In a celebration of culinary innovation and Kenyan heritage, Tusker Beer Fest collaborated with Fairview Hotel to host a one-of-a-kind beer and meal pairing session, showcasing how Kenya Breweries iconic beers can fuse with Kenyan traditional meals.
The exclusive experience, curated by Chef Rami Saloum, brought beer to the forefront as not just a beverage but a key ingredient in the kitchen, especially at a time when most people are preparing for the festivities that include trying out new recipes. From infused drinks to desserts, each meal was a creative fusion of beer and classic Kenyan flavours.
Chef Rami Saloum, Fairview Hotel’s Executive chef, who designed the menu, remarked “This experience was about pushing boundaries and reimagining how beer can be used in the kitchen. We wanted to create a story that celebrates Kenyan culture while offering something new and exciting for our guests. Kenya Breweries range of beers provided the perfect canvas for us to innovate and infuse bold flavours into every course.”
The afternoon began with a welcome drink, Tusker Malt infused with green chili, ginger, and fresh strawberry, served with a lemon rim and rock salt on shot glasses to tantalize the palate.
The next meal which turned out to be a favorite for all guests was the beer mutura, one of the most common Kenyan street food, boiled in Tusker Lager, grilled to perfection, and served with beer kachumbari and a rich beer reduction sauce.
The main course featured a hearty serving of Guinness nyama choma paired with Tusker Lager ugali, which was uniquely prepared to enhance the depth of flavour. Both dishes were accompanied by the signature beer kachumbari, showcasing a perfect harmony of beer-infused flavours.
For dessert, poached pears cooked in Manyatta Pineapple & Mint cider, complemented by a creamy anglaise and refreshing beer-flavoured Jello cubes, concluded the experience on a sweet note.
“Tusker has always been a part of Kenya’s social fabric, and this pairing experience was about honouring that legacy in a new way. By pairing our iconic beers with Kenyan meals, we’re showcasing the versatility of Tusker and our wider beer portfolio into how our consumers can experiment and enjoy such food during this festive season. This is just one example of how Tusker continues to bring people together over moments of celebration and shared pride”, said Brigid Wambua, Tusker Senior Brand Manager.
The pairing experience is a testament to the rich culinary potential of Kenyan traditions and the innovative spirit that Tusker embodies – pushing boundless creativity.
You can try out the recipe below;
Welcome drink:
Infused Tusker Malt
( 2 days before the event, we infuse the beer with green chili, ginger and fresh strawberry )
Serves time, lemon rim and rock salt on the shot glasses
Starters:
Beer mutura
Traditional mutura we boil it in Tusker Lager till it cooked, remove from tusker and grilled
The remining Tusker, reduce as sauce
Served with kachumbari ( onion should be soaked in tusker)
In the plate will have : beer mutura, beer sauce, beer kachumbari
Main course:
Guiness Nyama Choma with beer ugali
We marinate the goat with guiness and cook as normal choma
Tusker Lager ugali , we cook ugali in malt and served as normal ugali
Served with beer kachumbari
Desserts:
Poached pears
We cook the pears in Manyatta Pineapple & Mint with cinnamon, star anis and cardamom
After cooking , remove the beer ( which is already flavored ) and make 2 items
Cream anglaise
Jello cubes