The right food paired with the right beer can be a match made in heaven. It's a perfect way to spend an indulgent Friday night or weekend. Today, there are a variety of beers an individual can enjoy with a variety of cuisines. Much like its more mature cousin, wine, a specific beer can pair well with certain foods. This article will take a look at the best beers to drink with different plates.

Different Tastes

Before we get into the actual pairings, it's important to keep some things in mind about the different tastes of various beers. There are a few descriptors often used for the taste of beer:

• Hops: There are some very sweet and hoppy beers. Taste often depends on when the hops are added during the brewing process. If they're added early on, you'll get a more bitter flavor. If they're added later on, you may not notice it as much. There are also different hops with different flavors that pair well with fruity and flowery craft beers.
• Light: Light beer is crisp and the flavor is usually not overly powerful. They won't be very bitter or hoppy. They have a lower alcohol content, too. They offer a balanced and clean taste to wash down almost any food.
• Malt: Malt beers have barley grain that is roasted and added during the brewing process. It often gives beer a dark color and a nutty taste. There may also be notes of caramel, chocolate, and coffee with different malt beers.
• Bitterness: Bitterness, while not always associated with hops, is still a flavor profile a beer may have. Some breweries use an International Bitterness Unit, or IBU, to measure the bitterness levels of their beer. The higher the IBU, the more bitter the beer.

Best Pairings

Now that we have an idea of the different flavors of beer, we can get into which is the best beer for your meals:

• Light Lagers: Light lagers are an American staple with over 40% of U.S. beer consumption attributed to light beer, according to Statista. The refreshing and crisp beverage usually doesn't have powerful flavors, as noted above. Some light craft beer will prove the exception to the rule. However, the lack of flavor means that the light lager can be paired with pretty much anything. Its refreshing taste lends it to be perfect for spicy foods, too. If you're having Buffalo wings, spicy pad thai, or a Mexican dish loaded with jalapenos, light beer will treat you right.
• India Pale Ales: India Pale Ales are more commonly known as IPAs. These popular craft beers are heavier in hops and so may present a bitter flavor profile. However, many craft breweries utilize fruits and other flavors to balance out the hops. The range of flavors modern IPAs offer is robust, and you will probably be able to find one that fits with any dish. Still, for the more classic IPA, the best pairings are Mexican foods like burritos and fajitas. Double IPAs go great with smoked brisket or fried chicken.
• Porters and Stouts: Porters originated in London. They are dark and malty beers with a thick and toasty flavor. They go great with foods that have similarly rich flavors. Think barbecue, sausages, and roasted meat in general. Stouts are similarly dark and malty, but with a smoother finish. The chocolate and coffee notes present make it a great pairing for desserts, Mexican mole, and barbecue.
• Wheat Beers: Wheat beers have a smooth texture and a little less carbonation than other light lagers or IPAs. Breweries often add fruity notes to wheat beers since the wheat doesn't add much flavor. Wheat beers pair well with a variety of foods, including spicy dishes, salads, and even pastries.

There is a beer out there for any dish, and the best beer really depends on your own preference. No matter what food and beer combination you're looking for, you can find it at Two Frays Brewery. There are plenty of restaurants nearby and you are more than welcome to bring your food over to our outside seating area. For more information on the best beer in Pittsburgh, call us today!