Nothing enhances the taste of a good beer more than a perfectly matched meal to accompany it. Our chefs create a smorgasbord of appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts that embrace the flavors of our beers with gusto.
Beer Dinners: Experience the pairings. The 3 c’s: Learn how to pair. Recipe: Create your own.
We’re glad you asked. The main thing to keep in mind is that ultimately the flavors of the beer and food find a balance. This balance is achieved in 1 of 3 ways: The 3 C’s...
A beer cuts through food in different ways. The malty sweet flavors of a German lager slice through the heat of spicy foods. Similarly, the crisp bubbly taste of a Pilsner cleanses the palate of rich or heavy foods. For example, the clean hop finish and high carbonation of Woodie Gold lift the flavors of the Fish ‘n Chips from the palate between bites.
Beer complements food when its flavor profile matches up with certain flavors in food, such as when the chocolate and coffee flavors of a stout draw out similar flavors in a chocolate dessert, or when the delicate character of a Bavarian Hefeweizen enhances the subtle flavors of a green salad. Our Red Trolley Ale pairs nicely with Beer Brined Pork Chops because the beer's caramel flavors pick up the sweetness of the meat and BBQ sauce.
This occurs when the differences in flavors between the beer and the food are accentuated. Often, this means pairing an assertive beer with an equally assertive type of food. Check out how the hop bitterness in the Tower 10 IPA stands up to the spicy character of the En Fuego Jalapeño Burger.
Here is a great recipe for cooking and pairing with Red Trolley Ale. Enjoy. Cheers.
BEER BRINED PORK CHOPS
Printable Version
2- 8oz ea center cut frenched pork chops
16 fl ounces Red Trolley Ale
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup salt
SOY GINGER GLAZE
1 3/4 cup light soy sauce
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced ginger
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
3 tablespoon sriracha sauce
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
2 tablespoon white sesame seeds
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
1 1/2 tablespoon basil fresh chopped
1 tablespoon cilantro fresh chopped
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoon corn starch
SPICY CHINESE MUSTARD
6 tablespoon Chinese hot mustard powder
2 tablespoon water
8 tablespoon heavy cream
2 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Brine
In a medium bowl combine the brown sugar the salt and the Red Trolley Ale. Mix until the sugar and salt is completly dissolved. Add the pork chops, submerge the chops in the mixture and refrigerate for up to 3 hours. Turn the chops at least every hour.
Soy Ginger Glaze
In a medium stock pot add all of the ingredients except for the cornstarch and the water, and bring to a boil. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with the water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling glaze in a slow stream. Boil the glaze for additional 30 seconds, remove heat and keep hot for service.
Spicy Chinese mustard
Add all ingredients in a small bowl and mix to blend. Allow the mustard to rest for at least for 15 minutes to let its flavor to develop.
Pork Chops
Remove the pork chops from the brine, rinse with water, than pat dry with paper towel. Grill pork chops on a medium hot grill to a medium well, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
Serve the chops with your favorite vegetable and potato side dish. Place the veggies and potatoes in the center of the plate, lean the pork chops against the potatoes and veggies. Ladle a couple of ounces of the soy ginger glaze around the plate and over the chops, then drizzle 2 tablespoon of the spicy mustard sauce around the plate. Serve with a glass of Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale. Cheers!
