From left, Mustang Brewing Company Route 66 lager, Prairie Artisan Ales Standard Saison, Marshall Brewing Company McNellie's Pub Ale, Anchor Porter, Marshall Revival Red, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Ale, Marshall Sundown Wheat, Chimay Belgian Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. India Pale Ale. CHRISTOPHER SMITH/Tulsa World
The perfect beer for a particular food will always be a personal preference.
But with Tulsa in the midst of its first Craft Beer Week, we thought it would be fun to showcase beer-food pairings suggested by experts in the local beer industry.
And Wes Alexander, director of sales and marketing for Marshall Brewing Co., offered tips to consider when pairing beer with food.
The primary concern when pairing beer and wine with any food is to match the intensity of the fermented beverage with the dish, Alexander said.
For example, the flavors of Mexican food are complex and intense, so “look for beers and wines that have an intense hoppy or bitter flavor profile,” he said.
“A light lager’s simple flavor profile is easily overpowered by the intense flavors of Mexican cuisine. Hoppy or intense beers pair well as the flavors of bitter and spice complement each other,” Alexander said.
“Use this principle on down the spectrum in terms of intensity. Wheat beers with shellfish, brown ale with barbecue, etc.”
Similar characteristics in beverages and food mellow when consumed together, Alexander added.
“For example, a malty to sweet beer when paired with sweet chocolate calms the sweet character of each. Same for sour, salty, and bitter,” he said.
Complementary flavors key to beer-food pairings
Here are the answers to our beer pairing quiz.
Marshall McNellie’s Pub Ale / Rotisserie chicken
Alexander says the rotisserie caramelizes the natural sugars present in the chicken, which leaves the skin rich and slightly sweet.
“Using a similar process, malted barley is roasted until the plant sugars caramelize on the exterior of the barley, giving the beer its characteristic amber color and slightly sweet flavor characteristic. Just like rotisserie chicken balances flavors such as salty and sweet, McNellie’s Pub Ale balances malty and hop bitterness,” Alexander said.
For meats that have been roasted, grilled or smoked, he prefers balanced amber beers. The amber color is an indicator of caramelized malty character.
Prairie Artisan Ales Standard Saison / Tacos al pastor
Alexander says that he loves the tacos al pastor at El Rinconcito in Tulsa. “They manage to get the pineapple and red chile flavor all through the crispy bits of pork,” he said.
For an Oklahoma beer, try Prairie Standard, a light, slightly hoppy beer with floral notes and citrus. Or pair it with a Brewery Ommegang Hennepin. Alexander said Hennepin has wonderful citrus and spice character in the aroma that complements the tacos al pastor.
Chimay Belgian Ale / Spicy Chinese food
During a recent Beer University course, Elliot Nelson, owner of the McNellie’s Group, shared with us his love of spicy Chinese food with a Belgian Ale. He said it does not matter which dish you choose — kung pao chicken or Szechuan — they are all good with a Belgian Ale. We chose Chimay, a traditional Belgian beer that is widely available at many liquor stores.
Anchor Porter / Braised short ribs
The sweetness and roasty malt flavor is a perfect pairing with the richness of the pork, Alexander said.
“There are many fine examples of short ribs on menus around town, but I like to make them at home,” he said. “I first caramelize onions in a Dutch oven, then add two cups of your favorite Porter — mine is Big Jamoke — then braise low and slow until the meat is tender. Once ribs are done, cover to keep warm and reduce the braising liquid to a flavorful sauce.”
Big Jamoke is a winter seasonal made by Marshall Brewing Co. Anchor is a porter made in California that should be available all year long.
Marshall Sundown Wheat / Salad with grilled chicken
The Belgian-style wheat beer is spiced with coriander and orange peel and is very drinkable. Brett White, of Ranch Acres Wine and Spirits and a bartender at The Tavern, said that because the flavors are lighter in this beer, it goes well with dishes such as salad with grilled chicken or pasta with chicken and a light sauce. Or, try Choc Beer’s Waving Wheat, brewed in Krebs.
Marshall Revival Red / Hamburger
This beer has bigger flavors than the Sundown Wheat and features floral notes. It’s one of White’s favorites, and he immediately thought of pairing it with a nice, juicy hamburger. But the Revival Red would also go well with a pasta with red sauce, White said.
Mustang Route 66 Lager / Pizza
This traditional, American amber lager is brewed with four types of barley and a combination of Hallertauer and Willamette hops. It has all the crisp, clean characteristics of an American lager.
White described this lager as crisp and clean, similar to red lager. The Route 66 would go great with pizza, he said.
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine / Blue cheese
This pairing is all about intensity, Alexander said.
“The tang and pungent aroma need a beer to stand up to the powerful character of blue cheese. Barley wines are beers with alcohol content near that of wine. The flavor profile is of intense malty sweetness. The sweetness serves as a balance to the pungency of blue cheese,” Alexander said.
Goose Island Beer Co. IPA / Fried food
Fried food stands up well to the “intense, over the top” flavors of a hoppy IPA, White said. Try Goose Island IPA, a highly rated beer that recently hit the Tulsa market. And while COOP’s popular F5 is available only on tap now, prices have been posted for the beer in cans, and the company plans to be selling it soon. The F5 is very hoppy, with notes of citrus, grapefruit and pine.
Tulsa's Craft Beer Week
Wednesday
R-Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., 918-392-4811
Green Flash Pint Night, Featuring Green Flash West Coast IPA and a special glass, 6 p.m.
McNellies, 409 E. First St., 918-382-7468
Choc Firkin, and you get to keep a Tulsa Craft Beer Week pint glass with your purchase, noon
Thursday
R-Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., 918-392-4811
Local Tap Takeover, local breweries take over the taps, 5 p.m.
Friday
R-Bar
Outdoor Festival, Firkin Friday. Special firkin tasting event with more than 10 breweries bringing their best to the table, 6-10 p.m.
Cost, $25.
McNellies, 409 E. 1st St., 918-382-7468
Prairie Artisan Tap Takeover: Standard, Somewhere, Gold, ‘Merica, Funky Galaxy, Noir, 5 p.m.
Saturday
BierGarten Parking Lot, 807 East A St., Jenks
Cost: $25
The Tulsa Craft Beer Festival Finale is sponsored by BierGarten Wine and Spirits and the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers, Tulsa’s premier homebrew club. Brewers will be on hand to talk to you about your favorite brews, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
For more information:
tulsaworld.com/tulsacraftbeerweek
Nicole Marshall Middleton 918-581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Test your beer smarts
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