After reading through most of the mass market beer thread...

...I have a suggestion.

I saw mentioned in the mass market beer thread the suggestion of beer pairing dinners. I know my husband is excited about that possibility! However, not being a beer fan (or bourbon for that matter--but I have tried!) -- a thought occurred to me.

Would it be possible for restaurants to offer beer or wine or bourbon or wine pairing dinners? Having an option like this would open up the possibilities to many couples or individuals that would like to attend by giving an option. My husband is frequently interested in attending many of the bourbon pairing dinners around town and I would be more interested if I could enjoy a wine pairing with each plate.

There could be reasons this may not be feasible, but . . . just a thought!

Roger
has hosted several beer dinners
and i'm pretty sure that BBC and Schafly may have done some as well

check out Roger's blog (publicanista (search on google) or potable curmudgeon) will get you there

shawn

...I have a suggestion.

I saw mentioned in the mass market beer thread the suggestion of beer pairing dinners. I know my husband is excited about that possibility! However, not being a beer fan (or bourbon for that matter--but I have tried!) -- a thought occurred to me.

Would it be possible for restaurants to offer beer or wine or bourbon or wine pairing dinners? Having an option like this would open up the possibilities to many couples or individuals that would like to attend by giving an option. My husband is frequently interested in attending many of the bourbon pairing dinners around town and I would be more interested if I could enjoy a wine pairing with each plate.

There could be reasons this may not be feasible, but . . . just a thought!

I know I'm treading on sacred ground here being this Bourbon Country and all but Bourbon really does not pair well with food IMO being it is too alcoholic and tends to numb the palate. Like I said, this is just my opinion so please, nobody get offended and think me a wine and beer elitist. I’ve been known to drink some brown liquor.

Now back to what I think you are asking. Is it possible to have food and beverage pairing dinners where you have a choice of either beer or wine so a beer loving woman can go to a dinner with her wine loving husband (or vice versa) and both be happy like a liquid Jack Spratt?

Sure a restaurant could offer something like that. Unfortunately, most dinners be they beer, wine, or (...sigh) Bourbon are usually put together as a joint venture between a supplier of the aforementioned beverages and the restaurant. There is only one supplier I know of that has a good selection of both and I've not heard of them doing anything like it.

It's a good idea.

Brett is correct (that just doesn't feel right saying that) about bourbon. I went to a bourbon dinner at North End a few years ago that featured great food and great bourbon (Old Rip Van Winkle). The good was ssublime. The bourbon was nectar. But, they really didn't pair up together like the same food would with wine (easy Shawn!) or beer.

That being said, a restaurant in NYC was recently doing a cocktail pairing dinner. If the alcohol level is brought down with various other ingredients in the cocktail I could see it working, but for my $$$ I can't pass up a great burgundy with my meal. ( and yes Len, I am referring to Gallo Hearty Burgundy in the big glass-handled jug)

In response to Brett’s point about the dinner being a joint venture being the beverage supplier and the restaurant- - -I did think about that. I guess what I was leaning towards was the restaurant offering wines they already have on the menu to be paired up with the plates being offered for the beer/bourbon tasting. Obviously those attending the dinner would know that it was specific to either the beer/ bourbon, but the individual not a fan of beer/bourbon could still enjoy the food and the evening while enjoying the wines paired with the meal.

I have seen a few places that will put a wine selection that they believe pairs well with a meal in the menu. Sometimes I have scratched my head at the pairings, but sometimes I've taken the plunge and took their advice. I've had good and bad experiences with this. The problem with it is the different palates that people have. The wines that I prefer do not always sit well with someone else.