Im in the process of doing up a craft beer hamper for the husband for christmas, it will contain a selection of beers ... just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for food (cheeses, snacks etc) that could be put in with the beers !
Thanks
IMHO Gubeen is one of the greatest cheeses of Ireland.
It pairs well with dark beers Stouts/Porters/Dubbels etc.
Also its very clean to handle when cut up into bite sized cubes. Add a couple of crisp apples and away you go. (Ok that was my supper last night!)
Pork Scratchings! Some Irish suppliers too (Scratch My Pork), which would be the craft scratching market.
What kind of beers you getting? M&S do a nice cheese selection that would cover a wide range of styles. I love stinky blue cheese with dark beers and IPAs. Olives, fancy hams and salamis also work well.
Should get a list of some nice, easy to get salami's up here as well. Also, what sort of breads?
I know I'll be picking up a few once I see them ;)
Christmas pud with dark strong Belgian ales is a match made in heaven. Also, I'd include some pickles and, if you can manage it closer the time, some pork pies.
I was going to say pork scratchins also. Great accompaniment to an english bitter.
How about a jar of Sierra Nevada mustard? Not easy to find, but I know the Blackrock Cellar stocks it. You could find an online stockist.
How about thinking in terms of a ploughmans lunch? Chutney, pickles, pork pies, cheese, onion jam..
I'm going to have to drop some hints to the missus.