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Beer and Wine Tasting at Four Peaks in Tempe

Changing Hands Bookstore hosted a beer and wine tasting on Wednesday, February 18 at Four Peaks Brewery in Tempe on the northeast corner of Dorsey and 8th Street. The event was influenced by wine expert, Marnie Old, and Dogfish Head Brewery owner, Sam Calagione, whose new book, He Said Beer, She Said Wine was released April 2008. Four Peaks co-founder and brewer, Randy Schultz, and a vintner from Studio Vino joined together to give attendees in-depth food pairing recommendations for beer and wine.

Selections of wines from Studio Vino and beers from Four Peaks were served with three food pairings. Grilled pita triangles and a spicy Thai hummus were served first with the English bitter 8th Street Ale and Riesling white wine. "Beer that has more of a bitter and hoppy taste go great with spicy food," says Schultz. Red dragon mustard seed and ale cheese was served during the second round, with the Kilt lifter Scottish-style ale and Chardonnay. The Kilt Lifer’s sweet over tone and roasted after-taste makes it the most demanded beer. “It’s the most approachable and for all the masses,” says Schultz. Milk and chipotle chocolate was dessert with an English style Oatmeal Stout and the floral under toned Cabernet Sauvignon red wine. All red wines complement chocolate very well.

After the guests sampled the different samples of wine and beer with the paired snacks, they anonymously casted ballots for their favorites. The aromatic light-bodied Riesling was chosen as the better partner for the pita bread and Thai hummus. The majority also liked the cheese and Kilt Lifer combination along with the chocolate and the Cabernet Sauvignon together.

Get into the wine biz at Studiovino.com or let's go do the hop at Fourpeaks.com

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