Foods with no great "beer pairing"

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Roberto Rogness

@Rick Allen

As far as a steak is concerned, while I’d prefer wine, if only beer was available, I’d probably go with a smoked beer like a Schlenkerla Marzen.

…

Also see Adelscott smoked malt ale from Alsace and Unibroue Raftman.

I came this close to buying that Raftman last time I saw it, but ultimately passed on it. Is it good?

[Brad_B_a_l_l_i_n_g_e_r]

Steak = porter. Specifically, Surly Coffee Bender. I also like Paulaner Salvator, particularly if the steak is accompanied with any kind of bottled steak sauce.

[Roberto_Rogness]

Yes, the Raftman is delicious. Not as smokey as the German stuff, more subtle and very drinkable.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

Cool. Good to hear, Roberto. I’ve tasted the raw version of the Raftman (the mash at the distilleries), and always thought it would/could make an interesting beer. Glad to hear Unibroue did a good job with it.

[Chris_Blum]

I’ll have to try the Alt Schlenkerla with a steak. It is an acquired taste by itself, but maybe with meat.

[DougS]

I’ve tried quite a few pairings, but beer almost never works as well as wine with food to me. It’s very simple: beer makes me full, wine makes me hungry. Plus, beer changes the flavor of the food, almost never for the better (to me), while wine rarely changes the flavor of the food, but the food can accentuate the flavor of the wine.

The only foods I can think of that I would rather have beer with: salad with vinegar-based dressing, anything really spicy, anything like kimchee that combines spice with vinegar. There might be a couple of others, but my list would still be very short.

[Jorge_Henriquez]

Wine + hot dogs?

[DougS]

Lambrusco or Riesling

[Brad_B_a_l_l_i_n_g_e_r]

@Jorge Henriquez

Wine + hot dogs?

Zinfandel. Mainly for what gets added to the hot dog.

[Rick_Allen]

I have a number of very good friends that probably wouldn’t drink beer if it was the only beverage available. That’s OK with me, to each his/her own. When they start grasping for wines to pair with spicy Mexican food, or some of the spicier Asian cuisines, I just shake my head.

[Linda_Baehr]

@Rick Allen

I have a number of very good friends that probably wouldn’t drink beer if it was the only beverage available. That’s OK with me, to each his/her own. When they start grasping for wines to pair with spicy Mexican food, or some of the spicier Asian cuisines, I just shake my head.

SO agree. I have had dinner with people who are struggling to come up with a wine pairing to something we are eating, while I am happily drinking my beer.

[CFu]

@Brad B a l l i n g e r

Steak = porter. Specifically, Surly Coffee Bender. I also like Paulaner Salvator, particularly if the steak is accompanied with any kind of bottled steak sauce.

just had the surly coffee bender for the first time. Tastes like alcoholic coffee, very interesting. Not a coffee guy by any means so the appeal was a little lost on me, but my friends loved it.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

I’ve had Surly’s Coffee Bender 4 times — 4 cans from the same 4 pack. It’s one of the nastiest beers I’ve ever tried, and I can’t believe Surly decided to release it. Maybe it was just a bad batch?

[CFu]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

I’ve had Surly’s Coffee Bender 4 times — 4 cans from the same 4 pack. It’s one of the nastiest beers I’ve ever tried, and I can’t believe Surly decided to release it. Maybe it was just a bad batch?

no clue. did it taste like coffee? if so that’s what it tasted like in my cans.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Charlie Fu

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

I’ve had Surly’s Coffee Bender 4 times — 4 cans from the same 4 pack. It’s one of the nastiest beers I’ve ever tried, and I can’t believe Surly decided to release it. Maybe it was just a bad batch?

no clue. did it taste like coffee? if so that’s what it tasted like in my cans.

Yeah … kinda. It tasted more like coffee grounds than coffee.