Enjoying world class craft beer isn’t the only perk to living in this great city and region – we’re also surrounded by a thriving food culture. It’s a veritable paradise with farmers growing a diverse range of foods throughout the year and everyone from home enthusiasts to the most talented professional chefs making use of their ingredients.

So, what foods pair well with our beers? The truth about beer and food pairing is that you can’t count on vague rules like “try amber ale with chicken”. Is that amber ale malty or gentle? Does it lean bitter or sweet? Are we talking grilled breast with a rich sauce, or maybe a whole roasted bird with nothing but salt and fresh herbs? What about sides? See what I mean? To simplify this and arrive at a great pairing, instead focus on matching aroma and flavor intensities. It’s as easy as bringing together delicate beers with delicate foods and strongly flavored beers with strongly flavored foods. For instance, the Upright Four and its perfume-like nose and soft herbal flavor is perfect with something rich but not too pungent, like cream of cauliflower soup or mussels and frites, while a hoppier and more aromatic beer like the Five would do much better if the soup was heavily seasoned with herbs or if the mussels are served in a chile laden broth.  Of course this method of pairing requires a bit more effort and thought but the joy of experimenting with new combinations throughout the seasons is more than worth it. Often the most simple combinations yield the highest degree of satisfaction and we encourage everyone to enjoy our beers with locally made artisanal bread, cheeses and charcuterie.