Food and beer pairings

Q: I’m hearing a lot about food and beer pairings. Where can I get a taste?—Eoin Kenny, Red Hook, Brooklyn

A: Beer lovers can feel shafted when it comes to bar treats, making do with Cheez Whiz–soaked nachos or ho-hum peanuts. Against the Grain (620 E 6th St between Aves A and B; 212-358-7065), a spot that prides itself on a curated list of brews, trains its staff to help you pair one of the fifty-plus offerings (45 imported and American microbrews in bottles, and six on tap) with one of their eclectic tapas. Recommended combos include Oysters & Stout (three jalapeño- and cucumber-spiked oysters with a pint of Sixpoint’s Oatmeal Stout for $10) and Westmalle Trappist Ale with puff pastry-wrapped chorizo for $15. Popular Billyburg haunt Spuyten Duyvil (359 Metropolitan Ave at Havemeyer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-963-4140) already has quite the rep for its international beer selection—there are nearly 150 bottles and six rotating microbrews on tap. Barkeeps will guide you in matching a pint with assorted charcuterie, cheeses, pickles or olives ($10 for any mix of three), such as chocolaty Scottish porter Old Engine Oil from Harviestoun Brewery with a wine-washed Gorgonzola, or Belgian Beer Oer from De Dolle Brouwers with Cajun-spiced ham.

Looking for the perfect bar? E-mail us at barhop@timeoutny.com.