Brewers continue to experiment with specialty ingredients, pushing the boundaries of flavor. Since a good beer deserves a good meal, All About Beer Magazine asked chef Eric Lorberfeld of Growlers Beer Bistro in Tuckahoe, New York, to taste two beers infused with bacon and offer pairing suggestions. Get more pairing ideas at allaboutbeer.com/food.
SweetWater Pulled Porter
SweetWater Brewing Co.
Atlanta
7.7% | Bacon-Smoked Porter
Start with Devils on Horseback (bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese). The saltiness of this dish enhances the bacon flavor of the porter while the sweetness of the fruit helps balance the smoky taste. Then try a pulled pork sandwich where the spicy sweet barbecue sauce complements the smoke and bacon flavor, and the tenderness of the pork adds to the smooth mouthfeel.
Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter
Funky Buddha Brewery
Oakland Park, Florida
6.4% | Porter w/ Coffee, Maple Syrup & Natural Flavors
A chili would go well with this beer because the sweetness and maltiness balance the spice of the chili, allowing the bacon and coffee notes to come through. Something sweet like a beer float (beer with vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, bacon and chocolate shavings) is delightful because the richness of this beer and vanilla ice cream are a perfect combo, the sweetness helping to intensify the bacon, maple and chocolate flavors.