| Until recently, the U.S. was viewed internationally as a | | | | or pumpkin pie. |
| backward, unsophisticated country when it came to | | | | Hoppiness: In general, beers that have high hops |
| our taste in beer. By far, our bestselling beers have | | | | content-such as India pale ales, pale ales, and German |
| long been from the major corporate breweries | | | | pilsners-have to be used with caution. Hops are |
| whose offerings don't exactly command respect | | | | strong and flavorful, and they can easily overpower |
| from beer enthusiasts. But, over the last couple of | | | | meals with delicate or subtle flavors. This means it's a |
| decades, the rise of the microbrewery industry has | | | | good idea to pair hoppy beers with meals that are |
| injected new life into the American beer scene, and | | | | equally bold in flavor. They're particularly good for |
| we're finally starting to get the respect we deserve. | | | | strongly flavored meats, such as certain types of |
| Now, the next step is to begin developing a sense of | | | | seafood, beef, or lamb. |
| what types of beers are best to serve with various | | | | Country of origin: If you're cooking an ethnic or |
| meals. In beer-loving European countries like Belgium, | | | | international-style meal, use a beer that is from that |
| Germany, and Scotland, they have this down to an | | | | country, but avoid the stereotypical beer. For |
| art. You've heard of wine and food pairing, right? It's | | | | instance, if you want to pair an Italian beer with |
| the same idea. It's about developing a sense of how | | | | some Italian cuisine, stay away from the major Italian |
| to enhance a meal with your choice of beer, and | | | | beermakers like Peroni and Morretti. Find an Italian |
| vice-versa. | | | | beer that has a little more character. Of course, this |
| Light vs. Dark: When determining whether to go with | | | | guideline applies just as much to American food and |
| a light beer or a dark beer to accompany your meal, | | | | beers. |
| think about the relative heaviness of the beer and | | | | Amber ale: When all else fails, you'll rarely go wrong |
| how it will compliment or distract from the meal. For | | | | with a solid amber ale. It's the perfect |
| instance, beers like wheat ales and blonde ales are | | | | accompaniment to everything from pizza, to |
| very low in hoppiness and maltiness, which makes | | | | sandwiches, to spicy food. If you want to impress |
| them taste light and thirst-quenching (even though | | | | people with your beer tastes, expand your |
| some, particularly blonde ales, can be high in alcohol | | | | knowledge about great American amber ales, and |
| by volume). That's why they go so well with foods | | | | bring out a few of your favorites whenever you |
| that are salty, spicy, or both. When eating something | | | | have people over. |
| that's a bit hot, it's nice to have a soothing blonde ale | | | | Alcohol content: If you're going to be serving multiple |
| to put the fire out. | | | | beers at a dinner party or an event, start with beers |
| Dark beers, on the other hand, tend to go great with | | | | that have a lower alcohol content, and expand from |
| cheese, white meat, and even dessert. A brown ale | | | | there. Beers with high alcohol content fill people up |
| can be the perfect accompaniment to a chocolaty | | | | more quickly, and they're also more likely to dull the |
| dessert, while dark lagers go well with fruit cobblers | | | | taste buds. |
