Beer And Tacos: The Perfect Pairing

Tacos are a versatile food that can be paired with a variety of drinks, but what type of beer goes best with them? The answer depends on the type of taco and personal preference. Lager is a typical go-to, but there are many other options to consider, such as pale ales, IPAs, stouts, and porters. When choosing a beer to pair with tacos, it's important to consider the type of protein, how it's cooked, and the toppings, sauces, and garnishes used. For example, a taco with spicy protein might pair well with a lighter beer like a wheat beer or lager, while a taco with rich, caramelized meats might be better suited for a malt-forward beer like a Vienna lager or a brown ale.

American IPAs with spicy tacos

Spicy tacos are a delight, and pairing them with an American IPA can be a great choice. IPAs are known for their strong, hoppy character and can be a perfect match for a well-prepared taco. Here are some reasons why American IPAs work well with spicy tacos:

Complementing the Spice

American IPAs often have a bold and exuberant character, with aggressive bitterness and juicy, citrusy hop flavours. These flavours can complement the spices in a taco, creating a harmonious dining experience. The hoppy notes in the beer can enhance the spices in the taco, such as chilli, garlic, and peppers. This combination can intensify the flavours and create a delightful sensory experience.

Carbonation and Refreshment

IPAs are typically highly carbonated, and this carbonation serves a crucial purpose when paired with spicy tacos. The bubbles help to cut through the spice and refresh the palate, providing a pleasant contrast to the heat of the tacos. The carbonation acts as a palate cleanser, ensuring each bite of the spicy taco is as enjoyable as the first.

Highlighting Similar Flavours

When pairing food and beer, it is essential to consider the principle of "finding complements." This means looking for similar flavours in both the food and the beer. In the case of American IPAs and spicy tacos, the citrus notes in the beer can beautifully resonate with any citrus toppings or salsa on the taco. This creates a cohesive and well-rounded dining experience.

Enhancing the Experience

The high alcohol content and bitterness of an American IPA can also enhance the overall taco-eating experience. The alcohol can help to intensify the heat of the spices, creating a pleasant warmth in the mouth. Additionally, the bitterness of the IPA can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the taco fillings, such as guacamole or carne asada.

A Classic Combination

Finally, it is worth noting that the combination of IPAs and tacos is a classic for a reason. The herbal hop characteristics of IPAs match up nicely with the spices and flavours commonly found in Mexican cuisine. While IPAs may increase the perception of spiciness, they can also provide a refreshing and satisfying complement to the flavours of a well-crafted taco.

Amber ales with chicken or steak tacos

Amber ales are a great choice for chicken or steak tacos. The malt forward nature of amber ales makes them a good choice for chicken tacos, as they can cut through the thick guacamole and resonate with the slightly sweet tomato and cilantro. For instance, Bell's Amber is a great choice for chicken tacos.

Amber ales also pair well with steak tacos, especially when they have caramel and nutty malt flavors. A medium-bodied beer such as Anderson Valley's Boont Amber has enough structure and crispness for a rich meat dish but is mild enough not to overpower it.

American Amber Ales, in particular, are known for their balance between malt and hops, with flavors and aromas of graham cracker, pine, citrus, and toast that complement each other. They are also characterized by a medium-high to high malt character and a medium to low caramel character derived from roasted crystal malts.

When it comes to food pairings, amber ales go well with American dishes like BBQ or fried chicken. The light bitterness and grainy sweetness of amber ales contrast well with salty foods, making them a perfect match for chicken tacos with guacamole.

Vienna lagers with carnitas or carne asada

A Vienna lager is a great choice to pair with carnitas or carne asada tacos. This style of beer is known for its slightly roasted and caramel flavours, which complement the caramelized notes in the meat. The light to medium body of a Vienna lager also makes it a good match for the various toppings typically found in these tacos, such as pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole, and crema.

When choosing a Vienna lager to pair with your carnitas or carne asada tacos, look for options like Negra Modelo or Devil's Backbone Vienna Lager. These beers have the depth of flavour to stand up to spicy or rich toppings without being overpowering. The malt-forward nature of Vienna lagers also helps to soothe the heat of spicy salsa, making them a perfect choice for those who like their tacos with a kick.

If you're looking for a beer that's widely available in Mexico and hard to find anywhere else, Negra Modelo is the way to go. It's a traditional Vienna lager that's a classic pairing for carnitas and carne asada. The roasted and caramel notes in the beer mirror the flavours of the meat, creating a harmonious taste experience.

For those who want to explore a different style of beer, an English-style bitter, such as Oliver's ESB or Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ESB, can also be a good option with carne asada and carnitas tacos. The light caramel flavour of these beers pairs well with the char of the meat and the sweetness of the toppings, creating a delightful contrast of flavours.

Pale ales with fried fish tacos

A cold beer with a taco is a classic combination. While lager is the usual go-to, there are many beers that can be paired with tacos.

American Pale Ales with Fried Fish Tacos

American Pale Ales (APA) are a great choice for fried fish tacos. APAs have the malt backbone to pull out the breadiness from the tortilla and the hop bitterness to accentuate spices and seasonings without becoming overwhelming. The citrusy hop flavours add complexity and a touch of sweetness. Some APA recommendations include Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale and the classic Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

California Pale Ales with Fried Fish Tacos

California Pale Ales have a more hoppy kick to them that helps cut through fried fish. They work much like the classic Mexican lager to quench your thirst on a hot day without weighing heavy on your palette.

Pale Ales in General with Fried Fish Tacos

Pale ales are a good choice for crispy fried fish tacos. The bubbly effervescence, sweet honey malt, and soft floral flavours of pale ales are perfect for cutting through the oily batter, enhancing the burn of spicy pork, or rounding out and adding complexity to a simple beef and cheese combo. Odell's Leprechaun Session Pale is a good choice for a pale ale.

Other Beer Options with Tacos

Other beers that go well with tacos include IPAs, Vienna lagers, German wheat beers, saisons, and pilsners.

Gose beer with sour cream tacos

Gose beer is a warm, fermented beer with a bright and lemony flavour, making it a perfect drink for your Taco Tuesday. This beer is usually brewed with at least 50% malted wheat and the rest being malted barley, fruit syrups such as lemon, coriander and salt. It is salty and sour, which is not a typical combination for those who are used to pilsners and lagers. However, it is a great choice for those who enjoy sour beers or are looking to explore new flavours.

Gose beer is an excellent choice to pair with sour cream tacos. The bright and citrusy notes of the beer will complement the tanginess of the sour cream, creating a delightful combination. The beer's subtle salinity will also balance out the richness of the taco, providing a refreshing contrast.

When it comes to specific gose beer recommendations to accompany your sour cream tacos, there are several options to consider. Reuben's Brews Gose is an excellent choice if you are new to gose beers. It offers a well-rounded and subdued classic take on this style of beer. For a more modern twist, Anderson Valley's Blood Orange Gose from California is a fantastic option. It is a tart, not-too-salty gose with a prominent blood orange flavour that makes it a delightful fruit beer.

Another excellent choice for gose beer is Westbrook Gose, which has become a standard bearer for the modern American interpretation of this style. It is consistently well-regarded and offers a balanced combination of coriander and salt, along with a soft, wheat-driven mouthfeel that makes it exceptionally refreshing.

If you are looking for something with a bit more kick, consider the Double Dare Strong Gose by Druthers Brewing Company. With an ABV of 7.1%, it packs a stronger punch while still offering the distinctive salty and sour flavours of a gose.

So, the next time you are planning a taco night, be sure to include some gose beer to pair with your sour cream tacos. The bright and lemony flavours of the beer will enhance the tanginess of the sour cream, while the subtle salinity will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the taco. With options ranging from classic to modern interpretations, you can find the perfect gose beer to elevate your Taco Tuesday experience.

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