A Rustic Burger Pairing

 Alex Rush, co-owner of Rustic Burger, upped his burger game recently when he held a small tasting in which he showed exactly how his craft burgers pair with his world-class beers.
“It’s not always the best to start with a lighter styled beer and then go darker and darker,” Alex began.  “It can be too crazy on the palate.”
Mac and Cheese made with creamy Mornay sauce, panko and chives alongside the Belgium St. Bernardus abt 12 that “accented the subtle flavors of the dish” was masterful.
A Weinhenstephaner Hef balanced well with the three different house-made dipping sauces – just like all of the meat is made in house – for the Tater Tots.
The Ballast Point Sculpin IPA calmed the wings in their sweet chili sauce.
A Weinhenstephaner Lager also complemented the classic Chuck n Brisket. Another pairing of the Chuck n Brisket, with the addition of blue cheese and a pretzel bun – the only bun not made on the premises – was paired with a tart red-colored New Belgium Transatlantic Kriek.  And a third pairing had the addition of bacon, Swiss cheese, mushroom and aioli, alongside a Firestone Nitro Merlin.
The salmon burger on brioche with an Allagash White, notes of “coriander and Curacao orange peels,” was another outstanding pairing, both visually and on the palate.
The Farm Sow and Cow included pork belly and bacon, egg, arugula, pepper Jack cheese and aioli with Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich DIPA was incredibly rich and lush.  Followed by the subtly marinated Seoul Burger on brioche with an Oskar Blues IPA.
“People have an affinity to food especially when it invokes memories,” Alex said.  “Things like the burn of raw white onions, the fresh snap of a pickle and the comfort of a tomato remind me of burgers I had growing up with my dad.  We respect those memories here.”
The remarkable tasting concluded with one of Rustic Burger’s homemade shakes, the Choco Toffee Stout this time blended with Humboldt Brewing Black Xantus Imperial Stout.
Come see these burgers and beers, a rotating selection of the latter not found in any other Santa Clarita Valley restaurant, as this is not something to miss!
Watch our tasters here: youtube.com/watch?v=KfInGKwmmXk&feature=youtu.be or www.rusticburger.net.