Beer and food matching: Lasagne
There's a lot going on in a lasagne, from the meatiness of the mince to the spicy tomato sauce and the creamy béchamel sauce.
According to The Publican Food Report 2005 (published later this month), it's a menu staple for many pubs and even the best-selling main course in three per cent of pubs.
Traditionally, a glass of vino would be the obvious tipple to wash down a good lasagne, which makes it a good challenge for our beer and food matching experts. Once again, they've come up with some interesting ideas.
- John Keeling, head brewer, Fuller's: You could try a beer from the home of lasagne, Italy, such as Peroni - which isn't bad for a lager! Alternatively, Fuller's Discovery or Fuller's Organic Honey Dew will both cleanse your palate, and cut through the heavy nature of the dish. The sweet honey nature of Honey Dew will complement the lasagne flavours, whereas the American-hopped Discovery would be more of a contrast. Why not try both - and then let me know which you prefer.
John Bexon, Greene King head brewer: In my mind, there's no doubt about it. Abbot Ale is the perfect accompaniment to both cheese and rich pasta dishes. It is a beer that explodes with flavour, character and aroma; stupendous alongside a wholesome, tasty, home-made lasagne. Abbot's floral tones and fruity esters, which come from late-hopping with fuggles, complement the lightly spiced, rich meat and tomato filling. The beer, which is matured for longer, delivers an explosion of fruity flavours that reveal the layers of taste in a well made lasagne."
Ben 'Super Mario' McFarland, beer writer of the year: As Garfield, the flabby feline that makes Bagpuss look like Kate Moss, will no doubt testify, lasagne is somewhat of an indulgence with its juicy mince, lashings of creamy cheese sauce and luscious thick pasta.
So, when choosing a beer to accompany lasagne, you need something with strength and character - something that can go toe-to-toe with fairly fatty foods. A light pilsner simply hasn't got the backbone for it, so put away those Italian jobs and head for the US - the spiritual home of lasagne.
I suggest a beer with a strong hop hit and a high level of carbonation. Sierra Nevada Californian Pale Ale from the West Coast, a founding father of the craft beer scene in the US, ticks these boxes with relish. Wonderfully golden in colour and aromatic in flavour, this bottle-conditioned beauty cuts through the creamy sauce - armed with a considerable Cascade hop hit - and then lifts the oily textures off the palate with its gentle carbonation.
Ben Bartlett, catering development manager, Union Pub Company: Mary Minty, one of the Jennings brewers, developed Cumberland Ale to be a traditional bitter for a modern audience, and it weighs in at four per cent ABV. Brewed using maris otter barley, amber malt and English aromatic hops, namely challenger, goldings and fuggles. The balance of flavours will not cloy and overpower this Italian classic. The initial taste is that of lemon leading to a combination of malt tastes, a hint of caramel and a lovely nuttiness that goes well with my creamy béchamel sauce enriched with grated nutmeg. The only trouble with this refreshing dark golden-coloured beer is that it clears your palate and makes you want more!
Kamini Dickie, Brewing Research International: There is nothing timid about the flavours of this classic Italian dish, whether it is a meaty lasagne with layers of pasta and meat embellished in a rich tomato sauce or a vegetable lasagne with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. Good Italian lasagne is not heavy; it's light with a wonderful aroma and many flavours to savour. And what better to complement than this dish than with a glass of Peroni Nastro Azzurro - a premium lager with a dry delicate hop aroma and a crisp, refreshing taste. For something a little more complex, but keeping with the aromatic theme, I would try Badger Ales' Golden Glory - a premium ale with delicate floral peach and melon aroma and a distinctive bitterness. Buon appetito!
Next month, with Christmas looming the panel will be offering suggestions for beers to enjoy with roast turkey and all the trimmings. It'll be a cracker. If you'd like to start 2006 with beer matches for a dish on your menu, email your request to chosbbq@gurchoyvpna.pbz.
