The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association for small and independent American craft brewers, is targeting student chefs in a new initiative to stimulate understanding and trial of American craft beer and food pairing at an early stage in their careers.
By instilling a knowledge and experience of beer pairings it is hoped student chefs will be able to apply such learnings as they advance through their careers and progress into professional kitchens
The Brewers Association recently explored the flavour dynamic between seven high quality, diverse American craft beers with equally high quality food dishes in a four-course pairing menu devised, cooked and served by third year students at Westminster Kingsway Catering College in London under the leadership of Adam Dulye, Brewers Association Executive Chef and renowned beer pairing expert. The aim was to create an enhanced and elevated pairing experience that sparked interest in student chefs
The menu comprised:
Salad of Heirloom tomatoes, pickled watermelon, wasabi and ginger granita with Chuckanut Asian Lager, Chuckanut Brewery and Paradox Pilsner, Paradox Brewery
Cannelloni of Brixam crab, mango and chilli salsa with Weekend Vibes, Coronado Brewing Company and Joint Resolution, DC Brau
Aylesbury duck, roast and confit, potato press, heritage carrots, veal and blackberry sauce with Baker’s Ordinary Bitter, Virginia Beer Company and Kriek, Upslope Brewing Company
“Josper” charred pineapple, coconut ice, lime meringue paired with Pineapple Mana Wheat, Maui Brewing Company
Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association’s American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe, comments: “Beer’s wide flavour spectrum makes it the ideal pairing partner for almost any food but can be overlooked in favour of wine in some fine dining restaurants. We want to change that perception by encouraging catering students to experience the amazing flavour combinations and versatility of beer when paired with food in order to gain familiarity with beer and use such knowledge and experience in their future careers. Although a one-off event we will be encouraging students to explore the wide range of resources on the Brewers Asssociation’s website for pairing beer with food.”
Retailers and chefs are welcome to make use of the wealth of free resources, available on www.brewersassociation.org including the newly updated and expanded Craftbeer.com Beer & Food Professional Course, downloadable free of charge at www.craftbeer.com/printedCourse
American craft beer is available from Athletic Brewing, the Cascade Club, or select national wholesalers.
