Beer And Pizza: A Match Made In Heaven?

Pizza and beer are a classic combination, and it is common to enjoy the two together. Beer is a communal beverage that brings people together, and pizza is a widely enjoyed food, making them a great duo for a fun, casual night with friends and family. While there are no hard and fast rules, and wine or even cocktails can also be enjoyed with pizza, beer is a popular choice.

Beer and pizza: a perfect flavour pairing

Pizza and beer are two of life's simple pleasures. Pizza is so widely enjoyed that it's hard to find anyone who doesn't include it on their "last meal wish list". Beer, meanwhile, has been a beloved alcoholic beverage since 4000 BC and is now a global phenomenon, with thousands of types available.

But what happens when you put them together? It turns out that pizza and beer are a perfect flavour pairing, and this is endorsed by Italians, who are notoriously fussy about food rules.

The science behind the pairing

Pizza is the world's favourite comfort food, but it isn't always the easiest meal to digest. This is where beer comes in. As a fermented yeast beverage, beer introduces beneficial bacteria to your gut and its carbonation can aid digestion. Carbonation has a stimulating effect on the oesophagus, helping with swallowing, and the bubbles can help relieve a tummy ache after eating too much pizza.

The best beers to pair with pizza

The best beer to pair with pizza depends on the type of pizza in question. Here are some suggestions:

• Classic cheese: An American pale ale has enough bitterness to cut through the richness of the cheese.
• Original Margherita: An unfiltered lager has a bready flavour that complements the charred crust of a Margherita, allowing the sweet sauce and rich cheese to shine.
• Classic pepperoni: The slightly spicy notes of pepperoni go well with a malty beer like a brown ale, with light caramel sweetness.
• Vegetarian: A delicate summer kolsch won't overpower the veggies.
• Mushroom: An English ale has a subtle earthy hop profile and a bit of sweetness to brighten up the pizza.
• Meat lovers: A dark smoked beer will give various toppings a more authentic smoky flavour.
• Hawaiian: A light-bodied golden ale with citrus hop aroma to accentuate the Canadian bacon and pineapple.
• Sausage and peppers: A refreshing lager brings just enough caramel notes to pair with the sausage and is clean enough to let the veggies shine.
• Italian meatball: An IPA! A big, hoppy beer with plenty of malt characteristics will stand up to the meatball and cut through the richness.
• BBQ chicken: A hoppy amber or red IPA to pair with the smoky, spicy, sweet slice. The sweet malt backbone of the ale matches the sweetness of the BBQ sauce, while the hops highlight the heat from the peppers and sauce.
• Margherita: A simple, light, refreshing Czech-style pilsner complements the delicate, nuanced, and light flavours of a Margherita. The grassy hop flavours and aroma are delicious with pizza spices like basil and oregano.

Beer improves pizza digestion

Pizza and beer are two of life's simple pleasures. While pizza is arguably the world's favorite comfort food, it isn't always the easiest meal to digest. This is where beer comes in. Beer improves pizza digestion in several ways.

Firstly, as a fermented yeast beverage, beer introduces beneficial bacteria to your gut. A diverse gut microbiome is key to good digestive health. Beer also contains carbonation, which has proven benefits for digestion. The bubbles stimulate the esophagus, facilitating the swallowing process. Carbonation also leads to burping, which provides instant relief for a tummy full of pizza or a tummy ache from overeating. Furthermore, studies have shown that carbonation aids in digestive circulation, helping the food move through your digestive tract.

The combination of beer and pizza is not just a well-known taste pairing but also a scientifically validated one. The optimal beer to pair with pizza depends on the type of pizza. For example, a classic cheese pizza pairs well with an American Pale Ale, which has enough bitterness to cut through the richness of the cheese. A Margherita pizza goes well with an unfiltered lager, complementing the charred crust and enhancing the sweet sauce and cheese. For a pepperoni pizza, a malty beer with light caramel sweetness is a good choice, matching the slight spiciness of the pepperoni.

While beer improves pizza digestion, it is important to remember that excessive consumption of alcohol can have negative health effects. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy beer in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Pizza and beer: a new level of enlightenment

Pizza and beer is a classic combination, but with a bit of knowledge, this simple meal can become an experience. There are endless combinations of beer styles, flavours, aromas and mouthfeel that can be paired with different types of pizza to elevate your dining experience.

Pizza is arguably the world's favourite comfort food, but it isn't always the easiest meal to digest. Beer, on the other hand, is a fermented yeast beverage that introduces beneficial bacteria to your gut. The carbonation in beer also has proven benefits to digestive health, from stimulating the esophagus to facilitating swallowing, to aiding digestive circulation.

Choosing the right beer for your pizza

The key to a successful pairing is to match intensities so that neither the pizza nor the beer is drowned out. For example, a classic Margherita pizza is delicate, nuanced and light, so you'll want a beer with similar qualities like a refreshing Czech-style pilsner or a saison. The grassy hop flavours and aroma of a pilsner will complement the pizza spices like basil and oregano, while the malt flavours of an Anchor Steam Beer will match the tomatoes and the hops will match the earthiness of the basil.

If you're a fan of pepperoni pizza, the bready maltiness of a proper pilsner will match the crust and help to balance the spices and acidity in the sauce. A bitter and carbonated beverage will also help to cleanse your palate of the rich tomato sauce, grease and bread. A classic pepperoni pie also calls for a heftier beer, so try a double IPA to bring out the subtle sweetness and spice of the pepperoni.

For a sausage and mushroom pizza, an earthier beer is a good choice to complement those flavours. Try a farmhouse brew with a unique earthy mustiness, or a beer with a sweet, toasty presentation and assertive hop flavour to echo the earthiness of the toppings and pull out the herbal notes from the sausage.

If you're feeling adventurous, a Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza pairs surprisingly well with a smoked beer. The malty bock base will match the crust, while the hefty maltiness will be matched by the sweetness of the pineapple and the smokiness of the bacon.

Alternatives to beer

While beer is a perfect pairing for pizza, there are other drinks that can also complement your slice. Wine, champagne, cocktails, cider, hard seltzer, sparkling wines and soft drinks can all be enjoyed with pizza, depending on your preference. For example, a glass of Aglianico, an indigenous red varietal from around Naples, pairs perfectly with a meat pizza. A white pizza with smoked mozzarella, broccoli rabe and sausage can also be complemented by a glass of Sangiovese, a high-acid grape that can stand up to the acidity of the tomato sauce.

So, the next time you're picking up a slice, why not try a new beer to go with it and elevate your pizza night to a new level of enlightenment?

Italians endorse the pairing

Pizza and beer are a perfect flavour pairing, and Italians, who are known to be fussy about food rules, endorse this combination. While pizza is the world's favourite comfort food, it is not always easy to digest. Beer, on the other hand, is a fermented yeast beverage that introduces beneficial bacteria to the gut and aids digestion. The carbonation in beer has proven benefits to digestive health, and the bubbles stimulate the oesophagus, facilitating swallowing.

Italians themselves more commonly drink beer than wine, usually a light lager like Peroni Nastro Azzurro. However, if you prefer something with a bit more flavour, you can opt for a Czech lager like Budweiser Budvar or a Viennese-style lager like Brooklyn with spicy pepperoni toppings. Inexpensive Italian reds are also a good choice, as they are moderate in alcohol and have fresh acidity to cut through the cheese and tomato toppings. Some good options include Chianti, Barbera, Valpolicella, or a simple Sicilian red.

When it comes to specific pizza and beer pairings, a classic cheese pizza pairs well with an American Pale Ale, such as Alter Brewing's Hopular Kid, which has just enough bitterness to cut through the richness of the cheese. For a Margherita pizza, a nice unfiltered lager like Urban Chestnut's Zwickel complements the charred crust, allowing the sweet sauce and rich cheese to shine. If you're feeling adventurous, a certified cicerone can help you choose the perfect beer to pair with your pizza.

Pizza and beer are a match made in heaven, and with the right pairings, you can elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Experiment with different drinks

While pizza and beer are a classic combination, you can experiment with different drinks to find your perfect pairing.

If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water or a soft drink can be a great choice to help with digestion, thanks to their carbonation.

For those who want an alcoholic drink but aren't fans of beer, there are several alternatives to explore. A fizzy dry cider or hard seltzer can provide a similar carbonated experience to beer. If you prefer wine, a dry sparkling option like prosecco or brut rosé is a good choice, as the bubbles can aid digestion in the same way as beer.

When it comes to wine, reds and whites both have their merits. A fresh-tasting, medium-bodied red like a Merlot or a young Rioja can be a great pairing, with enough acidity to cut through the cheese and tomato toppings. Alternatively, a crisp, clean white like a Pinot Grigio or Gavi can complement a simple Margherita pizza. If you're feeling adventurous, a glass of rosé can be a versatile and easy-drinking option that works with both tomato and white-based pizzas.

If you're a fan of cocktails, the options are endless. A tiki cocktail or a bourbon-based drink can be an interesting choice to accompany your pizza. For something lighter, a glass of champagne is always a good idea.

Frequently asked questions