The slightly brisk weather outside, here in sunny ‘Ol Florida, reminds us that it may be winter somewhere, but not here. As the holiday months continue, we have already made it through the family feeding day of thanks, otherwise known as Thanksgiving, and the shopping horror of black Friday. The holiday season keeps coming earlier and earlier every year, and speeds on by with a blink of an eye. Throughout all the chaotic shopping, stressful budgeting and family brouhaha, we wanted to stop and take a moment, to reflect on the holiday spirit that abounds.
This holiday season, we at FBC, have concocted a parings list that will be sure to please even the “Scroogiest” of palates. We decided to make a pairing for each part of the 12 days of Christmas song. We hope “yule” love it!
On the first Day of Christmas my true love gave to me :
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Poached Pear with poached spicy figs paired to Devil’s Triangle IPA – 6.6% ABV 66 IBU’s
The pear adds a fresh/crisp quality that helps build the subtle fruity nuances from the Columbus and cascade hops used in this milder IPA. The figs are enhanced by the chosen spice while the richness from the fruit is cut by the carbonation. The malty sweetness comes in, cools the heat, and helps wrap all these amazing flavors together in a palatable bow.
2 Turtle Doves
Soft boiled quail eggs over organic Frisee, arugula, cucumber and radish with sunflower seeds paired to
Key West Sunset Ale Amber Ale – 5% ABV 16 IBU’s
The rich flavors from the quail egg will balance nicely with roasted/slightly nutty malt character from this medium bodied amber ale. The onslaught of different bitter intensities from the frisee, arugula and radishes are balanced and cooled by, a combination of the cukes and the sweetness from the malt. The crisp clean finish added with the earthy/nuttiness from the sunflower seeds, makes for lighter and unique twist on this winter dish.
3 French Hens
Roasted Garlic-Lime Cornish game hens paired to Key West Southernmost Wheat Belgian-Style wit- 5.1% ABV 16 IBU’s
Our Florida take on a traditional Belgian-style Farmhouse ale, The Southernmost Wheat is really the star of this pairing. Using the Southernmost wheat in the marinade, along with the garlic, onions and the classic “quatre épices” (meaning “four spices” blend of clove, black peppercorns, nutmeg and ginger). This dish will combine a host of different flavors. The spices from the yeast and marinade, will play off each other and help enhance the lime tartness and orange zest from the real Key limes and orange peels used in this brew. The soft white wheat will add flavor but not fullness to the pairings and will leave your palate whisked clean by the high carbonation and fresh flavors. – A good side dish with this pairings would be Red Beans and Quinoa
4 Calling Birds
Hard Cider infused Poblano & Duck Carnitas Taco’s Paired to Kelly’s Hard Cider – 4.6% ABV
We have been making award-winning hard cider here in the sunshine state for over a decade. The rich flavors from the duck meat combined with the sweetness of the Hard cider helps brighten up this pairing. The poblano adds a subtle heat and depth which help enhance the complexity to the dish. The champagne yeast from the cider, with its dry crisp quality, helps cut through the fat of the duck leaving a lasting savory flavor on the tongue.
5 Golden Rings
Buttermilk Onion Rings paired to Key West Sunset Ale Amber Ale – 5% ABV 16 IBU’s
An upscale take on a classic bar food. The Sunset Ale with the deep-fried onion rings makes for a simple yet sophisticated pairing. The slightly sweet and spicy flavors from the onion meld well with the nice biscuit and malt tones from the amber ale, lots of complimentary flavors. The carbonation helps cut through the richness of the buttermilk batter and adds a nice pop to the mouthfeel. Crunchy, full of flavor and washes down smooth and crisp.
6 Geese a Laying
Barley and Kale Risotto with Poached Goose Eggs paired to Florida Lager Amber Lager – 5% ABV 22 IBU’s
The heartiness of this risotto along with the more earthy and savory flavors from the kale, are balanced out by the light, malty caramel notes. The slight citrus flavors from the hops add a much-needed refreshing and lighter quality to this dish. While the richness from the poached eggs, are subdued by the clean crisp quality of this amber lager. A great pairing before caroling.
7 Swans a Swimming
(We have been told we are not allowed to eat Swan, and rumor has it, that they are not quite tasty. So we went with what swans eat, for this pairings)
Escargot with garlic beer-butter sauce and sourdough bread paired to – Swamp Ape DIPA -10% ABV 85 IBU’s
This celebration of holiday opulence, has huge flavors of smoke, citrus and earthy notes from the beer alone. The escargot adds a mouthfeel and texture that is truly unique, along with big flavors of garlic, butter and sweet malt from the sauce. The sourdough bread sops up any lingering earthy tones from the escargot and alcohol from this beast of a DIPA. A truly a one of kind paring not for the weak of palate.
Frank Cross would be proud of this pairing, but he would be drinking Tab and Stoli instead of Swamp Ape…
8 Maids a Milking
“The Frosty Pirate” Gaspar’s Porter Robust Porter – 6.1% ABV 40 IBU’S
Ingredients:
1 scoop of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food
1 shot (1.5 ounces) Fireball Whiskey
12 ounce bottle of Gaspar’s Robust Porter
Pour 8 ounces of Gaspar’s Robust Porter into a standard pint glass, pour in the shot of Fireball Whiskey and top it off with a fresh scoop of Phish Food. Definitely need a long sundae spoon and some napkins for this magnanimous grog of grogs!
9 Ladies Dancing
Pinky Shrimp cocktail paired to Key West Southernmost Wheat Belgian-Style Wit – 5.1% ABV 16 IBU’s
This Florida classic is simple yet decadent. Packed with protein and savory flavor the shrimp is delicious morsel that pairs well with bright, crisp and fruity flavors. The Wheat adds a nice tart bite from the key lime and spice from the coriander which helps soften up the mouthfeel of the shrimp along with the sharp carbonation. Just a classic pairing. For more of a zest quality add some lemon to the beer as well.
10 Lords a Leaping
Beer-Battered Frog Leg’s over jalapeno polenta paired to Swamp Ape DIPA – 10% ABV 85 IBU’s
This Florida Swamp pairings is packed full of unique flavors that resonate together. The heat from the Cajun spice is intensified by the hops in this formidable DIPA. Just as the heat may be too much the rich malt background comes in and cools the palate while adding a nice smokey quality that plays nicely with the flavor of the frog legs. The jalapeno polenta has slight heat but adds a much-needed fullness to the pairing to help cover the booziness of the Swamp Ape.
11 Piper’s Piping
Ratatouille paired with Devil’s Triangle IPA – 6.6% ABV 66 IBU’S
This classic french countryside dish would not normally be paired with an IPA. This tomato based dish is chock full of delicious vegetables and has a nice spice bill to boot. Devil’s plays nicely with this dish only to add a much-needed bite at the end that helps lighten up this dish and make it seem brighter and less one-dimensional.
12 Drummer’s Drumming
Rosemary Roasted turkey leg paired to Florida Lager Amber Lager – 5% ABV 22 IBU’s
The classic hand food, the turkey leg. Nothing goes better with meat than a classic amber lager. The roasted flavors from the turkey along with the rosemary play nicely with the caramel notes and subtle citrus hop character. The richness of the turkey is cut by the carbonation and leaves you filling happy and full.
We hope you enjoyed our list of holiday pairings, and we at FBC wish your family the happiest of holidays this season! Cheers!
For more food pairings fun, brewery happenings, beer releases and more… Follow us on Twitter @floridabeer and instagram floridabeercompany, like us on Facebook and Sound Cloud!
LIVE FLORIDA. DRINK FLORIDA.
helped children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment. They also pride themselves with helping physicians and researchers with up to date education and also conduct research on improving quality of life.
Florida Beer Company 