As the weather turns brisk and the nights draw in, our thoughts turn to hearty, warming comfort foods – the sorts of dishes that stick to your ribs and lift the spirits. Happily, Britain’s brewers have a fantastic array of winter beers to complement these cold-weather favourites.
Hearty Pies Meet Robust Porters
“There’s nothing better than a proper pie,” says celebrated chef Delia Smith. She’s quite right – whether encased in crisp pastry or sumptuous shortcrust, a thick pie makes a quintessentially British winter meal.
To stand up to the bold flavours of meat and gravy, you’ll want an equally full-bodied beer. The roasted malt and lightly hopped character of traditional porters or stouts are an ideal match. Camden Town Brewery’s Ink stout or Black Sheep’s The Original roast barley stout both pair beautifully with steak and ale or chicken and mushroom pie.
Malty Browns for Roast Dinners
“There’s no better beer with your Sunday lunchtime roast than a proper northern brown ale,” says veteran beer writer Roger Protz. “The malty caramel and nutty character provides the perfect counterpoint to the rich meat and all the trimmings.”
Opt for malt-accented brown ales like Tyne Bank’s Northern Brown Ale, Theakston’s Nut Brown Ale or Family Brewer’s London Glory to accent the flavours of your perfectly-cooked roast beef, pork, lamb or nut roast this winter. Just make sure you let both beer and meat rest for maximum enjoyment!
Oatmeal Stouts for Warming Puddings
“I like to finish a good meal with something sweet,” says Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry. There are few things more comforting than a gently-spiced winter pudding, from sticky toffee to warming apple crumble. The trick is finding an accompaniment as sweetly satisfying.
Look to the silky, gently bittersweet palate of oatmeal stouts like Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout or Meantime London Stout. The subtle chocolate and coffee notes pick out flavours of caramel, nuts or winter spices for a harmonious pairing. Just go easy – with flavours this bold-yet-smooth, it’s tempting to over-indulge!
So stay warm and cheerful this winter with some perfect beer and comfort food pairings. The right match is sure to lift the spirits on a cold night. Now, who’s ready for seconds?