A gastronomic revolution is taking place that challenges the supremacy of wine as the preferred drink to accompany cheese. As a companion to cheese, beer rarely disappoints us.
Let’s say, for example, that one day you bought a beer and want to buy some cheese to go with it. There are two things you can do: First, you can choose to be very specific about the process and carefully match the flavors in a particular type of beer with a specific type of cheese. However, you can simply buy some “safe” cheeses which are generally friendly with all types of beer. If you don’t have the patience to get caught up in the details, maybe option number two is for you. I highly recommend starting your beer and cheese journey with Gouda cheese, because whatever beer you’re drinking, there’s no room for disappointment with this type of cheese.
Like balloon skirts, politics and diets, a number of cheeses come and go in fashion. Even Holland’s best-known cheese, Gouda, has suffered from a decline in reputation for quite some time. Scoffing connoisseurs believe this particular cheese is ridiculously soft, with a texture only children can appreciate, and no character at all. But before you dismiss this sweet and savory little cheese, there’s more to Gouda than meets the tongue.
It is true that Goudas are softer cheeses, with a smooth, buttery texture. However, that depends on how long it has aged. You see, the less time the cheese is aged, the smoother and creamier the cheese will be. Some purists who look down on young Goudas have far more respect for the more mature relatives of the clan. Like other older cheeses, aged Gouda tends to have a harder texture than young Gouda, about the same texture as Parmigiano Reggiano. Aged gouda has a complex flavor, an intense caramel caramel, salty but leaning towards the sweet side, often generally described as caramelized or toffee-like.
And because of its exceptionally sweet flavor, Gouda cheese is considered the best pairing for beer. In fact, beer is the de facto complement to cheese in various cultures around the world. When you think about it, cheese and beer practically grew together on the farm and the grain used to make beer is almost always the same grain that is fed to the dairy animals that produce cheese. Aside from that, the flavors of beer and cheese — that earthy, yeasty, moldy, fruity, rich, floral flavor — match up in a way that wine and cheese can’t.
Gouda cheese is salty-sweet, nutty and tangy. What better way to accompany this tasty cheese than with a refreshing shot of beer? Invite your friends and pair your beer with Gouda cheese today!