Best Beer for Wings: 5 Epic Beer & Chicken Wing Combos

Are you looking for the perfect beer to pair with chicken wings? From mild hot sauce to intensely spicy ones, a beer will enhance and bring out the flavors in your favorite wing dish. From the different styles that pair best with the different sauces, let’s jump into helping you find the best beer for wings.

Best Styles Of Beer To Pair With Chicken Wings

When it comes to pairing beer and chicken wings, you have many options. A good rule of thumb is to choose a beer that complements the flavors in the sauce.

Dunkelweizen is an excellent choice for traditional sweet sauces or hot wing glazes, as it has enough maltiness to stand up to sweetness and spiciness.

IPAs pair well with spicy wings because of their bitterness which can help balance extreme heat. Other styles, like Belgian Dubbel Abbey Ale, work well for complexly flavored dishes that require a more robust flavor from the beer.

For Buffalo-style wings, opt for beers with sweet malts that will counterbalance some of the spice from ingredients such as Frank’s Red Hot Sauce or vinegar used in classic recipes; lighter options like Bud Light or Pilsner Urquell are always sure bets that won’t overpower your food selection.

If you’re upgrading your game night with something inventive like garlic parmesan chicken wings, consider wheat beers like Allagash White, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, and Hoegaarden Witbier—the refreshing citrus notes found in these brews can enhance the layered flavors present in complex dishes (like these).

Best Light Beers To Pair With Classic Hot Wings 

Light beers are an ideal match when pairing beer with classic hot wings. Here are the best beers to pair with hot wings;

Bud Light

Bud Light is a light lager among the top picks for pairing with hot wings. Its clean and crisp flavor helps balance out the spiciness of buffalo wings, while its hop profile makes it great for cutting through bold flavors.

It’s mildness and balanced carbonation make it especially enjoyable when paired with spicy dishes like chicken wings, as these can be overpowered by stronger flavored beers such as IPAs.

The added hops also help soften the oil from store-bought fried foods, which can taste profoundly heavy.

In addition, because Bud Light has a relatively low ABV at 4%, it won’t intrude too much on your senses, making it easier to savor beer and food without overpowering another.

Pilsner Urquell

Pilsner Urquell is one of the most straightforward and classic beers, yet it offers a unique flavor profile that makes it ideal for pairing with chicken wings. This light lager was initially brewed in Plzeň (Pilsen), Czech Republic, in 1842, making it the world’s first pale lager.

It has a slightly sweet malty taste and a hint of bitterness, giving way to a beautiful hoppy finish. With an ABV shy of 5%, Pilsner Urquell is the perfect balance between being light enough to enjoy with snacks but flavorful enough to stand up against spicier dishes like hot chicken wings.

Its subtle sweetness perfectly complements the savory and spicy flavors, while the lightly carbonated body helps balance the heat from any sauces you add.

Blue Moon Belgian White

Blue Moon Belgian White is a classic beer style crafted with the flavors of traditional Belgian white beers. It’s made with orange peel and coriander to give it a unique citrus-like aroma and flavor; these spices are blended into a wheat malt base, producing natural hints of banana and clove.

The perfect balance between spiciness, hops, and sweetness makes this beer an ideal complement to classic hot wings. Even better, at only 5% ABV, you won’t have to worry about overindulging in this delicious treat.

Blue Moon Belgian White pairs well with the spiciness of hot sauce thanks to its complexity – it has enough hop bitterness to cut through any heat but does not overpower the flavor of your favorite wings.

Best IPA To Pair With Chicken Wings

For an intense and hoppy taste, pair chicken wings with a renowned India Pale Ale (IPA), such as Lagunitas, Dogfish Head 90 Minute, or Founders All Day.

Lagunitas IPA

is the perfect beer to pair with chicken wings. Not only does it have a hoppy, citrus-forward flavor that helps complement the spicy and savory flavors of classic wing dishes, but its medium body makes it an easy drinker that won’t overpower the overall taste experience.

The subtle bitterness of Lagunitas IPA is ideal for cutting through rich or fatty dishes such as hot wings while also balancing out some of their more intense spice levels.

Additionally, its citrus notes enhance sweet and smoky BBQ flavors when paired with saucy barbecue wings or honey mustard styles.

Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA

is an American India Pale Ale (IPA) with a beautiful flavor profile? It’s made by Dogfish Head Brewery, founded in 1995 by Sam and Mariah Calagione. It features malts from the U.S., England, and Germany and hops from three continents, giving this beer its signature bitterness.

This IPA is also hoppy yet balanced with some sweet caramel malt flavors, adding to its complexity.

Founders All Day IPA

is widely considered to be one of the best IPAs for pairing with chicken wings. The light, floral hops and subtle citrus notes make it an excellent choice for traditional Buffalo-style wings that call for an assertive hop bitterness.

This citric taste complements the spiciness of the dish’s ingredients and provides a balance against their heat. Additionally, its low alcohol content means you can enjoy several beers without overdrinking, fully appreciating all the delicious flavors.

Best Brown Ales To Pair With BBQ Wings 

When pairing beer with BBQ wings, brown ales are a great choice that can enhance the sweetness and smokiness of the dish.

To complement these flavors, choose beers that have caramel or toasty malt notes, such as Brooklyn Brown Ale, Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, or Newcastle Brown Ale. For an even richer flavor profile,

Brooklyn Brown Ale

Brooklyn Brown Ale is a deliciously balanced and flavorful beer that pairs exceptionally well with BBQ wings. It has a roasted malt flavor with hints of coffee, caramel, and chocolate to balance out the sweet & smoky flavors of BBQ sauce.

Additionally, it has a creamy body that complements the dish’s richness. The bitterness from this ale perfectly cuts through the fat in chicken wings, adding an extra layer to the overall dish’s flavor profile.

Brooklyn Brown Ale pairs wonderfully with BBQ wings and is excellent with burgers or other meat dishes such as brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.

Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale is celebrated among craft beer fans as one of the best brown ales to pair with BBQ wings. This full-bodied and smoothly flavorful ale is a seasonal favorite. Its irresistible aroma has hints of roasted malts, coffee, caramel, cocoa, light hops, and nutmeg.

Enjoy it with any wing dish that requires a balance between smoky savoriness and sweet richness.

Newcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle brown ale is an English, dark brown ale that was first brewed in 1927. The beer has a malty taste, with notes of caramel and roasted nuts complemented by earthy hop bitterness.

Its subtle flavors make it the ideal partner for all chicken wings, from classic buffalo hot sauce to BBQ or glazed wings. Newcastle Brown Ale’s balanced yet complex taste pairs brilliantly with barbecue sauces while still complementing other flavors without overpowering them – making it an excellent choice when looking for beers to pair with spicy dishes such as chicken wings.

Best Wheat Beers To Pair With Garlic Parmesan Wings  

Wheat beers such as Allagash White, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, and Hoegaarden Witbier pair well with garlic Parmesan wings for their richness and low hop bitterness – dive into the details of these classic beer styles for perfect flavor pairing!

Allagash White

is a light, a refreshing wheat beer brewed with coriander and Curaçao orange peel. Its ABV of 5.2% and its balanced citrus flavors with just the right hint of spice make it an ideal pairing for garlic parmesan wings, especially those served up hot during Super Bowl LIII.

This Belgian-style brew from Portland, ME, combines intense citrus, banana, and bubblegum aromas while remaining light on the palate.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is a distinctive and delicious German wheat beer brewed in the traditional Bavarian Weizen manner. It is one of the most popular beers for pairing with garlic parmesan chicken wings due to its light, hazy golden color and unique flavor profile: banana and clove aromas with hints of bubble gum, caramelized sugar, vanilla, honey, and biscuit.

This intense yet balanced beer pairs beautifully with the rich Parmesan flavors in classic garlic parmesan wings. The brewery that produces this beer is Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan (the oldest existing brewery in the world), located near Munich in Germany’s famed Franconia region.

Hoegaarden Witbier

Hoegaarden Witbier is a wheat beer produced by a brewery of the same name in Belgium. It is an unfiltered wheat ale brewed with coriander and orange peel for additional flavor.

This combination gives it a unique citrusy aroma that pairs perfectly with garlic parmesan wings. With a refreshingly light body and subtle hints of yeast, this effervescent beer balances the richness of creamy Parmesan cheese, garlicky spices, and hot sauce used in chicken wings recipes.

Its ABV of 5% makes this wine-style beer ideal for pairing with rich dishes like garlic parmesan chicken wings without overwhelming the palate or dousing it with unnecessary alcohol content.

Pairing Beer With Asian-Inspired Wings 

Belgian-style wheat beers or pale ales work well with Asian-inspired wings and can add a light sweetness to balance savory, sweet, or spicy flavors.

They can balance out the spiciness or intensity of some wing sauces while still maintaining their unique character.

Some examples include Allagash White, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, and Hoegaarden Witbier for wheat beers

Top Pick for Asian-Inspired Wings: Allagash White

Teriyaki sauce works exceptionally well with red ales like Amber Ales that can complement its sweetness without overpowering it.

Top Pick for Teriyaki Sauce: Odell 90 Shilling Ale

For citrusy lemon pepper wings, taste several refreshing lagers or add lime slice garnish with a light wheat beer like Berliner Weisse to accentuate citric notes in food and drink alike.

Top Pick for Lemon Pepper Wings: Berliner Weisse

Finally, pair honey mustard glazed wings with pilsners or American-style pale ales that won’t be too heavily hopped but will still enhance the sweet, savory combination of these two classic flavors in one mouthful when served together!

Top Pick for Honey Mustard Glazed Wings: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Pairing Beer With Teriyaki Wings 

Red Ales or Brown Ales work best with teriyaki wings’ sweet and smoky flavors.

Red Ales Or Brown Ales 

Red and brown ales are two styles of beer that pair well with chicken wings.

These beers are characterized by their malty flavor profiles and relatively low bitterness.

They offer a pleasing sweetness that balances the spicy, savory flavors of the chicken wings. Red ales have a slightly hoppier taste than brown ale.

They can work well with recipes featuring teriyaki sauce since the beer’s maltiness complements the sauce’s sweetness while still providing some bitterness to stand up to any spiciness.

Brown ales are darker and have nutty, chocolatey flavors, making them an excellent choice for BBQ-style wings or wings with smoky sauces.

The subtle sweetness of brown ale helps to cut through the richness of these dishes while adding an element of complexity to their flavor profiles.

Wheat beers may also enhance garlic parmesan or lemon pepper wings, offering a lightness that pairs well with creamy sauces or tangy citrus notes.

Recommendations For Sweet And Tangy Sauces 

Sweet and tangy sauces provide a complex flavor profile for chicken wings, with sweet notes from brown sugar or honey and spicy flavors from vinegar. These sauces are famous for teriyaki wings, hot honey wings, and Asian-inspired dishes like Szechuan Chicken Wings.

Beer pairings should balance sweetness with light acidity and fruity overtones to complement these bold flavors and maximize the eating experience.

Pale lagers or wheat beers can work well here – paired with lemon pepper wings, for example – to accentuate the citrus notes in the dish and add brightness to cut through any richness.

Pilsners are another great choice due to their delicate hop aroma that works well alongside sweeter ingredients without overpowering them. Red ales or brown ales also work great when paired with teriyaki sauce – they usually offer maltiness that helps complement its sweet but salty taste while being smooth enough not to overwhelm it.

Some good examples include;

• Brooklyn Brown Ale
• Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

For other spicy recipes like garlic parmesan wings, wheat beers such as Allagash White, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, or Hoegaarden Witbier bring subtle fruit notes in both food and drink, which serve to mellow out heavy flavors found in some sauces.

Pairing Beer With Lemon Pepper Wings 

– Light Lagers or Wheat Beers can enhance the citrus notes of lemon pepper wings, while Pale Ales can provide a neutral backdrop for their unique flavor.

Light Lagers Or Wheat Beers 

Light Lagers and Wheat Beers are great options when pairing beer with chicken wings. Pale lagers, like Bud Light or Pilsner Urquell, provide a soft and crisp flavor that compliment classic hot wings without overpowering the dish’s spice.

Wheat beers like Allagash White, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, or Hoegaarden Witbier have a slightly sweet fruity aroma that complements more decadent wing flavors like garlic parmesan.

They also offer subtle notes of clove and banana, which pair perfectly with Asian-inspired sauces. Red or brown ales also work surprisingly well with teriyaki sauce’s sweet glaze, while lighter lagers will cleanse your palate from the spicy heat of lemon pepper wings.

No matter what type you choose to pair your chicken wing flavors with, it is essential to consider the intensity level of each ingredient for the best possible combination – one that enhances rather than overwhelms other components – to be achieved!

Enhancing The Citrus Notes Of The Dish 

Pairing beer with lemon pepper wings can be tricky – while you want to highlight the savory and lemony flavor of the peppers, it’s also important not to overpower the taste.

To strike this balance, I recommend using light lagers or wheat beers for your pairing. Pale lagers tend to have more delicate flavors that don’t compete with the citrus notes in the dish.

Meanwhile, well-crafted German-style wheat beer has a fruitiness complemented by an underlying tartness – making them perfect candidates for pairing up against mildly spiced dishes like Lemon Pepper Wings!

Other great options include hefeweizens or fruited Berliners, as they provide an extra sweetness, which helps balance out some of those acidic flavors from your dish!

Try something like a classic American pale ale or Belgian Witbier for even brighter citrus tastes, as they often bring out some additional complexity when paired with this type of cuisine.

Pairing Beer With Honey Mustard Wings 

For honey mustard wings, pale ales or pilsners are ideal for bringing out the sauce’s sweetness while balancing its tanginess.

Pilsners Or Pale Ales 

Pilsners and pale ales are the two most popular beer styles for pairing with chicken wings. Pilsners offer light, crisp, and refreshing flavors that can bring balance to especially hot or spicy wings.

Pale ale beers may have slightly more complex flavor profiles due to their higher hop content, which can help cut through sweet sauces like honey mustard and rich and savory flavors like teriyaki, garlic parmesan, and BBQ.

Choosing a pilsner or a pale ale depends on the type of chicken wings you have and what sort of flavor profile you want to create. Pilsners will pair best with traditional “hot” or spicy wings, while pale ales work best with items from the sweeter end of the flavor spectrum, such as honey mustard or sweet chili sauces.

For Asian-inspired wings, either style works well, depending on whether you prefer sweet, spicy, or savory flavors in your dish. Last but not least, wheat beers are another excellent option for pairing with garlic parmesan and lemon pepper wings because they help enhance the subtle citrus notes of these dishes.

Balancing The Sweetness Of The Sauce 

Pairing beer and chicken wings can be tricky, but when it comes to honey-mustard BBQ wings, finding a balance between the sauce’s sweetness and the crisp hoppiness of beer is critical.

To achieve this balance in flavor, look for beers that feature floral aromas like American pale ales or complex Belgian dubbel abbey ales with notes of caramel, spice, and dark fruit – these styles contrast nicely with the sweet flavors found in honey mustard sauce.

Another option is to go for lighter lagers or wheat beers; that is fair enough that their milder undertones won’t overpower the dish.

A classic pilsner also works well if you’re looking for something more subtle, as its mild hop bitterness helps to round out any sharpness from the hot spices in some wing sauces.

Tips For Pairing Beer And Chicken Wings

When pairing beer and chicken wings, consider the intensity of flavors, balance the heat with a smooth or light beer, match regional flavors to enhance taste profiles, and experiment with different combinations.

Consider The Intensity Of Flavors 

When pairing beer and chicken wings, it is essential to consider the intensity of flavors involved. The richness of the sauce or marinade and the dish’s spiciness can impact how a specific beer pairs with your wings.

Balancing out the heat level from your spicy wings with a beer’s carbonation and bitterness can create an outstanding flavor combination. A light lager, Pilsner, or Belgian wheat will often find harmony paired with classic hot buffalo wings, while a darker ale is perfectly balanced when tossed on BBQ-flavored wings.

An IPA may be better suited for extra spicy dishes, but moderate consumption as its higher alcohol content could overpower other subtle nuances in flavor.

Balance The Heat 

One of the most significant considerations when pairing beer with chicken wings is balancing the heat best. The carbonation in beer helps reduce and counteract the fiery flavors of wing sauce when paired together.

Additionally, malt in beer pairs well with the sweetness of most sauces. For hot wings doused in hot sauce or buffalo-style wings, opt for a tart or sour beer such as Westbrook Brewing’s Gose or Sixpoint Jammer, which can help cut through flavor and temperature levels.

Conversely, if you’re looking for something milder to pair with your classic Ffrank’s hot sauce-coated wings, go for a basic pilsner-style lager that won’t add too much extra heat – Bud Light is one excellent pick here.

Match Regional Flavors 

Pairing beer with chicken wings can be much more than choosing a beer style. Matching the flavors of your preferred beer with the regional flavors in your favorite sauce or rub can bring unexpected and exciting new layers to the dish.

Regional cuisines worldwide offer unique flavor profiles that pair perfectly with various beer styles. For example, if you’re looking for an IPA with classic buffalo wings, try Lagunitas or Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPAs for a hoppy, citrusy kick that complements the mild heat in traditional red sauces.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something sweet and savory to go alongside BBQ-style sticky wings, look no further than brown ales like Brooklyn Brown Ale—the mellow sweetness brings out all those excellent smoky BBQ notes.

A light lager is excellent paired with any lemon pepper flavored chicken wings — its subtlety helps emphasize the zesty citrus without overpowering it – while wheat beers are an ideal match to garlic parmesan Wings due to their mild character, which balances spicy herbal notes and sharp cheese while rounding out each bite nicely.

Experiment With Different Combinations 

The possibilities are endless when selecting a beer to go with chicken wings. Beer has been enjoyed alongside food for centuries and is an incredibly versatile accompaniment to many types of cuisine.

From hoppy IPAs to light lagers, there’s a beer that can pair well with just about any dish.

From spicy hot wings to sweet and savory teriyaki or even citrus-infused lemon pepper varieties, don’t be afraid to experiment when selecting the best beer pairing.

Try serving something unexpected like a sour Belgian ale with honey mustard glazed wings placed atop salty Parmesan fries – it could bring out all your favorite flavors in one plate! Things like classic pale ales might match better than you think – especially paired against spicy garlic parmesan wings served on top of crispy breadcrumbs adding texture and depth to each bite.

For extra flavor and points, choose recipes where you can use herbal hop aromatics from wet-hopped refreshers or craft pilsners lightly dry-hopped for more mouthfeel making every sip melt into equal parts poultry greatness as if nature intended them both together!

Serving Beer With Chicken Wings 

Learning how to serve the best beer for your favorite flavors and spice levels will make your next chicken wing night tastier.

Proper Temperature 

When pairing beer with chicken wings, it’s essential to do your beverage at the proper temperature to get the most out of your experience.

Lagers are typically served between 45˚F – 55˚F while pale ales should be done closer to 50˚F – 60˚F.

For heavier brews such as porters or stouts, 60˚F – 65˚F is ideal for bringing out all their complex flavors.

Choosing The Right Glassware 

The glassware can make a big difference in the experience of beer and food pairing. When serving beer with chicken wings, selecting an appropriate glass is vital for enhancing the flavor and aroma of your brew.

Different types of glasses will help capture and keep carbonation within a head-on pour which adds body as well as showcases flavors much better than just pouring into any old cup or bottle.

IPAs tend to do best out of pint glasses like shakers or nonic pint glasses, while wheat beers work well in a Weizen glass or stemmed goblet that provides more space around liquid allowing aromas to rise towards you when taking a sip.

For light lagers, consider purchasing smaller glasses such ass lowballs or snifters that emphasize both malt nuances and bitterness hops.

Serving Suggestions 

Proper temperature and glassware are essential for the ideal eating experience when enjoying a chicken wings meal with beer. Beer should be served at the right temperature so that its flavor can fully come through to complement the flavor of the wings. Too cold, and you won’t be able to taste all the nuances of your favorite brew.

Too warm, and all you’ll get is flatness and funkiness. The optimal temperature range will vary depending on the style – lagers are best when served at 40-45°F, while IPAs should be poured at 45-55°F (American Homebrewers Association).

In addition to serving beer at an appropriate temperature, using the proper glassware is essential for enhancing overall enjoyment. Actual mugs or plastic cups may do in a pinch but glass can change everything because it helps concentrate aromas that make up much of the drinking experience — particularly with craft beer.

For traditional hot wings, choose glasses tall enough with a broader rim like a Pint Glass or Weihenstephaner Stange that act as “flavor amplifiers” for American Lagers (Full Glass).

IPA styles benefit from narrower glasses like an English Imperial Pint Glass or Weizen Vase that enhances fruity aromas (Brewer World). Brown ales bring out more of their roasted notes in drinks that showcase those qualities, like a Willi Becher glass or Bavarian Mug (Serious Eats).

For Asian-inspired wings, pair wheat beers or light pale ales in wide glasses such as Tulip Glasse or Tomahawk to bring out subtle fruit flavors in hoppy Belgian beers (The Cookful).

Red Ales or brown ales work well with sweeter teriyaki wings; opt for glasses with more enormous mouths, such as Snifters or Hefeweizen Tulip Glasse, to amplify dark stout characteristics.

Lemon pepper wings burst into vibrant citrus notes in short pilsner glasses and tall Wheat Beer Flutes that enhance the spicy feature of hops around the edges.

Honey mustard flavors match pale ales in rounded Nonic Pints that balance acidity and sweetness levels.

Conclusion

When pairing beer with chicken wings, remember that the best beers to choose are those that complement or balance out the seasoning of the wings. Experimentation is essential for finding a great match, so try different beer styles and regional flavors to discover tasty new combinations.

Becoming familiar with beer-tasting notes and flavor profiles can help you find perfect pairings more quickly. For classic hot wings served with traditional Buffalo sauce, German pilsners like Pilsner Urquell work well; while IPA’s make an ideal accompaniment for extra spicy dishes.

When it comes to sweet Asian-inspired marinades and sticky teriyaki glazes, opt for wheat beers or pale ales to bring out their sweeter side; while ales such as Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale are good choices if you prefer barbecue-style wings.