Jason Wagner
Indian food is incredibly varied, and there are many drinks that can be paired with it. The most common drink to have with Indian food is beer, and the best beers for Indian food are lagers and Indian pale ales (IPAs). The crispness and bitterness of these beers complement the complex flavours and spices in Indian dishes.
When choosing a beer to go with Indian food, it is important to consider the heat level of the dish, the basic ingredients, and your own preference. If you are having a spicy dish, it is best to choose a bitter beer with some residual sweetness, such as a lager or an IPA. For milder dishes, lighter, fresher drinks are more suitable.
Some popular beers that pair well with Indian food include Cobra Premium Beer, Kingfisher Lager, Jaipur India Pale Ale, Tiger Asian Lager, Marston Old Empire, and Flying Horse Royal Lager.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beer type | Lager, India Pale Ale (IPA), Hefeweizen, Dunkel, Brown Ale, Scotch Ale, Amber Ale, Wheat Beer, Blonde Ale, Pilsner, Kolsch, Stout, Porter, English Bitter Ale, Belgian Beer, etc. |
| Beer brand | Cobra, Kingfisher, Jaipur, Singha, Tiger, Marston Old Empire, Flying Horse, Ballast Point, Sierra Nevada, Taj Mahal, Bira 91, Fuller's London Pride, Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Adnams, Guinness, Samuel Smith's, Founder's, Duvel, Chimay, Leffe, etc. |
| Food type | Spicy, fried, meat, vegetarian, seafood, mild, creamy, sweet, savoury, etc. |
| Food dish | Chicken tikka masala, biryani, pakoras, samosas, vindaloo, prawn curry, tandoori chicken, chickpea curry, phaal, korma, bhuna, rogan josh, paneer, Kolhapuri chicken, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Lagers and IPAs are a good match for Indian food
Lagers are a good option for lighter Indian meals, especially those with fewer herbs and more vegetables or seafood. However, the taste of lager can become blander with the addition of more spices.
India Pale Ales (IPAs) are a better option for those who enjoy Indian fried snacks. They have a bitter taste but pack a powerful punch with oily, fried foods. The higher alcohol content of IPAs can also help to soothe the palate after consuming spicy dishes.
When choosing a beer to pair with Indian food, it is important to consider the intensity of the dish. A strong beer will overpower a delicate dish, and vice versa. It is also worth noting that the nerves that detect carbonation and spicy heat are the same, so a relatively flat beer can help to gentle the heat of a spicy dish.
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Beer with more malt goes well with meat and spices
Beer with more malt is an excellent choice to pair with meat and spices, especially Indian cuisine. The maltiness of the beer complements the savoury and spicy flavours of Indian dishes. The more malt is roasted, the sweeter it gets, and this sweetness can balance the heat of the spices.
Malt, which comes from grains like barley, wheat, and rye, is responsible for the sweetness in beer. The malting process involves controlled sprouting and kilning of the grains, which breaks down the hard, starchy insides into simpler carbohydrates that can be utilised by the brewer. The degree of roasting of the malt determines the colour and flavour of the beer, with darker malts producing deeper, browned flavours.
Malty beers have a fuller body and showcase a bready, biscuity, or caramel-like malt flavour. They often have fruity notes and a degree of sweetness, with hints of nuts, toffee, toast, and fruit. The malt structure and well-balanced sweetness of these beers make them a good pairing for roasted, braised, and smoked meats, as well as earthy vegetables.
When pairing malty beers with Indian food, consider the intensity and style of the dish. Spicier Indian dishes pair well with hoppier beers that have a higher bitterness to balance the heat. However, sweeter Indian dishes, such as mild chicken korma, go better with lighter, milder beers. The clean crispness of the beer lets the complex flavours of the curry shine through, and the bitterness from the hops complements the sweetness of the sauces.
Some specific malty beer recommendations to pair with Indian food include:
- Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale
- Alaskan Amber Ale
- Newcastle Brown Ale
- Cobra Premium Beer
- Marston Old Empire
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Brown ale is a good choice for chicken curries
Brown ale is also recommended for meat dishes, as beer with a more malty taste goes best with spices and meat. The maltiness of brown ale also helps to balance the sweetness of sauces and chutneys often served with chicken curries.
If you're looking for a beer that's not too heavy to pair with savoury Indian dishes, brown ale is the way to go. Newcastle Brown Ale, for example, has a rich, malty flavour that complements the bold flavours of Indian spices. The nutty and caramel notes in this brown ale also balance out the heat of spicy dishes, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy milder spice levels.
Brown ale is also a good choice for grilled meat and tandoori food. The beer's malty flavour and slight bitterness complement the taste of tandoori dishes well.
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Blonde ales and pilsners pair well with mild Indian dishes
When it comes to pairing beer with Indian food, it's all about finding the right balance. Indian cuisine offers a wide range of flavours, from creamy dishes like butter chicken to fiery vindaloos. The heat and spice of Indian food can be complemented and cooled down by the right beer.
Blonde ales and pilsners are excellent choices for those who want to enjoy a mild Indian dish with a refreshing, crisp, and slightly sweet beer. These beers have a delicate hop profile and a well-balanced flavour that won't overpower the subtle spices of mild Indian dishes.
Blonde ales, also known as Blonde Pale Ales, are characterised by their malty flavour and golden to amber colour. They tend to have a more pronounced malt character than other pale ales, with notes of biscuit, cracker, or bread. The extra maltiness of blonde ales makes them an ideal pairing for mild Indian dishes. The maltiness provides a nice contrast to the spices used in these dishes, without being too overpowering.
Pilsners, on the other hand, offer a crisp and refreshing drinking experience. They are known for their smooth, easy-drinking profile and light body. Pilsners typically have a mild bitterness and subtle hoppiness, which makes them a perfect match for mild Indian dishes. The crispness of a pilsner can cut through the richness of creamy curries, while its carbonation and moderate finish complement the subtle spices of these dishes.
When choosing a beer to pair with mild Indian dishes, it's important to consider the intensity of flavours in both the food and the beer. Blonde ales and pilsners offer a more delicate and balanced flavour profile that won't overwhelm the nuances of mild Indian cuisine. So, the next time you're enjoying a creamy korma, a rich malai kofta, or a mild chicken tikka masala, consider reaching for a blonde ale or a pilsner to elevate your dining experience.
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Amber ales complement hot dishes
Amber ales are a great choice to accompany hot Indian dishes. They provide a good balance between malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness, making them a versatile beer style that complements various Indian dishes.
When choosing an amber ale, look for one with noticeable hop flavour and bitterness, but also one that showcases significant malt flavours. Amber ales allow for a range of flavours, from modest and restrained to big, hoppy, and bold. The colour can vary from amber to coppery brown, and the hop aroma from low to moderate, while the hop flavour ranges from moderate to high. Amber ales typically have a clean fermentation profile, with some examples exhibiting fruity esters.
The maltiness of amber ales pairs well with the bold flavours of Indian spices and dishes like tikka masala, paneer, and jalfrezi. The nutty and caramel notes in some amber ales, such as Newcastle Brown Ale, can help balance the heat of spicy dishes. Amber ales with higher alcohol content can also soothe your palate after consuming hot and spicy foods.
When pairing amber ales with Indian food, consider the intensity of the dish. Amber ales can stand up to bold and spicy Indian dishes, but they also pair well with milder dishes, adding a touch of sweetness. Experiment with different amber ales to find your perfect pairing, as there are many options to explore.
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Frequently asked questions
Lighter beers like lagers and wheat beers are best for milder Indian dishes. Blonde ales and pilsners are also good options for foods that are less spicy.
Hoppy beers like IPAs and brown ales are great for spicy Indian dishes. The bitterness of these beers can help to cut through the heat of the food.
Meat-based Indian dishes pair well with beers that have a more malty taste, such as brown ale.
Fried Indian snacks, such as pakoras and samosas, go well with hoppy lagers and IPAs.
