The Cheese Insider

Photo by Len Villano.

Among the many things that Wisconsin is known for, beer and cheese would rank right there at the top. Our European ancestors brought with them the art of cheesemaking and their love of beer. We often tell people in our stores that beer is the best beverage to pair with cheese. I know that the wine lovers may disagree, and that is okay, just enjoy what tastes best for your palate.

The following is a short guide to various styles of beer and ale. Beer is bottom-fermented, that is, the yeast sinks to the bottom of the tank during fermentation. Such brews ferment at colder temperatures for longer periods of time, which produces a lighter, crisper-tasting beverage. Ale is a generic category for top-fermented beers where the yeast rises to the top of the tank. The result is a higher level of alcohol and a stronger flavor. By the way, so as not to confuse, the word beer is commonly used in the brewing world to cover both categories. The following listing should give you as little better idea on pairing your next beer and cheese.

Amber Ale, sometimes referred to as Irish Ale, has a rich golden color and tends toward the malty side. Pair this beer with a good sheep cheese, or a wash-rind cheese like brick.

Bock Beer is creamy and somewhat sweet with malty and hoppy traits. This beer is usually dark colored, although some American versions will be a bit lighter. Pair this beer with a good aged cheddar, Emmentaler or Gruyere.

Brown Ale is usually very full bodied and slightly sweet. Pair this ale with an aged Gouda, or the nutty flavored Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese.

Photo by Len Villano.

Lager is generally light flavored, effervescent, and pale golden in color, though some styles are stronger and slightly darker. Younger, sweeter cheese pairs well with lager. Slightly stronger lagers pair well with a milder, young Gouda, or cheddar.

Lambic Beer is a wheat beer fermented with wild yeast originating in Belgium. Craft brewers in Wisconsin have become very good at producing this style of beer during the past several years. This beer pairs well with a wash rind cheese such as Green Fields from Saxon Creamery.

Pale Ale has a light to amber color with flavors that are typically stronger than most lagers. India Pale Ale (IPA) is generally a bit more substantial than regular pale ale and also slightly more bitter. Just about any good wash rind cheese pairs well with this style of beer. Little Mountain from Roelli Cheese, Alpine Renegade from Blue Mont Dairy, Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese are all good choices.

Pilsner is essentially a pale, light-colored lager with a very mild flavor, though some can be somewhat hoppy. Pair with a good cheddar such as Widmer’s Six Year White Cheddar, Havarti, or even a young mild Munster.

Porter is a high-alcohol, strong-flavored ale, dark in color with a rich malty taste. Pair with a raw milk Gouda, like Marieke’s 12-18 month Gouda, from Holland’s Family Cheese, an aged Gruyere, or a sweet raw milk Blue Cheese like Buttermilk Blue from Emmi Roth.

Stout is a very dark ale that comes in several variations. Pair with the same type of cheese as a Porter.

Trappist Beer is strong-flavored, high alcohol ale with a color that can range from dark amber to brown. Because of its strong characters, any well made wash-rind cheese pairs with this style of beer.

Wheat Beer is made from malted wheat and, though technically an ale, has a lighter color and flavor that resembles a lager. Pairs well with younger, slightly sweet cheese, like Cocoa Cardona from Carr Valley Cheese.

Photo by Len Villano.

Wisconsin has become a very active state with an ever-increasing number of craft brewers, producing some very good beers. Door County has Shipwrecked Brewing in Egg Harbor, and this summer, Door County Brewing Company in Baileys Harbor opened their doors in a beautifully restored building. Schoolhouse Artisan Cheese has partnered with Door County Brewing, offering artisan cheese plates that pair with their excellent selection of beers.

I hope this helps you select the right cheese to pair with your favorite beer/ale. Our cheesemongers will always be happy to help you find the perfect combination. The beauty of buying cheese in a cheese shop like ours is that you have the ability to sample the cheese before making a purchase. We love sharing our knowledge of the great cheeses being produced in Wisconsin; all you have to do is ask.

Source: The Cheese Lover’s Companion by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst