewing Company’s hoppy Grommet IPA. Let’s jump right in!
BEER:
Grommet IPA from Port Brewing Company is full of flavor. It brings together a nice spiciness from the hops and a toasted malt balance with a freshly sliced grapefruit note at the finish. This bitter beverage should be able to stand up to the variety of cheeses in the pairings.
CHEESES:
Triple Crème Brie from Marin French Cheese has a rich and smooth texture and a slightly sweet flavor that made it a World Cheese Awards Champion in 2005. Made with high quality milk from neighboring Marin County dairies, this cheese was my favorite of the day. It was also my favorite pairing. The bitterness of the beer created a real harmony with the slightly sweet flavor profile of the Brie.
SeaHive from Beehive Cheese Co. is a smooth and creamy cheese made from the milk of Jersey cows in northern Utah. It is hand-rubbed with local honey and Redmond RealSalt®, which gives it a full-bodied flavor profile. This was delicious as a stand-alone treat or on a crostini. Unfortunately, the strong hop forward flavor of the beer did not make for a balanced pairing.
Cashel Blue from Kerrygold is a semi-soft and ultra-creamy cheese. It has a full flavor with a slight blue tang. As this cheese ages, its flavor profile becomes more pronounced. It was delicious on a crostini with a drizzle of honey. It paired nicely with the IPA, but didn’t quite match the balance of the first pairing.
Be sure to check back for more delicious beer and cheese pairings.