Guy's Night Cigar and Beer

[garublador]

Tonight a friend and I are having a rare guy's night where we're going out to dinner and then to a B&M that allows beer but doesn't sell it. I'm looking for some suggestions on good pairings.

It's been super cold here the past week or two, so I'll probably want a medium-full-ish body cigar. I don't think I've ever tried something that's actually full strength, so I might avoid that if possible. Though I don't know how to gauge that all that well. I'll probably stick to something fairly dark on the beer side but not high proof (we have to drive back) as well, but I'm up for about anything that pairs well.

I'm still pretty green when it comes to really trying different cigars so I don't need anything too exotic. Plus they have to have it in stock. This place isn't huge but they have a decent selection. My favorite cigars I've had so far are:

Man O' War (no modifier) Toro
Illusione Rothchildes
San Lotano Oval Toro
Man O' War Virtue Toro
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Maduro Toro

My thoughts for cigars are:

CAO Brazilia or Mx2
Padron X000 perhaps maduro
Illusione Epernay

Stuff I have in the humidor that I won't want to try tonight (I'll save them for later)

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor's
A Montecristo sampler (not that I'd expect many to suggest any of them)
Ashton sampler

If it matters, I've read many of Laynard's reviews and with the cigars I've tried, they've matched, almost perfectly, with my experience (the RyJ Reserve Maduro being the only exception).

For beer we get a pretty good selection. Left Hand, Founders, Boulevard and New Belgium are all pretty easy to find here, but I'm open to whatever.

So, more experienced members, live vicariously through me and see what you can come up with as a combination you'd like to experience for the first time again!

[BryGuySC]

Maybe something like this:
Founders Breakfast Stout and an MX2 (more potent flavors)
Left Hand Milk Stout and an Epernay (not as heavy)

[Demuths1770]

keep it simple and dont get lost in the details because you wont have any fun. grab a 6 pack pick whatever cigar grabs your interst and enjoy your time. i would go with a Illusione Epernay or Ajs New world and you cant go wrong with Padron

[garublador]

keep it simple and dont get lost in the details because you wont have any fun. grab a 6 pack pick whatever cigar grabs your interst and enjoy your time.

I should have clarified and said that I know this is way over thinking it. It's more for fun to see what sort of "go to" pairings people suggest with my given parameters.

I'm a big fan of the Milk Stout and that was already in the running. The Breakfast Stout is probably too high ABV for this, but I have several bottles at home already so knowing what to pick up to pair with them is really nice.

This is another thread entirely, but we're actually planning a trip to Vegas this summer where we'll have a cigar at Casa Fuente, so I may have to pick up a Hemingway to save for later when I'm getting pumped up for the trip. Having an excuse to get a Stone beer is never a bad thing, either.

[Indyhp]

keep it simple and dont get lost in the details because you wont have any fun. grab a 6 pack pick whatever cigar grabs your interst and enjoy your time. i would go with a Illusione Epernay or Ajs New world and you cant go wrong with Padron

I agree with this. I would add a Flor de las Antillas or an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos to the cigar choices, and choose a craft beer that's not too hoppy. I like ales and shy away from stouts and porters anyway, so our tastes in beer are different.

[garublador]

I agree with this. I would add a Flor de las Antillas or an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos to the cigar choices, and choose a craft beer that's not too hoppy. I like ales and shy away from stouts and porters anyway, so our tastes in beer are different.

Unfortunately the Flor de las Antillas is actually one I forgot that I not only have, but have smoked several of. It's actually my friend's go-to cigar. Just as an aside, the last time we did this he asked the guy at the store for a suggestion similar to the FdlA and the guy gave him the Epernay. The Don Carlos is a good suggestion. I might try to steer us both towards the AF section because of the impending trip.

I tend to try to stay away from beers that are too hoppy when smoking cigars, too. I've been on a stout and porter kick lately, but there are some winter ales that I really like. I think I've only ever smoked one cigar when I wasn't drinking some sort of alcohol and that was the Virtue and I had it with coffee. I think that pairing was as least as good as any beer, whisky or wine pairing I've ever had, but I also usually smoke at night and don't want the caffeine (and do want the alcohol).

I can also guarantee that I won't take this too seriously. I smoke to relax and obsessing over the details is the opposite of relaxing for me. A "less than optimal" pairing has never upset me. I just thought it would be fun to get some suggestions.

I appreciate all of the suggestions! I'll be sure to update with what we both ended up with.

[anthony d]

Double Bastard from Stone Brewery and an Arturo Fuente Hemingway is my all-time favorite pairing.

The Founder's Breakfast Stout and a CAO mx2 is a great combo.

Brooklyn Lager and LP Undercrown is fantastic.

[Tombstone]

CAO Brazilia or Mx2 either one would go with a nice Pale ale or the Brazilia with a stout or porter
Padron X000 perhaps maduro I think this smoke would be pretty versatile but a milk stout or pumpkin would work well.
Illusione Epernay I think a wheat beer or something fruity but not sweet.

Let us know what you go with, always nice to hear about pairs.

[ChiefIlliniwek]

My only rule is that I usually stay away from IPAs with cigars. I don't know why, but they don't work as a pairing for me. I usually drink 1-2 beers a night, where I might only get 1-2 cigars a week. So when I'm smoking, the cigar is more important, and I want the beer to stay in the background. I'll drink a Yuengling or some kolsch with lighter sticks, or go with a porter for maduro or full body sticks.

[Branzig]

IPAs are my favorite brews on the planet, but they are also the most overpowering.

I like Oatmeal stouts, Doppelbocks, and Espresso stouts with my full bodied smokes. They just seem to compliment each other very well, especially if your smoking a chewy full bodied cigar.

I also agree with the Keep It Simple Stupid mentaliity when it comes to hanging out with the boys. I don't want to have to think about my smoke or my drink too much when having a guys night. Enjoying the conversation is way more important than noticing that the nuance of your 1964 Anny just shifted....just my 2cents

Have Fun!