Domaine Lafrance Sparkling Cider
Rating: NNNN
Why Cheese and apples occupy the upper echelon of simple snacks, so mac and cider seems like a no-brainer. This pretty Quebecois sparkler is fruity, floral and off-dry with the zestiness required to refresh your palate while getting down on rich and creamy cheese-bathed noodles.
Price 750 ml/$16.95
Availability Vintages 400705
Waterloo Smoked Applewood Roggenbier
Rating: NNNN
Why Waterloo’s seasonal take on a smoked Roggenbier (a traditional rye-heavy German brew style) has a maple-dipped-bonfired-bacon thing going on that makes it a legit match for smoky meat-heaped macs like Carbon Bar’s BBQ rib version or anything studded with cured porky goodness. Best in moderate quantities.
Price 437 ml/$2.75
Availability LCBO 439810
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Rating: NNNN
Why Sierra Nevada’s legendary APA is perfect for crushing alone or with casual comfort food – cheeseburgers, grilled steak and, yep, mac ’n’ cheese. It’s clean and bright with the right amount of juicy hops to cut through the richness of gooey cheese and it will whisper words of devotion to a mac speckled with
lobster or seasoned
with lemon zest.
Price 6 x 355 ml/$ 15.50
Availability LCBO 409854
Auchentoshan Three Wood Lowland Single Malt
Rating: NNNN
Why Full disclosure: I’m not enamoured with the concept (or general execution) of pairing spirits and stirred cocktails with dinner. They’re usually too powerful, lacking the subtlety and refreshment of lower-alcohol beer, wine and cider. But in the spirit of Robbie Burns Day on Monday (January 25), sip some Auchentoshan Three Wood (aged in bourbon, PX and oloroso sherry casks) with your mac – especially if it’s of the salty, smoky variety. Might as well try it with a Manhattan-esque Bobby Burns cocktail, too: 2 oz Scotch, ¾ oz sweet vermouth, ¼ oz Benedictine, stirred and served up with a lemon twist.
Price 750 ml/$79.85
Availability LCBO 720532
Bertolani Rosé
Rating: NNN
Why Try this Lambrusco, a lesser-known but entirely worthwhile sparkler from Emilia-Romagna, with an Italian-style mac laden with prosciutto, Parmigiana and cracked black pepper, like a bastardized carbonara al forno. Nothing like tiny
bubbles to correct Mac and cheese fatigue so you can put your head down and keep shovelling it in, soldier.
Price 750 ml/$15.95
Availability Vintages 422865