Some Prominent Tastes In Beer Styles
Hoppy: Hops are a craft brewer’s star ingredient. It can bring out a burst of floral, citrus and piney flavours that can be both aromatic and refreshing in flavour. The earlier the hops are added to the brew, the more bitter the beer will be.
Malty: Malted barley adds notes of caramel, toffee, bread, and even chocolate to the beer. Malty beers have a smooth and velvety mouthfeel pushing them slightly on the sweeter side.
Bitter: How bitter your beer is can be easily known by reading the IBU number on the label of your bottle. IBU stands for International Bitterness Units, and the higher the IBU, the stronger the bitterness. How handy is that?
Roasty: Roasted malts give these beers deep, toasty flavours. Think coffee, dark chocolate, and even a hint of smoke.
Spicy & Sour: Modern beer making has seen the addition of spices and different yeasts and bacteria during fermentation to create unique flavour profiles, ranging from tart and puckeringly tangy to spicy.
Best Beer and Food Pairings
At BWS, we like to keep things simple, so now that you understand the flavour profiles of different beers, let's learn how to pair the most popular styles with a delicious dish.
1. Lagers: The most easy-drinking beer of them all, lagers taste crisp and clean. Usually lower in bitterness, with a smooth finish, these refreshing and light beers pair perfectly with simple snacks like pretzels or light seafood dishes. Lagers also suit grilled chicken and salty fries. Perfect for beach days.
2. Pilsners: Popularly considered a distinguished lager, pilsners are more hoppy and have a floral aroma. Packed with plenty of personality, pair pilsners with foods like grilled sausages and meat, or spicy dishes, as these beers cut through the richness and spice like a champ.
3. Indian Pale Ales (IPAs): This hop-forward beer is an excellent accompaniment to rich dishes. Think spicy food, fried food, curries and strong cheeses. The beer has fruity, floral, and bold taste and aromas, which means you can pair IPAs with Mexican and Indian foods like a pro.
4. Stouts & Porters: Roasting the malt creates a rich malty flavour, with notes of coffee, chocolate, nuts and caramel. This is perfect for gamey barbecued meats like rabbit and venison. Stouts have a creamy texture and just like porters can be paired beautifully with rich and spicy seafood dishes. Think crabs, lobsters, shellfish, and more. Not forgetting about dessert, stouts and porters also pair perfectly with chocolate mousse and cake.
5. Sours: Wild ales and brown ales fall under the beer category of ‘sours’. Since these beers have complex tangy flavours, best opt for rich, creamy dishes like goat cheese and crème brûlée. Another perfect pairing for sour beer is salty snacks like olives and charcuterie, balancing the salt with their sour tartness.
All Hail The Master For Beer And Food
That’s it! Now you’re in the know. Transform any good beer experience into a fantastic one with this guide to the perfect food and beer pairings. All that’s left to do is crack a cold one and cheers to top flavour and food with your best mates. How great is that?