The Best Beers for Brats: Our Top Picks
A good bratwurst is all about the snap of the casing and the fatty, peppery pork underneath, so the beer has to keep it honest. The Germans figured this out centuries ago, which is why a wheat beer or a malty dunkel feels so right next to a grilled brat. These four are the ones I keep coming back to, whether you are doing proper Nurnberger sausages or beer brats simmered on the tailgate. Pricing and stock move around by area, so check what is near you below.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier | German Hefeweizen | 4.8/5 | The classic Bavarian brat |
| Modelo Negra | Munich Dunkel | 3.9/5 | Grilled, caramelized brats |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.3/5 | Beer brats on the grill |
| Beck’s | German Pilsner | 3.5/5 | A crisp, clean bite |
A brat is fatty, peppery pork with a snap, so pour a Bavarian wheat beer or a malty dunkel. The Germans got this pairing right a long time ago.
The Best Beers for Brats, Reviewed
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
This is the brat pairing the Germans intended. The banana and clove of the wheat beer plays off the pork and the fennel in the sausage, and the soft carbonation scrubs the fat clean between bites. Read the full Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier review.
- Banana and clove aroma
- Smooth wheat body
- A world-class wheat beer
- Cloudy in the glass
- Not for hop lovers
Modelo Negra
A Munich dunkel brings toasty, bread-crust malt that mirrors the char off the grill. It is smooth enough to drink all afternoon and dark enough to stand up to a caramelized, well-browned brat. Read the full Modelo Negra review.
- Toasty caramel malt
- Smooth and easy
- Pairs with grilled meat
- Darker than some expect
- Still fairly mild
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
For beer brats simmered in the pan, a pale ale does double duty. The citrus and pine hops cut the fat while the caramel malt matches the browning, and you can cook with it and drink it from the same six-pack. Read the full Sierra Nevada Pale Ale review.
- Bright Cascade pine and citrus
- The benchmark pale ale
- Very versatile
- Hop bite is a lot for some
- Not sweet
Beck’s
When you just want something crisp and clean, a German pilsner keeps it simple. It is light and dry, so it resets your palate after every fatty, peppery bite without getting in the way. Read the full Beck’s review.
- Crisp pilsner bite
- Widely available
- Clean, dry finish
- Unremarkable on its own
- Slight tinny note from the bottle
The Gear That Makes Brats Easy
A few bits of kit make a brat cookout easier. A grill basket keeps them from rolling into the coals, long tongs keep your hands off the heat, and a cast iron griddle is perfect for beer brats and onions.
Brats and Beer: FAQs
What is the best beer to cook beer brats in?
A light amber ale or a lager. You want enough malt to add flavor without bitterness, since the beer reduces as the brats simmer. New Belgium Fat Tire or a clean lager both work well. The same logic applies when you are picking a beer for the wider BBQ.
Should brats be served with a light or dark beer?
Both work, they just do different jobs. A crisp pilsner or wheat beer keeps things light and refreshing, while a Munich dunkel matches a heavily grilled, caramelized brat. If you are building a full cookout, our guide to beers for burgers pairs nicely alongside.
Related pairings: beers for a BBQ, beers for burgers, beers for wings.
