Most likely, we've all been accosted by a pompous wine connoisseur who, while swirling their shiraz, has looked down their sniffing nose to condemn the uninitiated for sipping a pinot grigio with a rib-eye or going Barolo with a light piece of grouper. We may even be that pompous wine connoisseur, unaware our friends dine with us reluctantly, struggling to remember, "Reds with reds, whites with lights."

This is no crime. The line has been crossed, however, when the condemnation that slides from that sniffing nose claims that beer should not be given the same care and respect with pairing as that of its Dionysian kin. Rubbish! Are there any hard and fast rules to pairing drink with food? Probably not. To each his own. Palates are like opinions and... well... let's go with snow flakes: we've all got one and each is like no other. But we do have a few suggestions to keep in mind we've found that please the palate.

Getting a "Head" Start.
Big bold beers can be enjoyed almost as a meal in themselves. But as a before meal beverage, the proper beer choice can arouse your appetite and get your taste buds revving for the meal that follows. City Mills Wheat, relatively low in alcohol, but not in flavor, can be a refreshing starter. Sip it slowly with your favorite appetizer.

"Swimmin' in Beer."
You've seen shrimp, fresh-cracked crab and steamed clams brewed in beer on the Food Network, right? So why not a cold beer as an accompaniment? Our India Pale Ale (IPA) would go great with any seafood. Iron Clad Stouts are a great choice too. Both can balance the fuller flavors of a spicy crab-boil or a boiled lobster. Butter rich saucy can be complemented with a crisp, cold wheat beer.

The clear, clean flavors of wheat beers also go especially well with fish, A Hop-rich ale (Think Cannon IPA) can provide a nice balance for light fish entrees. For heavier, oil rich fish, try our Red Jacket.

"Meat & Greet."
Thanks to its British inspiration, our India Pale Ale is perfect with beef roasts, and steaks. (Check out the history of beer section and learn more about this famous brew). For a heartier pairing, consider an Iron Clad Stout. (Hey, where do you think porterhouse steaks came from?). Because of their stronger flavors, "game" meats like venison and rabbit, require a more richly-flavored brew. An IronClad Stout is a great choice, but watchout, a couple of those make a meal their ?own.

"For the Birds?"
You will almost always be able to find a match for chicken amongst our beers. The best brews for the bird depend on how it is prepared: spicy chicken wings demand a more quenching brew like Red Jacket. Richer-tasting birds such as turkey, goose, or duck, on the other hand, support a moderately bitter (and fruity) ale such as IPA.

Pizza and Pasta.
Come on, this is what beer was made for. Is there any other beverage you can imagine that's better with pizza. Order your favorite pizza, close your eyes, and point at the menu, any selection you make will go great with one of our fire-roasted pizzas.

If you like your pizzas hot and spicy, here's a great opportunity to try one of our Beer Samplers. Tell us your favorite pizza pairing.

"Chillin' & Grillin'."
It depends on what you're grilling. With hearty red meats like beef and lamb, any zesty, hoppy beer is ideal. Trying one of our nice, thick grilled steaks? You can't go wrong with our IPA - Anything off the barby is at its best when served with hoppy pale ales. The clean, crisp cleans the palatte and complements the smoky flavor without an overpowering aftertaste.

"Hot 'n' Spicy."
There are two basic schools of thought: extinguish the fire or fan the flames. For the former, almost any kind of cold brew fills the basic function. Clean-tasting Goldens' Ale or City Mills Wheat can do this job well. More adventurous eaters should look to balance their spice with an equal dose of hop. An extra-hoppy Cannon IPA, can match a dish's heat while also providing satisfying flavors of their own.

Overall, remember this: any beer will quench a chili's fire quicker than plain water because capsicine (the substance that gives peppers their heat) is more soluble in alcohol.

Dessert/After Dinner.
Hey it's dessert, think sweet. When's the last time you had a Root Beer? Bring out the child in you, and remember what it was like when you had that first "heady" experience. The Cannon Brew Pub is a place for memories, this is a great way to end the evening on a high note.