As the weather cools and summer turns into fall, tap lines and shelf space start being consumed with delicious marzen, Oktoberfest, and fresh hop beers from many of Iowa’s wonderful breweries and from breweries around the world. As fall comes into our lives our bodies are telling us to consume more hearty and energy packed foods to prepare ourselves for winter…so…I guess what the fall season tells us to do is drink beer and eat good food….with that being said, what are the favorites from the local brewers, chefs, and people working in the food and beer world for pairing these wonderful beer styles to their favorite dishes? Let’s find out:
Quinton McClain – Brewer/Owner Lion Bridge Brewery, Cedar Rapids – “For Lion Bridge’s Oktobot 3000, definitely schweinsaxe. (roasted ham hock or pork knuckle) For Lion Bridge Robofest, I would go with tailgating foods… wings, brats, soft pretzels, tacos. It’s an easy drinker, but has a beautiful European Malt Character that pairs well with good conversation and finger foods.”
Alec Travis – Brewer/Owner Field Day Brewing, North Liberty – “Festbiers are pretty good for pairing with almost anything! Marzens have a touch more of that caramel profile that I think go well with some savory fatty stuff. For me, I’d pair that with a pork chop or pork shoulder or something. Maybe some herbed risotto as a side!”
Todd and Blake Viall – Brewers/Owners – Clock House Brewing, Cedar Rapids – “We came up with a jalapeño popper chicken griller wrapped with applewood smoked bacon, side of pineapple coleslaw, and dessert of coconut flan!”
Aaron Vargas – Owner – Backpocket Brewery, Coralville – “Savory for sure. Pork, whether it is a brat or schnitzel. Something about the fat in there is where it is at!”
T.J. Lytle – Chef- Big Grove Brewery, Solon – ” Yeah, I have a few. Can’t go wrong with a pretzel, beer cheese and the spicy vinegary mustard. Literally one of my go tos. The other 2 are something my grandma always did. She passed away a couple years ago but we used to have a big family gathering at her house and she would make these, my mom still makes them every year and we enjoy them. I just tweak it a little bit 
. My grandma was very Polish so she always made Haluski, and pierogies. The haluski is a soft noddle with cooked down cabbage. We added bacon just because who doesn’t love bacon haha. Finish with a bunch of black pepper and butter. Sooo gooood. The pierogies was always my favorite. She would buy the store bought in a bag which I have a sweet spot for but homemade really is a game changer. In my filling I use russet potatoes, stone ground mustard, cheese, salt and white pepper. We would cook down a bunch of onions, sausage, remove the sausage and cut it thin. Throw it back in with the pierogies. A bunch of butter. Top with a bunch of scallions. Literally one of the best things I enjoy. Really reminds me of home and a lot of good memories with my family!”
Shane Knipper – Brewer- Dimensional Brewing, Dubuque – “Stateside, I tend to lean towards a basic bratwurst from a local meat locker, with a German horseradish mustard and sauerkraut. I also really like a festbier with currywurst. If you can get some authentic Brezen, Schnitzel, Rouladen, or Spaetzle, that’s definitely the way to go, but can be hard to find locally. Basically, any hearty meal.”
Travis Lange – Head of Sales – Iowa Brewing Company, Cedar Rapids – “Of course you can’t go wrong pairing these beers with more traditional fare, like pork schnitzel, bratwurst and soft pretzels topped with cheese, dill and smoked meats. But my go-to food pairings are carnitas tacos and venison chili. Hearty, spicy foods that meld nicely with the herbal and earthy hop edge.”
Jim Johnston – Brewer- 3rd Base Brewing, Cedar Rapids -“My favorite would be Zweigle’s White Hots on a caraway seed bun.”
Joe Dooley – Chef – Need Pizza, Cedar Rapids – “Smoked & reverse seared Iowa chops. Apple cider braised red kraut. And roasted acorn squash with enough butter & brown sugar to choke a friggin donkey. First thing I’m in the mood for when the weather turns, & it’s on the menu for tonight!”
Jeremy Freerks – Club 76 The Lodge, North Liberty – “Personally as a compliment, I’d like to say the richness of the gravy and meat of sauerbraten pairs well with the maltiness of that those beers. I also believe as a compliment oven baked brats and kraut caramelizes nicely to match most Oktoberfest/marzens. I think fresh kraut on a brat can easily bring together sweetness of the brat and sour of the kraut for the bang of fresh hop beers as a compliment and contrast. Same goes for Hot German Potato salad. Sweet and sour with the bacon backbone is a solid choice for a fresh hop IPA.”
