Comforting Beer & Food Pairings from brewmaster Fal Allen

Self quarantining and looking for some takeout or comforting home cooking? Brewmaster Fal Allen has some suggestions for food pairings with a few of his classic Anderson Valley beers.

And while you are at it, check out our recent visit with Fal and the Anderson Valley crew in Boonville - now under new ownership.

• Loaded Nachos - Try a light, hoppy IPA. The bitterness will “cut” the spices refreshing the taste buds for your next bite. AVBC's Funkin Nutz IPA has aromas of rich tropical fruit, passion fruit with a hint of citrus. Pale, pilsner, and midnight wheat malts give it a solid malt character while Chinook, Citra, and Amarillo hops impart flavors of ripe tropical fruit, peach and apricot leading to a clean hoppy finish.

• Chile con carne - Try a classic West Coast IPA that will cut through spices of the dish and clean the palate as you dig in - AVBC's Hop Ottin' IPA is brewed and dry-hopped with copious amounts of Columbus and Cascade.  This beer is a showcase of the bright citrusy aromas, bold grapefruit and pine-like flavors, and resiny bitterness that hop heads crave. 

• Mac n Cheese - Try a well balanced Pale Ale with bready flavors to complement the gooey cheese. An All-American beer, for an All-American dish - AVBC's Poleeko Pale Ale is an exceptionally flavorful beer with a bright, citrus hop profile and mild malt flavors. The aromas of pink grapefruit and lemon zest compliment the brisk, balanced finish to create a truly refined Pale Ale.

• Chicken Pot Pie - Try a Red or Amber Ale where the caramel in the beer matches the caramel flavors in the roasted meat and breads --AVBC's flagship Boont Amber Ale. Balance is what makes the Boont Amber Ale so unique: rich, crystal malts give this beer a deep copper hue and contribute a slight caramel sweetness while the herbal, spicy bitterness from carefully selected whole-cone hops impart a crisp,clean finish.  Hints of sun toasted grain, toffee, and fruity esters compliment the mellow, noble hop aroma.

• Meatloaf - Try a luxurious Bourbon Barrel Stout for the ultimate comfort pairing. The chocolate flavors in stout beer will link up perfectly with the chocolate flavors in the a hearty meat dish. - AVBC's Bourbon Barrel Stout is aged for three months in Wild Turkey® Bourbon barrels. This smooth stout has a deep ebony hue and a beautiful mahogany head. 

• Creamy Polenta - Try a malty caramel beer to complement caramel and bready flavors found in the dish. AVBC's Summer Solstice is a slightly sweet, malty session beer with a creamy mouth feel and clean finish.  With hints of caramel in the nose and a touch of spice, it’s become affectionately known as “cream soda for adults”. The perfect beer to cheers to the goal of a distant-free summer ahead!