This is cheesy, but two events next week will show how craft beer pairs with cheese.

Many a beer expert will tell you that it's a better pairing than wine and cheese. Taste for yourself from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Crate in Scott. The class is titled "Holiday Beers & Holiday Cheeses," and it will be led by two nicknamed celebrities, Carol "Dearheart" Pascuzzi -- of Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. in the Strip District, who'll call you dearheart when she serves you -- and Vecenie Distributing's Tony "The Beerman" Knipling. Cost is $50; reserve at 412-341-5700 or cratecook.com.

Tim "The Beer Geek" Santoro will lead a five-course tasting at his Barley's & Hop's in Bethel Park at 5 p.m. Dec 13.

He'll tell you a bit about his pairings -- including Tipperary Cheddar from Ireland with Fraoch Heather Ale from Scotland and Stella Aged Asiago with Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre -- before you dig in.

Cost is $28.50 and reservations must be made by Dec. 10 at 412-854-4ALE (barleysandhops.com).

-- Bob Batz Jr.