Craft Beer tasting and food matching


Ahead of its sixth consecutive summer sailing from Southampton, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, is undergoing a refurbishment  to offer a series of luxurious new features when it emerges from dry dock in May 2015.  To celebrate the new refurbishment of  Celebrity Cruises  Eclipse, the company hosted a great evening of beer tasting and food matching in London.
I was lucky enough to try The Gastro Bar at Celebrity Equinox ship back in September 2014, read all about here.
 

Gastrobar at Equinox

‘Gastrobar – A new premium craft beer and comfort food site. Gastrobar will offer food and beer enthusiasts over 40 handcrafted boutique beers to choose from in addition to Celebrity Cruises’ collection of wines and cocktails, all perfectly paired with a menu of gastro-style fare. The menus will be presented on iPads that will also include an app for guests to select their ideal food and drink pairings. Gastrobar’s upscale casual surroundings will feature entertainment and music for the complete sophisticated lounge experience. Guests can find a new venue in the space formerly known as Cellar Masters.

our host

Oz Clarke

Oz Clarke is one of the world’s notable wine and beer experts, whose terrific reputation is based on his very extensive expertise, non-nonsense and  attainable approach to tasting, as well as writing and events hosting. An Oxford University alumnus, Oz’s tasting skills have won him tasting competitions since precociously early age and international recognition.

Oz has worked with Celebrity Cruises as its wine and beer expert since 2012 and has hosted a series of Immersive Wine cruises in Europe, all day intro, masterclasses pairings food  gourmet dinners, presentations and conversations. Always involved with guests.

Craft beer tasting

Goose Island 312 in a Champagne flute – Grand Cepage 24cl
•    Wheat beer, Cloudy – turn the bottle upside down before serving
•    Pale light, spicy aroma of Cascade hops followed by a crisp, fruity pale flavour delivered in a smooth, creamy body that’s immensely refreshing
•    President Obama’s favourite beer

Franziskaner Here-Weissbier served in a Champagne flute – Grand Cepage 24cl
•    A wheat beer, cloudy and the colour of sugar puffs
•    Sweet, ‘bready’ flavour with hints of banana, pear, clove, vanilla and bubblegum
Food pairing: served with whipped ricotta, truffled honey and thyme on grilled country bread

Duvel served in a Vinoteque 40cl glass
•    Pale blonde lager served with a head. Must be served icy. Ideally chill glasses before serving – serve as if serving chilled white wine, bottle conditioned, so try to leave a small amount of sediment behind
• Spicy and herbal hops with a honey-like and full ripe pear flavour
Food pairing: Served with truffled grilled cheese raclette, braised leeks, sourdough ciabatta

Brew Dog Hardcore IPA served in a Vinoteque 40cl glass
•    Serve chilled
•    Chocked full of the American  hops with  intense citrus, pine, and spicy notes. Backed up by a strong malty backbone and a lingering bitterness
Food pairing: Served with steamed pork bun; sweet chilli, pickled cabbage; Japanese mayo

Lindemans Framboise served in a martini cocktail glass
    Serve chilled
•    Magnificent perfume, delicate palate of raspberries with undertones of balanced fruity acidity; elegant, sparkling clean natural taste
Food pairing: Served with chocolate brownie

Digestif – Rogue Chocolate Stout, Oregon served in a Brandy balloon glass
•    jet-black coloured with a luxurious, creamy head
•    An earthy flavour of oats and hops that gives way to a rich chocolate truffle finish

It was an enlightening experience. The beer and food matching were as expected spot-on.  I am looking forward to trying  more pairings and craft beers in the future.

Disclosure:
I was a guest of Celebrity Cruises  at this event. All views are my own. I retained, as always, full editorial
control over this review. Photos by Celebrity Cruises. Images provided by Celebrity Cruises, unless otherwise stated.

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