As long as there has been a meal on the table, there has also been the need to have an accompanying beverage on hand. While the ins and outs of what is on the menu have changed over the course of time, right now, the hottest beverage around is craft beer. The small-batch, hand-crafted, detail-oriented world of craft beer has not only drawn many admirers of great beer, it has also piqued the interest of foodies the world over regarding the possible pairings that could be made with their favorite foods.

It’s easy to see why the idea of pairing a good craft beer with certain foods would be of intense interest. Think of craft beer in the same way you’d think of wine. In the same way that certain flavor notes in wine go really well with certain foods, so, too, does well-made beer.

Here are five beer and food pairings you should really take into consideration for your next get-together:

Golden Ale – These light ales are easy to drink and have a balanced taste, making them a perfect pairing with foods that are pretty familiar. Burgers, brats, and Mexican cuisine are safe bets for a killer beer/food combination.

Dark Red Ale – You’ve now moved into some more exotic flavors, but you’re still dealing with a mild, roasted flavor that has both a dose of American hops and Belgian yeast. This beer moves between flavors & styles, which would make it a nice choice when working with spicy foods and even tangy cheeses.

Chocolate-based Stout – A stout beer with chocolate notes is not about to be tame and somewhat subdued. You’re looking at a beer that aims to be noticed. A robust flavor from deeply roasted barley lingers, which goes really well with roasted foods (think root vegetables) and even desserts with more pronounced flavors.

Wit – A Belgian-style wheat beer, a wit is subtle in its spices and its citrus base allows for a refreshing citrus profile to emerge. This is the type of beer that many people wish they had discovered years before because it carries all of the flavor profiles of great beer with a certain “lightness” that makes it easy to enjoy. It goes great with vegetarian dishes, light soups, seafood, and sushi.

American IPA – American IPA combines malt, citrus, and the floral notes of American hops, balancing flavors that figuratively set your taste buds on fire. That said, you have quite an interesting array of foods that can go with this particular beverage. Spicy dishes from all corners of the globe are fair game, as are more tried-and-true snacks like salty & fried foods more familiar to your average beer drinker. Curries are also a very worthwhile option.

Craft beer, much like modern art, can be daunting to the person who is not so sure stepping away from their usual adult beverage of choice is the best idea. However, when you realize how much fun it can be to explore the cuisine of the world with a frosty drink in hand, you might just wish you’d discovered craft beer earlier. So, indulge in the goodness (and plentiful options) that is craft beer, and enjoy your next meal with a cold one.

Being a person who has sampled quite a lot of beer in Europe, friends in America will often ask if they really drink warm beer there. Since Americans like their beer almost to the freezing point and then served in a frosty mug, they can’t imagine how you could drink beer that isn’t ice cold. The fact is European drink their beer less frosty, shall we say, than the American counterpart. This article will explore some of the reasons for that as well as shed some light on just what we Americans term as “warm beer”.

According to experts beer as well as red wine should be consumed at slightly below normal room temperature. That is if those beverages are high quality. If they are of the highest quality we want to get every bit of flavor out of them as you can. If they are lacking in quality or are downright poor, to make them drinkable they should be as cold as you can get them. Europeans will tell you that most American beer served cold for that reason.

Although serving temperatures in beer varies country to country they are served warmer than in the USA. The specific brewing temperatures of ales are normally about 52 to 63°F, and lagers about 40 to 48°F. This might vary among brewers, but those temperatures are where the most flavors can be had from the beer, even if it is not what most Americans are used to. Remember that beer in Europe has a long-standing culture, and even if American brewers originally came from Europe in time beer was produced for volume, not for the quality.

On top of it American beers can be highly carbonated which further will mask the flavor but give it a pleasant tingle. In Europe beer is beer on its own, and I could never recall a quality beer in Europe that would carbonate their beverage.

So to conclude this short lesson on European beers and why they are not as cold as American beers, let’s mention perhaps the most famous European beer: Guinness. Brewed in Dublin it is also served chilled. But if you have a Guinness in the United Kingdom I’m sure you’ll notice that it is richer and I think more full-bodied. It’s still good in America and in other parts of the world, but Americans drink their Foreign Extra Stout. If ever you’re in Europe you should try it there, as I’m sure you will find this much better than the American version.

So you want to showcase your culinary skills at the upcoming dinner party you are hosting this weekend with a delectable lamb feast? Be sure you choose the right beer and wines to match the flavors of your dish!

Although both red and wine are great for any American lamb meal, it is important to match the right type to compliment the particular ingredients in the meal you are preparing. As for beer, finding a match is a bit more of a challenge. Once you decide on the recipe you want to prepare, it is helpful to know which batches and bottles to serve with your lamb course. Continue reading for delicious wine and beer pairings perfect for a variety of lamb dishes.

White Wines:

Pinot Gris – Pairs well with Lamb Goat Cheese Salad

Pinot Gris is a light-bodied wine celebrated for its citrusy flavors and crisp, clean finish. These light attributes makes it perfect for lighter lamb dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc – Pairs well with Lamb Roast and Root Vegetables

Sauvignon Blanc is a fresh-tasting, light to medium-bodied wine with a sharp, bold finish. These qualities allows it to pair well with both hearty and light lamb dishes.

Chardonnay – Pairs well with Lamb and Vegetable Stew

Chardonnay is a medium to full-bodied white wine that delivers rich oak and vanilla flavors. This makes it a good match for heartier lamb courses.

Red Wines:

Bordeaux – Pairs well with Leg of Lamb with Rosemary and Garlic

Bordeaux is a combination of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a very easy-to-drink red wine. It pairs well with almost any simple lamb dish.

Pinot Noir – Pairs well with Roasted Rack of Lamb

Pinot Noir offers earthy, subtle flavors ranging from dried cherries, raspberries, and hints of vanilla. This makes it perfect for the most elegant of meals.

Syrah – Pairs well with Grilled Loin Chops

Syrah red wine offers deep, dark flavors. This intensity makes it perfect for a variety of lamb meals, including leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic.

Beers:

Porters – Pairs well with Lamb and Vegetable Pasta

Porters are rich, dark, and malty, often times resembling pure coffee or cacao beans. They also pair well with leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic.

Stouts – Pairs well with Braised Lamb Shank

Stouts are silky and savory, and beautifully compliment the earthy flavors of lamb meat. They also pair well with lighter lamb dishes.

Pale Ales – Pairs well with Roasted Rack of Lamb

Pale ales are terrific choices for a bold flavored lamb dish. They also pair well with grilled lamb loin chops.

Amber Ales – Pairs well with Spicy Lamb Chili

Amber ales have a balanced flavor of fruit and malt. They pair well with spicy and heart lamb recipes.