Nepenthe brought me in with the Space Jellyfish IPA, and I stayed for the food and the music. In addition to the craft brew delights, we'll be dinning together at a brewery that was named one of Baltimore's best pub food by Baltimore Magazine, Best of Baltimore.
Feel free to scout ahead with their evolving food menu - my last meals were the Peruvian Chicken Sandwich and Korean Cheesesteak and both had me making noises that could be untoward in a public space.
"Raise a glass (or several) to this local staple, and stick around all day long to catch pours of limited-release versions of some of Nepenthe’s most popular beers." - Baltimore Magazine
https://www.nepenthebrewingco.com/
Parking. There will be plenty of street parking in areas that are free if you find an available spot. There's also metered parking along the nearby main street at a relatively low cost.
Non-alcoholic drinks. Their beer menu includes non-alcoholic beer (Deschutes), kombucha, yerba mate, and soda.
Arrive hungry - you won't be disappointed!
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AI prompt: Review the following menu and provide a recommended craft beer pairing for each with a rationale as to why that selection was made.
Here are some recommended craft beer pairings for each dish:
Pairing: Belgian Dubbel
Rationale: The malty sweetness and subtle spice of a Belgian Dubbel complement the earthy sweetness of the sweet potato and the tarragon's herbal notes.
Pairing: American IPA
Rationale: The hoppy bitterness and citrus notes of an IPA cut through the richness of the fried chicken and enhance the Cajun spices.
Pairing: Brown Ale
Rationale: The nutty, caramel flavors of a brown ale match the sweetness of the butternut squash and the creaminess of the cheese.
Pairing: Varies by sauce:
Pairing: Mallet Lager (substitute: Pilsner)
Rationale: A crisp pilsner matches the light, crispy texture and complements the honey sesame sauce without overwhelming the broccoli.
Pairing: Session IPA
Rationale: The mild bitterness and citrus notes of a session IPA enhance the tofu's seasoning and provide a refreshing contrast.
Pairing: Amber Ale
Rationale: The caramel malts in an amber ale pair well with the savory-sweet flavors of bulgogi and the flaky pastry.
Pairing: Porter
Rationale: A porter’s roasted malt flavors enhance the umami-rich mushrooms and the sweet glaze.
Pairing: Vienna Lager
Rationale: The malty backbone of a Vienna lager complements the richness of the beer cheese and chorizo.
Pairing: ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
Rationale: The malty and slightly herbal notes of an ESB highlight the caramelized onion flavors.
Pairing: Pale Ale
Rationale: A pale ale’s crisp bitterness works well with a variety of sauces and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the fries.
Pairing: Stout
Rationale: A stout’s roasted malt and subtle chocolate notes pair beautifully with the beef and smoky flavors of the burger.
Pairing: Red Ale
Rationale: The caramel maltiness of a red ale contrasts with the chimichurri’s acidity and enhances the smoky onions.
Pairing: Rauchbier
Rationale: The smokiness of a rauchbier complements the tempeh bacon and smoked onions.
Pairing: Hazy IPA
Rationale: The juicy, tropical notes of a hazy IPA balance the rich bulgogi and spicy kimchi.
Pairing: Saison
Rationale: A saison’s fruity and peppery notes enhance the curry spices and the tangy pickled vegetables.
Pairing: Kölsch
Rationale: A light, crisp Kölsch balances the sweet chili sauce and highlights the fresh vegetables.
Pairing: Golden Ale
Rationale: A golden ale's mild malt sweetness complements the spices and creamy sauces.
Pairing: Wheat Beer
Rationale: A wheat beer’s citrus and spice notes balance the sweet and savory char siu sauce.
Pairing: Blonde Ale
Rationale: A blonde ale’s light malt character pairs nicely with the earthy quinoa and smoky poblano flavors.
Pairing: IPA
Rationale: The hop bitterness and citrus of an IPA balance the spicy jalapeños and rich cheese.
Pairing: Bock
Rationale: The rich malty sweetness of a bock complements the creamy, melty cheese.
Pairing: English Bitter
Rationale: An English bitter’s light malt and hop balance is a classic pairing with fried fish.
Pairing: Farmhouse Ale
Rationale: A farmhouse ale’s fruity and dry profile complements the roasted beets, pears, and chèvre.
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Here’s the pairing of the craft beers with the recommended beer styles, based on their flavor profiles and descriptions: