Thursday, March 13, 2008
Pick your party's poison
What to bring to a St. Pat's party?
Aaron Layman, a beer and wine consultant at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke, e-mailed these recommendations for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Harp Lager Guinness is more well-known for its deep "liquid bread" stout, but it also produces this Euro-lager with Guinness' signature harp on its label. With its high carbonation and whip-crack of grassy hops on the tongue, it'd be a great companion to soda bread. Float Guinness over half a glass of Harp to make a "Half and Half," a cousin to the Black and Tan.
O'Hara's Irish Stout Sick of Guinness but still want something dark and roasty? This stout from Carlow, Ireland, will do the trick. It opens up with an aroma of roasted coffee beans and nuts, gliding into smooth flavors of cocoa powder and toasted malt. It has a lighter body than Guinness, making it great with meals. If you're feeling lucky, try it with some black pudding or, as most people call it, blood sausage (a standard in Irish breakfasts).
Rogue's Kells Irish Lager From Ireland by way of Oregon, Kells Irish Lager was originally created for Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub in Portland, Ore., so that the pub could have something on which to float Guinness. This laddy of a lager comes on strong with a tart citrus and green apple bite on the tongue backed up by light grapefruit notes from the hops. It's massively carbonated and crisp as the morn during autumn in Dublin.
Smithwick's Ale Oft pronounced "Smith-icks" or "Smiddicks," the name of this red ale from Kilkenny, Ireland, has a silent "w." The nose has a wee bit of burnt caramel accompanied by a touch of fruitiness. It's earthy and slightly sweet with some bitterness at the end. This ale is both the perfect match to an Irish-style lamb stew and an endless point of debate on the matter of its pronunciation.
BEER TASTINGS
St. Patrick's Celebration Wine Gourmet will host a tasting of more than 20 beers from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Gourmet food samples will be available. Also, a Beer 101 class will be taught on April 4 ($25, or $40 for a couple). Call 400-8466 or visit www.winegourmet.biz for details.
March of Ales
A beer-tasting fundraiser hosted by the Blacksburg Junior Women's Club. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, German Club Manor, Blacksburg. Eight different beers to taste, plus hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions, a DJ and a designated driver service. $30 per person; must be 21 or older. All proceeds benefit local women's and children's charities. Advance tickets only. E-mail marchofales@yahoo.com or see a BJWC member.
