Cigars & Beer

[Payson]

I'm a reformed cigarette smoker but still enjoy an occasional fine cigar. Just paired a Kulmbacher Eisbock with a CAO Black. Very nice! Great weather, beautiful night, etc... I wouldn't dare smoke while judging, or where it wasn't welcomed. (I was home alone with XM Radio and an outdoor, recently won-over feral cat.) So, I'm curious, what's the consensus regarding cigars and fine brew? I think they can be nicely combined. You?

[ontap78]

I used to smoke alot of cigars back about 10 -15 years ago. That was before the prices on primo cigars went crazy. That's when I quit buying them. I was a big fan of Macanudo Hype Park Cafes and Partagas Sabrosas. I switched to a pipe for a couple years,but I quit that when the son came along. Now I only smoke my pipe when I go on my week long canoe trip with the boys each year. I do miss my cigars though. I get a catalog from Mike's quarterly and browse, but I don't buy anymore.

[DecoJuicer]

I used to smoke cigars on dive days. I was a really big fan of the Leon Jimenez, but the price jumped from $3/cigar to $8.50. That's when I gave them up.

[studentofbeer]

i don't think i've ever smoked a nice cigar, tho i have smoked some nice pipe tobacco on rare occasions. i certainly would try a cigar if one were offered to me, tho of course the fiancee would kill me if she knew. i know garrett oliver is a fan of good cigars and good beers. i'd love to occasionally light up a cigar or a nice pipe and sit outside with a beer.

[Wilson]

I love a good cigar and good beer. You mention CAO, my all time favorite is CAO's Brazilia Samba. Very nice and priced well. On occasions I sit outside and smoke a cigar with some really good beer, and I think I enjoy them best with big Belgians. The sweet-yeastyness and higher alcohol content goes seems to go well with the bolder cigars. Imperial Stouts also go well.

But just as likely you can find me smoking cigars with any of my homebrew. I enjoy the really good cigars, but hate paying for them.

[Payson]

I enjoy the really good cigars, but hate paying for them.

Likewise! Thankfully I try to keep my intake to 1 or 2 a month.

You mention CAO, my all time favorite is CAO's Brazilia Samba.

I've got one sitting at home, may have to give her a try next time.

[The Alchemist]

I enjoy a good cigar with the right beer. I am partial to medium to full-bodied cigars. The CAO Brazilia is excellent as is the Italia. I particularly like their Criollo as well. I just purchased some CAO Blacks and have not had the opportunity to try them yet. One other I might suggest that I really like is the Partagas Spanish Rosado. It has a nice sweet finish. In the right atmosphere the pairing of a good cigar and a complimentary beer is hard to beat.

[Vienna Lager]

Prior to my physician telling me to cut back I was a 5 to 7 cigar a week consumer. Usually smoked more on week ends and especially summer months when yard work would find me with a 'mosquito beater' in my mouth.

Cuba Alidos was one of my favorites and my pedestrian cigar was LaFinca or Trinidad & Cie.

Currently I don't smoke a cigar if drinking good home brew because the two cancel each other out. Cigar smoke is harsh on the taste buds that allow me to enjoy the beer and the carbonation of the beer distupts the smokes taste.

[jjpm74]

I smoke cigars a few times a year and while I've had aged English style barley wines and eisbock with one, my beverage of choice when smoking a cigar is single malt scotch.

[buckrogers71]

I will agree w/ you on the CAO Black. I like to have one of those w/ a sweeter beer .

One of my favorite combos is ACID Cold InfusionTea and Victory's Golden Monkey. The 2 flavors are INCREDIBLE! If you get the chance...try them:cool:

[S.F.B.]

I really enjoy a good cigar with beer. I find that hoppy beers don't go well with cigars but maltier ones do. I love to pair barley wine with a nice heavy bodied smoke. Better than beer with cigars to me is bourbon or even coffee or root beer. My current favorite cigars are just about anything H. Upmann, Partagas and Torano Exodus Silver.

[Payson]

My current favorite cigars are just about anything H. Upmann, Partagas and Torano Exodus Silver.

The Rocky Patel line is rapidly becoming a favorite. They're about all my wife will smoke. Her big issue is the lingering aftertaste. The RP's don't seem to have it. Does anyone know why this might be?

[Beer Monkey]

I've been finding myself smoking lots of the bullets from zino lately, I tend to enjoy the shorter cigars, but just cause it's really hard to find the hour or so to sit and really enjoy it, another fave of mine that is priced really nicely the the Fuente Short story, from the hemingway line. most of the Fuente's are priced really well and tend to be really good cigars.

[Wilson]

Originally posted by Beer Monkey
another fave of mine that is priced really nicely the the Fuente Short story, from the hemingway line.

Ahh, how could I forget the Short Story's? I agree, a good cigar without the time commitment.

[The Alchemist]

The Rocky Patel line has gotten to be quite broad. The RP Vintage line is an excellent couple of cigars. I would imagine that it is the blend of tobaccos that leaves less of an aftertaste. I find his line of Indian Tabac products to be both good and not so good for my tastes. Some I like and others I probably wouldn't try again. If you like something more full-bodied try his Fire. I also like the Corojo's. Pair them with some good beer and enjoy.