Barbecue is so much more than just a cooking method – it’s a social event, a flavour-packed experience and a way of life for many! When you combine BBQ with beer, the result is a culinary delight that’s hard to beat.
Switzerland is an absolute paradise for barbecue enthusiasts. The meat is fantastic here and the people are also very well skilled to make the perfect BBQ. From spring until early autumn, you’ll find the most incredible smells wafting from Swiss gardens. It’s a feast for the senses!
You’ll be tantalised by the delicious aromas of meat, fish and veggie dishes, with any sort of marination and sauces. And what better accompaniment to all this than a cool, refreshing beer?
This blog will take you on a journey through the best BBQ and beer pairings, covering everything from chicken to pork and beef.
Are you ready to elevate your grilling enjoyment? Let’s dive in!
BBQ and beer pairing: the best beers with your grilled chicken!
BBQ chicken comes in many forms, from smoky barbecued chicken wings to spicy BBQ chicken thighs. Each requires its own unique beer pairing to enhance the flavours.
Grilled chicken wings: Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, barbecued chicken wings are often marinated with a mix of spicy, sweet and savoury flavours. A great beer pairing would be a pale ale. The crispness and slight bitterness of the beer will balance the spices and complement the sweetness of the marinade.
The hop taste of a modern amber ale such as the Fermento Amber Ale blends very well with the spicy touch of the chicken Ale is the rule for this BBQ and beer combination!
BBQ chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are fatter than wings, allowing them to absorb more flavour. When they are coated in a thick, tangy BBQ sauce, go for a strong malty beer as the brown ale. The malty sweetness and hint of caramel in the beer pair beautifully with the rich flavours of the BBQ sauce. For the same reason, a malty and slightly sweet honey beer also matches very well with the BBQ chicken thighs.
Spicy barbecued chicken: For those who like their chicken with a kick, a spicy BBQ chicken calls for a beer that can handle the heat without overpowering it. An IPA is a good choice, as is a rich Hefeweizen. The light body of the wheat beer and its subtle fruity notes provide a refreshing counterpoint to the spiciness.
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Grilled chicken wings
PALE ALE, MODERN AMBER ALE
BBQ chicken thighsBROWN ALE, LIGHTLY SWEET HONEY BEER
Spicy barbecued chickenIPA, WHEAT BEERS
Read more about our recipes with beer
The perfect accompaniment to BBQ pork: from
ribs to pulled pork
There’s nothing quite like the combination of pork and beer! Whether you’re smoking, barbecuing or roasting, you’ll find a wide range of flavours that pair perfectly with different types of beer. And the best part is that this BBQ and beer pairing is the most flexible, as it allows you to combine a variety of beers.
Smoked pork ribs: Ribs are the absolute best thing about BBQ pork! It was a wonderful and practical tradition in many European countries to sacrifice a pig in the cold winter months and grill ribs straight away while making any sort of sausages for the year with the rest of the meat. Freshly grilled ribs are absolutely fantastic, and the Texan ribs are among my favourites.
The smoky, savoury flavour and tender meat need a beer that can keep up, and a porter or a stout are the perfect choice. Their rich, roasted malt flavours and slight bitterness enhance the smokiness and create a harmonious pairing that is simply unbeatable!
Pulled pork: Pulled pork is another incredible BBQ staple, often served with a deliciously sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. An American amber ale is the perfect accompaniment to this dish! Its hoppy delicate bitterness cuts through the richness of the pork, while its citrusy undertones play well with the BBQ sauce.
BBQ Pork Loin: When choosing a beer to pair with a lean cut of pork loin for your BBQ experience, go for a classic pilsner or a light lager! These types of beers are loved for their refreshing qualities, making them a versatile choice for enhancing the flavours of the pork without overpowering them. The crisp and clean taste of a lager is the perfect complement to the subtle sweetness of the pork loin, creating a harmonious balance that will tantalise your taste buds.
And bonus, the carbonation in a lager can help cleanse your palate between bites, ensuring that each mouthful is as enjoyable as the last. And let’s not forget all the amazing classic Swiss (e.g., Cervelat, St. Galler Bratwurst) and German (e.g., Weisswürst, Frankfurter Würstchen) sausages! They’re the perfect match for lager!
Next time you fire up the grill with pork loins or sausages, for a BBQ feast, don’t forget to reach for a chilled lager to elevate your dining experience to a whole new level!
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Smoked pork ribs
PORTER OR STOUT
Pulled PorkAMERICAN AMBER ALE
BBQ Pork Loin and sausageLAGER
Find out more about the Fermento cookery course
Beefy Brilliance: Robust Beer Matches for Your BBQ
and Beer
Beef is a BBQ favorite, and its rich, robust flavors are complemented by equally bold beer choices.
Grilled Beef Steak: A juicy, flavourful steak deserves a beer that can stand up to its intensity – and a stout is the perfect choice! With its complex malt profile and strong flavours, a stout is an excellent match for steak. The richness of a stout enhances the savoury flavours of the beef, creating an indulgent experience that will delight your tastebuds!
Read also our super gourmet variation to this pairing – we did it with a Wagyu beef and the Fermento Liberica!
BBQ Brisket: Brisket is a barbecue classic that everyone should try! Its melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep, smoky flavour are simply unbeatable. It requires patience and skill to perfect, but it’s worth it! Slow-smoked for hours, this cut of beef develops a complexity that is absolutely begging to be paired with an equally bold beer! Try it
Try pairing your BBQ brisket with a robust porter or a stout for a truly unforgettable experience. The roasty and coffee-like notes of these beer styles blend perfectly with the smoky essence of the brisket, taking its savoury profile to a whole new level!
With each succulent bite of brisket and a sip of porter or stout, you’ll embark on an incredible flavour journey that celebrates the art of barbecue and the craft of brewing!
Grilled Tri-Tip Steak: A delicious option for the barbecue, tri-tip steak offers a balance of tenderness and beefy flavour that is sure to impress your BBQ guests.
When it comes to pairing this cut with beer, consider a honey ale. The nutty and caramel sweet undertones of honey ale, and the little extra alcohol it contains, complement the natural richness of tri-tip steak to create a harmonious blend of flavours that will enhance your barbecue experience.
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Grilled Beef Steak
STOUT
BBQ BrisketPORTER, STOUT
Grilled Tri-Tip SteakHONEY BEER
More about grill: BBQ veggie and beer pairing
The Perfect Finish: BBQ and Beer Bliss
Finding the perfect BBQ and beer pairing is an art that can elevate your barbecue experience to new heights! From the light and refreshing beers that complement grilled pork loin to the robust and rich brews that stand up to hearty BBQ beef and pork, there’s a beer for every BBQ creation.
The key is to balance the flavours of the food with the characteristics of the beer, ensuring that each enhances the other.
So, the next time you fire up the grill, take a moment to pair your BBQ with the perfect beer. Whether you’re grilling chicken, pork, or beef, the right beer can make all the difference, turning a good meal into an unforgettable dining experience with your family and friends.
Cheers to the perfect BBQ and beer pairing!