Peek Under the Clouds Beer Dinner

Two Roads hosted it's first ever beer dinner dubbed Peek Under the Clouds on April 15th. The menu consisted of five courses paired with a Two Roads brew. Three of those beers have yet to be released, so it was an exceptionally special treat for fans of the brewery; me being one of those happy folks.

All the brewery partners were present for the event and each took the time to mingle and speak with the attendees.

Our server for the evening was John. That man can serve up a mighty fine glass of beer and always with a smile!

As the evening progressed, each course and beer was described in turn by head brewer Phil Markowski and by the vendor providing the paired dish.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful evening. It was well executed and the food/beer pairings were excellent. I can't wait for the next one!

The first course was a yummy lobster slider made by Lobstercraft paired with Krazy Pucker.

Krazy Pucker (3.5% ABV) is a Berliner Weisse. Simply put it is a tart wheat beer. It has a sharp citrus, almost chardonnay-like aroma.  It is pleasantly sour, a little funky, and dry. This would be a perfect brew to enjoy on a hot summer day and the ideal companion beverage for the lobster slider. Delish!

The second course was a light and refreshing arugula salad topped with fresh sliced strawberries, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries that was dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was paired with Road Jam.

Road Jam (5% ABV) a deep pink brew that smells and tastes like a mouth watering burst of fresh berries. It finishes crisp and dry.

The pairing with the salad was perfect.

The third course was an amazing local cheese sourced from Mystic Cheese served with salted watermelon jelly and whole grain crisps. The cheese platter was served with Urban Funk.

Urban funk (5.5% ABV) is an America wild ale. The yeast was captured locally after Hurricane Sandy.  It is bitingly sour, fruity but not sweet. Dry with a hint of anise at the finish. The mouthfeel is lovely with lots of tiny bubbles.

The match-up with the cheese was divine. I wanted so much more!

The fourth course was a generous portion of Farmboys Smokin' BBQ ribs and brisket served with a side of fresh coleslaw. This dish was deliciously paired with Barrel-aged Henry's Farm double bock.

Barrel-aged Henry's Farm (8%) has a strong malt presence along with hints of fruit.  A touch of tartness and the bittering effect from the hops balances out the flavors. The barrel aging imparts rye and woody characteristics that compliment barbecue perfectly.






The fifth and final course was an Igor's Dream cupcake made by The Sugar Cupcake served with Barrel-aged Igor's Dream.

Igor's Dream (2014) (10.9% ABV) is a classic Russian Imperial stout. It is malty and roasty with notes of coffee and cocoa. The barrel aging infuses the beer with a pleasant oakiness and a ghostly whiff of whiskey.

The sweetness of the cupcake and the roastiness of the beer paired nicely.

An excellent finish to an excellent meal.

Two Roads ROCKS!