Pairing Ipa Beers: The Best Food Matches

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a popular beer that is often associated with bitterness and a high alcohol content. However, not all IPAs are created equal, and they can vary in terms of flavour and alcohol percentage. When it comes to food pairings, IPAs are quite versatile. The key is to match the intensity of the food with the beer, ensuring that neither overpowers the other. IPAs pair well with spicy dishes, such as tacos, burgers, or Indian and Thai cuisine, as the bitterness of the beer can help cool things down. The carbonation and brightness of IPAs also make them ideal for cutting through fatty, creamy, and rich dishes, like fish and chips or deep-fried foods. Additionally, IPAs can act as a palate cleanser between courses. For dessert, a slightly sweeter IPA can complement dishes like carrot cake or chocolate truffles.

IPA and spicy food

Spicy food lovers, rejoice! IPAs are a great pairing for your favourite fiery dishes. The bitterness of an IPA can complement the spices in your food, creating a delicious flavour profile. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all IPAs are created equal when it comes to spice pairing.

The Science Behind the Pairing

The carbonation and bitterness of IPAs can amplify the spice in your food. The bubbles and bitterness stimulate your pain receptors, making the spicy food seem even spicier. So, if you're looking for a beer to cool down your mouth, an IPA might not be the best choice. Instead, go for a beer with higher sugar content, like a riesling or a beer with a strong malt characteristic.

IPA Styles to Try

When it comes to pairing with spicy food, not all IPAs are created equal. While the bitterness and carbonation of some IPAs can amplify the spice, others can help to balance and complement the flavours. So, what styles should you reach for?

• English IPAs: These tend to be more balanced, with moderate bitterness and caramel malt flavours. They can stand up to spicy dishes without overwhelming them.
• American IPAs: With their aggressive bitterness and juicy, citrusy hop flavours, these IPAs can be a great match for spicy dishes. The carbonation and bitterness can cut through creamy, yogurt-based sauces.
• Session IPAs: With lower alcohol content and a thinner body, these IPAs can be a great choice if you're looking for a beer to sip on throughout your spicy meal.

Food Pairing Ideas

So, what dishes will bring out the best in your IPA?

• Thai and Indian cuisine: The rich flavours and intense spices in these cuisines pair perfectly with the boldness of an IPA. The carbonation cuts through any fat, keeping your dining experience refreshing.
• Spicy chicken wings: A classic pairing that might seem like a cliché, but it works! The carbonation and bitterness of the IPA can cut through the spice and refresh your palate.
• Spicy sausage calzone: The bready malt of the IPA resonates with the baked dough, while the carbonation cuts through the greasiness. Just avoid IPAs that are too fruity.
• Chicken Tikka Masala: The carbonation and bitterness of an IPA can cut through the creamy, spicy sauce of this dish, creating a delightful contrast.
• Fish tacos: A delicate fish taco with a squeeze of lemon can be beautifully complemented by the citrusy notes in an IPA.
• Grilled meats: The caramelization on grilled meats pairs perfectly with the caramel malt in an IPA, while the hop flavour and bitterness provide a delightful umami contrast.

IPA and fatty foods

When it comes to matching IPA with food, one of the fundamental principles is pairing intensity. The food and the beer should be equally matched in intensity, otherwise, the more powerful one will dominate the other.

IPAs are often carbonated and this carbonation is a great way to cut through fat and cream, helping to reset the palate between bites. The bubbles and brightness of an IPA can be used to cut through the richness of fatty foods.

For example, a classic American IPA like Dogfish Head 60 Minute has the carbonation and character to enhance fish and chips. The carbonation cuts through the fat and the beer's citrus notes can complement the crispy, golden batter of the fish.

Another example is a spicy sausage calzone. The carbonation of an IPA will cut through the greasiness of the calzone, keeping your palate receptive to the flavours.

The hops and bubbles of an IPA are also a match for ghee, the clarified butter that makes Indian cuisine so rich. The bitterness of the IPA can also help to amplify salty and umami flavours, so pairing an IPA with a salty, fatty food like cheese or fried chicken can work well.

However, it's worth noting that not all IPAs work well for food pairing. Double, triple, and quadruple IPAs tend to have too much flavour and alcohol content to pair nicely with most dishes. They often dominate the food and are best enjoyed on their own.

IPA and salty foods

Salt is food's best friend, and the same can be said for beer. Salt can help to bring out the flavours in beer, and beer can do the same for salty foods.

The hoppy bitterness of an IPA is a perfect match for salty foods. The bitterness of the beer helps to cut through the richness of salty dishes, making for a refreshing bite. IPA is the perfect partner for salty, grilled meats, for example. The beer will cut through the fat and richness of the meat, making it a refreshing food and drink combination.

Salty, smoked foods are also one of the best food pairings with a good craft beer IPA. A slow-smoked beef brisket is a great example of this. The smokiness of the meat will be brought out by the IPA, and the bitterness of the beer will help to cut through the richness of the meat.

Another great example of an IPA and salty food pairing is oysters. The briny, salty flavour of oysters pairs perfectly with the hoppy bitterness of an IPA. The oysters will also help to bring out the maltiness of the beer, making for a well-balanced flavour combination.

Shellfish is another food that works well with an IPA. The rich, meaty flavour of crab is a perfect complement to a bitter ale. Lobster is another rich, salty meat that pairs well with a bitter craft beer. The hops help to cut through the richness of the lobster, making for a refreshing and enjoyable pairing.

Salty snacks like Chex Mix or salted nuts also go well with a super-bitter IPA, as the salt and fat tone down the bitterness of the beer and call attention to the malt.

IPA and dessert

When pairing IPA with dessert, it's important to remember that the sweetness of the dessert will affect your perception of the beer. A sweet dessert can make a beer taste more dry and bitter, so it's generally recommended to choose a beer that is as sweet as, or sweeter than, your dessert.

IPA and carrot cake is a classic pairing that is quickly becoming as popular as imperial stout and chocolate. The hop bitterness and sugary sweetness of the carrot cake balance each other out. A great example is Surly Brewing's Furious IPA paired with a classic carrot cake. Samuel Smith India Ale with carrot cake is another recommended pairing, as the spice of the beer cuts through the cream cheese frosting.

Another pairing suggestion is Good City Brewing's Reward Double IPA with a Tunisian orange almond cake. The beer complements and contrasts the citrus and rich chocolatey layers of the cake. The citrus notes in the beer complement the orange flavours of the cake, while the chocolate ganache adds a contrasting element to the dessert experience.

If you're looking for a lighter option, a Czech pilsner pairs well with strawberries and cream. The carbonation and clean flavours of the pilsner help to cleanse the palate, making it a pleasant way to end a hearty dinner.

For a more unexpected pairing, try an IPA with a French cassoulet. The carbonation cuts through the fat and richness of this over-the-top baked stew casserole, while the malt profile can play with the breadcrumbs and roasted pork.

IPA and fatty meats

India Pale Ales (IPAs) are characterised by their hoppy, bitter taste, which is balanced out by fruity undertones. The bitterness of IPAs can be a great complement to fatty meats, as the carbonation and brightness of the beer help to cut through the fat and reset the palate between bites.

IPAs can be an excellent pairing for a juicy ribeye steak, for example. The malts of an IPA serve to counteract the fattiness of the cut. A hop-forward IPA with a more citrusy flavour profile can be an excellent complement to the juicy tenderness of the meat.

IPAs can also be a good pairing for burgers, as they can deliver bitterness to contrast with the other flavours in a burger. A black IPA, with its roasted malt flavour, can turn the grilled meat of a burger into a more complex and deeper complementary flavour.

Fatty meats like chicken thighs with skin are prized for their intense flavour and juicy texture. They are ideal for slow roasts and stews, as the fat melts during cooking, infusing the meat with flavour and keeping it tender. The choice between lean meat and fatty meat depends on your personal preferences and nutritional goals.

Frequently asked questions