Christmas dinner; the star of the show on the big day. The aroma of roasted turkey, the golden glow of crispy potatoes, and the delicious smell of pigs in blankets create a symphony of festive flavours.
But those who aren’t big on wine can be met with uninspiring Christmas dinner alternatives. Instead of mass-produced ‘craft’ beer, imagine complementing each bite with the perfect beer, enhancing the flavours and creating a truly memorable culinary symphony.
Dorking Brewery, your local craft brewery, offers a selection of exceptional beers that are perfectly suited to accompany your Christmas feast. From crisp and refreshing pale ales to rich and robust IPAs, our handcrafted brews are designed to complement the diverse flavours of your holiday spread, adding a touch of local charm and artisan flair to your celebration.
Why Beer for Christmas Dinner?
While wine often takes centre stage at holiday gatherings, beer offers a versatile alternative for pairing with your Christmas dinner.
Versatility
The beer world encompasses various flavours and styles, from light and refreshing lagers to rich and complex stouts. This diversity allows endless pairing possibilities, ensuring a perfect beer complements every dish on your Christmas table.
Food-Friendly Characteristics
Beer possesses inherent characteristics that make it exceptionally food-friendly:
- Carbonation: The bubbles in beer cleanse the palate, preparing your taste buds for the next delicious bite.
- Bitterness: Hops' bitterness balances the richness of fatty meats and creamy sauces, creating a unique flavour.
- Malt: The beer's malt profile, ranging from sweet and caramel-like to toasty and nutty, complements the savoury flavours of roasted meats, vegetables, and stuffing.
Festive Cheer
Beer has long been associated with celebration and camaraderie. Sharing a pint with loved ones around the Christmas table fosters a sense of togetherness and adds to the festive atmosphere. Clinking glasses and the shared enjoyment of a delicious drink are all part of what Christmas is about; making memories and being with friends and family.
Local and Craft
Choosing beers from a local, independent brewery like Dorking Brewery makes your Christmas celebration that little bit more special. You're enjoying a handcrafted beverage and supporting a local business and the community it serves. Genuine craft beer embodies a passion for quality and a commitment to creating unique and flavourful experiences, making it a perfect addition to your festive table.
This Christmas, indulge in beer's versatility and food-friendly nature. Level up your Christmas dinner, support local craftsmanship, and cheers the festive season with a selection of Dorking Brewery's finest brews.
Pairing Dorking Brewery Beers with Christmas Classics
Appetisers
When the festive cheer begins, there’s no better way to get the Christmas vibes going than with some appetisers and nibbles. Our Surrey XPA, thanks to its refreshing mouthfeel, is ideal for a selection of appetisers. With its light and zesty flavour profile, this Extra Pale Ale complements a variety of pre-dinner bites that perfectly set Christmas in motion.
- Canapés: The Surrey XPA's delicate hop aroma and subtle bitterness won't overpower the delicate flavours of canapés, while its refreshing character cleanses the palate between bites.
- Smoked Salmon: The beer's citrusy notes enhance the richness of smoked salmon, creating a delightful balance of flavours.
- Salads: The Surrey XPA's crispness and subtle fruitiness complement the fresh flavours of salads, especially those with citrus vinaigrettes or goat cheese.
If Surrey XPA sounds like your kind of beer, you can pick some up here.
Main Course
The centrepiece of the Christmas feast deserves a beer pairing that complements its richness and complexity–something that can be tricky to find!
- Roast Turkey or Chicken: Dorking Brewery's Five Claw, a West Coast IPA, is an excellent choice for roast poultry. Its punchy profile and bitterness will perfectly compliment the flavours of the meat, with its hop aroma adding to the complexity of the flavour.
- Beef or Goose: For richer meats like roast beef or goose, Pilcrow Pale, with its juicy hop flavours and robust malt backbone, provides a perfect counterpoint. The beer's citrus and tropical fruit notes cut through the meat's richness, while its fuller body stands up to the bold flavours.
- Vegetarian or Vegan Mains: For plant-based main courses, such as a nut roast or lentil loaf, Freedom Trail, a hazy New England IPA, offers a complementary pairing. Its bold hop character and full body provide a satisfying counterpoint to the savoury flavours and textures of vegetarian dishes.
Beyond the Main Event
The festive season often involves more than just the main Christmas dinner. Here are some additional beer-pairing ideas for your holiday celebrations:
Cheese Board
If the Christmas dinner is the main event of Christmas, then the cheese board is well and truly the after party. A well-curated cheese course is a delightful way to end a meal or enhance a festive gathering. While all of our beers at Dorking Brewery go wonderfully with cheese, Five Claw IPA is an especially excellent companion for strong cheeses. The beer's citrus and tropical fruit notes cut through the richness of the cheese, while its bitterness balances the creamy textures.
Festive Gatherings
If you’re visiting friends or family, a variety pack of Dorking Brewery beers is perfect for holiday parties and gatherings so that you and your nearest and dearest can try the best of the range.
Tips for Successful Beer Pairing
It’s no secret that pairing beer with food is more of an art than a science, so here are a few tips to guide you–but remember, what works for one person may not work for another! While there are some general guidelines, the most important thing is to trust your palate and have fun exploring different combinations:
Consider Flavour Intensity
Match the intensity of the beer with the intensity of the dish. Lighter beers pair well with delicate flavours, while bolder beers can stand up to richer, more robust dishes.
Balance and Contrast
Use beer to balance richness or create contrasting flavours. For example, a hoppy IPA can cut through the fattiness of a rich cheese, while a sweet stout can complement the bitterness of a dark chocolate dessert.
Experiment and Have Fun
Feel free to experiment and try different combinations. What works for one person might not be the same universally, so trust your taste buds and discover your preferences. The beauty of beer pairing is that there are no hard and fast rules. Have fun exploring the world of flavours and finding new and exciting combinations that delight your palate.
With some practice and an adventurous spirit, you can become a beer pairing pro, enhancing your culinary experiences and impressing your guests with newfound knowledge.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas, elevate your festive feast with the perfect beer pairings. From appetisers to desserts, Dorking Brewery offers a diverse selection of handcrafted brews to complement every course and delight your guests.
Remember these key takeaways for a delicious Christmas dinner:
- Embrace beer's versatility: From light and refreshing to rich and robust, there's a beer style to match every dish.
- Consider flavour intensity and balance: Match the intensity of the beer to the intensity of the food, and use beer to balance or contrast flavours.
- Experiment and have fun: Discover your favourite pairings and create a memorable culinary experience.
Visit Dorking Brewery to enhance your Christmas celebration with exceptional craft beer. Cheers to a delicious Christmas dinner paired with the perfect Dorking Brewery beers!