The pairing of food and beverage is an important aspect of dining. It can elevate the entire experience. It can be not easy to find the right match between your food and beverage, but you can simplify the process with expert tips. Consider the brightness, acidity, bitterness and sweetness of your food when pairing drinks with it. A classic Aperol Spitz can make a great contrast with grilled seafood. Bloody Marys or mimosas can also be a perfect addition to brunch.
Let’s unlock the secrets of enhancing flavours and take your culinary experience to new heights.
A Guide to Wine and Beer Combining for Foodies
It is an art to pair food and alcoholic beverages. This can take your dining experience up a notch. You can achieve the perfect pairing by following some general guidelines. The flavour profiles of the food and beverage are important factors to consider. Some combinations work because they balance the flavours, while others complement each other. The weight and intensity of the food, as well as the beverage, are also important factors to consider. The lighter dishes pair best with the lighter drinks, whereas heavier dishes need a stronger beverage to balance out their flavours. The acidity in the beverage is also important because it can help cut through heavy or fatty food and refresh your palate. Using these guidelines, you can try different combinations to find the perfect match for your meal.
You can also read our tips for a great dining experience.
- Find commonalities between the aromas and flavours of the food or beverage, like spices or fruit notes.
- Alcohol content can affect the taste of food.
- Think about the ‘ mouthfeel and texture’ of the food and drink, and try to find a complementary pair.
- Consider the season and the freshness of ingredients as well as your occasion or setting when preparing your meal.
Perfect Appetizer Pairing: Buffalo Wings and Brussels Sprouts
Finding the perfect drink to pair with your appetizers can make or break the whole meal. Consider a light red wine or craft beer to balance the heat of buffalo wings or buffalo cauliflower.
A buttery Chardonnay or a refreshing Wheat Beer can complement dishes such as our crispy Brussels sprouts or our roasted heirloom carrots. They will enhance the vegetables’ caramelized flavours and nuttiness.
Enhance the flavours of spicy and salty dishes.
When paired with the right drinks, spicy and salty dishes are a delight. It’s important to balance a salty meal with a sweeter beverage. A fruity drink, like sangria or soda, can cool the palate after a spicy meal.
An IPA beer makes a great choice for spicy dishes such as buffalo cauliflower wings and our fried pickles sriracha. The bitter and hoppy notes of the IPA beer can cut through the spice and enhance the savoury flavours in the dish. Pinot Noir is another option to balance the heat of spicy foods. Its acidity and fruitiness will help you achieve this.
Combining food and beverage combinations for every dish
It’s essential to understand the elements of each food dish and their interaction with the different drinks in order to master the art of pairing. When pairing drinks with a hamburger, for example, it’s important to consider the type of food and any toppings or sauces that are included.
The Roosevelt is one of the most popular New Deal burgers. The burger is a delicious combination of sweet and sour flavours. It includes applewood bacon and sharp cheddar with butter lettuce and Russian sauce. There are two options when it comes to pairing the Roosevelt burger with alcoholic beverages:
- Red Wine: A medium-bodied red wine such as Pinot Noir can go well with the burger. The acidity of the wine and its fruitiness can balance the richness of sharp cheddar, the creaminess and sweetness of avocados and the tannins of Russian tarragon.
- IPA Beer: An India Pale Ale can pair well with the Roosevelt Burger. The bitter and hoppy notes of the beer will cut through the richness and fat of the bacon and cheddar while complimenting the spicy and herb flavors of the tarragon.
Braise, Roast, and Grill: Best drink pairings for savoury meals
The perfect beverage pairings will make a meal like braised short ribs or grilled vegetables shine. Full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon will complement braised dishes and bring out the flavour of the herbs and spices.
Grilled vegetables benefit from the smoky and charred flavours imparted by the grilling process. A refreshing wheat beer can cut the richness of the grilled vegetables.
Raise your Glass: Pairings to Please Every Food Lover’s Palate
The right food and beverage pairings will enhance your dining experience by adding a new dimension to it. They can offer a variety of tastes and textures that complement your meal. The right beverage pairing will enhance the sweetness of your dessert or reduce the richness of the savoury dish.
- Mama’s Meatloaf—A rich red wine such as Cabernet or a white wine with a crisp finish like Chardonnay will complement the meatloaf’s savoury flavours. Brown ale or porter are good beer choices for a beer-and-food pairing.
- Pan-Roasted Organic Crispy Mary’s Chicken: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a buttery Chardonnay would go well with the juicy chicken. Beers like IPA or Pilsner are refreshing and would make a good choice.
- Marinated Skirt Steak With Chimichurri: A full-bodied wine, such as Syrah, would complement the bold flavours of this steak. Beers like a Belgian ale or a stout would go well with the steak.
- Green Goddess Salad: Pair it with a crisp, refreshing white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc.
- Cedar Plank Salmon: A crisp, light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc will complement the delicate taste of salmon. Beer: A refreshing pilsner or wheat beer is a great match.
- The cheesy Mac goes well with a light red wine such as Pinot Noir or a dry white wine like Chardonnay. Beers like a refreshing lager, IPA, or a light red wine would also go well with the Mac.
- Beer-battered Fish & Chips: A light beer such as a pilsner, lager, or pilsner would complement the crispy taste of fish and chips.
After reading these tips on pairing food and drink, you will feel inspired to elevate your dining experience like never before. Let the art of pairing food and beverages be your guide, whether you are dining at New Deal Restaurant or cooking a feast at home. You foodies have endless options!
Two good places to eat!
New Deal Restaurant & Wine Bar is a family-owned restaurant with a relaxed 1930s-style decor and a modern take on classic American dishes. We offer a wide selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. With the right beer or wine paired with your food, not only will you enhance the flavours, but you will make every bite memorable!
The New Deal Restaurant can be found in Magnolia Park, at 3501 West Magnolia Boulevard. Magnolia Park is a charming neighbourhood. Order online or call ahead to make reservations at (818) 861 7731.
Food and drink pairings at The New Deal Restaurant enhance flavors. Foodies. Beverage pairing. Acidity and brightness. Sweetness balance. Salty and spicy dishes. Wine pairing. Beer pairing. Cocktail pairing. Buffalo cauliflower wings. Crispy Brussels sprouts. Roasted heirloom carrots. Burgers. Pan-roasted Chicken. Meatloaf. Braised beef short ribs. Bloody Mary. Aperol Spritz.