Sambrook's flagship bitter, Wandle, recently won gold in the pale bitter category at the World Beer Awards. It was first on the tasting list followed by a further four more award winners from wide ranging categories. Each beer was introduced with obvious knowledge and passion by Jo Miller, Sambrook's head of PR. It is a welcome change to see so much detail being given about beer styles at an event like this. So often the technical details and history of the beers styles are glossed over.
The cheeses laid out ready for devouring |
The cheese matches were dreamt up and explained by Bruno D'Abo from Hamish Johnston Fine Cheeses. It was obvious he had attacked this challenge with gusto and at their best, the matches were sublime. The best example of this was the stand-out beer of the night, Thornbridge Raven a black IPA, with one of my favourite cheeses, the beautiful British blue, Stichelton. Together they deliver waves of flavour, just as one threatens to dominate, the other comes through with another delicious layer of complexity.
Another clever match was the Mort Subite Kriek with the hard sheep cheese, Ossau-Iraty. Cheeses like this are often eaten with dark cherry conserve in the pyrenees so it makes a lot of sense to drink the slightly sweet but sharp cherry beer with it.
The other matches that evening were a Kristall Weissbeer with Wigmore and Sambrook's own Wandle with a crumbly caerphilly.
The take home message from this event was to try your own combos of beer and cheese, so in that spirit here are my suggestions for beers to go with your Christmas cheese board. Try them out and I'm sure your family will be impressed.
The boozy sweetness of Fullers vintage range will go well with a traditional mature cheddar. Have a look at our vertical review of a number of the vintages.
The toasty rich malt make this wonderful porter a great match for milder soft cheeses like brie or Port Salut.
The aforementioned black IPA is the perfect foil for creamy, fruity blue cheese.
This spicy British style IPA will go brilliantly with washed rind cheeses like stinky taleggio.
These are virtually the same beer and their fruity complexity will go superbly with a mature manchego or Comté.
Keep an eye on the website for upcoming beery events at the Sambrook's. The brewery is well worth a visit and there are some exciting evenings planned.
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