Why Phresh and Cake is Pairing Magic

Alvarium Phresh

One of the highlights of my annual commercial beer judging circuit is The New York International Beer Competition (NYIBC), a unique event that brings decision-makers from the retail and hospitality sector together to assess entries based on providing the end consumer a quality offering with real-world considerations of price. As the NYIBC continually awards some of the most invigorating and technically sound beers in the industry today, it’s quite easy to understand how these winners also make for excellent examples to pair with food. This ongoing series takes a look at some past winners and makes pairing recommendations based on their highly regarded characteristics. 

Alvarium Beer Company

The Alvarium Beer Company in New Britain, Connecticut produces some of the most respected beers in the Northeast. Owing to a philosophy of providing “an inclusive, ultra communal taprooom where the vibe is ‘come as you are’ and everyone can unite under the flag of ‘righteous craft beer’” (per their website), Alvarium naturally produces a breadth of styles ranging from Light Lagers to Dunkles Bocks to Barrel Aged Imperial Stouts, but the focus centers squarely on New England Hazy IPAs.   

Phresh

Phresh, silver winner at the 2023 NYIBC

The Phresh, a 2023 Silver winner in the NYIBC is one of the more prominent hazy offerings from the brewery, and garners praise within beer circles for its imminent drinkability coupled with bright bold character. Notes of Cool Whip and sugar cane dominate the nose, with secondary characteristics of Maraschino liquor and Valencia oranges. Creamsicle comprises much of the palate sensation, alongside orange flesh hints that echo the nose, as well as a subtle alliaceous quality that mimics garlic salt for subtle grip. Medium in body, the beer possesses a moderately low but clean bitterness, finishing with just a tinge of hop-derived bite. 

A Sweet Pairing

Strawberry Checkerboard Cake

Leaning into the plethora of fruit overtones, pairing the Phresh with a Strawberry Vanilla checkerboard cake elevates the individual components of both beer and food for a more impactful experience. Orange from the Phresh and strawberry notes from the dessert come together to provide a refreshing sweetness balanced by the low levels of hop bitterness from the beer, while the unctuous buttercream character of the vanilla frosting is both tamped by the mildly bracing finish and carbonation of the Phresh. It is concurrently accentuated by the tart and cooling Maraschino element mentioned earlier, and further empahsized by the low perception of alcohol warmth originating from the glass. Lastly, the orange flesh/Creamsicle also brings a tactile perception that elevates the moist character of the cake itself.  
On a visual level, the choice of checkerboard over yellow cake was an intentional one to play up the whimsy that Alvarium presents through its design ethos and connects the brand with the food in a fun way that’s not always possible in this endeavor, while lending another interaction of beer and food that bring more cohesion to the pairing.  

It’s a welcome change of pace to pair beer with food that possesses a confectionary aspect, and one that I believe works quite well here. I hope that you may have the opportunity to try this pairing at some point too.