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Tantalize the Senses with Sonoma Cellar’s Craft Beer Dinner April 9

Pairings are not just for wine anymore as beer comes to the forefront of the culinary experience at Sunset Station. Sonoma Cellar at Sunset Station puts a new spin on the traditional paired dinner experience by offering guests the opportunity to taste award-winning beers from Alesmith Brewing Company out of San Diego, Calif., paired with a specialty five-course menu. The ales that have been selected compliment the unique flavors in each course.

The evening will begin with an introduction by Executive Chef Schuyler Schultz and then Alesmith Brewmaster Peter Zien will take the reigns, explaining each beer as it’s served. Each course pairing will have Zien describing what makes that particular beer special, what went into its creation and why it was paired with that particular course. The evening’s menu features:

• First course – Almond soup with Spanish Marcona almonds and chives. This will be paired with Nautical Nut Brown Ale, a smooth, dark and rich interpretation of classic English-style ale.
• Second course – Chimay Belgian Abbey cheese with Mache salad and Easter Egg radish. This is paired with Lil’ Devil, a Belgian-Style ale with a tangy twist of coriander and orange peel.
• Third course – Barley risotto with porcini and oyster mushrooms, Carlsbad Black Mussels and herbs served in a mushroom and mussel crème sauce. This is paired with Yulesmith Winter Ale, an Imperial red ale created to have a bolder malt taste.
• Fourth course – Grilled Colorado lamb tenderloins in a Montmorency cherry demi-glace served with Thumbelina carrots and micro mustard greens. This is paired with the 2008 Decadence ale, an English-style barleywine.
• Fifth course – California date shake made from Oasis Date Gardens’ Medjool dates served with cocoa nib cake with vanilla bean syrup and paired with a 2007 Barrel-Aged Decadence Ale, an Imperial Porter that is currently rated number seven in the world according to www.RateBeer.com.

Following the dinner, Chef Schuyler will take reprieve from the kitchen to mingle with guests and answer any questions they may have. The interactive dinner begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 and costs $75 plus tax and gratuity per person. Guests must be 21 years and older for this specialty menu. Sonoma Cellar will be open for patrons wanting to dine on its regular menu as well. Reservations are required by calling 702.547.7777.