The Essential Beer Pairing Guide
Discover the perfect IPAs, pilsners, stouts, wheat ales and more to complement everything from BBQ & burgers to seafood & vegetables.
Barbecue or Dry Rub
Smoky racks of ribs, crusty beef brisket, and fork tender pork shoulder - these classics demand a bold beer to match their big flavors. Porters with their rich roasted malt character make perfect partners. Doppelbocks feature complex malt profiles with caramel and dark fruit notes that pair nicely with BBQ sauces. If you’re focusing instead on a quality dry rub, reach for a nice spicy Belgian-style Dubbel.
| RECIPES: Grill Smoked Beef Brisket or BBQ Pork Steaks. Browse All BBQ Recipes. |
Red Meat
A hearty steak needs a hearty beer. Stouts are famous for rich, bold flavors that pair wonderfully with beef. Stout is also hefty enough to tackle gamier cuts like venison and buffalo. Another good partner for gamier meat and dark meat poultry like duck and goose is Flemish Red Ale. Its sweet and sour profile works especially well with fruited sauces and chutneys.
| RECIPES: Spanish Grilled Ribeye, Grilled Flank Steak Sliders, Beef Kabobs or Lamb Chops |
White Meat
Ask anyone who’s been to an Oktoberfest celebration - it's hard to beat a big stein of Amber Lager with roasted chicken. Also, traditional Pilsners feature noble hop finishes that pair wonderfully with herbaceous preparations. Don’t have time to smoke your pork or chicken but want that rich smoky flavor? Try serving it with a Rauchbier (smoked beer).
| RECIPES: Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops, Peri Peri Chicken or a Cubano Sandwich |
Seafood
You don’t want to drown out the delicate flavor of lighter types of seafood with too bold of a brew. Something light and fruity like a Hefeweizen or Belgian-style Wit works like a charm. Their light, creamy body and citrusy notes compliment the dish without overwhelming your palate.
| RECIPES: Grilled Swordfish, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Cioppino or Grilled Shrimp |
Salmon & Tuna
Meatier fish such as salmon and tuna can handle something more substantial. If you finish your salmon with a glaze, the sweet and smokey notes of a Scotch Ale blend in perfectly. Salmon and tuna are often prepared with citrus and herbs, so citrusy Pale Ales and IPAs are great go-tos. IPAs with piney hop profiles are dynamite with fish prepared on a cedar plank.
| RECIPES: Grilled Salmon with Chipotle Rhubarb BBQ Sauce |
Grilled Vegetables
Whether served as a side dish or a main course, grilled veggies absorb a myriad or wonderful flavors. Czech dark lager is unique in that it offers rich malt flavors but with the levity of a lager. They complement the subtle roasty sweetness of bolder veggies like mushrooms and asparagus. If you’re grilling something lighter and sweeter like corn on the cob, try serving it with a Saison. Crisp, spicy and effervescent, it’s a delicious match that will leave your guests reaching for more.
| RECIPES: Char-grilled Vegetables |
Desserts & Sweets
Some of today’s stouts are a dessert in and of themselves, but for decadent desserts like lava cake and brownies, Stouts make for a memorable match. Don’t sleep on beer floats, tried adding a scoop of your favorite ice cream to a glass of Barrel Aged Stout. A big malty Scotch Ale or English-style Barleywine is a perfect partner for S’mores. For desserts like cheesecake and creme brulee, Fruited Ales and Belgian Lambics make for irresistible combination.
| RECIPES: Chocolate Whoopie Pies, Apricot Upside-Down Cake, Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons. Browse All Dessert Recipes. |
