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| Photo by Edel Santiago of http://thekitchengoddess.blogspot.com/ |
The Perfect Pint Gastro-Pub is currently presenting the first and only Craft Beer and Food Pairing Showdown in Metro Manille, and I enjoin them in inviting everyone to find their perfect match.
My background in finding my perfect match with good food has always been with wine, as I have been greatly influenced by the French culture. But now, finding a craft beer to match with great dishes is something that I welcome very much. It is a delight to discover a wide array of locally crafted beer by master brewers who deserve equal recognition for their craft. The Perfect Pint is the best venue to showcase their magic brews, located conveniently at the heart of Bonifacio Global City.
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| The Brewmasters at The Perfect Pint. Photo by Edel Santiago of http://thekitchengoddess.blogspot.com/ |
Barely six months running, this celebrated gastro-pub has been building a good following of patrons of all ages. The young and the young at heart who crave for the best ales and hops to go with their food has been gaining popularity of late. This has kept the energy of the young owners and partners to create more food pairing events.
True to form, The Perfect Match invited known chefs, brew masters, food editors and writers to submit the recipe they have created, together with the perfect craft beer they deem that match their dish. The submitted pair is then presented to the public for voting.
This showdown started last October 20, kicking-off with Chef's Creation for the first week. On-going this week until the 30th of October is called the Band of Brewmasters. This was the event I attended and had the privilege to taste, drink and vote for my perfect match. Then week three will be the Food Writers' Hot Off the Press Showdown, and finally week four, from November 3 to 6, will be the Chefs' Specials. That is one whole month of food and beer tasting for the public to vote for. The winner will be announced in print and online media.
I attended the Band of Brewmasters showdown and had the privilege to meet the elusive brewmasters, who are the heroes in their own right when it comes to craft beer.
Did you know that there are many different taste *interactions when pairing beer with food? Here are some of the interactions I was on the lookout for:
Complement - when one item from a craft beer or food complements the other during pairing
Counter/Contrast - when elements interact and either heighten or calm each other's intensities
Cut - the bitterness of hops cut and lessen the impact of fat, richness of oil in food
Of course I was looking for harmony with the dish, but it was also great to discover which beer contrasts and cuts. The color-coding helps in identifying which beer goes with fine food.
Here are the ones I tasted on Week 2, and everything for Php 599 only.
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| Photo by Myrns Roman of http://www.myrnaroman.com/ |
Salmon Gravad Lax, paired with G-Point Red Head Ale, by Morgan Kallefjord
Glazed Pork Belly with Apple-Onion Potato Mash, paired with Fish Rider Pale Ale, by Francis Onate
Mac and Blue Cheese, paired with Katipunan Signal No. 1 Stout, by Kyo Miura
Each one was a gastronomic experience to indulge in. But as we all have different taste buds and preferences, my vote alone would not be the basis of what one will enjoy best. But if you want to know, I preferred the salmon pairing that evening, prepared by Swedish chef, Morgan Kalleford. It has a contrast that calms the intensities of the taste. I loved it lingering in my taste buds, and the feeling transported me back to cool summer nights in the countryside.
Did I mention that the dessert was heavenly? Presenting, gourmet Smores, the perfect ending to this great challenge.
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| Photo by Ron Villagonzalo of http://www.wahpinas.com/ |
This showdown is ongoing until the 6th of November, and I recommend everyone to swing by or rather, hop to The Perfect Pint.
References:
*http://www.craftbeer.com/food/pairing/pairing-interactions
The Perfect Pint: Craft Beer + Fine Food
2nd Floor, Crossroads Building
32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City
Tel. +02 823 1320
Find The Perfect Pint on Facebook, here.
