I got together with my friend Jan recently at a craft brewery in Orange County. Jan is a wine lover, and the first time we met was her introduction to craft brewing. I think that might have been the first time she had finished an entire pint of beer, which was something of a revelation to her. Now we have found a common goal of exploring craft brewing from the point of view of a wine lover, while researching Southern California craft breweries.
We started out talking about some of the parallels between wine and craft brews. For example, there is a spectrum of wine from whites to dark reds that includes blush. Craft brews have a similar spectrum, from lighter brews, through red ales, to porters and stouts. We also took a little time to recognize some of the flavors, notes, and finishes in the brews we sampled.
Jan, who favors the red end of the wine spectrum, also appreciates the darker end of the beer spectrum. I told you she was my friend.
We also talked how brewers can develop and be creative with the flavor, aroma, and texture of what they are brewing. Jan came to appreciate wine through friends who were chefs and who enjoyed creating interesting pairings of wine and food. It was another revelation when I said, “Well, you can pair meals with beer, too.”
We thought about some pairings, and some of my own favorite ways to combine great craft brews with great food. We also talked about how brewing is similar to cooking with the creativity of combining ingredients in new ways.
We also experienced for ourselves how the flavor of the food can open our palates and enhance the flavor of what we are drinking.
It was a great beginning. We both agree that we need to do more research, and will continue to explore.
How do you combine the ingredients in your life to create new flavors and textures? When is the last time you tried something new?
[Image by quinn.anya]
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