Craft Beer and Food Pairing Guide: Enhance Your Dining Experience

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.