The Ultimate Guide to Beer and Food Pairing

Beer and food have been partners for millennia, but the craft beer revolution has opened up exciting new pairing possibilities. Here's your guide to creating perfect combinations.

The Basic Principles

Complement or Contrast

You can either match similar flavors (chocolate stout with chocolate dessert) or create interesting contrasts (hoppy IPA cutting through rich, fatty foods).

Match Intensity

Light foods with light beers, bold foods with bold beers. A delicate fish dish would be overwhelmed by a barrel-aged stout.

Classic Pairings

IPAs

• Spicy Thai or Vietnamese cuisine
• Grilled meats with bold marinades
• Sharp, aged cheeses

Wheat Beers

• Seafood and sushi
• Light salads
• Fresh fruit desserts

Stouts

• Chocolate desserts
• Grilled steaks
• Strong blue cheeses

Lagers

• Pizza
• Light appetizers
• Classic pub fare

Resonance Recommendations

Visit our District 2 taproom for our weekend brunch, where our menu is specifically designed to complement our beer selection. Or join one of our Beer & Cheese pairing events for a guided tasting experience.