46 culturecheesemag.com DRINKS WITH CHEESE 202 3
Cold
Comfort:
Summer Beers
and Cheese
W H I L E T H E C R I T E R I A F O R A
great summer beer can certainly vary, there's one
description that must ring true: ref reshing. There are
a bunch of styles that fit the bill. Take saison, a type
of beer rooted in Belgian farmlands. It was originally
made during winter months so that farmhands could
enjoy it on the warmer days to come. Wheat beer is
another classic choice for a cool ref reshing brew. Brewing
with wheat makes a beer that is lighter bodied with a
hazy, glowing color. Belgian traditions also include brewing
wheat beers with the aid of different spices—namely white
pepper, coriander, and orange peel—which infuses the beer
with thirst-quenching citric notes. Finally, if you want to stick
to America's reigning king of warm-weather beers, go for a
classic pilsner. Pilsners are made using bottom-fermenting
yeast, meaning that the yeast falls to the bottom of the brewing
tank leaving behind an enticing, clear beer. The other calling card
of traditional pilsners is the use of German and Czech hops, which
gives the beer a floral aroma and wonderful bitterness. All three styles
meet their match in goat cheeses.
A N DY J E N K I N S A N D
G R E G N E S B I T T, Summer 2 0 0 9
B E E R
PHOTO:
venge,
Adobe
Stock
