When he's not putting together fabulous beer pairings, Witte is the field quality training manager at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City. Besides getting to sample many fine beers, he also trains new employees, bartenders and beer distributors in the nuances of brew. "Often times when I'm talking with a new bartender, I have to take a few steps back and teach them about what beer is first. Then teach them how to pour a beer correctly, how to talk about beer." Gut Check would definitely welcome such instruction in office (hint hint).
Much like wine, pairing beer with a meal -- or courses within a meal -- can be a delicate process. "When you look at a dish you think about the intensity level first of all, so I'm going to look for a beer with an equal amount of intensity," Witte says. "I don't want a beer that's going to get lost, and I don't want a beer that might overpower the food. I want them both to shine."
The goal is to looks at flavors, spices and different proteins along with various types of preparation, and then find a beer that enhances those characteristics. "I always encourage people to experiment, step out on a limb," Witte says, and advises APA90 attendees to go with the braised beef short-rib goulash, a rich dish paired with the Boulevard double-wide IPA, a big beer that can stand up to bold flavors.
Witte, a self-proclaimed "animal lover," became involved with the APA through a friendship made back in college with Steve Kaufman, APA's executive director. The APA dinner is one of several events planned to help the organization provide shelter, adoption and veterinary services. Other events include the Harry & Hanley Project, a public art installation featuring twenty unique larger-than-life dog and cat sculptures created by renowned sculptor Harry Weber and custom-designed by some of St. Louis' leading local artists, and the APA90 Birthday Bash and Art Auction taking place at the Contemporary Art Museum on September 14.
Tickets for the APA90 Fancy Feast are $90 and can be purchased online at http://www.harryandhanley.com/, where you can also find a full menu for the dinner.
Gut Check is always hungry for tips. Email us!
Follow @gutcheckstl