When you go to a bar, chances are you know what type of beer you want. You may have a hankering for a more hoppy flavor, or you may want something a little smoother. But what if you want something to eat as well? Are there certain foods that go better with certain beers?
You probably already know that wines pair up this way. You should eat certain types of meats with red or white wine to complement the flavor.
It turns out that beer is the same way. There are, indeed, foods that complement your beer. Here’s a guide to what to eat with your favorite ale, lager or IPA.
German lagers have a lighter taste than many other types of beer. You need a milder food that won’t overpower these delicate flavor notes. Fish or chicken dishes work best with German beers.
However, keep in mind that if your chicken or fish has a cream sauce, you may want to have a heavier beer to drink. This will offset the strong taste of the cream.
IPAs can be bitter and hoppy. They need to be paired with food with similarly strong tastes so as not to overwhelm the dish. The bitterness of the IPA can also cool things off, so an ideal match would be a spicier dish, such as tacos or a burger with barbeque sauce.
An IPA can also act as a palate cleanser. The hoppiness of the beer can help wash away the flavors of another dish. You can drink it in-between courses, such as after an appetizer, and also before a main course.
You should also consider an IPA when eating heavy, fatty foods, such as sausage, deep-fried meats or French fries. The IPA counterbalances the salty, fried taste. You can also try a Belgian beer with this type of dish. The flavor notes of a Stella Artois, for instance, offer a nice equalizer to heavier dishes.
Corona has a similarly cooling effect to an IPA, which is why you see so many people drinking it with Mexican food. Some people even compare it to milk, which coats and soothes the tongue after the trauma of a hot food such as Tabasco sauce.
It is best to pair Corona with salsa, hot wings, Thai food and any other spicy ethnic varieties. Try it with any dish where chilies are a main ingredient.
When you think of steak, you may think of a nice red wine to complement the meaty flavor. But beer can go equally well with a New York strip. The best type for this dish is a brown beer or ale. You need a beer with strong enough flavor to stand up to the steak, but it also should be aromatic and have a little bit of a sweet side. The sweet malt in a dark porter or stout tastes phenomenal with the steak.
An amber ale or a spicier lager can also pair nicely with a steak. And if you like dark beers, then a Guinness will make an ideal match.
Can you drink beer with dessert? It’s a question many people don’t even bother to ask, because they think the answer is no. But, in fact, there are beers you can have with dessert that will actually enhance your after-dinner experience.
A nice stout pairs magnificently with a chocolate-based dessert because of the chocolate undertones in a stout. Drink it with a brownie or chocolate cake.
Fruit-based lagers make a delightful pairing with fruit-based desserts. You can try them with fruity pies and cobblers.
Have you ever considered drinking beer with ice cream or sherbet? Again, a fruitier lager may pair nicely, but keep the stout in mind for chocolate flavors. You can also pair fruity lagers with puddings.
Finally, if you are eating a caramel-flavored dessert or a carrot cake, consider a sweet or hoppier IPA. The hops can bring out the spice in the cake, and you will be pleasantly surprised at the culinary experience.
Now that you have the inside scoop on which foods and beers pair the best, give these combos a try at Forklift & Palate in Lancaster. Our restaurant menu includes a variety of dishes that match our extensive beer selection. Come in for lunch, dinner or dessert to give them a taste.