Beer and food?  Many only think of beer as a sports event, frat party, beach lounging, and concert going drink.  But, with the rise of craft brewers (small independent brewers), there are more flavors and better qualities from which to choose.  Because brewers are now using chocolate, nuts, fruits, and even peanut butter in their process, beer can enhance an entire meal, from appetizer on through to dessert.  

Pale Lagers

Pale lagers are highly carbonated and crisp, so they go well with spicy foods or anything, actually.  They also go will bitter foods.  Try them with buffalo wings, burgers, nachos, pizza, Asian dishes, or something in which bitter asparagus, broccoli, or brussels sprouts are the appetizer or side dish.   

Dark Lagers

The roasted malts in dark lagers feature caramel and toasted flavorings, so they pair well with anything that is also roasted, such as grilled vegetables and meats.  

Pilsners 

Pilsners are lagers, which are typically light with a malty taste.  They go perfectly with light dishes, such as salads, shellfish, sausage, steak, and chicken.

Wheat Beers

Wheat beers are tangy and creamy.   Most contain citrus flavors, such as orange, and coriander.  They pair nicely with light dishes, such as salads, shellfish, sausage, steak, and chicken, as well as fish, pasta, risotto, and pork.  

Brown Ales

Brown ales include roasted malt and chocolaty qualities, but with minimal bitterness.  They complement game birds (pheasant, grouse, wild turkey, duck), roast pork, and smoked sausage.  The meat’s fat will counteract any bitterness the beer may have and additionally enhance its roasted flavor.    

India Pale Ales 

India Pale Ales are robust and contain citrus and piney tastes.  Try them with barbequed foods and anything that contains strong spices. 

Wild and Sour Beers

The organisms used to brew wild and sour beers give them an acidic taste, which make them perfect for strong cheeses, pasta, risotto, beef, smoked fish, pork, and even sweet desserts.  

Porters

Porters feature caramel, coffee, chocolate, and nut flavors, so they go well with full-flavoured foods such as roasted, blackened, barbequed, and smoked dishes, and strong cheeses and lush desserts.  The bold-tasting foods will cancel the beer’s bitterness.  

Stouts

Stouts are extremely dark beers that taste stronger than porters.  They go well with the same foods as porters, but will especially enrich lamb .  

DrinkSpy

Check out Drinkspy for the best selection of beers and craft beer online.  

Drinkspy is an online liquor store that monitors thousands of liquor deals weekly, so you can search and compare prices on your favourite brands across hundreds of different New Zealand retailers.  Drinkspy offers cheap wine delivery, too.  So buy your beer online at DrinkSpy, and check out their great selection of wine, cider and  RTD seltzers, or choose from a wide variety of spirits today.