With the holidays on us I thought I might talk this time about beer. Not so much the act of drinking it to hide from the family mess in the house but rather as it would be paired with food. Much like wine, beer has many complex flavors hidden deep inside that little bottle.
Think for a moment about that turkey and stuffing your making. It has lots of herbs and butter in there. To balance it out you could pick a sweeter red wine or you could pick a Barley wine. The big bolder flavors of the barley will cut the fat of all that wonderful butter in the turkey and be mild with the herbs. The trick here is the herbs and Hops the bitter herb used with the beer will help bring the whole thing together. Another good one would be a Trappist Ale like Chimay. Not hoppy but a very easy flavor that is wonderful with Turkey, trout or a big roast beast!
Having Ham? Well think about the rich flavor of a Porter or Stout. That sweet glazed ham can send your taste buds into a coma with something a little bold. Don't like the dark beers? Try a Pale Ale. Ham can take the hoppy flavor. By the way next time you have oysters reach for the Porter too. It has a way with the salty sweet flavor.
Hope this gives an idea or two. So go out there and stuff yourself silly but don't forget the beer!
