Ipa Beer And Shots: Perfect Pairings For A Night Out

India Pale Ales (IPAs) are a popular style of beer, known for their hoppy and bitter taste. While IPAs are often enjoyed on their own, they can also be paired with a shot of liquor to create a unique drinking experience. The key to a successful pairing is finding flavours that complement or contrast with the IPA's bitterness. So, what shots pair well with IPAs?

What Shots Pair with IPA Beer?

IPA and amaro

Amaro is a classic Italian digestif that adds sweetness and complexity to cocktails. It is traditionally made by infusing grape brandy with a mix of herbs, flowers, aromatic bark, citrus peel, and spices. Amaro is a versatile liqueur that can be used in a variety of cocktails, including those made with IPA beer.

One IPA and amaro cocktail is the Southern 75, which combines 1 ounce of bourbon, 1 ounce of lemon juice, 1/2 to 3/4 ounces of simple syrup (depending on the IPA), 1/2 ounce of CioCiaro Amaro, and 2 ounces of IPA. The cocktail is refreshing, with lovely citrus notes from the IPA and Amaro.

Another IPA and amaro cocktail is the Detroiter, which was adapted from a recipe in Jacob Grier's book, "Cocktails on Tap." The Detroiter combines Cynar amaro with apple brandy, lemon juice, honey syrup, and IPA. The result is a bitter-on-bitter combination that is rounded out by the sweetness of the honey syrup and apple brandy, creating an autumn-perfect beer cocktail.

In addition to cocktails, amaro can also be added to beer to create a unique and bitter-sweet drink. Simply pour 1 ounce of amaro into a pint glass or Collins glass, and then fill the rest of the glass with your preferred pilsner or lager. You can also take a sip of beer and then pour the amaro directly into the can or bottle. This drink can be adjusted to your taste, and it's an easy way to upgrade your beer at home.

When choosing an amaro for your cocktail or beer, consider the different flavours they offer. For example, Montenegro and Averna have citrus notes, while Braulio has pine and smoke flavours.

IPA and gin

When it comes to pairing shots with IPA beer, one option is to go for a gin shot. While IPAs are not the easiest beers to pair with spirits, the right gin can complement the IPA's bitterness. For instance, a room-temperature shot of Plymouth gin can be a good match for a friendly IPA like Firestone Walker's Revolution No. 004, which features tropical and white peach notes. The gin's warmth allows its botanical-heavy flavours to shine through and accentuate the beer's natural flavours while adding a different bite to the hops.

Another approach is to choose a gin that has been specifically crafted to pair with IPAs, such as Seagram's IPA Edition Gin. This gin adds hops to its recipe, resulting in a unique, premium spirit with a bitter touch that characterises an IPA. It can be enjoyed neat or mixed with tonic water, and its elegant hop bitterness gives it a more powerful and full-bodied mouthfeel.

For those who enjoy sweeter drinks, a shot of gin can also be paired with a sweet, pink, and bubbly cider. The gin's botanicals will lend complexity and depth to the cider's light apple flavour, creating a delightful combination.

When considering other spirits to pair with IPA beers, amaro is a popular choice. The rich and smoky rhubarb flavours of Cappelletti Amaro Sfumato Rabarbaro, for instance, balance the bright citrus and hoppy bitterness of an IPA like Modern Brewery Citrapolis.

IPA and food with strong flavours

IPAs are known for their strong, bitter taste, and their ability to cut through the richness of fatty foods. This makes them a great pairing for fried foods, like chicken wings, or salty, grilled meats like burgers, brisket, and steak. The bitterness of the IPA also helps to balance out the sweetness of sauces and marinades.

The bold and bitter taste of an IPA can also stand up to spicy dishes, like a chicken vindaloo, or Mexican and Thai food. The IPA will act as a palate cleanser, taking the edge off the spicy intensity of these dishes.

When it comes to seafood, IPAs are a great match for oily fish like salmon or mackerel, especially when served with lemon or a fruity salsa. The bitterness of the hops also helps to balance the sweetness of shellfish like shrimp, crab, clams, and lobster.

For vegetarians, IPAs pair well with the classic Italian dish of pizza, especially a Margherita, where the hops bring out the acidity of the tomatoes and balance the mozzarella. IPAs are also a good match for sushi and salads, where the light, delicate flavours of the food are accentuated by the bitterness of the beer.

If you're looking for a sweet treat, IPAs can also be paired with desserts like carrot cake, pie, and ice cream. The hoppy taste of the beer helps to cut through the sweetness of the dessert, and the carbonation cleanses the palate.

IPA and food with spicy flavours

IPA and Spicy Food

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a hoppy, bitter beer with a strong flavour profile. Its bitterness can be a challenge when it comes to food pairings, but it can also be a great way to enhance spicy dishes.

The Science of Spice and Beer

Spicy food is a mouthfeel, not a taste. It creates a burning sensation in the mouth because it contains an irritant, such as capsaicin in chilli peppers, gingerol in ginger, or cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon. These irritants bind to receptors on the tongue, which then signals to the brain that something potentially harmful is in the mouth, causing a pain reaction.

The initial cooling effect of beer is only temporary, as the capsaicin is still bound to the receptors, and the burning sensation returns as your mouth warms up. Beer also contains carbonation and alcohol, both of which can activate pain receptors and make the problem worse.

Why IPA and Spicy Food Don't Always Mix

The high alpha acid content in IPAs, when combined with spicy food, can amplify each other, making the beer seem even more bitter and the spicy food seem even hotter. The carbonation and alcohol in the beer can also further irritate the mouth and increase the burning sensation.

Making IPA and Spicy Food Work

Despite the challenges, there are some tips and tricks to make IPA and spicy food work together.

Firstly, IPAs that emphasise hop flavour and aroma over bitterness can be a better match for spicy dishes. The hop flavour in IPAs has a great affinity for spices, and the bitterness can provide a cooling effect, eventually dousing the flames of spicy food.

Secondly, pairing IPA with fatty or salty foods can help tone down the bitterness of the beer and make the combination more enjoyable. Fried chicken, cheese curds, and Chex Mix are all great options to pair with an IPA.

Thirdly, the right type of IPA can make a difference. English IPAs tend to be more balanced, with moderate bitterness and ample caramel malt, while American IPAs are known for their aggressive bitterness and juicy, citrusy hop flavours. Lighter-bodied IPAs, such as Harpoon IPA, are better suited for spicy food, as bigger brews can easily overwhelm the dish.

Finally, the spice in the food and the spice notes in the IPA should complement each other. For example, the hops in an IPA can meld wonderfully with common Indian spices like tamarind, coriander, and cardamom. The hops and carbonation in the beer also make it a great palate cleanser for rich, fatty, and deep-fried foods.

So, while IPA and spicy food may not seem like the obvious choice, with the right pairings and considerations, it can be a match made in heaven.

IPA and food with fatty flavours

IPAs are known for their strong, bitter flavours, and while they can be tricky to pair with spirits, they work surprisingly well with food—especially fatty dishes. The carbonation and brightness in IPAs can help cut through fat and cream, making them a great choice for richer dishes. So, if you're looking to pair your IPA with a shot, perhaps opt for a spirit with a higher ABV that can stand up to the bold flavours of the beer, like a room-temperature gin or a mezcal.

Now, when it comes to food with fatty flavours, IPAs are an excellent choice. Here are some specific dishes that would pair well:

Burgers

An IPA can be a great match for a burger, especially if you avoid aggressive toppings like blue cheese. The drink's resinous consistency will help to completely clean your palate after each bite.

Oily Fish

The strong, thick character of an IPA works well with oily fish like salmon or mackerel. Serving the fish with lemon is a perfect match, but you can also try a mango salsa or salsa verde to bring out more subtle flavours.

Thai Food

The aromatics of Thai food match well with IPAs. Try a green curry, as the lemongrass and coriander will merge beautifully with the citrus and herbal hops in the beer. Just be sure not to make your dish too spicy, so as not to overpower the drink.

Fajitas

Fajitas have the right level of spice to harmonise well with IPAs. The spice will help to calm the palate, allowing you to taste the notes from the hops and the balance of the malt.

Salmon Tacos

A Citra session IPA with delicate salmon tacos and a squeeze of lemon is a fantastic pairing. The carbonation and brightness of the IPA will cut through the fat, creating a well-balanced combination.

Chicken Tikka Masala

The intense flavours and spices in Chicken Tikka Masala cry out for a robust IPA to stand alongside them. The carbonation will cut through the fat, enhancing your dining experience.

French Cassoulet

An IPA can also be a surprisingly good match for a French cassoulet, a rich and hearty baked stew. The carbonation will cut through the fat and richness, while the malt profile of the beer will play nicely with the breadcrumbs and roasted pork.

So, while IPAs may be challenging to pair with spirits, they are incredibly versatile when it comes to food pairings, especially fatty and flavourful dishes.

Frequently asked questions