Leaf and Liquor Pairings

For our latest pairing, I thought we’d switch it up a bit. This is a pairing for my socialites out there. These combinations are optimal for parties, band practice, spring skiing, or just sitting around BSing with friends.

I worked with three excellent Southern Oregonian breeders (Phenotype X, Stallion Genetics, Peter the Cannabreeder) to acquire these rare strains for this pairing. What are you growing this year? Maybe some of these strains will inspire some of you to think about seeking out some different seeds or clones for this season. I also stepped out of my comfort zone and chose some beverages I wouldn’t normally be drawn to; I had you readers in mind for this one. There’s a little something for everyone. Grab your grocery list, write down whatever grabs your interest, and check out what similar strains your local dispensaries have to offer.

Schilling & Company Grapefruit Cider + Pineapple Diesel X Tragic Ice Hindu

The grapefruit cider has a really strong nose on it. Extremely sweet fragrances, true to the grapefruit title. The Pineapple Diesel X Tragic Ice Hindu has all of the terpenes of Pineapple OG, the fuel tinge of Diesel, and can pull out hints of Hindu Kush. The flower has immaculate flavors when smoked, the Grapefruit Cider does a great job accentuating the pineapple- creating a fresh fruit experience with a mellow, mixed effect. The two together will be a go-to for summer rafting trips, coastal adventures, and festival lounging.

Nectar Creek Waggle WildFlower Session Mead + Pink Avatar

The Waggle honestly smells terrible, like dying grass or maybe even deer pellets. Off-putting. I refreshed my senses by breaking apart and squeezing the nug of Pink Avatar. Bred and grown by Peter the Cannabreeder, Pink Avatar is made up of Sour Diesel x Blue Dream x Afghan Goo. The taste is exceptionally different, and the combo creates a one-of-a-kind trio flavor. The Pink Avatar paired with the Waggle tastes of honey, wild flower, and it’s fruity. The overall experience is very close to chewing on a dandelion and dunking your head in a nice cold flowing stream. On this rainy cold day, this duo gave me some springtime vibes, with dreams of warm weather. The effect was clean, eclectic, and euphoric.

Fish Tale Organic Amber Ale + Green Yeager

A refreshing organic amber ale fits the mood for this pre-spring funky-fantastic tasting. My personal favorite with its aroma of red malt caramel, with hints of toffee. It’s easy to drink and great with food as well.

Green Yeager tastes like the traditional southern Oregon native Yeager aka Purple Hindu Kush, with rich earthy licorice, lemon, and pine, but also shows off some extra fruity terps with a cross that tastes and smokes close to Purple Hindu Kush. Marrying Fish Tale and Green Yeager creates a perfect recreational recipe for a sip and smoke social. The mixed effect creates a sedated, zoned-out vibe, perfect for a late-night social, reminiscent of pre-spring backyard bonfires.

Ballast Point Brewing Company Mango Even Keel + Purple Kush   

The Mango Even Keel has a pretty low alcohol content (3.8) and smells floral, with a mango overlay. Stallion’s Purple Kush is our only classic strain for this session. Usually, I would smoke PK paired with red wine, but I wanted to experiment with pairing the fruit smell and flavor of the flower with something more tropical. Ballast’s Mango Even Keel is a perfect sipper, refreshing, and clean. The combination of the PK and this mango-flavored beer creates a tropical entanglement of flavors. Easy drinking beer, easy smoking bud. The mix effect is weightless, social, and gets better through the night.