Beer is without a doubt one of the most popular beverages available today, but despite this many people prefer to drink it alone. If that sentence seems strange to you think about this: when was the last time you had a beer alongside a meal?
I think it’s fair to say that the majority of readers do struggle to think of a time and that’s OK beer just has that character, doesn’t it? People will usually opt for drinks like wine or other spirits alongside a meal because it just seems like they are a better fit.
But believe it or not, beer makes an amazing partner to food you just need to know how to pair it right. So, don’t just stick to a pint of beer on its own or alongside a bag or crisps or peanuts try it with a meal instead I think it will give you a greater appreciation for it.
There are four main types of beer and each offers its own distinct flavour and character and they all make great partners to various popular dishes. So, let’s take a look at the main types of beer and so what you should pair it with.
Ale Beers
With their fruity flavours, ale beers are one of the most popular types of beer available and they also have a spicy edge to them that gives them an extra kick. With a complex and enticing scent, this generally dark beer is famous for its full-bodied flavour.
When it comes to pairing them with food ale beers are very versatile and they pair well with a variety of common dishes. Ale beers work particularly well with burgers and chicken especially more spicy dishes. Ale beers work particularly well with party foods such as pizza and common fried foods.
Malt Beers
Sweet and rich malt beers are something many people have a love-hate relationship with but plenty of people love their softer and sweeter flavours. There are a lot of variants of malt beers and they go well with a rich assortment of foods.
Malt beers pair well with big hearty meals like those you’ll often find on a pubs menu! Pies, hotpots, roast beef, pork and other similar foods all pair well with malt beer. Some people also find that its sweeter flavour also makes it a great pairing with spicy dishes as well.
Lager Beers
Lager is the most popular type of beer and they come in wide assortment of different styles. Some lagers are bitter while some are very sweet. Their versatility makes them a great partner to many different foods as well.
Lager beers pair with lighter meals like sushi, lighter pasta dishes, and more spicy foods. Larger also works particularly well with Asian and Mexican food as well and it can even go well with meat dishes like grilled pork, beef, and chicken.
Stout and Porter Beers
Yes, these are two different types of beer, but they are very similar. Port beers have a dry and fruity flavour and while stouts are very similar as they offer a slightly darker more bitter flavour. So, what does this duo of beers pair well with?
Well, porter beers pair very well with barbecue dishes; their dry flavour also matches well with meat dishes and even smoked foods. Stout beers with their more bitter flavour work well with similar foods but they also work very well with chocolates, desserts and even saltier dishes as well.
Non Alcoholic Beers
While we've looked at the four main types of beer I think there's one other type that needs to be mentioned. And that's non-alcoholic beer, offering a wide array of flavours non alcoholic beer can go with almost any food.
Non alcoholic beer can replicate the scent, flavour, and feel of all kinds of beer and it will pair well with a wide assortment of different foods. So, if you want to be sure your beer complements your food why not try a non-alcoholic beer instead?
So, that’s a look at some of the great foods you can pair beer up with. Yes, beer might never overtake wine as the beverage of choice at mealtime, but it can make a great choice and it’s often overlooked so the next time you eat out or have a meal at home why not try pairing it with a beer?