New-world...and beer...

[PhilipL]

Sirs,

I'd never before, until last night, put a cigar...and a beer together. As a rule I'll enjoy a Cuban cigar in a moment of solitary contemplation, or with one other smoker. I tend to a keep a few new-worlders in the humidor for an evening when I'm likely to be distracted from the finer nuances of Cuban evolution of flavour, but would still like to enjoy a decent cigar. Last night, whilst in aforementioned environment of distraction I had an Oliva Serie G Maduro Robusto and a Peroni together, I have to say, that is an experience that I will absolutely be repeating. What are your experiences on this matter?

PL

[cohibaIV]

I love a good Ale with a cigar myself..

[Superbrother]

I love a good IPA but never thought of drinking one with a cigar - one to try this weekend I think.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

Belgie beers and cigars are a match made in heaven. I love the Leffe Bruin with a stronger cigar. The Leffe Blonde with a lighter cigar. Duval is another fave

[JOAO LA PEZ]

Belgie beers and cigars are a match made in heaven. I love the Leffe Bruin with a stronger cigar. The Leffe Blonde with a lighter cigar. Duval is another fave

A Belgian friend of mine gave me a bottle of the Bruin last year, tastes just like Newcastle brown.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

i'm quite partial to the odd newcy brown but it's nothing like leffe bruin at all! 'tis like comparing strawberries to gooseberries!

[Simon-JG-hr]

I've often found a nice ale to be an excellent accompaniment to a cigar. I think it's a combination which works especially well at the extremes of the spectrum, really hoppy IPAs and maltier milds and porters working well with certain cigars.

One of the best combos I've yet to try was an ERdM PC with a pint of Tribute. Might have helped that it was whilst overlooking the beach on a great British summer's evening.

I also thought that a bog-standard pint of bitter was an excellent foil to the Fonseca KDT Cadetes slightly sweeter character, each bringing out the full flavour of the other.

As for Belgian beer... now that's a world I haven't ventured into anywhere near enough. I suspect I've been put off by the vast number of wheat beers (which I have an intense dislike of). That and the fact that despite being a fully paid up CAMRA member, committee member for a real ale society and a fan of always trying something new, I've still barely scratched the surface of what we have to offer in this fine country.

Just my thoughts.

[patrickspark]

i'm just a philistine, i enjoy a pint of guinness with my corona !

[Deano]

I enjoy a cider with a cigar quite often (i.e. Magners) seems to go nice as far as I'm concerned, especially in the summer.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

Magners is an excellent palette cleanser nothing wrong with Guinness. It's all good

[Simon Bolivar]

Belgie beers and cigars are a match made in heaven. I love the Leffe Bruin with a stronger cigar. The Leffe Blonde with a lighter cigar. Duval is another fave

100% agree with the above statement of fact.
Just to enlarge on it a little, Leffe Bruin & Ramon Allones eg a RAG, a matchmade in Heaven, seems to respond to the sweetness. And sorry but I used to drink Newcastle B.A. & they are not even close in flavour. The Blonde ERDm's, Duvel - Hoyos especially Epi No2.
Still haven't found a beer I prefer over a good claret with Boli's & Cohibas are always with whiskey for me.

[Mark3142]

I need to find a nice drink then. Don't touch wine, champers or Newcastle BA. I tend to go for a pale ale. Tried Leffe when I was over in Belgium last year, didn't like the bruin, only the paler Leffe. Will have to look in town later to see where I can get it at a decent price.
I am partial to a nice glass of port though. Many a bottle consumed at Sgt's Mess functions

[Struth]

If your partial to port try your local Sainsburys mine were clearing some at half price picked up a Grahams crusted port 2002 ?8.50 and a Grahams quinta dos malvedos 1999 ?13.50

[lestabantam]

I like a nice dark ale or a rum & coke with my cigars, there's an Ale round here called Rutland panther which they sell in the local tesco, that one goes great with a cigar.

[Styler]

I love Chimay with a strong cigar, the pairing that sticks out in my mind was a Cuaba 2008 EL with Chimay Red

http://www.chimay.com/en/three_strong_personalities_217.php