Warmer weather means we’re finally starting to see some highly anticipated seasonal fruits and vegetables trickle in from all corners of the Northwest. But how do we pair our local brews with this freshly picked bounty? Use the summer harvest to draw inspiration with your next best food pairing.
Hit the farmer’s market.
Find a market near you that is stocked full of local goods from our region. Don’t see what you want? Ask other vendors when certain items may be available this year. Early summer arrivals include peas, asparagus, zucchini and most berries. Other favorites like peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes will start to hit the markets in July. Or search for flavors you enjoy in your specialty beers that come into season this time of year like peaches, cherries and raspberries.
Examine your current brew.
Is your Northwest beer light, heavy or maybe something in between? It’s best to remember that lighter beers pair well with lighter food, while heavier beers complement richer dishes. Instead of basing your beer around its bitterness or hoppiness, challenge yourself to find three descriptors that describe the beer’s flavor or aroma profile. This will help as you try to find flavors that play well with your beer.
Contrast or complement.
Think about the flavors you want to highlight, both in the food and the beer. Complement them by pairing two similar flavor profiles to harmonize and accentuate one another. Neither the beer nor the food should overpower the other. Or contrast and pair two different flavors. These opposing tastes will balance out and may add surprising depth to your dish. For example, a clean pilsner can cut the edge of spicy food, whereas hop-forward IPAs can accentuate it.
Experiment, experiment, experiment.
Keep exploring and training your senses! Like getting to know beverage better in general, food pairing develops with time and experience, and overall, your preferences. Continue experimenting with new flavors and ideas. Most importantly, drink and eat what you desire. At the end of the day, food pairings are meant to be deliciously tailored to your tastes.
BEER + EATS
Need some more specific suggestions? Here are a few surefire summer pairings.
- LAGER: Grilled corn-on-the-cob with chili and lime
- WHEAT BEER: Watermelon and tomato salad
- IPA: Pico de gallo and chips
- STOUT: Roasted summer squash
- PILSNER: Grilled asparagus with a squeeze of lemon
Original featured in the 2019 Sip Summer print edition
