Please don’t plan the Rich Ireland pity party quite yet because the title of this blog is dedicated to all of you fellow beer lovers out there in the beery wasteland of West Virginia. I have just finished reading the Sunday Gazette’s Life And Style section’s May 24, 2007 “Main Ingredient” column. As always, there is a yummy-sounding recipe offered up by the top-notch Sunday Gazette-Mail food writers Byers & Tuckwiller. I am also really glad that the editors have been occasionally working in one of my beer articles along with John Brown’s excellent gazz blog on wine.

This morning I noticed a sidebar titled “What to Drink”, which accompanied this week’s recipe of lamb meatballs with thyme and allspice. Apparently, the only thing “To Drink” with this meal is wine, since there was no beer listed, nor do I know of an attempt to do so.

Call me jealous, overly sensitive, whatever… But the real feeling I have is of frustration! I cannot blame the staff of the Gazette on this one. To be perfectly frank, the range of beers that I would have chosen as a pairing are not even available in the state. I would hate to be put in the position to suggest a beer and then have to rationalize to make a half-hearted recommendation based on what’s available in WV.

This frustration, also affects this blog. How many times can I write about Blues BBQ or Sam Adams and still keep it fresh? I would love to be able to tell you of new and exciting beers that may have recently shown up on the shelves at Kroger, but this does not happen, because it cannot within the laws of our State.

I have received some very encouraging feedback, both in person and via e-mail about the blog and also craft beer in general. Please make sure to use the ability to comment below so your comments can become part of this blog feature. Let all of us know your experience and or frustrations about finding craft beer in WV, or just to give a thumbs up or down on something you tasted.

By the way, here is my recommended beer pairing for the lamb meatball recipe…

Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, NY) - Abbey style simply called Ommegang. This beer is rich and full bodied with notes of apricot and dried fruits (raisin or dates). There is a notable spiciness that will harmonize with the Allspice in this recipe.

Brasserie Dupont (Tourpes, Belgium) - Saison Dupont is a no-brainer that will pair with almost anything that is not too spicy. The beer exhibits a subtle citrus flavor (though no citrus is used) along with an earthy farmhouse “musty” flavor.

Both beers are available in surrounding states and are sold in corked 750ml bottles. The Dupont is bottled in green glass, so do not buy one that is sitting near sunlight or on a store shelf.

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