Guy's Night Cigar and Beer

Tonight a friend and I are having a rare guy's night where we're going out to dinner and then to a B&M that allows beer but doesn't sell it. I'm looking for some suggestions on good pairings.

It's been super cold here the past week or two, so I'll probably want a medium-full-ish body cigar. I don't think I've ever tried something that's actually full strength, so I might avoid that if possible. Though I don't know how to gauge that all that well. I'll probably stick to something fairly dark on the beer side but not high proof (we have to drive back) as well, but I'm up for about anything that pairs well.

I'm still pretty green when it comes to really trying different cigars so I don't need anything too exotic. Plus they have to have it in stock. This place isn't huge but they have a decent selection. My favorite cigars I've had so far are:

Man O' War (no modifier) Toro
Illusione Rothchildes
San Lotano Oval Toro
Man O' War Virtue Toro
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Maduro Toro

My thoughts for cigars are:

CAO Brazilia or Mx2
Padron X000 perhaps maduro
Illusione Epernay

Stuff I have in the humidor that I won't want to try tonight (I'll save them for later)

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor's
A Montecristo sampler (not that I'd expect many to suggest any of them)
Ashton sampler

If it matters, I've read many of Laynard's reviews and with the cigars I've tried, they've matched, almost perfectly, with my experience (the RyJ Reserve Maduro being the only exception).

For beer we get a pretty good selection. Left Hand, Founders, Boulevard and New Belgium are all pretty easy to find here, but I'm open to whatever.

So, more experienced members, live vicariously through me and see what you can come up with as a combination you'd like to experience for the first time again!

Maybe something like this:
Founders Breakfast Stout and an MX2 (more potent flavors)
Left Hand Milk Stout and an Epernay (not as heavy)

keep it simple and dont get lost in the details because you wont have any fun. grab a 6 pack pick whatever cigar grabs your interst and enjoy your time. i would go with a Illusione Epernay or Ajs New world and you cant go wrong with Padron

Double Bastard from Stone Brewery and an Arturo Fuente Hemingway is my all-time favorite pairing.

The Founder's Breakfast Stout and a CAO mx2 is a great combo.

Brooklyn Lager and LP Undercrown is fantastic.

CAO Brazilia or Mx2 either one would go with a nice Pale ale or the Brazilia with a stout or porter
Padron X000 perhaps maduro I think this smoke would be pretty versatile but a milk stout or pumpkin would work well.
Illusione Epernay I think a wheat beer or something fruity but not sweet.

Let us know what you go with, always nice to hear about pairs.

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Originally Posted by Demuths1770

keep it simple and dont get lost in the details because you wont have any fun. grab a 6 pack pick whatever cigar grabs your interst and enjoy your time.

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I should have clarified and said that I know this is way over thinking it. It's more for fun to see what sort of "go to" pairings people suggest with my given parameters.

I'm a big fan of the Milk Stout and that was already in the running. The Breakfast Stout is probably too high ABV for this, but I have several bottles at home already so knowing what to pick up to pair with them is really nice.

This is another thread entirely, but we're actually planning a trip to Vegas this summer where we'll have a cigar at Casa Fuente, so I may have to pick up a Hemingway to save for later when I'm getting pumped up for the trip. Having an excuse to get a Stone beer is never a bad thing, either. ;)

My only rule is that I usually stay away from IPAs with cigars. I don't know why, but they don't work as a pairing for me. I usually drink 1-2 beers a night, where I might only get 1-2 cigars a week. So when I'm smoking, the cigar is more important, and I want the beer to stay in the background. I'll drink a Yuengling or some kolsch with lighter sticks, or go with a porter for maduro or full body sticks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Demuths1770

keep it simple and dont get lost in the details because you wont have any fun. grab a 6 pack pick whatever cigar grabs your interst and enjoy your time. i would go with a Illusione Epernay or Ajs New world and you cant go wrong with Padron

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I agree with this. I would add a Flor de las Antillas or an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos to the cigar choices, and choose a craft beer that's not too hoppy. I like ales and shy away from stouts and porters anyway, so our tastes in beer are different.

IPAs are my favorite brews on the planet, but they are also the most overpowering.

I like Oatmeal stouts, Doppelbocks, and Espresso stouts with my full bodied smokes. They just seem to compliment each other very well, especially if your smoking a chewy full bodied cigar.

I also agree with the Keep It Simple Stupid mentaliity when it comes to hanging out with the boys. I don't want to have to think about my smoke or my drink too much when having a guys night. Enjoying the conversation is way more important than noticing that the nuance of your 1964 Anny just shifted....just my 2cents

Have Fun! :excitement:

I like maduros paired with stouts.

So I would say the MX2 and pick up a Young's Double Chocolate Stout or two.

As far as the Montecristos, if you were asking what to smoke with coffee, I would certainly suggest one of those. But not with beer. That's just my opinion.
I like Montecristo White Label and the regular Montecristo with coffee, cream and just a little sugar. Not enough to make it overly sweet, just enough to taste.

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Originally Posted by Indyhp

I agree with this. I would add a Flor de las Antillas or an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos to the cigar choices, and choose a craft beer that's not too hoppy. I like ales and shy away from stouts and porters anyway, so our tastes in beer are different.

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Unfortunately the Flor de las Antillas is actually one I forgot that I not only have, but have smoked several of. It's actually my friend's go-to cigar. Just as an aside, the last time we did this he asked the guy at the store for a suggestion similar to the FdlA and the guy gave him the Epernay. The Don Carlos is a good suggestion. I might try to steer us both towards the AF section because of the impending trip.

I tend to try to stay away from beers that are too hoppy when smoking cigars, too. I've been on a stout and porter kick lately, but there are some winter ales that I really like. I think I've only ever smoked one cigar when I wasn't drinking some sort of alcohol and that was the Virtue and I had it with coffee. I think that pairing was as least as good as any beer, whisky or wine pairing I've ever had, but I also usually smoke at night and don't want the caffeine (and do want the alcohol).

I can also guarantee that I won't take this too seriously. I smoke to relax and obsessing over the details is the opposite of relaxing for me. A "less than optimal" pairing has never upset me. I just thought it would be fun to get some suggestions.

I appreciate all of the suggestions! I'll be sure to update with what we both ended up with.

The Don Carlos is my go-to cigar and I buy them by the box, but the New World is also quite good if you haven't tried it yet and are looking for something new to try. It's medium-full to full with lots of flavor and not expensive.

If your looking for a milder smoke, I would skip the brazilia. I always get a huge nicotine hit from that cigar...

I recently fell in love with the, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. I nice stout should pair nicely with it.

I rarely pair beer with my cigars. I find any carbonated drinks tend to mess up my taste buds and the cigars end up tasting like an ashtray. I therefore usually have bourbon, rum or iced tea with a cigar.

Sounds like you have some quality suggestions here. Personally, I like the idea of a Hefe. They tend to have good flavor but don't overpower anything, and are a little sweeter/less bitter. I'd pair it with the Epernay. Whatever you choose, enjoy and be sure to let us know how it goes!

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Originally Posted by MattyMatt

I therefore usually have bourbon, rum or iced tea with a cigar.

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I agree that iced tea is great with a cigar or a bowl of baccy.

We ended up with a six pack of Bell's Expedition Stout to drink. I had a CAO MX2, which I really liked. My friend had a Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun grown.

My pairing was decent. They didn't really complement each other but they also didn't interfere at all. I consider it a win. It's better than most pairings I come up with.

Both cigars were bought there and smoked at the B&M (David's Fine Tobacco in Clive). Their rH must be good because both of us had excellent burns and the flavors came through well. The lady workimg there was great. She bussed the tables and helped if people needed but wasn't intrusive. It was busy in there and very smoky. They need a better ventilation system. When it was full it was as smoky as I've ever seen a place. Once a couple tables left it was much more tolerable. It wouldn't stop me from going back, but it's worth mentioning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garublador

We ended up with a six pack of Bell's Expedition Stout to drink. I had a CAO MX2, which I really liked. My friend had a Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun grown.

My pairing was decent. They didn't really complement each other but they also didn't interfere at all. I consider it a win. It's better than most pairings I come up with.

Both cigars were bought there and smoked at the B&M (David's Fine Tobacco in Clive). Their rH must be good because both of us had excellent burns and the flavors came through well. The lady workimg there was great. She bussed the tables and helped if people needed but wasn't intrusive. It was busy in there and very smoky. They need a better ventilation system. When it was full it was as smoky as I've ever seen a place. Once a couple tables left it was much more tolerable. It wouldn't stop me from going back, but it's worth mentioning.

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Davids is a cool place, I was in there last weekend and the guy suggested I try the Fume D'Amore Illusion as it was similar to a Tatuaje, but less expensive. It was a quality smoke, my wife and I had a good time in there.

Hey, there are more Iowa people! I'm in the Quad Cities so if you guys are ever on this side of the State let me know! I may be coming through Des Moines on my way to Omaha in the near future because that's the processing office for the FBI and I have a meet and greet coming up as part of the process...

Two trains of thought for me on this.
Flat 12 bierworks Nun More Black paired with a quesada oktoberfest (I know almost no one carries either of these)
or
Hardy XO cognac and Alec Bradley Nica Puro or the Rocky Patel Cameroon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garublador

We ended up with a six pack of Bell's Expedition Stout to drink. I had a CAO MX2, which I really liked. My friend had a Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun grown.

My pairing was decent. They didn't really complement each other but they also didn't interfere at all. I consider it a win. It's better than most pairings I come up with.

Both cigars were bought there and smoked at the B&M (David's Fine Tobacco in Clive). Their rH must be good because both of us had excellent burns and the flavors came through well. The lady workimg there was great. She bussed the tables and helped if people needed but wasn't intrusive. It was busy in there and very smoky. They need a better ventilation system. When it was full it was as smoky as I've ever seen a place. Once a couple tables left it was much more tolerable. It wouldn't stop me from going back, but it's worth mentioning.

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Bell's Expedition is great.
If you have time/space, grab a sixer and cellar it for 6 months+, and try it out. These age well, like a fine cigar!