There are many things to consider when pairing a beer with a meal: the weight of the dish, the spices used, and even the sweetness or bitterness of the dish. With so many factors to consider, it can be tricky to find the perfect beer pairing. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this blog post, Melvin Brewing will discuss six types of beers that pair perfectly with your favourite meals. Whether you’re eating Mexican food or Italian pasta, we have you covered!
Start With a Light Beer to Whet Your Palate
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing beer to start your meal, we recommend a Belgian witbier. Witbiers are brewed with spices like coriander and orange peel, which give them a citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with Mexican food or seafood dishes.
Another type of light beer would be a pilsner. Pilsners are brewed with many hops, which gives them a bitter flavor that goes well with spicy dishes or chicken.
Move on to a Wheat Beer for Something Heavier
Wheat beers are the perfect choice for heavier meals. They have a malty flavour that pairs well with pizza or sausage pasta dishes. If you’re looking for something even heavier, we suggest trying an imperial stout. Imperial stouts are dark and rich, making them perfect for smoked meats like brisket or ribs.
Most heavier beers are also quite sweet, making them the perfect choice for desserts. For example, a chocolate stout would be the perfect drink with a piece of chocolate cake.
Try a Fruity Beer for Dessert
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, we recommend trying a fruity beer. Fruit beers are brewed with natural fruit flavours, making them perfect for desserts like apple pie or chocolate cake.
We also suggest trying a sour beer for dessert. Sour beers are brewed with sour yeast, which gives them a tart and acidic flavour that goes great with sweet desserts.
Drink a Dark Beer With Smoked Meats
If you’re looking for a beer to match your smoky barbecue meal, we suggest choosing a dark beer. Dark beers have a malty flavour that pairs well with smoked meats like brisket or ribs. They also help to balance out the sweetness of barbecued foods.
A good dark beer to try is an imperial stout. Imperial stouts are dark and rich, making them perfect for smoked meats like brisket or ribs.
Sip on a Sour Beer With Fish or Chicken Dishes
If you’re not in the mood for a heavy dark beer, we suggest pairing your meal with a sour ale. Sour ales are light and refreshing, and their sour flavour pairs well with fish and chicken dishes.
A good sour ale to try is a gose. Goses are brewed with salt and coriander, which gives them a tart and salty flavour that goes well with seafood dishes.
Pair an India Pale Ale With Beef or Pork Dishes
If you’re looking for a beer to match your beef or pork dish, we suggest trying an India pale ale. IPAs have a hoppy flavour that pairs well with grilled meats. They also help to balance out the richness of red meat dishes.
A good IPA to try is a west coast IPA. West coast IPAs are brewed with many hops, which gives them a bitter flavour that goes well with grilled meats.
The perfect beer for any occasion can be found with a little research and experimentation. And, don’t forget to let the beverage’s flavour dictate your food choice rather than vice versa! Many great beers will work well in most cases (and quite frankly, some not-so-good ones too). But when it comes down to it, you’ll always have more fun if you enjoy what you’re eating with the right drink. Cheers!
