Tonight, Townsend Wentz and the team at McCrossen’s Tavern are teaming up with Brooklyn’s Sixpoint Brewery for a dinner spotlighting some of the single-hop India pale ales that make up the beer maker’s (seldom seen in these parts) line of Spice of Life brews. The small batch beers, which the brewery rolls out on a monthly basis, are formulated to present the subtleties of different hop varietals. Instead of using a blend of hops, as is the case with most other beers, each brew from the Spice of Life series utilizes just one particular hop. “This is a project we came up with to help educate and enchant people about the diversity of different hops,” Sixpoint president Shane Welch told Grub Street. “It’s such a simple premise, but being that it’s a controlled experiment it really allows people to understand the influence of each individual hop strain.”
To go with the single-hop beers, Wentz has drawn up a special menu to compliment the flavors and aromas of the beers served. In addition to the Spice of Life IPAs, McCrossen’s will also be pouring Sixpoint’s ultra-rare Gemini Double IPA. The $40 dinner includes beers and four courses. Check out Chef Wentz’s menu below.
First Course:
Oysters on the hall shell w Cucumbers in Harrisa, Sweet Grapefruit Mignonette.
Second Course:
Grilled Quail w Apricot-Almond Barley Stuffing, Game Jus
Third Course:
Oxtail Risotto w Idiazabal Sheep’s Milk Cheese, Diable Jus
Fourth Course:
Trotter Pailette w Lacinato Kale, Creamed Salsify, Black Truffle
