#CraftBeerPairing

[noisycowboyglitter]

Icelandic Beer Culture: How to Order with "Einn bjór, takk"

"Beer Please in Icelandic" translates to "Bjór, takk" (pronounced "byor tahk"), a phrase that's become increasingly popular since the relatively recent legalization of beer in Iceland. Remarkably, beer was prohibited in Iceland from 1915 until March 1, 1989, a date now celebrated as "Beer Day" (Bjórdagurinn).

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Since the ban's lifting, Iceland has developed a thriving beer culture. The country's pure water sources and creative brewing approaches have led to a burgeoning craft beer scene. Reykjavik, the capital, boasts numerous microbreweries and beer bars, offering both traditional lagers and innovative craft brews.

When ordering beer in Iceland, you might encounter terms like:

"Krús" - a mug or stein

"Dós" - a can

"Flaska" - a bottle

Popular Icelandic beer brands include Einstök, Borg, and Kaldi. Many breweries incorporate unique Icelandic ingredients like Arctic thyme, birch, and even seaweed, creating distinctive flavor profiles.

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Iceland's beer culture is closely tied to its social customs. "Skál" is the Icelandic toast, often accompanied by eye contact with fellow drinkers. Beer consumption peaks during events like the mid-winter Þorrablót festival and summer solstice celebrations.

Despite its late start, Iceland's beer scene has quickly caught up with global trends. Beer enthusiasts visiting Iceland can enjoy a wide range of styles, from traditional lagers to experimental craft brews, all while experiencing the country's unique brewing heritage and innovative spirit.

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A Beer and Food Hamper is a curated gift set that combines a selection of craft beers with complementary gourmet food items. These hampers are designed to provide a tasting experience that pairs various beer styles with foods that enhance their flavors.

Typical contents might include:

A range of craft beers (lagers, ales, stouts, IPAs)

Artisanal snacks (nuts, pretzels, jerky)

Specialty cheeses

Cured meats

Savory crackers or breadsticks

Chocolate or other sweet treats that pair well with darker beers

Many hampers include tasting notes or pairing suggestions to guide recipients through their culinary journey. They're popular gifts for beer enthusiasts, making great options for birthdays, holidays, or corporate events.

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Beer and Food Hampers cater to different tastes and budgets, ranging from simple sets to elaborate collections featuring rare brews and premium foods. They offer a convenient way to explore beer and food pairings, appealing to both novices and connoisseurs.

[steve-explores]

Ren Min x Gravy Present Svaadisht!

As an avid craft beer fan, imagine my excitement when I found out about the craft beer collaboration between local craft beer producer Ren Min and Gravy Restaurant & Bar to create Svaadisht!, an epic culinary collision between local craft beer and North Indian cuisine.

A relaxing atmosphere filled the restaurant as the small crowd is simply glad to be able to gather to appreciate a night of delicious food and drinks in the midst of growing weariness over the strict social restrictions.

Before the main event, each guest was served a gin shooter to help cleanse the palate and awaken our senses.

First pairing of the night is Avocado Papdi Chaat with 6.9% Kiss Kiss Mango Smoothie IPA. The dish features a combination of sweet yogurt, tamarind, and mint. Beetroot is used to give it an earthy feel while the rice flakes and crackers provide the much needed crunch to the entire dish. The dish is an interesting twist and taste more like Mexican Guacamole, allowing the sweet and spicy flavors to complement the fruity smooth IPA.

Second pairing features Spicy Fish Fry with 4.5% Crowdsurfing Hazy Session IPA. The fruity aromatic IPA is full bodied and satisfying, while the chili-battered fried dory helps to provide that extra kick for this dynamic duo.

Third pairing comprises of  Lasooni Chicken Tikka with 6.8% Cloud Chasing New England IPA. The boneless grilled chicken is marinated in a rich ginger-garlic sauce and grilled with a bit of char to the meat, helping to add a layer of smokiness to the citrusy aromas of the IPA.

Last pairing of the night is a dessert combo featuring Jalebi & Peanut Butter Rabri with 5.6% Family Ties Chocolate Porter. The Indian-style pretzel contains sweet condensed milk infused with peanut butter, striking a great balance with the roasty, vanilla chocolate notes in the Porter.

Now for the big question: Was the craft beer pairing with Northern Indian cuisine a match made in heaven? Or was it much ado about nothing? 

Overall, it was a case of glass half full for me as I felt that the food pairing worked to a certain extent with a lot of thought put into identifying the right flavor profiles to match each dish and beer. Staff members from Ren Min and Gravy Restaurant & Bar were warm and approachable, and took the time to carefully introduce each pairing and explain their thought process that goes into the combinations. It is a community that they are building and for that, they definitely deserve full marks for the night.

With Ren Min planning an expansion of local operations with exciting collaborations and events lined up, I can only say that I am a fan converted and I will be counting down the days to the next meetup. In the meanwhile, let’s raise a glass and cheers to more happy days to come!

[beerselfie]

#Repost @thebevybetty ・・・ Heading into this holiday week with a face full of smiles and handfuls of beer! What do y'all love most about Independence Day? * * * #thebevybetty #bevybetty #craftbeer #beerblogger #beer #beerstagram #instabeer #beers #craftbeerpairing #beerflight #beergirl #brewery #craftbeergirl #girlswithbeer #beerme #beergeek #beernerd #beerlover #drinkcraft #cheers #beertaster #cheerstobeers #craftbeerbeauties #beerselfie https://www.instagram.com/p/BzcR6_RnkIn/?igshid=1488rk9w0jawg

[len1ngrado]

@mikkellerbeer Porter y un Real de los Tuxtlas, gracias por el regalo @lepikuryo #PerfectMatch #CraftBeerPairing (en Beer Bank Morelia)

[brewstagram]

Just cracked open the. Pairs amazingly with English Stilton with dates and truffle mousse pate. @stonebrewingco by craftkombucha http://instagram.com/p/imovjdETos/

[beerselfie]

#Repost @thebevybetty ・・・ I heard there was a special on @revolverbrewing at an awesome bar down the street. This Hop Device is freaking awesome! This is a 5.2 hazy ipa that is going down like a fat kid on a teeder todder! * * * #thebevybetty #bevybetty #craftbeer #beerblogger #beer #beerstagram #instabeer #beers #craftbeerpairing #beerflight #beergirl #brewery #craftbeergirl #girlswithbeer #beerme #beergeek #beernerd #beerlover #drinkcraft #cheers #beertaster #cheerstobeers #boozebabe #craftbeerbeauties #beerselfie https://www.instagram.com/p/BuMiwqMAaET/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=138dm0fomsfvr

[beerselfie]

#Repost @thebevybetty ・・・ IM SICK OF WINTER! I need warm weather, patios, tan skin, and big beers! NOW! Where's your favorite patio bar? * * * #thebevybetty #bevybetty #craftbeer #beerblogger #beer #beerstagram #instabeer #beers #craftbeerpairing #beerflight #beergirl #brewery #craftbeergirl #beerme #beergeek #beernerd #beerlover #cheers #beertaster #cheerstobeers #boozebabe #beerselfie #patio #patiodrinks #patiodrinking #katytrailicehouse https://www.instagram.com/p/BuF1KqaAj9R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b2ltla30hemt

[beerselfie]

#Repost @thebevybetty ・・・ It's National Women's Day and I'm wearing my La Chingona shirt 😘 I'm also enjoying bevies with some beautiful ladies! This one's a @rahrbrewing Paleta De Mango. I'll ALWAYS pick my favorite beverage if its mixed with my favorite fruit. How are ya'll celebrating women today? And/or drinking? Lol * * * #thebevybetty #bevybetty #craftbeer #beerblogger #beer #beerstagram #instabeer #beers #craftbeerpairing #beerflight #beergirl #brewery #craftbeergirl #girlswithbeer #beerme #beergeek #beernerd #beerlover #drinkcraft #cheers #beertaster #cheerstobeers #craftbeerbeauties #beerselfie https://www.instagram.com/p/Buw6h_rgtoG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e3vhh9lyhv3e

[beerselfie]

#Repost @thebevybetty ・・・ You ever have a beer so delicious and conversation so delightful you forget to post? Well I almost did! This is The North Remembers. An Imperial Milk Stout with cinnamon and espresso notes. Perfect on this chilly ass day! * * * #thebevybetty #bevybetty #craftbeer #beerblogger #beer #beerstagram #instabeer #beers #craftbeerpairing #beerflight #beergirl #brewery #craftbeergirl #beerme #beergeek #beernerd #beerlover #cheers #beertaster #cheerstobeers #boozebabe #beerselfie #thenorthremembers #gameofthronesbeers https://www.instagram.com/p/BsM8EfLAqDS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15b2omokkkzph

[steve-explores]

Symmetry Chef Menu x Craft Beer Pairing Christmas Dinner

It is Christmas Day and the perfect season to catch up with friends and family over great food and drinks. To celebrate the holidays, Symmetry organized a special Chef’s Menu x Craft Beer Christmas Dinner featuring 7 appetizers, 4 mains, and 1 dessert paired with 5 different types of unique craft beers.

I love the relaxing, cozy atmosphere of Symmetry with lots of clientele comprising of friends, couples, and families enjoying their time in the restaurant. 

The first pair of beers for the night features Garage Project White Mischief Beer ABV 2.9%  (left) and Garage Project Can Lah! Beer ABV 4.6% (right).

The White Mischief Beer is brewed using white peaches and sea salt, providing a fruity cider aftertaste which is light and refreshing, perfect for pairing with oily, strong flavored appetizers. The Can Lah! Beer is a classic tropical lager which is clean and crisp with subtle citrus, fruity notes.

Below is a list of 7 appetizers to be paired with the White Mischief Beer and the Can Lah! Beer:

Tiger Prawn Tartare with bloody mary jelly, parmesan chips, and basil oil.

Zucchini and Feta Cheese Fritter with Yuzu Yogurt Dip (left) and Cod Brandade Croquette with squid ink aioli (right).

Chicken Meatball in Kataifi Pastry topped with cured egg yolk (left) and Angus Beef Croquette with sweet chili jam and guacamole (right).

Burrata with compressed watermelon and aged balsamic pearl.

Spicy Pork Taco comprising of pulled pork, red pepper ragout, guacamole, and jalapeno salsa.

The second pair of beers for the night features Garage Project Fuzz Box ABV 5.8% (left) and 8 Wired Saison Sauvin ABV 7% (right).

The Fuzz Box is a delicious fuzzy pale ale with notes of mango and a dash of lime while the Saison Sauvin is a farmhouse-style ale using wild yeast to provide funky, earthy, hoppy flavors. 

Both beers are great companions to the 4 main courses as follows:

Pan-seared Barramundi with a creamy pesto sauce.

Truffled Chicken Thigh Slider with hickory glaze and truffle salsa.

Braised Pork Belly with pork crackling and chili pepper ragout.

Slow-cooked Angus Cube Roll with truffle mashed potato, egg yolk, and albufera sauce.

The last beer for the night is my favorite: 8 Wired iStout ABV 7% which is an imperial stout with roasted coffee and chocolate malt flavors.

The imperial stout is paired perfectly with Black Forest Gateau which consists of manjari chocolate mousse, cherry cream, hazelnut sponge cake, and griottines.

Chef Menu x Craft Beer Pairing Christmas Dinner at Symmetry was a delicious adventure worthy of this festive season. I loved the amount of care and thought that has been placed into each component of the dishes. The pairing of the craft beers helped to enhance the overall dining experience, providing lots of surprises and wonder during the culinary journey.

For bookings and details about the restaurant, visit http://www.symmetry.com.sg