New year. New tradition.

Last year, I wrote all about a holiday wine tasting party I had recently hosted. This year, for a change, I’m writing about “hoppy” kind of celebration. You guessed it, beer! Now I am not referring to just your everyday Miller Light and Budweiser. This casual tasting I hosted focused solely on elite craft beer. Luckily, I have a friend who just happens to be a connoisseur and who also volunteered to bring all of the beverages for the night. I provided the decor and food. Win-win!

Score sheets were distributed during the tasting. Results were not tabulated as a group (as we usually do with our wine tastings and where we ultimately crown a winner). Instead, we each casually used our sheets to score and learn about our preferences as we drank along. Similar to last year, I found quotes to attach to decorative keepsake ornaments which were an instant hit.

I hope you enjoy the following pictorial of our pairing dinner.

The lineup:

7venth Sun Graffiti Orange Creamsicle and Etienne Dupont Organic Bouché Brut du Normandie paired with a strawberry maple baked brie (made by yours truly)

Ayinger Jahrhundert paired with an assortment of sushi rolls

Du Bocq Blanche de Namur paired with a lemon garlic tossed green salad

Dupont Saison Cuvée Dry Hopping 2013 paired with Cuban style arroz con pollo

Grand Teton Bone Warmer Amber Ale paired with sweet and sour meatballs

Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel paired with basil pesto filled mezzaluna

Stone paired with loaded nachos

Uinta Cockeyed Cooper paired with a cheese course of stilton, humboldt fog, and seaside cheddar

Brooklyn Black Ops 2009 paired with a chocolate ganache cake and an assortment of cookies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needless to say, we were all beyond full given the excessive amount of food and beer, but it was worth it. I discovered some new favorites (hello orange creamsicle!) and had a beautiful night amongst friends. I’m really looking forward to future tastings and hosting again.

Here’s wishing you all a healthy, delicious, and memorable holiday season! HOPPY HOLIDAYS!