Lagunitas Beer Dinner at Lucky Pie

We were the lucky ones!  Manager Zach Thomas and Chef Joe Troupe worked with Ian (Ian, sorry I don't recall your last name) from Lagunitas to put out quite a spread for the dinner last night...




Beer Hour
Lagunitas IPA
Amuse-bouche (appetizer)

This little delight was breaded flash-fried beef with some kind of amazing sauce. Tasty, but with the solid IPA, I was really craving something spicy. The IPA is their flagship brew, and while I’m not a hophead, I like this beer because it has a nice malty sweetness that comes through right before the hops pop out at you. It’s a well-balanced beer…still would liked to have had some chips and salsa with it.

Course One
Lagunitas Czech Style Pils
Prosciutto Scotch Egg with Frisee, Crispy Pig Ears, Hollandaise

Yes, I ate a pig’s ear. One. It was sort of bacony, but had an extra layer of – what I can only imagine was – cartilage. (A little on the eewww side.) The egg was yummy: a hard-boiled egg wrapped in prosciutto, breaded and fried. It was a good pairing with the Pils. This beer is clean and crisp. It doesn’t have the bite of a Pilsner Urquell or a German-style pils. It’s even – start to finish. Very drinkable.

Course Two
Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’
Chili Poached Cod, Bacon Dashi, Beech Mushroom

Now we’re talking. This course came in a bowl presenting a twinkie-sized piece of chili-blackened cod resting in a spicy dashi (broth), featuring bacon and mushrooms. It was a perfect paring for the beer. Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ is a pale wheat ale…but it doesn’t have the clove/bubble gum haziness of a typical wheat beer. Instead, there’s a blast of citrus in the aroma (orange and pineapple), along with a touch of bread and sweetness, and clean caramel. A lovely little sumpin’ sumpin’.

Course Three
Lagunitas Brandy Barrell-Aged Imperial Stout
Braised Short Rib en croûte (wrapped in pastry) w/Gorgonzola and Wilted Spinach

This course was absolutely delicious. The short rib was melt-in-your mouth good. And the pastry was flaky and extra buttery; it served as a perfect plate for the strong gorgonzola. The Imperial Stout was sweet and warming with alcohol. Loads of dark fruit: cherries, prunes, and raisins. It totally stood up to the cheese and complemented the rich beef, as well.

Course Four
Lagunitas 2010 Olde Gnarly Wine
Sticky Date Pudding with Almond Brittle

I don’t always eat dates, but when I do, I want them to be in sticky pudding with almond brittle. This was a great choice for dessert as it wasn’t too sweet and didn’t compete with the sweetness of the barley wine. The 2010 vintage was most excellent. The complex flavors were soft and well blended. I placed my hand over the top of the glass and swirled the last few sips around a bit. Lifting my thumb, I stuck my nose into the glass and inhaled. The sinus-clearing, candied aroma made its way to my extremities and invited me to savor the last drops. Gladly.