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There are thousands of documented beer styles and just as many organizations trying to classify new beers. For us to start our beer pairing journey we need to narrow our focus to a few beer families recognized by the Brewers Association and discover why they pair well with certain flavors of jerky.
Every one of you taking this journey will experience something different because we all have different tastes. Pairing is a sensory experience and we all use all our senses available when eating and drinking weather we know it or not. Although I can not dictate what your taste buds will like or not like what I can guarantee is that with an open mind you will have a great experience trying.
Use as many senses as you can. The main goal is to take a moment to listen to your carnivore taste buds. Start by looking at the color of you beer and the fresh ingredients on the jerky. Sense the aroma of the barley and hops or that sweat BBQ. Listen to the chatter around you as you take that sip and bite. Feel the texture of the soft and moist jerky. Taste the excellence!
First smell your beer, take a sip and give it a chance to excite your pallet. Let it whisper to you what ingredients have been carefully selected. Second take a bite of jerky and a try and catch the subtle flavor combinations happening. As you chew you will pick up notes from the pairing happening. Then give it a final chug and wash everything down, however the ride is not over yet. Lastly, give it a few seconds and let the flavors linger. All you have to do now is listen to your taste buds tell you magnificent story!
There are a countless ways that flavors combine and in no way are you going to read through them all even if I tried to write them down. The reality is that every persons taste buds are unique and can have many factors that influence taste. However there are some common themes that happen. Here is my way of unscrambling the vast spider web of interactions that happen when paring craft beer and Jerky.
When one item from a craft beer or food complements the other during pairing. Think peanut butter and jelly, Chocolate over ice cream or bacon and eggs. The simply go together!
When one element interacts and either heightens or calms other elements intensity. A good pairing helps to highlight the strengths of flavor without allowing one flavor to overpower.
The bitterness of hops cut and lessen the impact of fat, richness and oil in food. Think how the crispness of a lager helps cut down a burger or fried food leaving a clean taste.
Also called a "Home Run" is when a pairing increases the sensory experience making the whole combination better than the individual parts. 1 + 1 = 3! Like Frosting on cake. Yum!
The complete opposite or "Train Wreck" is a clash of flavors. The result is less desirable than the individual parts. 1 + 1 = -1. Think orange juice and toothpaste. Yuck!
When one flavor, sensation or intensity repeats the other creating balance. Like Sweet and Spicy, Salt and sweet or Bitter and Sweet. Think of Salted Caramels or Salt Rim Margaritas.
Where craft beer and food meet ingredient to ingredient. Bridges help find harmonies, also referred to as flavor hooks. Think Ice Cream Sunday; sweet items hook the banana flavor.
Complete Harmony is a synergistic marriage of flavor and taste elements.
Pilsners are pale golden in color with considerable but balanced malt and hop character. They are seductively complex, refreshing and easy to drink. Pilsners are characterized by their high carbonation and tangy hop flavor. They typically have a floral aroma and a crisp, bitter finish. The hops and carbonation work to keep your palate clean.
Typical brands: Heineken, Stella Artois, Oskar Blues Brewery Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Lagunitas Brewing Company Pils,
Most popular style worldwide. Balance of hops and malt with crisp, dry finish /Complements lemongrass, ginger, garlic, cilantro and similar flavors; adds depth to light dishes such as spring rolls and salads. Light Lagers are very low in malt flavor with a light and dry body. The hop character is low and should have faint aroma. Light Beers are typically less in Alcohol and have fewer calories than a standard lager.
Typical brands: Coors Light, Budweiser, Corona, Miller Light, Amstel Light, Michelob Ultra
Very refreshing, slightly tart flavor with subtle citrus aroma / Complements the lighter elements of foods like seared scallops and oil-cooked garlic shrimp, while adding a refreshing flavor contrast. Cream ales are fermented in warm temperatures and are more known for their yeast characteristics. They are generally light on the palet and refreshing. Many brewers will use both lager yeast and ale yeast in various ways to create their cream ale. In some cases the term "Cream Ale" can apply to nitro beers. And for those interested, a Cream ale does not have any dairy in it as the name implies!
Typical brands: Cali Creaming, Creole Cream Ale, Sunlight Cream Ale, Kiwanda Cream Ale
Hop, Hop, Hoppy! Its all about the hops with IPA's, giving it a floral aroma, fruity, citrus-like, piney character. IPA's are by far the most common in todays breweries. The IPA still remains the king of American craft beer.
Typical brands: Pliny the Elder, New Belgium Brewing Voodoo Ranger, Dogfish Head Brewery 60 Minute IPA, Stone IPA
Yummy! That’s how I describe Brown Ales. They have an amber or dark brown apperance and a malty but hoppy flavor. Brown Ales can bee sweet and offer a caramel or chocolate characteristic. Malty flavor balanced with hints of caramel and chocolate / Pairs well with roasted pork, smoked sausage and hearty foods; complements the nutty flavors of chicken satay, cashew chicken, pecan pie and peanut sauces.
Typical brands: Newcastle Brown Ale, Double Maxim, Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale.
Roasted flavor complemented by nutty and toffee characteristics Works well with smoked meats, especially bacon; complements chocolate-, espresso- and coffee-flavored desserts and soft, creamy cheeses.
Like the dark side of the moon, Stouts are dark in apperance and offer a number of variations like Milk and Imperial Stouts. Despite their rugged apperance stouts are neither heavy nor terribly strong and low in alcohol, with a touch of roastiness. Prevalent chocolate and coffee flavors. Highlights the nuttiness and braised, caramelized integrity of dishes with brown, savory sauces; complements silky, salty foods like oysters on the half shell.
Typical brands: Guiness. Enough Said!
