Have you ever taken a bite of food that made your beer taste completely different, in the best way possible? That moment when flavors click together is what makes pairing craft beer with food so special. 

Here at Little Miami Brewing Company, we’ve spent countless hours (tough job, we know) testing which of our beers work best with different dishes. A hoppy IPA can tame spicy wings, while a rich stout can make chocolate dessert taste even more decadent. We know that the right combination can turn a good meal into something memorable. 

In this guide, we’ll share simple ways to pair beer and food and our favorite combinations from our kitchen. The best part about pairing food and beer? You get to be the judge of what works. Stop by and try our suggested pairings, or create your own. Either way, you’re in for some delicious discoveries.

Understanding the Art of Craft Beer and Food Pairings 

You know that moment when you take a sip of beer right after a bite of food, and suddenly both taste better? That’s not just hunger talking—there’s actually some method to the magic. After years of experimenting (and yes, we consider this research), we’ve found some reliable approaches to matching beers with dishes.

Think of it as putting together a great playlist. Sometimes, you want songs that complement each other—a rich stout with chocolate cake creates a beautiful harmony where the roasted malt flavors and the dessert’s sweetness amplify each other. Other times, you want contrast—the way a biting IPA can cool down spicy buffalo wings is nothing short of alchemy.

Texture plays a huge role too. There’s a reason that crispy, clean pilsner tastes so damn good with fried foods—it’s like a palate reset between bites. And just like you wouldn’t pair delicate finger food with headbanger music, you’ll want to match lighter dishes with more subtle beers.

The real secret? Your taste buds are the ultimate judge. We’ve seen people fall in love with combinations that “shouldn’t” work according to conventional wisdom. That’s the beautiful thing about craft beer—with so many styles and flavor profiles, especially here in Ohio’s vibrant brewing scene, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Want to geek out more on the science? Check out this article that looks deeper into the chemistry behind these flavor interactions.  

Signature Beer and Food Pairings at Little Miami Brewing

At LMBC, we believe the best craft beer in Ohio deserves equally incredible food. That’s why we’ve spent years perfecting our local brewery dining experience—one delicious pairing at a time. Here’s how we match our handcrafted beers with dishes that make both shine brighter.

Hazy IPA + Spicy Favorites: A Match Made in Flavor Heaven

Our citrus-packed Cascade Hazy IPA is the ultimate wingman for fiery dishes. The juicy hops cool the heat while enhancing every bite. Try it with:

• The Buffalo Shuffle Pizza, featuring hot sauce, chicken, bacon, and a drizzle of ranch—it brings the same spicy kick with a unique twist.
• Buffalo wings: The bright citrus cuts through the spice.
• Jalapeño-loaded nachos: Melty cheese meets hoppy refreshment.

The IPA’s tropical notes tame the burn while its smooth body keeps things balanced.

Earthcookie Nut Brown Ale + Smoky Comfort Food

This caramel-rich brew was made for Ohio’s heartiest dishes. The malty sweetness is pure comfort alongside:

• The Bass Island Pizza delivers earthy flavors in every bite.
• Slow-smoked brisket: A sweet & smoky combination.
• Pulled pork sandwiches: Enhance the meat’s natural sweetness.
• Wild mushroom flatbread: Earthy meets earthy.

Pro tip: Sip between bites to notice how the beer’s nutty depth evolves.

Crisp Pilsner + Fried Classics

There’s science behind why our Bike Path Pilsner tastes best with crispy foods—the lively bubbles scrub your palate clean. Regulars love it with:

• Golden beer-battered fish: The ultimate local brewery dining combo.
• Hand-cut fries: Salt meets sparkle.
• Fried pickles: Tart meets crisp.

Velvety Stout + Decadent Desserts

Our stouts, like Chocolate Stout and Tickled Sweet Opera Cream Stout, transform sweets into something magical. The roasted chocolate notes elevate:

• Warm brownies: Like a liquid dessert pairing.
• Chocolate torte: Bittersweet perfection.
• Vanilla bean ice cream: For grown-up beer floats.

Insider move: Dip your dessert in the stout for next-level flavor.

Why Ohio’s Best Craft Beer Belongs on Your Table

What makes our pairings special? It’s not just great beer—it’s how we:

• Source ingredients from local Ohio farms
• Adjust recipes to complement each brew’s profile
• Train staff to suggest perfect pairings

Ready to taste why we’re celebrated for craft beer and food pairings? Join us at the riverside—we’ll have a tasting plate waiting.

Tips for Creating Your Own Beer and Food Pairings

Let’s be real—the “rules” of pairing are really just guidelines from people who drank a lot of beer and took notes. After years of “research” (read: happy accidents), here’s what actually works when matching our Ohio brews with food:

Play Matchmaker With Intensity

That big, boozy barrel-aged stout? It’ll steamroll a delicate salad. Meanwhile, our crisp Little Miami Pilsner gets lost next to smoked brisket. Think:

• Heavyweight beers (like Grateful West Coast IPA or Smoke On The Water) with bold flavors (spicy wings, sharp cheeses).
• Lightweight beers (say, Pterodactyl Hefeweizen or Chocolate Cherry Creek Wheat Beer) with subtle dishes (seafood, fresh greens).

Sweet & Bitter Make Magic

The yin-yang trick we swear by:

• Hoppy beers (like the Grateful West Coast IPA) slice through rich, fatty foods like burgers or nachos.
• Malt-forward brews (like Earthcookie Nut Brown) cozy up to acidic dishes like tomato-based pastas.

Eat Local, Drink Local

Ohio’s food deserves Ohio beer. Try:

• Our Hefeweizen with a Cincinnati-style pretzel.
• Farmhouse ales with fresh Great Lakes perch.
• Any of our beers with Buckeye chocolates (trust us).

Dress for the (Beer) Season

Your palate changes with the weather:

• Summer: Citrusy sours with grilled veggies.
• Fall: Amber ales with pumpkin everything.
• Winter: Stouts with hearty stews.
• Spring: Crisp pilsners with fresh spring rolls.

Break the Damn Rules

The only “wrong” pairing is one you don’t enjoy. We’ve seen people dunk chocolate chip cookies in IPAs (weirdly good?) and pour stouts over vanilla ice cream (absolute genius).

Your Homework:

1. Grab a mixed 6-pack from our taproom.
2. Raid your fridge.
3. Take notes (or don’t – we won’t judge).

Need inspiration? Our bartenders live for this stuff—ask them for their latest weird/good pairing discovery.

P.S. The “perfect” pairing is whichever one makes you go “Oh damn, that’s good” and immediately take another sip.

Don’t miss out on our piece on Brunch & Brews: The Best Beer Pairings for Breakfast Foods.

The Little Miami Taproom Experience

Let’s be honest—you could drink beer anywhere. But here’s why you’ll want to pull up a chair and stay awhile:

Nothing beats cold craft beer and great tunes by the water. Every weekend, our riverside patio comes alive with local talent like the Redemption Brothers and Adam Furnish. Grab a brew, kick back to the music, and soak up those good vibes. Check out our upcoming events. No fuss. Just great beer, great music, and an even better view.

Take a virtual tour of our taproom before visiting us.

Last Call for Flavor Adventures

Here’s the truth: that first magical bite-sip combo will ruin you forever. Once you’ve experienced our Hazy IPA cutting through spicy wing heat like a flavor superhero or discovered how chocolate cake becomes somehow more chocolatey with a stout, well, there’s no going back.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Roll up to our taproom (yes, we’re open today)
• Tell the bartender, “Surprise me.”
• Prepare for your new favorite “oh WOW” moment
• We’ll be here by the river—your usual barrel table’s waiting.  

So, what are you waiting for? Come visit us and we guarantee you’ll have a memorable time.