Flavor-optimized charcuterie, beer and whiskey combos perfect for Dad's special day


AUSTIN, Minn., June 15, 2023 - Father's Day is an occasion to celebrate dads everywhere and to enjoy the simple things in life, like relaxing with beloved family members, watching an exciting golf tournament on TV and of course, enjoying great food and drinks.

This Father's Day, Columbus Craft Meats has dads' discerning palates covered. The California-based charcuterie experts suggest enhancing your Father's Day spread with an array of flavor-optimized pairings, bringing together Dad's favorite beer or whiskey with a variety of savory cured meats, artisanal cheeses and accoutrements.

"There is no better gift than time spent together, enjoying Dad's favorite indulgences: beer, whiskey and charcuterie," said Evan Inada, charcuterie/partnerships director at Columbus Craft Meats. "Families like to gather around a charcuterie board because it provides a great centerpiece for the occasion and a fun experience to share with loved ones."

This Father's Day, combine the joy of quality together time with a thoughtfully paired spread of craft food and drink. According to Inada, well-balanced charcuterie boards include five main categories: meat, cheese, acid, crunch and a sweet "wow" factor. He suggests the following food and beverage combinations:

BOLD WHISKEY PAIRINGS: Choose a buttery salumi whose fattiness will balance the bite of the whiskey. Columbus® hot capicola is an ideal choice – it brings out the boldness of the whiskey. Add a creamy bleu cheese to complement the hot capicola.
SMOKY WHISKEY PAIRINGS: Columbus® Spanish-style chorizo salami and a sharp cheddar work well with a smoky whiskey or your favorite scotch. Bold pepper flavors balance the whiskey's smokiness, especially when the liquor is served on the rocks.
SWEETER RYE WHISKEY PAIRINGS: The sweetness of pork in the Columbus® Genoa salami complements the sweetness of rye whiskey. Pair this with a soft brie.
PILSNER, PALE ALE AND SOUR-BEER PAIRINGS: Reach for a mild salami like Columbus® Italian dry salami and a sweet, creamy cheese such as chevre. These harmonious flavors work well with the light crispness of a pilsner, ale or sour.
DARK-BEER PAIRINGS: Select salumi with a bolder flavor, such as Columbus® hot coppa or Columbus® Genoa salami, and pair it with a bolder cheese such as cheddar or brie that will help balance the maltiness and complexities of a dark beer.
Don't forget the crunch. Consider accoutrements to complement Dad's favorite beverages and personal tastes. Choose a range of snacks that are cured, salty and crunchy for the perfect accompaniment to ice-cold beers or whiskey on the rocks. For bolder whiskeys and ryes, Inada suggests keeping crunch flavors on the mellow side with water crackers or crunchy breadsticks for the perfect crunch factor without conflicting flavors.

"It's helpful to keep in mind complementary flavors, but there's no wrong way to enjoy charcuterie, so don't leave out any of Dad's favorites," Inada said. "Whether it's potato chips or a nut mix, you can be adventurous. Find a way to work his favorite snacks into your charcuterie pairings."

Columbus Craft Meats makes shopping for charcuterie boards easy with a variety of flavors and artisan products available at retailers nationwide. Fans can share their Father's Day creations by tagging the brand on its social media channels.

For more Father's Day inspiration, visit https://www.hormelfoods.com/inspired.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin's®, WHOLLY®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation