Cigar For Lighter Beer Styles

I've tried my go to Avo Classic with one of my favorite "lighter" styles, the American IPA, and I felt it ruined my beer.

I was given a Southern Draw Kudzu while at Solid Rock's brewery one evening of debautchery, mostly drinkin their IPA, Dauntless, and I was not taken aback, nor offended.

But I'm wondering if there are other cigars that would not detract from say a honey wheat, blonde, pale, lager, etc.

Having had a milder cigar (I usually smoke medium strength cigars) I'm wondering if it would be mild enough to go well enough with lighter styles of beer.

I haven't tried them but DE released the Smoking Monk line of cigars recently. They're named by the beer style they pair with, like Hefeweizen for example.

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Originally Posted by Rocket Scientologist

I haven't tried them but DE released the Smoking Monk line of cigars recently. They're named by the beer style they pair with, like Hefeweizen for example.

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This.

I'm in the minority on this one I am sure...but I like high hopped IPA's with my cigars. I find the sharp and crisp bitter clears my palette...try at your own risk though. I have heard a lot of people complain that the bitter profile ruins the cigars' flavor.

I also really like creamy stouts with rich maduros.

@Branzig : Is this in contrast to the west coast styled IPAs? I don't find them bitter despite being high in IBUs.

@Rocket: I will have to look into them! Thanks for that!

CI carries them too! Wish I could get a single of them though as I'd like to try various ones. But that reminds me of the Stones You Can't Always Get What You Want...

I thought they did a sampler with all the varieties.

I didn't notice one, but sometimes I'm oblivious to the obvious being one of those ADD guys. Funny that I notice the abstract unusual things instead...

Then again CI has made things more difficult than they ought to be in my opinion in that searching for a brand won't bring up all they have but only their 5 pack samplers and boxes for the most part.

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Originally Posted by rodwha

@Branzig : Is this in contrast to the west coast styled IPAs? I don't find them bitter despite being high in IBUs.

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The defining characteristic to any IPA, at least to me, is bitterness. High alcohol content is there as well of course. I suppose you could be referring to a more European styled IPA (think double IPA or "Imperial" IPA). They are definitely more on the bitter side than "American" versions. But all IPA's are what I would consider to be bitter.

A couple of my favorites are: Elysian's Space Dust, Stone's Ruination, Sierra Nevada's Rye and Torpedo, Lagunita's IPA, and of course Dogfish Head 90 Minute

I don't get much bitterness from them.

Having been brewing beer and dabbling with the hop additions I see that reducing the hop additions in the beginning of the boil and adding to the latter (flavor/aroma) reduces what I perceive as bitter Dalits having the same IBU levels.

I guess I can't say I don't detect the bitter, but that it's overrided by the flavor that I don't notice the bitter upfront per se.

@Trey: I didn't find it on CI.

Cigar Bandits carries the sampler for $29. So does Cigar.com

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Originally Posted by Billb1960

Cigar Bandits carries the sampler for $29. So does Cigar.com

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Drew Estate Smoking Monk Taster Pack - Cigar.com

im sure if you called ci they could also make a 5 pack sampler dont really know why they dont have one. May be something to look into @Trish_at_CBid

This is the 25 cigar sampler of the monk stuff. Five each of five blends...

The Smoking Monk Mega-Sampler - Cigars International

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Originally Posted by rodwha

@Branzig : Is this in contrast to the west coast styled IPAs? I don't find them bitter despite being high in IBUs.

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West coast IPAs are very dry. Mashed real low and many times brewed with a grist of just base malt to help dry the beer out. They also tend to push the late kettle and dry hop additions higher. As you noticed with your brews, the hop bursting is what gives the high IBU and big hop character without a lot of bitterness. Personally its my favorite way to brew hoppy beers.

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Originally Posted by Branzig

The defining characteristic to any IPA, at least to me, is bitterness. High alcohol content is there as well of course. I suppose you could be referring to a more European styled IPA (think double IPA or "Imperial" IPA). They are definitely more on the bitter side than "American" versions. But all IPA's are what I would consider to be bitter.

A couple of my favorites are: Elysian's Space Dust, Stone's Ruination, Sierra Nevada's Rye and Torpedo, Lagunita's IPA, and of course Dogfish Head 90 Minute

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True to style English IPAs should have less bitterness than American IPAs and bigger malt character. But I think the bigger hop character of American IPAs gives the impression of a smoother less noticeable bitterness.

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Originally Posted by HIM

West coast IPAs are very dry. Mashed real low and many times brewed with a grist of just base malt to help dry the beer out.

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How low of a mash temp is typically used? I've generally pushed for about 153* and I use about 5% crystal malts for color and a mild flavor contribution, though initially I was using about 15%.

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Originally Posted by rodwha

How low of a mash temp is typically used? I've generally pushed for about 153* and I use about 5% crystal malts for color and a mild flavor contribution, though initially I was using about 15%.

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90min mash at 148-150f does well. 152f is sort of the compromise for alpha and beta amylase with the former working at higher temps and the latter at the lower end of the sachh range. While the beta will work at lower temps it takes longer without the alpha helping chop up the starches so a longer mash is needed for full conversion.
I think your spot on with the crystal though. 5% is a good amount to help with color and head retention without adding much in the way of body.

Back on topic of the OP... I think lighter sticks should pair well with lighter flavored beers. While a west coast pale is pretty light I'd say they're big on flavor and can easily dominate a milder stick. But something less assertive like a blonde, hef, cream, or a helles lager are probably easier to balance if the two profiles go well together.

I'm thinking of getting a 5 Vegas Gold to see. The one I was given was a bit mild.

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Originally Posted by rodwha

I'm thinking of getting a 5 Vegas Gold to see. The one I was given was a bit mild.

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Huh, funny you should say that.