One of the most perfect combinations of food known to man. All you need is to drive down to the beach, oyster shucking knife in hand, get yourself a dozen fresh ones, and a fine dark beer (lagers wont do here) or an IPA.
I was lucky enough to visit Tamales Bay last week, in northern California (about 30 min north of San Francisco), home to at least 3 large oyster harvesting companies. The above pic is from Bodega Bay's Fish House, and the below pic is from Hog Island Oyster Co.
You can get yourself some fine Henhouse IPA (local), fresh cheese, also local, and pickled caperberries. A meal made in heaven.
The best beers to drink with oysters are in my opinion dark aleas and stouts. When in Seattle a glass of Alaskan Amber on draft is also acceptable. This time I dragged along a stout from Strand (one of my local Torrance breweries).
I still like my stouts COLD. If it gets the very least bit warm, i'm getting upset....so down that beer with those shells quickly, and bask in the afterglow.
For completists, here is the back of the bottle. The lie about Catalina island being west (its actually south) really bugs me. why would they say that?