Just spent a couple of days with noted beer cookbook author Lucy Saunders (click here for more info) doing a blitz of the local market on the topic of beer and food pairings in particular, and beer cuisine in general.  It was refreshing to see the high level of enthusiasm with which we were greeted.  Indeed, there seems to be (at long last!) some serious interest in the topic of beer and food pairings, and perhaps someday it will be treated with the same respect afforded to wine and food pairings.  The good news is – there is positive momentum.

And why should this be a surprise?  Look, I love good wine.  In addition to being a brewer by trade, I have for many years also been a wine reviewer on the radio.  But without question, there are many foods that are completely inappropriate with wine – think Thai cuisine, or BBQ for some quick examples.  Trying to find a wine that truly works with these foods is just about impossible.  BUT, if you speak beer as easily as you speak wine, the possibilities that present themselves are pretty broad. Think rich stouts or pale ales with BBQ, and crisp pilsners or even bock beers with Thai.

The success of Lucy and authors like her are indicative of a growing interest in this particular area.  In fact, there is a national event in Washington, DC, this spring called Savor (click here), which is a two day celebration of the growing craft beer movement and the culinary and gustatory opportunities the movement presents.  If you have the time and inclination, you should consider coming.

The exciting thing, as someone who has been part of the American craft beer industry almost from its beginning, is that the developing “beer cuisine” concept is indicative of an evolving beer culture in this country.  The extent to which consumers become fluent in beer styles and food matches directly correlates to the long term success of our industry.  Quality beer needs to be perceived as something that enhances and adds to the quality of life.  I, for one, am terrifically excited to witness this concept coming to fruition.