While beer is often overlooked in favor of cheese's more mainstream mate, wine, the centuries-old relationship between beer and cheese is one worth revisiting. The mouth-coating qualities fo cheese coupled with the palate-cleansing powers of beer make for the perfect match, certain to please any guest. This holiday season, hosts looking to offer a polished soiree can depend on this perfect pair to impress.

To create the perfect beer and cheese pairing, follow these guidelines:

• Pair delicate beers with young, fresh delicate cheeses
• Pair nutty, malty beers with nutty, earthy, aged cheeses
• Pair high-hopped, bitter beers with tart, sharp cheeses - especially white cheddars
• Pair strong, sweet, malty beers with strong, sweet, triple cremes and blue cheeses

To appeal to the very light beer drinker, pair your beer with these cheeses:

• Lighter, younger goat's milk cheese
• Fresh white cheddar
• Sweet, buttery sheep's milk cheese

To ensure a flawless beer and cheese tasting, follow these tips:

• Cheese should always be cut fresh; use a separate knife or spoon for each cheese
• Cheeses should always be served at room tempurature; cold tempuratures weaken the aroma and flavor
• Serve each sample cheese as a 1/3-1/2 oz. wedge, coupled with a 2 oz. beer sample
• Use bread as a palate cleanser between cheeses