Beef and Beer - Which Pairing Tastes the Best?
March 12, 2021 12:00 PM CST
Written by Emily C / March 3, 2021
When it comes to a nice steak dinner, there is no better pairing then an ice cold brew. So which beer goes best with which cut? We’re here to tell you.
So why is it that steak and beer work so well together? There are a few reasons why:
- Beer is cold and steak is hot. It’s a simple reason, really. When you’re eating something that is hot, you don’t usually feel refreshed after drinking something that is also hot, such as tea or coffee. However, a cold brew in your mouth gives you that refreshing feeling to help you keep digging in.
- The tastes are complimentary. When you choose the perfect beer for your steak, the flavors complement one another. Beer can bring out the flavors of the steak without overpowering them.
- Beer is a good palate cleanser. Due to the natural carbonation, beer has the ability to cleanse your palate after each sip so that you can enjoy every bite of your steak.
Now that you know some of the reasons why these two are a great pair, let’s check out some of the best pairings.
Smoked Porter with Steakburgers -
Steakburgers are a barbeque favorite. With a delicious smoky and bold flavor what could go better than a smoky beer? Smoked porter does a great job at emphasizing the flavors of the burger without overpowering it, leading to one savory meal.
Pale Ale with Top Sirloin-
Picking a pale ale for a sirloin is a great choice. Sirloins are a more muscular steak which is not as tender as other cuts, but it is full of flavor which makes it the perfect choice for the grill. Since Pale ales are a light colored beer with a dry finish, it’s fruity undertones are the perfect pair for a sirloin.
Amber Ale with Prime Rib-
Moving into a slightly darker beer, people often use amber ale to cook with to flavor a prime rib or short ribs. It’s an excellent choice for marinades or homemade barbeque sauce because it’s sweet and rich in flavor. Drinking amber ale along with the prime rib will have a similar effect on your taste buds as eating a sauce or marinade using the beer.
India Pale Ale with Ribeye-
India Pale Ale, also known as IPA’s are one of the best options for the ribeye. Although ribeyes have the ability to be matched with almost any beer, the taste of an API is one of the best to go along with the ribeye. In fact, some steak enthusiasts make IPA marinades for their ribeyes which malts to help counteract the fattiness of the meat.
Light Lager with Filet Mignon-
The most common beverage matched with a filet is usually wine, however, there is no need to skip the beer. Filet mignon has more subtle flavors than the other steaks listed above, so our recommendation is to grabe a drink that enhances the filet instead of outshining it. Due to the lower alcohol content, lighter lagers have that ability without cutting through the steak’s flavor.
Conclusion-
When preparing beef, you always want it to be the stand out of the meal, so finding the perfect beer to go along with it instead of against it is the key to an amazing dinner. You can use our suggestions as a guide, but of course, your favorite brew can always work with steak if you want it to.
