5 Vegan Cheese & Drink Pairings + Pro Tips To Make Sure Your Drinks Are Vegan

Pairing vegan cheeses with drinks should be a joy—not a hidden minefield of non-vegan fining agents or dairy-laced stouts. As a sommelier and vegan cheesemaker, I’m sharing perfect pairings, red flags for non-vegan alcohol, and pro tips to elevate your tasting experience.

⚠️ Vegan Alcohol Warnings

These common ingredients make drinks non-vegan:

• Isinglass (fish bladder) – Used in many beers and wines
• Casein (milk protein) – Found in some creamy liqueurs
• Egg whites – Used to clarify wines
• Honey – Added to meads and some ciders

Pro Tip: Check Barnivore.com to verify vegan status of any drink.

1. Aged Cashew Cheddar + Cabernet Sauvignon

Flavor Profile: 🍷 Bold & Tannic | 🧀 Sharp & Nutty

Why It Works:

• Cabernet’s tannins cut through the cheese’s fat
• Oaky notes complement aged umami flavors

Vegan Hack:

• Avoid Bordeaux wines (often fined with egg whites)
• Opt for unfined California Cabernets

Badge: 🏆 “Classic Pairing Perfected”

Brand Rec: Frey Vineyards Cabernet (vegan, organic)

2. Smoked Almond Gouda + Rauchbier (Smoked Beer)

Flavor Profile: 🍺 Smoky & Malty | 🧀 Creamy & Woodsy

Why It Works:

• Double smokiness creates harmony
• Beer’s carbonation cleanses the palate

Vegan Warning:

• Some German beers use isinglass – choose Aecht Schlenkerla (vegan)

Badge: 🔥 “Smoke Show Stopper”

Brand Rec: Aecht Schlenkerla Märzen

3. Herb-Infused Brie + Sparkling Rosé

Flavor Profile: 🥂 Bright & Fruity | 🧀 Buttery & Herbal

Why It Works:

• Rosé’s acidity balances brie’s richness
• Berry notes highlight thyme/rosemary in cheese

Vegan Hack:

• Skip Champagne (often non-vegan)
• Choose Spanish Cava (typically vegan-friendly)

Badge: 💖 “Elegant Entertainer”

Brand Rec: Anna de Codorníu Rosé Cava

4. Spicy Pepper Jack + IPA

Flavor Profile: 🍺 Hoppy & Bitter | 🧀 Spicy & Creamy

Why It Works:

• IPA’s bitterness cools pepper heat
• Citrusy hops mirror cheese’s brightness

Vegan Warning:

• Watch for honey-infused IPAs (e.g., some “Brut IPAs”)

Badge: 🌶️ “Bold & Brave”

Brand Rec: Lagunitas IPA (vegan)

5. Dark Chocolate Stilton + Port

Flavor Profile: 🍷 Sweet & Velvety | 🧀 Earthy & Decadent

Why It Works:

• Port’s raisin notes enhance cacao nibs in cheese
• Alcohol softens cheese’s sharpness

Vegan Hack:

• Traditional Port often uses animal fining – pick Fonseca Bin No. 27 (vegan)

Badge: 🍫 “Dessert Game Changer”

Brand Rec: Fonseca Bin No. 27 Port

🍷 Pro Pairing Tips

✔ Serve cheeses at room temp (flavors open up)
✔ Match intensity (bold cheese = bold drink)
✔ Add palate cleansers (crisp apples, walnuts)

Sources:

1. Vegan Sommelier Certification (Vegan Wines)
2. The Vegan Cheese Revolution by Jules Aron
3. Barnivore.com Database

Next Up: 5 Vegan Cheesecakes That Outshine Dairy! 🍰

Which pairing will you try first? Tag your spreads #VeganWineAndCheese! 🧀✨