On Monday, June 16, at 7 p.m., First State Brewing Company is teaming up with me, Chef Hari Cameron, for a one-night-only beer dinner at their newly renovated Rehoboth Beach location. This five-course experience celebrates the synergy of food and beer – how fermentation, technique, and seasonality can come together at one unforgettable table.
In collaboration with First State’s in-house chef, Juan Hernández, we’ve designed a menu rooted in the flavors of early summer in Southern Delaware. Each course is paired with a carefully selected First State brew – from crisp rice lagers to bold imperial stouts – chosen to mirror, contrast, or amplify the flavors on the plate.
Why does beer pair so well with food? Like bread or cheese, beer is a fermented product built on grain, yeast, and time. Its broad flavor spectrum – bitterness, malt sweetness, acidity, and carbonation – allows it to interact with food in exciting ways. Bitterness cuts fat, malt balances spice, and bubbles refresh the palate. Beer can cleanse, enhance, or even challenge a dish, creating contrast or harmony with every sip and bite.
We’ve taken a “glass-to-plate” approach, building dishes around the beers. Here’s a preview of the menu:
• First Bite: Red dragon cheddar, radish, mustard – a bright, savory opener
• Crab Fritter: Local crab, corn, onion slaw
→ Paired with: Neon Lights (Riwaka Rice Lager) – light and citrusy to cut through the richness
• Baked Oysters: Rehoboth oysters, chorizo, cream butter
→ Paired with: Spaceships & Lasers #7 (Hopped Cider) – acid and spice in perfect contrast
• Braised Pork Shoulder: Grilled pork, yucca, burnt orange carrots
→ Paired with: Incinerated (Charred Orange Hazy IPA) – bitterness and citrus echo throughout
• Chocolate Delight: Chocolate mousse, stout cake, Bennett blueberries
→ Paired with: Confection Dissection #11 – deep cocoa, cinnamon, and roasted notes woven between dessert and glass
This event represents weeks of collaboration between our kitchen and brewing teams. It’s equal parts culinary creativity and brewing artistry.
Event Details
Date: Monday, June 16
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: First State Brewing – Rehoboth Beach
Tickets: $85 – available via First State Brewing’s website and social media.
Includes five courses, five beer pairings, plus a welcome bite and pour. Seating is limited for an intimate, guided experience.
Join us for a night that explores what happens when two crafts meet with one goal: flavor, story, and experience.
