Cookin’ on the Coast – Season 13, Episode 8:
Small Gods Neverending Pilsner with Korean Fried Chicken
In Episode #8 of Cookin’ on the Coast Season 13, we’re celebrating the perfect union of crisp beer and crunchy spice with Small Gods Brewing Neverending Pilsner. This German-style pilsner is a textbook example of balance, making it an ideal choice to stand up to the bold flavors of Korean Fried Chicken.
The Neverending Pilsner is designed for high quaffability and exceptional flavour. It’s brewed with 100% Barke heritage malt, a centuries-old grain grown in northern Germany, which creates a delicious, distinct biscuity malt backbone. On the nose, it offers fresh straw and wildflower notes, accented by a hint of floral honey sweetness.
On the palate, this bright, light gold lager starts faintly sweet before growing drier. You’ll find a firm maltiness complemented by a floral hop presence and a snappy, lingering grassy bitterness. This bitterness is key: it provides a clean, dry finish with a light touch of peppery spice that cleanses your palate, making you eager for the next bite of rich, sticky chicken.
Small Gods Brewing Co. is a family-owned and operated brewery designed to fit seamlessly into the community of Sidney by the Sea on Vancouver Island. Conveniently located near the airport and the ferry terminal, they embody the welcoming, local spirit of British Columbia’s craft beer scene.
This isn’t just a refreshing lager; it’s an ode to classic German brewing precision, delivered with Vancouver Island charm. The Neverending Pilsner is proof that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the ones you want to enjoy forever—especially alongside bold, spicy Korean Fried Chicken.
Head to a Liquor Plus liquor store near you to pickup the Small Gods Brewing Neverending Pilsner.
In this episode, Chef Heidi brings us a family favourite: Korean Fried Chicken Wings, simplified using an air fryer to deliver all the intense flavour and crispy, sticky texture without the deep-fryer hassle. The dish features a highly concentrated Sweet & Spicy Sauce built on gochujang (fermented red pepper paste), garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
The wings, even air-fried, have a rich, fatty coating enhanced by the sesame oil and the crispy cornstarch crust. While the gochujang brings a pleasant, lingering heat.
Paired with the Small Gods Neverending Pilsner, the result is a demonstration of classic contrast pairing. The wings’ rich, fatty coating and sticky sauce are immediately counterbalanced by the Pilsner’s snappy, lingering bitterness and high carbonation. The bubbles and dry finish act like a palate cleanser, lifting the richness and refreshing the mouth for the next bite.
The beer’s clean, light body and bone-dry finish are also the perfect foil for the gochujang’s heat. Unlike a rich beer that might weigh the palate down, this Pilsner’s crisp, cold character immediately soothes and tames the spice.
This German-style pilsner, with its subtle biscuity malt backbone and touch of floral hop, harmonizes beautifully with the umami and sweet notes of the sauce. Together, the Neverending Pilsner proves that the cleanest, crispest beer is the ultimate sidekick to the world’s boldest, spiciest flavors.
Grab the recipes below and all the ingredients at your local Country Grocer:
Liquor Plus Sponsors Cookin’ on the Coast
Each week, Liquor Plus sponsors the Pairings segment of Cookin’ on the Coast on CHEK. The show features unique food and drink pairings offered by BC suppliers, with recipes created by Chef Heidi Fink and sponsored by Country Grocer. All of the beverages featured on the program can be found in Liquor Plus stores across Vancouver Island.
