Smoked Salmon • Hill Farmstead Wheat Blanc

Smoked salmon has long been a hallmark of wine pairings and delicate brunch spreads, and to no surprise for many of you, a glass of Wheat Blanc is an equally elegant match.

 

What Works:

Smoked salmon has a distinct flavor: salty, smoky, and often quite fatty. It needs a pairing that can cut through the richness without clashing with the fish’s delicate texture. Wheat Blanc, with its elegant balance of acidity and pillowy softness, bright citrus notes, and bouyant effervescence, does precisely that. Its light tartness and subtle hop undertones mirror classic salmon accompaniments like lemon, capers or dill. The beer’s minerality also helps balance the natural oils in the salmon and fat in the cream cheese (which is also why sommeliers often pair it with mineral-heavy white wines like Alsatian Riesling or Sancerre). Finally, the wheat and malt finish adds an unexpected balance, complementing the salmon in the same way that a fresh slice of rye would.

Our Tips:

On its own, Wheat Blanc has a complex but approachable flavor profile, so the most ideal pairing would be a simple preparation of the dish, with only a few intentionally chosen garnishes. Serve this beer at 52ºF to fully open the flavors and allow for the most complementary experience.

My favorite: classic lox, served open-face on chive cream cheese, thinly sliced red onion, and pumpernickel.

Or, get fancy with buckwheat blinis, topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and lemon zest.

 

We hope this encourages you to enjoy something new and indulgent; a 2023 vintage of Wheat Blanc is currently available in our bottle shop here at Hill Farmstead Brewery, so you can taste for yourself!

 

-Nicole Maddox