Reader: A glass act at Colt & Gray

While a few readers poured criticism over Laura Shunk for her recent review of Freshcraft, Mantonat took the discussion a useful step further, pouring out some mouth-watering suggestions for anyone going to Colt & Gray, one of three more restaurants featuring beer and food pairings:

“…a brew to go with the food, which is heavy and pub-inspired: a perfect match for beer.” This is the stereotyped view of beer and food to go with beer that has kept people from enjoying beer and food pairings in the first place. Here’s a sample list of menu items from Colt & Gray; hardly heavy or pub inspired. I’ve added beer pairings that I thought might match well.

Arctic Char & Sea Bass Crudo, Fresno Chili, Orange, Fennel, Sea Salt & Olive Oil
Berliner Kindl Weiss

Oysters on the Half Shell, Citrus-White Wine Mignonette
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noire

Grilled Diver Scallop, Braised Leeks & Caviar Beurre Blanc
Orval Trappist

Grilled Octopus, Arugula, Citrus, Chick Peas, Red Pepper, Onion, Sweet Potatoes & Champagne Vinaigrette
Fantome Pissentlit dandelion beer

Ingrid’s Steamed Bouchot Mussels
Cider, Leeks, Cream, Garlic, Fennel & Toasted Country Bread
Girardin Geueze Black Label

CioppinoSea Bass, Prawns, Clams & Mussels, Tomato-Fennel Broth
Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale

Seared Arctic Char, Roasted Potatoes & Sorrel Sauce
An unfiltered German zwikl from a gravity-fed cask would be perfect but probably unavailable. Uerige Sticke may be a good bottled pairing.

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