Matches Made in Heaven

When you think of what to drink with cheese, wine is usually at the top of the list because, well . . . that’s what you do, right? But is there a better match? Yes, there is, and it has been around for centuries! If you want the best pairing with cheese, try pairing it with beer! The wide variety of beer styles aside, beer just goes better with cheese. The carbonation of beer naturally cuts through the fattiness of rich cheeses. Beer’s combination of malty sweetness, hop bitterness and exotic yeast notes of fruits and spices really provide a true harmony of flavors with most cheeses. Not surprisingly, the world’s most interesting and sophisticated beers – Belgian beers – are the top choices for cheese pairings.

For your next gathering, win the day with a selection of cheeses paired with Belgian-style beers. Which beers to serve with which cheeses? The pairings listed below will give you a good starting point and you can get use your own creativity from there.

Beers and Cheeses

Pilsners are a natural with lighter, more delicate cheeses. Pilsner goes best with Mild Cheddar, Brie, Buffalo Mozzarella, Taleggio and Compte.

Belgian Country Lager pairs up well with bolder cheeses like Belgian Monastery Ales, Gouda, Aged Cheddar and Asiago.

Witbiers (White Beers) are extremely versatile. In addition to being the perfect beer with Sushi, these wheat ales are great with Goat Cheeses, Burrata, Brie, Feta, young Gouda, Parmesan Reggiano, Chevre, and Humboldt Fog.

Speciale Belge (Amber Ales) with their caramelized flavors, go well with Medium Cheddar, Brie, and old or young Gouda.

Saisons, both light and strong, are the most versatile of all Belgian beers. These farmhouse ales, with their earthy complexity and crisp carbonation, are extremely food-friendly. They pair especially well with Aged Cheddar, Asiago, Old Gouda, Colby, Compte, Gruyere, Emmentaler, Parmesan and Gorgonzola. But feel free to experiment.

Belgian-Style IPAs with their balance of hoppiness and yeast notes are naturals with Triple-Cream Brie, Morbier, Clothbound Aged Cheddar and Parmesan Reggiano.

Trappist and Abbey Ale breweries often make their own cheeses that go perfectly with their beers. But, color outside the lines with Brie and Emmentaler with Singles. Belgian Blond Ales are the ticket with Burrata, Epoisses and Taleggio. Darker Dubbels enhance cheeses like Brie, Gorgonzola and Roquefort. Belgian Tripels and Strong Golden Ales go famously with Aged Gouda, White Cheddar and various Blue Cheeses. My favorite pairing of all time puts Quadrupel (Belgian Grand Cru) together with Roquefort cheese. It’s a match made in heaven! But pairing Quads with Stilton, Gorgonzola, Morbier, Limburger and Trappist/Abbey cheeses can be equally brilliant. These big beers with their dry finishes and complex caramel and fruit notes balance well with bold cheeses.

Nothing pairs quite so well with a Gueuze Lambic as Parmesan Reggiano, Aged Gouda, or Baby Swiss cheeses. Fruit Lambics, with their tart and delicate fruitiness demand a milder cheese like various Goat cheeses, Havarti and Double Cream Brie.

Flanders Red-Brown Ales go especially well with Gouda, Cheddar and Monastery cheeses. Flanders-style Fruit Beers like pairings with Havarti and Double Cream Brie.

Bieres Brut (like Bruz Brut La Grande) require a delicate cheese like Double Cream Brie or Emmentaler.

Beer-Cheese Pairings Are Not Difficult

The nice thing about pairing Belgian-style beers and cheeses is that there are not many hard and fast guidelines to adhere to. The main rule is to maintain a balance of intensity. Pairing the strong flavors of Roquefort cheese with a Pilsner would pretty much wipe out the delicate flavors of the beer. Strong cheeses pair well with strong beers and lighter cheeses go with lighter beers. Beyond that, use your imagination and create a memorable tasting! Santé!

If you would like to experience excellent beer pairings, Bruz Beers is teaming up with The Truffle Cheese Shop to offer four of our beers - each paired with a high quality cheese. The tastings will be at the Bruz Brewery (67th & Pecos) on April 22nd, and at Bruz Off Fax on April 23rd. To reserve your place, sign up at Bruzbeers.com/Events. A wide variety of Belgian beers are also available in local liquor stores, but the freshest examples are from local craft breweries like Bruz Beers.

Beer with Cheese - A Match Made in Heaven!