Almost everyone knows that different types of wine must be paired with certain food types for the best results. Did you know that the same is true for beer? Each style of beer works best with a certain range of foods. This article will explain how to pair beer and food properly.

As a general rule, strong beers should be paired with strong foods. Consider alcohol content, hop bitterness, richness, aftertaste, etc. For example, a traditional IPA works best with strong, spicy dishes and rich, bold-flavored deserts. A lighter beer like a cream ale is best paired with dishes such as chicken, salmon, and salads.

It is also useful to consider the inherent flavors of a beer (i.e., nuts, chocolate, caramel) and match it with a similarly flavored food. Finding this kind of harmony can sometimes be challenging for inexperienced beer drinkers, but once you can establish the underlying flavor of a beer, finding complementary foods is easy.

If your meal consists of foie gras, goose, or a bold desert-like chocolate mousse, try pairing it with the rich, roasted flavors of an Imperial Stout. Or, if you’re planning on serving a dish such as cajun chicken or roast beef this holiday season, keep an amber ale on tap. If they appreciate beer, your guests will certainly notice the excellent harmony of flavors.

Here are some other notable beer and food pairing suggestions:

• Rich, creamy soups go well with a hoppy beer such as a Czech-style pilsner.
• Spicy foods like Thai or Indian curries are, not surprisingly, best accompanied by an India Pale Ale.
• For light meals like salad, chicken, and seafood, consider pairing with a wheat beer such as a Hefeweizen.
• Barbequed or smoked fare works nicely with an amber lager.
• Duck and roasted pork can be accompanied by a dark, rich beer such as a Doppelbock.
• If in doubt, stick to a traditional Pale Ale, which works well with many types of food.
  

Additional food pairing suggestions can be found in the Brewery Association’s Beer and Food Matching Chart. You will also want to provide fresh draft beer for yourself and your guests for the best results. At half the cost of cans and bottles, draft beer saves you money and tastes superior to bottled and canned products.

Micro Matic has a wide selection of keg beer dispensing products, including kegerators, keg refrigerator conversion kits, cleaning kits, keg taps, tap handles, and party dispensing equipment. Check out our store to see all our options.

Raise a Glass to Draft Beer Sales!

For over 60 years, Micro Matic has been recognized as one of the world’s leading suppliers of draft beer equipment. Specializing in keg-to-glass technology, we offer a total solution for meeting your draft beer equipment needs. Our dedication to customer service is supported by four regional sales and distribution centers, the Micro Matic Dispense Institute for training and education, and a Certified Installer Network for draft beer installations. Want to speak with a “perfect pour” expert? Contact Micro Matic today.