This review helps to confirm my prejudices – Terrapin make mighty fine beers, and malty beers are just the best at pairing with red meat-based dishes.
Beef crockpot chili with Terrapin IBA is a good, but not outstanding pairing. If you have the beef in your mouth while taking a sip of the IBA, the hops’ bitterness can be overwhelming. If you have the chili stew base without meat, and take a sip, you get all the chewy malt richness instead. It is quite startling to get such different tastes from one beer! Unfortunately I can’t recommend this pairing, as the contrast is too jarring for me.
Old Leghumper is an American porter: dark, rich, coffee, caramel, very comforting and carb-laden. The pairing of the chili with the Old Leghumper is better than the pairing with the IBA: the coffee depth and maltiness play off superbly against the rich beef and chili sauce. It even works with the sour cream and cheddar with which I decorated my bowl of chili. Utterly brilliant pairing, highly recommended.
Tags: Cheese, chili, IBA, Old Leghumper, sour cream, Terrapin Beer, Thirsty Dog
January 18th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I’m thoroughly enjoying reading y’all’s recommendations!
January 18th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
food and beer – does it get much better?