How to Pair Comfort Food with Beer

a close up of a sandwich and fries on a plate

No matter the time of year, there’s nothing better than sitting down for a meal with an ice-cold beer by its side. When paired thoughtfully, beer can enhance the meal's flavor and vice versa.

So when it comes to our favorite comfort foods, what beers are the best to drink alongside them? Follow these pairing recommendations from burgers to pizza and everything in between to bring your meal to the next level at Harvard Gardens.

What Beer Pairs Best With Burgers?

Burgers are one of the easiest comfort foods to pair with beer because they are so versatile. Enjoy your favorite light lager in warmer months with a burger fresh off the grill. If you’re at a restaurant that offers burgers on the fancier end of the spectrum, then order a dark lager alongside it for the perfect complement to a more complex flavor profile.

What Beer Pairs Best With Seafood?

We might not always think of beer and seafood going hand in hand, but they can combine quite nicely when done right. With menu items like fish and chips, your best bet is to go with a darker beer like a porter. This pairing will stick to your ribs and will surely leave you satisfied.

What Beer Pairs Best With Spicy Food?

For a spicy dish like curry, fajitas, or buffalo wings, you want a drink that will cut the dish's heat without eliminating it altogether. Depending on your personal preference, choose a wheat beer or an IPA to pair with meals that fall on the spicier end of the spectrum.

If you’re not a huge fan of hops, the wheat beer will give you a mild flavor that mellows out the spice level of your dish. On the other hand, the bitter hoppiness of an IPA makes for a delightful complement to a rather zesty meal.

What Beer Pairs Best With Pizza?

The ultimate comfort food, some may say. Pizza and beer go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Opt for a brew in the middle of the road to get the most out of your pizza and beer pairing experience. Not too light and definitely not too dark.

Amber ales strike the perfect balance when enjoyed with a pizza pie. They go down smooth but offer a hint of yeastiness that complements the pizza without you even realizing it. By far, the most uncomplicated of food and beer pairings.

Try Your Favorite Pairings at Harvard Gardens

If one of these flavor combinations has your mouth watering, visit Harvard Gardens to give one of them a try. Whether you pair your meal based on your beer or the other way around, there’s something for everyone at Harvard Gardens. For more information about Harvard Gardens, call us at (617)523-2727.