Are you a beer enthusiast thinking of pairing your craft beers with desserts? Don’t worry you are not wrong, in fact you are on the right track. Many people may find this absurd in the beginning and we can’t blame them, can we? Craft beer and desserts together? But trust us, it is a match made in heaven. The trend to pair craft beer with sweet treats has gained wide popularity in recent times and is completely changing our perspective on beverages and desserts. Previously it was just wine that was approved to enter the world of desserts but times have changed and now craft beer has earned its right to reign over the sweet empire of desserts.

Who says beer is only a savory dish now? Let’s explore the right way to pair and learn some new pairing techniques together. 

Why Pair Beer with Desserts?

Desserts and Craft beers might seem parallel but in reality, they lie on the same plane. When paired correctly they complement each other brilliantly. Their combination brings together the best of both worlds. Like desserts, craft beers boast a wide range of flavors, from sweet and fruity to bitter and roast. Beer is carbonated and this cuts through the richness of the desserts resulting in more enjoyable bites. We may not think initially but the more we explore, the more we come near the fact that these two feel like sunshine after a long winter when paired right.

The idea of pairing beer with desserts is widely gaining popularity all around the globe including Cincinnati. These pairings aren’t just a fun novelty; they also highlight the versatility of craft beer.

Flavor Matching 101

Don’t you feel like pairing everything the right way? Balancing is an art and the sooner you digest this fact the sooner your chances of being a pro at pairing will become. The basic yet very crucial part is the objective of pairing in such a way that the beer complements the dessert without overpowering it. And how to do that? Here’s how:

Complementary Flavors

Working with similar flavors is easy, pair desserts with beers having similar flavors. For example:

• Chocolate Stout with a rich chocolate cake.
• Vanilla Porter with a crème brûlée.

Contrasting Flavors

Now this is difficult but more rewarding, try to pair something tarty or fruity with something creamy. For example:

• Fruited beer with cheesecake.
• Citrus IPA with a lemon tart (as the bitterness of IPA creates a harmonious combination with tart).

Balance is important and the main objective always must remain the same, not to overpower the flavors of one another.

Popular Pairings to Try

Let’s look at some popular options first that always go well. If possible try remembering them as people find it very impressive when someone recommends something to them and they actually like it. These options are cheat codes worth remembering.

Chocolate Desserts

Anything that has a good amount of chocolate in it can blindly be paired with dark beers like Stouts, Porters, or even Brown Ales and never fail to impress.

For example: Pair a Dark Chocolate Mousse with a Brown Ale like Earth Cookie.

Fruity Desserts

Fruity Desserts like tarts pair amazingly with fruited sour beers.

For example: A fruited sour beer like Mango Sour perfectly matches a raspberry tart’s sweet and tangy profile.

Cheesecakes and Creamy Desserts

Creamy desserts and malty beers like amber ales or wheat beers go together very well, maintaining a perfect balance of sweetness and richness while also enhancing each other’s flavors beautifully.

Example: Pair New York cheesecake with Wheat Ale like Cherry Creek (Cherry Wheat Ale) as the beer’s subtle sweet tones complement the cake’s rich texture.

Pastry and Baked Desserts

Baked desserts pair well with Spiced beers or Barley wines because their rich, complex flavors elevate the warmth and sweetness of the desserts resulting in a delightful and tasty experience.

For example: Try an Apple pie with a cinnamon-infused beer, mild spiciness will enhance the pie’s warming spices.

We at Little Miami Brewing Company offer distinctive varieties of craft beer that can swiftly pair with your favorite desserts. Check our complete menu on untapped.

Read more: A Guide to the Best Food and Craft Beer Pairings.

The Role of Specialty Beers

Specialty beers, such as dessert stouts and pastry ales serve a special purpose as thier name implies, they are crafted to mimic the flavors of sweet treats. Ingredients like chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and spices are mainly used carefully to bring out dessert-like qualities.

Achieving these unique flavors is not easy, making them perfect companions for desserts requires Innovative brewing techniques. For example, a beer brewed carefully with cacao nibs and lactose can taste like a chocolate milkshake making it an ideal candidate to be paired with brownies or chocolate cake.

Hosting a Beer and Dessert Pairing Night

A night featuring an amazing duo of beer and dessert sounds like a perfect way to celebrate with friends. Are you planning one? If yes we can help, if no then it’s worth considering.

Here are some tips to get the party started:

Tips for a Successful Pairing Night

1. Mix It Up with Beers and Desserts: Choose different types of beers and desserts to create a fun and tasty experience for everyone!
2. Keep Portions Small: Start slow with little bites to let everyone taste a bit of everything without feeling too full.
3. Make Pairing Cards: Create cute cards for each pairing that explain why they go so well together. It adds a personal touch and makes it more enjoyable!

Sample Pairings for a Themed Party

• Chocolate stouts like Chocolate Cherry (7% ABV) with brownies.
• Citrus IPAs or Galaxy IPAs like Drums>Space (6.5% ABV) with lemon bars.
• Amber ale like Magpie Amber (5.2% ABV) with pecan pie.

If you are thinking about planning outside your home we offer a really pretty event center as well. You can contact us whenever you like.

Read this to learn How to Throw an Unforgettable Party in Cincinnati.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Anyone can make a mistake but avoiding a mistake before it happens is being smart. Here are some roadblocks to avoid before they turn ugly and ruin the experience:

Overwhelming Flavors

Avoid pairings where both the beer and dessert are too intense. For example, avoid pairing a highly bitter IPA with a very sweet dessert, not necessarily but they may clash.

Ignoring Carbonation Levels

Never ignore carbonation levels before pairing because it directly affects the food it is being paired with. A beverage with higher carbonation is usually used to reset the taste of your mouth so you can enjoy other tasty delicacies.

Using Generic Beer

Try avoiding mass-produced or generic beers and prefer craft beer only prepared from local breweries, as they taste twice as good when sourced locally.

A Toast to a Sweet and Hoppy Experience!

Pairing craft beer with desserts opens up a world of flavors and textures filled with mysterious surprises capable of delighting anyone’s taste buds. The next time you have a dessert served in front of you, consider what beer might complement it. For instance, if you are thinking of devouring a rich chocolate cake, wait, think of pairing it with a craft beer first, once you start pairing there is no going back. You will absolutely fall in love.

Visit us in Cincinnati to explore more pairing options, or for hosting your own beer and dessert night. We’d be more than happy to help and assist. You can contact us for Group Reservations too. 

Check out our event center, take a virtual tour of our taproom, and stay in the loop by connecting on our socials —  Facebook | Instagram | X.

Cheers to a pleasant New Year!