I recently entered a contest for tickets to the legendary Brewer’s Plate event in Philadelphia. The rules, a la Philly Beer Scene:
Don’t forget about our contest to win a pair of VIP Tickets (a $280 value) to this years #BrewersPlate ? Send us a picture of your favorite beer (local only) and food pairing along with a brief description of the dish and pairing. Fair Food Philadelphia will help us pick a winner.
I thought long and hard about what I wanted to enter as my pairing and, though my mind initially went to cheese (as it almost always does) I figured let’s pair a PA beer with a Philly favorite. And thus, my perfect pairing was born. A craft beer breakfast to please my palate. And it’d be selfish not to share it with the rest of the world, right?
The best part of waking up
As a general rule, I don’t enjoy coffee. Unfortunately, this means that when I make my way to Federal Donuts (long-time readers might recall the time that I staked my place outside to be their first customer in their Center City location), I can’t sip on the legendary cold brew that Michael Solomonov and his team whip up as I nibble on my hots and fancies. Luckily, I think I’ve found a combination to fill the mug-shaped hole in my heart.
Check out that cereal crumble!
The perfect match to Federal Donuts’ French Toast Fancy. Lancaster Brewing Company’s Milk Stout, a flavorful, roasted cold brew of the alcoholic type, provides a rich and malty complement to Federal’s take on my favorite breakfast dish. The sweet, cakey donut glazed with a brown sugar icing and crumbled cinnamon crunch cereal is a the ideal match for this coffee-flavored stout. As the beer warms, hints of chocolate cut through some initial bitterness, coating the tongue with just the slightest hint of sweetness to round out the experience. A match made in Heaven, if Heaven was located both on Sansom Street and in Lancaster, PA.
While I romantically love the French Toast donut on its own, the experience is only heightened paired with the right beer.
What would be your dream food and beer pairing?
OR if you hate beer (which is such a shame, and I’m sorry for your loss), what would be your perfect match to a delicious donut?
Food, Sweat, and Beers 
Love this! I’d never thought of donuts as being a food that would go with beer but I think you nailed it.
As for dream pairings, there are so many. Steak with a good hearty ale is a classic. Suan La Chow Show would go nicely with a crisp pilsner. Though nature’s most perfect food (lasagna) really is meant to go with red wine, not beer.
Oh wow, I could do some SERIOUS work on a steak and ale right about now. I can’t even REMEMBER the last time I had steak! Great suggestion.
Good luck winning the contest! Your idea is so unique, and it really does make sense. That french toast donut looks heavenly. I think an ideal pairing would be bratwurst with mustard and sauerkraut with a big ol hefeweizen. And since you asked, I’d pair my favorite custard-filled donut holes with hazelnut coffeeeee mmm
Ooooo, that is one tasty-looking donut, and I’m not even a big donut fan! I also don’t usually go for coffee or chocolate flavored beers, or stouts in general, for that matter, but this pair totally works!
As for my pairing, I’d like to second Lauren’s suggestion above (minus the sauerkraut). Plain ol’ pretzels and cheese always goes well with any beer of my choosing, though 🙂