Beer 101: Hints & Tips

In honor of Beer Lover's Day here are a few basic hints and tips to cover your beer drinking and pairing basics. As with all pairings, the most important thing is what you think tastes good. The next best rule of thumb is to match flavors. What is the dominant flavor in your meal? Are you trying to bring that flavor out, complement it, or undercut it? These questions will help you figure out what to drink. Beer is typically made of the same few, basic ingredients: water, yeast, hops, and grain- usually barley. What gives each beer a distinct flavor is the proportion of each of these ingredients, brewing temperatures, and timing. Plus, any bonus ingredients-think orange peel. LAGER vs. ALE Carbonated and best served chilled, lagers tend to be dry and slightly bitter. The bottom fermentation process lets yeast travel through the beer and settle at the bottom before it is stored for a time at cool temperatures to produce a full-bodied, crisp beer, with a mellow palate. Pairs well with lighter foods as it will not overpower them or drown out the flavor of the food. The more traditional top fermentation process lets yeast ferment at top of the beer and typically at a higher temperature. This process produces beers that are typically higher in alcohol content with delicious smelling flowery and fruity aromas. Pairs well with flavorful food that will add richness to the beer, while the beer complements and balances the flavors of the food. Both lagers and ales set the baseline for a whole host of possible variations. Get trying to see what you prefer! HOPS Almost all beers have hops, but only in IPAs does the higher proportion of hops provide that signature bitterness. The “hoppier” the beer, the more bitter it will be. If you are serving a meal with intense, strong flavors an IPA is sure to hold its own. Spicy food, smoked and grilled meats, and super sweet desserts all pair beautifully with a hoppy beer. CIDER Until gluten-free beers came around, cider saved the day for anyone maintaining a gluten-free diet. Now, ciders have been taken to such a level that you don’t need a reason to enjoy one. The fruitiness of ciders makes them versatile pairing partners for a wide range of dishes and flavors. Pairs especially well with savory meats and cheese, as well as fruity and sweet desserts. ------------------- This piece first appeared on the Delectable kiosk in the Fort Greene, Brooklyn Whole Foods 365