Drinks
Fall beer pairings Autumn is here and fall beers are on tap! These unique seasonal beers typically include pumpkin beers, fresh hop pale ales, and Oktoberfest style ales. While they taste great on their own, we’ve got some tips on how you can pair them up with some of your favourite fall comfort foods.
OKTOBERFEST ALES Perhaps the best-known fall style of beer is Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest beers are strong in alcohol and flavor. The flavor profile is malty and full bodied with a slight spiciness. They have a clean and deep malty richness that make up the bulk of the aromas. Pairs well with: German foods such as bratwurst and pretzels; any type of pork especially roast pork loin with root vegetables; maple-glazed baked ham
FRESH HOP ALES Fresh (or wet) hop ales are traditionally brewed once a year during harvest season and have a short shelf life. So serve them up while they are available. They are made from hops that are not dried before they are used. They have a grassy, plant-like, and “green” flavor profile without the bitterness associated with IPAs. Alcohol content is usually in the 5-7% range Pairs well with: Fall vegetable curry; pork; leg of lamb; paté
SMOKED BEERS Traditional German smoked beers are called Rauchbier. These beers are brewed using a small portion of smoked barley in the mashing stage of brewing. They vary in color and can be ales or lagers, and can have low or high smoked flavor depending on how much smoked barley is used. Pairs well with: Slow-cooked meats; hard/ smoked cheeses; BBQ wings and ribs 14 | THE BOTTOM LINE October 2020
Beer and cookies? Yup Not something you usually think of pairing together, but they do go surprisingly well together. Here’s some tips from The Beer Store to help you pair the flavours of your favourite seasonal cookies with a cold brew. Gingerbread Cookies: The ginger and spices of gingerbread, ginger snaps and molasses cookies go well with a hoppy beer like an IPA. The maltiness of the beer helps balance the sweet and spice of the cookie. Shortbread Cookies: Serve these classic cookies with a traditional style beer, like a Scottish Ale or a Porter. The subtle flavours of the shortbread cookie are complemented but not overpowered by the dark and fruity notes. Sugar Cookies: These cookies often have the added bonus of icing and sprinkles on top. A light Belgian blonde ale has the right amount of fruit and spice tones to neutralize the icing and sugar, while allowing the carbonation to cleanse the palate for the next round of treats.
PUMPKIN ALES Pumpkin ales may be produced using pumpkin flesh in combination with malt or other more typical beer grains as a portion of the mash bill or by adding natural or artificial flavor to a finished beer. A typical pumpkin ale will have slight to strong flavors of pumpkin and whatever unique spices the brewer chooses to incorporate — most commonly cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Pumpkin beers can be any style, though most are ales. Pairs well with: Seasonal beef stew; slowcooked meats; butternut squash ravioli; Thanksgiving leftovers; squash or pumpkin soup; pumpkin spice anything
