Brewers' Best

Each year I volunteer for a bit to help out with the Vermont Cheese Council's booth at the Burlington Brewfest. Microbreweries from around the country and into Canada attend this ever growing event. Typically each year for some strange reason, there is torrential rain and steamy sultry heat right after. This day promised different. When I arrived I thought I was overdressed with muck boots on and a heavy rain coat. But within 20 minutes looking across Lake Champlain one could see black rolling clouds heading our way. Boom. It poured and sogged up the already spongy grass filled with long lines to taste the brewers' best on this day.

Back to why I was there. No, not to drink in the middle of the day on a sun filled Saturday when I am always working my stand at the farmers market..........wait! Why not? I was actually there to help prep and plate 100 tastings for the public to be conducted by Ruth Miller and the Vermont Cheese Council's new coordinator, Calley Hastings (Fat Toad Farm). Calley, Mark Fischer (Woodcock Farm), Masha Stern, and myself squeezed under the dripping EZ UP tent to cut assembly line style. What was on tap?

At 12 o'clock position on the tasting plate... Woodcock Farm's bloomy rind sheep cheese, Summer Snow paired with Alchemist's Saison
Around the clock as follows: Willow Hill Farm Butternut Cheese paired with Switchback Roasted red
Boucher Farm Gore-Dawn-Zola paired with Bobcat Baltic Porter
Fat Toad Farm Herbed Chevre paired with Rock Art Magnumus
Shelburne 2-Yr Cheddar paired with Gardner Ale Hard Cider
Why was Boucher Farm in the 3 o'clock position, I asked? Typically blue cheeses are tasted in pairings last as the flavor profiles tend to dominate one's palate and block all others following.
Ruth explained that the beer used in this pairing was the reason for its placing.
Word has it that it was very well attended and all had fun!