The Tide came in...

Big Al Irish Red

It's been a long time since I've seen a bar so packed on a Wednesday night that didn't revolve around a sporting event. As we arrived @ the Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor last night for the 2nd Annual beer pairing dinner with 7 Seas Brewing, there was hardly an open seat. We pulled up to the bar for some pre-dinner drinks, enjoyed a good 'ole Mac N Jacks African Amber and Big Al's Irish Red. Very tasty selections to start our night out.

The dinner bell was rung and we were summoned to find our little place cards among the beautifully laid out place settings. I had been under the impression that our $50 dollar per person dinner would include 3 courses paired with 3 beers, period. Well the ale was flowing all night long. As soon as our glasses hinted at being consumed, they were refilled with a swift subtlety that can only be found in Cirque du Soleil performances. Check out what we nomed on:

Appetizer paired with Saison du Sept Mers
Hickory Smoked Pork Belly and Alaskan Spot prawn Salad- with roasted peanuts and fried garlic

Entrée paired with Ballz Deep Double IPA
Roasted Hen with Ciabatta, Chorizo, Sweet Potato and Mushroom stuffing, Yukon Gold mashed potato, fresh turkey gravy and roasted butternut squash, cranberries and pears.

Dessert paired with Port Royal Export-style Stout
Apple Clafoutis-  New Crop Braeburns in an egg cream flan tart- with apple wood smoked salt pumpkin caramels and Myers Rum Anglaise

I felt like I was at a pre-Thanksgiving dinner, the food was ridiculously phenomenal and they did a great job with the vegetarian substitutions. Handmade salted pumpkin caramels... you are my new best friend.

Table mates Jeff & Mary Robinson

 We were tucked back in the corner and enjoying everything they put in front of us when in walked our table mates, Jeff & Mary. Apparently they like to keep all the trouble makers (vegetarians) in one spot, John had a few food restrictions too. What a cool couple! We made quick friends and had fun chatting about New York, beer blogging and the sheer amount of food we had been challenged to consume. Apparently, neither the Tides nor 7 Seas want any leftovers. 

Hearing Travis & Mike (the owners of 7 Seas) talk about their beer and how gracious they are to be doing what they do, really made the night special for this girl. It was a fun evening that I will surely attend when they do it up again in 2011. Nicely done 7 Seas and good work Chef Ernie from Tides. Kudos and many cheers to you!

Next on the agenda is to hit up 7 Seas itself for some beer sampling. Hopefully I can make this happen before I get around to hanging my new 7 Seas Christmas ornament on my tree...

Thanks for the fun times!