44 - Shawn McDonald (Springbank Cheese)

Step aside wine-and-cheese, there’s a new king of tasting pairings in town. This week’s guest, Shawn McDonald of Springbank Cheese in Marda Loop, is here to take our tastebuds on a journey with a beer-and-cheese tasting flight.

Known by many as “the cheese troll,” Shawn has been working with family-and-friend operated Springbank Cheese for more than 15 years. Int hat time he’s seen the palates of Calgarians expand dramatically, at times in tandem with phenomenons such as Alberta’s craft beer explosion. In addition to some insights on the cheese industry and the multi-province history of Springbank cheese, he brought a variety of cheeses to sample with the perfect pairing of Wild Rose brews:

Comté Cheese paired with Wild Rose Electric Avenue Blonde

Espresso Bellavitano Cheese paired with Wild Rose Barracks Brown Ale

Ossau-Iraty Cheese paired with Wild Rose Industrial Park Ale

Sheep’s Milk Blue Cheese paired with Wild Rose Alberta Crude Stout

“Classic” Pimento Cheese paired with Wild Rose High Harvest Hemp Strong Pale Ale

Following our culinary journey with Shawn, Mama T helps answer questions about activities that everyone looks silly doing, with some shots fired and guitar players and hula-hoopers. Afterwards we discuss the unwritten rules of life, and the unwritten rules of working at the taproom.

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Have a question for Mama T? A story from the bottom of a beer can? Send it in and we’ll read it anonymously on-air! DM us on instagram @wildrosebrewery or email it to Nick - [e-mail]

Wild Rose Brewery: taproom | website | instagram | twitter
Shawn McDonald - Springbank Cheese Marda Loop: website | instagram | twitter