I have been to two different beer dinners with Romer’s Burger Bar in the past but both were at the Kitsilano location. This time the brewmaster dinner was held at their Yaletown location. The dinner was a collaboration with Red Truck Beer.
This is the third year that Romer’s has put on the Craft Bowl promotion at their pubs and this dinner tied into it. Red Truck is the 2 time defending champion of the promotion. All three locations put two or three beer against each other in a blind tasting where you pick your favourite and get a glass for $6. The beer you pick is the one that gets your vote and each week a beer goes on. I arrived at the dinner early so I decided to make my vote count.
Last weeks beers turned out to be Strange Fellows Talisman West Coast Pale Ale and Moody Ales hardy Brown Ale. I blindly picked the Pale Ale and it became my vote (Moody Ales moved onto next round).
Once everyone arrived the dinner could begin.
The dinner began with the manager of this location giving an introduction to how the night would go. He then introduced Jim Romer the owner and executive chef of Romer’s Burger Bar who explained what we would be eating that night. After he spoke the Cicerone for Red Truck Ales explained why the beers used in the cooking and the beers paired with the food were used (Not always the same beer in food as being consumed).
First Course
Red Truck IPA Organic Beet Salad
Local Goat cheese, wild baby arugula, sweet onion, Red Truck IPA mustard vinaigrette.
Paired with – Red Truck Lager
This salad was a nice fresh salad with a mild bite and tartness from the Vinegarette. I don’t think you can go wrong with Goat Cheese on a salad either. The lager is mildly citrusy and clean and does not overpower the salad. Probably not the pairing I would have chosen but it worked pretty well together.
Second Course
Red Truck Lager Braised Rib Duo
Beef short ribs, maui pork ribs, wild mushroom risotto, Red Truck Lager jus
Paired with – Red Truck IPA
This dish was by far my favourite of the three dishes. The meat had been marinated in the Lager overnight. The meat was very rich in flavour and also very tender. I can not say I can notice the lager shining through in the meat or the jus. The mild bitterness of the IPA did cut through the richness of the meat though and paired quite well.
Course Three
Maple Bacon Doughnuts
Maple frosting, fresh thyme, Red Truck Ale caramel Sauce
Paired With – Red Truck Ale
Although not my favourite dish (as I prefer the savoury parts) this was the best pairing of the bunch bar none. The doughnuts were sweet and had a ton of maple and caramel standing out. There was a hint of the ale peaking through in the sauce. The small chunk of bacon on top of every doughnut was an awesome touch! While the caramel and mild fruit notes pair well with the doughnut the hint of bitterness does help to cut back on the sweetness.
If you did not leave this dinner both full and quite happy with the beer and food offered I don’t think beer dinners are for you! I quite enjoyed the opportunity to try out new dishes and see how the people involved paired it with beer. Good job Romer’s and Red Truck on a successful dinner.
This is the last week of Romer’s Craft Bowl “The Trinity” and the three breweries in question need your votes! All three locations are serving the same three beer with the final tally being on Superbowl Sunday where a winner will be crowned.
Full sized photos can be found here.
Romers Burger Bar
http://www.romersburgerbar.com
1039 Mainland Street
Vancouver BC
V6B 2T4
Phone: (604) 559 7210
Red Truck Beer
http://www.redtruckbeer.com
Mike's Craft Beer 