In celebration of #InternationalBeerDay, check out these food and beer pairing suggestions from Blonde Ales to Dark Lagers.
Blonde Ale Pairings
(Recommended blonde: Hi Sign Christie American Blonde Ale)
Suggested Foods: Go for lighter fare such as chicken, salads, salmon, or bratwurst.
Cheese: Monterey jack, brick or similar light, nutty cheeses.
Dessert: Light apricot or mandarin cake, lemon custard tart
Pale Ale Pairings
Suggested Foods: Shepherd’s pie. Also tastes glorious with a nice hearty burger!
Cheese: English cheese such as cheddar or Derby with sage.
Dessert: Pumpkin flan, maple bread pudding, bananas Foster.
India Pale Ale Pairings
Suggested Foods: Strong, spicy food, or curried foods like Indian cuisine.
Cheese: Milder blue such as Gorgonzola or Cambozola.
Dessert: Caramel apple tart, ginger spice cake, persimmon rice pudding
Double Imperial IPA Pairings
Suggested Foods: Smoked beef brisket, grilled lamb, Southern chicken-fried steak.
Cheese: Sharp and rich American, artisanal blue.
Dessert: Very sweet desserts like carrot cake, caramel cheesecake or crème brulée.
Amber/ Red Ale Pairings
(Recommended Red: NXNW Zeppelin Irish Red Ale)
Suggested Foods: Smoked beef brisket, grilled lamb; Southern chicken-fried steak.
Cheese: Sharp and rich American artisanal blue.
Dessert: Very sweet desserts like carrot cake, caramel cheesecake or crème brulée.
Brown Ale Pairings
Suggested Foods: Hearty foods such as roast pork, smoked sausage, grilled salmon.
Cheese: Aged Gouda or a crumbly Cheshire.
Dessert: Almond or maple-walnut cake, pear fritters, cashew brittle.
Porter Pairings
Suggested Foods: Roasted or smoked dishes such as barbecue, sausages, roasted meat, or blackened fish.
Cheese: Cow milk such as Tilsiter or Gruyère.
Dessert: Chocolate peanut butter cookies, toasted coconut cookie bars
Hefeweizen Pairings
Suggested Foods: salads, seafood, sushi; classic with weisswurst
Cheese: Simple chèvre goat cheese or herbed spread such as Boursin.
Dessert: Strawberry shortcake, fruit trifle, key lime pie, or other light desserts.
American Wheat Ale Pairings
Suggested Foods: very light foods: salads, sushi, vegetable dishes.
Cheese: Buffalo mozzarella or Wisconsin brick.
Dessert: Generally too light for dessert, but could pair well with fresh berries or a fruit soup.
Oktoberfest, Märzen, Vienna Pairings
Suggested Foods: Mexican or any hearty, spicy food such as chicken, sausage, or pork.
Cheese: spicy jalapeño jack.
Dessert: Mango or coconut flan, almond biscotti, spice cake with pine nuts.
Dark Lager, Dunkel, Schwarzbier Pairings
(Recommended: Praga Dark Lager)
Suggested Foods: Hearty, spicy food such as barbecue, sausages, or roasted meat.
Cheese: Authentic washed-rind Münster.
Dessert: Pomegranate tart with walnuts, candied ginger pear cake.
The possibilities for food and beer pairings are seemingly endless! Try experimenting to find your new favorite, or ask the beer experts at your local Spec’s, Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods for a recommendation.
Happy #InternationalBeerDay!
