This weekend, we’ll be gathered in the backyard with family. Most likely, putting together a plate of Uncle Joe’s famous dry-rubbed ribs, smoked wings, and other BBQ foods. The important question is: What the heck do we drink to wash it all down? What kind of beer goes best with barbecue?
We’re friends with Rodney Scott, a Pitmaster who has won a James Beard Award and a classic Carolina-style BBQ chef.
Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ is one of the best barbecue restaurants in the country, and Scott owns it in Charleston, SC. He also has three other locations in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, and Homewood, AL. Scott became interested in BBQ when he was eleven years old and challenged himself to cook a whole hog by himself.
Today, the flame still burns inside him. In 2018, the James Beard Foundation named Scott Best Chef: Southeast.
Plus, the legendary pitmaster has plans to open up a new spot in Tennessee in 2023. Eric Church, a country music star, will help open a six-story Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ concept in downtown Nashville. The building will have a bar and a music venue.
Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better BBQ expert to give us a quick rundown of what makes Carolina barbecue so special, what he drinks while working the smoker, and most importantly, what kinds of beers go best with some of the most popular BBQ dishes.
Juicy savory pork is a versatile protein that can be prepared in endless mouthwatering ways. From tenderloin to ribs, roasts to chops pork dishes are menu mainstays. But what brew gives the best boost to pork? With so many beer styles to choose from, it can be tricky to pick the perfect pour to complement your pork without overpowering it.
Follow this guide to learn what beer characteristics work best with pork as well as discover can’t-miss pairings of beer and pork entrees. Let’s dig in!
How to Choose a Pork-Perfect Beer
Pork is known for its milder taste compared to beef. When choosing a beer to match, you want flavors that either complement or contrast the meat without overwhelming.
Lighter pork dishes like chops or tenderloin do well with lighter beers. Ales, pilsners, lagers and wheat beers pair nicely by allowing the pork’s delicate flavor to shine.
Rich, smoked pork stands up better to fuller-flavored beers. Porters, stouts and strong Belgian styles complement the smokiness.
Consider the preparation technique and sauce elements too, Grilled pork goes great with malty beers while pork with bold bbq sauce calls for hoppy IPAs,
Here are some sure bets for pork pleasing beer specs:
- Malt-forward – Matches pork’s rich umami
- Crisp – Cuts through pork fat for balance
- Bitters – Cut through sweet sauces
- Roasted notes – Pair with grilled or smoked
- Fruity esters – Brightens heavier dishes
- Easy drinkability – Lets pork flavors shine
Now let’s get to the best beer picks for popular pork plates!
Top Beer Pairings for Popular Pork Dishes
Perfect Pairings for Pork Chops
- Vienna Lager – Clean, malt-forward lager
- Hefeweizen – Light citrus and baking spices
- Blonde Ale – Biscuit maltiness, crisp hopping
Can’t-Miss Combos for Pork Tenderloin
- Kolsch – Soft fruit esters, subtly sweet
- Pilsner – Bright hoppiness, ultra refreshing
- Witbier – Coriander and orange zest notes
Dynamite Duos for Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Amber Ale – Caramel malts suit bbq sweetness
- California Common – Crisp, lager-like balance
- Belgian Pale Ale – Fruity esters cut through smoke
Superb Sips for Pork Ribs
- English Mild – Roasty malts complement char
- Dunkel – Chocolate and toasted nuts pairings
- Oatmeal Stout – Rich dark malt and restrained bitterness
Perfect Pours for Pork Carnitas Tacos
- Vienna Lager – Crisp with caramel backbone to stand up to spices
- Mexican Lager – Light, refreshing with lime notes
- Farmhouse Ale – Funky flavors mesh well with carnitas
Best Brews for Pork Roast
- Märzenbier – Bready malts suit savory Pork
- Brown Ale – Maltiness won’t overtake the pork
- Dubbel – Dried fruit fills out the flavors
Top Tips for Pork Sausage
- Pilsner – Clean and crisp to cut the fat
- Kellerbier – Unfiltered with bready, herbal aromas
- Wheat Beer – Refreshing with hints of clove
Choosing Bottles for a Backyard Pork Feast
Planning beers for a whole backyard spread of pork dishes? Build a mixed pack with a range of styles to suit lighter and heavier menus items.
For picnic-style pulled pork sandwiches and ribs, go for easy-drinking lagers and ales. Session IPAs provide bold hops to battle sticky sauces.
Grilled chops and roasts call for malty amber lagers, dunkels and brown ales. Add a citrusy witbier or hefeweizen to balance the savory cuts.
No matter what’s on the menu, avoid super hoppy, high alcohol brews. Their aggressive flavors will trample the pork instead of complementing.
Enjoying Your Pork and Beer Pairing to Perfection
Now that you’ve got the knowledge to pick the perfect pork pleasing beers, follow these serving tips to make the most of your meal:
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Chill beers properly – Colder temps prevent overly bitter flavors from dominating.
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Cleanse palates – Sip water between pairings so flavors stay distinct.
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Slow down – Savor each bite fully before taking a swig to experience how flavors mingle.
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Compare glasses – Try two different style pours side-by-side to note contrasts.
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Play with pairings – Switch up beer and pork combinations through the meal to pinpoint preferences.
With this guide to choosing brews that bring out pork’s fabulous flavor, you can craft awesome beer and pork meals. Trust your tastes to determine which combos work for your preferences. And remember – when in doubt, just crack open a nice, easy-drinking lager to let the savory pork shine. Skål!
Why Is Beer and BBQ a Good Pairing?
“I mean, I think the best way to end a great BBQ is with a cold beer. It’s the most refreshing taste combination ever,” says Scott.
But really, the smells, tastes, and feelings that come from eating a barbecue dish are a lot like…well, the smells, tastes, and feelings that come from drinking a beer.
To go into more detail, Scott says, “I think it’s the hoppiness of the beer that goes so well with the heat and smokeiness of the BBQ that makes it so great.”
When it comes to beer and BBQ, there are a lot of things to think about, so we had Scott break it down for us based on six popular BBQ dishes.
Rodney Scott’s Six Best Beer and BBQ Pairings
Scott is the only pitmaster who knows more than anyone else about the best ways to pair smoked meats with drinks.
In honor of Fourth of July picnics and family get-togethers, Scott shares his top picks for the best beers to go with BBQ.
Plus, we kick in our favorite beer suggestion for each combination. Most of which you can find at a store down the street from you. And one that you definitely can’t, but only one. .
Pork loin with beer sauce | Food From Portugal
FAQ
What beer pairs with pulled pork?
What is the best lager for pork?
What beer goes with smoked meat?
What beer goes with pork belly?
What kind of beer goes with pork?
Brown ale is the perfect beer for barbecued meats, pork, sausage, nuts, and dishes containing nuts. These recipes pair well with Brown Ale: Tuscan Chicken and Sausage, Pistachio Encrusted Salmon, and Pulled Pork. Hefeweizen is a beer that offers the bright fruitiness of banana with hints of clove and vanilla.
Can one eat pork?
A cooked, medium pork cutlet or steak provides 239 calories, 34 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 697 milligrams sodium, and 0 grams carbohydrate, if you eat only the lean part of the steak. Pork contains many of the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) found in beef and it is high in protein, but can be lower in fat than beef—depending on cut and preparation. Meat from any kind of mammal, including pork, can cause an allergic reaction (and some people who are allergic to mammalian meat also react to poultry).
What beer goes with pork ribs?
A beer with comparable flavors would get lost in the taste of the pork and be little more than just wet. Perhaps the best pairing choice is a bright and citrusy American pale ale. The strong hops notes will likely dance with the spices of the barbecue sauce, and the malt from the beer should match up with the savory meat.
What beer goes with a pulled pork sandwich?
Stick to a simpler American pale ale. Some classic examples of American pale ales include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale. A pulled pork sandwich can be complex in flavor, and a good drink pairing can really make those flavors sing.