Cheese and wine. It's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a classic pairing. But the time has come to branch out and explore a new world of pairings — cheese and beer. Just like wine, beer offers a range of deliciously versatile taste profiles that offer the perfect counterpoint to your favorite cheese. And with a little guidance from our cheese experts, you can start pairing like a pro.

To get started, there are a few simple guidelines to follow to make the best of your matches. However, rules were made to be broken, so don't be afraid to branch out and experiment on your own.

Stay fresh.
Pair delicate beers with young, delicate cheeses.
Pairing is all about balance, so when you are enjoying a beer with a lighter taste profile it's important to make sure that the cheese doesn't overpower the beer. Sample your favorite light beers, pilsners, or fruit-flavored ales with some soft-ripened selections like Brie and Camembert or gourmet spreadable and goat cheese.

Come over to the dark side.
Pair deeper, malty beers with nutty, aged cheeses.
Moving on to darker, malty beers offers a great opportunity to explore some of the more intense, nutty cheeses. Try pairing a sturdy stout, porter, or barley wine with Roquefort, Istara P'tit Basque®, Istara® Ossau Iraty, or some hard pretzels smeared with Pub Cheese®.

Don't worry, be hoppy.
Enjoy hoppy, bitter beers with tart, sharp cheeses.
Beers with a very pronounced hoppy flavor offer yet another intriguing match up for another segment of delicious tart cheeses. Pair some pale ales and pilsners with a selection of Manchego®, Istara® Kaikou, or Comté® cheeses.

Wheat is neat.
Try sweeter wheat beers with nutty or tangy cheeses.
Pour yourself a gloriously cloudy hefeweizen or Belgian witbier and enjoy some tangy feta, or slice up some nutty and intriguing Madrigal® or Emmental Swiss cheese. The unique clove and fruity aromas of the beer provide the perfect counterpoint to the salty, nutty flavors of the cheese.