The Essential Meat & Beer Pairing Guide
Updated 7.24.2023
Table of Contents
Best Beer + Burger PairingsPairing IPAs + BurgersPairing Smoked Porter Beers + BurgersPairing Regular Porter Beers + BurgersBest Beers for Turkey BurgersPairing Brown Ales + Turkey BurgersBest Beer for SausagesPairing American Lagers + SausagesPairing Rauchbier + SausagesBest Beers to Pair with SteaksPairing Stout Beers + SteakPairing Brown Ales + SteakPairing Belgian Strong Dark Ales + SteakBest Beers to Pair with ChickenPairing Amber-Brown Lagers + ChickenPairing Blonde Beers + ChickenPairing Wheat Beers + ChickenPairing German Lagers + ChickenBest Beers to Pair with Grilled SeafoodPairing Pilsners + Grilled SeafoodPairing Sour Beers + Grilled SeafoodWho doesn’t love mixing two of the best things together? Combining grilled or smoked meats and excellent beer is part of the all-American experience.To paraphrase a beer commercial from the 1980s, "it doesn’t get much better than this." If you want to figure out the best way to pair beer and grilled meat, you’ve come to the right place.You’ve probably thought that drinking a light beer with a burger was good, but what is the perfect beer pairing to a burger?In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular grilled meats and best beers to pair with them.
Best Beer + Burger Pairings
When you’re preparing a burger that's going to end up on the grill, you can start to imagine those sizzling sounds and juicy flavors that await you.Combined with all the fixings, a burger never rarely you down or leaves you wanting something more (especially when you use award-winning rubs, sauces, marinades and condiments from your monthly Grill Masters Club subscription box!).Most people feel that a beer is an essential companion when grilling up burgers in the backyard.There are folks who like to pair a lighter beer with their burger, while some prefer pairing a beer with more flavor and body to support the robust flavors of your perfectly grilled burger, like an IPA.While neither are bad selections, your choice of beer can have an impact on the overall flavor profile and experience of the meal.Try the Ultimate BBQ Experience with our One-time Boxes
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Pairing IPAs w/ Burgers
IPAs (India Pale Ales) are a good fit for people who love to have contrasting flavors in their foods and drinks.A burger can hold a lot of flavor, and can hit just about every spot on the tongue, save bitter flavors.That’s where IPAs can deliver and satisfy your urge for some bitterness! The hoppy flavors of an IPA compliment the taste of a burger so well that they're most folks' go-to.If you like IPAs, but want to try a different type of flavor, a black IPA is an excellent choice. It has a roasted malt flavor that works to turn the grilled meat of your burger into a more complex and deeper complimentary flavor.5 Best IPA + Burger Pairings to Try
Pairing Smoked Porter Beers w/ Burgers
If you’re into heavier beers with your burgers, you can’t go wrong with a smoked porter.They contain the roasty bitterness you're probably after from a full-bodied beer, and that smoky flavor combines perfectly with the grilled meat!It’s a savory flavor that pairs well with a bacon or black-n-blue burger.If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even mix things up with some barbecue sauce from your Grill Masters Club box. Any solid BBQ sauce will compliment the smoky flavor profile of the beer as well.It won’t ruin the flavor of the burger, and a smoked porter actually gives off a smooth flavor that satisfies the healthiest of appetites.Shop BBQ Sauces & Rubs
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5 Best Smoked Porter + Burger Pairings To Try
Pairing Regular Porter Beers w/ Burgers
If you can’t find a black IPA or smoked porter, a regular porter is the perfect alternative. Porters are well balanced and give off a delicious taste.The roasted malt flavor doesn’t give off a smoky taste, which can be overwhelming for some people.There are different kinds of porters available, all with their own unique flavors: Black malts, crystals, chocolate and smoked brown malts provide a winning combination with burgers.Porters are complex, and when combined with a burger, you definitely know you’re eating something special.5 Best Porter + Burger Pairings To Try
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Best Beers for Turkey Burgers
While beef burgers are what people think of when they hear burger, turkey burgers can have their own beer combinations.Ground turkey is leaner and has a softer taste than beef, so your choice of beer pairing should reflect and respect those flavors. You don’t want to wind up with a beer that overpowers the turkey burger’s flavor.A beer that's lower in alcohol content and lighter in bitterness will pair perfectly with a turkey burger.Depending on the type of beer you want with your alternative burger, you won’t have to sacrifice flavor or body.Pairing Brown Ales w/ Turkey Burgers
Brown ales are ideal for pairing with a turkey burger. The nutty flavor of a brown ale has a toasty or caramelized flavor that can be produced by the grill.The combination of the beer's flavor and the grilled turkey burger will cuddle up with each other.The flavor isn’t as complex as with a porter and a beef burger, but it will keep you intrigued.Since brown ales have a flavor that is like coffee, the complexity and depth of the flavor will entice you to keep taking a bite and a swig.5 Best Brown Ale + Turkey Burger Pairings To Try
Best Beer for Sausages
Beer and sausages are the perfect company on a hot summer day. They go together like peanut butter and jelly.What’s better than eating a spicy sausage while taking a long draw out of a bottle of your favorite beer?Sausages are perfect for any beer lover because their fat content can handle just about any and every flavor you throw at it.No matter if you’re pounding a lager down with a foot-long sausage, or enjoying a grilled brat with a stout beer, you can’t miss.As for getting the right combination of flavor between your sausages and beer, here are some pairings you should give a try.Pairing American Lagers + Sausages
American lagers are the perfect complement to a sausage.Their light bodies allow you to enjoy your sausages without getting too full. The low bitterness allows you to enjoy the flavor of the sausage.Though they don’t provide too much flavor, American lagers are perfect for eating a sausage that is loaded with flavor. Beers like Budweiser or Pabst Blue Ribbon are low in alcohol content and won’t fill you up while you’re eating.If you like toppings, such as sauerkraut, relish, mustard and ketchup, an American lager is the way to go.5 Best American Lager + Sausage Pairings to Try
Pairing Rauchbier w/ Sausages
If you’re not a fan of drinking an American lager with your sausages, rauchbier is an excellent choice.This German-style beer is a dark beer, and actually has the flavors of an Oktoberfest bier. It has a unique smokiness that it tastes like a spiced and smoked meat.When a sausage is grilled, a caramelized crust appears on the skin. The snappy flavor of the crust pairs well with the dense and smoky flavor of a rauchbier.5 Best Rauchbier + Sausage Pairings To Try
Best Beers to Pair w/ Steaks
As the king of the barbecue and grilling, steaks hold a high place on people’s list.When you fire up the grill after marinating your steak all night, or working with a dry-aged steak, you can feel the goosebumps start to appear.As you prepare to put the steak on the grill, you ask yourself, “What beer do I want?”While steaks do pack plenty of flavor with simple marinades, you need a beer that will go down smoothly and pair well with that taste.Try a beer that can handle that hunk of meat without compromise.So, do you reach for that hoppy IPA or lager?Perhaps, you should run to the store and get yourself something darker.But, what is the best beer for steaks? Let's dig into it.Shop Grilling & Smoking Accessories
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