The basics of beer pairing

Beer is good just as it is… but you know what’s the best? Pairing beer with food to maximize your happiness. Not only is it fun to connect your drink with your meal, but it can also enhance the flavors of both.

Within craft beer, there are a lot of beer styles. This guide is meant to help you quickly know what you should order to drink when you sit down for dinner, but there are no rules!

Appetizers & Pale Ales

If you’re ordering a salad, there's a beer to go with it and it’s a pale ale. These lighter beers go well with fish and seafood too, almost like a white wine. 

Spicy Heat Meets IPA

Want a bit more? Feel free to jump to an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) for a richer flavor out of your beer. IPAs pair nicely with the saltier food, like french fries, mozzarella sticks, pizza, and steak. If you’re jumping into a spicy dish like our jalapeño nachos with steak, the classic Wally Wilson IPA is a solid pairing. 

Sweets & Stouts

Dessert can’t be forgotten. If you like to pair your dessert with coffee, why not try a stout instead? Stouts are well known for their hints of chocolate and coffee, and pair well with desserts like chocolate mousse or chocolate truffles. Maybe you’re not much of a chocolate lover, so for spiced desserts like apple pie, or anything with fruit, cinnamon, or nutmeg - try a Hefeweizen!

Remember when you’re going out to eat that your server always has more to offer, so feel free to ask questions about what they think would go best with certain menu items!