I was lucky enough to get invited to this beer dinner at Parker’s Blue Ash Tavern featuring the brews of Listermann and Triple Digit. Before we go any farther a bit of background on Listermann and Triple Digit. Listermanns has been a home brew store for a long time now then 5 years ago they started a small brewery aptly named Listermann Brewing Company. Wanting to experiment more they then created a separate brewery know as Triple Digit Brewing company, so named for all their beers having a original gravity in the triple digits. So they’re both brewed at the same place and on the same equipment but are “different” breweries.
I’ve said it before and I’ll again repeat that I’m no food blogger but I’ll do what I can on that front. I will, however, be focusing on the brews and how well they pair with the courses. As for the restaurant I’d never been to Parker’s Blue Ash Tavern before but have seen how they’ve been improving their craft beer selection lately. I quickly checked on the way in and saw at least 8 taps of craft plus a standard sized color case full of craft bottles.
First Course:
Tuna Tacos (Cucumber Salsa, Jalapeno Crema, Cilantro)
paired with a Serpentine Wheat.
Beer: Listermann Serpentine Wheat
Style: Wheat Ale
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: 18
Ingredients: 2 row pale, wheat malt, oats; sterling and sorachi ace hops; American ale yeast
Little bit darker than most wheats with much more orange color. Nice light aroma of wheat that reminds me of summer days. Very crisp taste with light citrus flavors, but not really the typical IPA type of citrus more lemony than that. Very light body and smooth mouth feel with plenty of carbonation bubbling across your tongue and almost no sense of alcohol. Super refreshing on a hot day.
The heat from the Jalapeno meets up well with the cool soothing wheat but it’s was still a pretty hot dish… Or I’m getting old and losing my joy/tolerance of spicy food.
Second Course:
Fish & Chips (Battered Pacific Cod, Crispy Plantain, Napa Cabbage)
Beer: Listermann Leopold.
Stye: Belgian blonde
ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 26
Ingredients: Pilsner malt, wheat, flaked corn; Sterling hops; Belgian yeast
Availability: draft only
Extremely light pale yellow, could be mistaken for a Bud Light. Strong flavors from the Belgian yeast strand brings out aromas of fruit. The flavor profile matches the aroma strongly of fruit and lots of grapes specifically. Uber light body and mild carbonation. Really flavorful beer showing off loads of fruit.
The meal was infused with Leopold in multiple ways and tasted great with it.
Third Course:
Beer Belly & Pork Rinds (Smoked Pork Belly, Spicy Pork Rinds, Avocado)
Beer: Listermann Jungle Honey
Style: American Pale Ale
ABV: 5.7%
IBU: 40
Ingredients: 2-row, crystal, and honey malt; perle and zythos hops; American Ale yeast
Availability: Draft only 😦
Orange brown color topped with slight head. Complex aroma mixing the bitter and sweet. Flavor hits you with a touch of bitterness then a wave of sweetness. Medium body and finish. I really enjoyed the flavor of this brew.
Really awesome combo with the beer and food here. Fatty pork flavors of the meat were washed away by the IPA cleansing the palate for another bite.
Entree Course:
Ohio Steak & Potatoes (Ribeye Two Ways, Asparagus, Roasted Beef Jus)
Beer: Triple Digit Aftermath
Style: Scottish Wee Heavy
ABV: 10.5%
IBU: 25
Ingredients: 2 row, crystal, victory, and chocolate malts; brewers gold hops; ale yeast
Availability: 22 oz bottles and limited release draft
Dark brown mahogany color. Strong caramel and toasted bread aromas. Matching flavor with loads of alcohol, but not aggressive or in your face. Fuller body with a creamy mouth feel. Very enjoyable, but you should only do so with caution!
Sorry, this food looked to delicious to wait to take a picture. Super awesome Ribeye, Asparagus, and fried Potatoes which goes great with this strong beer.
Dessert Course:
Nutty Bars (Fresh Peanut Butter, Wafers, Chocolate)
Beer: Listermann Nutcase
Style: Peanut butter porter
ABV: 6.7%
IBU: 28
Ingredients: 2 row pale, aromatic, crystal, Chocolate, flaked oat malts; brewers gold hops; American ale yeast.
Very dark brown color. Nuts are all over the place here strong in the aroma and flavor. If you don’t like peanut butter you might want to stay away. I on the other hand love peanut butter and always say the world needs more porters, resulting in this beer being a great combo for me.
Super delicious but almost a little too rich. Think about those vanilla wafer sandwiches, just in a peanut butter flavored and ultra gourmet version.
Not getting down to Norwood (where the Listermann/Triple Digit brewery is) very often I have few chances to try these Listermann brews. Since Triple Digit is bottled and distributed more widely I’m much more familiar with their line up and have had Aftermath quite a few times. This is something that will have to change. I was seriously wowed by the Jungle Honey and need to get around to giving it a full review and making sure to get it more often.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to do the same then this Saturday is that excuse, especially if you like hazelnuts! From 10 am – 10 pm it’s officially Chickow! Day at the brewery, featuring a release of Bourbon Barrel Chickow! as well as many different variations on tap and cask. I also hear it’ll be easier to acquire a variety of Triple Digit in the future as they’re getting a bottling line (they’ve been hand bottling everything) and will be releasing 4 and 6-packs as well as the 22 oz bombers they currently carry!
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was invited to this event by a PR firm and my meal was comped, so all food and beer were free. To our readers, and any breweries interested in inviting me to events, giving me free beer impacts the review in only 2 ways. That way is that I WILL review the beer and I WILL write a blog post about it. Giving me free beer does not guarantee you a favorable review or that I will tell everyone to go buy it or anything like that.
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