From the Experts

Helpful Tips

"Remember you are looking for flavors in the beer that will accentuate the food. A very simple example is discovering a citrus flavor in a beer and pairing with something that you know will benefit from citrus such as fish or shellfish."
– Chef Bruce Patton, The Beer Chef, Beer-Chef.com

"Remember when pairing beer and food that the object is not to improve either component in the equation, but rather create a whole that is itself greater than the sum of its parts. It's not science; it's pure hedonistic pleasure!"
– Stephen Beaumont, WorldofBeer.com

"Think of beer as an ingredient. Understand the flavor characteristics just like all the other ingredients in a dish. This is a key in cooking with beer."
– Executive Chef Sean Z. Paxton, Homebrewchef.com

"Malt is a great way to match the beer with the main ingredient in the meal, conversely, hops should be used to match up the beer with the spices in the dish or the way it's prepared."
– Mirella Amato, LeGourmet.TV

"When we are matching beer and food, the most important thing we're looking for is balance. We want the beer and food to engage in a lively dance, not a football tackle."
– Garrett Oliver, author of The Brewmaster's Table