Beer Pairings for your Favorite Comfort Foods
As we work together (apart) to flatten the curve and shelter in place, it’s the perfect time to indulge in one of your favorite family comfort food recipes. Granny probably didn’t add a beer pairing to the recipe card, but no worries: AVBC Brewmaster Fal Allen’s got her back with some expert advice to elevate any dish, from store-bought mac-n-cheese to the timeless meatloaf.
When pairing beers, according to Fal: “You want to create a beautiful dance, not a football tackle. A big beer will overwhelm delicate fish, a lighter beer may seem to disappear when paired with spicy foods. Go for light bitterness for more delicate dishes, and save bitter or darker beers for richer more complex items.”
Here’s a few examples:
Loaded Nachos
Try a light, hoppy IPA. The bitterness will “cut” the spices refreshing the taste buds for your next bite. AVBC’s Funkin Nutz IPA has aromas of rich tropical fruit, passion fruit with a hint of citrus. Pale, pilsner, and midnight wheat malts give it a solid malt character while Chinook, Citra, and Amarillo hops impart flavors of ripe tropical fruit, peach and apricot leading to a clean hoppy finish.
Chile con carne
Try a classic West Coast IPA that will cut through spices of the dish and clean the palate as you dig in. AVBC’s Hop Ottin’ IPA is brewed and dry-hopped with copious amounts of Columbus and Cascade. This beer is a showcase of the bright citrusy aromas, bold grapefruit and pine-like flavors, and resiny bitterness that hop heads crave.
Mac n Cheese
Try a well balanced Pale Ale with bready flavors to complement the gooey cheese. An All-American beer, for an All-American dish. AVBC’s Poleeko Pale Ale is an exceptionally flavorful beer with a bright, citrus hop profile and mild malt flavors. The aromas of pink grapefruit and lemon zest compliment the brisk, balanced finish to create a truly refined Pale Ale.
Chicken Pot Pie
Try a Red or Amber Ale where the caramel in the beer matches the caramel flavors in the roasted meat and breads—AVBC’s flagship Boont Amber Ale. Balance is what makes the Boont Amber Ale so unique: rich, crystal malts give this beer a deep copper hue and contribute a slight caramel sweetness while the herbal, spicy bitterness from carefully selected whole-cone hops impart a crisp,clean finish. Hints of sun toasted grain, toffee, and fruity esters compliment the mellow, noble hop aroma.
Meatloaf
Try a luxurious Bourbon Barrel Stout for the ultimate comfort pairing. The chocolate flavors in stout beer will link up perfectly with the chocolate flavors in the hearty meat dish. AVBC’s Bourbon Barrel Stout is aged for three months in Wild Turkey® Bourbon barrels. This smooth stout has a deep ebony hue and a beautiful mahogany head.
Creamy Polenta
Try a malty caramel beer to complement caramel and bready flavors found in the dish. AVBC’s Summer Solstice is a slightly sweet, malty session beer with a creamy mouth feel and clean finish. With hints of caramel in the nose and a touch of spice, it’s become affectionately known as “cream soda for adults”. The perfect beer to cheers to the goal of a distant-free summer ahead!
