Super Bowl Beer-Cheese Pairings

If you're tired of being relegated to the world of chips, pizza and beer at Super Bowl parties, why not celebrate the year's biggest game with some fantastic cheese and beer pairings?

More and more party-goers and Super Bowl Sunday hosts are moving away from junk food and instead serve up unique beer and cheese combos that will please even the most diehard pizza fan.

Cheese expert Max McCalman has designed what he considers the ideal cheese selection for football fans - the Super Bowl Sunday Fromage Plate.

It sounds fancy, but the four cheeses from France that McCalman has selected are quite "beer friendly." Chef Lee Skawinski of Portland, Maine's Cinque Terre and Vignola restaurants worked with McCalman's Super Bowl Sunday Fromage Plate to suggest the ideal brews for each cheese.

The Selection

Mimolette is a pasteurized cow's milk cheese with "robust, fruity, nutty flavors." Pair with a wheat beer or a classic stout, such as Hefeweizen or Guinness.

Epoisses is a cow's milk cheese with a soft, smooth texture. Pair with a brown ale, like Newcastle Brown Ale or Pete's Wicked Ale.

Cantal is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese cured with salt - somewhat reminiscent of a cheddar. This cheese will match best with pilsners like Heineken, Amstel or Pilsner Urquell.

Cap Gris Nez is a rich and creamy flavorful cheese from northern France. Complement it with browns or porters like Anchor Porter or Sierra Nevada Porter.

Naturally, these are just a few suggestions for how to create the ultimate beer and cheese pairing for your Super Bowl celebration. There are no hard and fast rules to pairing, so experiment and have fun with your selections.

After all, when you combine French cheese and beer with friends, family and the most anticipated game of the year, what do you have to lose?

Photo & information courtesy CheesesOfFrance.com