Why buy a mass-produced cheddar that lacks flavour and narrative when you can have an artisan clothbound cheddar that is made the traditional way, with love, care and generations of knowledge? The same concept applies to beer.
We have an admiration for all things made with thought and passion, which is why we would always rather choose a local craft beer to pair with our award-winning cheddar.
From IPAs to stouts, sours to Pilseners, there are many different beer styles being produced in the South West, all with unique and varying flavours. Read on to discover some beers from South West breweries which pair beautifully with Quicke's cheese...
British Beer & Cheese Pairings
Quicke's Mature with Wiper & True Red Orange Amber Ale
Based in St. Werburghs in East Bristol, Wiper & True is a progressive South West brewery who is constantly experimenting and tinkering with recipes to refine flavour. Their 'Red Orange' Amber Ale is bursting with pine and orange flavours. Using rich sweet malts to create its beautiful deep colour and fresh orange zest for the citrus, it's sharpened up with hops that sing with notes of orange citrus, clementine and marmalade. The deep flavours found in Quicke's Mature Cheddar stand up well to this bold beer, with the cheese's buttery and caramel notes working in harmony with the ale's sweet malt and fresh citrus.
Quicke's Vintage with Harbour Puffin Tears IPA
Harbour Brewing in Cornwall brew solid, well-rounded beers reflecting the ruggedness of their Cornish home. Quicke's Vintage is naturally matured for up to 24 months, giving it a rich, intense and deep flavour, from umami to buttery, to salted caramel. Harbour's Puffin Tears IPA is a full and well-balanced IPA with aromas of stoned fruit and citrus. On the palate, it presents a mouth-watering bitterness from the hops and a full mouthfeel which balances well with the savoury characteristics of the Vintage cheddar.
Quicke's Oak Smoked with Arbor Dunning Krugor American Pale Ale
Arbor Ales in Bristol consistently release high-quality, creative beers. To practice this creativity, they have brewed over 300 different beers since they started in 2007, experimenting with many different beer styles. Arbor's Dunning Krugor is an easy drinking pale ale, brewed with American and Australian hops. With flavours and aromas of mango, passionfruit and lime, its robust and fruity nature cuts through the subtle smokey notes in the Quicke's Oak Smoked Cheddar. This pairing will be sure to have you cracking open another can.
Quicke's Goats Milk with Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout
We've left this one until last as its decadence makes it a tasty alternative dessert to round off a great night. We've chosen a stout to pair with our vibrant, buttery and almond Quicke's Goat's Milk Cheese, but we have chosen one which won't overpower its delicate nature. Bristol Beer Factory's smooth and creamy Milk Stout is a sweet and full-bodied partner for our creamy goat's cheese.
The Brewery Bible
If you're interested in discovering new breweries and beers, The Brewery Bible is a website and series of regional guides to breweries and beer discovery in the UK. Their debut book, The South West Edition, is available to buy on their website for £6.99.
