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 or Lamb, 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 13-19, 2026 at all four Sonoma County Oliver’s Market locations.

PAIRING ONE: The Sonoma Chalet

• Oliver’s Own 50/50 Burger Patties, $7.99/lb.
  • The 50/50 Burger blends equal parts Oliver’s Choice ground beef and ground platter bacon for a juicy, flavorful patty with rich beefiness and smoky, savory depth in every bite.
• Cowgirl Creamery Wagon Wheel, $19.99/lb. LOCAL
• Ghost Town Inhume West Coast IPA, 4 pack/16 oz. Cans, $13.99+CRV

Tasting Notes: “The beer brings out the sweetness in the cheese and the beefy notes in the burger, with a distinct note of light bitterness persisting throughout to perfectly compliment the experience. A unique and very complimentary pairing showing that IPA can be elegant. The burger and cheese together are amazing — rich and full of flavor. Delicious!” – David Riley, Stony Point Wine Manager

Check out the full recipe for this pairing HERE!

PAIRING TWO: The Sweet Heat Stack

• Oliver’s Own Jalapeño Business Burger Patties, $7.99/lb.
  • A bold, smoky burger made with Oliver’s Choice beef, tangy Oliver’s BBQ sauce, fresh jalapeños for heat, and French’s crispy onions for a crunchy, savory finish.
• Marin French Cheese Co. Big Breakfast Cheese, 8 oz. Package, $7.99/ea. LOCAL
• Parliament Kaleidoscope Hazy IPA, 4 pack/16 oz. Cans, $13.99+CRV LOCAL

Tasting Notes: “This pairing brings bold flavors. The burger hits you with a smoky and sweet canvas from the barbeque sauce that’s complimented by zesty fresh jalapeños. The crispy onions add sweetness and depth of flavor. Big Breakfast Cheese from Marin French tames the spice with its silky creaminess, bringing out fresh flavor from the jalapeño. Washing it all down with Parliament’s Kaleidoscope IPA cuts through the cream and fat, bringing a tropical citrus element that makes you excited for your next bite.”– Richard Brannock, Stony Point Executive Chef

Check out the full recipe for this pairing HERE!

PAIRING THREE: The Lamb & Leaf

• Oliver’s Own Mint Condition Lamb Burger Patties, $9.99/lb.
  • A savory lamb burger patty blended with fresh mint, delivering a juicy, tender bite with a bright, herbaceous flavor that perfectly complements the rich, natural taste of the lamb.
• Valbresco Sheep’s Milk Feta, $9.99/lb.
• East Brother Blonde Ale, 4 pack/16 oz. Cans, $8.99+CRV

Tasting Notes: “A juicy lamb burger infused with fresh mint and Tuscan salt offers a rich, savory bite that’s both hearty and flavorful. Fresh mint leaves add a bright, aromatic contrast, cutting through the richness and giving each mouthful a refreshing lift. The Blonde ale balances and rounds out the flavor of the lamb, leading to a lasting savory finish with hints of sweetness.” – Justin Bolin, Stony Point Meat Department Lead

Check out the full recipe for this pairing HERE!

PAIRING FOUR: The Moody ‘Shroom

• Organic Portobello Mushrooms, Grown by Premier in Colusa County, $5.99/lb.
  • A hearty, grilled Portobello mushroom offers a juicy, meaty texture with rich, umami flavor. It’s a satisfying plant-based alternative to a traditional burger patty, holding up well to toppings while delivering a lighter, yet still filling, bite.
• Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue, $25.99/lb.
• Deschutes Black Butte Porter, 6 pack/12 oz. Bottles, $9.99+CRV

Tasting Notes: “This is a burger that we thought would work well on paper but really adds up to more than the sum of its parts. The Portobello mushroom and blue cheese are an exciting pair. The salty richness of the blue cheese compliments the earthy, umami notes of the mushroom. The Porter brings malty and dark flavors, which reveal a smoky and nutty finish from the blue cheese. Grill the mushrooms for even more smoky flavor!” – Jared Mark-Hollandsworth, Stony Point Gourmet Cheese Manager

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.

• Oliver’s Own BBQ Sauce, 17.5oz Bottle, $2.99 LOCAL
• Lazzari Mesquite Charcoal, 6.75lb Bag, $6.49
• French’s Crispy Fried Onions, 6oz Container, $3.99
• French’s Mustard, 20oz Squeeze Bottle, $2.49
• Heinz Ketchup, 20oz Squeeze Bottle, $2.99
• Ore Ida French Fries, Selected Varieties, 19-32oz Package, $3.99
• Pierre Brioche Hamburger Buns, 7oz-8.8 oz Package, Plain or Seeded, $4.49
• Oliver’s Kitchen Potato Salad, $4.99/lb. LOCAL
• Oliver’s Kitchen Coleslaw, $3.49/lb. LOCAL
• Zevia Soda, Selected Varieties, 8 pack/12oz Cans, $4.99+CRV
• Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, 12 oz Jar, $5.99
• Morenita Tortilla Chips, Selected Varieties, 12-14 oz Bag, $2.99
• Kettle Brand Potato Chips, Selected Varieties, 5 oz Bag, $2.49
• Red Italian Sweet Red Onions, Grown by Baloian Farms in Fresno, $1.49/Lb.
• Jalapeños, Grown in Mexico, $1.99/lb.
• Organic Green Little Gem Lettuce, Grown by Tomatero in Watsonville, $1.69/ea.
• Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, Grown by Ram’s Farm in Mexico, $4.99/lb.
• Organic Girl Arugula, 5 oz. Container, California Grown, $2.99/ea.

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!