Host the Ultimate Beer Tasting Pizza Party: Craft Beer & Gourmet Pizza Pairing Guide
For a long time, the idea of truly enjoying beer was quite foreign to me. I was one of those people who genuinely disliked beer with a fiery passion. Yet, something has shifted! Lately, you might have noticed a lot more craft beer content popping up across my Instagram feed, and yes, I’m officially declaring myself a beer enthusiast. It’s a surprising turn, even for me, but I now find myself genuinely appreciating a good brew, even certain IPAs – which, for a former beer hater, is really saying something. My newfound love for beer has grown to the point where I’m constantly seeking out new breweries, eager to grab a flight and explore a diverse range of flavors and styles.
This evolving appreciation for craft beer, combined with my intense passion for perfectly baked pizza and an endless curiosity for innovative cooking techniques, served as the ultimate inspiration for this post. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Uncommon Goods today to bring you the ultimate guide to hosting your very own Beer Tasting Pizza Party. Get ready to elevate your entertaining game and delight your guests with an unforgettable culinary experience that marries the rich flavors of craft beer with the comforting deliciousness of gourmet pizza.
Crafting the Perfect Pizza: The Essential Soapstone Pan
Are you ready to dive into the details? Because I certainly am! Let’s kick things off by talking about the cornerstone of any great pizza party: the pizza itself. And to make truly exceptional pizza, you need an exceptional pan. May I present to you this absolutely gorgeous pizza pan from Uncommon Goods? It’s not just a pretty face with its elegant touch of copper on the outside; it’s also incredibly functional, being crafted from genuine soapstone. Now, I must confess, in the past, I’d never been truly impressed by traditional pizza stones. They often felt cumbersome, made it tricky to transfer delicate pizza dough, and rarely delivered the perfectly crisp bottom crust I craved. But this pan? This pan is a game-changer.
The unique properties of soapstone mean this pan doesn’t just crisp up the very bottom of your pizza dough; it thoughtfully extends that crispy perfection slightly up the sides of the crust. This ensures you achieve that delightful, crunchy edge that pizza enthusiasts (like myself!) are always vying for. Seriously, I’ll happily battle for that coveted crunchy crust! For those of you who tend to leave the crust behind, I genuinely can’t comprehend your ways. Trust me, with this pan, you’ll be savoring every single bite. You can find this remarkable soapstone pizza pan here, waiting to transform your homemade pizza experience.
Elevating Toppings with Himalayan Salt Planks
Once you’ve got your perfect pizza base going – the sauce spread, the cheese melting, and it’s just begging for toppings – don’t settle for the usual pepperoni and call it a day. We can do so much better, people! Let’s talk about how to truly elevate your pizza toppings and create a memorable, interactive experience for your guests. Enter the incredible Himalayan salt plank tray, which you can conveniently grab here. This set features three separate salt planks nestled within a grill tray, offering immense versatility. You can use it to cook a larger item, like a juicy cut of meat, or, as I prefer for a pizza party, utilize each plank to cook distinct ingredients simultaneously. For my party, I opted for vibrant red bell peppers, slightly spicy poblano peppers, and sweet cherry tomatoes, creating a colorful and flavorful trio of toppings.
My first experience cooking with salt planks was truly eye-opening. The most astonishing part? I didn’t season the ingredients at all before placing them on the planks. The result was nothing short of magical: perfectly seasoned vegetables that cooked up right before our eyes as we poured the beers. Yes, you heard that right! These salt planks allow you to cook tableside, adding an incredibly fun and interactive element to your gathering. While I admit the slight discoloration on the planks after use initially saddened the “anal foodie” in me who desires every dish to be spotless, it’s simply part of their natural charm and how they work. I’ve used these planks several times since, and I’m having way more fun experimenting with them than I probably should. They truly transform simple ingredients into something special, infused with a subtle, natural saltiness that perfectly complements pizza.
Discovering the Unique World of Uncommon Goods
Before we delve into the beer selection, it’s crucial to take a moment to appreciate Uncommon Goods. If you’re not familiar with them, now is the perfect time to get acquainted. This company stands out for its commitment to offering insanely unique items, each one handmade by talented artists and designers. You won’t find any mass-produced, generic products on their site. Instead, every piece is distinct, personal, and handcrafted with care, often telling a story of creativity and passion. Their dedication to originality extends beyond aesthetics; Uncommon Goods is also deeply committed to sustainability and social responsibility. They even feature an exclusive “Uncommon Collection,” an assortment of products specially curated for their uncommon design, environmentally friendly practices, and positive impact on the world. Shopping with Uncommon Goods means investing in unique craftsmanship and supporting a company that genuinely does good.
The Art of Beer Pairing: Curating Your Flight
Once your delectable food is ready, it’s time for the star of the show: pairing it with an exquisite selection of beers. For a true tasting experience, you likely don’t want to drink an entire bottle of each beer (unless you’re really pacing yourself!). That’s why I absolutely adore this 13-piece beer tasting set. It includes all the essential glasses you’ll need, perfectly sized so you can sample a variety of brews without getting overwhelmed. They strike the ideal balance, being large enough to appreciate the aroma and flavor profiles, yet small enough to allow for multiple tastings. Click here to get your own set and make your beer tasting truly professional!
The key to a successful beer and pizza pairing lies in selecting beers that generally complement a wide range of pizza flavors. This way, your friends can top their slices with whatever ingredients they desire – whether they’re classic pepperoni lovers, veggie enthusiasts, or even those who stick to a simple cheese pizza. Think about balance: lighter beers with lighter pizzas, and richer, bolder beers with heartier toppings. Aim for a variety of styles in your flight to offer a diverse tasting experience. Consider including options that provide contrast (like a crisp pilsner cutting through rich cheese) and those that offer synergy (like a malty porter complementing savory meats).
My Recommended Beer Selection for Pizza Pairing:
For my party, I curated a selection of beers designed to offer a fantastic range of flavors, with a little help from my local experts. Here are the exceptional brews we enjoyed:
- Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale by Elysian Brewing: A refreshing pale ale with a citrusy kick, perfect for cutting through the richness of cheese and complementing fresh vegetables.
- Sunshine Wheat by New Belgium Brewing Company: A classic, light, and crisp wheat beer that offers a clean palate cleanser and pairs well with almost any topping.
- Black Jack Porter by Left Hand Brewing Company: A rich, dark porter with notes of chocolate and coffee, an excellent choice for savory meats and caramelized onions.
- Pils by Prost Brewing Company: A clean, crisp Pilsner that’s incredibly versatile and a refreshing counterpoint to saltier toppings.
- Raspberry Sour by Avery Brewing Company: A vibrant and tart sour beer that provides an intriguing contrast, especially with spicy toppings or a sweeter sauce.
- Mile Highlander by Declaration Brewing: A robust Scottish Ale, offering a malty sweetness and depth that pairs beautifully with smoked meats or a more adventurous, complex pizza.
Among this fantastic lineup, the Raspberry Sour and the Black Jack Porter were the resounding favorites in my opinion, each offering a unique and delightful pairing experience. However, I strongly encourage you to try them out for yourself and discover your own personal favorites! And yes, I know a good number of these are from Colorado; I can’t help it! My local beer love runs deep, and these breweries consistently produce outstanding craft beers. When hosting your own party, feel free to explore your local craft beer scene and support regional brewers – it’s a great way to discover new gems and share them with friends.
Beyond the Party: Thoughtful Gifts and Kitchen Essentials
You can effortlessly grab any of these fantastic items and explore even more unique offerings by visiting the Uncommon Goods website. They have an incredible selection that extends far beyond beer and pizza essentials. For instance, if you’re a wine connoisseur, you can find killer wine glasses by clicking here. Discover the handiest kitchen tools that will revolutionize your cooking by clicking here. And just in case you don’t end up hosting this particular party, or you simply want to drop a subtle hint to your friends about what you’d love, they have an exquisite collection of hostess gifts right here. Uncommon Goods is truly a treasure trove for anyone who appreciates unique, handcrafted, and thoughtfully designed products.
Hosting a beer tasting pizza party is more than just serving food and drinks; it’s about creating an interactive, delicious, and memorable experience for your guests. With the right tools from Uncommon Goods and a carefully selected beer flight, you’re set to throw a party that everyone will rave about. So, gather your friends, fire up the oven, and prepare for an evening of gourmet pizza, exceptional craft beer, and fantastic company!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods. While I was compensated and provided with product for this post, as always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
Beer Tasting Pizza Party
ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Hot Italian sausage cooked and crumbled
- Red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- Poblano pepper seeded and chopped
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pale Ale
- Wheat Beer
- Porter
- Pilsner
- Sour
- Scottish Ale
instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Add the pizza dough to the pan and bake for 10 minutes until just beginning to brown.
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Top pizza dough with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese has melted, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
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Cook vegetables on the Himalayan salt planks when ready to serve the pizza. Let guests tops their slices of pizza as desired, or top the whole pizza for everyone.
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Pour beers into their respective tasting glasses and serve.
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Enjoy the fun!