Cigars and beer may not seem like an obvious combination at first but it is actually one of the tastiest. The beer is one of the most popular drinks in the whole world and this is one of the reasons why there are so many options out there. The water in the beer is great for pairing because it will keep the palate hydrated. There are many ways in which you can pair cigars and beer and we listed some of the best in order to help you fully enjoy the pair.
1. Based on strength
Power pairing is one of the best ways in which you can combine cigars and beer. The strength of a cigar can be evaluated based on the color of the wrapper. The wrapper is the part of the cigar that holds most of the taste.
The young cigars are the ones that are called Claro or Double Claro. These cigars had a very short aging time and the color of the wrapper is similar to the one of sand. They are very light and pleasant and they can be smoked by anyone, no matter the experience. These cigars go very well with light beers like pilsners. These beers have a rather low concentration of alcohol and they will complete the taste of the cigars perfectly.
The more mature cigars like the ones produced by Romeo y Julieta have a wrapper that is similar in color with the earth. The color is very varied and it can also have red undertones. These cigars are usually called Colorado and they are very versatile. They can go with regular beers, ambers and even light stouts. One of the best cigars to start with on this delicious journey is Cohiba Siglo IV because it has a very versatile taste.
The cigars that had years of aging start to have a very dark wrapper. These cigars are generally called Maduro or Oscuro. The best mate for these old stogies is a beer that has the same power as a dark beer or a stout.
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2. Based on the main ingredient
The main ingredients that make a great beer are water, hops, malt, and yeast. The taste differences and the amount of alcohol come from the variation in the proportion of these ingredients.
The malt-based beers are on the sweet side and they can also have high amounts of alcohol. These beers are very pleasant and they are perfect for many types of cigars, especially medium to full-bodied ones like Romeo y Julieta Churchills because the strength of the cigar and the sweetness go perfectly.
The hops beers tend to have a rather bitter taste. Just like the malt ones, there are many variations. In general, these beers go very well with light cigars because they share the acidity and crisp finish. The best beers for this combination are the pilsners.
Another type of hops beers are the ambers and stouts. They can be very bitter and because of their strong taste, they can go very well with full-bodied cigars.
There are many variations in the concentration of the ingredients and you should try different combinations to see which suits you the best.
Credits: pixabay.com/ro
3. Based on aroma
The aromas of the cigars and beer should be complimentary. Personal taste and common sense are the best guides when pairing these two delights based on aroma. The spicy cigars will obviously not go with a citrus beer.
The best way to see which aroma goes with which is to try and see what goes for you. But as a general rule, the light beers will present aromas like citrus and sweetness, just like the light cigars. The medium cigars will have earth, leather, and sweetness that go excellent with an amber beer. The full-bodied cigars have deep tobacco and aromas like wood and cedar that will complement the bitterness of a dark stout perfectly.
In order to fully enjoy this pair you should serve the beer cold, but not at a freezing temperature. There are countless combinations out there to taste and we hope that these short guidelines will help you have a great taste experience.
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