How hypnotizing is the experience of having a beer or a glass of wine after a meal? If you are like me, the answer is that it is out of this world. The pleasure is higher when you make the right choice as to which drink goes well with which type of meal.
Now, imagine enjoying the flavor of your favorite brew at mealtime. We have put together a list of the top 5 beer Drinks to enjoy with homemade food for a distinct and intoxicating taste.
This guide will help you make some of the best beer-infused meals to tingle your taste buds.
Tips to help you pair your food and beer
There are few principles to consider when pairing a specific beer to your meal. The following guidelines should help you choose the best partner for each of your dishes.
Complement or contrast the flavors
You can find commonalities where you match strength with strength. Delicate dishes come up best when paired with delicate beers while the strong-flavored foods do better with strong beers.
However, going for contrasting flavors can also have a very pleasing effect on the taste of your food. The most classic pairs include when one contrasts sweetness and saltiness, such as using a dry bitter stout on an oyster meal.
Consider temperature, textures, and timing
Rich foods are better with more carbonization because bubbles are known to cut through fatty and fried foods. If you are making pizza, for example, it is greasy and is tastier when it has something that can match the acids of tomatoes and fatty cheese without taking all the attention away from the actual dish.
You should also consider the temperature and timing. You may need to add your beer just minutes before serving your meal because when warm, beer can taste like syrup.
Add what you like
Everyone has a beer preference. When it comes to adding beer to what you eat, you will probably like it better when it’s what you already love.
Beer Drinks to Enjoy with Homemade Food
There was a time when the only type of alcohol commonly paired with food was wines. There are also the typical classic pairings done by professionals, such as taking seafood with white wine or having a well-done steak with red wine. However, many other trends have taken center stage.
The following are some of the best advice given by beer tasters and experts on what beers go well with your homemade food.
- Wheat Beers
Wheat beers have a smooth texture and a little less carbonation in comparison with other beers. They consist of wheat and barley grains. The good news is that it has a broad array of tastes such as caramel, fruits, cloves, and even peanut added for extra taste.
How to pair Wheat Beers with Food
To succeed in pairing wheat beer with food, you will need to find the matching flavors. Wheat beer does well when married with:
- Smoked salmon
- Sauces
- Marinades
- Salads
- Buffalo wings
- Pastries
- Spicy noodles
- Cream Ale/Blonde Ale
They have smooth malty flavor and a sweet note of caramel. However, the sweet taste in these beers is not overpowering; most have a dry and crisp finish. It has a balanced level of bitterness and sweetness. The dry and crisp finish is especially when you want to cleanse your palate.
Cream Ale Food Pairings
- Pizza
- Brisket
- Jerk Chicken
- Barbecue pulled pork
- Light lager
Light lager is one of the most popular drinks around the world, with numerous loved brands falling under this category. It is very refreshing and is known for adding some spice into your salads and light dishes. This type of beer is among the palest in the market, and its flavor is not particularly strong. They are rarely bitter and hoppy.
How to pair light lager with food
Light lagers are ideal when combined with spicy dishes because of their refreshing flavor. The best news about this beverage is that it’s a no brainer as it goes well with just about any type of food. Some of the conventional beer food pairings you can try with light lager include:
- Hot dogs
- Noodles
- Buffalo wings
- Fried fish
- French fries
- India Pale Ale
The IPAs are one of the most common styles of beer today. They have a medium amber color and a very bitter flavor. To make it easier on the taste buds, most brewers add herbal tones and citrus.
India Pale Ales Food Pairings
- Barbecue ribs
- Steak
- French fries
- Burritos
- Stout
It comes in coffee and chocolate flavors, and it comes in black color. These beers are generally mild and well-rounded with little alcohol content, bitterness, and taste.
Stouts Food Pairing
- Lobster
- Shellfish
- Barbecue
- Chocolate truffles
Conclusion
Beer is a complex drink that works in different styles to make a standard and boring meal standout. The above few ideas will help you choose the best option and the right beer, or even another compatible adult beverage such as the Weller bourbon for your homemade food.
Special thanks to Heidi Jones for this guest post!
You did so great here! Perfect for the upcoming holidays!