Craft Beer & Food Pairing Guide
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1CRAFT BEER & FOOD PAIRING GUIDE
FOOD COMPONENTS
BEER FLAVORS
INTERACTIONS
EXAMPLE DISHES
GRAIN
CLEAN & CRISP
Complementary grain
flavors balance hops
Creamy Risotto
while remaining light on
the palate.
Farro, Arborio, Wild Rice, Polenta
American Amber Lager
Bohemian-Style Pilsner
MALTY & SWEET
BEANS & LEGUMES
Food adds richness to
Grilled Halibut with
the beer while balancing
Pole Beans
salt and acidity.
Lentils, Fava, Chickpea, Green Beans
English-Style Brown Ale
German-Style Hefeweizen
SHELLFISH
FRUITY & SPICY
Beer brings out salinity
Mussels with Garlic,
and natural sweetness
Parsley and Butter
while cleansing
the palate.
Clams, Scallops, Lobster, Crab
Belgian-Style Saison
German-Style Hefeweizen
RICH MEATS & ROOT VEGETABLES
SOUR, TART & FUNKY
Combining these
flavors brings out umami
Grilled Ribeye and
and adds earthy notes
Root Vegetables
that rest on the center
of the palate.
Parsnips, Carrots, Beef Strip Loin, Lamb
American Brett
Belgian-Style Flanders
GAME BIRDS & GRAINS
HOPPY & BITTER
Complements roastiness
Roasted Quail
(Maillard reaction) while
with Farrotto
fat coats to neutralize
hop bitterness.
Duck, Quail, Quinoa, Farro
American Pale Ale
American Brown Ale
FATS
HOPPY & BITTER | DARK & ROASTY
Beer cuts through,
Cashew Butter and
balances strong flavors
Red Pepper Jelly
and allows for a
on Toast
complex finish.
Butter, Olive Oil, Duck/Pork Fat, Dairy
American Black Ale
English-Style Brown Porter
VEGETABLES (GRILLED)
DARK & ROASTY
Brings out umami and
Green Chili-Stuffed
balances sweetness
Portobello
and richness.
Carrots, Mild Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms
Irish-Style Dry Stout
German-Style Schwarzbier
CHEESE
VARIES
Beer complements the
natural flavors and
Brie and Fruit
textures while cutting
Brie (Fruity & Spicy), Gouda (Malty & Sweet),
through fat, cleansing
Aged Cheddar (Hoppy & Bitter), Blue (Dark & Roasty),
the palate.
Mozzarella (Clean & Crisp)
Belgian-Style Tripel
English-Style Pale Ale
BRAISED MEATS & CHOCOLATE
MALTY & SWEET | DARK & ROASTY
Highlights the
Milk Chocolate
roasted character
Bread Pudding
(Maillard reaction).
Beef Short-Rib, Pork Shoulder, <50% Cacao
(Malty & Sweet), >55% Cacao (Dark & Roasty)
German-Style Bock
Baltic-Style Porter
PORK
HOPPY & BITTER | FRUITY & SWEET
The intensity of the
Pork Chops
pork fat stands up to
and Apple Relish
the strong beer
characteristics.
Sausage, Tenderloin, Terrine
Imperial India Pale Ale
Belgian-Style Dubbel
CREAMY DESSERTS
VARIES
Balances richness on the
Butterscotch
palate so the dessert
Mousse with
doesn’t finish cloyingly.
Dark Chocolate
Cheesecake, Ice Cream, Creme Brûlée, Mousse Cake
British-Style Barley Wine
Belgian-Style Fruit Lambic
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Parent category: Life