Best beers to pair with pancakes as Lent looms
With Shrove Tuesday just around the corner, the importance of pairing your pancake with a good beer ought to be at the top of the priority list, especially with Lent looming.
Wim van der Spek, food scientist and master brewer at Little Valley Brewery, has put together his top beer and pancake pairings to enjoy this Pancake Day.
“There are so many pancake toppings to choose from and always a perfect beer to accompany each flavour. Beer is a hugely versatile drink that can be paired with most types of food, which is something we always try and encourage. The key to finding the perfect match is looking at the tasting notes for the beer and picking out similarities in the flavours.”
Stoodley Stout for a chocolate enthusiast
“The rich and creamy flavour of stout works well with all types of chocolate, so it’s perfect if you’re out to indulge this Pancake Day! Our Stoodley Stout, which contains chocolate malt, has hints of orange and citrus so it’s the ideal pairing for a chocolate covered pancake.”
Moor Ale for a savoury option
“Fancy a savoury pancake? Our Moor Ale with smoked peat flavours and hints of moorland heather add to a full bodied taste, acting as the perfect accompaniment to smoked salmon or cheese.”
Lemon lover? Hebden’s Wheat is for you
“Pair up with our Hebden’s Wheat if you like to drizzle lemon juice over your pancakes. Fruity, refreshing and delicious, our Hebden Wheat has hints of coriander and lemon.”
Ginger Pale Ale for the spicy one
“If you like to add a bit of spice to your pancake batter, a Ginger Pale Ale is the one for you. With a hint of ginger and citrus, the Ginger Pale Ale makes the perfect accompaniment for anything that’s set to tantalise your taste buds.”
Vanilla Porter to complement rhubarb, sugar and cream
“A sweet tooth? Complement the sweetness of sugar and cream with a rich porter. Our Vanilla Porter with subtle vanilla notes works perfectly for this, as it isn’t overly sweet and balances the flavours perfectly.”
If you’re in need of a recipe for Pancake Day then look no further; here’s Wim’s chosen recipe using Little Valley Brewery’s Tod’s Blonde:
Pancakes with Tod’s Blonde recipe:
Ingredients: (4 people)
• 4 eggs
• Pinch of salt
• 300 grams plain flour
• 150 ml Tod’s Blonde
• 450 ml milk
• 100 grams butter
Method:
• Whisk the eggs and the salt.
• Slowly add the flour, Tod’s Blonde and the milk, whilst stirring all the time.
• Stir until smooth avoiding lumps.
• Heat some of the butter in a pan.
• Pour some of the mixture into the pan to create a thin layer (or thicker if you prefer a thicker pancake).
• Heat the pancake mixture until cooked and lightly brown on both sides.
• Serve hot with your favourite topping!
