My girlfriends favorite beer is Consecration, so I wondering what food I should pair it with for Valentines day dinner?
Depends. Are you having V-day dinner with her? Mayor Quimby bought 5 dresses for Valentine's Day. 1 in wife size (huge) 4 in mistress size (small).
I've had good luck with buttery deserts: shortbread cookies and madeleines. Dark chocolate, too. I know it often gets paired with duck confit, too. I think many fatty foods will do well as the acidity will cut through it.
I think barrel aged sours go great with the same foods you might match with champagnes (think rose champagne). Oysters, intense cheeses, charcuterie, smoked salmon, a fried appetizer like say crab fritter, steamed fish with curry sauce or chocolate dessert.
Consecration goes great with goat cheeses. I've had good pairings with cheeses like Purple Haze, Humboldt Fog, and a goat cheese that was flavored with truffles. I'd use the plain fresh bread or plain crackers such as water crackers so you don't overpower the cheese or the beer.
I too, would recommend it as an aperitif (before your main meal) but perhaps with some creamy cheese and crackers or some kind of elegant amuse-bouche. The sourness will open up your palate and offer intrigue to the meal to come.
I made seared duck breast which I then braised for a little while in Consecration with some creme de cassis. Pulled it out to keep it rare, and then made a reduction for the sauce (de-fatted.) Served over faro pilaf with almonds & dried black currants - with the beer to accompany. Everyone raved. Can't wait to do it again.
