Among the various beers I'm brewing for my wedding next May, I'd like to do his/hers type beers as the table favors with the appropriate bride/groom labels. The intent is to get the guests interacting and marry the beers together to form some kind of "black and tan". Any interesting suggestions on what two styles I could use to combine? My initial thought was something similar to youngs + lindemans frambroise, but making a lambic is not an option at this point. Thanks
Nice idea...maybe something along the lines of NG Raspberry Tart and a chocolatey stout or porter? You could do a nice fruit beer without going full lambic.
I agree with HB42. Something along the lines of an Irish red ale and and a dry stout will be VERY crowd friendly and worth bringing to the party. Go heavier on the OG of the red and light on the OG of the dry stout.
Do you want the beers to mix or do you want them to layer? IIRC Young's and Lindeman's doesn't layer, at least not for long.
I'm really just looking for ideas for beers that are good on their own, and just as good, or better, when combined. (cue the sappy symbolism) Actually being able to layer is a bonus. I don't expect many people to try and do it regardless.
So if layering is a bonus, and you (presumably) will have non-craft drinkers, a Pale and a lighter (OG) Stout would probably be the ticket. Most people have seen a black and tan/half and half before and would probably get it. But for flavor, the best combination I've had (but with only temporary layering) was a Young's Double Chocolate Stout with a Weihenstephaner Hefe.
Looks like I'll have to come up with a simple dry stout recipe. 70% pale 25% flaked barley 5% roasted barley EKG to 25ibu I have a blonde, lemon-lime pale (Sorachi Ace/Motueka) and a hibiscus wheat on the to-brew list before I got this half and half idea. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try these out first with the stout. If that fails, I think I'll go with an irish red. Thanks for the suggestions.
I wish I was having my reception somewhere I could serve my own beer. My venue is letting be bring in sealed bottles as part of table decorations, but absolutely no opening/drinking them during the night
