Look, I really do not like the whole idea of pairing beer and food. You know that. It comes off as a wee bit snooty and, worse, it smacks a bit of exclusivity... but that has nothing to do with the fact that beer and food go so well together (or whether I am riddled with inconsistencies.) And there are few times of the year like Christmas when the cupboard bulges with special foods. I am mad for cheese and happened to have loaded in some locals including Madawaska like that bit there. It's from Back Forty, a cheese maker to the east of here. Sheeps' milk cheese. As soon as a chunk hit my mouth I ran to grab a bottle of La Chouffe. Fantastic. Each gave meaning to the other. Think I will go have some more now. But that was nothing like the best surprise of the night.

What was it? Gueuze and heavy dark Christmas fruit cake. Fantastic. Go try it yourself, now. Right now. Report back.