Beer and cheese are natural partners, with equally wide ranges of possible flavors. Here, we offer a few suggestions on how to think about pairing various styles of cheese with different beer styles.
Gouda
One of the oldest recorded styles of cheese, this Dutch classic is perfect for pairing with beers of the region. As these cheeses age, different characters emerge, ranging from nutty to caramel sweetness depending on the cheesemaker. With orange citrus back notes underpinning the traditional dry and nutty flavors of Gouda, Rembrandt Extra Aged Gouda, aged one year, is great with a bière de garde, where both the beer and the cheese offer a touch of sharpness and warm supporting depth. Beemster Classic, aged 18 months, exhibits a bit more of that sweet nuttiness that’s perfect with German-style dunkels and dopplebocks or even the new generation of American hoppy ambers and browns.
Hard Chevre
Exhibiting some similar flavors to Gouda, but expressed with goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk, Cypress Grove Midnight Moon offers a touch of brown butter richness with a perfect supporting tang that holds its own even with stouts and porters. A consistent favorite in our own tastings and pairings, we’ve even enjoyed it with out-of-the-box matchups such as smoked beers.