Beer and Pizza

This is a pair made in heaven. A good piece of pizza and a good beer to match it is an incomparable experience. They are of the same kin; beer and pizza crust come from the same magic conjured by grains, yeasts and sugars. Pizza comes in different styles, from deep dish, to pan, thin crust, stuffed, and more. Try pairing different beer styles with your favorite pizza ingredients.

Italian sausage & Blonde ale

Let the deep malt flavors of the Blonde Ale meet the fennel, oregano and pork flavors half way for a mighty match.

Pepperoni & Light lager

The light beer will squelch the heat of the pepperoni'ed, hard sausage, matching the mozzarella, provolone and parmesan cheeses along the way.

Veggie Supreme (onion, olive, mushroom, peppers) & India Pale Ale

Aromatics from the onions and olives are met by the malty overtones and spicy undertones of the IPA. The peppers add classic clarity.

Spin-a-ccoli & Scotch Ale

Deep malts of a Scotch Ale match the deeper flavors of the broccoli as well as the higher hints of the spinach.

Feta-licious & Wheat Beer

Feta cheese and the citrus of the wheat beer's yeast esters come together classically.

Bacon and Pineapple & Porter or Stout

The cured meat and the sugary pineapple take on heightened flavors when up against the roasted and chocolate malts.

Beer and pizza, paired, are great partners. The pizza ignites the palette. The beer matches it and heightens the pizza's potential.

Some brewers have found that part of their passion includes attempting to make a beer that is a pizza analog. Sometimes using actual oregano and tomatoes, they have added lactose to the brew to fake a pizza's cheesy feel and appeal.

I am a beer writer, not a beer critic. I do not see it to be my place to critique individual beers or styles. However, this is where I am going to part company with that philosophy. I do not recommend making beer that is intended to taste like pizza. Make beer that excites the experience of the pizza itself.

So, brewmasters, wherever you are, don't do it; don't make beer that you think will taste like pizza. It's an insult to both beer and pizza.