A love affair with food and beer
LET’S GIVE a warm welcome to the newest couple on the ‘chopping’ block for savoury indulgence: jerk chicken and Red Stripe beer.
It is no secret that locals and islanders by creed and at heart have an affinity for the smoked delight. It’s that authenticity of marrying and marinating herbs and spices to the meat that is then slowly grilled to perfection and succulent in every bite, without even adding ketchup or pepper. But when you pair that rich flavour with an ice-cold beverage like beer, you have a match made in foodie heaven.
So to celebrate this Jamaican food affair, the beer company hosted a food and beer takeover last Friday at popular jerk chicken spots along Red Hills Road in Kingston. Streams of red and white coated the jerk stands, as many vendors prepared for the hustle of the busy Friday evening.
Those seeking to satisfy hunger pulled out of bumper-to-bumper traffic and started their own drivethrough. They were pleasantly surprised when they had the opportunity to purchase a refreshing beer for their efforts at a discounted price or get one free.
Brand manager for Red Stripe, Nathan Nelms, explained that the day’s event forms part of the overall palatable engagement the company is igniting between food and beer. “We wanted to show Jamaicans that pairing food with beer is a real love affair. Today was the kick-off; we found the perfect spot for it.” He went on to note that everybody in Kingston knows that after a long day or a long week, they can stop at the host of smoking pans on the strip to order their jerk chicken and jerk pork.
He loves the food and beer event because it supports the local community. “These guys are from the community. They have been living here for years. Some of them are legends like Shaggy. And then we have several bars on the strip, so if someone is buying a jerk meal, they can easily grab a beer from one of the bars as well,” he added.
Based on the objectives going forward, the festivities won’t stop there. The company will be hosting more events at other food spots with the same takeover nature. In addition, he shared that plans are being made to tap into the restaurant industry as well. “It’s not only about street foods, it’s about fine dining as well. So look out for all that we have in store,” he added.