FOOD & DRINK

PINTS AND PLATES

ADVENTURES IN VEGAN FOOD AND CRAFT BEER

by ILANA CLAMP

Perfect pairings abound in the world of food and drink—think wine + cheese, gin + tonic, chips + dip… you get the idea.

But for those embracing a vegan lifestyle, some pairings might become a bit more challenging. Have no fear! If you love craft beer but not necessarily the typical meat-centric foods that tend to be paired with it, get ready to enjoy some vegan food and beer pairings that will leave you hungry and thirsty for more!

A good first step is to focus on the basics of what you are trying to pair.

Give the beer a taste (do we have to twist your arm?) and you might identify characteristics such as bitter, sweet, malted, roasted or floral. You can also pick up hints of specific flavours such as caramel, molasses, grain/bread, or coffee.

Alternatively, you might want to begin with the taste profiles of the food. Consider the main elements of the food you are eating: is it spicy, sweet, strong or mild? Does it have a lot of heat, or is it more mellow-tasting? Is it rich or mild?

From there, you can consider two ways to pair your food with your beer: complementary flavours or opposing flavours. Either choice will work! Have some fun and experiment… take notes each time you give new pairings a try.

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LET’S STICK TOGETHER: COMPLEMENTARY FLAVOURS

Consider pairing similar types of flavours, such as a sweet dessert with a smooth, sweet beer, or a sharp vegan cheese with a hoppy, more full flavoured beer. As you enjoy your pairing, try to taste the similarities as they enhance and complement each other.

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How about an example?

KEEPING IT BALANCED: OPPOSING FLAVOURS

Another approach would be to have contrasting flavours and intensities—a mild food paired with a boldly flavoured beer, or a bold food with a more mellow beer. You could match a simple rice and veggie bowl with a strong IPA, or pair a spicy, garlicky roasted veggie platter with a smooth amber lager. The combinations are endless!

Let’s say you are starting with a boldly flavoured vegan appetizer platter, complete with some spicy hummus, garlic olives, sesame crackers and a fiery guacamole. From there, you can go one of two directions:

Complementary

ie. a smooth, mellow pale lager

OR Opposite

a hoppy beer like an IPA

LET THE PAIRINGS COMMENCE!

We love the idea of having a “plates and pints” party with friends and family. Visit local craft breweries (Stonehooker is a great spot) to pick up an assortment of beers across a range of flavours, then whip up lots of delicious vegan eats (or pick them up from your local restaurants and grocery stores). Set your food and drinks out with notecards or labels that list details and ingredients, then let your guests have fun mixing and matching.

Keeping perfectly with the theme of mixing our vegan plates with our pints, Mississauga is hosting two amazing events this June: Mississauga Vegfest on June 25, and the Creative Craft Beer Festival on June 17 and 18 (see sidebars for information about both events).

You won’t want to miss either event—come out and try a new vegan food or taste some new brews. We hope to see you all there!

CUSTOM CAKES AND PASTRIES ∙ LOCALLY PRODUCED INGREDIENTS

HAVE A SWEET DAY

We asked Adam Cherry, Brewmaster and COO at Stonehooker Brewing Company, for some perfect pairing ideas

CRAFT BEER

PERFECT

PAIRINGS

INDULGING IN INDIAN?

Try Stonehooker Broad Reach Nor’Easter IPA it has a fresh citrus and tropical fruit character, with a smooth mouthfeel and light bitterness that will provide a wonderful contrast to the spices and rich sauces found in many Indian dishes.

SAVOURING SOME SUSHI?

Stonehooker Chill Pils Czech Pilsner is a crisp refreshing lager that will cut through the bite of wasabi and spicy rolls, yet compliment the subtle aromatics of the hops with the delicate flavours of fresh veggies.

CHOWING DOWN ON CHARCUTERIE VEGAN-STYLE?

Victoria English Pale Ale is a traditional English ale that will provide a balance of malts and hops, pairing well with rich and savoury flavours in the charcuterie.

DELIGHTING IN DESSERT?

Sweets pair well with Stonehooker’s Gibraltar Point Imperial Stout — a big, bold stout with toffee and licorice characteristics that will be a wonderful compliment to sweet, chocolatey treats. LL

CRAFT BEER AND VEGAN EVENTS

SATURDAY June 25

10AM – 6PM

WHERE Port Credit Memorial Arena

June 17&18

(over three sessions)

WHERE CreativeHub 1352 at Small Arms Inspection Building, 1352 Lakeshore Rd. E

MISSISSAUGA VEGFEST

Mississauga Vegfest is the place for everyone from foodies, animal and earth lovers to the health conscious. All are welcome to explore the life of animal-free alternatives to benefit humans, animals, and the environment. Explore all the veg-life has to offer with the GTHA’s finest veg-based food, drink, clothing & accessories, personal care products and causes.

ADMISSION: Free!

Visit MISSISSAUGAVEGFEST.CA for more information.

MISSISSAUGA CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Quench that thirst with Mississauga’s first ever craft beer festival! Mississauga’s longawaited Creative Craft Beer Festival will feature 15+ craft breweries and cideries, delicious food offerings and entertainment featuring local talent. Set against the unique backdrop of the Small Arms Inspection Building, a restored heritage treasure, this promises to be a memorable, thirst-quenching experience for craft beer lovers far and wide.

ADMISSION: $30 (includes souvenir sampling glass and 2 complimentary samples)