Perfect Pairings:
Beer & Food
When it comes to enjoying a great meal, the right drink can elevate your dining experience to a whole new level. At Socibowl, we believe that pairing the perfect beer with your meal can bring out the best flavors in both the food and the drink. With the help of our Certified Cicerone (and Head Cellarperson) Ryno, we’ve been working on a few of our favorite pairings to help make those taste buds sing.
Why Pair Beer with Food?
Beer, like wine, offers a wide range of flavors, aromas, and textures. The art of pairing beer with food lies in finding a balance where neither the food nor the beer overpowers the other. A well-paired beer can enhance the flavors of a dish, highlight its subtle notes, and create a harmonious dining experience.
Key Considerations for Pairing Beer with Food:
- Match Intensity: Pair lighter beers with lighter foods and heavier beers with heavier dishes to ensure one doesn’t overwhelm the other.
- Complementary Flavors: Find beers that share similar flavor profiles with the food, such as a malty beer with a caramelized dish.
- Contrasting Flavors: Sometimes, contrasting flavors can create a delightful balance, such as a hoppy beer with a rich, fatty dish.
- Cleanse the Palate: Beers with high carbonation or a certain bitterness can cleanse the palate, making them perfect for rich or greasy foods.
Burgers and Beer – Always a Good Choice
For his first official “burger and beer” pairing, Ryno opted for the Muskegon Melt and King Pin Red. The Muskegon Melt is our mushroom Swiss burger topped with delicious bacon onion jam.
In this case, Ryno opted for King Pin Red – a nice malty red ale – for a few reasons. The maltiness of the beer melds nicely with the earthy/umami character of the mushrooms and Swiss, while also resonated with the breadiness of the bun.
Although slightly hoppy – just hoppy enough to stand up to the richness of the burger and cheese – King Pin’s malt emphasis also allows the sweetness of the bacon onion jam to pop out, truly accentuating the smokey sweetness.
Pizza and Beer – Let Your Tastebuds Dance!
If you ask us, there’s no wrong pizza and beer pairing – because they are two of our favorite things! Of course, Ryno will tell you that not all pairings are created equal. After having some of his choices, we agree! Rather than bore you with the details, we’ll let Ryno tell you himself. In the videos below, find out why Ryno paired:
- Hot Honey Chicken Pizza with Philosoraptor IPA
- Smokehouse BBQ Pizza with Snoring Basset Brown Ale
- Traditional Trio Pizza with King Pin Red
Pairing beer with food is both an art and a science, and at Socibowl, we love experimenting with different combinations to find the perfect match. Whether you’re enjoying a hearty burger or a delicious pizza, there’s a beer out there that will enhance your meal and elevate your dining experience. So, the next time you’re at here, try one of our recommended pairings and discover how the right beer can transform your meal. And – stay tuned for future updates and pairings!
Small balls. Big fun.
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Food service until 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – Midnight
Food service until 10:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Food service until 9:00 pm
