By Edward Siegel and
Deepak Chauhan of Somers
Point Brewery Company
The folks at Somers Point Brewing Company are not coming empty-handed this holiday season. Along with holiday cheers, we are also bringing on some holiday beers. Now for the first time on tap together are the Gretel’s Kettle – Gingerbread Ale and Cinna Man-Bun Stout. We had been alternating these two festively spiced beers each year but thought that they would complement each other on the tap list this holiday season.
Gretel’s Kettle Gingerbread Ale is a strong ale with a deep amber color and a full, malty body. We spiced this beer in the boil kettle and again in the fermenter with a traditional German gingerbread cookie spice mix, Lebkuchen! This beer would pair well with soft cheese such as Brie or Camembert and sausages such as bratwurst or even chorizo, glazed ham, roasted veggies, pumpkin or apple pie as well as anything dark chocolate.
Cinna Man-Bun is an Imperial Stout with rich, smooth coffee and chocolate notes. This base supports the nutty cinnamon and creamy frosting flavors that are infused into the beer at the very end of fermentation. This beer would pair well with most aged hard cheeses, candied nuts, a hearty beef or lamb stew, or a chocolate and/or cinnamon based dessert.
Remember, pairing is very subjective. If a beverage/food combo tastes good to you, then it is good. Either of the beers, when allowed to warm to 45-50 degrees F, will open up and make for a great fireside sipper.
Santa may even prefer one of these instead of milk with his cookies.
