The Kentucky Derby has been at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY since 1875 (that’s 147 years!). On Derby Day, it’s tradition for patron’s to wear huge colorful hats while singing “My Old Kentucky Home ” and savoring Mint Juleps. With all the traditions comes something new at Churchill Downs; last year Blue Moon became the official “craft beer” of Churchill Downs. Since the Derby is just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to do some cheese pairings with Blue Moon.
First, let’s talk more about Blue Moon wheat beers (or witbier, which is Flemish for white beer). Right now, you can find the Blue Moon Belgian White, LightSky and Mango Wheat at your local Schnucks. Blue Moon Belgian White is brewed in the traditional Belgian witbier style with citrus and coriander. This beer is a great summer time beer as its light fresh flavor and citrus notes are perfect on a hot day watching horse races from your favorite racetrack infield.
Cheese Pairings
With Blue Moon’s light, sweet, citrus qualities we need to stick with younger, fresh cheeses to make sure we do not over power the beer. A good rule of thumb is the lighter the drink (wheat beers, Prosecco), the lighter the cheese (feta, mozzarella, goat cheese). After trying about 10 different cheeses, here are the results.
Laclare Family Creamery Honey Goat Cheese:
The lemony tang of this goat cheese from Malone, Wisconsin pairs perfectly with the citrus notes of Blue Moon and the sweet honey gives a finish of an adult creamsicle. I like sweet, so this was my favorite pairing.
Cool Cow Cheese Jersey Jack:
Monterey Jack is another mild cheese that pairs well with witbier. M&T Farms is a hidden gem just about an hour outside of St. Louis in Owensville, Missouri. Jersey Jack is a bit firmer than your traditional Monterey Jack cheese and has a fresh buttery flavor that complements the fresh citrus notes of the Blue Moon.
Laclare Family Creamery Goat Milk Feta:
Goat Milk Feta is salty with a hint of citrus. Feta is usually found paired in salads or pasta with tomatoes (thanks TikTok) because it balances the acidity of the tomato with the salty sharp flavor of the feta. When pairing Blue Moon with the Laclare Feta, I got a great balance of salt with a bit of bitter finish. Really nice!
If you’re building a charcuterie, be sure to have fresh fruits, pickled vegetables and nuts to balance out the flavors. Light beer, like Blue Moon, pairs well with fresh cheeses like goat, mozzarella and feta, but there are no right or wrong combinations. If you like a pairing, it is a good pairing.
Enjoy the Derby and stay cheesy!
Derby Day Drinks
Knob Creek Kentucky Luau
Beer, Wine & Spirits
5M
1
This cocktail will have you looking for your lei.
Maker’s Mark Bellini Manhattan
Beer, Wine & Spirits, Valentine's Day
5M
1
Enjoy this drink with a romantic dinner for two.
Light Sky-A-Rita
Beer, Wine & Spirits
5M
1
Blue Moon Light Sky added to a traditional margarita balances the sweetness and completes the citrus flavors with tropical tangerine.
Blue Moon Julep
Beer, Wine & Spirits
5M
1
The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. This year, the iconic cocktail has a new twist with raspberries and the subtle sweetness of Valencia orange peel from Blue Moon Belgian White.
Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bubbly
Beer, Wine & Spirits, New Years
5M
1
There’s no denying a celebration is in order when serving this crisp and fizzy bourbon cocktail.
Basil Hayden’s Bramble
Beer, Wine & Spirits, Thanksgiving
5M
1
Basil Hayden’s Bourbon Bramble cocktail is a sweet mixture of ripe blackberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, blackberry liqueur, trademark Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon and basil garnish.
Kentucky’s Smoke
Beer, Wine & Spirits
5M
1
Get that smoky, grilled flavor you love in your cocktail.
