In the previous post we covered pairings with beers from the lager family—bottom‑fermented—and sour beers in general. This time we’re going to focus on the vast world of ales—top‑fermented beers. Summer heat is also an excellent excuse to turn our attention to more moderate ales. Of course, we’re leaving out imperial stout, quadrupel and barley wine. Those are beers for winter and cold nights. In summer we look for beers that are light, refreshing and low in alcohol. That doesn’t mean they’re beers without personality. Below we’ll suggest characterful beers that pair with some mouth‑watering dishes.
- Pale ale: In this subset we include English and American pale ales, session ales, and in general any IPA that isn’t too “in your face.” For example, session IPAs have all the hop flavor and aroma, but are lower in alcohol and more moderate in bitterness. These beers pair well with spicy food, and what’s better than a good tray of nachos with your favorite sauce and jalapeños if you like heat. Within Spanish cuisine, they’re ideal with mussels in escabeche or Galician-style octopus with plenty of paprika.
- Wheat beers: Both Belgian-style wheat beers and German classics are more than suitable for brightening up the summer. The Francophone versions may be more appropriate thanks to their spicy, citrusy and effervescent character, whereas the German classics are heavier and fuller-bodied. For pairing, you can go for fish with a salty touch such as cod, and even serve these beers alongside green-leaf salads with cheese.
- Fruit ales: In the craft beer world, it’s increasingly common to find blonde or golden ales with the addition of fresh fruits such as strawberries, mango or peach, among many others. This intensifies their refreshing power and sweetness. As a result, they pair well with salty foods such as a mixed grill of pork belly and cured meats.
Although more and more breweries label their seasonal summer releases as “summer ale”, the truth is that these don’t have strictly defined characteristics beyond low alcohol content, pale appearance and the addition of some spice. In any case, the regular beer styles available throughout the year offer us satisfying pairing possibilities to enjoy our favorite drink in the months when it’s most appealing.
