Craft Beer and Food Pairing Guide: Enhance Your Dining Experience

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Wine pairings have been associated with fine dining for decades (if not centuries). And while wine still certainly has its place at the dinner table, beer is revolutionizing both the drinking and the dining scenes. No longer just for the taverns, beer is being paired with foods from French fries to filets. And like with wine, it’s not just about drinking what you like: it’s about finding a beer that enhances the flavors of the food you’re eating and brings out the best in both the beverage and the nosh. 

Common Craft Beer Styles

Before you dive into the world of craft beer pairing, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the most common craft beer styles you’re likely to encounter. Some of the big ones are:

  • Saison: This type of beer is usually highly carbonated, might be a bit fruity or sour, and is typically described as crisp. 
  • Wheat beer: This is one of the most classic beer types, and is perfect for the summer when it’s hot out. This beer is known for being light and refreshing. 
  • Stout: In contrast to a wheat beer, a stout is dark, rich, and usually preferred during the colder months. Classic stout flavors include both chocolate and coffee. 
  • Porter: A porter is very similar to a stout, but is usually a little lighter and easier to drink. 
  • IPA: Standing for Indian Pale Ale, IPAs are well-known for their very hoppy flavors. Hazy IPAs are all the rage this year, and citrus IPAs are very popular during the summer months. 
  • Pale ale: Pale ales still have a hoppy flavor, but are less bitter than their IPA cousins. They also have a slight malt sweetness.

How to Pair

Now that you know your beer basics, it’s time to learn a little bit about the principles of paring. While there are no hard and fast rules—after all, you should drink and eat what suits you best!–there are some guidelines that can help you enhance the flavors of your food and drink:

  1. Think about ingredients—First, think about what flavors and ingredients are going into each of the things you’re consuming. For example, chocolate (in a stout) probably won’t pair wonderfully with garlic (in a shrimp dish), but would go great with something sweet or a rich meat dish.
  2. Contrast is good, complementing is great—Something, a little contrast in flavors is exactly what’s needed (think about lemon bars, which are both sour and sweet). But usually, complementing flavors are what’s most enjoyable.
  3. Match temperatures (or intensity)—Think about foods that you might eat cold, such as a cold sandwich, pasta salad, or fresh green salad, and pair lighter beers with those. Now think about foods you have to have hot, like a roast, and pair heavier beers with these. The same concept is generally true for wines.

Consider These Combos

A few of the below ideas are meant to be inspiration as you break into the world of craft beer pairing, but remember—there are no hard and fast rules. Feel free to experiment, deviate, and get creative.

  • Burgers—Many people would agree that there’s nothing better than a juicy burger with a side of fries. Maybe the thing that makes it even better is pairing it with a crisp beer. While you can’t really go wrong, a pale ale or hoppy IPA is highly recommended.
  • Roasted veggies—whether you’re a vegetarian or just getting in a healthy serving of roasted veggies, the salty and caramelized flavors can pair well with a malty beer. A Belgian beer has a caramelized flavor that matches great.
  • Summer salad with fruit or a fruit-based dessert—if you’re having fruit with your meal, consider pairing it with a tart beer that will bring out the flavor, such as a Saison or a sour. 

Find Everything You Need for Pairings at Nick’s of Clinton

At Nick’s of Clinton, we’re proud to be able to offer food and beverage choices for every palate. For all of the ingredients that you need to cook something simple or gourmet—from fine cheeses and meats to fresh produce—we have you covered. And not only do we have the ingredients for your solid provisions, but we also have a full selection of beer, wine, and liquor, including dozens of craft beer selections.

To learn more about our offerings or to ask a question, please reach out to us today. You can get in touch by phone at (301) 843-4825. We open at 9:00 a.m. on the weekends and 10:00 a.m. during the week. 

Why Choose a Craft Beer?

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If you find yourself completely befuddled every time you step into your grocery store’s beer section, you are not alone. The United States alone has over 8,000 breweries in operation, so it wouldn’t be shocking if you defaulted to some tried and true national label to stay on the safe side and get your shopping done quickly.

But grabbing the same beer week after week might be a mistake. There are so many other great options! Here are some of the reasons why you should choose a craft beer and how you can select the right one next time you are shopping at Nick’s.

Why Choose a Craft Beer?

The craft beer market is a $19.6 billion industry in this country. That is not a reason to support it, but it gives you an idea of just how popular these products have become. Here are several reasons why craft beer mania has taken hold.

  1. Craft Beer Gives You More Bang for Your Buck

If you are looking for alcohol content in your spirits, craft beer should be at the top of your list. On average, the alcohol content by volume (ABV) of craft beer is around 5% to 10%. But some craft beer labels boast an ABV as high as 40%. Sadly, those major label brands typically net you about 4% to 6% per serving, and some are even as low as 2%.

  1. Craft Beer Tastes Better

Taste is a major factor when it comes to beer. While major labels like Coors and Budweiser have a somewhat uniform taste, craft beer products can distinguish themselves with different flavor combinations that appeal to various consumers.

When it comes to your preferences for beer, there will always be something to suit your palate. There literally thousands of flavor combinations available, so you don’t have to conform to that one-size-fits-all flavor of the mainstream brands.

  1. Craft Beer Has Nutritional Value

It might be hard to believe on the surface, but it’s true; The right craft beer consumed in moderation can actually contribute to your health. How so? Some of the nutritional value of these products include:

  • Lower risk of joint issues
  • Lower rates of cardiovascular disease
  • Lower instances of diabetes
  • Improved bone density
  1. Some Craft Beer is Seasonal 

Unlike those traditional brands, many craft beer drinkers like to switch things up depending on the event or season. For example, there are plenty of pumpkin spice-infused craft beers on the market in the fall and fruit-infused craft beers in the spring. This brings an extra element of fun and anticipation to your shopping and consumption.

  1. Craft Beer Supports Local Businesses

Who doesn’t like to support their local businesses? When you buy craft beer, you are either keeping money in your local community or sending revenue back to another small business that is fighting for a piece of the craft beer “pie.” This probably feels much better than sending money to a brand that will spend it on yet another Super Bowl ad.

What Are the Different Types of Craft Beer?

Now that you probably want to buy some craft beer, how do you choose the right one? Here are some of the most common types to get you started:

Lager/Pilsner

Most big-label beers are lagers, but some craft beers are as well. If you want something that most closely resembles Heineken or Bud, try a lager or pilsner.

Pale Ale/India Pale Ale (IPA)

Pale ales and IPAs (the same but more hoppy) use pale malt and tend to have somewhat fruity flavors. Depending on the hops, you might experience flavors like mango, passion fruit, or other citrus fruits.

Blond, Golden, Red, and Brown Ales

These are all malt flavors that range from light yellow to toffee color. The hops can also range from floral to moderately bitter, sometimes with fruity or spicy undertones.

Stout and Porter

Guinness is a famous example of this style. Many of these craft beers tend to smell and taste like coffee, chocolate, or toasted bread.

Need Help Choosing a Craft Beer?

Craft beer is popular and there are so many choices that it might be tough to find the right one. If you would like to try a certain type of craft beer, feel free to approach one of our associates directly for some help.

The liquor department at Nick’s of Clinton offers one of the largest varieties of beer, wine, and spirits in Southern Maryland – and at the most affordable prices. We are always standing by to make suggestions for customers or even special order a particular brand for your special event. Visit our Waldorf store today or call us at (301) 843-4825.