Cigars have been held as a luxury item, due to images represented through TV and movies of rich and prestigious men puffing on a stogie while swirling a glassful of fine wine. If you are just getting engaged in cigars and wish to unwind with a stogie and beverage after a long day’s work, here are a couple of suggestions to get you started.
Traditionally, strong drinks such as brandy, whiskey, and rum have been associated with cigars. Some argue that a good cigar should always be paired with a strong drink that has a hint of sweetness. Indeed, cigar smokers have long enjoyed these popular pairings but for years, the idea of pairing cigars with beer has gone overlooked. Lately the trend of pairing cigars with a variety of beers has surfaced, and many people have found enjoyment in it. In fact, puffing on a quality cigar while drinking a fine beer has been popularized to the point that it has entered the mainstream culture, and many people are enjoying this popular pairing.
However, let it be known that pairing a fine cigar with a fine beer is not easily accomplished, but is well worth the effort when done. If you are a novice, you may indeed need help in pairing your specific cigar with the appropriate beer, as it has much to do with your level of experience. However, if you have a more experienced palate, and you know what you like, you can probably make connections between certain types of cigars and beers.
Due to the fact that cigars are very strong and flavorful, it is often a challenge to find a beer that complements the intensity of most cigars. Most cigars will complement themselves nicely with rum, or a barley wine. Try coupling your cigar with a barley wine if the cigar is described as spicy, woody, and with a hint of cedar. The spicy flavor of your cigar should complement beautifully with the fruity hint of barley wine. The flavors of each should create a flavor of cream that will enhance the experience significantly to your delight.
If you have no clue as to what flavor combinations might work, then why not experiment but first find a cigar that you enjoy. Attempt to identify the traits that you enjoy most about the cigar, and then find a nice brew whose flavors you believe may ‘match’ or complement the cigar. Many incredible discoveries have been made in much this same way.