By John Howell
The Young Professionals of Panola (YPP) and Southern Beverage Company will feature three craft beers with appropriate food pairings during the Brews and Blues Craft Beer Tasting event Friday evening, Nov. 14.

Brews and Blues will open the weekend of the Batesville Rotary Club’s Gateway to the Delta 10-Miler and 5K scheduled for the following day. Friday night’s event will be held in the Wilbourn Building at 106 Court Street.

Southern Beverage sommelier Michael Boyette has chosen Goose Island 312, Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat and Bass Black and Tan.

“Craft beer is all about timing,” Boyette stated in an email about his selections. “Our tasting abilities, and desires change with each season. These brews were not only paired with the food. They were also chosen to complement the best time of year, harvest time!”

Goose Island 312 is brewed in Chicago and is one of the oldest and most popular across the U. S., the sommelier said.

Paired with Goose Island 312 will be Colby and Feta cheeses and a garden salad selection.

“Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat is a seasonal brew,” he said, “chosen based on the time of the year.”
With the Shock Top Pumpkin, tasters will be offered dishes of sweet and russet potatoes at potato bar, YPP spokesperson Meredith Carlson said.

The Bass Black and Tan carries a smoky flavor that will be complemented especially well with Ham’s Smoked Chicken prepared by Josh Hawkins.

“The smoke of that chicken and the smokiness of that beer just heightens the taste,” Boyette said.
“Beer is brewed, which is a cooking process,” the sommelier said. “The different types of these basic ingredients offer many different flavor profiles.”

Music for the 5 to 8 p.m. Brews and Blues will be provided by the Downtown Money Wasters.
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the Panola Partnership, Family Pet Hospital and from YPP members.
Race participants can purchase advance tickets for $10.