CAO VR Full Fathom Five and Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark: Pairing

The Lager

Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark

Leinie.com

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA

4.9% abv

Appearance: deep dark cola like body with a tan head that does not stay around for the party.

Aroma: light roasted grains, very faint nose

Flavors: moderately roasted malts, tobacco, faint hops to help keep the malts in balance.  Rather simple in taste.

Mouthfeel: spritzy feel from the carbonation, I wish there was a ‘creamy’ feel, mild-medium mouthfeel, crisp and easy to drink dark lager, thin aftertaste

To the Point: typical easy drinking Leinenkugel, not big in flavor, but if you want to drink a few and sit around the campfire during the winter … this should do the trick (that is the only reason I pick it up).  For the cigar smoke this should be easy to pair with any stick. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – simple, thin, crisp, no aftertaste to talk about

The Cigar

CAO VR Full Fathom Five

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro Arapiraca

Fillers: Nicaragua, Mexico

Size: 5.5 x 55 box-press

Flavor profile: earthy, woodsy, and peppery with a leathery texture.  This is a rather simple cigar that is enjoyable.  Medium in body at best. 

To the Point: Not big in the taste category but should do the trick if you are looking for an easy smoking experience. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – limited aftertaste, simple in taste

The Pairing

These two should get along just fine.  They are real similar to one another; simple in their flavor profile and mild-medium to medium at best in strength.  But, if you get to boring friends together for the first time they either hate each other or they just get along just fine.  Let’s find out. 

Well, anytime a beer has a tobacco or smoke flavor they should go well with a cigar and this one does.  The slightly roasted grains of the lager mix well with the earthy and woody style of this cigar. They are working well together.  Okay, this pairing is not going to wow you but, not every experience needs to be great.  Sit back and enjoy the campfire and you still will say, ‘life is great.’  Campfires have that effect.