Year of New Beer (Rnd 2): Bourbon Barrel Aged Stock Ale, West 6th Brewing (Lexington)

Written By: Dion on 03/30/2017

I've been drinking craft beer for over 20 years. It has only been in the past 4 or 5 years, however, that I've given much thought to beer and food pairings. After all, wine is the sophisticated drink for food, right? Tonight's event at West 6th was an attempt to put that myth to rest, and I must say, it was quite successful in its quest. Seven small plates from seven of Lexington's top culinary artisans were thoughtfully paired with seven different W6th beers, each striving to enhance the other. Each pairing was worthy of discussion, but in all honesty, I only photographed two. 

Secondly was the Bourbon Barrel Aged Stock Ale. Rich with caramel and dark fruits on the nose, it's easy to see why this enhances the plate. Sweet malts and oaky bourbon notes marry beautifully with the nearly caramelized pork belly, as the charred wood enhances the smokiness of the meat. Both of these pairings were absolute home runs. Moral of the story? Broaden your horizons and explore the vast array of beer styles and enjoy their ability to enhance the food you eat!