BeerNost pairs international beers with tasty food

Forget the milk. How about a glass of beer with that piece of chocolate cake?

Doug Alberhasky, store manager and “Bier Guy” at John's Grocery in Iowa City, says that is a natural pairing.

“Chocolate and beer go very well together,” he says.

BrewNost, an international beer tasting benefiting the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, will feature such pairings from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE.

Nine area restaurants and caterers will serve appetizers paired with beers from the Czech and Slovak republics, Belgium, Austria, the British Isles, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy and the United States.

Red's Alehouse in North Liberty is taking a traditional approach to pairing appetizers with Belgian beer.

“When they presented Belgium as our country, we wanted to provide an experience with different beers and different food,” says kitchen manager Tyler Leiss. “We want to offer very unique and hearty recipes, and to stay true to the Belgium recipes.”

Tripel Karmeliet beer will be paired with Belgian meatballs. These traditional Belgian appetizers are made with beef and veal and simmered and seared in a hearty stock made with Tripel Karmeliet.

This is the fifth year of BrewNost. It originated in 1999 when Alberhasky returned from a beer tour in the Czech Republic and suggested a beer education event at the Czech and Slovak Museum.

Last year, BrewNost raised $60,000 for the museum. This year's goal is $65,00, says co-chair Hilery Livengood. The event is again at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art as the Czech and Slovak Museum continues to recover from last year's flood.

In the Czech Republic, beer is an integral part of the lifestyle, Alberhasky says.

“You'll have beer with lunch or dinner. They drink responsibly,” he says.

Through BrewNost, Alberhasky wants patrons to have a “deeper understanding of how beer and food go together.”

“We give the chefs the ability to do what they want,” he says. “After so many years, they try to find something new.”

Kristeena Opfer of Kristeena's Café and Catering, Cedar Rapids, is serving Austrian chocolate chunk cookies and Sachertorte (chocolate cake topped with apricot or raspberry) with her selection of Austrian beers. She is also serving Austrian Wurstsemmel (spiced bratwurst) with sweet pepper and sauerkraut chutney or horseradish piquant.

The Stiegl with lemon soda goes well with the apricot on top of the cakes as well as the acidic sauerkraut, Opfer says.

“A lot of flavors blend together,” she says.

The more off-the-wall pairings, the better, Alberhasky says.

“BrewNost introduces people to different taste experiences,” he says. “It's taken a couple years, but people are really getting into new beer.”