Editor's Note: our friend Joe Burgers a.k.a. @bakerandthebeerd brings us his take on this month's curdbox and his beer-ish thoughts each month. If you're a fan of beer and cheese, this is the blog for you! And if you want to join our merry band of cheese lovers, head on over to our subscription page to sign up for your monthly box!
August's Curdbox theme is The Grate Outdoors, and is full of smoky, spicy, and bold cheddar cheeses and snacks reminiscent of a summer barbecue. I paired all this delicious food with two beautifully versatile beers from Burial Beer Co. in Asheville, North Carolina.
Jasper Hill's Cave Aged cheddar was my big winner this month, a mature sweet and salty cheese selected from Cabot Creamery, then aged to develop an especially funky rind that I love. Big John's Cajun cheddar from Beehive has a robust mix of garlic, celery, and cayenne along the rind; ditch the grill and pack this cheese in a picnic basket along with Righteous Felon Turkey Jerky, Pizootz Dill Pickle Almonds, and Lillie's Q Pimento Cheese Kettle Chips for barbecue flavors on the go. Camp Saison is a fitting beer to pair with these summery treats, a farmhouse ale brewed specifically to be enjoyed with food at Burial's Forestry Camp dining experience. Its light, zesty flavors and effervescent mouthfeel make it a refreshing complement to any savory foods.
Deer Creek's Vat 17 World Cheddar is an award-winning cheese utilizing a blend of cheese cultures from around the world for a balanced, nutty and tangy flavor, and a supremely fudgy, creamy body. I paired this with Provision Lager, a foudre-aged "extra-strength" lager brewed in collaboration with Bearded Iris Brewing Co., that is exceptionally smooth and slightly sweet, finishing with a pleasant vanilla note from its months spent aging in oak. This beer is a tier one standout in an increasingly crowded field of popular craft lagers.
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