Pairing IPAs With Food: What Works Best With Hoppy Beers?
Are you one among those people who love their beer paired with food? Well, then at least you know that pairing it with food elevates the overall experience quite exponentially. But are you pairing them right?
Don’t worry, we got you covered. IPAs (India Pale Ales), are majorly popular for their bold and hoppy flavors. The flavors range from citrusy and floral to piney and bitter; these distinctive profiles are the main reasons for its popularity but pairing food with such distinctive flavors is very challenging, however when done right it’s like yin and yang as they enhance each other quite well. Let’s learn how to pair food correctly with IPAs.
Understanding IPAs and Their Flavor Profiles
To pair them correctly it’s crucial to understand their flavor profiles; the traditional West Coast IPAs carry bold bitterness complemented by piney undertones, while on the other hand, New England IPAs are juicy with hazy profiles and hints of tropical fruit. Also, there exist some special IPAs that reflect floral or spicy notes. The diverse flavor profiles of IPAs mean that there exists an IPA for every mood and to fit in the likes of every enthusiast.
The secret to pairing IPAs with food lies in these core elements:
- Bitterness
- Aroma
- Alcohol content.
Pairing the food right can do one of two things, either it will complement the flavor or create a delightful contrast to each sip and munch.
The Basics of IPA Pairing
Beer and food are like Yin and Yang, when balanced they enhance each other excellently. IPAs with their assertive hops often carry bold flavors and require equally strong and contrasting dishes. Here is how you can do it:
- Balance Intensity: Always focus on pairing strong-flavored IPAs with intense foods as they help avoid overwhelming the mood.
2. Contrast Bitterness: Rich, fatty, or sweet dishes are perfect to counteract the bitterness of IPAs, so if you ever feel like pairing something with bitter flavors keep this in mind.
3. Highlight Aromas: Foods that carry herbal, spicy, or citrusy notes go well with almost every beer, as they highlight the aromatic profile of beers and match them.
Check out Cincinnati’s Seasonal Brews: A Guide for Beer Lovers for better beer pairing basics.
Classic IPA Food Pairings
Spicy Food
Spicy cuisines like Indian or Thai dishes are the real gems that add glitter to the whole vibe when paired with IPAs. The bitter undertone amplifies the hot and spicy flavors of the food and feels like true heaven. For instance, a West Coast IPA with a super spicy chicken curry would blast a plethora of flavors and you’ll be able to explore what salvation feels like.
Rich, Fatty Foods
The bitterness in IPAs slashes directly through rich, fatty foods. Items like fried chicken, burgers, or even creamy cheeses go well with bitter IPAs. Imagine savoring the crispness of a fried chicken alongside our Misty Mountain Hop Hazy IPA with the perfect amount of bitterness.
Grilled Meats
Grilled meats with their charred and smoky flavors pair perfectly with the resinous notes of an IPA. How can a person ignore the caramelized crust of the BBQ ribs or grilled steaks paired with a hoppy brew, together they make an awesomely satisfying meal.
Check out some grilling-inspired ideas from Why Little Miami Brewing Company Should Be on Your Cincinnati Brewery List.
Creative Pairings for Unique IPA Styles
Have you ever paired your IPAs with something creative? There are many creative ways to pair IPAs, thanks to their distinctive profiles.
Fruity IPAs
IPAs that resonate fruity flavors along with tropical and citrus profiles wonderfully suit light and refreshing desserts. Imagine mango sorbet or citrus tarts along with the Drums>Space beer’s sweetness and acidity.
West Coast IPAs
A bold drink requires a bold matchup, West Coast IPAs like Grateful West Coast IPA and BBQ ribs are a match made in heaven and this duo feels like made for each other.
New England IPAs
New England IPAs boast soft and juicy profiles that go well together with creamy pasta dishes and seafood options. Dishes like lobster rolls, shrimp scampi, or creamy risottos are good options to pair as well.
Explore some more creative beer pairing ideas by The Beer Advocate.
IPA Pairing Tips for Home Entertaining
Having guests over? Surprise them with a warm welcome and some IPAs paired with delicacies that’ll leave an everlasting impression on them. Try these techniques to begin with:
- Snack Pairing: Snacks like pretzels, nachos, or popcorn are amazing snacks that’ll go well with IPAs
- Charcuterie Boards: Include sharp cheeses and cured meats with pickled vegetables, as they complement the bitter flavor of some IPAs.
- Master tip: IPAs come in multiple varieties, use this to your advantage and offer as many varieties as you can, because there is an IPA made for every mood, This will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy themselves.
Want to craft the perfect holiday party? Check out the Holiday Party: Event Planning Tips
Local IPAs and Food Pairing Experience
We at Little Miami Brewing Company pour our hearts into every IPA that we create as we believe that exceptional quality can be achieved with the right technique mixed with love. Whether you are enjoying a refreshing West Coast IPA or savoring the taste of New England IPA, there is always a perfect dish waiting for you to pair with your drinks. Our IPAs pair excellently with the local flavors of Cincinnati and are absolutely loved by our customers.
Check out our customer reviews and the diverse variety of beers we serve.
Food and IPAs Flavor Journey
Food and IPAs are a magical duo that greatly affect each other’s flavors. If done right you may even explore what true salvation feels like. Balancing flavors and experimenting with pairing also helps understand your own desires and learn about flavors that delight your taste buds.
So what are you waiting for? Don’t shy away and explore the pairs you like by trying them all. Remember there is always an IPA for everyone.
Ready to explore the perfect pairing? Visit Little Miami Brewing Company to enjoy our hoppy IPAs and find your next favorite food combination.
Check out our diverse menu of:
Beers | Wine/Liquor | Tacos | Food Menu | Monthly Food Specials and many more only on our website. Contact us for Group Reservations.
You can also order online.
We at Little Miami Brewing Company are more than just beer and food, we also help host events in our event center; visit us today and explore our dedication and love towards serving our customers; we believe that quality is served best with love.
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Visit us today to discover our hoppy IPAs and find the perfect pairing for your next meal.
Cheers to great beer and even better food!