Romeo y Julieta Casino I and poperings hommel ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Romeo y Julieta Casino I

Reserva Real

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Ecuadoran

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 7 x 50

$11.75 a stick here in Michigan

Flavor Profile: this is a nice and mellow stick.  Mild white mushroom and light dry soil earthy tones; the texture is silky smooth and very mild in body.  This is as simple as it gets while still being tasty. 

This cigar is perfect for some white wines and mild beers.  I have one that should be perfect – I am off to the beer fridge. 

Comes in a crystal tube

The Ale

poperings hommel ale

Brewed & Bottled by:

NV Van Eecke

Watou, Belgium

7.5% abv

11.2oz bottle

$16.99 a four pack

I came across this beer about three years ago and thanks to Global Beer the American importer of this ale and many others.  This is a Belgian IPA and sorry American Hopheads it is not a bitter bomb.  But, it is liquid art. 

Appearance: a hazy blend of gold and amber with a two finger egg-shell white head with plenty of lacing on the glass.  Make sure to get that sediment off the bottom of the bottle. 

Aroma: light floral hops, a twist of lemon rind, hint of fresh apple and pear, hint of sweet malts and Belgium yeast.  Nice aromatic hops – sorry hopheads not bitter hops. 

Flavors: let this ale warm a little after taking it out of the fridge for the flavor pop once it hits the 50 degree mark; floral, a rosy-floral note, hint of lemon meat – just a hint, a little fruity – white fruit like, a pinch of coriander, a dash (one dash) of pink peppercorn, low sodium saltine cracker, sweet malts – sweet dough like

Mouthfeel: good Belgian carbonation, there is an oily feel from the hops, the nice fizzy and oily feel gives it a semi-creamy feel, lingering floral and that twist of lemon rind on the aftertaste

To the Point: this ale is soooo easy to drink and at 7.5% watch out for it will catch up to you.  This is one of my favorite Belgians – right up there with Piraat – I am not saying that it is like Piraat – I am saying it is one of my favorites like Piraat. 

The Pairing

This cigar is perfect for this wonderful ale.  The mild white mushroom and soft dusty soil earthy tones just blend in so nicely with the great flavors of this delicate Belgian IPA.      

Look for my other cigar pairings with this tasty ale.