Pairing with Food: Beer vs. Wine

Just like Clyde needed Bonnie, and Ernie needed Bert, food requires drink to be all that it can be. And by drink, we do mean alcohol. But wine isn’t the only tonic able to liven up a meal: Though beer has been produced for millennia, over the past twenty years, brewers have been pushing the envelope, turning malt, barley, and hops into elixirs unimaginable just a generation ago. Which means determining which beverage to pair with what food is more challenging than ever before.

Such was the genesis of this class, dedicated to food and drink, together in harmony. In this class, you will experience a succession of pairings designed to show off the unique abilities of each beverage with certain foods. And yet, while we seek a whole greater than the sum of its parts, certain couplings might intrigue you more than others; after all, beauty remains in the eye of the beholder. But at a minimum, we promise a fun exploration.

The "we" is me and Ethan Fixell, my friend and colleague. I know wine well, but beer? I just drink it. So I asked Ethan, a passionate beverage journalist and Certified Cicerone® to team up with me to host this special event. Ethan frequently writes about beer for Food & Wine, Tasting Table, Food Republic, and Quartz -- and has written about all types of beverages for Vanity Fair, Travel + Leisure, Playboy, Men’s Journal, and Saveur, among others. Ethan is also a comedian who has appeared on programs such as The Tonight Show andThe Today Show. As such, you’ll not only eat and drink well, but will be entertained, too. 

And if you aren't a cross-drinker already, saying "wine" when your friends say "beer," or vice versa, you absolutely don’t want to miss this special evening. We’ll duke it out to the end, until every bottle is empty.

What to expect:

• 4-5 Wines (white and red)
• 4-5 Beers (several styles, including pilsner, IPA, stout, and sour beers)
• 2-3 Artisan cheeses (from Murray’s)
• 2 In-house prepared dishes (ex. mini crabcakes, bratwurst)
• Chocolate (TBD)
• Grandaisy Bakery breads
• Notes & handouts
• Lively discussion