# Beer-Cigar pairing. Anyone been to one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [August 10, 2015, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444 "2015-08-10T13:08:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/1 "2015-08-10T13:08:28Z")
This Wednesday the bar I sometimes visit is having a cigar/beer pairing event. Proceeds are going to a charity I support, as a thank you for something I did, so I’ll be attending. But I smoke maybe a half dozen cigars a year; I’m obviously not an aficionado. I like an occasional Macanudo or Acid cigar, but it seems to take me forever to smoke one. I’ve been to plenty of beer tastings, beer/food pairing dinners, and even a beer/donut pairing (now that was a splendid Sunday morning) but never a cigar pairing. How is it done? Is there an accepted format? They surely don’t offer one beer-cigar pairing then have you snuff the cigar after ten minutes for the next pairing, right? Any help? ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/2 "2015-08-11T02:51:09Z")
I haven’t been to a cigar/beer pairing event but the cigar bar I sometimes visit regularly holds Scotch and Cognac pairing events. The one I went to featured five different cigars paired with a different drink for each one. The admission fee included two cigar/drink pairs and you could pay an additional amount if you wanted to try more pairings. Everyone smokes and drinks at their own pace, but it would be wasteful to put out the cigar after 10 minutes, (unless you were smoking a cigarillo). I would say we were savoring new pairings every 30-40 minutes or so. Make sure you use a tongue scraper or drink something acidic between cigars to cleanse your palate. The bar I went to offered free lime tonics. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/3 "2015-08-11T12:17:35Z")
Thanks, Saturn Dreams. I emailed the bar GM and he told me I was overthinking things. There will be cigars and suggested beer pairings. A cigar dude will give a talk. There will be some raffles for Goose Island Bourbon Barrel bottles. I’ve been sending Facebook invites and a bunch of friends, including a handful of women, will be attending! ---
**Author:** ![Gothic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Gothic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gothic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/4 "2015-08-11T19:43:48Z")
I would think it would have to be some strong ales like Chimay to taste it over a cigar? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/5 "2015-08-11T20:22:35Z")
The last time I had a cigar at the bar I sipped a high alcohol stout with it. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/6 "2015-08-11T23:08:13Z")
Rivertowne’s Scottish Ale with a good Don Lino Africa series cigar. The gorilla knuckles are OK but I still prefer the old Duma. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/7 "2015-08-11T23:13:49Z")
I don’t have any answers for you but I wanted to express my deep envy that you live in a place where you can do this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/8 "2015-08-12T00:29:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > …There will be cigars and suggested beer pairings. A cigar dude will give a talk… That’s pretty much right. There is a cigar “sommelier” who explains the flavour profile of each cigar and why they work with the suggested drink. Then you pick and choose which pairings you want to try and puff away! They usually sell the featured cigars at a discounted rate so it’s a good opportunity to stock up. Anyway, have fun and let us know which pairings you liked. As I mentioned, I’ve never tried a cigar and beer pairing and I’d be interested in hearing what the suggestions were. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/9 "2015-08-12T12:20:58Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Rivertowne’s Scottish Ale with a good Don Lino Africa series cigar. The gorilla knuckles are OK but I still prefer the old Duma. Hey, speaking of Rivertowne (a local brewery). I love pretty much everything they’ve done. Their pineapple beer (Hala Kahiki) is a summer favorite of ours. But have you tried their latest, a strawberry horrible mess? Haven’t spoken to anyone yet who likes it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/10 "2015-08-12T12:21:59Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > I don’t have any answers for you but I wanted to express my deep envy that you live in a place where you can do this sort of thing. 😕 😕 Wut? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/11 "2015-08-12T14:30:48Z")
I may not have been clear? I’m jealous of your bar. Nowhere in my small town is there a place that holds cigar/beer pairing events. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/12 "2015-08-12T14:39:18Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > I may not have been clear? > > I’m jealous of your bar. Nowhere in my small town is there a place that holds cigar/beer pairing events. Oh, OK. I thought you were somewhere that had laws against beer events. Not too long ago, Pennsylvania was like that. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/13 "2015-08-12T14:55:40Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Hey, speaking of Rivertowne (a local brewery). I love pretty much everything they’ve done. Their pineapple beer (Hala Kahiki) is a summer favorite of ours. But have you tried their latest, a strawberry horrible mess? Haven’t spoken to anyone yet who likes it. Missed that one so far. I tend to avoid some of the more flavored beers but I’m tempted to try theirs. I like the Scottish, the lager and the IPA a lot though. And since they do those three in a combo 12 pack ------- it works in my favor. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-cigar-pairing-anyone-been-to-one/727444/14 "2015-08-13T15:01:41Z")
Well, it was a good time. A tobacco guy all snazzy in a suit and tie gave one-on-one suggestions for cigars and beers. I smoked a very mild very big cigar down to the butt in about an hour, enjoying several Voodoo Brewery single-hop series IPAs. There were some serious cigar aficionados there who took advantage of deals on whole boxes of cigars. A good time was had by all!