Blue Cheese and Beer: an odd but comfortable match

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

There are like three foods I cannot stand.


Raw tomatoes. 


Mushroom sauce, on a rare steak. 


And Blue Cheese.


It's simply foul. 


Like if blue cheese came to life, it would be a mindless, stinking zombie with no quality of life.


Yet some of you with taste actually do appreciate a wedge or two of the stuff. 


And you might like a beer or 5 to match to it. I'm sure the beer gods actually frown on this from happening, but if you insist:


blue cheese matchings with beer


Here are a few styles that are often considered good matches for blue cheese:


Porters and stout:

 
Porters are dark beers with notes of chocolate, coffee, and caramel. Stouts and Porters are known for their roasted malt flavors, which can complement the creaminess in full-fat blue cheese. The rich, full-bodied flavors of the beer can balance out the sharp, acidic "blue attack" of the cheese. The bitterness of the beer can also help to cleanse the palate between bites of cheese, making it easier to enjoy the next bite.

The roasted malt flavors in Stouts and Porters can add a nutty, toasty note to the pairing, which can complement the nutty flavor of the blue cheese. Additionally, the chocolate and coffee notes in Stouts can complement the creamy texture of the cheese, while the bitterness of the beer helps to cut through the richness of the cheese.

Porters, in particular, have a slightly sweeter profile, which can help to balance the sharpness of the blue cheese. The sweetness of the beer can help to tone down the sharpness of the cheese, making it easier to enjoy.

Belgian-style Dubbel


Dubbels are rich and malty beers with notes of dark fruit and a hint of sweetness. This can help to balance the sharpness of the blue cheese, while the flavors of the beer complement the cheese's intensity.

Belgian-style Dubbels are known for their rich and malty flavors, with notes of dark fruit and a hint of sweetness. These flavors can complement the sharpness of blue cheese and balance its intensity. The sweetness of the Dubbel can also help to tone down the pungent flavor of the blue cheese, making it easier to enjoy.

The dark fruit notes in Dubbels, such as raisins and plums, can add a fruity dimension to the pairing, which can complement the nutty flavor of the blue cheese. Additionally, the malty sweetness of the beer can complement the creamy texture of the cheese, creating a harmonious pairing.

Dubbel beers are also known for their mild carbonation, which can help to balance the richness of the blue cheese. The carbonation can help to cleanse the palate between bites of cheese, making it easier to enjoy the next bite.

When serving a Dubbel with blue cheese, it's best to serve the beer slightly warmer, around 50-55°F, which can help to bring out its rich, full-bodied flavors. This can also help to balance the sharpness of the blue cheese, making it easier to enjoy.

Overall, Dubbels can be excellent beers to pair with blue cheese due to their rich, malty flavors and hints of sweetness, which can balance the sharpness of the cheese and complement its nutty and creamy flavors.

India Pale Ale (IPA):


India Pale Ales are known for their hoppy bitterness and bold flavors, which can create a unique pairing with blue cheese. The bold, bitter flavors of IPAs can help to balance the richness and pungency of blue cheese, creating a harmonious pairing.

The bitterness of IPAs can help to cut through the richness of the cheese and cleanse the palate between bites, making it easier to enjoy the next bite. The hop flavors in IPAs can also add a citrusy or piney dimension to the pairing, which can complement the nutty flavor of the blue cheese.

Additionally, the higher alcohol content of many IPAs can help to balance the intensity of the blue cheese. The alcohol in the beer can help to tone down the sharpness of the cheese, making it easier to enjoy.

When serving an IPA with blue cheese, it's best to serve the beer slightly colder, around 40-45°F, to bring out its hop flavors and bitterness.

Wheat Beer:


Wheat beers, such as Hefeweizens and Witbiers, can make an interesting pairing with blue cheese. The light, crisp and slightly fruity notes of wheat beers can help to balance the pungency and richness of blue cheese, making it easier to enjoy.

Wheat beers, especially Hefeweizens, are known for their banana and clove-like flavors, which can complement the nutty and tangy flavors of blue cheese. The yeast-driven flavors of wheat beers can also help to enhance the creamy texture of blue cheese.

Additionally, the effervescence of wheat beers can help to cleanse the palate between bites, making it easier to enjoy the next bite. The light, crisp and refreshing nature of wheat beers can also make them a good choice for hot weather, when a heavy or rich pairing might be too much.

When serving a wheat beer with blue cheese, it's best to serve the beer at a slightly colder temperature, around 40-45°F, to bring out its light and crisp flavors. The carbonation in wheat beers can also help to balance the richness of the cheese, making it easier to enjoy.

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