Best Beers To Pair With Pizza

Pizza and beer are a match made in heaven. The fresh, crisp flavour of beer cuts through the creamy cheese, enhances the herbs in the pizza sauce, and balances the acidity. The doughy pizza can also help you knock back an extra drink, as the bread absorbs the alcohol and keeps you from getting too tipsy. But which beers go with which pizzas?

If you're a fan of a classic Margherita, you'll want a delicate, nuanced, and light beer with similar qualities. A Czech-style pilsner, for example, will complement the crust of the pizza, while a soft bitter finish will help cut through the fattiness of the cheese. A saison or witbier will also work well with this variety of pizza.

For pepperoni, a light, malty beer will help wash down the spice. A European-style lager, such as Stella Artois, is a good option. If you're looking for something a little more heavy-duty to cut through the grease, an India Pale Ale (IPA) will do the trick.

Meat lovers will want a tart, highly refreshing beer with some spices to cut through the fattiness. A witbier, like Allagash White, is a good choice here.

If you're a fan of Hawaiian pizza, the tangy, sweet pineapple and salty ham work best with a hoppy IPA. Ballast Point's Sculpin IPA, for example, has fruity notes that pair nicely with the pineapple, while a hint of bitterness cuts through the saltiness of the ham.

For a veggie pizza, a lager or pilsner is a good option to let the flavours of the veggies shine through. Krombacher, a German pilsner, has a crisp flavour that goes well with sweet peppers and creamy cheese.

Finally, if you're going for a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, a zwickelbier is the way to go. These soft, unfiltered lagers tend to have a bready, biscuity malt bill that will make the crust the star of the show.

Classic cheese pizza and American Pale Ale

When it comes to the beer, you can't go wrong with a classic American Pale Ale like Yards Philly Pale Ale or Alter Brewing's Hopular Kid. The latter has a sophisticated hop profile and just enough bitterness to cut through the richness of the cheese. If you're looking for something more floral, try Yards Philly Pale Ale, which picks up on the woodsy and resinous qualities of the cheese.

As for the pizza, a classic cheese pizza is stripped-down and simple, allowing the beer to shine. The light, not-so-hoppy nature of American Pale Ales makes them the perfect complement to this straightforward pie. So, whether it's a simple cheese pizza or a more complex variation with multiple types of cheese, an American Pale Ale is the way to go.

And don't forget, when it comes to food pairings, you can also experiment with different types of cheese. For example, Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, a cow's milk cheese with a comforting flavour, or Alp Blossom, a special cheese from the Austrian Alps with a firm and creamy texture. So, go ahead, fire up the oven, grab a cold one from the fridge, and get ready to enjoy the perfect pairing of classic cheese pizza and American Pale Ale!

Original Margherita and unfiltered lager

The Original Margherita is a classic pizza with fresh basil, sweet tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella. The best beer to pair with this pizza is an unfiltered lager.

Unfiltered lagers tend to have a bready, biscuity malt bill that will complement the charred crust of a Margherita. The slight bitterness from the hops will also help to balance the sweetness of the tomato sauce and accentuate the saltiness of the cheese.

One recommended beer to pair with an Original Margherita is Urban Chestnut's Zwickel. This unfiltered lager has a nice bready flavor that complements the charred crust of the pizza, while also allowing the sweet sauce and rich cheese to shine.

Another recommended option is a sparkling pilsner, which will have a dry finish and palate-cleansing effervescence. A specific example of this is Solidarity by Eagle Rock Brewery in Los Angeles, a 'black mild' beer with a complex malt profile and a touch of smoke.

When pairing beer with an Original Margherita pizza, it is generally recommended to choose a beer with low bitterness and malt flavors so as not to overpower the fresh and delicate flavors of the pizza. A refreshing, light, and nuanced beer will complement the simple yet flavorful ingredients of the pizza, such as fresh basil, sweet tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella.

Classic pepperoni and malty beer

Classic pepperoni pizza is a rich, spicy, and salty treat. The perfect beer to pair with it is one that can stand up to the robust flavours of the pepperoni, refreshing your palate between bites. A malty beer is a great choice, with its light caramel sweetness cutting through the grease and spice of the pepperoni.

One recommended beer to pair with a classic pepperoni pizza is Ale Asylum's Madtown Nut Brown. This beer has a light caramel sweetness that will complement the spicy notes of the pepperoni. Other brown ales that would pair well include Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale and Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar. The nutty, caramel sweetness of these beers will add an extra dimension to the spiciness of the pepperoni.

If you're looking for something a little stronger, a hefty double IPA will also work well with a classic pepperoni pizza. The beefier malt bill of a double IPA, when compared to a pale ale or pilsner, will play off the subtle sweetness of the tomato sauce and bring out the spice of the pepperoni. Night Shift Brewing's The 87, Fiddlehead Brewing's Second Fiddle, and Kane Brewing's Overhead are all great choices to accompany your pepperoni pizza.

For a lighter option, a pale lager like Stella Artois will also work well. Pale lagers are crisp, malty, and finish off clean, leaving your palate refreshed and ready for another bite.

Meat lovers and dark smoked beer

If you're a meat lover, you'll know that a meat feast pizza is a thing of beauty. But what beer should you reach for to complement this delicious, meaty feast?

The answer is a dark smoked beer. The smokiness of the beer will enhance the various toppings on your pizza, giving them a more authentic, smoky backbone. Schlenkerla Marzen is a great example of a dark smoked beer. It has an aroma of bacon and char and finishes with a roasty sweetness that is perfect for a meat lover's pizza. The aroma of this beer alone will get your taste buds going and have you ready to tuck into your pizza.

The right beer can make your pizza taste even better, and this combination is certainly one to try. The smokiness of the beer will complement the different meats on your pizza, and the slight sweetness of the beer will provide the perfect contrast to the savoury, salty toppings.

If you're looking for a truly exceptional pairing, try a dark smoked beer with your next meat lover's pizza. The flavours will meld together beautifully, creating a taste sensation that is sure to satisfy your cravings. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a slice of that pizza, crack open a cold one, and enjoy the perfect pairing of meat, smoke, and beer!

Anchovy and citrusy pale ale

Anchovies are a bold choice for a pizza topping, and when paired with the right beer, they can really sing. The key to a successful pairing is to find a beer that can stand up to the intense, salty flavour of anchovies while also complementing the other toppings and refreshing your palate. Temperance Brewing's Restless Years is a citrusy pale ale that fits the bill perfectly.

The beer's bright, citrusy notes will refresh your palate between bites, while the subtle spiciness from the rye adds an extra dimension to the flavour profile. This beer has just enough bitterness to cut through the richness of the cheese and the saltiness of the anchovies, creating a well-rounded and satisfying pairing. The carbonation and crisp finish of Restless Years will also help to balance out the intense flavours of the anchovies, ensuring that you're ready for another bite.

When it comes to pizza and beer pairings, it's important to consider the other toppings on your pizza as well. If you're enjoying a classic combination like anchovies and mushrooms, for example, the earthiness of the mushrooms will be enhanced by the bright, crisp flavour of the pale ale. On the other hand, if you're feeling more adventurous and pairing your anchovy pizza with something like pineapple, the citrusy notes in the beer will complement the sweet and tangy flavours of the fruit.

Restless Years is a versatile choice that can stand up to the strong flavours of anchovies while also playing well with other popular pizza toppings. So whether you're a fan of a simple margherita with anchovies or prefer to load up on the toppings, this citrusy pale ale is a great choice to elevate your pizza night.

So, the next time you're craving anchovy pizza, be sure to pick up a six-pack of Temperance Brewing's Restless Years to complete your meal and take your taste buds on a journey they won't soon forget.

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