Beer and Food Pairing

Question 1

When planning pairings, what should the intensity of a beer be relative to the intensity of the food item it will be paired with?

Answer 1

Match strength with strength

Question 2

What properties or characteristics of beer contribute to its “intensity”?

Answer 2

alcoholic strength
malt character (roastiness, richness, sweetness)
hop bitterness

Question 3

Give a general example of “resonance” in pairing, listing a general beer flavor and corresponding food flavor?

Answer 3

Resonance/Compliment
Similar or compatible flavors present in both the beer and the food compliment each other

Citrus aromas in hops with a citrus character in food

Roasted malt flavors with roasted foods
(coffee,chocolate, caramelized)

Phenols with Spices
Alcohol with Sweetness

Question 4

In addition to intensity and resonance, what is a third principle of flavor pairing that often plays a role in great beer and food pairings?

Answer 4

Contrast - by offering an opposing flavor, the beer highlights a flavor in the dish or vice versa

Roastiness contrasts Sweetness

Question 5

Give two examples of general food flavors that the carbonation and bitterness in beer provide a counterpoint to?

Answer 5

Carbonation and Bitterness counterpoint/cut for
fat
sweetness
umami

Question 6

List three general characteristics of beer that can contrast with food flavors.

Answer 6

bitterness
carbonation
malty richness

Question 7

Roasty flavors in beer provide a counterpoint to what sort of food flavors?

Answer 7

chocolate
coffee
roasted/smoked foods

Question 8

List three general flavors (for example “honey”) found in both beer and food:

Answer 8

citrus
nutty
malty
vanilla

Question 9

What is the most difficult quality of beer to deal with as a cooking ingredient?

Answer 9

bitterness

Question 10

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a gorgonzola cheese:

Answer 10

Hoppy American Ale

Question 11

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a camembert cheese:

Answer 11

Earthy Saison

Question 12

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a cheddar cheese:

Answer 12

Stout or Porter

Question 13

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a roasted chicken:

Answer 13

Malty Brown Ale

Question 14

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a grilled salmon:

Answer 14

Amber Ale

Question 15

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a cream-based pasta sauce (alfredo):

Answer 15

Light Lager

Question 16

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a red curry:

Answer 16

Double IPA

Question 17

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a chocolate chip cookie:

Answer 17

Porter

Question 18

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a flourless chocolate cake:

Answer 18

Russian Imperial Stout

Question 19

Suggest a beer or beer style that you would pair with a carrot cake with cream cheese icing:

Answer 19

Barleywine

Question 20

Give a dessert that might make a fine pairing with a malty barleywine that has been aged in a new oak barrel, and tell briefly why it would work.

Answer 20

Flan or a Poppy Seed cake with strong vanilla flavors. The vanilin from the new oak barrel matches the vanilla in the desserts.

Question 21

List two cheeses that might make a fine pairing with a raspberry lambic beer and why the pairing would be likely to work.

Answer 21

Fresh creamy goat cheese because of the light salty, acidic notes in the fruit will counterpoint the sweet fruit of the Framboise. White Stilton with Cherries would provide a harmonious pairing.

Question 22

Describe a salad and a beer that make a good pairing, and the specifics of why they work together.

Answer 22

Arugula based salad with a moderatly hopped Pale Ale with a matching bitterness.

Question 23

How many drinks per hour can the body eliminate?

Answer 23

One