There is a long codified tradition of wine and cheese pairings that reeks of pretension. (Yes that was a cheese pun!) However, the wholesome, and full bodied nature of beer is easily paired with the wonders of cheese. The lack of tradition regarding beer and cheese pairings allows for a wild, practically rule free beer and cheese orgy. Complete freedom is frightening so I have put together some guidelines to help you pair beer and cheese.

Cheese first? Or Beer First? The order of consumption will depends largely on personal preference. Some pairings will taste better with cheese first, while others are perfect when beer is consumed first. As this Kitchn article states “Being particularly sensitive to the bitterness of IPAs I preferred to have beer first then cheese for that pairing, as the opposite just cut the buttery goodness of the cheese almost immediately.” Another approach is to “… is taste the beer, then taste the cheese, then go back to the beer to see if the beer has changed,” Fletcher advises.

How to Choose: Beers and cheeses with similar flavors are natural partners but contrasting flavors can be equally as compelling. Many experts believe that beer is easier to pair with cheese than cheese’s traditional counterpart, wine. This is partially due to beer’s carbonation, which might help cleanse the palate, removing the fat that coats the mouth after consuming cheese. Additionally, beer is made from a wide range of ingredients and add-ins that allow it to be easily and successfully paired with cheese.

Host your own: A beer and cheese tasting party is a easy way to entertain. Simply gather a collection of cheeses selected from a variety of origins, milks, textures, ages, and colours. To narrow it down select one blue, one goat, on harder-textured cheese, one creamy, and one mild cheese. Next select the beers, either based on established personal preference or based on style. For a more structured event, match the beers and cheese and provide a system so your guests can keep track of their favourites.

Still nervous about experimenting with beer and cheese?

Visit Tallboys this Thursday, January 10th at 7:30pm to enjoy free Muskoka tastings expertly paired with cheese.

It started as just a one-off show. My friend and actress Amy Nostbakken was preparing to debut her play, The Big Smoke, in Toronto after touring the U.K. and we were brainstorming creative ways to bring attention to her show.

I’d been booking shows for the past two years and started contacting all the bands I’d worked with and pretty soon we had ourselves 20 bands.  At first I wanted to do seven nights at seven venues, but that dream died when one of the venues who previously confirmed, informed me they had double booked the night. Instead of trying to move around all the bands, I went to one of our venues and asked if we could have the space for seven nights. Lee, the owner of the Magpie Taproom, agreed and we were off to the races. Lee was  phenomenal and was totally supportive of the festival from the outset.

We got our website up, filmed a trailer, got the word out and the first annual Big Smoke Music Festival was born.

Kira May performing at The Big Smoke Festival

We started Jays Days last year to build a haven for baseball fans in this hockey-crazed city.  We have full-audio, beer girls selling hot dogs and tall cans from a cooler and free popcorn.

It’s just a lot of fun and we got a lot of great press.

To wrap up the season we hosted Gregg Zaun’s Casino Royale in support of Horizons for Youth charity. Zaun bartended with Miss Universe Canada 2010, we raffled off signed bats by Jose Bautista and Brett Lawrie and we raised over $3000.

We host Jays Days at Opera Bob’s at Dundas and Ossington and the bar was recently named one of Toronto’s Top 20 Sports Bars thanks in part to Jays Days.

Jays Days is back in 2012 with opening day on April 22. Check the blog for updates.

Heroes for Horizons is an annual series of five events in support of Horizons for Youth at-risk shelter in Toronto. The series includes:

Homers and Hockey for Horizons is a joint softball and ball hockey tournament that takes place every year on the last Saturday in May at Trinity-Bellwoods Park in Toronto.

High Rollers for Horizons is a charity casino event which debuted in September 2011 and was hosted by former Toronto Blue Jay, Gregg Zaun.

Gregg Zaun working the bar

Elena Semikina, Miss Universe Canada 2010, Zaun, Lisa Walker, Horizons for Youth

The first Ping Pong for Horizons happened in January 2012 at Spin Nightclub in Toronto. 10 teams of four players participated in the day long event.

Ping Pong for Horizons Champs

Hustle for Horizons is a brand new running event taking place in the spring of 2012.