The Best Beers for Stew: Our Top Picks
A good stew is built on a dark, malty beer that reduces down into a rich gravy. You want body and a little roast, not a load of hop bitterness. These four all cook down beautifully, and drink well by the fire too.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinness Extra Stout | Irish Extra Stout | 4.2/5 | A rich beef stew |
| North Coast Old Rasputin | Russian Imperial Stout | 4.6/5 | The heartiest stews |
| Newcastle Brown Ale | English Brown Ale | 4.2/5 | A sweeter, milder stew |
| Fuller’s London Pride | English Bitter | 4.7/5 | A traditional ale match |
Stew is slow, dark and deep, so the beer should be too. A stout or a malty English ale meets it flavour for flavour.
The Best Beers for Stew, Reviewed
Guinness Extra Stout
The classic stew beer. The roasted barley gives the gravy a deep, savoury backbone that tastes like it has been cooking all day. Read the full Guinness Extra Stout review.
- Bold roasted bitterness
- More punch than Draught
- Great with hearty food
- Dry and intense
- Heavier on the palate
North Coast Old Rasputin
For a really rich beef stew, this imperial stout adds dark chocolate and dried fruit that make it taste properly luxurious. Read the full North Coast Old Rasputin review.
- Huge roasted chocolate and coffee
- 9% ABV warmth
- A world-class stout
- Intense and boozy
- One and done
Newcastle Brown Ale
A gentler option that keeps the gravy smooth and nutty rather than roasty, good with a lamb or chicken stew. Read the full Newcastle Brown Ale review.
- Nutty caramel malt
- Smooth and easy
- A classic brown ale
- Slightly sweet
- Low hop character
Fuller’s London Pride
If you want a lighter, more traditional English stew, this ale gives you malt and body without any heavy roast. Read the full Fuller’s London Pride review.
- Rich malt with marmalade hops
- Superb balance
- A classic English ale
- Low on fizz
- Not for dedicated lager drinkers
The pot every stew wants
Stew is a long, slow job, and an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is built for it. Even heat, no hot spots, and it looks good enough to serve straight from.
Stew and Beer: FAQs
What ale is best for stew?
A stout or a malty English ale. Guinness Extra Stout adds roast and body, and Fuller\’s London Pride brings a softer, malt-led match.
Can I cook the stew with the same beer?
Yes, and you should. A splash of stout in the pot deepens the gravy. The same trick works in a steak and ale pie.
Related pairings: ale for steak and ale pie, beer for corned beef, beer for a steak marinade.
