With Bank Holiday weekend bringing the sun and National Barbecue Week taking place this coming week, the barbecue tongs are out in full force. But nobody wants to be that person who hosts a forgettable barbecue with mediocre beer. Indeed, as many look to impress in the garden this year, it’s so important to have the right beer for the occasion.
Thankfully, Yorkshire-based Little Valley Brewery has got you covered, with this definitive guide to which beers you need to pair with the most popular barbecue grub. Taking into account taste notes and flavours of the beer, then matching these with the flavours of each dish, will make your backyard bash go from ordinary to extraordinary. So here’s 4 IDEAL beer pairing tips for your summer BBQ
BEEF BURGER
No BBQ is complete without the classic burger. To level up this barbecue staple, pair it with a darker beer such as a rich porter. The roast malt flavour will create the perfect BBQ blend.
CHICKEN SKEWERS
For chicken, you need to go for something lighter like your favourite pale ale or IPA. If you’re adding a bit of spice to your chicken consider different flavours, such as Ginger Pale Ale, which holds its own against a variety of spicy dishes.
SALAD OR PASTA
No barbecue is complete without the green stuff and of course the all important potato salad. For those partygoers opting for salad or pasta dishes, you need to be ready with a crisp blonde beer. Go for a blonde that is relatively malty with a bit of bitterness for the best results.
STEAK
If you’re being a bit flash and serving steak, match this with a robust stout or a nicely balanced bitter. This will contrast well with the rich flavours from the steak, making for a really interesting combination.
Beer! BBQ! Now we’ve held your attention a little longer, check out these 5 ways to use beer on the BBQ, none of which involve extinguising it.