Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together

So it's no great shock that I'm a huge fan of craft beer. Especially Dogfish Head. So that's why I'm not afraid to pull the wifey card once every month during the off season in order to enjoy the fruits of my hubby's labor. Beer dinners are the best of two worlds: The creative and groundbreaking world of small brewhouses trying to cut their way through the swath of yellow fizz, and the long standing tradition of culinary chemistry pairing with potent potables. If you see my non-Kate Moss sized body, you can guess that I am a fan of good food. So it makes me absolutely giddy that some of Dennis' best work thus far in his career has been at these beer dinners, of which I have enjoyed every one so far. As I write this segment, I'm sitting at the downstairs bar enjoying a Ta Henket and waiting for the festivities to begin. As usual, I will be joined by my partner in dine, Maizie Wallace.


Alright... Here I am, upstairs at last. It's another sold out event, so it's nice and noisy, the way a truly social event should be! Here's the menu:

WELCOME TO THE DOGFISH HEAD LOW COUNTRY BEER DINNER

Welcome- Fungus Tea'Mungus

Awesome beer... very little left. Brewpub exclusive as a small run.

Trio of She Crab Soup with Wit Spiced Rhum, Pimento Cheese with Baguette, Fried Chincoteague Oyster with Lemon Cayenne Aioli
Served with Midas Touch, 60 Minute IPA, and Lawnmower




She crab with the Midas: the crab was rendered all the more sweet by the midas.
Pimento Cheese with the 60: The semi aggressive hopping of the 60 was just what was needed to cut through the richness of the cheese without overpowering the pimento.
Oyster with Lawnmower: the Lawnmower is often swept under the rug as a "starter beer" but held it's own tonight against the lightly briny oyster and the nicely spicy aioli.

Maizie Says: "More Oysta's please!"

Sweet Tea Glazed Salmon with Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Chevre, Local Lettuces and Peach Vinaigrette
Served With Aprihop




The hoppy-ness of the beer was great for toning down the salmony-ness of the fish, but the light sweetness of the glaze was highlighted by the Apricot in the brew. It was great to have the compliment of the dressing against the beer, and the goat cheese and fried green tomato were just acidic/tangy enough to add nice bright notes to the dish.

Maizie Says: "MMmmmmmm" (mostly because her mouth was full)

Shrimp and Grits-Huge Woodgrilled Shrimp, Stone Ground Crispy Grit Cake, Homemade Smoked Pork Belly Sauce
Served with Ta Henket




The Ta Henket, which is a phenomenal beer, almost needed to be a bit more bold in order to shine through all the richness of this dish. That being said, the in-house smoked pork belly AND BACON were incredible! The giant shrimp were grilled perfectly, down to the little "snap" when you bite into them.

Maizie Says: "Holy CRAP! That's rich!"

Warm Cream Cheese Pecan Brownie with Brown Honey Rum Caramel Sauce and Fresh Whipped Cream
Served with World Wide Stout




Buzzzzzzzzzz.... Sugar... chocolate... rum-caramel.... World Wide Stout.... yup. It was that amazing!

Maizie was:
Speechless.