Summer Honey Ale
Summer is here! It’s time to explore this year’s summer beers. Rock Bottom recently introduced its latest seasonal: Summer Honey Ale. I enjoyed one at the downtown Denver brewery, but this beer isn’t location-specific; it’s available at Rock Bottoms throughout the country. Aside from being a tasty, refreshing summer ale, the brewers at each location sought out and used local honey from their respective areas in the creation of this delicious beer.
Pairings chart (click to enlarge)
In addition to the launch of Summer Honey Ale, Rock Bottom recently released a beer and food pairing guide to help guests make informed choices when it comes to picking which beer would best go with their meal. Some beers complement flavors, some balance, while others emphasize different components of a dish.
The general guide (above) is a great tool, as it displays which types of beer pair with which foods. There are so many possibilities! And something to keep in mind is that everyone’s palate is different; some may really like a specific pairing while another person doesn’t get the same thing out of it. But it’s so much fun to play around with different combos and discover what works and what doesn’t.
Suggested pairings (click to enlarge)
While many people wish to use the general guide to come up with their own combinations, those who want something more concrete can opt for one of the specific pairings (above). And the staff is always happy to assist with recommendations too.
Since I am vegetarian I decided to use the general chart to come up with some pairings of my own. On my recent visit I wasn’t hungry enough for a full meal, but an appetizer and a dessert sounded good.
Love Tractor IPA paired with Jalapeño Pretzel Stix with jalapeño spinach cheese dip
According to the general guide, pretzels are one of the suggested items to pair with a”crisp and refreshing” beer. I decided to go with pretzels–but I chose the Jalapeño Pretzel Stix, so I paired them with an IPA to balance the heat of the jalapeños. Hoppy beers go well with spicy foods, as shown in the guide.
Salted Caramel Toffee Mason Jar Dessert with a Hall & Mustache Nitro Oatmeal Stout.
After enjoying my appetizer I really wanted the Salted Caramel Toffee for dessert. I had a few options for a “dark & roasty” beer, and I chose the Nitro Oatmeal Stout. Since it was on nitro, it was extremely smooth and creamy, so it complemented the dessert nicely.
When it comes to pairing beer with food, the possibilities are endless. Try out some of Rock Bottom’s suggestions or enjoy creating your own!
