Curious about the best food pairings and beer? You're certainly not alone if you are, especially as there's been a dramatic shift in the last decade with beer making its way onto the swankiest restaurant drink menus up and down the country…

Inspired by the fact that beer can be paired with all kinds of foods, and the huge array of flavours the hoppy beverage brings to the table, leading chef Thom Bateman, owner of The Flintlock, Cheddleton, Staffordshire has teamed up with award-winning Cheshire craft brewery Beartown, to create a collection of limited-edition beers and easy cook recipes for diners to try at home.

Each of the four beers in the series created by the Congleton based brewery features an easy-to-follow recipe specially devised by the former Great British Menu chef. And what's more it couldn't be easier to reveal the details of each delicious recipe… Simply scan a unique QR code on the side of each can, follow the link to a short video, and then follow Thom's step-by-step instructions, as the two AA rosetted, Michelin Guide listed chef shows you how to cook up a deliciously tasty meal like a pro.

Each unique beer and recipe pairing has been inspired by Thom's love of familiar, wholesome flavours and use of seasonal ingredients, and Beartown's deep seated knowledge of the brewing process and decades of expertise in crafting award-winning beers.

Thom has long been a fan of Beartown, stocking three beers on the bar pretty much from the outset, including Beartown Lager, Inception, and in line with Thom's food ethos a seasonally rotating beer from their range. Inevitably the relationship blossomed as a result, and a collaboration was always going to be the natural next step.

There's no doubt that the two joining forces have delivered something really special - but as with most things there's way more to it than that… The limited-edition range also fully sets out its stall to showcase just how diverse beer can be when paired with food… but you'd better get your skates on as there's only 2000 cans available in the first batch.

With that in mind let's introduce the Limited-Edition Beers:

Each four pack contains:

• 1st Course: Beartown Rarebit with Beer Pickled Shallots and Chilli Jam paired with Beartown Session IPA, 4.4%: this beer takes you on a tropical flavour adventure. Featuring vibrant Mosaic hops at its core, it's brimming with an array of flavours; including citrus, tangerine, papaya, and juicy mango nicely rounded off with grassy floral notes.

• 2nd Course: Curried Chicken Scotch Egg with Confit Garlic Mayo paired with Beartown IPA, 6.3%: there's no other way to describe this beer other than a bold symphony of Citra, Columbus, and Chinook hops. Delivering flavour profile that packs a punch, with characteristic pine, spice and grapefruit notes, rounded off with a distinctive sharp finish and a delicious background range of stone fruit notes designed to tantalise the palate.

• 3rd Course: Confit Duck Leg with Braised Red Cabbage, Duck Fat Potatoes and Peppercorn Gravy paired with Beartown Wild Cherry Sour, 6.9%: this is a masterful blend of tartness and fruitiness. This kettle-soured Cherry Sour beer is perfectly balanced with a refreshing sharp taste, underpinned by distinctive sour notes, delivering a thirst-quenching, seriously refreshing beer with a tart finish and a serious tangy cherry aroma.

• 4th Course: Chocolate Parfait with Vanilla Creme Fraiche, Cocoa Nib Crunch and Pedro Ximenez Syrup paired with Beartown Indulgent Chocolate Stout, 5%: Dive right into this richly Indulgent and totally decadent Chocolate Stout. This beer's full-bodied texture, complex malt foundation, elevated by potent chocolate aromas is a luxurious treat for those who love their beer with real depth and intensity.

Thom Bateman, chef owner of the Flintlock, Cheddleton, said:

"Working alongside a well-respected brewery like Beartown and creating recipes to go with their limited-edition beer range has been an awesome project to be involved with. We've worked together for over eight months to get everything right. I particularly wanted to work with Beartown as they're leading the way in the craft beer scene, and have been for more than a couple of decades, creating beers that everyone can enjoy."

Adding:

"There's no doubt in my mind we're on the same page, as a result our desire to create something truly special to showcase beer with bags of flavour alongside simple, tasty food has been front and centre from the outset. Head to Beartown's web shop order a pack, pour yourself a beer, heat up your stove and checkout exactly why we're both so passionate about beer and food pairings for yourselves."

Joseph Manning, Beartown Brewery's Managing Director, said:

"We're massively excited to work with Thom to bring together world-class beer and tasty food. We're looking forward to cementing the relationship further as we help raise people's awareness of just how versatile and diverse beer is when it comes to cooking and food."

Each limited edition four pack of beer is priced £20.00 RRP and is available to buy direct from the Beartown Brewery webstore: https://www.beartownbrewery.co.uk/shop/chef-thom-bateman-collaboration-pack/