I absolutely adore Swiss cheese! Gruyère is one of my all-time favourite cheeses. In October, the Swiss start to switch off their BBQs and turn on the fire for one of the most incredible experiences: cheese fondue! Families and friends sit down around the table to share this amazing experience together.
This connection has inspired us to explore the delicious depths of cheese fondue—a dish synonymous with Swiss culture.
Today, we’re blending this classic with our innovative twist, incorporating our very own Fermento beers to elevate its flavors. Imagine gathering around a bubbling pot of fondue, friends and family dipping into a rich tapestry of flavors enhanced by the perfect brew.
At Fermento, we’re enthusiastic about showcasing how beer can transform and elevate your culinary adventures, whether through cooking or pairing.
And with our new mini-guide on beer and cheese pairing, you’ll have the tools to make your fondue experience truly outstanding. So, let’s embark on a journey that brings an exciting twist to a classic Swiss tradition.
A Taste of Tradition: The Swiss Art of Cheese Fondue Beer
Cheese fondue, with its rich history and comforting allure, hails from the heart of Switzerland. Traditionally, this culinary masterpiece is prepared with an exquisite blend of cheeses and white wine, particularly the renowned Fendant. On a personal note, being Italian, I’ve always been intrigued by this choice since in Italy, we typically pair cheese with red wines. Yet, I must admit the white wine’s bright acidity beautifully complements the cheese’s richness.
This traditional touch finds new life in Fermento’s innovative Cheese Fondue Beer rendition, introducing robust beer flavors into the mix. With beer as the new key ingredient, your fondue takes on a delightful and nuanced flavor profile. Whether you’re nestled in a cozy chalet in the Alps or exploring new recipes at home, this dish is bound to be a show-stopper.
Step 1
Prepare the Pot: Rub the inside of a fondue pot with the halved garlic clove. Once thoroughly coated, discard the garlic.
Step 2
Heat the Beer: Pour the Fermento Golden Breeze into the fondue pot and heat gently over a stove until it begins to steam—do not boil.
Step 3
Create the Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, toss the grated cheeses with cornstarch. This will help in achieving a smooth fondue.
Step 4
Melt the Cheeses: Gradually add the cheese mixture to the pot, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the cheese is melted and smooth.
Step 5
Add the Extras: Stir in the kirsch, if using, and a pinch of nutmeg. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 6
Ready to Serve: Keep the fondue warm over a low heat source at the table, and dive in with cubes of bread. Enjoy it!
Beer Styles to Elevate Your Cheese Fondue Beer
As highlighted in our mini-guide of beer and cheese pairing, the choice of beverage to accompany cheese fondue has traditionally leaned towards white, slightly acidic wines like Fendant. Alternativels, cheese fondue is paired with kirsch, a cherry spirit, to enhance digestion when consuming high quantities of cheese. Non-alcoholic alternatives include warm tea, avoiding cold drinks like water, which are believed to cause cheese coagulation in the stomach—a claim yet to be scientifically validated.
Now, introducing beer as a key element provides a new frontier to explore in flavor profiles. Though traditionally beer’s cold serving temperature might be advised against, there’s a delightful exploration of moderately cooled brews—around 10°C or more—that couple beautifully with fondue. Our recommendations pivot from the typical lighter Lager or Weizen due to their understated aromas towards more robust choices.
A strong amber ale or a Belgian-style dark ale, with balanced caramel and aromatic malts, complements the rich intensity of fondue cheeses like the classic Swiss “moitié-moitié” blend of Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP and Gruyère AOP. Hoppy beers, with their pronounced bitterness, are less suitable, making a malty preference the hallmark of our fondue flavor matchmaking.
Pils
Golden/blonde and naturally cloudy
5.2%
Refreshing, thirst-quenching, with a balanced malt and hop flavour
5 - 7°C
Tübingen, British or American pint or white wine glass
In Conclusion
Embarking on a Cheese Fondue Beer journey is about more than just enjoying a meal; it’s about celebrating the union of food and craft beer in a way that tantalizes the taste buds and warms the spirit. Through the fusion of traditional Swiss cheese fondue and our carefully crafted Fermento beers, we’ve created an experience that is both innovative and rooted in beloved culinary traditions.
We invite you to gather your loved ones, light the fondue pot, and pour yourself a glass of your favorite brew. Explore our mini-guide for more inspiration on pairing beer with your favorite dishes, and embrace the endless possibilities that Fermento offers. Here’s to good food, great beer, and even better memories made under one roof. Cheers to your next Cheese Fondue Beer adventure!
