Home Brew Bloggers on January 6, 2020 0 Comments If you’re going to be hosting the big game at your place, then you want to be sure to score a touchdown with your food and beverage offerings. You can put the super in your bowl of spinach dip by wowing your guests with a blonde ale to please their palates in ways they never thought possible. Take your platter of buffalo wings to a whole new level with a pilsner that will impress even the pickiest of eaters. Your pizza choice will “pale” in comparison to any other pie out there when you pair it with pale ale. Beer and snack pairings would receive a penalty for sure without any cheesy puns (and nachos) to accompany them. So, without further ado, here are the beer and snack pairings for your 2020 Super Bowl party. Spinach and Artichoke Dip + Blonde Ale A blonde ale that has zingy, velvety carbonation with a crisp, clean finish will help cut through the rich creaminess of the dip. The clean, biscuity malt notes also won’t overwhelm the greens in the spinach and artichoke dip. Buffalo Wings + Bohemian-Style Pilsner Hops in the beer cut the grease in the wings. The beer’s slight sweetness also cuts the heat in wings and offers a crisp, clean finish. Beef Chili + Imperial Double IPA The pale malt in an Imperial Double IPA goes with browned meat, and hops add herb notes that enhance the chili’s flavor. Nachos + IPA There are a lot of flavors and textures going on in a plate of nachos: crunchy corn chips, creamy guacamole, fresh and tangy salsa, sour cream — so try pairing an IPA. The hops will complement the tang in salsa and sour cream, while the carbonation will cleanse your palate for the next mouthful. Pizza + Pale Ale Pizza may be the ultimate game-day crowd pleaser. The slight bitterness of a pale ale will balance the tangy sweetness of the tomato sauce, highlight the salty, greasy, nature of the cheese, and help cleanse the palate between bites. Chocolate Cake + Stout or Porter The coffee-like, ashy, and yes, chocolatey flavors imparted by the dark-roasted malts found in stouts and porters complement chocolate-based desserts very nicely. [See more beer and snack pairings ideas from NPR, Serious Eats and Daily Hive] Bonus Tips There’s no “stout” about it — your Super Bowl party will be fun and flavorful with the pairings above. But here are a few other tips to keep in mind to really get the crowd cheering: Use the right size glasses. Try using smaller, 2-3-ounce glasses for your beer tastings. This amount is just enough for each round of tasting without getting too full. If your guests find one they love, they can always go back for refills. Pay attention to temperature. An ice-cold 38 degrees is the common temperature to keep beer, but if you let it warm up 10 minutes before tasting, you’ll get the best flavor it has to offer. Avoid competing scents. Make sure there are no foo-foo smells around like strong cologne, potpourri, or scented candles that could get in the way of experiencing the true flavors of the pairings. Make sure your Kegerator is ready! Make sure your kegerator is ready for the big day by checking your equipment or giving it a good cleaning. It doesn’t matter what team you’re rooting for — heck, it doesn’t even have to be game day to enjoy your favorite craft brew. Serve up cold draft beer in the comfort of your own home anytime with a kegerator that fits your style, and you’ll always feel like you’re on the winning side.
