We started with a banana and avocado salad, which was a caramelized banana on top of avocado puree with corn nuts, mint leaves and grapes. The pairing here was the Straight Up Saison - a beer we both really like for being drinkable with just enough complexity (sour finish) to keep things interesting.
Next course was probably the best: seared scallops, black rice, fresh cherries, salted caramel, citrus and smoked sea salt. The pairing here was a Wit Beer - flavor profile is dominated for me by coriander and this is also a highly drinkable beer. This was a great choice for the scallops as it didn't overpower the dish so I got to focus on the entree while enjoying a great beer.
Third we got a bison tri-tip salad which was built out of corn, asparagus, almonds and topped with balsamic. The beer pairing was the Hop Syndrome Lager - a beer I had never tried. This was a super interesting brew - think of a Pilsner Urquell infused with a healthy dose of American hops (bittering and aroma). I would definitely drink this one again!
Fourth course (I dug in before it struck me to snap a photo) was a sea bass with green apple, fennel blossoms, snap peas and topped with a creme fraiche and caviar. The beer pairing was the Brainless on Peaches. I was really blown away by this beer - I would never usually touch a beer with fruit, but that is probably because I've only tried out wheat beers that are heavy on the fruit. The Brainless has a ton of peaches in there, but it is a really complex flavor that doesn't make you think peach at first. Almost drank like a wine. I'll be buying this one for sure - my favorite beer of the night.
The verdict? Another great evening at Pallet, made greater by the truly astounding knowledge of the Epic guys. I learned a lot about their beers and the passion that goes into sourcing yeasts and ingredients that most breweries don't bother with, regardless of size.
