A gourmand’s guide to picking the right brew for the occasion.
By David Ramsey
Photographs by Jeff Harris
Good beer — skip the mass-market pilsners — doesn’t just go well with food; it can turn a good meal into something transcendent. Nothing against wine, but it simply doesn’t fit with certain foods — the highly spiced, for example. More to the point, sometimes you just want a beer. We asked Sang Yoon of Father’s Office, the beer-centric L.A. gastropub, along with Garrett Oliver, author of The Brewmaster’s Table, and Tom Peters of Philly’s legendary Monk’s Cafe, for their favorite pairings.
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TAILGATING – Pilsners
Pilsners, with their clean, palate-cleansing bitterness, are the “ultimate chameleon,” says Oliver. Peters suggests Stoudt’s Pils for “hot dogs, burgers — you can sit down and have 10 of them.”
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INTENSE FLAVORS — Belgian Tripels
Highly alcoholic tripels have an intense complexity of fruit, herb, and spice notes. Yoon recommends Tripel Karmeliet with fiery Thai beef salad: “It’s bold enough not to get overwhelmed by the food.”
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SUSHI — White Beers
At once ethereal and flavorful, a white beer can enliven breakfast (think of it as a decadent mimosa), salads, and delicate seafood. “Hitachino White is perfect with sushi,” says Yoon. “It doesn’t overpower, but it also has so many complementing flavors.”
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SPICY FOODS — India Pale Ales
The kick of stronger hops, bold carbonation, and sharp, bitter flavors make IPAs the best put-out-the-fire beer when you’re going for the hot stuff. Try Samuel Smith’s with chicken vindaloo or most any other four-alarm option.
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WILD GAME AND CHOCOLATE — Fruit Lambics
Fruit lambics can have explosively tart flavors — surprisingly good with game and fantastic with chocolate. Try the raspberry crispness of Lindemans Framboise with chocolate cheesecake.
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STEAKS — Brown Ales
Brown ales’ hints of fruit and nut create a nuanced and hearty companion to almost any great piece of meat. “If you have a nice rib eye with a dark sear, Brooklyn’s roasted malt tastes will grab right on,” says Oliver.
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GRILLING — Porters
Porters get their darker color from roasting the malts longer, which creates a succulent complement. “Anchor Porter is the barbecue beer,” says Yoon. “You get the long-roast flavor and kiss of smoke; anything straight off the grill is perfect.”
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DESSERTS — Stouts
With dark and often heavy notes of coffee and chocolate, strong dark stouts “are the clear winner for pairing with desserts,” says Oliver. Try Deschutes Obsidian over vanilla ice cream and you’ll know what he’s talking about.
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May 10th, 2010 at 2:08 am
all beers = good with tacobell
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josh Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 9:44 am
yes, if you are shooting for diarrhea…
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waltwear Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
He may not get diarrhea if he used the right equation:
Beer(x)+ Taco Bell= Constant satisfaction
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Marco Reply:
October 13th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Anything from Taco Bell gives you diarrhea…
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G Reply:
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:43 pm
taco bell = 10 minutes of comfort followed by immediate discomfort
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mumblesj Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
O’Douls pairs best with Taco Bell, as both substitute for something real (i.e. O’Douls for beer, TBell for Mexican).
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May 10th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Interesting suggestions. Are these pairings made purely out of flavors and taste, or are there other things to consider?
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May 11th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
sam smiths ipa? barf– english0-style IPAs have too much malt in them, and sam smiths particularly sucks. Great USA style IPAs reign supreme.
some brands of note, all are IPAs that follow:
Terminal Gravity
Caldera
Laurelwood and Lucky Lab’s Superdog/ Got Hops (Both Portland OR local)
Stone
Deschutes
Odells
Avery
New belgium Ranger
Lagunitas
The IPAs from these breweries are phenomenal, and doesn’t even scratch the surface of great USA IPAs.
Sam smiths, haha. nooooo thank you to the English style IPAs.
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Kobullso Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I have to disagree I tend to feel that USA IPAs tend to be far too bitter. I feel that USA IPAs kill all the other flavor with their sometimes overbearing bitterness. I tend to like the less bitter and to me more flavorful european style IPAs.
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Max Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 10:02 am
American all the way. Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo is especially good.
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Beer Reply:
September 25th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Claiming that there is such a thing as “USA IPAs” is a most dis-indigenous statement. Really, IPAs made in the domestic USA are more hoppy than Europe’s equivalent, however the same could be said about the relevant strength of all US beers from Micro and Craft Breweries. When it comes to “US” IPAs there is really two camps: East Coast and West Coast. If you consider the OP’s taste to be reflective of the best IPAs, you negate the entirety of the flavor profile. With higher IBU level comes a higher gravity and malt profile. Without it, you lack a balance of flavor that will reflect in the final drink. While Stone and Lagunitas are great drinks, you can find the best of IPAs in the EC versions like Loose Cannon (from Heavy Seas) and 60 Minute (Dogfish) where they give a damn about more than pimp-slapping hops in your face with no balance.
West Coast IPAs are for those who seek too much and don’t understand the balance in all things. You can’t make hop soup and make it a real drink without balance. The most technical beverages and delicious drinks are those that support all the flavor profiles available.
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Keith Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 2:37 pm
I prefer Dogfish Head, especially the 90min and 120min…high ABV (18% on the 120min) and delicious
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Beer Reply:
September 25th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
This guy knows. Also, disingenuous is the word I was searching for. Damn you Firefox and beer.
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May 11th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
it just sucks having to spend upwards of $10 bucks for a 6-pack.
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TPC Reply:
October 4th, 2011 at 1:38 am
“Old Milwaukee” should hit the spot, and it is right in your price range. If you look hard enough you can probably find a six pack of cans right around $3.00-$3.50.
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May 13th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Don’t know why the other comments are so negative. I think this list is spectacular. Creative and delicious sounding selections, nicely photographed, organized and beautifully described. Not every choice might fit every single person’s palate, but they’re just suggestions, inspiring us to taste and experiment on our own as well. Great article.
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May 24th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Just tried a blueberry beer yesterday during a cookout (dark) and it was 7.5%, wow! Good stuff but thankfully I have my Vidazorb probiotic to help me with my abs (or lack of) after a cold one!
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Zach W Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Yeah mad dog brewery in ny makes an excellent one called Wild Blue
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June 30th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
If contemplating alcoholism …. any beer will serve as an acceptable accompaniment.
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dar Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:55 am
how true…
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July 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
This post has filled my mouth with water.
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July 2nd, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Two words for the ale..Arrogant Bastard.
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Kobullso Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
I hate that stuff they make it super bitter just so they can be beer snobs about it. Super Bitter does not equal good
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July 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am
I love a man who knows porters are for grilling. New Glarus once made a smoky porter that was practically perfect in every way. Perfect for brats! Happy 4th of July from Wisconsin!
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July 23rd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
The first time I really loved an IPA, was getting Smuttynose by mistake in a crowded BBQ joint in NYC. It was so noisy that the server misheard my request for porter and brought me an IPA! But it was a magical combination, a righteous formula thus:
heatwave + bbq (pork ribs and all the fixin’s) + Smuttynose IPA = bliss
Hops are doubleplusgood with greasy bbq. Mmmmm.
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August 12th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu is the best beer that I have had with sushi, only problem is that it is brewed once a year, but Dogfish Head Midas Touch is very close. Also ipa fiend is right about the IPAs and left a few off that I feel are great:
60 minute IPA, Centennial IPA, Hop Rod Rye, Racer 5, and Hop Devil.
Remember that great beer may be $8 a six pack or more, but it is worth every penny because of the quality. Don’t waste hard earned money on cheap beer.
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David Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Totally agree with Larry, with one small modification. Don’t waste hard-earned money on BAD beer.
(Wishing I could find some 120-Minute IPA in the Louisville, KY area…)
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May 28th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
american ipa’s all the way. Specially from Cali. Too many to name but my current fave is Firestone Walkers Double Jack IPA (9.5%) amazing taste easy to drink, cant taste the booze, it goes well with a porterhouse!
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October 14th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale.
Game over.
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October 21st, 2011 at 9:16 am
Nice list. I need i beer tonight.
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December 17th, 2011 at 2:30 am
Interesting article, cheers.
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January 13th, 2012 at 4:18 am
Great idea for a post.Thank you!
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January 30th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Great article…thanks for sharing!
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January 30th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Nice List! Nothing Like Good Beer served cold!
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