How to pair craft beer with food

Most people are familiar with the concept of pairing wine with food. But what about beer? Believe it or not, there is a lot of thought that goes into pairing craft beer with food. Just like wine, different types of craft beer can be paired with different types of food to enhance the flavours of both. In this blog, we give you the 101 on pairing your favourite brews with the perfect dishes to create winning flavour combos… just in time for the festive season!

The basics of beer and food pairing

Just like wine, craft beer pairs so well with food. Whether you’re eating a light salad or a hearty steak, there’s a perfect craft beer to go with it.

When pairing beer and food, the most important thing to remember is to keep it simple. You don’t want the flavours of the beer and food to compete with each other, so it’s best to choose dishes that will complement the beer you’re drinking. For instance, if you’re enjoying a light and refreshing lager, pair it with something salty like chips or pretzels. A hoppy India Pale Ale goes great with spicy foods, while a malty Scotch Ale pairs well with desserts. If you’re drinking a dark and malty stout, pair it with a rich chocolate dessert.

How to pair craft beer with different types of food

When it comes to pairing craft beer with food, there are no hard and fast rules. However, there are a few tips that can help you create winning flavour combos that will knock the socks off whoever you're trying to impress.

• Start by matching the weight of the beer and food. For example, pair a light beer with a light and fresh dish, or a heavy beer with a hearty dish.

• If you’re not sure what to pair with a particular beer, try looking for dishes that use the same ingredients as the beer. For instance, if you’re drinking a beer that’s made with wheat, look for dishes that contain wheat or other grains.

• Try to find flavours that will complement the beer you’re drinking. For example, if you’re drinking a hoppy IPA, pair it with food that has a lot of umami flavor to balance out the bitterness.

• If all else fails, just go with your gut! At the end of the day, the best way to figure out what goes together is to experiment and find out what you like.

Our fave flavour combos

1. Try a hoppy IPA with a spicy dish like Thai green curry.

2. Match a malty stout with chocolate brownies for a delicious dessert combo.

3. Sip on a refreshing lager with salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels.

4. Enjoy a Belgian witbier with a light and refreshing salad.

5. Go for a rich and flavorful stout with a hearty steak.

6. Pair a fruity lambic with a tart and fruity dessert like lemon meringue pie.

7. Try an American pale ale with grilled chicken or fish.

8. Sip on a Belgian tripel with rich and creamy dishes like macaroni and cheese.

9. Drink a German pilsner with sausage or other fatty foods.

10. Enjoy an oatmeal stout with a coffee or chocolate-flavoured dessert for a deliciously rich and decadent combo.

No matter what you’re eating, there’s a perfect craft beer to pair with it. So next time you’re planning a meal, be sure to include your favourite brews on the menu. Cheers!