Pairing Challenge

Vanilla Ice Cream Pairing Challenge – The Vote

August 14, 2014

Mad props (yeah, I just used that phrase peeps) go out to KC Hop Talk for thinking outside of the box in August’s Beer Versus Wine Challenge!  Each challenge to date has been a main dish on the savory side of the spectrum – shrimp and grits, battered fish, enchiladas.  But KC said enough!  Kansas City BBQ is just too easy!  How about something sweet, something cold, something summery?  How about some old fashioned ice cream?

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Who doesn’t love vanilla ice cream? 

I’ll tell you who – wine drinkers.  7 out of the 10 pairing suggestions below are all beers.  Seriously?  Beer with vanilla ice cream?  Perhaps we’re all a little infatuated with the idea of adult ice cream floats.  Or maybe I managed to piss off the wine blogging world with my Tweets this weeks, and they’re collectively protesting this month’s challenge.  Sorry guys – you know I still love you.

We all get to scream for ice cream!  Which of the following beer or wine do you think best pairs with Vanilla Ice Cream!   Please cast your vote by Tuesday, August 19!

    • The Wandering Sheppard – I remember one time I was at a local brewery and someone brought out a carton of vanilla ice cream. The bartender scooped it up into glasses and began pouring a dark beer on top of it. Man was that delicious. I can’t remember the beer, but I do like Trophy Brewing’s Slingshot Coffee Porter. It would be the closest thing to an affogato, which is an awesome dessert that has a jolt of energy.
    • Tommy Shaw – Mate, im not sure if I could handle a beer and ice cream combo. However I would probably go a strong dark ale, or even a chocolate flavoured ale.
    • Whit Winslow – The PERFECT wine to pair with a vanilla ice cream is going to be Jones von Drehle’s Tempranillo! http://shop.jonesvondrehle.com/2012-Tempranillo-856819004131/
    • Andrea – The dryness of the wine combined with the bubbles make a great combination with the sweet and creamy ice cream. I admit to resorting to store bought ice cream, but it was still delicious. I’m not even a huge sparking wine fan, but this worked. It was such a contrast that it worked almost like a salted chocolate.
    • Claire – I’d suggest Ballast Point’s Victory at Sea, a very bitter imperial porter with lots of coffee, some chocolate and perhaps a hint of vanilla. My husband brought back a bottle from the states, and I confess I didn’t really like it. Too bitter for me! But a few weeks ago I finally got around to trying an affogato, vanilla ice cream “drowned” in espresso. The bitter espresso makes the ice cream taste even sweeter, and more decedent, without giving it the heavy, sickly-sweet taste that something like chocolate syrup or caramel can. I think the sweet, clean taste of vanilla ice cream (or even the moody flavours of bourbon vanilla) would do really well against the stormily bitter Victory at Sea.  I’d suggest not just pairing the ice cream with the beer, but actually combining the two into either an affogato or float depending on the ice cream to beer ratio you desire.
    • KC Hop Talk – I’ve been putting some thought into the pairing for this challenge, and I believe the best beer to drink with a bowl of ice cream would be Lindemans Framboise Raspberry Lambic. The sour tart from this raspberry beer is a perfect balance to the sweet creaminess of the ice cream. http://www.lindemans.be/start/framboise/en
    • If It Falls on the Floor – Sweet wine goes best with sweet dessert. I enjoy a splash (or three) of Quady Winery’s Elysium gently poured over scoops of vanilla ice cream. It makes for an effortless dessert when company comes over. The black cherry, strawberry and honey flavors are complemented by the subtle scents of roses. In Greek, Elysium means “state of eternal bliss!”
    • The Wandering Gourmand – Olde Hickory Seven Devils, a bourbon aged scotch ale is my choice. We had it on draft this winter. Seven Devils has a very root beer like quality. To jump on the theme of beer floats. We actually made one with vanilla ice cream and Seven Devils. That drink could have put the Dairy Queen out of business.
    • @a_ogilvie – lagunitas nighttime ipa
    • @cookeatlife – porter and vanilla were meant to go together!