I'm not a beer drinker

How many times has someone uttered that phrase?

Saturday, Wegmans hosted a Kick off to Summer with a Beer and Food Pairing Event. Anyone 21+ could stop by any Wegmans stores in Pennsylvania to taste great beers and foods that complemented them.

I went. It was quite crowed, but a really neat event. They had 6 stations each with a beer and food combo. Not all the foods I tried, but I did drink each beer sample. And for a non-beer drinker like me, they went down very nicely.

Here are the stations, foods and beers, details on the beer, and why they paired well.

1) Hoegaarden Belgian White paired with Spicy Tuna Roll and California Roll.
Style: Belgian - Brewed in Portland, ME
Smooth, light bodied witbier, refreshing with tropical/spice notes.
Why it pairs:
Fruit and citrus notes echo the spiciness of tuna; light coriander/clove and tropical notes harmonize with the tang of vinegar in the rice and cut through the buttery-ness of the avocado.

2) Yuengling Lager paired with Steamed Clams and Sourdough Bread
Style: Lager - Brewed in Pottsville, PA
Medium-bodied lager with toast and cascade hops, less sweet than an ale.
Why it pairs:
Because the lager is used to steam the clams, there's a natural match in the flavors. The hops complement the garlic butter in the recipe. Sourdough bread is perfect for soaking up the remaining broth from the clams.

3) Victory V-Twelve paired with Mojo Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Salsa Verde
Style: Belgian Ale - Brewed in Downingtown, PA
Sweet taste of banana, pear, and toffee along with yeast/bread body
Why it pairs:
The complex flavor of the beer are not overshadowed by the many flavors of the dish. The sweet, yeasty flavors offset the black beans' spice.

4) Erie Brewing Presque Isle Pilsner paired with Chicken & Feta Sausage on a Whole Wheat Bun topped with Bruschetta
Style: Pilsner - Brewed in Erie, PA
Brewed with Czech Saaz and Classic American Cluster hops, producing delicate aromas with a malty balance.
Why it pairs:
Slight floral notes and a honey-like finish complement the spinach and feta in the sausage and accent the roll's flavor.

5) Stoudts American Pale Ale paired with 2-Year Grafton Reserve Cheddar on Baguette
Style: American Pale Ale - Brewed in Adamstown, PA
A good balance of malt, hops, and citrus with a firm, refreshing bitterness
Why it pairs:
The APA has enough character to stand up to the aged cheddar, which is made in Vermont using traditional methods. Grafton was recently named one of the top 100 cheddars by Wine Spectator Magazine

6) Lindemans Kriek Lambic paired with Sorbet
Style: Lambic - Brewed in Belgium
Kriek produces a subtle to intense cherry flavor in this sparkling fruit beer
Why it pairs:
The sweetness of the Lambic and the cool, tart flavor of the sorbet create the perfect summer spritzer.

My two favorites were #3 - Victory V-Twelve and #6 Lindemans Kriek Lambic. The V-Twelve was a strong beer; it was 12% alcohol per serving. It was compared to a brandy and sold in a bottle. I purchased a bottle of the Lambic and cannot wait to show my non-beer drinking friends how good this dessert beer tastes.