Beer My Valentine

It’s a bright sunny day in the Big Apple. Three hours at the desk under my belt and it suddenly occurs to me that I owe you all a blog…yesterday! Yikes! Think , think, think…isn’t Valentines Day coming? Of course it is you dolt. Sounds like there might be room for a little on the subject of beer in that holiday, a nice change of pace from racy undergarments that are itchy (and, to be honest, rarely if ever intended for the recipient so much as the giver) or the over priced bobbles that are currently referred to as “Bling”?

Well the origin of Valentines Day is up for debate. Some say it commemorates one of three Roman Martyrs of that name and others say that it was merely the co-opting of a pagan fertility ritual by the Church of Rome. I am not taking sides here, but I will add, that while the Italians make fairly pedestrian beer (ducks as Moretti fans hurl bottles at monitor) The glorious pagans of Northern Europe still make some of the best beers in the world and they have been doing so on a consistent basis since before there was any debate on this topic. If I have to take sides I am all for fertility and good beer.

Chocolates are a very popular gift on this holiday. Consider pairing some rich chocolate with a good beer. Here is where Rich and the good folks at Lawes Environmental will run to the keyboard and e-mail me. I expect a message or two telling me that I am nuts and cannot possibly be serious. But, I am serious, try it you will like it. I am not alone in this idea, as mind numbing as it may seem. A reader in Kansas City wrote me to suggest pairing a rich chocolate dessert with a Dry Irish Stout such as Guinness, Beamish, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout or the Kansas City local, Boulevard Dry Stout. Capital choices all. He extolled the rich coffee and espresso notes in these brews that were heightened by the sweet and rich chocolate. Sound a little like Starbucks Liqueur?

Here’s another anecdote for you. While at a Super Bowl party a hosted by a neighbor who is also a Chef and something of a wine aficionado, I shared a bottle of 2003 North Coast Old Stock Ale (yes I did say 2003). One taste and the Chef went to the kitchen and presented me with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup to accompany the brew. He felt that the beer in question, a very rich old ale, (11% a.b.v.) with notes of toasted malt and cocoa paired nicely with sweet milk chocolate and peanut butter.

So what to serve with that Valentines day feast. In lieu of champagne before dinner consider a nice Fruit Lambic such as Lindemann’s. Pair the King crab Claws and Filet Mignon with a bracingly crisp Pale Ale or a delicate Pilsner and for the dessert…see above.

Trust me, get her a sixer of something nice and she will love you forever. Well, on second thought, as a rule most women I know don’t really care for beer, so go for the “Bling” lose the racy lingerie. As for the beer, treat yourself to something special. It will take some of the sting out of the bill you got from the local jeweler for that fleeting moment of adoration. “Honey it’s wonderful, its just what I wanted, oh and remember tomorrow is trash-day… don’t forget to empty the one in the upstairs bath…”
Happy Valentines Day.