Kinky Friedman Kinkycristo and Rodenbach Ale Grand Cru: Pairing

The Ale

Rodenbach Ale Grand Cru

Flemish Red Brown

Brewery Rodenbach

Roeselare, Belgium

33% young ale; 67% two year old matured ale

1 pt 9.4 oz bottle

6% abv

Appearance: the nice two finger tan head dissipates quickly over dark brown body with cordovan highlights

 

Aroma: musty oak, tart apple mash,

Flavors: tart apple, over ripened apples, big oak, little apple vinegar,  as the ale warms a sweet black cherry note swirls around.  

Mouthfeel: big tart style, super fine carbonation to keep the palate lively, dry, sweet-tart apple on the finish,

The Cigar

Kinky Friedman Kinkycristo

Wrapper: Honduran Habano

Binder: Costa Rican

Fillers: Honduran and Nicaraguan

Size: 6.2 x 54

Belicoso

Off the light: rich earthy coffee.  As the smoke continues a dash of white and pink peppercorn adds a nice spicy style.  The earthy note reminds me of rich black soil.  The coffee tone is a nice medium-dark roast. 

The Pairing: this pairing is better than I expected.  The rich black earthy profile of the cigar mingles well with the Ales apple tones and big oaky note.  The tart style of this Grand Cru also refreshes the palate during this pairing. 

I like sipping this ale first and then taking a few puffs of the cigar for the ale’s flavors seem to transfer to the cigar. 

Mid-Point: a firm medium bodied smoking experience.  A fairly straight forward cigar with notes of: medium roast coffee and soil.  The spice here in the mid-section has a hint of soft white pepper. 

This is a very interesting pairing.  The tart apple vinegar and oak wood notes play so well off the earthy notes of the cigar.  It must be the medium body and fairly smooth style of the cigar that makes this work.  I think if this cigar was fuller and the coffee note was bolder then we could have a collision in tastes. 

Down the Stretch: the cigar developed a leathery feel during this third.  Toasted grains mixed in with the dry soil.  I don’t notice the light spice and the coffee is like a mild-medium roast.  The cigar had plenty of burning issues so have a lighter full of butane and ready to do some work. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – medium body overall

To the Point: a decent smoke, fairly simple, should pair well with most beverages, it is nothing that is going to maximize your experience