Beer’s bright carbonation and crisp hoppiness can handle the mouth-coating richness of cheese. Medium-intensity beers suit many cheeses, but one as powerful as Stilton requires an assertive barley wine.

The herbal and floral hop nose of an IPA blends nicely with the complex aroma of blue cheese, while the bitterness cleanses the palate. Aromatic hefeweizen makes a nice match with simple Chevre. Fruit beers are excellent with soft-ripened cheese such as Brie. Stout and aged cheddar is another great pair, and for the adventurous, smoked porter with a smoked cheese is a rustic joy.

Brewers Association
www.BrewersAssociation.org