Like wine, beer can be used to compliment food and bring out the flavors and complexities of both the meal and the brew. Pairing beer with your meals demands an astute palate and attention to flavor. It's easy once you try; just follow these steps to pair beer with food.
Instructions
1. Choose beers to compliment the flavors of your food. Many of the same ingredients and flavor notes are present in both food and brewing. Serve a cream stout with rich chocolate desserts or drink a heavy porter with hearty meat meals and gravy such as Shepherd's Pie. A good rule of thumb for beginners is to pair light meals with light beers and heavy meals with dark beers (though this is just a start).
2. Contrast food with beer by pairing unlikely matches such as pale ale with smoked fish or a stout with fruit desserts. The complexity delivers contrast and brings out the flavors in both your meal and beer.
3. Cut spicy or fatty flavors in certain dishes with beer. Malty, sweet beers pair well with Mexican or other spicy dishes as they tone down the heat and bring out the sweetness of the ingredients. As well, acidic, hoppy beers like pilsners or American pale ales cut fatty, rich foods such as fish and chips or cheese.
4. Select international beers from the same region of international foods. Most often, they complement each other well. Light, acidic Mexican beers go well with the spicy dishes of the region and Japanese-brewed lagers are a great compliment to sushi.
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