So here I am in Denver and all I can think about is how awesome tonight’s beer pairing at The Empress.  Ok, maybe not the only thing, but if I were there this would be on my top of my list of things to do tonight.  So why all the excitement over this pairing? Well, imagine for a change that you could not enjoy a majority of beers because of the debilitating side effects caused by being a celiac.  Now, I’m actually surprised it’s taken Carly & Melissa this long to come up this event.  I imagine finding six gluten free beers that would pair  well with food was a challenge.  I remember going to Whole Foods and looking for gluten free beer to take to a friend and only finding two choices.  I’m pleased to see that this number has increased.  I am a true believer that there should be a beer for everyone to enjoy without risking their health.  With their plans to produce a strawberry gluten-free beer, it appears that Dogfish Head agrees with me.  I hope the inevitable success of this beer prompts other craft brewers to follow suit. 

Wow, sorry about getting all soapboxy on you.  I’ll step down and get back to the food.  If there is anyone in Richmond that could pull this off, it would be the ladies of The Empress.  Take a look at the menu below complete with personal invitation from The Empress(es) themselves.

This week we are treating all of our fellow “glutenites” to a night of carefree fun. Our 6 gluten free beers (no ciders tonight) will be paired with 6 foods we crave yet can NEVER eat. You don’t have to be gluten free to enjoy this tasting, but if you are then you might just be in heaven. Our menus are much more health conscious usually, but we wanted to really give you all what we think you crave the most.

St Peters G-Free 4.2% with GF Fried Cheese Sticks
Described as ‘a clean, crisp gluten-free ale with a pilsner style lager finish and aromas of citrus and mandarin from American Amarillo hops.

New Grist Sorghum Session 5.75% with GF Seitan Sliders on GF Italian Rolls
Lighted toasted malts upfront. Possibly some hop character hiding in the background, lending just a hint of bitterness. Finish is sweet and tart like green apples.

Redbridge 4.8% with GF Deep Pan Pizza w/ Crispy Chorizo, Mozzarella, Bella Vitano & Fresh Basil with Homemade Tomato Sauce

A rich red ale, full-bodied lager brewed from sorghum for a well-balanced, moderately hopped taste.

Brooklyn Bards 5.0% with Bison, Vegetable, & Cheese Stuffed GF Shells with Red Sauce
Grainy malt up front with some lightly sour bread notes. Some dry caramel in the middle and a bit of spicy hop character. The dry toast character lingers into the finish with moderate hop bitterness and some more herbal hop flavor.

Greens Triple 8.5% with GF Fried Chicken w/ Red Cabbage Slaw
Similar to the aroma, it is too sweet and grainy. That said, it has some nice layers of fleshy fruit, banana and clove. Ends with a stitch of spicy hops

Greens Endeavor Dubbel 7% with GF Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
The taste is red fruit, sweet, overripe grapes, some nondescript earthy graininess, and soft, slightly funky, Belgian yeast. The carbonation is average, the body light, and a bit watery. It finishes off-dry, the fruitiness persisting, getting warmer in concert with the temperature.

The Empress has doubled the number of seats they normally hold becuase of the buzz surrounding this tasting.  Make sure you get yours by reserving a spot on the event page. Tasting starts at 7pm for $25.

The Empress
2043 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
(804) 592-4000