Today we are’re diving into the world of pairing Irish cheese with craft beer. It’s no secret that we are huge fans of this fun combinations and its seemingly limitedness potential! Barely a week goes by that we are not out and about pairing Irish cheese with beer. And we have managed to gather a rather impressive collection of talented beer brewing buddies – so we are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent local options.
Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just someone who enjoys a good brew, this guide will help you discover the perfect cheese to complement your favourite local craft beer. So, get your cheese knives and beer glasses ready as we explore some irresistible combinations – with all of the cheese available at IndieFude.
Pairing Irish Cheese with Craft beer!
1. Durrus and Irish Red Ale
Durrus is a washed-rind cheese with a buttery texture and relatively mild flavour with earthy tones and sweet milkiness, making it an ideal match for the maltiness of an Irish Red Ale. The ale’s caramel and toffee notes enhance the cheese’s savoury profile, creating a smooth and satisfying pairing.
My current pick of our local Irish Red Ale’s would be this balanced, easy drinking red from Heaney Farmhouse Brewery in Bellaghy.
Why it Works:
- Irish Red Ale: Its malt-forward profile complements the creamy, meaty flavours of Durrus.
- Flavour Balance: The ale’s slight sweetness offsets the cheese’s buttery richness, creating a great mouthfeel.
2. Coolea and Pilsner
Coolea, is a truly exceptional cheese. Aged to perfection this mature Gouda style cheese is hard, sweet and nutty flavour – with an overarching flavour of rich caramel. It pairs beautifully with a crisp, refreshing Pilsner. The beer’s light, malty sweetness and subtle hop bitterness enhance the cheese’s rich, buttery notes, while its carbonation keeps the palate refreshed and ready for another taste!
One of our best local pilsner style beers would be this aromatic and refreshing number from Modest Beer in Randelstown.
Why it Works:
- Pilsner: Its crisp, clean profile complements the sweet, nutty, beautiful caramel flavours of Coolea.
- Palate Refreshment: The beer’s light carbonation and subtle bitterness balance the cheese’s rich texture.
3. Young Buck and IPA
Young Buck, is the delicious bold blue cheese from Newtownards based cheese rockstars at Mike’s Fancy Cheese. Then it comes to pairing Irish cheese with craft beer there are many great pairings for this one. Its beautifully creamy texture, blue bite and tropical fruit flavours, pairs particularly well with a hop-forward IPA. The beer’s hoppy bitterness balances the cheese’s intense flavours, while its citrus and pine notes add an extra layer of complexity. An IPA with tropical fruit flavours is an absolute win!
Find Out More & Buy Young Buck
Our friends at Bullhouse Brewery make some excellent IPA’s and this Hazy IPA is no exception. Rolling Papers Hazy IPA is refreshing and juicy – and crammed full of stone fruit.
Why it Works:
- IPA: Its bold, hoppy bitterness complements the punchy nature of Young Buck.
- Flavour Contrast: Stone fruit and pine notes in the beer provide a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy, tangy cheese.
4. Gortnamona and Wheat Beer
Gortnamona is a creamy, fresh goat cheese with a mild tang, making it a delightful partner for a refreshing Wheat Beer. The beer’s citrusy and herbal notes elevate the cheese’s tanginess, while its effervescence cleanses the palate, making each bite feel like the first.
Find Out More and Buy Gortnamona Cheese
Boundary Brewing are known or making an incredible array of specials and this Belgium Wheat Beer ticks all of the boxes. Social Butterfly has a touch of orange and coriander just adding to its charms.
Why it Works:
- Wheat Beer: Its light, citrusy profile enhances the fresh, tangy flavours of Gortnamona.
- Palate Cleansing: The beer’s carbonation cuts through the cheese’s creaminess, keeping the palate refreshed.
5. Coolattin Cheddar and Stout
The award winning Coolattin Cheddar, with its rich, nutty flavour and firm texture, is an excellent match for a robust Stout. The beer’s roasted malt character and chocolatey undertones enhance the cheddar’s depth, while its smooth mouthfeel complements the cheese’s crumbly texture. Two punchy flavours and now of my top Winter warmer pairings. Works equally well in a dish too – think a rich porter based beef stew alongside a wonderfully creamy mash topped off with Coolattin cheddar!
Mourne Mountains Brewery make a collection of exceptional stouts and Bear Grease in their core collection is a great example. This double oatmeal stout is a delicious blend of dark chocolate, cinder toffee and toasty roasty notes that are hard to resist.
Why it Works:
- Stout: Its roasted malt and chocolate notes pair well with the nutty, savoury flavors of Coolattin Cheddar.
- Texture Harmony: The smooth, velvety texture of the Porter complements the nature of the cheddar.
Exploring Pairings at Home
Now that we’ve given you some top-notch pairings, let’s talk about how you can create your own perfect matches at home. Here are some tips to help you explore and enjoy the world of cheese and beer pairing:
1. Understand the Cheese
- Texture: Soft, semi-soft, hard, or blue? The texture will guide your beer choice.
- Flavour Profile: Mild, tangy, nutty, or smoky? Match or contrast these flavours with your beer.
2. Consider the Beer
- Bitterness: Hoppy beers (like IPAs) pair well with bold, flavorful cheeses.
- Maltiness: Malty beers (like Porters or Belgian Dubbels) complement nutty and sweet cheeses.
- Carbonation: Highly carbonated beers (like Wheat Beers) cleanse the palate, pairing well with creamy cheeses.
3. Experiment with Matches
- Complementary Pairings: Match similar flavors, like a nutty cheese with a malty beer.
- Contrasting Pairings: Pair opposites, like a tangy cheese with a sweet beer, to create balance.
4. Taste and Adjust
- Start Small: Try small amounts of cheese and beer together to see how they interact.
- Take Notes: Write down your impressions to remember what works and what doesn’t for you.
- Adjust: Don’t be afraid to tweak the pairings based on your taste preferences.
Final Thoughts
Pairing Irish cheese with craft beer opens up a world of delicious possibilities. By understanding the basic principles and experimenting with different combinations, you can discover your own perfect pairings. Some of my favourite pairings have come from quirky accidents, or brewers guiding me in a direction I wouldn’t usually choose. Sour beers are a particularly fun match as there is so much variety! The team has also disagreed on a few pairings, but it truly is all about what you enjoy when it comes to pairing Irish Cheese with craft beer.
If we have whet your appetite with this post then you would probably enjoy one of our hosted Irish Cheese and Irish Beer nights! Head on over to our events page to find out what is coming up.
Cheers to great pairings!