Monks/Lost Abbey beer dinner

Together at last… no, not Tomme and me, but Monks and Lost Abbey!  So what if Tomme Arthur volunteers to judge the Malt Liquor category at GABF and big deal if he’s been spotted enjoying a bottle of Schlitz (coincidentally an occasional GABF winner…) while chilling with his homies at Lost Abbey’s Friday night tasting room hours.  The fact that he can brew a raisiny/oaky/sour something belgian or other one day and a potent, hoppy, balanced IPA the next makes him an outstanding beermeister in my mind. 

I’ve only been to two Monk’s gastronomical beer pairings so far but from what I’ve heard, they both rated up there in terms of the best ones to have attended: the Cantillon and Brasserie de la Senne about a year ago, and this Lost Abbey dinner.  And since my mouth is watering now just thinking about either of them, I can attest to how great both the food and beer pairings were at each.  The fact that they let no glass go empty helps as well!

Courses:

Amuse Bouche

Smoked Duck Pate paired with Red Poppy

First Course

Salmon Tartare w/ crème fraiche and caviar paired with Carnevale

Second Course

Stuffed Quail w/ merguez (sausage) from D’Angelo’s, wild rice and barley paired with Framboise de Amaros

let’s just say my mouth is faster and more demanding than my camera hand…

Third Course

Osso Bucco w/ potato ravioli and glazed baby carrots, paired to both Lost & Found and 10 Commandments

Fourth Course

and as the night progressed and the beers kept coming, my camera hand only got lazier…

Cheese plates: Forsterkase (Swiss soft sheep’s milk) with Veritas 007 (with Cabernet Franc Grapes) and Colston Bassett Stilton (English hard ladled, cow’s milk blue cheese) with Angels Share Grand Cru

Dessert

Molten Chocolate cake w/ cherry sauce, with Cuvee de Tomme

The quail and osso bucco plates fulfilled my carnivorous cravings and paired well with the honey, caramelized raisins, and rosemary in the Ten Commandments.  The DiBruno Bros cheeses partied like a rockstar on my tongue.  The Grand Cru was an excellent match for the Stilton, which had flavors of chocolate, grass, cream, and dried fruit.  And don’t let diamonds fool you guys- chocolate is the real girl’s best friend.  Anything with the word molten or lava is usually acceptable!  Tickets sold out in 10 minutes so I can only thank the beer gods looking over me that I had one.  This was not a meal to be missed!