Expert: Ed Westemeier - 8/27/2005

Question
I'm curious if you have a recommendation for a beer combination that I could serve at the bar of my wedding reception, e.g. domestic, light, import.

I was thinking about having a Brooklyn Brewery beer as part of that combination since the wedding is in Bklyn. What other beers would work nicely with a Brooklyn lager, pilsner, etc.?

Thanks.


Answer
Brooklyn Brewery makes some of my favorite beers, so I'm all in favor of your idea. Assuming your guests will mostly be "mainstream beer" drinkers, I would probably go with the Lager as first choice, with their East India Pale Ale for the hardier types, and Brown Ale for those who prefer a dark beer. They're all outstanding beers in their own right.

If you really want to include a "light" beer, then consider Reissdorf Kölsch (which would also make a nice "import" selection.

Finally, for something really special as a "toasting" beer, you might consider a bottle for each table of one of the Belgian specialty beers (the big bottles with corks) such as Chimay (red cap) or Lindmann's Framboise.

Congratulations and best wishes!
Ed