How to pair beer with food?

Did you know that in the same way that wine enhances the flavor of some dishes, it is also possible to pair beer with food? So it is! The drink can make the meal more interesting and generate a good experience at the table.

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However, lack of care and poor choices when combining drinks with food can make tasting unpleasant. So, to prevent this from happening, we prepared an article showing how to combine beer with your favorite dishes. Check out!

What is beer pairing?

Increasingly popular in Brazil, beer pairing is a procedure that aims to enhance the flavor of drinks and food, thus creating a unique experience. In short, it is a custom for those who like to enjoy a good beer accompanied by a tasty dish. Experts on the subject argue that beer is capable of transforming simple meals into interesting and memorable experiences. However, for food pairing with beer to be complete, the food also needs to be evaluated. In other words, it is necessary to analyze characteristics such as aroma and flavor of both in the process. Furthermore, aspects such as acidity, bitterness and fat, for example, are very important to make a successful combination.

Discover the types of harmonization

Coming up with the best combination is no easy task! However, following a few steps can help you achieve a perfect union:

1. First of all, list the ingredients in the dish that are strongest or have the most powerful flavor;
2. Then, also make a list of the seasonings, the textures of each item and whether there is any fat;
3. Once you’ve gathered this information, think about the ingredients in a beer that might go well with the ingredients in the dish;
4. Finally, list characteristics such as alcohol content, yeast, bitterness, etc.

Now that you have these notes, just follow some rules to avoid mistakes. See some of them!

Beer pairing by similarity

In this case, the elements of beer and food are similar or the same. The sweetness, acidity and spices of the drink are some aspects taken into consideration.

Contrasting beer pairing

On the other hand, this harmonization seeks elements that contrast. In other words, one characteristic breaks down the excess of the other, generating an increase in flavors or attenuating sensory effects. For example, the sweetness of a chocolate brownie contrasts with the subtle bitterness of a cerrado malt beer.

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Beer pairing by complement

Finally, this is considered the most complex type. After all, the elements must be complementary. For example, when consuming the drink or food separately, the flavor of each one is unique. However, in pairing they need to find something that the taste lacks when eaten alone.

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Types of beer and their combinations

Acidic beers made from wheat, Weiss have fruity aromas and flavors, reminiscent of bananas. They go well with light salads, grilled white fish, cheeses with a characteristic flavor, such as goat cheese, seafood, etc. Furthermore, this typical beer from southern Germany also goes well with spicier foods, as its sweetness helps to soften the spiciness.

With a high concentration of hops, India Pale Ale helps cleanse the palate. Therefore, they combine with fattier foods, such as red meat, hamburgers and strong sauces. Also try it with grilled or roasted meats, like on a barbecue. The combination brings notes of caramelization and smoke!

Light and clear, they should be accompanied by lighter dishes, such as bar food, pastries, white cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, etc. If you don’t want the beer flavor to disappear on your palate, avoid heavy or stronger-flavored recipes.

These are two dark beers that have notes of coffee and chocolate. They go well with coffee and chocolate-based desserts, such as peti gateau, brownie, cheesecake, etc. However, this type of beer also goes well with savory dishes such as grilled or smoked meat and stronger cheeses.

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Due to its strong and smoky flavor, Rauchbier pairs very well with fatty dishes or dishes with a strong flavor. Therefore, barbecue, feijoada and sausage/salami dishes are great options.

Finally, Bock is a stronger brown or reddish type of beer and can resemble caramel and almonds. In this sense, it is an excellent accompaniment to meals with semi-hard cheeses, barbecue and pork chops.

Read also: Cheese and wine – tips for learning how to harmonize the two

Sources: Central Brew, Pão de Açúcar, Cervejaria Guitt’s