Discover the Right Beer Pairing for a Perfect Pizza Night
When it comes to pizza and beer, the two just go together. It’s fun and nostalgic having a casual night with friends or family over pizza and beer. And although many people stick with ordinary delivery pizzas accompanied by any nearby bottle of beer, you can make both your food and drink sing by considering it a little more deeply before settling on a beer to go with your pizza.
The secret lies in understanding how different attributes of beer can contrast or complement different types of crusts and pizza toppings. With hundreds of brands of beers available and unlimited pizza recipes, there is an art in blending these two favorite foods and drinks.
I am going to break down the basics of pairing beer with pizza in this article. I will also look at regional variations on pizza, offer ideas for some unusual combinations, and suggest ways to hold a beer and pizza party. Now, grab yourself a slice with your pint in hand.
How to Match Beer with Pizza?
Matching the prominent flavors, intensity, bitterness, carbonation levels of the beer against the crust, sauce, cheese, toppings that accompany pizza requires some thought on what type of brew would be ideal. These are some tips:
Aspect | Description | Pizza Example | Beer Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Strength | Match the strength of the beer with the pizza. | Meat lover's pizza | Intense IPA |
Bitterness | Bitter, hoppy beers cut through rich, fatty flavors and cleanse the palate. | Pizza with fatty cheeses/meats | Bitter, hoppy beer |
Carbonation | Highly carbonated beers cleanse fatty, oily flavors and contrast with gooey cheese. | Pizza with fatty oils | Wheat beers, Pilsners |
Sweetness | Sweet, malty beers complement sweet toppings. | Barbecue chicken, Pineapple pizza | Malty sweet beers |
Fruit & Spice | Choose a fruity/spicy flavored brew to complement similar flavors in the pizza. | Pizza with fruit or spice | Fruity/spicy flavored beer |
Roasty | Beers with roasted grain flavors pair well with charred meats or roasted vegetables. | Pizza with charred meats/roasted veg | Stouts, Porters |
Contrast | Sometimes contrasting flavors create a pleasing combination. | Rich and savory pizza | Clean and crisp Pilsner |
Strength – Match the strength of the beer to the strength of the pizza. For example an intense IPA pairs well with piled-high meat lover’s pizza as opposed to delicate Margherita.
Bitterness – A bitter hoppy beer cuts through rich fatty cheeses or meats; it also cleanses the palate between bites.
Carbonation – Carbonated beers like wheat beers and pilsners cleanse fatty oil based flavors from taste buds; additionally they have high carbonation that contrasts nicely against gooey melted cheese.
Sweetness – for instance malty sweet beers work great with barbecue chicken or pineapple pizzas.
Fruit & Spice — If there is fruit or spice in your pizza choose a fruity/spicy flavored brew that complements it.
Roasty — On pizza, roasted grain flavors in stouts and porters pair well with charred meat toppings or roasted vegetables.
Contrast – Sometimes conflicting flavors taste good together. For instance, a clean and crisp pilsner can be the best contrasting beer to go with a rich and savory pizza.
Now that you have an idea about the basics, let us look at the popular types of pizza and suggested beer pairings!
Classic Kinds of Pizza and Beers Best Suited for Them
Margherita and Pale Ale
Margherita lets its quality ingredients like tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil shine in simplicity. The bitter pale ale balances the richness of dairy products with their herbal taste. As far as pale ale is concerned, neglecting the subtle ingredients that are packed with flavor would not be appropriate. You could also try a less hoppy option like English style pale ale to tone down on this bitterness.
Suggestions: Firestone Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale; Fuller’s London Pride; St. Peter’s English-Style Pale Ale
Pepperoni and IPA
Pepperoni is known for being greasy and hot; with its spiciness there should be a hoppy beer which will slice through all that heat. On one hand, the hops create contrast while malt backbone saves the brew from overpowering the pizza completely. Look out for an American or Double IPA to match up to pepperoni’s punch.
Suggestions: Stone IPA, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Founders All Day IPA, Lagunitas IPA
Hawaiian and Wheat Beer
A beer that can handle the sweetness of the fruit on a Hawaiian pizza, which is made up of sweet pineapple and savory ham, should be able to support its sugary tastes. The answer is a refreshing wheat with fruity citrus esters playing in it. It also has a soft, smooth mouthfeel that complements the crust and cheese. Try an American wheat beer or Bavarian-style hefeweizen.
Suggestions: Bell’s Oberon Ale, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Avery White Rascal, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse
Pizza Type | Description | Beer Pairing | Beer Suggestions |
Margherita | Quality ingredients like tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Simple and flavorful. | Pale Ale | Firestone Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Fuller’s London Pride, St. Peter’s English-Style Pale Ale |
Pepperoni | Greasy and hot with spiciness. It needs a beer to slice through the heat. | IPA | Stone IPA, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Founders All Day IPA, Lagunitas IPA |
Hawaiian | Sweet pineapple and savory ham. Requires a beer to support the sugary taste. | Wheat Beer | Bell’s Oberon Ale, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Avery White Rascal, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse |
Exploring Regional Pizza Styles and Beer Pairings
Pizza comes in many different styles across America – here’s some regional variations and what to pair them with:
Chicago Deep Dish & Amber Ale – Try Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale as the thick buttery crusts call for meat fillings that are full of roasty malt.
Detroit Style & Doppelbock – Kuhnhenn DRIPA is a perfect match for its caramelized cheese edges.
New York Style Thin Crust & American Lager – Brooklyn Lager suits simple toppings on delicate crusts.
California Style & West Coast IPA – A hop-forward IPA like Stone Delicious IPA is great for creative gourmet toppings.
New Haven Style White Clam Pizza & Witbier – Allagash White’s lemon and herbs bring out the flavors in razor clams.
Unconventional Pairings to Surprise Your Tastebuds
For those who crave something peculiar try these unexpected combinations of beer and pizza:
Saison + Thai Chicken Pizza – Saison’s fruitiness and spiciness will go well with peanut sauce and chilies.
Wee Heavy Scotch Ale + Fig & Prosciutto Pizza – The rich malts of this Wee Heavy Scotch Ale balances the saltiness of prosciutto and the sweetness of figs.
Oatmeal Stout + BBQ Chicken Pizza – Roasted stout responds to charred barbecue taste.
Sour + Breakfast Pizza – The uncontrolled sourness of wild prepares mouth for bacon and eggs on pizza!
Doppelbock + Dessert Pizza – The full-bodiedness of doppelbocks mesh well with the fruitiness in fruit or chocolate pizzas.
Pros And Cons Of Unconventional Beer And Pizza Pairings
Pros | Cons |
| 1 Risk of Mismatched Flavors |
Unexpected flavor combinations, leading to delightful new culinary experiences. | Higher risk of encountering flavor clashes, which might not be enjoyable. |
2. Adventure and Fun | 2. Not Always Appealing |
A fun and adventurous activity, ideal for food enthusiasts who like to experiment. | Some diners may prefer traditional pairings and might not be open to new combinations. |
3. Enhanced Flavor Profiles | 3. Complexity |
Can bring out hidden flavors in both beer and pizza. | Finding the right pairing can be more complex compared to classic combinations. |
4. Personalization | 4. Cost |
Allows for greater personalization based on individual taste preferences. | Experimenting with different beers and pizzas to find the perfect pairing can be costly. |
5. Conversation Starter | 5. Limited Availability |
Great for social gatherings, offering a unique talking point. | Some unique beers or pizza toppings might not be readily available everywhere. |
6. Educational | 6. Overwhelming Choices |
An educational journey into the world of gastronomy. | With so many possibilities, choosing a pairing can be overwhelming, especially for novices. |
Tips for Hosting a Pizza and Beer Tasting Party
Key Elements for a Pizza and Beer Tasting Party
Element | Description |
Pizza Selection | Variety is key: Meat Lovers, Vegetarian, Hawaiian, White Pizza, BBQ Chicken, Margherita. Source from quality local pizzerias. |
Beer Flight | Include 5-8 different beer styles: Lager, Wheat Beer, Pale Ale, IPA, Amber/Brown Ale, Stout, Belgian Ale. Mix national and local brands with varied ABVs. |
Tasting Sheets | Provide sheets for guests to record notes and rank pairings. Consider using colored paper for visual appeal. |
Beer Presentation | Pour into appropriate glasses, chill to around 40°F, arrange from lightest to darkest. Enhance display with creative decorations. |
Palate Cleansers | Offer simple crackers, pretzels, bread, or water between tastings. |
Tasting Guidance | Share insights on beer and pizza flavors, encourage guests to discuss pairings. |
Creative Exploration | Encourage guests to experiment with additional ingredients like hot sauces, herbs, spices. Host a pairing competition. |
Memorable Takeaways | Offer keepsakes like pint glasses, bottle openers, magnets, and printed pairing recipes. Share leftovers. |
Digital Interaction | Use technology for real-time feedback and sharing of tasting notes. |
Additional Food Pairings | Consider offering complimentary appetizers like cheese boards, stuffed mushrooms, flatbreads, dips. |
Interactive Activities | Include beer tasting bingo, blind tasting stations, food art contests, beer trivia. |
Tasting Etiquette | Moderate beer consumption, one mouthful per pizza slice, use palate cleansers responsibly, encourage sharing of opinions. |
Capture the Moment | Take photos, use specialized props, create a group photo memento. |
Party Favors and Decor | Provide party favors like beer coolers, custom stickers, keychain bottle openers, pizza pillows. Use festive decorations like Christmas lights and beer-themed streamers. |
Catering to Every Diet during Your Pizza & Beer Tasting Party
If you are hosting any food-centric party such as a pizza and beer tasting party, it’s important to consider those who are different in terms of dietary needs. Many times, pizza and beer might seem simple; however, there will be people with allergies, intolerances or lifestyle preferences.
With choices provided and an honest approach, you can have a great time with everyone while accommodating them during your tasting party. Follow these tips to think about diverse food requirements.
Be Aware of Common Dietary Restrictions
First off, get acquainted with contemporary dieting trends that may imply specific restrictions for your guests:
- Vegan – No animal products (meat, eggs, dairy)
- Lactose-intolerant – No dairy
- Gluten-free – No wheat, barley, rye
- Paleo – No grains, legumes, dairy, processed foods
- Keto – low carbohydrates/high fats
- Nut allergies – No tree nuts or peanuts
- Soy-free – No soybeans or soy products
Though not all guests strictly follow diets they claim they do so; having that awareness helps.
Common Dietary Restrictions
Offer Alternatives for Common Allergens
The most common allergens include: wheat; dairy; soy; nuts; and eggs. For allergies, try to include:
- Dairy: dairy-free cheese, vegan pizza, nut-based cheese
- Wheat: gluten-free beer, gluten-free pizza crust
- Soy: dairy-based cheese, bean-based dips
- Nuts: hummus, olive tapenade, seed crackers
- Eggs: aquafaba for vegan recipes
Some filling options will keep the veggie guests from staying hungry.
Ingredients Labels are the Key to Transparency
When providing foods for your guests, have them marked with markers indicating common allergens like dairy, wheat, nuts and soy. List full ingredients when possible.
Guests can then easily identify what they can and cannot eat. It is easy to be transparent with them.
Ask Guests Directly About Restrictions
On invites or by phone ask if guests have food restrictions or items they absolutely can’t eat. Most will appreciate you reaching out.
Make a note of those who have restrictions on your guest list so that you remember who needs what. When restricted people come in confidentially confirm the special arrangements.
Train Servers on Allergy Procedures
Inform any attending staff or servers about serious allergies which any participant might have. Be sure that they are aware of how to avoid cross-contamination and react professionally in case of any allergic response.
Servers should be able to consult kitchen staff about ingredients and other details of preparation.
Appreciate All Diets
Don’t judge or tease someone about their eating habits. Never put pressure on people with restricted diets to “cheat” or try something unsafe around them.
Show equal respect towards plant-based, gluten-free, paleo and other choices. People’s health comes first.
Emphasize Inclusiveness & Options
Instead of eliminating common allergens altogether offer alternatives so most guests can still participate. With options it is their choice every time.
Remember those without restrictions – they still want to indulge! Everybody is happy with variety.
What it all comes down to in being considerate of guests with diverse diets is education, communication and choice. With understanding and inclusive menus, your party can be enjoyable for attendees with all types of nutritional needs.
The Takeaway - Try Different Pairings with Your Beloved
Pizza and beer pairings have barely scratched the surface. The possible combinations out there are endless and unlimited. It is most important to have fun and find the ones that you like best. So, don’t be afraid to mix things up a little bit and see what you enjoy most.
So next time you’re organizing a pizza night, pause for a moment to think about what kind of beer style might go perfectly with your slice. Try some classic pairings as well as some that are completely unexpected. Maybe this will be your new favorite! Remember, the beer that tastes good is the best no matter what kind of food you are having.
