21 Dec it’s the most wonderful time for an Aristocrat Pub Beer Dinner
By Writing Community Member Kristina Traxler
As the weather outside actually progresses to a winter there’s nothing I want more than a hearty homecooked meal alongside a crisp adult beverage. I was lucky enough to be able to attend Aristocrat Pub’s Holiday Dinner which brought my dinner expectations to a whole new level.
Having never been to Aristocrat before, I came in wide eyed and eager to try anything and everything. It used to be one of those places that I drove by on College Ave and thought to myself “hmm that looks good, I’ll have to try it.” I walked in and was greeted by a festive man who directed me to the event. The Holiday Dinner was actually held in their private dinner room (located on the second floor and fully loaded with its own restrooms, bar, and kitchen) decorated in beautiful poinsettias. Definitely brought the Christmas cheer hard from the start.
The dinner consisted of 6 courses paired with 7 beers and was as follows:
- Shlafly Christmas Ale: This spiced beer with plenty of clove and ginger was waiting for us as we walked in the door. The honey used in the mix made for a smooth finish and was a user friendly choice to start out the evening.
Ommegang Rare Vos + Granny Smith Apple Salad: This “Sly Fox” bright amber ale with tones of orange peel was served with a crisp fresh salad that made me forget it was 30 degrees outside. The raspberry balsamic went with both the fresh fruit in the salad as well as the crisp citrus in the beer.
Anchor Christmas Ale + Baked Parmesan Zucchini Bites: Don’t let these stubby little bottles scare you away, Anchor Brewing out of San Francisco knows how to make a quality product. This winter warmer recipe (as well as the festive tree on the label) is different every year, this being with plenty of malt and clove. The zucchini was cooked with a nice residual crunch, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and topped with a little tomato. Overall I think the spice in the beer coincided well with the buttery crisp goodness of these classic bar bites.
Chimay Grand Reserve Blue + Garlic 15 Beans Soup with Kale: This Trappist brew fresh off the boat from Belgium was a first time experience for me. Judging by the 9% alcohol content you would never guess it was brewed by monks. This authentic Belgian beer had a light flowery aroma that went well with bold lentils. This soup was hearty and filling enough to count for a full meal. I also learned that this year was the first time their brews have come out of a keg. I felt privileged to be able to try it so close to home.
Sierra Nevada Celebration + Smoked Sausage Penne with Three Cheese Ragu: I’m bias in that I have yet to try a Sierra Nevada that I didn’t like. This creamy malt brew with a caramel finish was the opposite flavor of the dish, but it worked. The sausage was flavorful but not too spicy and the smooth dense cheese of the pasta fed my soul. The garlic bread side was a nice touch to snack on while I was finishing my beer.
3 Floyd’s Alpha Klaus + Grilled Ribeye with a Porter Glaze served alongside Red Potatoes and Carrots: THIS is exactly what I was hoping for with this type of dinner. Being spoiled with 3 Floyd’s this was my second time experiencing Alpha Klaus this holiday season. It’s a bold porter that favors hop flavor as opposed to a traditional christmas ale going overboard on spices. The steak was cooked perfectly and the rustic herb potatoes offset the hops for a mellowed combo. Steak and potatoes, the traditional Midwest meal, goes together flawlessly with 3 Floyd’s, the quality Midwest brewery.
Oskar Blue HotBox Coffee Porter + Gingerbread Sugar Cream Pie topped with Ice Cream: Can’t forget about dessert! I like that Oskar Blue (owner of HotBox Coffee) had full quality control when making this brew. Knowing exactly what composes each ingredient and where it comes from can go a long way. This bold cold brew creation and Indiana Sugar Cream heaven stretched my stomach for the final time of the evening. I would go back for solely the pie itself.
Overall I had a great time at this dinner. I got to try unique beers, have fantastic food, and meet some new friends in the process. The knowledgeable staff did an awesome job of making this event everything that it was by having both the craft beer vendor and the kitchen staff present to explain everything we were putting into our mouths. My only suggestion was to have an Indiana focus, to which the general manager promptly responded that those will be on the calendar in 2016. I was able to find out about this gem (as well as more in the future) on their Facebook page. Thankful that at the end of the night I waddled out the door with a full Santa belly, knowledgeable brain, and a Happy Christmas spirit.
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