National Beer Day: 5 beer and food pairings that might surprise you

It's National Beer Day, but before you head out into the sun for a barbecue and a pint tonight, it turns out, much like wine, certain beers go better with some dishes than others. To make sure you're enjoying the right drink with your supper, here's UK dining club Gourmet Society's guide to which beers go with what.

1. Pale Ale

 

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Brewed with more lightly roasted 'pale' malts, pale ales typically have a more equal malt-to-hop balance. This beer is great paired with pub classics, like burgers, pork pies and fish and chips.

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2. English Bitter

 

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Golden to copper in colour and light bodied, the hoppy bitterness is moderate to strong. Team this drink with slightly heavier dishes, like steak and ale pie, a slab of steak on the barbecue, or hearty roast chicken.

3. Lager

 

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A traditional favourite, try lagers such as Heineken, Budweiser, or Peroni with meals that pack a flavour punch, including pizza, grilled fish or spicy tandoori dishes.

4. IPA

 

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Part of the pale ale family, IPAs are super refreshing, so make a great foil for spicy curries, chilli sausages or anything fiery and distinctive.

5. Stout and Porter

 

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Guinness lovers should pair their drink with stews and grilled meat, or for those with a sweet tooth, try it with rich chocolate.

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