As we move closer to the eating holiday season, it seems like every party is starting to revolve around food. Or maybe that’s just my parties. And so, I take every opportunity to incorporate beer and food pairings into my food, and welcome new and easy ideas.
In anticipation of the busy holiday season, I’ve started collecting easy and healthy beer/food pairing ideas that can be kept on hand and put together quickly. My first choice: Nuts.
Pecan pie – a holiday staple.
Yes. Nuts.
Nuts are actually a great holiday treat. Around this time, they start popping up on the ends of the grocery aisles, hoping to make their way into candies and festive bowls. They’re also good for snacking (which is great for those multi-day gatherings), because they help keep you full while balancing blood sugar levels. And you don’t have to cook them!
Keeping it on the level
As it turns out, nuts and beer are also considered a particularly healthy pairing. According to Men’s Health, nuts help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels while increasing healthy cholesterol, while alcohol helps reduce blood clots by functioning as a blood thinner.
And, according to a team of Swedish researchers, eating nuts while drinking can also help delay intoxication. To keep the party going longer, eat a serving of nuts about 15 minutes before you start drinking. The fat and fiber of the nuts will help you feel full while also slowing the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Nut and Beer Pairings
The Nutcracker — Celebrating nuts in song and dance.
Beer and nuts are such a classic pairing, they’re sometimes taken for granted. But like all foods, the subtleties of many nuts can be enhanced by a thoughtful beer pairing.
Stout and Pecans and Walnuts
Pecans and walnuts make several guest appearances during holiday parties. Soft and slightly sweet, they’re excellent in candies, baked goods and right out of the bowl. A rich stout, like Black Hawk Stout, will add a slightly smoky or chocolate note to the sweetness of the walnut or pecan, offering added depth. (As you might have guessed, stouts also go very well with pecan pie.)
IPA and Salted Peanuts
Salted nuts, like peanuts, pair well with a crisp IPA. The hops help to cut through the salt and refresh the palate, without overwhelming the nut’s flavor. Imperial IPAs, however, will pretty much take over, so choose a gentler hopped beer like Mendo’s Rock Point Session IPA. The lower alcohol of Rock Point also makes it an excellent beer to serve at the beginning of the party.
Porter and Smoked Nuts
The richness of a dark porter goes great with the smoky notes of smoked nuts. This is an example of pairing with complementary flavors, and the effect can be surprising, turning a simple snack into a serious flavor experience. Or take it the other direction, and pair a dark, coffee porter with candied walnuts or pecans for an entirely new taste.
Walnuts go well with Porters or Stouts.
Healthy Holidays
While the holidays aren’t usually a time to think about healthy eating, they are also usually our busiest and most stressful time of year. One way to make sure we can keep up with the celebrations is to imbibe carefully and eat well. The folks at Nuts.com put together a list of healthy snacks that also make great gifts—especially when paired with the proper beer!
Food Festivities?
What is your go-to food gift for holiday parties? Any favorite recipes? Let us know in the comments below!
