After taking a bite of the Coconut Encrusted Shrimp, I could have taken another sip of the Crystal Persuasion Imperial Pale Ale, closed my eyes, let the strong hops win the battle for my palate, listened to the din of a conversational crowd accented by a backbeat of lively kitchen noises, felt the heat on my skin, and convinced myself I was in some vibrant down in the Florida Keys on a humid coastal night, wasting away again in Margaritaville (or “Beerville”, in this case).
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But this wasn’t the Keys. This was cold and coastal Maine in early March. A propane heater provided the climate – but the only thing separating me from the below freezing temperatures outside was a thin membrane of plastic (which Cornerstone removes in the summer for al fresco dining). Still, the Southern and tropical flavors whisked me away…and, truth be told, the beer was much better than what you’re likely to find in most South Florida bars.
I was attending the SoMe Brewing Company Beer Dinner at Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza and Craft Beers in Ogunquit, Maine – just the latest in an exceedingly popular series of nicely-priced ($35 per person) nights out featuring fun food, great brews and a learning experience fit for any level of hophead!
SoMe Brewing Company is a York-based newcomer to the Maine craft-brewing scene – a passion-founded entrepreneurial dream realized by father and son team, Dave and David Rowland. This was their first ever beer dinner.
Dave Rowland of SoMe Brewing Company Addresses the Crowd
Cornerstone Chef Randy “Trip” Rouillier’s menu for the event was inspired by the featured beers (with a little Mardi Gras flavor thrown in for timely measure).
The standout was a satisfyingly spicy (and mind-warpingly creative) Cajun “Crabouille” Pizza — with homemade Andouille sausage, blue crab, aged cheddar and green and red bell pepper.
Cajun “Crabouille” Pizza – Cornerstone Ogunquit
“We knew, when we partnered with SoMe Brewing Company,” states Michael Cavaretta, owner of Cornerstone, “that we’d be serving up some intense and hoppy beers – so the idea here is to present a menu with flavors bold enough to stand up to those brews. This beer dinner, and the others we’ve recently held, have been an interesting exploration of how hops and barley interact on the taste buds when paired up against specific food flavors – it really can lead to a deeper appreciation and different ways of experiencing the foods and beers you already love.”
Visit Cornerstone online at: cornerstoneogt.com
Visit SoMe Brewing Company online at: somebrewingco.com
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