Feeling like you could use some belated holiday cheer from the pink elephant on our beer's label? Having a tough time getting into the rhythm of work in the new year? Well fret not, it's results time and then you can take yourself to your local Whole Foods, grab a bottle of Delirium Noel, some cheese, a loaf of yummy herbaceously spicy and warming pumpernickel bread, a good bottle of olive oil and a handful of roasted walnuts and you're set for the night.
So what cheese to buy at Whole Foods?
Well you certainly wouldn't want the Livarot with your Delirium Noel -- this is a case of oil and water. The Livarot will take control of the relationship and make it all about the cheese, masking any of the unique and dynamic nuances of the beer. This sort of washed rind stinker calls for a medium bodied, fruit forward wine, maybe a Riesling. Certain cheeses just aren't meant to be paired with beers and if I do say so myself, Livarot is one of those.
The remaining two cheeses pose an interesting conundrum because each works for its own reasons but obviously if you're not a blue cheese fan, the Roquefort would be off the table. Let's get to why each works...
Buying yourself some Roquefort is definitely taking the road less traveled in terms of pairing here. The piquant spiciness of the creamy cheese needs somewhat of a sweet counterpart to coax out the cheese's flavor nuances. The tartness of the beer will cut the creaminess of the cheese while the molasses, candied apple, malt, and spice notes of the beer will balance the punch of the cheese creating a lovely yet intense pairing -- a great way to awaken your senses on a cold evening. Each has a big presence here but they balance each other out. Beer and cheese pairing should sometimes be about pushing one's limits and that's why I'd vote for this pairing personally.
However if you want to go the easier, non-blue cheese route, grab some Abondance which will give the beer an opportunity to shine as the beer is more dynamic than the cheese. The floral fragrance of the cheese will bring out the spice notes of the beer and the buttery creamy paste will be a good backdrop for the tartness of the beer. Each has a nice silky texture, smooth complementing smooth.
I leave it to you folks to determine which you prefer! You know my preference. I personally think blue cheese is traditionally fantastic with darker beers -- depth and weight working together!
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