Foolproof Food and Beer Pairings for Winter

With winter's weather drop comes an arsenal of great stouts and dark ales. It's also the season to entertain, and these foolproof food and beer pairings will ensure a great experience for your loved ones.

These seasonal beers were originally brewed to stave off the cold during the snowy winter season. It's no coincidence that winter Thanksgiving and Christmas are filled with big, hearty meals; like cold-weather beers, they are meant to warm the body. The spice and distinct flavors that are used for winter beers mimic those used in holiday cooking. You'll find spicy notes like cinnamon, nutmeg, berry and chocolate; you also may taste orange peel, vanilla or coriander. The following is a general guide for pairing seasonal beer with holiday cuisine. Below the beer type is a general description of the flavor profile and the kind of cuisine it will pair with. Happy drinking!

Stout
The black malts used in brewing stouts give it a distinct smokiness. Utilize this flavor by pairing stout with shellfish, especially smoked or raw oysters. Vegetarians can try pairing stout with smoked tempeh. Stout's complex flavors also lend well to creamy desserts, especially tiramisu.
Beers to try: Sierra Nevada Stout, Guinness Stout

Ale
Big winter ales need intense flavors to balance favorably on your palate. They pair well with meats like prime rib, sweet or salty ham, lamb and fowl, but ales can also be good with pasta-so long as the sauce is rich with a powerful cheese like Gorgonzola, blue or even goat. Thai dishes, especially peanut sauce, also pack enough punch to stand up to winter ale. For dessert, play up the spice in winter ale by serving it with apple pie or carrot cake.
Beers to try: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale, Anchor Christmas Ale

Lambic
Believe it or not, beer can go with breakfast. Since lambics are brewed with fruit, they pair well with pancakes, French toast or waffles. Any dish that contains caramelized or sugary components also pairs well with a lambic, like roasted turkey, crème brulee, cheesecake, or blueberry tarts.
Beers to try: Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic, Lindeman's Kriek Lambic

Porter
Porter's intensity lends well to full-flavored cheeses like blue and gorgonzola; it will also go well with a creamy Alfredo sauce. It also can stand up to intense flavors of the sea like a nice spicy crab cake, and with nutty flavors like pesto. You can also match spice with spice and pair it with chili. For dessert, try serving porter with chocolate or espresso-flavored mousse or ice cream.
Beers to try: Sam Adams Holiday Porter, Fuller's London Porter