Sweetwater Beer Dinner

Inman Park Patio

JR Francis
Staff Writer

"Where are the coldies, boys?" Sweetwater Master Brewer and Co-Founder Fredrick Bensch asked us as we walked up to introduce ourselves. Managing Editor/Photographer Matt Simpson and I looked at one another briefly, and then raised our hands to the bartender who promptly delivered two cold 420's. The evening started out perfectly.

August 4th, at the Inman Park Patio, Sweetwater Brewing Company held their Beer Dinner. Chef Terry Bigelow prepared a full dinner and desert, paired with Sweetwater beers. Restaurant Owner Rusty and General Manager Phil were both looking pleased throughout the evening, and folks enjoyed the fine food and excellent beers.

Bensch played the warm and friendly host, telling attendees that there was one rule for the evening, "No empty glasses," and he did his part to assure that was the case. He was super-high energy, palling around with those he knew and those he didn't, all the time smiling, shaking hands, and offering his wares. One might almost get the idea he was running for governor, and perhaps he was, wanting his beer to be elected to officiate your refrigerator.

Sweetwater glasses waited at each place setting, along with a card describing the evening's meal and beer selections. The dishes were particularly crafted for the beers, Bigelow took the opportunity to point out, because he himself is a beer drinker. He took the time to make sure the dishes weren't too "chi-chi" but were at the same time, of a refined palate. It soon became time to find out how well he did.

The entire restaurant was reserved for the event, and was about 7/8ths full when the first course was served: a stuffed green pepper. As the wait staff passed out the plates, Bench addressed the restaurant. He welcomed everyone and explained that he hoped to expand folks' horizons, not only in beer, but also in food over the evening. An excellent public speaker, he did not use the provided microphone, but spoke at a comfortable volume. He quizzed the crowd on the winner of the "Best Small Brewery of the Year" awarded at the Great American Beer Festival. The question was loaded, for Sweetwater was the answer. He then wished us all well, and expressed again his desire that we all learn something, either about food, or about a Sweetwater beer we had not tried. He then diverted our attention to the food in front of us.

The stuffed green bell pepper was filled with spicy couscous and paired with the Sweet Georgia Brown. "A great pairing. The spiciness was excellently balanced by the sweetness of the Brown," noted Jamie Marshall, a Sweetwater fan in attendance. Marshall found the beer dinner by email, after visiting the Sweetwater website to "see what kinda swag they've got." He and his wife Laura attended for the food as well as the beer, and enjoyed both without question through the evening.

The IPA joined a plate of spicy shrimp and cucumber salad as the next course. Colin Van Antwerp of Smyrna considered this an excellent pairing. The cool salad balanced nicely with the spiciness and the hoppiness of the beer.

Quickly, the main course was upon us; ginger pork chops accompanied by a cold 420. The beer was perhaps too strong a flavor for the delicate tastes of the chop. The smoothness of both worked well, but as Steve Johnson, an attendee of the event, pointed out, perhaps the delicate berry flavor of the Sweetwater Blue might have made a better compliment.

Adequate time was allowed for consumption of the main course, and introductions of the GM and Owner were made. Joe Picone, a self-proclaimed beer snob, brought along his wife Linda and two friends, Steve and Cindy Johnson. Linda remarked at how complex the beers could be, for she as a wine snob and had not before indulged in as many "good beers" at one sitting.

Desert was a flourless chocolate cake served with the Porter. The chocolate malt in the porter was strikingly similar to the chocolate flavors in the cake. So much so, in fact, that one was at times indistinguishable from the other. Both were delectable and were consumed quickly by all concerned.

To close an evening that could only be judged as a complete success, the room adjourned to the bar with lively discussion, warm, smiling faces and new friends sharing their favorite beers and dishes of the night. Dale LaPepus, a 90-year-old Sweetwater fan summed the evening up with some truly wise words, "I don't know what was better, the great beer, the fine food, or the lovely woman I brought tonight." To avoid the chances of taking a beating from a man born in 1913, I'll agree that all three were indeed excellent.