Lucy Palmer
Fish and chips is a popular British dish that consists of battered fish and thick-cut fries. The dish is usually served with salt and vinegar. The classic meal is made with haddock, cod, or flounder. Beer is a must when it comes to fish and chips, as it gives the fish a delightful fried texture and taste. The best beers to pair with fish and chips include lagers, wheat ales, and pale ales.
When it comes to lager, reliable classics like Samuel Adams Boston Lager Beer, Pilsner Urquell Beer, and Harp Lager are great options. For wheat ales, Allagash White, Hoegaarden White, and Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholferi are popular choices. As for pale ales, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Anchor Christmas Ale, and Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale are some of the best options.
Other beer styles that go well with fish and chips include IPAs, amber ales, and porters. When choosing a beer to pair with fish and chips, it's important to consider the type of fish used, the batter or seasoning added, and personal taste preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beer type | Lager, wheat ale, pale ale, pilsner, stout, porter, IPA |
| Beer style | Light, golden, low-alcohol, mild, crisp, hoppy, malty, amber, dark, smooth, golden brown, bitter, fruity, floral, raw, organic, carbonated |
| Beer brand | Miller High Life, Grain Belt, Rainier, Brooklyn Lager, Pilsner Urquell, Coors Banquet, Old Milwaukee, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Harp Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Anchor Christmas Ale, Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Goose Island IPA, Stone Brewing Buenaveza Salt and Lime Lager, Allagash White, Hoegaarden White, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholferi, Blue Moon Belgian White Wheat Craft, Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen, Czechvar Premium Lager, Warsteiner Premium Dunkel, Radeberger Pilsner, Lagunitas IPA, Firestone Walker Pivo Pilsner |
| Fish type | White fish, firm fish, bland fish, dark oily fish, smoked fish |
| Fish species | Haddock, cod, flounder, halibut, bass, walleye, salmon |
What You'll Learn
English ales
Some specific examples of English ales that pair well with fish and chips include:
- Newcastle Brown Ale
- Fuller's ESB
- Bass
- Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale (English ESB)
- Brooklyn Lager (English-style lager)
- Pilsner Urquell (Pilsner)
So, if you're looking for the perfect beer to accompany your fish and chips, an English ale is a great choice. These beers provide a well-rounded drinking experience that enhances the flavours of this classic dish.
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Lagers
When it comes to specific brands, Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) is a popular choice. This American lager balances malt and hop flavours, allowing the taste of the fish and chips to shine. Its subtle biscuity maltiness and grassy hop notes cut through the richness of the batter and complement the flaky white fish.
Coors Banquet is another golden lager that pairs well with fish and chips. With its light body and balance of bready malt and floral hops, it cuts through the richness of fried foods without overwhelming the subtle flavours of the seafood and potatoes.
Brooklyn Lager is another great option. This lager has subtle notes of biscuit and graham cracker, making it a good match for fried fish. Its effervescence cuts through the grease of the dish, creating an ideal balance of flavours in each bite.
If you're looking for a lager to pair with battered fish and chips, Samuel Adams Boston Lager Beer is a reliable classic. It balances its malty banana bread notes with citrusy hops, resulting in a unique flavour profile that goes well with hearty fish and chips.
For a lager-style beer with a hoppy flavour profile, Pilsner Urquell is a good choice. Its pale golden colour and mild hoppiness complement the robust flavours of fried fish, while its malty-sweet aftertaste adds depth to the meal without detracting from its subtle flavours.
Finally, for a unique twist, you could try a Brooklyn Lager, which has distinctive toffee, toast, and caramel flavours with dry-hopped aromas of grapefruit, flowers, and pine. Its complex flavour profile can be perfectly paired with fish and chips.
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IPAs
If you're looking for a specific IPA recommendation to go with your fish and chips, try Lagunitas IPA. Its bold hops flavour and caramel hue make it an excellent pairing for fish and chips. The citrusy Cascade hops in this beer meld with just enough bitterness to complement tangy tartar sauce or acidic malt vinegar.
Another great option is a West Coast IPA. This style of IPA is known for its strong, bitter flavour, which can stand up to the rich, fried flavours of fish and chips. The bitterness of a West Coast IPA will also help to cut through the grease of the fried food.
If you're looking for something a little less bitter, a single IPA is the way to go. Single IPAs tend to have a more balanced flavour profile that pairs well with food. They are also less sticky than double IPAs, making them more refreshing and easier to drink with a meal.
When pairing IPAs with fish and chips, it's important to consider the type of fish and the batter used. For example, a hoppy IPA will go perfectly with a fried cod fillet coated in a crispy, beer-battered coating. The IPA's bitterness will balance the bitterness from the malt in the batter.
So, if you're looking for a beer to drink with your fish and chips, an IPA is an excellent choice. With their bold flavours and bitterness, IPAs can help to enhance the flavours of the dish and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, fried food.
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Pale ales
Fish and chips is a classic English dish that is best accompanied by a cold, crisp beer. The light and refreshing nature of pale ales makes them an excellent choice to pair with this traditional meal.
When choosing a beer to accompany fish and chips, it is important to consider the flavours of the dish. The flaky white fish and crispy golden batter call for a lighter beer that won't overpower the flavours of the food. Pale ales provide a pleasant balance, offering a flavourful yet not overly heavy drinking experience. The citrus and flowery undertones of a pale ale complement the dish without being too dominant.
In addition to their flavour profile, pale ales also have a lower alcohol content, typically around 3-4%, which makes them ideal for enjoying with food. You can savour a pint or two without feeling overly full or intoxicated, allowing you to leisurely enjoy your meal.
When it comes to specific recommendations, it's worth considering an English pale ale to accompany your fish and chips. However, be cautious with American-style pale ales as they may be too hoppy for this particular pairing. Go for a maltier option with less emphasis on hops to better complement the batter and saltiness of the fish and chips.
So, when enjoying this classic British dish, reach for a pale ale to elevate your dining experience. The crisp and refreshing flavours of a pale ale will perfectly complement the crispy fish and salty chips, creating a delightful culinary harmony.
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Wheat beers
Some popular wheat beer options to pair with fish and chips include Allagash White, Hoegaarden White, and Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholferi. These beers are known for their combination of spices and citrus flavours, which complement the salty and crispy flavours of the fish and chips.
When choosing a wheat beer to pair with fish and chips, it is important to consider the type of fish used, the batter or seasoning added, and your personal taste preferences. For example, if you are using a thicker batter, a darker wheat beer with more robust flavours may be a better match. On the other hand, if you are using a lighter batter, a paler wheat beer with more delicate flavours may be a better choice.
Additionally, the carbonation level of the wheat beer can also affect the pairing. Highly carbonated beers will create a crisp texture and help cleanse the palate between bites, making them a good choice for fried foods.
When pairing wheat beer with fish and chips, it is also important to consider the alcohol content. A low-alcohol wheat beer will allow you to enjoy several glasses during your meal without becoming too intoxicated.
Overall, wheat beers are a great choice for those looking for a crisp, refreshing, and flavourful beer to pair with their fish and chips. The combination of spices, citrus, and carbonation in wheat beers can enhance the flavours of the dish and provide a well-rounded dining experience.
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Frequently asked questions
The best beers to drink with fish and chips include lagers, wheat ales, and pale ales. IPAs, amber ales, and porters are also popular choices.
Some specific beers that go well with fish and chips include Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Pilsner Urquell, and Harp Lager.
Yes, it is generally recommended to avoid dark beers or beers with a strong flavour as they can overpower the delicate taste of the fish.
When making a beer batter, it is best to use a light beer with good carbonation and low hops. Some examples include Newcastle Brown Ale, Bass, and Fullers ESB.
