LA-beer-week-headerhooks-10-year-aged-wisconsin-cheese-la-beer-weekYes, LA Beer Week is about the beer, but did you know its also about the food? Barrie Lynn Krich, a.k.a. The Cheese Impresario is just about as excited as we are for all the foodie-friendly events slated on the ever-growing LA Beer Week calendar. She’ll be hosting an event at the Surly Goat to celebrate and share the wonder of pairing beer with cheese.

The Fairy Godmother of Cheese

Barrie Lynn’s event will take place at the Surly Goat in West Hollywood on October 15. Susanne Hecht-Schneider, Export Manager of Schneider beers, will be presenting some of their unique weisse beers to pair with artisanal cheeses from Wisconsin. We asked Barrie Lynn a couple questions about LA Beer Week:

What can someone expect to learn at your beer and cheese pairing?

I want people to get turned on to pairing quality beer with quality cheese. Enjoying the magic of these pairings is kind of like having a great relationship — one plus one should equal more than two. That’s what it’s like when a cheese and beer are perfectly paired. My goal is to present a “Send You to the Moon” pairing experience so people will know what really works.

I want to teach people how to think about pairing beer with cheese and give them ideas on enjoying these delights now. I want to teach them how to throw a Beer & Cheese Pairing Party, how to serve cheese and how to store cheese. Then they can explore the flavors on their own with friends and family.

barrie lynn the cheese impressario will be at la beer weekWhy Wisconsin cheeses for your event?

They’re winning the lion’s share of the awards these days. I thought Wisconsin was making the big dead blocks of government cheese. That’s until I tasted what these sometimes 3rd and 4th generation cheesemakers are doing. There’s a simpatico of lifestyle, passion, creativity and search for the highest quality ingredients (quality milk makes quality cheese). Some day, I’d love to get brewers and cheesemakers together. I think they’d have a ton to share with each other.

I’ll be pairing Joe Widmer’s Aged Brick Cheese that’s a washed rind cow’s milk cheese pressed with the same actual bricks that Joe’s grandfather used. Joe is a Master Cheesemaker (much like a master sommelier they go through years of grueling study) and a third generation cheesemaker of Widmer’s Cheese Cellars.

Is there something you are hoping to learn from LA Beer Week yourself?

I’ll be looking to expand my beer repertoire. I’m also really looking forward to meeting more of the passionate people who love beer and brew beer.

Which events are you looking forward to at LA Beer Week?

It’s exciting to see all of the beer & cheese and beer & food pairings going on. I really want to go to everything. What a full range of beer events LA Beer Week has created for all of us to enjoy!

  • This friday one of my fave food trucks, The Grilled Cheese Truck, will be at Eagle Rock Brewery.
  • Because there is a part of me that want to know how things work, I’m interested in the Micromatic Draft Seminar that was mentioned at the LA Beer Week press conference.
  • On Sunday October 10, Dionicess Vll will team up with the amazing Chef Eric Greenspan who will prepare food to pair with Dogfish Head’s brews. I’ve been a long time fan of Eric’s since his days at Patina and I’m sure this will be a fantastic evening. It’s all happening at Eric’s The Foundry on Melrose. I can’t wait to taste what Eric comes up with to pair with Dogfish Head’s libations.
  • Finally, the Second Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival at Union Station Sunday October 17 will be a mind blowing experience to learn about beer and the foods that pair with them so beautifully. See you there!

I’d recommend people do one LA Beer Week event every day and use this opportunity to explore the beer culture in our area of the world.

Any secrets we can spill about your event?

I may have a cheese with me that can be eaten with a spoon.

Say Cheese

Barrie Lynn also added, “I wish I could go to every LA Beer Week event. I’m so happy to be able to help bring more people to the awareness of the amazing beer culture in Southern California and particularly Los Angeles.” Amen sista.

If you love brews & cheese too, there are multiple pairing events you can attend:

  • Naja’s Place — Belgian Beer & Artisanal California Cheese Pairing. October 9, 5 – 8 PM.
  • Whole Foods Pasadena — Stone beers & Charcuterie. October 12, 4 – 6:30 PM.
  • Karl Strauss Citywalk — Monster Beer & Cheese Night. October 13, 6 – 9 PM.
  • Whole Foods El Segundo — Allagash & Artisanal Cheese. October 14, 5 – 7 PM.
  • The Surly Goat — Beer & Cheese pairing with The Bruery and Hot Knives, October 14.
  • 2nd Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival — October 17, 12 – 4 PM.

joe-widmer-master-cheesemaker-with-wisconsin-brick-cheese

When?
6:30 PM, October 15

Where?
The Surly Goat
7929 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Additional information:
http://www.labeerweek.com/
http://www.thecheeseimpresario.com/

Photos provided by Barrie Lynn Krich.