Our Beer, Meat, and Gourmet Cheese Departments have joined forces to create the ultimate Triple Threat Pairings just in time for grilling season – even one using a portobello burger for some vegetarian variety! So, dust off your grill and get inspired!

What is a triple threat, you ask? It’s when three exceptional elements come together to create something amazing. Imagine our house-made Oliver’s Own Burger Patties made with 100% Angus Choice Beef, paired with our favorite gourmet cheeses, and served alongside carefully chosen craft beers.

Our expert team of foodies have crafted these pairings for maximum enjoyment. Whether you’re a burger aficionado, a cheese lover, or craft beer enthusiast, prepare to be impressed. We hope you try these pairings and get inspired to create your own with a little help from Oliver’s.

So how do these pairings come together? Oliver’s Gourmet Cheese Coordinator Wade Johnson sheds some light on the process:

“The goal of each pairing starts with an idea and theory based on previous pairing experience and understanding of flavor affinities,” Wade explained. “We try it out, take notes, and then discuss. A group is needed for this to make sure palates align. Individual tastes can really vary, but when you get all three to agree, you know you have something.”

The Tasting Process:

Is there a right or wrong way to evaluate a food and beverage pairing? “You always taste the beverage first to get a sense of style and structure,” Wade explains. “Next, you taste the dish, then another taste of the beverage, and wait for the finish of the flavors as they come together.”

How do you know if a pairing is successful?  Wade suggests looking at how the flavors mingle and whether they provide a unique and special experience. A successful pairing should elevate all of the individual ingredients to be better together than they are individually.

Challenge Goals:

Wade noted that the goal of this challenge was to showcase and then elevate our classic and proprietary burger patties using cheese and beer. The Portabella Burger was added to the line-up to throw the tasters a curve ball!

The Match-Ups:

This week, try these pairings and get inspired to create your own — with a little help from Oliver’s.

Note: All quoted prices are in effect from May 14-20, 2025 at all four Sonoma County Oliver’s Market locations.

PAIRING ONE —

• Oliver’s Own Mild Italian Turkey Burger
• Kaltbach Le Cremeux Swiss Cheese
• Cuver Pepperwood Saison

Tasting Notes: “The mild Italian spice blend in the turkey burger played perfectly with the Alpine-style cheese and Cuver Saison. The result, a courageous herbaceous flavor journey with a touch of heat and floral notes from the beer.” – Wade Johnson, Gourmet Cheese Coordinator

Featured Ingredients:

• Oliver’s Own Gourmet Burger Patties, Selected Varieties, $6.99/lb.
• Kaltbach Le Cremeux Swiss Cheese, $19.99/lb.
• Cuver Pepperwood Saison, 6 pack/12 oz. Bottles, $11.99+CRV

Check out the full recipe for this pairing here!

PAIRING TWO —

• Oliver’s Own Jalapeno Burger
• Pennyroyal Farm Laychee
• North Coast Brewing Blue Star Wheat

Tasting Notes: “I usually avoid spicy food, but this pairing won me over. With the beer as a perfect palate cleanser for the heat, the unique sheep and goat milk cheese are the perfect companion to the umami and spice in the beef. The flavors are perfectly balanced as all things should be.” – Matteo Polverari, Montecito Wine Department Manager

Featured Ingredients:

• Oliver’s Own Gourmet Burger Patties, Selected Varieties, $6.99/lb.
• Pennyroyal Farm Laychee, 6 oz. Package, $9.99/ea.
• North Coast Brewing Blue Star Wheat, 6 pack/12 oz. Bottles, $9.99+CRV

Check out the full recipe for this pairing here!

PAIRING THREE —

• Oliver’s Own Corned Beef Burger
• Oscar Wilde Aged Irish Cheddar
• Old Caz One Way West Coast IPA

Tasting Notes: “Corned beef as a burger!? You’d be surprised with how well the slight saltiness of the brined beef compliments the sweetness of the mature Oscar Wilde Irish cheddar. It is Ireland on a bun. Pair all that with the piney and citrus mix of an Old Caz One Way IPA and you have the perfect blend of savory and sweet.” – John Lanford, Montecito Meat Department Manager

Featured Ingredients:

• Oliver’s Own Gourmet Burger Patties, Selected Varieties, $6.99/lb.
• Oscar Wilde Aged Irish Cheddar, $9.99/lb.
• Old Caz One Way West Coast IPA, 4 pack/16 oz. Cans, $12.99+CRV

Check out the full recipe for this pairing here!

PAIRING FOUR —

• Portobello Mushroom Burger
• Champs Elysees Brie
• Old Caz Free Craigs Tropical Hazy IPA

Tasting Notes: “You won’t find anything THIS delicious on the Free Page on Craig’s list! If the ooey-gooey buttery blanket of Champs Elysees brie melted onto the meaty earthiness of a Portobello mushroom sounds like a treat, just wait until you pair it with the sweet, gently hoppy Free Craig’s from the folks at Old Caz. The flavors from the selection of hops from this fruity haze dance so well with the dash of Earth and butter and create a perfectly elevated, balanced explosion of flavor. Who needs beef when you have something this tasty?!” – Matt Hyer, Montecito Gourmet Cheese Department Manager

Featured Ingredients:

• Portobello Mushrooms, Grown by Primer in California, $5.99/lb.
• Champs-Elysees Brie Cheese, $9.99/lb.
• Old Caz Free Craigs Tropical Hazy IPA, 4 pack/16 oz. Cans, $13.99+CRV

Check out the full recipe for this pairing here!

Burger Season Checklist

In addition to these four amazing pairings, our buying team has lined up some great deals on everything you need for the coming grilling season, so check out this list and see what else you want to pick up this week at Oliver’s.

• Lazzari Mesquite Charcoal, 6.75 lb. Bag, $5.99
• Ore Ida Frozen French Fries, Selected Varieties, 22-32 oz. Package, $3.99
• French’s Crispy Fried Onions, 6 oz. Container, $3.99
• Mezzetta Roasted Red Peppers, 16 oz. Jar, $2.99
• Pierre Brioche Hamburger Buns, Selected Varieties, 7-8.8 oz. Package, $4.49
• Oliver’s Kitchen Potato Salad, $4.99/lb.
• Oliver’s Kitchen Roasted Red Pepper Aioli, 8 oz. Container, $3.99
• Oliver’s Kitchen Pico de Gallo, 8 oz. Container $3.49; 16 oz. Container, $4.99
• Ojai Organic Mayonnaise, 16 oz. Jar, $3.49
• Koops Organic Mustard, 12 oz. Bottle, $3.49
• Morenita Tortilla Chips, 12-14 oz. Bag, $2.99
• Sonoma Brinery Outrageous Bread & Butter Pickles, 16 oz. Container, $5.49
• Organic Avocados, California Grown, $1.99/ea.
• Organic Girl Arugula, 5 oz. $2.99/ea.
• Organic Beefsteak Tomatoes, Grown by Magic Sun in Mexico, $2.49/lb.
• Organic Tasteful Selection Creamer and Fingerling Potatoes, including Honey Gold, Ruby Sensation, Sunrise Medley, Gold, Red and Sunset Medley, 24 oz. Package, $3.99/ea.
• Large Burger Stacker Kit, including Tomato, Lettuce, Red and White Onion, 1 lb. 8 oz. Package, $5.99/ea.
• Italian Sweet Red Onions, Grown by Baloian Farms, $1.29/lb.

Useful Tips

How do you make the most of your Oliver’s Own Burger purchase? We have the recommended cooking instructions here. And what about a Portobello Burger? How exactly do you prepare the one featured here? Wonder no more: click here for the recipe! Looking for a unique topper for your burger? Break away from traditional raw or grilled onions and consider using green onions – check out this recipe for Grilled Green Onions. Don’t forget other sides and sweets to take your patio party to the next level! This Creamy Cucumber Salad would be the perfect side to enjoy with your lamb burger. These Grilled Potatoes are a fun alternative to fries, and oh-so-good sprinkled with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Impress your guests with these Blueberry Lemon Popsicles – sure to please kids and adults alike!

Cheers to the coming season of delicious grilling, cool beverages, and warm evenings ahead!