Perfect pairings for Super Sunday
Friends, football and fusion between food and beer
Sure, you could argue that football’s the most important part of a Super Bowl party.
But let’s face it, there’s a fair chunk of people showing up who won’t particularly care if Tom Brady and the Patriots capture another title.
Instead, it’s the food and drinks which will be at the heart of the action.
Here are some beer pairings to go along with the spread you’ll surely be laying out for your guests, whether or not they’re paying attention to the game. The food: Chili The beer: The Mayan, $3.45 per 330 mL bottle (LCBO) Chili con carne is a staple of almost every Super Bowl spread. Whether you’re using ground beef, chunks of wild game or chicken, there’s at least one thing that all good recipes have in common — some heat.
Why not have some in your beer, as well?
This zippy, dark brew comes from the Mexican heartland of, er, West Yorkshire, England.
There, at the Ilkley brewery, they add whole roasted chipotles, flaked chipotles and some dark chocolate. Inspired by a traditional Mexican recipe for hot chocolate, this dark, smoky brew is also the perfect accompaniment for a spicy, smoky chili.
“We wanted the heat to come on slowly, at the end of the drink, and not to be a full-scale assault on the senses. That said, we were keen for heat to be felt, and felt well. Some of the early trials were painfully hot,” Ilkley director Luke Raven said. The food: Buffalo wings The beer: Amsterdam Boneshaker $3.15 per 473 mL can Perhaps it’s because my mother is from Orchard Park, N.Y., just around the corner from where the Buffalo Bills play.
I’ll say it — there’s no better way to serve chicken wings than deep fried (without breading), then coated in hot sauce (with some melted butter mixed in). Blue cheese dip is also permissible.
To go with those Buffalo wings? How about a nice, hoppy IPA to stand up to the heat.
The citrusy notes in this one complement the hot sauce.
(Boneshaker also has enough of a malt backbone to make it a very good pairing for pulled pork, another Super Bowl party classic.) The food: New England clam chowder The beer: Samuel Adams Boston Lager $3.05 per 473 mL can Yeah, yeah. I know that regional foods and beer are not necessarily a great match.
But this one works. The gentle sweetness of the lager complements the cream in a classic East Coast chowder, while there’s just enough bitterness on the finish to cut through the richness.
Also, there’s a certain parallel between the Patriots and Sam Adams — both are juggernauts who face backbiting and jealousy from their rivals. The food: Pretzels and chips The beer: Steam Whistle Pilsner $3.00 per 500 mL can Once the more filling dishes are done (or perhaps to tide you over between the wings and the chili), there will be salty snacks such as pretzels and chips.
APilsner — with its touch of sweetness and slightly bitter finish — will do just fine as a match. (It’s also a brew that won’t scare off your noncraft friends). josh@thestar.ca