Now, I like to think of myself as a relatively modern woman; online dating, picking up the tab, all the clichéd tropes. I’ll happily spank any of you yuppie post-uni-lash-‘lads’ in the workplace and send you smarting back to the Home Counties. No problem, and I’ll do it all in stilettos. But if there’s one domain of the ‘bloke’ that I hadn’t strayed into until recently, it was that of beer. It hasn’t appealed much, paling in comparison to wine or cocktails, its yeasty flows tasting to my untrained palate akin to a muddy bucket of liquid canesten.
But soon after Valentine’s Day I attended quite the exciting event; a ‘girls only’ beer dinner at Paternoster Chop House. The evening aimed to be an education in the art of beer and food pairin; a relatively new dining concept that’s sprung up over the last few years in opposition to traditional wine pairing. Beer expert and brewer Robert Ponsonby took us through 10 fine ales, both international and local, paired with food devised by Head Chef of the Chop House, David Philpot. As a brief aside; you might be familiar with the venue –it’s the swanky restaurant featured in that Channel Four show ‘First Dates’!
But soon after Valentine’s Day I attended quite the exciting event; a ‘girls only’ beer dinner at Paternoster Chop House. The evening aimed to be an education in the art of beer and food pairin; a relatively new dining concept that’s sprung up over the last few years in opposition to traditional wine pairing. Beer expert and brewer Robert Ponsonby took us through 10 fine ales, both international and local, paired with food devised by Head Chef of the Chop House, David Philpot. As a brief aside; you might be familiar with the venue –it’s the swanky restaurant featured in that Channel Four show ‘First Dates’!
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 | We started off local, tasting some beers brewed right here in our fair city – a light, crisp ale called Shoreditch Blonde, paired with the flakiest mushroom, stilton tart. Something I’d tipple on a summer’s dusk, somewhere waterside. A warm, amber Hackney Gold Bitter – bitter by name, creamy by nature- came paired with dinky black pudding scotch eggs and slow roasted belly pork. Historically I’ve avoided bitters like the proverbial plague, finding them heavy handed. This was fabulous however; like warm toast, golden and oaty. |
A tremendously exciting ale also represented was an oak aged one by Innis & Gunn. This ale is brewed in whisky barrels, giving it just the most extraordinary honeyed, smoky lilt. It paired well with peppered venison and a sticky rosehip jam that clung to the gums with moreish, juice-laden bites.
The Belgians were, of course, represented – in the well-loved forms of Duvel (a golden, toasty ale, packing a sneaky punch at 8.5%) and Vedett. I was surprised at how well the local London ales stood up to them however; I never knew our city boasted such delicious, delightfully crafted ales. And indeed, my favourite of the entire evening was one called Camden Gentleman’s Wit beaming marmalade and slightly burnt shortbread. I plan to drink vats of it.
The Belgians were, of course, represented – in the well-loved forms of Duvel (a golden, toasty ale, packing a sneaky punch at 8.5%) and Vedett. I was surprised at how well the local London ales stood up to them however; I never knew our city boasted such delicious, delightfully crafted ales. And indeed, my favourite of the entire evening was one called Camden Gentleman’s Wit beaming marmalade and slightly burnt shortbread. I plan to drink vats of it.
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If the plan of the evening was to persuade that beer is absolutely accessible to us girls, it utterly succeeded. The key is education; most beers we’re faced with are those quaffed by our fathers or football lager louts, who, let’s face it, probably don’t know very much. Like with wine (and really, most things in life), once you know what you like, you’re sorted.
And so, I beseech you, girls (or even men, if you’re stuck on Fosters), head on out and sample some of these beers. Head to places like Paternoster Chop House which stock quality ales like these. Try their different types, sample many and do make sure to include the local players. You never know, you might surprise yourself.
www.paternosterchophouse.co.uk/
1 Warwick Court, Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX
020 7029 9400
http://www.danddlondon.com/
http://www.randr.co.uk/
And so, I beseech you, girls (or even men, if you’re stuck on Fosters), head on out and sample some of these beers. Head to places like Paternoster Chop House which stock quality ales like these. Try their different types, sample many and do make sure to include the local players. You never know, you might surprise yourself.
www.paternosterchophouse.co.uk/
1 Warwick Court, Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX
020 7029 9400
http://www.danddlondon.com/
http://www.randr.co.uk/
