Hey, wine snob, Pull the cork out of your nose and give these beers a try.
We asked our Wine Ponce to match four wines to beers with similar notes. Use our guide to convince your oenophile friends that beer is delicious, too.
If you’re a fan of crisp, herbaceous whites like a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or Chile, try… Pilsner Urquell
The granddaddy of pilsners everywhere, drinking an Urquell reminds you of your best pot-high ever: a sweet, soft haze punctuated by sharp moments of insight and hilarity. Notes: bread dough, hints of grass and hay, crisp finish.
Pilsner Urquell Brewery, Czech Republic; $2.45/500-ml can, LCBO
If you prefer unctuous, full-bodied whites like a spicy Gerwürztraminer or well-oaked California Chardonnay, try… La Fin du Monde
This Belgian-style tripel is like the perfect pin-up girl—its inviting caramel sweetness lures you in, its fruity layers keep you enthralled, and its spicy, boozy heat leaves you wanting more.
Sleeman Unibroue, Que.; $13.95/six pack, The Beer Store
If you lean towards lighter reds like a tart, fruity Niagara Pinot Noir or a peppery Beaujolais, try… Stonehammer Dark Ale
Wonderfully soft and creamy with nutty, caramel notes and a lasting piney punch from start to end, this deep amber brew is as deceptively complex as the blond skateboarder you dated in high school. After a few sips it starts to grow on you.
F&M Brewery, Ont.; $12.85/six pack, LCBO
If you’re partial to big, bad reds like a jammy Australian Shiraz or deeply concentrated Amarone, try… Wellington Imperial Russian Stout
This eight per cent beer is like a teenager in her goth phase—dark and brooding notes of bitter chocolate and black currant with a licorice edge, but soft and warm on the inside.
Wellington Brewery, Ont.; $2.95/473-ml can, LCBO
