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!
February’s Curdbox theme was Little Italy, and this was an especially well-rounded box, full of amazing flavors that I paired with two Belgian-style table beers from Side Project Brewing.
Every Curdbox has a surprise “winner” for me, and this month it was the Sutter Buttes pomegranate balsamic vinegar. Wow, what a distinct, sweetness that I loved on the creamy Calabro Burratina.
Pinna Brigante with Rosemary is an herbed sheep’s milk cheese that I paired with Mortadella with Pistachios on garlic crostini crackers. Both of these bites paired beautifully with Side Project Grisette, an oak aged wild blonde ale whose light body, subtle lemony hop notes, and moderate tartness combine for a perfectly refreshing beer with plenty of character. I’ll take this moment to say there are just a few beers in the world like this one, or Embrace the Funk Brett Saison, that could be the only beer in the world and I’d be perfectly happy.
Grana Biraghi is a Parmesan-style Italian cheese with a firm body and deep, salted butter flavor. I loved this cheese on the crostini with its own dab of pomegranate balsamic (it’s just so good), paired with Le Saisonnier. Another wild ale aged in Missouri oak foudres, this beer landed on the maltier side of saisons for me, with a rounder flavor that complemented this bolder, mature cheese.
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