Ipa Beer: Perfect Pairing Ideas For Hoppy Connoisseurs

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a popular beer with a distinctively bitter taste. Its origins can be traced back to British sailors who needed a beer that could withstand the long journey to India, hence the name. The addition of extra hops and alcohol helped preserve the beer, giving it a longer shelf life. Today, IPAs come in a range of styles, from the piney West Coast IPA to the fruit-forward New England IPA. With their complex flavours and high alcohol content, IPAs pair well with various dishes, including fried foods, spicy curries, grilled meats, and even desserts.

Salty and fried food

Fried cheese curds are another delicious pairing. The plain, fried variety will do the trick, but a jalapeño addition is recommended to add a spicy kick.

IPA's strong flavour can also help to cut through the grease and fat of fried foods, making them even more delicious. Chicken wings are a great example of this. The bold taste of IPA beer can stand up to the spicy heat of chicken wings. The bitterness of the beer also helps to balance out the sweetness of the sauces that are often used on wings and other fried foods.

Burgers are another great match for IPA. A perfectly pink burger layered with bacon, cheese, and caramelized onions makes for a beautiful food match with a fruity beer.

Indian food

When pairing IPAs with Indian food, it's important to consider the level of spice in the dish. While IPAs can complement spicy Indian dishes, the sharp, bitter taste of the hops can also amplify the heat. If you're looking for a more balanced pairing, opt for milder Indian dishes like paneer, light vegetable curries, coconut or cashew-based curries, or mild butter chicken. These dishes pair well with the citrusy notes of a British pale ale like Theakston Pale Ale or a lager like Kingfisher, which has crisp yet refreshing bitterness and citrus hints.

For fried Indian delicacies like onion bhajis, samosas, and pakoras, an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) is an excellent choice. The oilier the dish, the better it will pair with the IPA. Just be mindful of the spice level, as the dry and bitter finish of the IPA can amplify the heat. A well-balanced English IPA, such as Meantime India Pale Ale or Brooklyn East India Pale Ale, can also help tame the heat of a fiery curry like Madras curry.

If you're craving a meat-based Indian dish, consider pairing it with a full-bodied and malty beer. The more malt in the beer, the better it will pair with spice. A British Dark Ale like Theakston Old Peculiar pairs beautifully with a Jalfrezi curry, emphasising its complexity and spice. For grilled or seared meats, a Japanese beer like Sapporo, with its malty aroma and crisp, clean finish, is an excellent choice.

When it comes to seafood-based Indian dishes, a Golden Pale Ale with citrusy tones is a perfect match. The malty flavour and moderate strength of a Pale Ale complement seafood flavours without overpowering them. Try pairing a prawn curry with a Theakston Lightfoot, a British Golden Pale Ale with zesty lemon tones that will enhance the soft and marine flavours of the prawns.

Mexican food

Fajitas are a great choice, with the right level of spice to harmonise well with IPAs. Fish tacos are another good option, especially with a Citra session IPA and a squeeze of lemon. The light, delicate flavour of fish also pairs well with an IPA, and the beer will help to cut through the richness of the fish.

If you're looking for something more substantial, a rich, deep-fried chimichanga is a good match for an IPA. You could also try carne asada tacos with Negra Modelo and a lime, or chicken or fish tacos with a lager or pilsner.

When it comes to Mexican food, it's best to stick with lighter-bodied beers as bigger brews can easily overwhelm the flavours of the dish.

Grilled meat

When pairing beer and grilled meat, it's important to consider the different types of meat and the various cuts available. For instance, a ribeye steak is characterised by its robust flavour and fatty marbling, which gives it a distinctly different taste from other cuts of beef. The malts of an IPA serve to counteract the fattiness of the cut. If you select a hop-forward IPA with a more citrusy flavour profile, it will complement the juicy tenderness of the ribeye.

If you're looking for a more contrasting flavour profile, a black IPA is an excellent choice. It has a roasted malt flavour that works to turn the grilled meat of your burger into a more complex and deeper complimentary flavour. The hoppy flavours of an IPA also complement the taste of a burger well, satisfying your urge for some bitterness.

When pairing IPA with grilled meat, it's also important to consider the temperature of the meat and the beer. Typically, grilled meat is served hot, while beer is served cold. This contrast in temperature can enhance the dining experience.

Dessert

If you're eating a chocolate-based dessert, consider a stout or porter to accompany it. The sweetness of the dessert will help to balance out the bitterness of the beer, and the chocolate undertones in the beer will complement the chocolate in the dessert.

Fruit-based desserts go well with fruit-based beers or lagers. Try a fruity lager with a fruit pie or cobbler, or a sweet or hoppier IPA with a carrot cake. The hops in the IPA can bring out the spice in the carrot cake.

For a berry pie or fruit salad, try a Belgian Ale, moderately hoppy Golden Ale, or a sweet fruit beer. The acidity in these beers will complement the sharp acidity in the dessert.

If you're eating a rich, creamy dessert like ice cream, perhaps with some butterscotch, try pairing it with a sour beer. The mouth-coating creaminess of the ice cream will be balanced and refreshed by the sour flavours in the beer.

For a tiramisu or chocolate chip cookies, opt for a darker ale, perhaps a slightly sweet but not too strong brown ale. Try Young's Double Chocolate Stout for a delicious pairing.

Finally, don't forget about portion sizes. When pairing beer with dessert, you don't need to have a large pint. Small portions are the way to go, so you don't overwhelm your palate with too much beer.

Frequently asked questions