Perfectly Paired: How We Match Wines and Beers with Our Menu

We’re just going to come out and say it. Beer or wine and food pairing isn’t pretentious. It is a great way to ensure that you enjoy your dining to the fullest. Combining the right beverage with your meal can help to create a better experience. By learning how to pair beverages and food, you can achieve balance and select pairs that enhance each of their best qualities. We know all this sounds overwhelming. But we promise that when you learn about food pairings, you won’t look back. You’ll have the skills to explore different combinations and find combinations that are unique and that you love.

Factors to Consider for the Best Food With Beer and Wine Combos

Beer, wine, and food pairing isn’t just a subjective experience. While the way different people experience different flavors is subjective, there is actually a science to combining beverages and foods that go beyond individual preferences. There are various factors that are considered when choosing pairs. These include:

• Flavor and taste

Both of these factors play an important role in determining combos. The term flavor refers to the mix of aromas and compounds present in the meal e.g. vanilla, strawberry, barbecue, etc. Taste refers to the basic taste that our tongues perceive i.e. sweet, sour, salty, savory, and bitter. For example, a general rule is to pair a sweet wine with sweet dishes such as dessert. Dry wines are best reserved for rich or savory dishes.

• Acidity

Another factor to consider is how tart or acidic the beverage is. In general, tart beverages are best paired with goods that contain fats. They can also be paired with sweet foods.

• Weight

Wines and beers have different weights. You’ll often hear them being referred to as full, medium, or light-bodied. The body affects the texture, richness, and viscosity of the beverage. A full-bodied wine or beer can feel thick (viscous) or heavy on the tongue while a light-bodied beverage gives a refreshing light feel.

Beer Pairing

• Ales 

These full-bodied beverages are great paired with grilled dark meats such as beef and pork. The malty richness of an Amber Ale or Brown Ale such as Guinness and Olde English complements the rich flavors of darker meats. These beers offer a slight sweetness that is the perfect balance to the savory flavor of darker meats. Try your ale with a pot roast, steak salad, or our favorite, The Alpine Burger.

• Lagers

These lighter beers are best paired with lighter meats such as chicken and fish as well as with vegetables. A larger such as Coors Light Beer would provide a refreshing taste for your salad, fish, or chicken meal. Try it alongside our fish and chips, chicken quesadilla, or roasted jalapeno and guacamole burger. These light beers are an especially great complement to the smoky and spicy notes of ribs and barbecue sauces.

• Wheat beers

If you’re planning to have an especially spicy meal, consider pairing it with a wheat beer such as Blue Moon. These beers offer a natural sweetness as well as an effervescence that will help to cool your palate. Try your wheat beer with our crispy hot wings.

Wine Pairings

• Red wine

These are best paired with red meats such as lamb and steak. Full-bodied wines have pronounced tannins and cut through the rich flavors of dark meats. Try Big Mario’s Special Sauce or the Los Chuchaqui Bandido with our pot roast, 10 oz ribeye, or steak salad.

• White wines

White wines are more versatile. They offer a great balance of acidity and fruitiness. They are the perfect complement to turkey and chicken. Their acidity also makes them a great choice for fattier meals. Try our Deux Moulins with our pasta Bolognese or fried chicken dinner.

• Rose and delicate whites

These are perfect for highlighting delicate flavors such as those of seafood. They offer a perfect balance of fruitiness and acidity. They enhance the natural sweetness of food. Try our Marin and Anna Arndorfer with fish and chips or pasta Bolognese.

Dine at The Alpine Diner for a Memorable Experience

We offer a wide variety of beverages and meals. Select from our menu and try different combinations of the best food with beer, to find the perfect pair for you.