Big Beers, Belgians and Barelywines 2008 Opening Dinner

The New Year in beer starts with Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines in Vail, Colorado, USA. Held this past weekend, Jan 10 - 12 2008,This consistently great festival is typically comprised of a brewmasters dinner on Friday night, a long Saturday afternoon tasting and homebrew competition. This year began a day early, on Thursday, with a second brewmasters dinner that was an onslaught of high gravity beer. There were 8 courses of food each with a two beer pairing; one from Avery and one from Dogfish Head. Food portions were small and beer portions, not always the pour but always the ABV, where huge. The evening began with calamari, sushi and bruschetta appetizers, Dogfish Head Immort Ale (according to their marketing materials at 11.0% but according to the evening 16.0%). Avery rode shotgun with The Reverend at 10.0%. The first sit down course was a wonderful spinach salad with steak, chevre and a white balsamic vinaigrette paired with Avery's The Beast at 14-18% and Dogfish Head Raison D'Extra at 18+%.

By about the third course, proscuitto wrapped scallops with pomegranate molasses, the pairing of disproportionately large beers with modest to meager food somewhat derailed the food / beer pairing idea. An example, Dogfish Head Burton Baton at 10.0+% and Avery's Samael's Ale at 14-16% together were paired with literally two ravioli—one for each glass of beer. The mismatch was repeated eight times over. The best round was Avery's Salvation Golden Ale coupled with Dogfish Head Black & Blue. Salvation is inspired by Duvel, but far enough to be it's own clear and noble effort -- far from a copy. The Black & Blue is tasty, infused with blackberries and blueberries, and powerful dark and delicious in a strong Belgian like fashion. Think Kasteel Bruin or MacChouffe ramped up a bit. You're friends won't mistake this for a fruit beer. Another notable brew, Dogfish Head Fort, had a huge aroma of fingernail polish remover -- quintessentially acetone. After you waded through it to steal a taste the beer, paired with a poached pear and blue cheese as well as Avery's the Czar, presented a lovely flavor of raspberries.

It was an impressive event. The food was delicious. The challenge of a massive beer dinner has been met. However, massive beers do not balance well with delicate foods. The serious table lasted until 1:00 in the morning and more than one hearty taster had several full pours lined in front of their empty plates. Heaps of barbeque, loaves of bread, bowls of soup, piles of pasta, even pizza would have helped all the beers enjoy a fair shake. The evening emphasizes the first rule of beer which is especially important with big beers and most Belgians. Don’t go near strong beer on an empty stomach. Bring along a baguette, some cheese, EAT!